[kfay]

Here's a hand I played today at the Junior Teaching Table:

Scoring: IMP

(P)-P-(P)-1♣
(1♥)-?-(P)-1NT
(P)-?

---

Well I passed the first time. I had a friend make a plug for 3♣ but I'm too balanced and too weak, in my opinion.

So partner reopens.

Where is the line? In trying to come up with a hand where I would bid 3♣ now, I kept getting hands where I would have responded 2♣ before. Doesn't mean that this is a 3♣ bid, probably I should just bid 2♣; but, IS there a hand that would bid 3♣ this way?

[suokko]

Maybe K 6th and out?

I don't know. It is very unlikely that you have anything good and club support here. Unless you play something stupid (like I do after 1♠ overcall) that prevents you from biding natural 2 clubs.

[Jlall]

Who really cares what a 3C bid should look like now. I mean, what does a 3H bid look like here? (rhetorical).

On THIS hand, you have 3 points and partner has 18-19. You are both balanced. Looking for game is terrible. Don't think in terms of "well I didn't bid 2C/3C to begin with, so maybe 3C now shows this." Think in terms of "how likely are we to have a game based on our points and distribution."

[cherdanno]

Jlall, on Dec 9 2009, 08:13 PM, said:

I mean, what does a 3H bid look like here? (rhetorical).

Kxx KQJ9x xxx xx?

[Phil]

Why can't 3♣ show a hand that trapped over 1♥ but is still interested in, but cannot insist on, game.

Threading the needle perhaps.

[gwnn]

3♣ as a antifit jump? i.e. fit for the enemy and a club sidesuit?

[P_Marlowe]

Pass over 1H.

3C over 1NT looks ok, you tell p, where you have a source of tricks,
and he will accept if he has honors in clubs, if he only has xxx in clubs
he will pass, ..., but you still have a reasonable chance of making 3C.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[pooltuna]

Jlall, on Dec 9 2009, 08:13 PM, said:

Who really cares what a 3C bid should look like now. I mean, what does a 3H bid look like here? (rhetorical).

On THIS hand, you have 3 points and partner has 18-19. You are both balanced. Looking for game is terrible. Don't think in terms of "well I didn't bid 2C/3C to begin with, so maybe 3C now shows this." Think in terms of "how likely are we to have a game based on our points and distribution."

and since we have the balance of strength (barely) we should try for the best contract which IMO is 2♣

[peaceman]

yr hand plus kx or q x of hrts would be 3 clubs i think--as it is two clubs is fine bid.

Don't forget pard may be placing a card or two in yr hand because both opps r seriously limited.