[han]

My choice was also to make a support double, but I didn't dare to write it.

[LH2650]

Jlall, on Dec 7 2005, 11:18 AM, said:

Question for the 2H bidders, what is your planned rebid over 3C?

If 3C is GF, 3S seems clear, if not, pass must be OK. The real problem appears to be that you had no agreements.

[Kalvan14]

Irrespective of the table outcome:
- double is the least evil
- a close alternative is pass
- don't like 2N without a stopper (and pard has 2 diamonds or less).
- 3♣ on 5 (decent) cards is not really attractive but in any case better than 2N

This said, the best way to compete is double

[Rebound]

Forgive the (likely) dumb question, but I have never played support doubles. If double shows 3♠, what does an immediate 2♠ show? I gather the problem is it would not show the strength of this hand?

[dcvetkov]

Jlall, on Dec 7 2005, 04:40 PM, said:

I like a support X with this hand. Here are my thoughts:

Clearly our most likely game is 4S even if it is a 5-2.

Is 4 ♠ game really that great with 5-2? Partner will get tapped very quickly in ♦ with his presumed singleton and there may be some transportation problems to draw trumps or they may be able to arrange a club ruff. Anyway I expect 4s will not be a walk in the park with trumps 4-2

[Fluffy]

ok, I wait 3 minuntes then double and partner will know I don't have 3 cards . Hey my opponents often do that, why can't I?

Anyway I still think double is right, also right is playing 1NT 16-18 on this board

[whereagles]

I would like to bid a natural 18-19 2NT here, if that's possible. If not, I'd try 3♦ followed by 3NT or 4♠, depending on what pard bids.

[barmar]

Rebound, on Dec 7 2005, 08:24 PM, said:

Forgive the (likely) dumb question, but I have never played support doubles. If double shows 3♠, what does an immediate 2♠ show? I gather the problem is it would not show the strength of this hand?

If you play support doubles, then an immediate raise shows 4-card support, and the level of your raise shows your strength. So 2♠ would show 4 ♠ and a minimum opening. Often we're forced to lie about one aspect of the hand, but a double lie is really likely to get you in trouble (I suppose it helps that the two lies are in opposite directions).

[paulg]

Jlall, on Dec 7 2005, 04:18 PM, said:

Question for the 2H bidders, what is your planned rebid over 3C?

Pass looks the natural bid. Partner has many more encouraging bids and you've shown extra values by bidding over 2♦.

p

[arrows]

2♥, the best lie

[Winstonm]

If you pass you defend 2D which will make.


So -90 here and minus 150 there for a modest pickup.

Or +140 verses -150 for a useful gain.

Is there a lesson here or is it just a random result?


Winston

[P_Marlowe]

2 NT, artificial, showing add, values.

That's easy, I will feel the strain the next round.
I will pass a 3C (relay) bid from partner,
if partner bids 3D instead of 3C, I am a bit
in trouble but I will bid 3H showing values,
3S I will raise to 4S.

The main problem with a 2H bid is, that responder
will double with most hands containing at least 4-4
in the mayors, and even with lots hand holding 5-4
in the mayors, i.e. he wont hold a 4 card heart suit
very often, i.e. you risk playing a 3-3 fit.

Marlowe

PS: 2NT has another drawback, it may wrong side 3NT,
but first, we need to find out, if we have the gun power,
and after that I will worry about right sidening contracts.

[Echognome]

I said at the time that I agreed with the double. (I happened to have the pathetic hand across from partner). Isn't it the old maxim that if you don't have a good call, choose the cheapest lie? Well your two cheapest bids are pass and double and they both seem to work out alright. I also think double is the most flexible call as you can hear what partner has to say. Still an ugly problem.