[Vampyr]

m1cha, on 2015-July-12, 14:07, said:

And I don't think it's a psych because after "1♠ p 2♥", when the opponents have shown 23+ points and are very likely to have 26+, everyone should realize we are not talking points here, we are talking distribution.

Psych? Surely no one would consider that.

[Phil]

I remember a hand a long, long time ago where the auction started 1M p 2H w/w and I went 4N with a 6-5 (much better hand than this one). Partner got doubled and went for 800 against a 4S contract that was doomed.

Unless your 6-6 or something, don't make a unilateral leap like this.

[MrAce]

m1cha, on 2015-July-12, 14:07, said:

............... "We play law of total tricks" or " But with 6-5 in the minors, we have a good chance of an 8-card fit to play on the two-level. Plus 1 level for white against red plus 1 level on the partscore range while opponents probably have game, if we stretch it."

Stretch?

Oh come on! Don't be hard on yourself!
If I were you I would write this to L.C and insist that he should add this to his book.
A new chapter! "How to apply LOTT in a deal without having absolutely no clue which side has how many trumps if they have a trump!

[han]

Many years ago my friend Phil had one bad result after jumping to 4NT. Since then he has missed out on many an opportunity to mess with the opponents. White against red with 0-2-5-6 shape and *good suits* I would have no qualms jumping to that level. Mind you, I would bid 4S, not 4NT, so that partner could bid 4NT with equal length in the minors.

But with the given hand I certainly wouldn't.

[Zelandakh]

One thing I used to do with one of my partners is that X of a strong 2/1 sequence was not constructive giving multiple ways of competing in 2 suits. Here it would give all of X, 2♠ and 2NT. That in turn leaves an alternative option to showing 5-5 in the minors - showing 6+ clubs with secondary diamonds. I think all 3 of these calls might be considered depending on the specific agreements in play. I would consider 4NT (or 4♠ if that were available) on this hand but would not do so against most opponents.

As an aside, how do other BBFers play 2♠ here? and Double too if not constructive take out (just in case they psyched? ). It surprises me a little that no one has suggested that as an alternative to 2NT as one very logical meaning would be 2-suited with better clubs.

[rhm]

ArtK78, on 2015-July-12, 07:51, said:

The fact that 4NT is the successful bid on this hand (or might be the successful bid on this hand) doesn't change the fact that it is, as Wank so delicately put it, psychotic.

2NT is plenty. Passing is probably better than 4NT.

While 4NT can backfire, calling it psychotic is utter nonsense. I would agree if colors were reversed, but they aren't.
Of course 2NT might describe your distribution, but preempting has advantages in itself even though I only believe preempts sometimes work .
My guess is that in the long run 4NT has a higher MP or IMP expectation at the table (single dummy) than 2NT.

Rainer Herrmann