[pedjabre]

Here is a real problem from a teams match (IMPs).

I'd like to know what would you bid next with South's hand.

Dealer: EAST
Vuln: North-South

Bidding:
pass - pass - 1♠ - X
2♠ - pass - pass - X

So your partner X'd twice, vulnerable. LHO opened non-vuln in 3rd seat. You inquire about the bidding and get the explanation that 1♠ is 4+ spades and 2♠ should be 4+ spades and in theory could be 3 spades with an honor. 2♠ is also 6-10 hcp.

Let's say you know your partner very well and that the only possible shape he could have is 1 - 4 - 4 - 4. Second double shows extra strength.

You hold as South:
♠ 9 6 x x
♥ K T 9 x
♦ T x
♣ A T x

I'd like to know your opinion about your next bid.

In the next couple of days I will generate a few random hands that comply with this bidding and run them in a double-dummy solver to see what the average score is.

[awm]

It might help to know whether the second double tends to show extra strength, or just guarantee the singleton spade. If I can assume that partner won't automatically double just because of 1444 pattern, then I'll bid 4♥. This has chances even opposite minimums like:

x
Axxx
AKxx
Kxxx

x
QJxx
AQxx
KQxx

And it seems like partner could have a bit more than this and still not raise 3♥ to game.

Another interesting question is the meaning of 2NT here. If it's lebensohl, this adds another possibility to the mix (a 3♥ call would now show values, and becomes much more appealing than if it could be a yarborough).

[mike777]

pedjabre, on Dec 23 2005, 10:59 AM, said:

Here is a real problem from a teams match (IMPs).

I'd like to know what would you bid next with South's hand.

Dealer: EAST
Vuln: North-South

Bidding:
pass - pass - 1♠ - X
2♠ - pass - pass - X

So your partner X'd twice, vulnerable. LHO opened non-vuln in 3rd seat. You inquire about the bidding and get the explanation that 1♠ is 4+ spades and 2♠ should be 4+ spades and in theory could be 3 spades with an honor. 2♠ is also 6-10 hcp.

Let's say you know your partner very well and that the only possible shape he could have is 1 - 4 - 4 - 4. Second double shows extra strength.

You hold as South:
♠ 9 6 x x
♥ K T 9 x
♦ T x
♣ A T x

I'd like to know your opinion about your next bid.

In the next couple of days I will generate a few random hands that comply with this bidding and run them in a double-dummy solver to see what the average score is.

Abstain, prefer x over 2s and get this hand off my chest.

[pclayton]

If the waiter bid my hand for the 1st round, I'd bid 3♠ here. I think I'm too strong for 4♥ and its not tough to see a perfect 16 count that is a spread for 12: void, AQxxx, Axxx, KQJx.

I'd have made a call over 2♠ too. Its a good/bad situation for us and this looks like a 'bad' 3♥ call so I'll start with 2N. My responsive doubles over ♠'s deny 4♥, so thats out too.

Pard's 2nd double doesn't promise the world's fair, but it should be more than a minimum. He made an initial double and you could have bid initially. If pressed, I would expect at least a King above a minimum. 1=4=4=4 and a 14 count seems about right.

Enter a responsive double conundrum. If I had a penalty double of 2♠: KQT8x, xx, Axx, xxx; I can't make it over 2♠, since that double is responsive. Ergo, shouldn't pard's reopening double can be 'protective' in nature? Lets discuss......

[Al_U_Card]

I agree with the good-bad 2NT scenario as a 3H bid directly after the 2S bid is a bit rich with all those spades......that said, after the 2nd double, I think that 4H is about right. (based on the previous pass, pard will know that you have a very nice 7 count)

[whereagles]

2NT here is whatever you want it to be. Robson uses it as scrambling because a Lebenshol 2NT could have been bid the previous round.

In any case, it would have been better to bid the previous round. Now you'll have to guess whether pard's extras are enough for game or not. (Unless you like to insist on Lebenshol 2NT here, in whic case 3♥ now is encouraging and shows just about this hand.)

[luis]

4♥ automatic.

[Winstonm]

Having passed the first time, I can't possibly leave this decision up to partner so it is a matter of 3S or 4H. 3S on this auction sounds minor oriented to me so I'll settle for 4H.

Winston

[Fluffy]

Wouldn't pass first time. PArtner has something close to a 1444 16-18

[Kalvan14]

Jlall, on Dec 23 2005, 10:46 PM, said:

Even if I played leb here I would bid 4H. My hand is very good, and I would have bid 3H whether or not I played good/bad on the round before.

Justin said everything. It was folly not to bid after 1♠-X-2♠ (and the hand justifies a 3♥ bid, even playing Lebensohl).
If the waiter passed for me over 2♠ now I would bid at least 4♥

[joker_gib]

Kalvan14, on Dec 24 2005, 02:17 PM, said:

Jlall, on Dec 23 2005, 10:46 PM, said:

Even if I played leb here I would bid 4H. My hand is very good, and I would have bid 3H whether or not I played good/bad on the round before.

Justin said everything. It was folly not to bid after 1♠-X-2♠ (and the hand justifies a 3♥ bid, even playing Lebensohl).
If the waiter passed for me over 2♠ now I would bid at least 4♥

I agree.

4♥