[Rebound]

whereagles, on Dec 27 2005, 02:08 AM, said:

Just bid 3NT. Don't try to get fancy when it's not necessary: with those superb fillings in the majors, you're probably pretty close to 9 tricks on top. Besides, the minor suit holdings, lenght + ace, aren't that bad for 3NT.

By the way, I don't think this hand is worth an upgrade to 16 hcp. Too much hcp strenght on short suits and the alternative opening is liable to attract low-level competition. This is a great hand to open 1NT opposite a passed pard. I would probably try 1NT even playing a 12-14 NT.

Ditto. I think Hammonds rule applies. 4♠ might be right but you might end up trying to ruff on the short side. Or 4♥ might be right as long as hearts break. But the 9-trick game seems the best chance to me.

[Free]

3NT, what's the problem??

[Chamaco]

pclayton, on Dec 25 2005, 11:54 PM, said:

Mauro - whats the actual hand?

K10xx - KJxxx - J9x - 9

Pard apologized later for such a light bid, but it's ok, that's not really the point of the post.
We have now agreed that an invite opposite this NT range might have such a low hcp content only in case of extra shape (55, 64, etc etc).

However, it is interesting to note that even with such low hcp content, 4S is on a 3-3 break (Qx on my right fell on the AK of hearts).

IMO, opener's hand is 100% suit oriented, and 3NT rates to play badly (or at any rate, worse than a suit contract) on average, and a simple exercise of trying to construct a possible hand for responder (or, accordingly, a computer simulation)should be enough to verify it.


However, I was curious to see how others would evaluate it.
Especially, I was wondering whether a 4-3 moysian or a 5-2 heart fit would be more appealing, (if we decide not to play in NT).

BTW, I do agree with the fellows who suggested that the 3D bid should be forcing, showing doubt, but at the table I was not sure it would be understood, so I went for 4S.