What’s your call?
| 2♠ | 2NT | |||
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass |
Sanborn bids 4♦. “The classic hand for partner is shortness in hearts and three-suited: 4=1=3=5 or 4=1=4=4 are most probable. I do need aces for game, so I’ll go positive but leave the decision up to partner.”
Colchamiro says that with partner short in hearts, 4♦ seems straightforward. “Opposite:
♠ A 10 x x ♥ x ♦ A x x x ♣ A x x x,
we might even make slam! Even if partner has junk with short hearts, 4♦ ought to make.”
The Sutherlins say they expect partner to have something like:
♠A Q x x ♥x ♦ A x x x ♣K x x x.
“We can easily be on for game. Inviting with 4♦ is a necessity.”
Weinstein’s picture of partner’s hand is similar. “Partner made a vulnerable double at IMPs. I expect him to have a real takeout double of hearts, and facing that, I want to strongly invite game.”
Korbel calls his a monster hand – “possibly good enough for 5♦.”
Meckstroth agrees. “Perhaps I should bid 5♦. I have a great hand here.”
Lawrence bids 4♦, but adds that his hand might be worth a lot more. “Partner is unlimited. 3♥ is possible, intending to bid 4♦ next.”
Rigal:“3♦ doesn’t do justice to this hand. Partner has shown an opening bid with short hearts. 4♦ is invitational and almost the leastI can do.”
Three panelists made no game noise whatsoever.
3♦ by Stack. “Having made this straightforward bid, we have plenty in reserve to consider a further bid if push comes to shove.”
Lee’s 3♦ : “I think anything higher is punishing partner.”
3♦ by Kennedy: “Partner has spades and diamonds and clubs.” Oh, my!
Hampson, on the other hand, starts with a 3♥ cuebid. “I plan on following spade bids (or club bids) with diamond bids at whatever level I have to – probably 4♦ .”
Cohen “overreacts” (his word, not our’s) with 5♦ . “Vulnerable, at IMPs, I have beautiful values opposite short hearts. Picture:
♠A x x x ♥x ♦ A x x x ♣A x x x.
Contrast the 8 count I hold with something like:
♠x x x ♥K J x x ♦ x x x ♣K J x. What a good auction/example showing how to evaluate what points are worth or not worth.”
