What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for December 2006 

Edna Matheson made the best submission for the month of December.

 Hand: We were vulnerable and I was dealer, sitting South:

	K62  KQJ984  9  543
10985  765  J864  96		QJ  1032  K3  KJ10872
	A743  A  AQ10752  AQ

Bidding:	West	North	East	South
				1
	Pass	1	2	2
	Pass	3	Pass	?

Comments:    I didn't know what would be the best way to proceed with the bidding. Can you help me out?

Peter's Reply:

Hi Edna,

This is not a good auction thus far and will probably end in either 3NT or  4. The problem has arisen from the 3 bid, either through a misunderstanding of the nature of the 2 bid or from a misjudgment of the worth of the responding hand.

In the auction 1 (P) 1 (P); 2, 2 would be a game force. After the 2 overcall, 2 has been converted from a jump shift to a reverse. While denoting a strong hand it is only forcing for one round, not a game force.

The consequence of this is that 3 is not forcing and, in my view, inadequate. Responder has enough for game and should bid either 4 or 3 "fourth suit forcing". Given the quality of the heart suit I believe 4 is superior to 3.

So we would have

                      1 (P) 1 (2)

                      2 (P) 4 (P)

                      ?

After this auction the South hand screams heart slam, but South ought not get too carried away. North has said "excellent hearts in a modest hand." The modest hand bit comes from its non-forcing nature. Probably a direct 6 would be simplest and best.

The club finesse is long odds on to succeed if it is needed and in many layouts will be unnecessary.

Regards
Peter Fordham

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