What should I bid? - Best enquiry for August 2010

The best submission for August came from Michael Wilkinson.

 Hand:    With both sides vulnerable and playing IMPs, I was West:

J  KJ98  Q  J1098753

Bidding:	West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1	1
	?

Comments:      

What call should I make?
I was playing a weak NT and open 1 with 44 Majors and a strong NT - so 1 will only be 3 if 4333 on a Major.

Kieran's Reply:

Michael,

Lots of stuff going on here. 2 is misleading on a couple of levels...2 might work constructively (if partner has a good hand I may be able to figure out what to do next), 3 totally misdescribes the offensive strength, 1NT shows the points and the stopper but overlooks the 4-7 shape completely.

What bothers me is the spades - there must be a huge chance that the opponents can make a bunch of spades, maybe a game - if they can find their fit.

So, I'd like to bury the spade fit without hurting our constructive auction too much. My choice is 2NT, emphasising the heart stoppers and counting on the massive club fit to provide the tricks that I need. Maybe I'll make 3NT opposite a minimum strong notrump. Or, maybe it will just be high enough to kill the opponents' spades.

Kieran

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