[pescetom]

This hand from the biggest national sim is amusing as an anecdote, but also presents some interesting bidding questions and the play challenged some too.

Let's start progressively with the bidding.

MP

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Your call here in second seat (and how difficult was the choice)?

[DavidKok]

3♠. Six-four bid one more. The suit textures are very reasonable for a preempt, only the ♠A is awkward. Having our singleton in hearts rather than diamonds is a slight plus.

[Huibertus]

3♠ This form me is a hand that has a lot of potential on the precondition there is a good fit so I'm encouraging raises on the basis of a fit. In my experience partner will raise to 4♠ on lots of hand you'll make it with, far more often then when you've opened 2♠ on this hand.

[shyams]

2♠ for me. I honestly would not have considered a 3♠ bid instead.

[jillybean]

2S automatic

[WasWinM]

2S

[pescetom]

Still curious to hear from mikeh and others.

For me FWIW it's a relatively automatic 2♠.
I can see the attraction of 3♠ if partner is on the same wavelength and all is properly discussed and disclosed, but in Italy this style is unusual and would create problems with opponents, also with partners who are used to being able to count on precise suit lengths for evaluation and LoTT.
I was wondering if anyone would dare 1♠ or Pass; neither are on my radar, but a friend who played the same tournament defended 2♥S.

[pescetom]

But in any case, 2♠ it is for most.

MP

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Your call here (and how difficult was the choice)?

[Cyberyeti]

Can live with 2N or 3♥. While our weak 2s can be pretty anaemic, they will be a decent 6 card suit in this position and vulnerability.

We rebid long suit features over 2N, so it would start 2♠-2N-3♣.

[mike777]

4s
Easy choice

[WasWinM]

Briefly considered 3H but what’s the point? It’s usually best to play in the weaker hand’s suit: 4S

[mw64ahw]

2♠ for me; now playing the Vinny 2N as named by Mr Wolpert
2N - 3♦ max. 4-card minor
3♥ minor? - 3♠ 4♣
Now I have the choice of Major with 4♦ asking for the shortage if so inclined.

[pescetom]

Does everyone play 2NT as the only forcing bid here?
If not, anyone more enthusiastic than WinM about 3♥ ?

[jillybean]

2nt and any new suit is forcing
It is very tempting to show these hearts but where am I going? Let’s stick with the known 6-2 fit.

[Cyberyeti]

WasWinM, on 2025-July-31, 19:47, said:

Briefly considered 3H but what’s the point? It’s usually best to play in the weaker hand’s suit: 4S

This particular hand has features that make 4♥ potentially better than 4♠.

If you have 2 diamond losers, there are spade holdings along with Q♣ or a doubleton where you might also have 2 spade losers as trumps, but 4♥ is on.

[pescetom]

Cyberyeti, on 2025-August-01, 04:01, said:

This particular hand has features that make 4♥ potentially better than 4♠.

If you have 2 diamond losers, there are spade holdings along with Q♣ or a doubleton where you might also have 2 spade losers as trumps, but 4♥ is on.

That was my thought too. If we play RONF then I would probably prefer 3♥ unless I have a very specific Ogust.

My partner in South was one of those beginners who turn out to be suspiciously good ("I did play a bit of bridge back in University") but short on modern bidding agreements. I asked before playing what 2NT over a weak two would mean and received a glazed look, so we agreed not to play it. Now he bid 4♠ in tempo.

[DavidKok]

4♥ is a better contract than 4♠, but I wouldn't worry overly much about finding it. I think 4♠ will be better opposite a 2♠ opening a good fraction of the time, and the ability to find out which is better on any individual deal is very limited. In particular, I think a 2NT gadget isn't that helpful here, unless it helps you discover whether opener has a five card suit (which, for me, is a possibility. I have noticed the vulnerability and seating, no need for name-calling).
In addition to the above, 2♠-3♥ is NF for me. I don't have much room to investigate a side suit fit, though incidentally my 2NT gadget does show suit length, shortage in the other major and min/max (so I get some information about hearts through it, if I want).

Personally I stand by my 3♠ opening choice, over which I expect a swift 4♠ raise. Let's hope the spades don't split too poorly.

[pescetom]

So lots of ways to skin this cat. But let's go with the auction at the table, which has some following here too.

MP

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What would Double here mean in your agreements?
Would you contemplate it with these cards?

[jillybean]

Penalty
Yes, I did consider it and, no

[Cyberyeti]

pescetom, on 2025-August-01, 09:25, said:

So lots of ways to skin this cat. But let's go with the auction at the table, which has some following here too.

MP

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What would Double here mean in your agreements?
Would you contemplate it with these cards?

I didn't pass this