[Cyberyeti]

whereagles, on 2011-November-08, 10:16, said:

If the hand didn't have a side suit, then 5C would be the percentage bid. Playing 5m is usually better when the long minor has extra length and lacks the ace (see e.g. Klinger's 'losing trick count' book).

I'll agree that opposite 5 hearts across I'd rather be in 4H (opps are probably cold for 4S then, but ok let's skip that) but opposite just 4 hearts I'm not so sure anymore. Even if opener has like AKxx of hearts, I'd be weary of clubs dying out on a dummy tap at trick 2. Maybe this is skewed, but that sort of stuff happened to a pard of mine once and it was a catastrophe.

This is a fair point, but it's not impossible you'll be able to score 7 or 8 trump tricks plus some top cards opposite 4 hearts.

Eg Jxxx, AKJx, AKxx, xx if they play 2 rounds of spades, you play a club, now whether they take a ruff or not you're in good shape if hearts are 3-2. Yes 5♣ may be better, but you'll pick up 1-2 IMPs a good proportion of the time. If hearts are 4-1, you may not make 5♣ due to the potential heart ruff.