Codo, on 2012-November-07, 04:18, said:
Why should I bid 3 NT without a spade stopper?
I mean if I had been in the pass out seat, this call had been obvious. But here? Why should I?
I mean if I had been in the pass out seat, this call had been obvious. But here? Why should I?
You are worried that the opponents can run five spades? Seriously?
The chances of partner having ♠xxxx ♥Ax ♦AKxx ♣xxx are vanishingly small, and we may be off in 5♣ if they lead spades.
Passing 3♥ round to partner achieves nothing. You know he is not doubling, he will often make a buck passing 3♠ bid (which may be doubled when his spades are dubious) and we are worse off than before. Just bid 3NT. It's the obvious bid, the obvious contract most of the time and from the obvious side. It also helps for slam purposes since we promise a good club suit when we call off the hounds - with a balanced hand we would pass or double.