[gurgistan]

Partner who is West is a good pick up Precision player. However, he does not use TABs so that option was out. I am new to Precision and failed to bid 3D as Wei would have me do. We are playing 1430. Once 5C comes, I just chicken out. This proved very costly. How should this hand have been bid (could you provide bidding sequence for both of us please)? Many thanks.

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[Free]

You shouldn't chicken out.

Not sure about standard precision methods, but what would 1♣-2♣-3♣ mean? Even if it's a TAB and partner doesn't play it, at least you stay low and set trumps.

[gwnn]

If you ask for keycards and find out that you are missing only one, you shouldn't sign off on the 5 level.

More importantly, if the number of keycards partner has is not going to help you, don't ask for keycards!

Bid 3♣, establish your fit. It's not clear how the auction should proceed but 4NT is not the answer to your problems.

[gurgistan]

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I went and studied my Wei notes.

For Wei the auction may go: 1♣, 2♣, 3♣, 4♣ (showing KQxxxx), 5♦ (control asking bid - I could do with knowing we have the Q♦), 5♠ (showing third round control ie doubleton or Queen).

Knowing of the big ♣ fit that probably gives me 7 winners and the ♦control giving another 4 and the ♠Ace means I get to a small slam with some confidence.

Though the trouble is I do not know if I should bid on from small slam.

[hrothgar]

Surprised at the 1♣ opening

What was your range for 2NT?

[straube]

hrothgar, on 2011-March-20, 11:22, said:

Surprised at the 1♣ opening

What was your range for 2NT?

I think hrothgar is right. You probably should be opening that 2N.

let's say though that your hand is just outside of a 2N range (which it shouldn't be). Then your best bet over 2C (I think) is to try to show the balanced nature of your hand by bidding 2N (a side benefit being that it protects your HK should you choose 6N as your final contract). After 2N, you will be happy to support clubs later...even bidding 4C over partner's 3N. After that, you can respect your partner's sign off in 4N or 5C or cooperate with partner's slam tries.

The problem you had in the hand was that you had extra points that you weren't able to describe (so you took over and asked aces) but partner hadn't shown the extra values (which he had) for slam to be in the make.

Most balanced hands should have a pretty easy pathway to letting partner know about a 3-pt or so range.

I think a good breakdown for balanced hands would be...

1N-14-16
1C and 1N rebid 17-19
2N 20-21
1C and 2N rebid 22-23

and I suspect you're doing...

1N-13-15
1C and 1N rebid 16-19
2N-22-23
1C and 2N rebid 20-21

If you do it the way I suggested, then 1C-2C, 2N-3N, 4C would start at 22 which is a lot safer.

[gurgistan]

straube, on 2011-March-20, 12:09, said:

I think a good breakdown for balanced hands would be...

1N-14-16
1C and 1N rebid 17-19
2N 20-21
1C and 2N rebid 22-23

and I suspect you're doing...

1N-13-15
1C and 1N rebid 16-19
2N-22-23
1C and 2N rebid 20-21

If you do it the way I suggested, then 1C-2C, 2N-3N, 4C would start at 22 which is a lot safer.

Thank you for you excellent post. I will do what you suggest. However, this particular chappie has more playing experience with Precision and he plays 2N as 22-23, the Wei original style even though he does not use TABs.

[hrothgar]

gurgistan, on 2011-March-20, 16:25, said:

Thank you for you excellent post. I will do what you suggest. However, this particular chappie has more playing experience with Precision and he plays 2N as 22-23, the Wei original style even though he does not use TABs.

Even if you're playing 2N as 22-23, this hand (arguably) is worth 2NT

Sure, 4-3-3-3 is miserable shape, however, this hand is still an exceptional 21 count...

[the hog]

In standard Precision I would bid
1C 2C
2N 3C
4C
Where 2NT is gf of course and just asks for extra information. Now 3C shows the 6th C
4C sets trumps and is KC, and now you are off and running. You could even ask about the DQ later
Alternatively play Alpha Beta Gamma. There is a lot to be said for those old asking bids.

[gurgistan]

I think I made the very rudimentary mistake of failing to show my hand was balanced and big.

Over a response of 1♥/1♠ I would have rebid 2N but over 2♣/2♦ I guess I have to bid 3N yes?

Once responder sees I am balanced and big (20/21 hcp) he can take appropriate action if HE thinks slam is on.