[P_Marlowe]

3NT.

If p showes 3 card support by bidding 4H, I will bid 4NT, RKCB.

You have a limited set of agreements, accept the fact and the consequences.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

bd71, on May 10 2010, 10:55 AM, said:

gwnn, on May 8 2010, 05:45 AM, said:

bd71, on May 8 2010, 03:11 AM, said:

So I did bid 4C...and he says 4H.  What now?

4n and bidding 6h when we are not off 2 keycards

This is how I proceeded. Partner had two keycards and the queen, so 6H it is...

...and RHO then leads A and K of clubs. Down one.

I was hoping some expert help through this thread might suggest whether there is a good a way to avoid this.

I guess the 4S bid is the one going idea...is that a uncontrovertibly a cue-bid, thus allowing partner to cue-bid diamonds and we diagnose our club weakness? Or could it be something else?

Simple answer - the way you bid is not a good way to bid this.
The 4H response from p, was just a mere preference, he may
or may not have 3 card support, you dont know.

You have a nice hand, but I doubt the heart suit is good enough
to make playing in a 5-2 fit desireable.
If you know he has a fit for you, RKCB followed by bidding 6H, if p showes
up with 2KC + the queen of trumps, is ok.

The alternative to 4NT is 4S, which would be a cue.
Not bidding 4NT would imply, that you have a problem, usually this indicates
a void, but a suit wide open is another reason.
Given the fact, that we have 31-33HCP in the combined hand, I would not worry
to much about missing AK in a suit.
Even if this is the case, there is a good chance that you survive.

A 3rd alternative is 5H, which would be a quatitative invite, asking p to bid
6H in case he likes his hand, this would most likely have avoided the problem
on the table, but well ..., dont ask me, what to do, if I know the result.

With kind regards
Marlowe