From: adam@irvine.com (Adam Beneschan)
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge
Subject: Re: Bidding questions
Date: 20 Nov 92 01:53:40 GMT
Organization: Irvine Compiler Corp., Irvine, California, USA


I posted a couple bidding questions on this one hand a few days ago.
I received several responses through email and news postings.  So I'm
summarizing the responses I got, and also letting you all know what
actually happened.

N-S vul., West deals             
           J 10
           x x
           K J 10 x x x
           J x x
x x x x              x x
x x                  K Q x x x x x
Q x x x              x
x x x                x x x
           A K Q x x
           A x
           A x
           A K Q x

The hand I posted was the South hand.  At the other table, the auction
went: 
    
    West    North    East    South
    Pass    Pass     3H      ?

Most of the netters who responded thought double was best.  There were
different ideas about what to do over a 4D response, though.  One
person continued to 4S;  another cue-bid 4H.  This last bid appeals to
me, because I have both black suits and a huge hand.  Partner is
likely to show is club support, though, and you might even end up in
6C!  Not that that's bad;  6C, 6D, 6S, and 6NT all make.  If you
convert 4D to 4S, you're showing a really good hand, but I'm not sure
whether your partner will continue.  One respondent was afraid that 3H
doubled might get passed out, so he bid 4H immediately, planning on
converting 5D to 5S.  You're really high now, but at least partner
will know you have a moose.

My teammate actually bid 5S directly over 3H.  She figured she had 11
tricks and all she needed was one trick from partner to make slam.
Her partner didn't figure out her meaning, though; he thought she was
asking him for second-round heart control.  He didn't have it, so he
passed.

At our table:
    West    North    East    South
    Pass     2D       3H     

The people who responded said that 3H should show a strong hand; one
said 8 playing tricks, another said a hand that needs about 7 points
to make game.  Everyone agreed that 3H is not a weak bid, though.
Those of you who agreed, please write to my partner (East) and tell
him what a bonehead he is.  Either that, or perhaps he made an
inspired psychic . . .

Anyway, several people also discussed what they would do as South.
The general feeling was to blast into 7NT if they could trust partner
to have KQ of diamonds, in second seat at this vulnerability;
otherwise, bid 5NT if they were sure partner would understand it, and
convert 7D to 7NT.  (One person said if they only bid 6D, he'd let
them play it there.  I concur, since you may have to lose a diamond
trick, and at 6D you may be able to pitch heart losers before they get
their trump trick.)  5NT is my choice also, but unfortunately blasting
into 7NT works on this hand, even though partner doesn't have what
he's supposed to for his 2D call.

Anyway, the actual South bid 3S, forcing.  Except that West didn't
think it was forcing.  Oops.  

With all the craziness on this hand, at least I'm proud to say that I
bid my hand perfectly.  Of course, with a flat 2-count, perhaps that's
not a major accomplishment.

Anyway, thank you to all of you who took the time to respond.
                                
                                -- Adam
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge