Forum Question 29 – Overcall Response – Raising to level of fit compared with Cue Bid
Forum Question 29 - Overcall Response - Raising to level of fit compared with Cue Bid
This question was asked to: Julian Pottage
Question
I think you have answered this before - but I could not find the topic
If bidding goes say (1C) -1S - (P) - ??? what would be the difference between a response of 3S (4 card support and raising to the level of the fit) compared with making a cue bid of 2C ? What are the differences between raising to the level of the fit and a cue bid?
On the hand in question responder had : AT86 - 953- 76- AK64.
The overcaller (1S) had a powerful but Aceless two suiter KQ743 - KQT64 - J4 -8
Answer
I strongly recommend playing 2NT as a sound 4-card raise. It is rare that you would wish to bid 2NT naturally but it can be really helpful to differentiate between three-card and four-card support. You need more values for game with a 5-3 fit than you do with a 5-4 fit and you are more likely to want to declare rather than defend if you have a 5-4 fit than if it is only 5-3. If you make a simple cue bid on both hands, partner is in the dark.
A hand with 11 points and all prime cards is far too good for a pre-emptive raise. If 2NT is available in your methods, you bid 2NT; if not, you should bid 2C.
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