What should I bid? (March 2014)

Archives

What should I bid? (March 2014)

The best submission for March came from Margaret Foster. She wins a voucher of $30 funded by TBIB, toward any purchase made at the Bridge Shop or Paul Lavings Bridge Books.

I am North. South is the dealer. Playing pairs.

42
KJ5
Q1072
AQJ2

West North East South
1
Pass 2  Pass 2
Pass 2  Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT   All Pass

 

Which meant we missed the diamond slam, but being pairs I didn’t want to end up in 5.

System is Standard with a 15-17 1NT

2 was 4th suit forcing to game.

(a) After 2, is 3 stronger or 2-2NT, 3?

(b) We play Minorwood, so playing teams I would bid 4 after the reverse of 2 risking the 5 contract. If it went 1-2, 2-3 would 3 be a cue or stopper ask?

I would be grateful for your advice – thank you.

Hi Margaret,

Assuming 2 was a reverse, then the 2 bid coupled with the 2 bid means that the auction is in a game force. This means that over 2, you can just bid 3 to show support. There shouldn’t be any need to distinguish between a direct 3 vs 2-2NT-3 because the auction is already in a game force. Besides, you had no guarantee that you could bid 3 after you bid 2 anyway, for the auction might go 1-2 // 2-2 // 3-? and now you don’t get to show your diamond support at all unless you want to bid it at the 4-level.

After 1-2 // 2-3, 3 should be stopper asking since it is the fourth suit (but could be an advanced cuebid if followed up with another cuebid) because when you have a minor suit fit, your first priority is to find 3NT.

Lastly, with your hand, over partner’s 1 opening I would make your systemic bid to show a forcing diamond raise (even if partner’s 1 opening can be 3). Most often partner will have four diamonds so I would like to show my diamond raise right away. If partner can have three diamonds, then the only hand shape for that would be 4=4=3=2 but in that case, you will play in 3NT anyway.

Regards,

Andy

 

Click here to ask Andy a new question.

Comments are closed.