[pilowsky]

The Practice Table.
I've tried the unusual 2NT and the strange 4NT, but today I wheeled out the peculiar 3NT against the robots.
I was a little concerned when West doubled, but my clever partner came through with the goods.
My question is, using GIB 2/1 is there a more sensible way to do this and reach the makeable slam?

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[DavidKok]

Even if partner North was allowed to spread their hand on the table during the bidding you would not bid 6♣. You have a sure heart loser with a potential second one and two potential losers in diamonds, 5♣ is as good a spot as any to land in. Furthermore whether you play 2/1, Precision, Acol or something else, after (1♠)-P-(3♠)-? it's all pretty much the same. Bid your suits and hope an opponent makes a mistake (say, doubling with a minimum opening and a lot of wasted values in spades).

[LBengtsson]

Double, not 3NT. I do not like X with a void but you could miss ♥ contract if partner is ♠xxx ♥KQxxx ♦xxx ♣xx. where do you want to play? 5+4 ♥ fit or 4+3 ♦ fit and being reduced to 3+3 on opening lead?

[AL78]

What is 3NT supposed to mean?

6♣ only makes because four honors are onside, and even then, you need to run the ♦9, not play to the queen. Swap the red suit holdings giving East ♥AJx and West ♦KJxx and you are not making five.

[Cyberyeti]

AL78, on 2021-February-11, 07:54, said:

What is 3NT supposed to mean?

6♣ only makes because four honors are onside, and even then, you need to run the ♦9, not play to the queen. Swap the red suit holdings giving East ♥AJx and West ♦KJxx and you are not making five.

Both minors I guess.

And yes you don't want to be anywhere near 6 and probably 6♥ is the best 6 of a bad bunch (and be fair it's only 3 finesses in 6♣, whichever of ♥AJ you decide to play for onside and ♦KJ). I'm beating anybody in 6 anyway with a redouble in 5♣+1 (although 6 may well be doubled depending on the auction).

[AL78]

Cyberyeti, on 2021-February-11, 09:32, said:

Both minors I guess.

And yes you don't want to be anywhere near 6 and probably 6♥ is the best 6 of a bad bunch (and be fair it's only 3 finesses in 6♣, whichever of ♥AJ you decide to play for onside and ♦KJ). I'm beating anybody in 6 anyway with a redouble in 5♣+1 (although 6 may well be doubled depending on the auction).

Yes you can make it with one of the heart honors offside if you play the suit correctly. On the other hand, you can't make it even with all the finesses working if the hearts are 4-1 and they lead heart to the ace followed by a ruff, although that's probably not a very likely defence to find.

I think I'd much rather double on the South hand than show both minors. It looks like the optimal matchpoint score is 4♥ with the exception of those able to play a cold game doubled.

[helene_t]

I would double with this hand as I have three, not two, suits. But 3nt should be some kind of 2-suited take-out against a limit 3♠. If 3♠ was preemptive, 3nt should be to play.

I'm not sure if it should show minors, though. 5hearts+5minor is twice as frequent, and possibly a bit more useful although I suppose opps won't let is play 4♥ that often anyway (unless the 4-level is already too high).

[Zelandakh]

helene_t, on 2021-February-11, 15:06, said:

I'm not sure if it should show minors, though. 5hearts+5minor is twice as frequent, and possibly a bit more useful although I suppose opps won't let is play 4♥ that often anyway (unless the 4-level is already too high).

Some pairs play NLM here over a preemptive 3♠ raise, which takes care of the ♥+m hand.