This is a poll and there are no wrong answers. Just silly ones for which everyone will gently ridicule you....
Given a flat hand, what is the minimum points required to bid 3NT in this position:
Pass - (3♠) - ?
Here are a few hands to aid your thinking:
| 15 |
|---|
| ♠ | K Q 8 |
|---|
| ♥ | Q 7 6 |
|---|
| ♦ | K 9 8 |
|---|
| ♣ | A J 8 6 |
|---|
|
| 17 |
|---|
| ♠ | K Q 8 |
|---|
| ♥ | Q 7 6 |
|---|
| ♦ | K Q 8 5 |
|---|
| ♣ | A J 6 |
|---|
|
| 19 |
|---|
| ♠ | K Q 8 |
|---|
| ♥ | A 7 6 3 |
|---|
| ♦ | K Q 8 |
|---|
| ♣ | A J 6 |
|---|
|
| 21 |
|---|
| ♠ | K Q 8 4 |
|---|
| ♥ | A Q 6 |
|---|
| ♦ | K Q 8 |
|---|
| ♣ | A J 6 |
|---|
|
For those that can't answer a question without all the details; imagine you're playing pairs, everyone is vulnerable and it's raining.
On that first hand, I think I'd sigh (mentally, not actually) and pass. With the rest I'd bid 3N.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to bid 3NT on any of these hands -- there simply doesn't seem to be a source of tricks opposite a passed partner. If the pre-empter has 9-10 points for 3-level vul preempt, that means partner is probably broke.
ReplyDeleteThe first two hands, I would pass.
The third hand, I would double for takeout (we play t/o doubles through 3S) and pass anything that partner bids. I'm hoping that partner has a distributional hand and can make 4H.
On the final hand, I'd bid 3NT but very unhappily.
The 3NT overcall is perhaps the widest range call in the game.
ReplyDeleteThe spade holdings in all four hands is good enough that I am going to be able to exhaust LHO of spades; that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteStill, I am going to pass the dull 15 point hand. I will bid 3NT on the two strongest hands. With the 17 point hand, I would bid 3NT except perhaps at fav vul, where I might consider passing 3S.
Assume 8 points for the pre-empt (AJxxxxx and a King outside) and even points in the other two hands then:
ReplyDelete16hcp = 24 combined
18hcp = 25 combined
20hcp = 26 combined
As Lak pointed out there's no source of tricks so 26 points might be required.
I think 20 is probably the magic number but you could still go for 1100 when partner is bust.
@Paul, did you just answer the question by avoiding it?