[Hanoi5]

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MP's, in case it matters.

[WesleyC]

I'm happy to raise to 3H which might give North a problem in the fairly likely case they have extras.

[apollo1201]

2H is not forcing. Encouraging probably but NF nevertheless coming from a passed hand. I'll go with the Law and bid 3H. No easy balance for N!

[rmnka447]

By an unpassed hand, East's bid would be forcing. But normally, after a pass, East's bid would be encouraging but not forcing. It would seem partner's hand would have at least 5 ♥ and about 10-11 points.

Something to consider is what partner has not bid. Since partner failed to open, obviously partner doesn't have a 1 ♥ opener. But partner also didn't make a weak 2 ♥ bid. Depending on how disciplined partner opens weak 2s in 1st seat, that can tell you a lot. It would seem likely that partner has only 5 ♥. If partner does have 6, then there is some other flaw that precludes a weak 2.

Another thing to consider is how partner will interpret a raise. If partner will carry on to game with a good 10 then raising may get you too high. If you have some mechanism to distinguish a competitive raise from an invitational one, then raising to the LTT level would be good matchpoint tactics.

Finally, look at your hand. You have a very minimum flat opener. I like to work out a somewhat basic LTC, not so much to apply it literally, but as a gauge on how good the hand is. It looks like about 8 1/2 losers versus a typical 7 losers for most openers. So that seems to indicate that given a choice it might be better to be a tad pessimistic versus making an aggressive call.

So, I'd consider passing here and raising to 3 ♥ if the opponents compete further in ♠.

If you have the agreement that 2 ♥ in this auction is indeed forcing, then you have tougher decision. Passing violates partnership agreements, but raising can be a problem, too. If your partner would get upset by your passing, then I'd raise and maybe discuss how to handle hands like this one after the session. If partner is more accepting of your judgment, then especially at matchpoints, I don't see a problem passing.

[nige1]

Hanoi5 poses this MP problem.
I rank
1. Pass. Although you may regret this if LHO can compete further at this low level.
2. 2N. An MP gamble
3. 3♥. Might still invite unwelcome competition.

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[steve2005]

 apollo1201, on 2015-October-11, 06:16, said:

2H is not forcing. Encouraging probably but NF nevertheless coming from a passed hand. I'll go with the Law and bid 3H. No easy balance for N!

2♥ is 100% non-forcing. With dead minimum 12 pts and worst possible 4333 distribution am inclined to pass, but wouldn't complain if roles reversed and my partner raised with this hand.

[Jinksy]

Pass. If south can't raise 1♠ to 2, I don't see why he'd be likely to raise to 2♠ to three.

It's also possible 3♥ will make it easier for north. If you pass and he's looking at xxx or similar in Hs, for all he knows you might be in 5-2 fit.

[phil_20686]

Is no one else worried that you might just be cold for game?

Qxx AKxxx x jxxx or something?

I think 3H is pretty normal, I would not be (very) worried about going off in 3H.

[helene_t]

 phil_20686, on 2015-October-13, 06:29, said:

Is no one else worried that you might just be cold for game?

This. Our hand is nothing to be ashamed of. Two outside aces and great trump support.

[Charlie Yu]

NFB is standard here right?

[gszes]

The first thing to realize is that there are very few bids by a passed hand that are forcing and the 2h bid is not one of them. The 2h bid is probably similar to an sayc 2/1 but near minimum due to the original failure to open. At IMPs this is a pretty easy 3h raise but it becomes just a tad more complicated at MP where stretching for thin games is against the odds.
Our hand is minimum by pretty much any standard of measure and while our 4th heart gives us a fair amount of protection at the 3 level we would seem to be a fair distance away from
4h opposite the vast majority of passed hands. We can always back in later if needed with 3h but for now I prefer

pass = 9
3h = 7

I never considered gambling with 2n (nige1) but that might merely be because of taking too may trips to Las Vegas.

[dboxley]

There is no such thing as a forcing bid by a passed hand (other than artificial bids). Still, I might bid 3 with this hand but would accept the blame if it went wrong.

[ggwhiz]

I'm passing and will bid 3♥ over 2♠. I don't want partner bidding game which they may well do over 3♥ whether the opponents bid or not.