[jillybean]

---

Lead ♠K tricks = 7

At the other table:

P P 1H 1S
P P X P
2C P 3C

tricks = 10

-6imps

[ArtK78]

I guess 3NT was somewhat unlucky to go down. But as long as the defense attacks spades, they rate to establish 5 tricks. A heart lead could work on other layouts. Since everything is in the North hand, there was no problem with the defense. The auction to 3NT was simple but rather inelegant. You could be off the first 6 heart tricks in 3NT cold for slam in a minor.


5 of a minor has a lot of play. I don't remember how the play went at our table so that we got 3 tricks.

[jillybean]

 ArtK78, on 2013-July-28, 22:55, said:

SNIP You could be off the first 6 heart tricks in 3NT cold for slam in a minor.

Cold for a slam in a minor with JT8, V, 87642, QJ876, are you really going to investigate?

[ArtK78]

 jillybean, on 2013-July-28, 23:10, said:

Cold for a slam in a minor with JT8, V, 87642, QJ876, are you really going to investigate?

I didn't say that I would investigate slam. I just said it was possible that you might make 12 tricks in a minor and be down in 3NT.

You should have tools to bid something other than 3NT on the East hand, especially at IMPs where making 5 of a minor is perfectly acceptable.

[jillybean]

What gadgets do people have here?

We have minor suit stayman 3♠/2N on our card, though I don't ever remember using it.
Given my weak hand, 3N seemed to be a better spot than 5m.
Is this a hand where I should use MSS?

[ArtK78]

Holding the East hand, I would definitely use MSS. 3NT might be right, but I don't think it rates to be right if partner shows a four card minor suit.

When opener denies a 4 card minor, East has to make a decision whether to play an 8 card minor suit fit at the 5 level or pass 3NT and hope.

[GreenMan]

I play a couple of variations with two different partners. You start with a 3♠ relay to 3NT, then follow-ups show one or both minors.

In the simpler version, 3♠ --> 3NT is always GF. Then 4m is one-suited and strong, 4♥/♠ both minors longer ♣/♦ respectively, 4NT m/m equal length.

You could also play 4M there as shortness with both minors and slam interest. The relay then 5♣ can be choice of games with no slam interest. Other variations and permutations exist.

I'm not saying any of this is better than MSS. It's just what these partners have asked me to play, and I don't mind. YMMV.

[jillybean]

So what do you do here, with no slam interest?

[mike777]

3s=mss
after pard bids 3nt you can bid 4d...now pard can bid 5d or 4h kickback for d which I think you play or 4nt(to play) which now you can rebid 5c.


4s over 2nt can be 4-4 and invite to slam or 6nt.

[lycier]

it seems likely to look for 5-3 ♠ fit for game,so I am willing to bid 3♣ as puppet stayman, and then rebid 3nt after the opener answer 3♥ with five card.

[Fluffy]

The way I play:
2NT-3♠ I have interest in one or both minors


3NT = I have the strenght on the majors
4♣= I like the minors
4♦ = I have 4 diamonds and a great hand for playing in minors
4M never came up yet but it shows 4-4 in the minors showing the doubleton.

with A AK in the majors it is not unreasonable to avoid 3NT, but it might be a bit resulting.