What should I bid? (August 2018)
The best submission for August came from Brian Thorp. He wins a voucher of $30 funded by TBIB, toward any purchase made at the Bridge Shop or Paul Lavings Bridge Books.
You deal as East with
♠ A86
♥ 875
♦ 953
♣ QJT5
Matchpoint event; NS are vul
The bidding goes
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass | Pass | ||
| 1♥ | Pass | ? |
Playing a weak NT (denies a 5-card major) with 5-card majors.
Is it better to reply 1NT or 2♥?
Is the answer different at different vulnerabilities?
Is the answer different at imp scoring?
Thanks, Brian
———————————————
Hi Brian,
In terms of whether you should respond 1NT or 2♥, I would strongly recommend raising to 2♥ even with the 4333 shape. The reason is because your partner will have a very hard time to judge accurately later in the auction. For example, after an uncontested auction of 1♥-1NT-2minor-2♥, opener will be thinking that responder has a doubleton, so opener will often be passing with say 16/17 points and a 5-4 shape, knowing that there’s a maximum of a 5-2 fit. Also, if the fourth seat interferes such as 1♥-(Pass)-1NT-(2x), now it would be difficult for opener to judge accurately in these competitive scenarios given.
I understand that the 4333 shape doesn’t look attractive, but at the end of the day, it’s very important not to lie about your support which can have an effect later in the auction.
I do not think the answer should be different at any other vulnerabilities, nor the form of scoring.
Hope that helps,
Andy
