[paulg]

IMPs

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From an expert game last night. You are playing 2/1 game forcing. What do you call now? Would you make the same call with a minimum 5=4=2=2 hand? Any other options you'd consider?

[JLOGIC]

4H, yes, and I strongly considered pass and 4S

[Free]

4♥
yes
4♠ but dismissed it quite quickly

[gnasher]

I'd like to pass and then remove a double to 4♥, showing doubt about strain. However, I assume that this would in fact show doubt about level, so it would overstate my values without solving the strain problem.

4♥ might be problematic opposite a five-card suit, and 4♠ could be silly opposite a singleton or even two small. I started off thinking that I'd bid 4♠, but the singleton spade actually seems quite likely, so I'd choose 4♥.

Yes, I'd bid like this with a 5422 minimum.

[Fluffy]

I'm 5 keycards away from grand and partner's 2/1 will rarelly have less than 3. I think 4♥ is too weak, I would pass and remove double to 4♥ to show a better hand, or at least doubt about this being the final contract.

There are bad breaks looming so not gonna get excited right now, but if I can get partner to bid 4♠ I will be happier than playing 4♥, and if he goes to the 5 level we are favourite for slam.

[Free]

gnasher, on 2013-February-19, 05:00, said:

I'd like to pass and then remove a double to 4♥, showing doubt about strain. However, I assume that this would in fact show doubt about level, so it would overstate my values without solving the strain problem.

Fluffy, on 2013-February-19, 05:24, said:

I'm 5 keycards away from grand and partner's 2/1 will rarelly have less than 3. I think 4♥ is too weak, I would pass and remove double to 4♥ to show a better hand, or at least doubt about this being the final contract.

Imo pass followed by 4♥ rather shows something like ♥Hx and doubt about strain (so not necessarily 3♥ with loooong ♠, but more like half a fit with shorter ♠), rather than doubt about level.

[Fluffy]

I don't know if it shows doubt of level or strain, but it is right regardless

[lycier]

Support with support, I'd bid 4♥,making life easy and it is of importance to avoid the last guess .

[paulg]

Free, on 2013-February-19, 07:19, said:

Imo pass followed by 4♥ rather shows something like ♥Hx and doubt about strain (so not necessarily 3♥ with loooong ♠, but more like half a fit with shorter ♠), rather than doubt about level.

Wouldn't you pass the double with such hands, if you are not guaranteed to find a fit?

[Trinidad]

Pass and 4♥. That should IMO show doubt about level. As Paul shows when there is doubt about strain you will pass the double.

Rik

[paulg]

At the table this hand bid four hearts, but partner had enough (♠Kx ♥AKxxx ♦xx ♣Axxx) to make a try and the excellent slam was reached - flat board.

Personally I was in fluffy's camp - this hand is a bit too good for an immediate four hearts. But perhaps it does not make quite as much difference as I thought initially except when partner has something like 1=5=2=5 or 1=6=2=4.

[dake50]

For slam, partner needs SK +HAK +A of a minor.
He'll see going-up after 4H with all that.
The close slams where 7xS tricks make slam hope to get 4S(SKx) > 4H.
I'd want a minor A instead of CK to pass and pull.

[jogs]

paulg, on 2013-February-19, 17:23, said:

At the table this hand bid four hearts, but partner had enough (♠Kx ♥AKxxx ♦xx ♣Axxx) to make a try and the excellent slam was reached - flat board.

Personally I was in fluffy's camp - this hand is a bit too good for an immediate four hearts. But perhaps it does not make quite as much difference as I thought initially except when partner has something like 1=5=2=5 or 1=6=2=4.

Give partner ♠x ♥AKxxx ♦xxx ♣Axxx.
Which is the better contract? 4♥ or 4♠?

[robinroyDK]

I see no alternative to bid 4♥.

Partner will bid on with the actual hand (♠Kx ♥AKxxx ♦xx ♣Axxx). He knows that ♠K is a major key-card and its all about control in diamonds, as we are likely to have 10 tricks in the majors + ♣A.