[VegasVern]

Scoring: IMP

---

Bidding:

N: 1s
S: 2c
N: 2d
S: 3d
N: 3h
S: 4c
N: 4N
S: 5s
N: 6d

Playing in a race with the "bots," I thought we were doing OK until we got to this bad slam.

I don't understand the bots 3H bid.

Did I make a mistake somewhere along the line?

Thanks

[blackshoe]

N is bidding out his shape. He is 5=3=4=1 with a minimum (about 12-15 HCP), and showing a heart stopper for NT purposes. By bidding 4♣, S has show ?=?=4=5/6 (probably 6) clubs, and a hand too strong to bid 3NT over 3♥. You don't have that hand. I think you should have bid 3NT instead of 4♣.

[JLOL]

3H should ask for a stopper (potentially a cuebid though which will be clarified later), and may be bid on an anti positional stopper (ie Axx). For instance KJxxx xx AKxx Jx would bid 3H since it has no other way to get to 3N opposite a stopper (3S would show 6). South should bid 3N. On this hand north had a 3N bid anyways.

[P_Marlowe]

Reformatting the bidding.

Bidding:

1s - 2c
2d - 3d
3h - 4c
4N - 5s
6d

The first thing is, that 3D sets up a game force, depends
on the system, maybe 2C already did, but playing SAYC,
3D does.
3D does also sets the trump suit.

From this it followes, that 3H is a cue, it is a matter of
agreement, what kind of cues you are playing, but GIB
playes mixed cues.
4C is also a cue, but denies a spade cue.

Hence North knowes, that the partnership has two loosers
in spade, i.e. bidding 4NT is pointless.

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: After having read the other comments:
Yes I agree, it is not clear, if 3H is a cue or asks for a stopper,
but since responder could have bid 2H, if he was interested in NT,
... it becomes messy .-)

[jdonn]

South definitely had a 3NT bid, almost regardless of what north has for 3♥.

[skjaeran]

Both hands should have bid 3NT.

But south most definitely, IMO. Get the hand type over and limit your hand.

[orlam]

I don't understand 4♣. Wouldn't 3N show a GF with not too much extras, with a heart stopper, and typically 2245 or 1345 shape?

[VegasVern]

orlam, on Feb 1 2009, 01:17 PM, said:

I don't understand 4♣. Wouldn't 3N show a GF with not too much extras, with a heart stopper, and typically 2245 or 1345 shape?

I thought 3H was a cue bid so I cue bid 4C. Had I known the bot was just showing a heart stopper I would have just bid 3N.

I get a little bit confused on how to show stoppers in the bidding sequence, especially once a fit has been found.

Would 4H have been a cue bid?

[Mbodell]

When a fit has been found in a minor then a good rule is the 3M bids are stopper showing (or asking in the 4th suit or depending on agreements) hunting for nt. If you have a slam hand that wants to cue you still can bid 3M as a cue, but then when partner bids 3nt you keep bidding and that act then reveals your 3M as a cue for slam.

[mtvesuvius]

Both hands had 3NT bids, however 3♥ was stopper asking imo. It makes no sense for it be anything else.