[han]

Ax
xxx
AQxx
AKxx

Red against white, Dutch opponents, IMPs.

(3H) - p - (p) - ??

[effervesce]

I'm torn between passing and 3NT gamble. RHO would often raise with Hx, so partner has reasonable chance of having a heart stopper.

I'd probably pass at the table, especially at this vul-you can easily go many off.

X may be right if partner bids 4m, but the chances of that arent worth the risk IMO.

[rbforster]

X with no conviction?

[gwnn]

I suppose experts will pass this hand, but I'm not an expert, so this is an easy double and pass 3♠ and raise 4m to 5 hand.

[mike777]

3nt


but this may be very wrong.

[hatchett]

3NT
It's ok to look silly once in a while.

[655321]

3NT.

Bidding 3NT on this sort of hand feels more dangerous than doing it on a hand with a running suit - i.e. with this hand there are 2 hurdles to get past. Firstly, partner must be able to stop their suit, and secondly, we need to find 9 tricks.

Nevertheless, it doesn't feel right to pass and settle for a 50 or two, when there may be a vulnerable game.

At least at this vulnerability, the 3♥ bid does not promise anything at all, so it would not be a surprise if partner has a stopper.

[Sambolino]

i'm also torn between pass and 3nt; i've seen world class players very often passing with, like, 15 in this position so what's so spectacular about 17

[andy_h]

I like 3NT. Passing seems like I'm giving up against a favourable preempt. X would be my 2nd choice I suppose. I guess I'm just tempted by the 9 trick game and partner may still be able to provide a heart stopper as favourable preempts can be aggressive.

[helene_t]

I take "Dutch opponents" as a hint. 3NT.

[FrancesHinden]

Pass.

I hate 3NT. If I didn't pass, I would double.

[Codo]

I hate everything and pass, let the Dutch have the last laugh again.

[hatchett]

Where are Gnasher and Jlall when you need them to discuss the relative merits of +50, -300 and +600?

[gnasher]

hatchett, on Jul 8 2008, 02:55 PM, said:

Where are Gnasher and Jlall when you need them to discuss the relative merits of +50, -300 and +600?

Surely it's only -200? With a seven-card suit everyone opens four these days, don't they?

[nige1]

han, on Jul 8 2008, 03:54 AM, said:

Ax
xxx
AQxx
AKxx
Red against white, Dutch opponents, IMPs.
(3H) - p - (p) - ??

IMO 3N = 10, _X = 8, _P = 6.
We play that immediate actions are sound, so we feel that we have to protect on such hands. Dutch treat?

[mikeh]

I don't think this is the right hand for the sexy 3N. I mean, even if partner has a stopper, what makes us think we are taking 9 tricks? I don't mind the stopperless 3N balance... I've made the bid a couple of times at the table and even more often in bidding fora, but I've always held a source of tricks to go with the high cards.. give me even a chunky 5 card minor and I might choose the call, but not here.

And double makes me ill.

So the magic word... pass... ok, so they got us. It won't be the last time.

[pclayton]

Pass.

[NickRW]

I suppose it partly depends on what is implied by "Dutch opponents". If that doesn't mean suicide preempts when w/r, then I don't reckon our chances of having a heart stop any better than 50/50 - then we still have to find 9 tricks for 3N.

Double, to my mind, is far too likely get partner excited about his holding of 4 spades.

So I pass. The Dutch got me if that is wrong. Preempts work sometimes - one has to live with it.

Nick

[Fluffy]

you can't be blamed for anything.

I would pass only if they were vulnerable, but given that I play very sound live overcalls it is not an option now.

I would bid 3NT, hearts will often be 6331.