My thinking went as follows:
1). The HCPs between the four hands are reasonably evenly spread. The opponents have opened and limit raised and my partner has overcalled. It could be that we have just 16 HCPs and the opponents 24 HCPs, but that it could be nearer to 19 to 21 without counting distributional points.
2). We have the top suit spades so we can outbid them at the same level, if required.
3). Partner has overcalled so he's less likely to have quick tricks to cash, and I only have one - the ♦A. The last thing I want to do is push the opponents into game.
4). Both a 3♠ or a 4♠ bid is pre-emptive, but my hand is a bit better than that with the ♦A, ♣Q, ♠Q and singleton ♥.
5). I'd rather make a constructive bid of 3♦ having already passed, or 3♥ here, but I was unsure whether 3♥ after the 2♠ bid would be taken as an Unassuming Cue Bid or shortness (a splinter).
Etc, etc.
In the end I thought 3♦ was maybe best, showing what I assumed was 4 card ♠ support and an outside ♦ suit. (Partner thankfully understood that bid!) But what do you think is best here, and as always thank you for your replies.
1). The HCPs between the four hands are reasonably evenly spread. The opponents have opened and limit raised and my partner has overcalled. It could be that we have just 16 HCPs and the opponents 24 HCPs, but that it could be nearer to 19 to 21 without counting distributional points.
2). We have the top suit spades so we can outbid them at the same level, if required.
3). Partner has overcalled so he's less likely to have quick tricks to cash, and I only have one - the ♦A. The last thing I want to do is push the opponents into game.
4). Both a 3♠ or a 4♠ bid is pre-emptive, but my hand is a bit better than that with the ♦A, ♣Q, ♠Q and singleton ♥.
5). I'd rather make a constructive bid of 3♦ having already passed, or 3♥ here, but I was unsure whether 3♥ after the 2♠ bid would be taken as an Unassuming Cue Bid or shortness (a splinter).
In the end I thought 3♦ was maybe best, showing what I assumed was 4 card ♠ support and an outside ♦ suit. (Partner thankfully understood that bid!) But what do you think is best here, and as always thank you for your replies.'
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I rank
1. 4♥ = SPL. Short ♥s. Sound 4 card raise.
2..2N = ART. Good 4+ raise.
3, 3♥ = UCB. Usually good 3 card raise.
4. 3♦ = FIT.
5. 4♠ = PRE.