[ahydra]

We had two auctions involving fourth-suit advances the other day, here was the second one where we missed game

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(IMPs, we are vulnerable)

We play the 4th suit bid (1S here) as reasonably constructive, say (7)8+ pts, 5+ cards. I was West, partner said that I should have bid 3C to show a good spade raise rather than 3S which should really be pre-emptive. (In case it's relevant, we play fit jumps, so chances are 1S denies a diamond fit.)

Being an unpassed hand, I was worried about distinguishing that from something like Ax KJxx AKJxx xx where I need to ask for a club stop for 3NT. (I can't really start with X on this hand because of the spade shortage.) Maybe it's possible to play the cue bid in this position as two-way, but my understanding was the UCB only applies when raising partner's overcall, not his advance. Any advice for us here?

Thanks,

ahydra

[Zelandakh]

I think 4♠ might well be the practical bid for West, side-stepping the entire debate. If you want a preemptive raise then I think 2♥ (LHO's suit) should be the good raise here rather than 3♣. It is not by default a UCB but playing it that way seems to work if you want to.

[PhilKing]

Auction was OK, and game goes down if either of our suits breaks badly. However, I woud have gone on to game as East.

Regarding the systemic issue, I think a cue bid just shows a random game force with values in the suit bid. With spade support, just raise to the appropriate level, which in this case I would say is three. With a "preemptive" raise, just bid game and transfer the problem to them.

[1eyedjack]

"Pre-emptive" raise to 3S is rather a waste of time in this situation. Everyone knows who has got what., and you have have the boss suit.

That said, you want to have simple agreements, and that is not conducive to changing your agreements depending on whether the suit is Spades or Clubs (or something in between).

[TWO4BRIDGE]

What is a " UCB " ??

[Zelandakh]

TWO4BRIDGE, on 2014-June-15, 16:25, said:

What is a " UCB " ??

Unassuming cue bid. Is just what we call a bid of their suit showing a good raise in the UK. You would probably just call it a cue raise.