[Fluffy]

♠KQ64
♥J102
♦AJ105
♣83

nobody vul, partner deals and opens

2♣-(2♥)-double-(pass)
3♦-(pass)-??


2♣ is precision 10-15. If partner has 4 diamonds he must have 6 clubs at least. No further agreements now, spade bids previous round would be nf 2♠ and game forcing 3♠.

what would be your plan?

[Phil]

3♦ should show extras like the old 2♣ - 2♦ - 3♦.

I'm too good to pass. 3♥ looks right now.

[jogs]

LHO didn't raise hearts. Looks like an unlucky hand for us.
Partner's pattern could be 1=2=4=6

♠ 7
♥ Q5
♦ K972
♣ AKQ652

The limit of this hand could be ten tricks in a minor.
In diamonds we would need to find the queen.

[Zelandakh]

 jogs, on 2012-November-28, 09:12, said:

The limit of this hand could be ten tricks in a minor.

Why try for 10 when you can take 9?

[Phil]

 jogs, on 2012-November-28, 09:12, said:

LHO didn't raise hearts. Looks like an unlucky hand for us.
Partner's pattern could be 1=2=4=6

♠ 7
♥ Q5
♦ K972
♣ AKQ652

The limit of this hand could be ten tricks in a minor.
In diamonds we would need to find the queen.

Very true, we can only take 10 in a minor - maybe even only 9 in diamonds.

[WellSpyder]

 jogs, on 2012-November-28, 09:12, said:

LHO didn't raise hearts. Looks like an unlucky hand for us.
Partner's pattern could be 1=2=4=6

♠ 7
♥ Q5
♦ K972
♣ AKQ652

The limit of this hand could be ten tricks in a minor.
In diamonds we would need to find the queen.

I'm willing to have a go at making 9 tricks in NT opposite that hand, though.

[Fluffy]

If you try 3♥ partner bids 4♣

 WellSpyder, on 2012-November-28, 11:54, said:

I'm willing to have a go at making 9 tricks in NT opposite that hand, though.

How do you find out?

[Zelandakh]

By bidding 3♥. Partner has shown 10 minor suit cards. When we ask for a stopper in that context Qx should probably be acceptable.

[Codo]

Qx would not be acceptable for me... Esp. not opposite a partner would just bid X over 2 ♥ from them...

[Zelandakh]

In that case you are stuck unless you also agree to make a 3♠ call over 3♥ into a form of grope with a half stop. I suppose 3♠ could potentially be 2-way, either a half-stop or 3=0=4=6, with the latter bidding again over 3NT from Responder but that really would be asking for trouble. The only other possibility I can see is for Responder's 3♠ over 3♦ to be either a GF with 5 spades or 4 spades and concentrated values, ie nothing in hearts at all. Then 3♥ would show a half stop. That approach would also not be without issues though.

[gnasher]

If partner treated x Qx Kxxx AKQxxx as having extras, he must think his ♥Q is worth something. To be consistent, he should probably treat it as a stopper too.

[PhilKing]

3♥ f1. Pass 3NT, bid 4♦ NF over 4♣.

Forcing diamond hands raise directly to 4♦. I know everyone plays cue followed by 4♦ as forcing, but that is the wrong way round. You should be able to look for 3NT without having to bid 5m when 3NT is not an option.

[Zelandakh]

Not everyone Phil, I do it the same way as you - direct raise = unambiguous slam try. I go further and make the direct 4m a range + key card ask too.

[jogs]

 Codo, on 2012-November-29, 04:51, said:

Qx would not be acceptable for me... Esp. not opposite a partner would just bid X over 2 ♥ from them...

Qx should be enough. Partner may be trying to right side the NT with Kxx or Ax.
Of course you will probably go down 2 or 3 if he has only xxx.