[quiddity]

Related to benlessard's "surprised" thread, I'm interested in a sim which excludes hands where partner would balance. Also I'm generally interested in how aggressive people are in the balancing seat over a preempt. So, what would be a good set of parameters? The auction was (both red):

(P) P (3♣) P
(P) ?

- how much would you need given a stiff club and 3+ in all other suits? how about a small doubleton club?
- are there hands which balance with an overcall (maybe a hand with 6 hearts which was flawed for a 2nd seat weak 2?)
- are there hands which balance with the ♣A (or any other club honor)?

Thanks!

[dake50]

Ya-ya. Hands that would balance would have raised 3S to 4S, likely succeeding.
-- 4-4 MM about a 10 A+KQ if 9.
-- any 6cM with as above. Maybe tops not good for 2nd seat weak-2.
-- Never CA, nor CK, nor CQ. Stuff in their suit is stuff not in our suits.

[Fluffy]

any 8 count without 2 jacks or KQQJ. With singleton.

I passed today a 7 count, partner had AKJ8x waiting behind


With blank doubleton about 60% of the 9 counts would qualify.

[aguahombre]

Judgement is murky when you are a passed hand in 2nd seat. You can't count on the 3C bid to be weak defensively. You can't count on RHO to have finessable stuff in front of you. You can't count on the king or queen of Clubs to be a negative.

My partner is probably in this situations more frequently than most, because I would pass more hands in direct seat than most.

And, this post does not answer any of Quiddity's questions except: Yes, there are hands which do not meet our style of weak-2 which will balance 3M or 3D.

[gnasher]

- how much would you need given a stiff club and 3+ in all other suits?
A 4441 or 5431 10-count.

how about a small doubleton club?
Perhaps a very pure 4432 11-count if that wouldn't have opened the bidding.

- are there hands which balance with an overcall (maybe a hand with 6 hearts which was flawed for a 2nd seat weak 2?)
Yes. Second-seat premepts should be pure. A corollary is that one could hold an impure hand such as AQx Q10xxxxx xx x or AKx 1098xxx Qxx x.

- are there hands which balance with the ♣A (or any other club honor)?
Qxx Q10xxxxx xx A.

[wanoff]

What's the advice for balancing with 3NT. With no source of tricks do you need 15HCP or do you just need to be lucky.
Do you need a stop?

This came up last night in 4th position at red: Ax 10x QJxx AJxxx

(3H) - P - (P) - ?

[cherdano]

 wanoff, on 2013-September-19, 10:12, said:

What's the advice for balancing with 3NT. With no source of tricks do you need 15HCP or do you just need to be lucky.
Do you need a stop?

This came up last night in 4th position at red: Ax 10x QJxx AJxxx

(3H) - P - (P) - ?

There is not much difference between overcalling 3N in the direct or in the balancing seat. In fact, I don't think I would make any.
But in any case, your example is a clear pass in any seat, game isn't even close to being likely if partner cannot act.