[cherdano]

mtvesuvius, on 2011-February-08, 21:31, said:

In general problems based on "style" are not good since something like this isn't really a bidding problem as much as it is a location problem. Same thing with the two opening bid hands, some would open, some would not -- It's not a matter of bridge judgement as much as it is personal preference. IMO those types of hands rarely make good Bridge Poll questions.

All the 2♠ bidders (myself included) will claim this is an unlucky hand.
All the 2♥ bidders can say "See, 2♥ IS better!"

I disagree that this is a bad problem, and I don't think it is a style problem. It's a clear judgment problem about which of the two bids is more likely to give you a good score. There are no hidden benefits for one bid or the other depending on partner's expectations (such as for opening bids) - we are probably making our last bid of the auction, and partner will either think we have a 6-card spade suit and know nothing about hearts, or think we are 5=4 in the majors. No matter whether he is American, European, or Irish. This is different for opening bids - opening bad 11 counts is bad unless partner expects us to open bad 11 counts.

(Of course, I am not surprised that whereagles picked a problem where what he thinks is the European style succeeds, and where what he thinks is the US style fails.)

[whereagles]

lol I'm not that biased I just thought it was a good problem, that's all.

I have no problem with the US style, actually.

[gwnn]

I don't know if it's so normal in Europe to rebid 2♥ with a minimum 6-4. I know I had to convince many people to rebid a 4 card suit, especially when it's a minor. I haven't played much in France or Italy (most of my experience is from Romania Iceland and Hungary, not necessarily typical European countries), but I don't think your blanket statement is quite accurate.

[han]

I thought this was a good discussion, with several interesting posts. Also, this difference between European and North American style is new to me. I play the "European style", but I picked it up in the US. As I commented, this seemed like a good hand to deviate from the style though, and rebid 2S.

[Foxx]

Must . . . not . . . bury . . . the major . . . . . . .

Must . . . not . . . bury . . . the . . . major . . . . . . .

Must . . . not . . . WHEEEEEEE!!!