[firmit]

You hold
S QJxx
H x
D Qxx
C Txxxx

which evaluates to something like 5hcp+3singleton=8points. What is your bid? Do you show your single heart? Why or why not? Do you pre-empt in some way?

Edited: the dist was 4-1-3-5 - initially 4-1-4-5

[TylerE]

Ugh. Not a fan of the methods. 3♠ is what I dislike least. Would prefer to be able to make an oldschool single raise.

[firmit]

TylerE, on Sep 3 2008, 08:23 PM, said:

Ugh. Not a fan of the methods. 3♠ is what I dislike least. Would prefer to be able to make an oldschool single raise.

I hear you - then I suspect your bid would be 2H which is a transfer to 2S - which shows a single raise.

[gwnn]

3-8 is hardly a single raise

[ASkolnick]

If I were going to play a method where I have two ways to raise, I think I would rather split them by distribution not by points.

1S-2H (Spade raise with shortness)
1S-2S (Spade raise without shortness)

By doing this, partner can find out the effectiveness of the shortness if he wants.

1S-2H
2N-3D (I would play 1 under the shortness so they can't double for the lead)

But I would probably just bid 3S with the hand with the methods given.

[han]

Looks like a fine 3S bid to me.

[ArtK78]

Sorry. I have yet to incorporate methods for dealing with hands containing 14 cards.

But, if I had to take an action, it would be a preemptive spade raise. Perhaps the extra card will come in handy. I am a favorite to take trick 14, since everyone else will be out of cards.

[jdonn]

Assuming the clubs are Txxx (and to further whine, it's really difficult to read the poll options the way you wrote them)

The three card raises are silly, holding four card support and a singleton. As for whether to show this as single raise strength or preemptive raise strength, it's pretty close and largely dependant on style. I think bidding 3♥ non-vul and 3♠ vul is very reasonable.

[Apollo81]

han, on Sep 3 2008, 03:01 PM, said:

Looks like a fine 3S bid to me.

agree, looks textbook for this

[Free]

I also hate the methods, but having to play them with a gun to my head, I'd bid 3♠.

[firmit]

The methods itself is really not the point. The poll is primarily to get a feel about how you'd bid this hand - as a normal raise, pre-emptive or invitational raise.

[catatonic]

hate the method , but as I seem to be unable to bid a natural 2 spades I would pass and await events , most unlikely to be passed out ; should know more next time I have a bid

[hrothgar]

Silly question: What would a 2♥ bid, followed by raising 2♠ to 3♠?

This will create a bit of trouble if partner produces a slow 2♠ bid, however, this is what seems right

[ochinko]

With just a few points, extra length in partner's suit, and no defensive tricks the only reasonable thing seems to be a preemptive raise.

Other bids might produce better results, but only because of their psychic value.

[P_Marlowe]

firmit, on Sep 3 2008, 03:21 PM, said:

The methods itself is really not the point. The poll is primarily to get a feel about how you'd bid this hand - as a normal raise, pre-emptive or invitational raise.

Preemptive rase.

A preemptive raise is not weaker than a single raise,
just more distributional, at least one add. trump.

So if we reach game after the single raise, we will
reach game after the preemptive raise.

Using the LTC you have 8 loosers, you should discount
something for the lack of controls, on the other hand, the
LTC works fine for 5-4 fits, so you are at 8,5.
As it is, if you are red vs. green, the preemptive raise
should not be complete garbage, if you are green vs. red,
... it can, so maybe you need to go via a constructive single
raise at this vulnerability.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Gerben42]

Preemptive - you don't have any Aces or Kings, so zero defense against a high ♥ contract. Tell your partner this by bidding 3♠.

[firmit]

hrothgar, on Sep 3 2008, 11:17 PM, said:

Silly question:  What would a 2♥ bid, followed by raising 2♠ to 3♠?

This will create a bit of trouble if partner produces a slow 2♠ bid, however, this is what seems right

1♠-2♥
2♠-3♠ have only one meaning - slam - slam - slam - slam

I am not a big fan the methods myself, but partner did not want to play Toronto all seats, and I am not a big fan of 100% forcing NT - so.... is there any alternatives ( what a stupid question! ) ?

[jvage]

Many posters don't like the methods as described and neither do I. But I do play something very similar, and it may be the description and not the methods that is at fault. It seems Firmit (a fellow Norwegian) plays something resembling what I and Brogeland-Lindqvist (European champions and butler winners from Pau) use. This is how they describe these bids after partners 1♠ opening (note the difference in hp and suitlengths):

2♥: Either natural GF or weak with spade-support (normally 3, may have 4). For the weak option minimum Qxx/xxxx in support and out, maximum around 7hp.
2♠: A good raise. Typical 8-11 with 3 card or 6-9 with 4 card support.
3♠: Preemptive (0-5).

There are other bids to show a balanced or splinter raise with 4+ spades and invitational values. Personally I normally use 3sp as semibalanced invitational with minisplinters while they use some dual-meaning raises to free 3♠ as preemptive.

This hand is not good enough for a constructive or splinter raise, so the choice is between 2♥ and 3♠. With this distribution I agree with most posters who bid 3♠ (if like me you play 3♠ as invitational it's an obvious 2♥).

John

[brianshark]

The methods are fine. I've seen worse.

This is a textbook pre-emptive raise.

[skjaeran]

I play these methods myself, but with another 3m/3♥ combination than firmit, I believe (we've bundled minisplinters and Bergen raises), and like them better than most other methods I've come across. The 2-way 2♥ has come into existens to have two 3-card raises available for us who won't play a forcing 1NT.

On the actual hand I'd make a slight overbid of 3♥ NV and 3♠ vul (as Josh). For me the hand has just too much playing strength to preempt NV.