[lamford]

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16 board match converted to VPs

The auction varied at most of the eight tables here, but South will show a hand that wants to play in 3NT opposite no values. You establish that he could have bid 2H, Kokish, showing 23-24 or hearts, or 2NT forcing. Your lead.

[wank]

obv i know the hand, but a top heart's pretty clear

[phil_20686]

wank, on 2015-November-11, 10:32, said:

obv i know the hand, but a top heart's pretty clear

Really, I was thinking diamond J. Would obv ask about 3N, but if it shows a balanced hand isnt this the time to go passive?

[rhm]

phil_20686, on 2015-November-11, 12:27, said:

Really, I was thinking diamond J. Would obv ask about 3N, but if it shows a balanced hand isnt this the time to go passive?

If it does show a balanced hand yes.
If it shows a long minor no.

But why was declarer in such hurry to reach 3NT if he had Kokish available?

Rainer Herrmann

[wank]

phil_20686, on 2015-November-11, 12:27, said:

Really, I was thinking diamond J. Would obv ask about 3N, but if it shows a balanced hand isnt this the time to go passive?

he's basically showing he's got 9 top ones. playing his suit isn't going to dissuade him from cashing them.

[FrancesHinden]

This auction typically shows a long minor suit with 9 tricks. I would also lead a heart and think it's obvious. But I'm not objecting to the imps we won on the hand.

[lamford]

FrancesHinden, on 2015-November-11, 18:18, said:

This auction typically shows a long minor suit with 9 tricks. I would also lead a heart and think it's obvious. But I'm not objecting to the imps we won on the hand.

Indeed. The three defenders who had to lead on this hand against 3NT all led something else. Others played some odd contracts, and Kendrick's 4S in the 3-3 fit did not fare well. I did not quiz them all about the auctions and their nuances. At our table, we were the only pair to play in the cold 3C, and the operation was a success but the patient died. I also think the top heart lead is a no-brainer.

[phil_20686]

FrancesHinden, on 2015-November-11, 18:18, said:

This auction typically shows a long minor suit with 9 tricks. I would also lead a heart and think it's obvious. But I'm not objecting to the imps we won on the hand.

I must have msised the bit about kokish, agree that a top heart is pretty obvious if he is unlikely to have a balanced hand.

[lamford]

phil_20686, on 2015-November-12, 05:47, said:

I must have msised the bit about kokish, agree that a top heart is pretty obvious if he is unlikely to have a balanced hand.

At Frances' team-mates' table, I am told that they bid 2C-2D-2NT-3NT, which was 23-24 balanced, but even so a sim strongly suggests a top heart is best.

[kenrexford]

Fun sequence. I am more interested in what Responder does with values. I am somewhat leaning toward a funny 4D as RKCB for Opener's minor, promising at least the Queen in the other minor and thus knowledge of what minor Opener has. Sets trumps.