[Antrax]

This came up in the partnership bidding room:

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North deals. What contract do you even want to be in, and how do you get there, using standard-ish (american) methods?

[awm]

I'd bid:

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 3♦ (GF, 5/5 or better reds)
3NT - Pass

The 3NT contract seems reasonable; certainly it's better than 4♥ although there are some handling issues.

[lalldonn]

Just one more nasty misfit with two 8-card fits.

[Antrax]

which one would you like to play in?

[lalldonn]

It may depend on some style issues, like if you start 1♣ 1♥ 1NT and responder shows 5-5 and opener bids 3NT, responder might bid 4♥ since opener almost has to have 2 other than 3145 that didn't raise the 5 card diamond suit, which is highly unlikely. I guess probably he shouldn't since his hand is almost described, but even with a bad suit I think the sixth heart has importance. AWM's auction is also plausible, and I play that 3♦ bid the same way he does so I might duplicate it.

It seems 3NT is clearly better, but I wouldn't lose sleep about reaching 4♥ with a 6-2 fit and one hand has two singletons.

[ggwhiz]

In my partnership we would bid 1♣ - 1♥ and then a 1nt rebid. All roads from there lead us to 4♥ but the J♥ is doubleton onside.

[nigel_k]

I would start with 1♣-1♥-1NT and always end in 4♥.

On AWM's auction I don't agree with 3NT holding AK, K in the side suits and no trick source. Opener could have any hand, including one with club tricks, and their actual hand is quite suitable for playing a red suit. If anyone is going to bid 3NT after that start it should be responder. Anyway after a spade lead you can only make eight tricks due to the entry problems and club blockage.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Can't you end in 2NT after the "Walshish" start :
1C - 1H
1NT - 2D! ( NMF, not GF )
2S ( most likely 4 2 3 4 ) - 2NT

[SteveMoe]

Would expect:
1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 2♦ = 4SF
2N - 3♦ = 5-5
3N

I play the jump to 3♦ as a splinter for ♠s.

[Statto]

SteveMoe, on 2012-June-18, 00:49, said:

Would expect:
1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 2♦ = 4SF
2N - 3♦ = 5-5
3N

I'd expect 2♥ rather than 2NT, as opener doesn't have a ♦ stop but does have Hx in support of ♥.

[SteveMoe]

Statto, on 2012-June-18, 22:16, said:

I'd expect 2♥ rather than 2NT, as opener doesn't have a ♦ stop but does have Hx in support of ♥.

Yes! 2N is an error. 2♥ is right.

[dkham]

4♥ looks good if the heart jack is onside.

[ArtK78]

dkham, on 2012-June-19, 05:39, said:

4♥ looks good if the heart jack is onside.

...singleton or doubleton.

Technically, you can make 4♥ if AKx or AKxx is in the West hand, but no one would play for that (although West may hop).

[han]

ArtK78, on 2012-June-19, 05:49, said:

...singleton or doubleton.

Technically, you can make 4♥ if AKx or AKxx is in the West hand, but no one would play for that (although West may hop).

Why would you not play for that? Seems to me that it is the percentage play but perhaps I'm being dense.

[billw55]

That's weird, I would have sworn the thread title said misfit. I looked but I can't find one.

[rhm]

awm, on 2012-June-16, 11:54, said:

I'd bid:

1♣ - 1♥
1♠ - 3♦ (GF, 5/5 or better reds)
3NT - Pass

The 3NT contract seems reasonable; certainly it's better than 4♥ although there are some handling issues.

And play for a doubleton ace of diamonds on the likely spade lead?
I do not see that 3NT is much superior to 4♥, at least not from the North side. (South as dummy is quite revealing).
A doubleton or singleton ♥jack onside might do in 4♥ if there is no diamond ruff.

Rainer Herrmann

[FrancesHinden]

TWO4BRIDGE, on 2012-June-16, 16:55, said:

Can't you end in 2NT after the "Walshish" start :
1C - 1H
1NT - 2D! ( NMF, not GF )
2S ( most likely 4 2 3 4 ) - 2NT

Well yes, you could do, but I would drive game as responder and would end in 4H. I think it's trying too hard to be clever if you have a 65 12-count and partner shows a weak NT, not to play in game.

[han]

You don't need to be clever when you see both hands Frances.