[MikeRJ]

Scoring: IMP

            1♠ Pass
Pass2♥Pass ???

---

For my first post I would like to seek the forum's views on a simple question of valuation in a protective auction. What would you bid please? Do you think this is a clear cut situation? Thank you in advance.

Mike

[han]

I don't think this is clear, I think it is close between 2S and 3H. I'd go with 3H only.

[mike777]

2s

In for a penny in for a pound.

I think 3H is just too confusing for partner, I will take full blame.
I did pass over one spade.

[jtfanclub]

mike777, on May 29 2007, 09:44 PM, said:

2s

In for a penny in for a pound.

I think 3H is just too confusing for partner, I will take full blame.
I did pass over one spade.

Both opponents have passed. Partner should not take my 3♥ bid as pre-emptive.

I hate 4333s.

3♥

[inquiry]

Hmm... what ever happened to the theory that partner's balancing bid is based in part on our hcp? What ever happened to partner will double with good hands even with long hearts? What ever happened to "when your partner balances, don't punish him for doing it"? What ever happened to 3343 is a bad distribution?

Everything sort of points to passing, except, I like to make constuctive raises with good 8 to 12 on these auctions. Sadly, i have to agree despite all the earlier concerns, I would raise to 3!H too. 2!S would never occur to me. Of course partner probably is limited to around 13 hcp, but he could be short in spades..

[MikeRJ]

Thanks for your your comments.

At the table I raised to 3H, feeling that should be considered fairly constructive. Partner felt I was worth a 2S cue bid. We missed game. I did consider passing, but that felt way too conservative.

Mike

[P_Marlowe]

Take away a King and you have a hand, which is barely worth
a raise, i.e. either pass or bit 3H, playing IMP's makes 3H
more attractive, being green a little less.
But it would not be the first time, I returned with -50.

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: In the given context 2S should promise opening strength.

[whereagles]

Depends a bit on your agreements. If 2♥ is limited to, say, 12-13 hcp, pass comes to mind. If 2♥ can go higher, 3♥ seems fair. 2♠ would require a queen more, IMO.

[Gerben42]

Agree with Ben, you have to subtract a King or so from the same action in direct seat. As it is, you have a MINIMUM raise to 3♥. I repeat you have a MINIMUM.

[mcphee]

Simple raise to 3H, bid what you have , this hand not worth a stronger raise.

[helene_t]

I wouldn't consider 2♠. I would consider pass but 3♥ is probably fine, especially since I read Justin's comment.

[pclayton]

3♥ should be constructive here. 2♥ in the balance tends to be more limited than a direct 2♥, but we may still have a game.

[jdonn]

The most normal raise to 3♥ there ever hath been. Completely average. Partner is not limited to 13, that is the old fashioned stinky way, why when you hold a random 14 or 15 do you want to double and see it go 2♠ p p then have no clue what to do?

[Apollo81]

I would raise to 3♥. Partner;s lower limit and upper limit are both slightly lower than for, say, an opening bid, so it pays to be a little sounder opposite.

[neilkaz]

MikeRJ, on May 30 2007, 05:26 AM, said:

Thanks for your your comments.

At the table I raised to 3H, feeling that should be considered fairly constructive. Partner felt I was worth a 2S cue bid. We missed game. I did consider passing, but that felt way too conservative.

Mike

You 4333 hand is not a 2♠ cue bid to me, as PD with move to game on hands where you have no chance. Yes you have 2 aces and decent 3 cards support, but it is only 3 cards and it is unlucky there are any useful ruffs in your hand.

I bid 3♥ and honestly, if forced to choose between pass and bid 2♠, I'd rather pass.

Can't PD double and then bid ♥ with a really good hand and ♥ ?

.. neilkaz ..

[Robert]

Hi everyone

If you cuebid here, you are hanging partner for his 'balancing' 2H bid.

I would not raise to 3Hs opposite a decent partner.

After (1S)-p-p-partner should bid 3H with 12-16HCP and a good suit.

He bids 2H with up to about 14HCP with 5 hearts. The bottom range for this bid is much lower.

cherdano You are 'balancing not overcalling' on this hand.

My 2/1 'overcalls' have a much higher minimum and maximum that many players on this forum. My 'balancing' examples should not be posted as young children or those with weak hearts might be seriously damaged 'if' they saw what I sometimes held when I 'balanced.'

The style that I use tends to double holding very strong 6 card suits and 15-16HCP.
With a very strong suit and a good 12HCP you also bid 3H.

If you bid 2H with up to 16HCP in balancing seat, your bidding is wrong. I would have chosen another phrase, however, you did post that my bidding was 'wrong.'

Regards,
Robert

This post has been edited by Robert: 2007-June-02, 03:52

[cherdano]

Robert, on Jun 1 2007, 11:38 PM, said:

After (1S)-p-p-partner should bid 3H with 12-16HCP and a good suit.

He bids 2H with a 12 or less points.

This is wrong. 3♥ needs a very good 6-card suit at least, so there are many hands with up to 16 or so hcp and 5 hearts that will just overcall 2♥.

[skjaeran]

I'd raise to 3♥, but I'm minimum for that when partner balanced.
A 2♠ cue would never ever occur to me with this hand - I'd pass several times before bidding 2♠.