[straube]

Please pick one of the two hands and comment what you'd do with it. Fine to comment on the other hand, but state which hand you looked at first please. Your playing imps and using Precision (if it matters) and I forget the vul...but partner reminds me it was favorable. Thanks.

Hand 1

Spoiler

Your hand is x Txxx KQJxx xxx and the bidding goes P P 2S 2N P ? Do you pass or stayman or...? What's the plan?

Hand 2

Spoiler

Your hand is AKx AKxx Axxx Jx and the bidding goes P P 2S ? What do you bid and why?

[antonylee]

I peeked at hand 1 and decided to Stayman, intending to pass 3♦ and raise 3♥ to 4. After seeing the second hand, seems like I'm reaching a decent spot.

[Mbodell]

I looked at hand 1 first and I think I'd pass. Looking at hand 2 I'd consider X and 2nt, but I'd select 3nt.

[Fluffy]

I bid 2NT with hand 2, wich is 15-19 more or less. Controls are good, but ♠AKx are not something to upgrade (as oposed to AQ, AQJ, AQ98 KJ10x)

Hand 1 looks perfect for my methods, bid 3♣ transfer for diamonds followed by 3♥. But I might be biased for knowing hand 1, passing is certainly reasonable.

[Zelandakh]

I would Double with Hand 2. It is too strong for 2NT and the wrong hand type for a direct 3NT. After a 2NT overcall, it seems like a no-brainer to bid 3♣ if this is Stayman. This seems (even) more perfect than Fluffy's method on this hand.

[straube]

 Zelandakh, on 2013-February-01, 07:23, said:

I would Double with Hand 2. It is too strong for 2NT and the wrong hand type for a direct 3NT. After a 2NT overcall, it seems like a no-brainer to bid 3♣ if this is Stayman. This seems (even) more perfect than Fluffy's method on this hand.

Are you forcing game with hand 1 or passing the red response?

[Zelandakh]

 straube, on 2013-February-01, 07:33, said:

Are you forcing game with hand 1 or passing the red response?

I assume we play Lebensohl so surely passing is not a serious option?

[gwnn]

I have hand 2, I double (because I'm too strong for 2NT), and I think my format is much better than yours.

[straube]

 Zelandakh, on 2013-February-01, 08:37, said:

I assume we play Lebensohl so surely passing is not a serious option?

No, I meant if the one hand had overcalled 2N and you were using Stayman with the other hand. If you were responding would to a 2N overcall, would you force game or drop pd in a red suit?

[straube]

 gwnn, on 2013-February-01, 09:02, said:

I have hand 2, I double (because I'm too strong for 2NT), and I think my format is much better than yours.

What's your format? Maybe I'll use it

[gwnn]

http://www.bridgebas...imental-thread/

[han]

I looked at the second hand and doubled. I thought it was obvious.

[Zelandakh]

 straube, on 2013-February-01, 09:13, said:

No, I meant if the one hand had overcalled 2N and you were using Stayman with the other hand. If you were responding would to a 2N overcall, would you force game or drop pd in a red suit?

Antony's suggestion, raising hearts and passing diamonds, seems eminently sensible.

[akhare]

X with #2 for me. Assuming we are playing Lebensohl, there's always the option of a pass if pards bids 2N and we would love to hear any 3-level response.

Antony's suggestion for #1 seems very playable over the bid that was actually chosen too. However, if the #2 hands is slightly changed, it may land us in an non-optimal spot.

[gszes]

 antonylee, on 2013-February-01, 01:35, said:

I peeked at hand 1 and decided to Stayman, intending to pass 3♦ and raise 3♥ to 4. After seeing the second hand, seems like I'm reaching a decent spot.

sounds like a good plan i looked at hand 2 second and much prefer 2n vs x since i could be getting my self in a lot of hot water if p wants to play clubs.

as an aside----if this were MP i would still use 3c stayman but i would pass the 3d or 3h bid since there isnt as much need to push for game.

[akhare]

 gszes, on 2013-February-01, 12:05, said:

sounds like a good plan i looked at hand 2 second and much prefer 2n vs x since i could be getting my self in a lot of hot water if p wants to play clubs.

Assuming the partnership is playing Lebensohl 2N to show a weak hand (ostensibly with the dreaded ♣ hand), surely passing that bid is an option after the X?

[rmnka447]

I picked Hand #1.

Weak 2 bidder ought to have something decent for a 2 ♠ bid in 1st seat Vulnerable.

Unless pard has 5 ♠s, you have a ruffing value plus a good 6 opposite a hand that's probably worth a little more than actual HCP sitting behind the VUl weak 2 bid.

3 NT might make if pard has the full 18, but with less it's probably iffy.

So if 3 ♣ is Stayman, that's what I bid. If pard bids 3 ♦, I sit. If pard bids 3 ♥, I raise to game.

BTW at unfavorable vulnerability, I'd probably pass. In that case, the 2 ♠ bid could be made on some pretty stinking hands.