[neilkaz]

I invite and if PD bids 3NT I know he's heard the bidding and that he knows a ♥ lead is coming so I will pass.

[yunling]

2♥. In my evaluator, this hand worth 12.75 before adjustment, which is just enough for a game force. Also, contrary to common knowledge, the value goes up considering partner's shape.

[mike777]

humilities, on 2014-November-11, 06:57, said:

OP again - thanks all for the feedback. I bid the hand as suggested here (3D, pass) however my partner's argument was twofold:

1. It seemed a bad idea to him to make a slam try with only one keycard opposite an invitational hand
2. With three keycards opposite a jump to 5D, how could 6 not have a decent play? (obviously he thought he could make 5 missing all those cards)

His argument is logical, which is why I thought I'd get some feedback. Thanks!

his hand, fwiw,
x
KJ
AQxxx
KQJ10x

Obviously I could construct a 5D bid for him that has no play for 6 (spade void and Qxx of H or some such) but I think most 5D bids will have a good play for 6D, so I see his point...

good thread with good questions and responses.

For starters pard has one keycard but also the QD.

pard has a 4 loser hand opposite an invite(8loser hand) ltc 24-4-8=12 tricks
pard has extra shape and extra hcp
bottom line your pard has an easy slam try at a minimum.

btw I would have taken his 5d bid as showing a 5 loser hand so pass 5d. 24-5-8=11
btw2 responder hand is closer to an adjusted 7.5 loser hand.
plus add in cover cards, etc.

[rmnka447]

humilities, on 2014-November-11, 06:57, said:

OP again - thanks all for the feedback. I bid the hand as suggested here (3D, pass) however my partner's argument was twofold:

1. It seemed a bad idea to him to make a slam try with only one keycard opposite an invitational hand
2. With three keycards opposite a jump to 5D, how could 6 not have a decent play? (obviously he thought he could make 5 missing all those cards)

His argument is logical, which is why I thought I'd get some feedback. Thanks!

his hand, fwiw,
x
KJ
AQxxx
KQJ10x

Obviously I could construct a 5D bid for him that has no play for 6 (spade void and Qxx of H or some such) but I think most 5D bids will have a good play for 6D, so I see his point...

Partner's hand is a big player!

When you bid 3 ♦, all you know about partner's hand is that he holds both minors. It could be as bad as something like ♠ xx ♥ KJ ♦ AQxxx ♣ Kxxx -- where even 5 ♦ has no play. All you can do is to bid your hand and wait for partner to make the next move.

By LTC, partner's hand is a 4 loser hand. Opposite a fitting invitational hand (typically about 8 losers), partner using LTC should see that slam is a possibility if you have the right cards. So, it's up to partner to make the first move toward slam. If and when partner makes a move, you will definitely encourage and cooperate in further slam investigation because you have great cards for an invitational hand.

[aguahombre]

Yes to the theme of the previous 2 posts. It is opener, while accepting the game try who, with a hand such as he had, should do something other than just leap to 5D...then, only then, would Responder fall in love with his/her controls.

However, my better half says she would Minorwood a 3D invite (4D) without further ado holding X KJ AQXXX KQJTX, so I wouldn't have to fall in love with my controls as Responder, merely show them.

This post has been edited by aguahombre: 2014-November-11, 20:56

[BillPatch]

Shouldn't partner reevaluate PhilKing's minimums opposite the diamond limit raise? The first two have 2 1/2 QT and a side singleton control. The last has only 2 QT, but extra length in each minor and both the side singleton and an extra doubleton.