[mikl_plkcc]

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I expected the hands to be unbalanced to I thought 4♥ would be better than 3NT, but in fact 3NT would make but 4♥ ended -1.

In 4♥, we would lose the ♥AK, the ♣A and a ruff when the opponents could lead a ♣ the 3rd time, as we couldn't draw trump quick enough.

How would I know that 3NT would be better than 4♥ even if the bidding suggests that the hands will be unbalanced?

[hrothgar]

I'm not sure that this is a hand where you will always be able to get things right.

The choice of whether or not to play in 4!H versus 3N depends an awful lot on where partner's honors are located.
If they have Heart honors, you'll be well positioned to draw trump and you won't need to worry about that club ruff...

Some things that suggest that a 3N contract might be reasonable

1. You have a long strong club suit (and enough entries to establish it)

2. The length of your club suit does mean that there is a risk of club ruffs in a major suit contract

Not sure if I would have gotten this right

[Huibertus]

You simply have no way of knowing.

The exact same bidding would have happened when west had a ♣ less, a ♠ more and east a ♣ more and a ♠ less. In that case 4♥ would have made losing ♥AK and ♣A, while 3NT would have been down losing the same and 2 ♠ tricks.

Bid your own two hands as good as you can that's all you can do. Bidding 4♥ seems perfectly fine to me, just bad luck.

[smerriman]

Huibertus, on 2025-June-13, 10:49, said:

The exact same bidding would have happened when west had a ♣ less, a ♠ more and east a ♣ more and a ♠ less. In that case 4♥ would have made losing ♥AK and ♣A, while 3NT would have been down losing the same and 2 ♠ tricks.

? Bad example; in that hypothetical 3nt is a trivial make by knocking out the club.

[Huibertus]

smerriman, on 2025-June-13, 14:02, said:

? Bad example; in that hypothetical 3nt is a trivial make by knocking out the club.

Yes correct didn't really look at ♣, just at developing ♥.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

the only question is, if North should have passed, make a T/O X instead of overcalling 1H.
but 1H is ok.


You could make an argument, that 2NT instead of 4H is better, and you may be able to pass it
out in 3H. But then again, ending up in 4H is ok.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

the only question is, if North should have passed, make a T/O X instead of overcalling 1H.
but 1H is ok.


You could make an argument, that 2NT instead of 4H is better, and you may be able to pass it
out in 3H. But then again, ending up in 4H is ok.

With kind regards
Marlowe