[bridgeboy]

Matchpoints, All Vul

You hold

Q
xxx
xxx
KQ9876

Partner opens 1NT (15-17) in first seat, passed to you. Your bid?

[coyot]

I bid 3♣ showing exactly this type of hand - 6card with 2 of 3 tophonors and nothing like an entry on the side.

Bidding is at invitational with clubs seems to have little informational value.

I mean, if I want partner to accept with a club honor and pass without it, I can as well play it as above - and if I mean it as general invitation, I can invite via 2NT (would not do with this kind of hand).

This agreement of "3nt-stealing" jumps requires you to move slam-tries somewhere else, though - but I have no problem reaching slams after transfers to majors or Minor Suit Stayman.

So, given your choice, I pass unless I am sure that invit with clubs will be accepted only with a club honor.

[Free]

OTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is it really that hard to put an extra option for creative minds (or because you just forgot some decent answer) in a poll???

2♠ as ♣ transfer. I'll know if partner has ♣A or not, and make my decision later...

[whereagles]

3NT seems obvious. A scientific 3C is nice but I'm going with the field bid.

[coyot]

Free, on Aug 15 2005, 05:56 AM, said:

OTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is it really that hard to put an extra option for creative minds (or because you just forgot some decent answer) in a poll???

2♠ as ♣ transfer. I'll know if partner has ♣A or not, and make my decision later...

Ehm, am I missing something? Since WHEN does answer to transfer PROMISE an Ace? )

There are a few possible treatments for answers to 2♠ that I am aware of:
1) 2NT denies 3 clubs
2) 2NT promises clubs shorter than diamonds
3) 3♣ promises 4 clubs

Only against the last variant I would bid game. If partner has 3 clubs, the odds that opponents will be able to hold their 3rd ace for 2 rounds are pretty good even if they don't have 4 tricks in their side suit.

Whereagles: so you presume that the field bids a game on this? A game on 22-24 HCP (of which 2 might not be working), relying on one single card in partner's hand (AND three tricks on the side!)?

At IMPs, maybe. At matchpoints, unless the field is known to be aggressive, I either pass or bid 3♣ if the system shows this hand.

No need to "go with the field" (or against it ) if you can bid this type of hand easily...

[flytoox]

whereagles, on Aug 15 2005, 12:05 PM, said:

3NT seems obvious. A scientific 3C is nice but I'm going with the field bid.

Why 3N is obvious? To bet on 3N you need either 1) pd has CA and club suit breaks or 2) pd has CJ, club suit breaks and SQ is an entry.

[P_Marlowe]

2NT.

This is MP, if it was IMP, 3C is clear.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[awm]

If this is not a 3♣ invite, what is? If partner has ♣A, or ♣J and a three-card fit, I like our chances in 3NT (well, provided spades are stopped, but partner can surely check back for stoppers before we reach 3NT if that's what he wants).

Holding 8-9 points and six clubs, I would think 3NT is virtually automatic. You could make it on sheer power, or on running the suit. So a 3♣ invite should show something like 6-7 points with values in the clubs, suggesting 3NT if my suit is going to run.

The 3♣ call also puts maximum pressure on the opponents in case they have a fit and would like to compete. It's tough to come in after a non-forcing call that shows invitational values.

[Free]

coyot, on Aug 15 2005, 01:21 PM, said:

Free, on Aug 15 2005, 05:56 AM, said:

OTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Is it really that hard to put an extra option for creative minds (or because you just forgot some decent answer) in a poll???     

2♠ as ♣ transfer.  I'll know if partner has ♣A or not, and make my decision later...

Ehm, am I missing something? Since WHEN does answer to transfer PROMISE an Ace? )

There are a few possible treatments for answers to 2♠ that I am aware of:
1) 2NT denies 3 clubs
2) 2NT promises clubs shorter than diamonds
3) 3♣ promises 4 clubs

Apparently you're missing something. Responding 2NT shows a tophonour in ♣, since I have KQ, what does partner have???

I play 2♠ as transfer ♣, with all tophonours 3NT is usually a very decent contract. After a minor transfer, I'm not interested in ♦ length or anything else...

[Double !]

respond 2 spades, transfer to clubs. Opener may pre-accept with Hxx or a max hand where he thinks clubs can be established and then reached. Responder then has option of signing off in 3C with a non-invitational hand.

[Fluffy]

I never played the 3♣ invite thing, so would jsut trty 3NT, having the method the hand seems built up for it, so why the question?