[CamHenry]

Last night I held a shapely hand as dealer, white vs red:

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First off, is there a problem with opening this hand 2♥? I decided it was either that or 3♥, and didn't fancy the latter.

Secondly, what agreements should we have after my RHO comes in over the feature ask? Pass should probably include the weakest hand, e.g. QJTxxx and out, but what else?

[MrAce]

CamHenry, on 2013-August-07, 01:14, said:

Last night I held a shapely hand as dealer, white vs red:

---

First off, is there a problem with opening this hand 2♥? I decided it was either that or 3♥, and didn't fancy the latter.

Secondly, what agreements should we have after my RHO comes in over the feature ask? Pass should probably include the weakest hand, e.g. QJTxxx and out, but what else?

If you make a poll i think you would find buyers for 2-3-4 ♥ openings, depending on how much action you want to create on this board.

I think after 3♣ overcall pd is very likely to be short in clubs. Playing feature 3♦ would be showing values (?) So i would have just bid 4♦ to show my shortness and commit to game at this point (assuming 2NT promised heart support)

[CamHenry]

MrAce, on 2013-August-07, 02:27, said:

If you make a poll i think you would find buyers for 2-3-4 ♥ openings, depending on how much action you want to create on this board.

I think after 3♣ overcall pd is very likely to be short in clubs. Playing feature 3♦ would be showing values (?) So i would have just bid 4♦ to show my shortness and commit to game at this point (assuming 2NT promised heart support)

You don't fancy trying to defend something in ♣, on a forcing defense?

[MrAce]

CamHenry, on 2013-August-07, 02:35, said:

You don't fancy trying to defend something in ♣, on a forcing defense?

I can try that, but i am afraid this will only help them to find their better fit, then i would not be able to show my hand to pd, and he will think i have club values and he will think his shortness in club is not as good as he thought it is.

I don't know tbh, this is not a situation that comes a lot, so your guess is as good as mine. I just threw in my first taughts when i saw the thread. You may as well have a very valid point about punishing them.

[monikrazy]

Seems like a pass. If partner is extremely short clubs like you suspect, he can continue the auction as he seems fit. We have no stoppers in other suits, which is what feature-asking looks for.

If we pass and partner doubles, 3♥ is probably safest. It depends on partners minimum points for 2NT bid.


White vs. red I prefer 3H preempt. Would not always preempt though.