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What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for December 2003

The best submission in December came from Felix Molski.

Comments: West's 3H showed at least 3 hearts and about 11 HCP.I would favour a 4C bid, knowing that East is likely to bid 4H allowing me to rebid 4S.

And Peter's Response:

Hi Felix,

In order to choose the best bid, we need to know what our options are. Presumably, in your system, after this start, any bid of a new suit (including a jump bid) and 3NT is natural, offer to play.

That leaves double, a bid of their suit (4H) and 4NT. So what do these three bids mean?

I suggest that you might try the following structure in this situation:

(a) Double is wide ranging takeout denying the following extreme shapes:
(b) 4H (cue bid) is two-suited, spades and a minor (at least 5-5 shape).
(c) 4NT shows the lowest two unbid suits, in this case both minors (at least 5-5 shape).

On this deal I am able to bid 4H. - spades and a minor. How should partner respond to this? Partner scrambles to whatever resting place looks playable. With three or more spades it would be normal to bid 4S.

Failing that, partner may get you to bid your minor suit by bidding 4NT. Partner should be careful not to bid a suit of their own unless it is a seriously long suit as they cannot expect to find a fit in your hand.

So, on the given hands, after my 4H, I would expect partner to bid 4S.

Regards,
Peter Fordham

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