[helene_t]

2♦-p-5♦-x
p-5♠-p-?

Isn't there a chance that E will be tempted to bid 6?

[Gerben42]

The player in the North (me) seat took Free's suggestion and bid 3♦.

2♦ p 3♦ X
4♦ 4♠ 5♦ 5♠
P P P

Made.

Later I was kicking myself for not trying something more tricky, especially since partner had told me before the round that these were unfriendly opponents, which would greatly increase the satisfaction of a working tactical bid...

[jtfanclub]

Gerben42, on Jul 24 2007, 06:42 AM, said:

Later I was kicking myself for not trying something more tricky, especially since partner had told me before the round that these were unfriendly opponents, which would greatly increase the satisfaction of a working tactical bid...

Not sure why everybody hates 3NT here as a tricky bid.

If LHO X's, all sorts of good things can happen. They'll probably end up in hearts, not spades, for one thing. If LHO bids 4♠, was the 3NT real and the 4♠ a sacrifice, or the actual case?

And really, what was the harm in 3NT instead of 4♦? Worst case, you have to pull, and your shenanigans are revealed.

I had a partner once who always used to bid 3NT in these circumstances. It took me a while to get used to it.

[Halo]

jtfanclub, on Jul 24 2007, 09:05 AM, said:

Gerben42, on Jul 24 2007, 06:42 AM, said:

Later I was kicking myself for not trying something more tricky, especially since partner had told me before the round that these were unfriendly opponents, which would greatly increase the satisfaction of a working tactical bid...

Not sure why everybody hates 3NT here as a tricky bid.

If LHO X's, all sorts of good things can happen. They'll probably end up in hearts, not spades, for one thing. If LHO bids 4♠, was the 3NT real and the 4♠ a sacrifice, or the actual case?

And really, what was the harm in 3NT instead of 4♦? Worst case, you have to pull, and your shenanigans are revealed.

I had a partner once who always used to bid 3NT in these circumstances. It took me a while to get used to it.

Trouble is, in this day and age you're partner will have to alert and tell the opponents that 3NT can be a diamond raise. East can bid 4D instead of doubling etc...

[jtfanclub]

Halo, on Jul 24 2007, 09:39 AM, said:

Trouble is, in this day and age you're partner will have to alert and tell the opponents that 3NT can be a diamond raise. East can bid 4D instead of doubling etc...

Yeah, it's true. 3NT is lower than 4♦, and maybe at the levels you guys play at it's just not worth the extra vagueness of 'who has the strong hand' in return for allowing them the extra space.

[hrothgar]

jtfanclub, on Jul 24 2007, 06:13 PM, said:

Halo, on Jul 24 2007, 09:39 AM, said:

Trouble is, in this day and age you're partner will have to alert and tell the opponents that 3NT can be a diamond raise. East can bid 4D instead of doubling etc...

Yeah, it's true. 3NT is lower than 4♦, and maybe at the levels you guys play at it's just not worth the extra vagueness of 'who has the strong hand' in return for allowing them the extra space.

It should also be noted that there are many indirect benefits to the 3NT bid. (When I mention "indirect" benefits I'm talking about effects that won't be felt until some unpsecified time in the futre)

For example, suppose you have a repeat auction a few boards later. Partner opens 2♦. RHO passes. You bid 3N. This time you have a decent balanced hand and are bidding to make. With luck, one of the opponents is sititng on a speculative double and will blunder into hitting a cold contract.

[Fluffy]

P_Marlowe, on Jul 24 2007, 11:39 AM, said:

Hi Gerben,

4D will lead to 4S+1, 5D will lead to 5S=.
In other words it does not matter, your best
bet is 4D followed by 5D.

With kind regards
Marlowe

East is not gonna pass 4♠, if he went to 6 spades just by himself I wouldnt blame him much. But most likelly is 5 spades =.

On the other hand a few wests could pass 5 diamonds doubled.