[thepossum]

---

Hint, my gut feel on how to bid was the best bid but I am not saying yet, and it was not my bid

Sorry Matchpoints! Strong NT, 5CM

[Huibertus]

Surely this will be unanimous?

[DavidKok]

This is a normal 1♣ opening.

[mw64ahw]

Huibertus, on 2025-November-18, 02:36, said:

Surely this will be unanimous?

Not if you play 4-card Majors or a Mexican 2♦ or go via 2♣

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

the options are either 1C or downgrading into a 1NT opening.
I am not very heavily in the upgrading business, and hence I am
not in downgrading business as well.

I would go with 1C, but 1NT would be fine with me as well.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Cyberyeti]

Even I would open this 1♣ playing 4M, it is too good for a strong NT, make all the 10s and lower 3s and 2s and I'd consider 1N.

[P_Marlowe]

Cyberyeti, on 2025-November-18, 05:02, said:

Even I would open this 1♣ playing 4M, it is too good for a strong NT, make all the 10s and lower 3s and 2s and I'd consider 1N.

You are 4333, and have KQJ tight.

There are reasons to downgrade, but you dont have to.

[Cyberyeti]

P_Marlowe, on 2025-November-18, 05:14, said:

You are 4333, and have KQJ tight.

There are reasons to downgrade, but you dont have to.

KQJ is better than AQx in most ways, Axx, KQJ is better than AQx, KJx.

This is a full value 18 in my book

[jillybean]

1nt if 16-18
1C otherwise

[thepossum]

I was not happy with a NT being last hand, and rather unhappy about 1 club. I almost bid 1 spade
I appreciate KQJ of clubs is a couple of tricks

[jillybean]

I can see why could mistake AK107 for a 5 card suit

[Cyberyeti]

thepossum, on 2025-November-18, 05:40, said:

I was not happy with a NT being last hand, and rather unhappy about 1 club. I almost bid 1 spade
I appreciate KQJ of clubs is a couple of tricks

Many people who play other ranges play 11-13(14) in 4th seat (I hadn't noticed it was 4th seat), on the basis that it says "if you can't open this is a part score board, and I'm going to grab the initiative".

1♠ is wrong thinking, partner responds 1N a very high percentage of the time and you've wrongsided it (although in this case there aren't many tenaces, but this is the general theory).

[thepossum]

Cyberyeti, on 2025-November-18, 05:51, said:

Many people who play other ranges play 11-13(14) in 4th seat (I hadn't noticed it was 4th seat), on the basis that it says "if you can't open this is a part score board, and I'm going to grab the initiative".

1♠ is wrong thinking, partner responds 1N a very high percentage of the time and you've wrongsided it (although in this case there aren't many tenaces, but this is the general theory).

ok thanks. 1 club was passed. I think every bid would be passed on this hand

will post it tomorrow

[mike777]

 thepossum, on 2025-November-18, 06:26, said:

ok thanks. 1 club was passed. I think every bid would be passed on this hand

will post it tomorrow

If partner passes one club, you are probably in the right contract.

[apollo1201]

This 4333 18 is not disgusting enough to downgrade. Not even sure I want the lead coming to my hand!

[P_Marlowe]

thepossum, on 2025-November-18, 06:26, said:

ok thanks. 1 club was passed. I think every bid would be passed on this hand

will post it tomorrow

The main problem with 1S is, that after a raise from p, you have no idea,
if you have a fit or not.
If you know, that every bids get passed, than 1NT would be best, you have 6
tricks in your hand, playing with a trump suit, risks bad breaks,
or even passing it out.
... but you dont know, that p will pass, if you open the bidding.

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2025-November-18, 05:38, said:

1nt if 16-18
1C otherwise

I prefer 15 to 18- in this seat. But would still stretch to 1C here: this is slightly more than your average 18 and it has the works in spades.

jillybean, on 2025-November-18, 05:48, said:

I can see why could mistake AK107 for a 5 card suit

That's why it should be written AKT7.

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2025-November-19, 16:37, said:

I prefer 15 to 18- in this seat. But would still stretch to 1C here: this is slightly more than your average 18 and it has the works in spades.



That's why it should be written AKT7.

I can't agree more.

[thepossum]

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Sorry for delay posting. The only contract that makes DD is 1 spade but almost half the field made 1 C or 1NT
Just one of my occasional gripes about 5CM

[mw64ahw]

thepossum, on 2025-November-19, 22:42, said:

---

Sorry for delay posting. The only contract that makes DD is 1 spade but almost half the field made 1 C or 1NT
Just one of my occasional gripes about 5CM

Nope - E/W can make 2♥