[jdonn]

whereagles, on Apr 5 2006, 01:26 PM, said:

I dunno.. this isn't a question of high cards, but rather where they sit. Move a heart honor to diamonds or clubs and it's a lay-down.

Isn't that EXACTLY why 3♣ is correct, so partner can appreciate where you want his highcards?

[han]

1. Pass. I think double is automatic at MPs, but the gain vs profit seems to small at IMPs. Bidding is not an option of course.

2. 3C, natural. I'm giving partner one chance to sign off with many wasted values in hearts.

3. Double. I assume that partner would have bid with a minimal hand that is not willing to defend. Doubling 2C is relatively safe.

4. Pass seems so obvious that I suspect we make 5D. Partner will need a maximum and the perfect cards.

5. 3NT, any hand with Kxxxx of clubs gives us a chance.

6. Double is take-out. Partner will surely pull, and I don't expect to make game in a suit. So pass is clearly better than double. 3NT is tempting, it might make opposite the right 0-count. Also, both opponents much have minimal hands, so it seems unlikely that they will find the double (whether it is right). But my wimpish side is showing up again: I pass and expect to go plus.

[cherdano]

cherdano, on Apr 3 2006, 03:57 PM, said:

3.

Scoring: IMP

P-P-P-1♠
X-XX-P-P
2♣-?

---

The full hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

I passed, since I didnt like to double with the bad spots. We were in murky waters in the followup. Partner bid 2♠, I raised to 3♠, not a desirable contract to play. (I suppose 2N by me is better though.)

Any thoughts on the followups after pass?

Of course, after double, opponents would have wiggled there way to 2H, which is down 2 double dummy, but in practice probably down one after a trump lead.

[han]

I think the pass is not good Arend, even though mikeh is on your side. I can think of three reasons why you should double:

1) You redoubled and they bid one of your 4-card suits. If you don't double now, then when are you?

2) 2CX is not game, which makes doubling much more attractive. Also, there is no reason to think that they have found a fit, and you have the balance of strength.

3) There is a good chance that partner will be (somewhat) stuck when you. You certainly know that partner won't be able to double!


Partner's rebid of 2S doesn't even show 5 good spades, it may be on Jxxxx Axx AKx xx. This is not the time to raise on a doubleton. Passing 2S is possible, partner can jump to 3S with extras and a 6-card suit, and cuebid with extras and no good alternative.

[han]

I do hope you beat this east to a jelly, making take-out doubles like that.

[cherdano]

Hannie, on Apr 5 2006, 09:18 PM, said:

I think the pass is not good Arend, even though mikeh is on your side. I can think of three reasons why you should double:

1) You redoubled and they bid one of your 4-card suits. If you don't double now, then when are you?

Well I would MUCH prefer to double 2D than to double 2C with my hand. I agree 100% with your reasons 2) and 3) though.

Arend

[cherdano]

cherdano, on Apr 3 2006, 03:57 PM, said:

4.

Scoring: IMP

You open 1♦, partner bids 3♦ (inverted).
Do you make a move? If yes, what is your plan?

---

Partner's hand was QT9 xxx AKxxx xx. +170 as they didn't lead a club. (This is a max but in range for 3D. 3D can't be trash.)

[cherdano]

cherdano, on Apr 3 2006, 03:57 PM, said:

5.

Scoring: IMP

Another inverted raise: 1♣-3♣. What is your plan?

---

Did I say 3m raise can't be trash? Well, here is a minimum:
xx Qxx xx QJTxxx. I tried 3♠ and raise 4♣ to 5♣, which maybe luckily turned out to be right. (♣K was singleton onside.)

[jdonn]

cherdano, on Apr 5 2006, 02:59 PM, said:

cherdano, on Apr 3 2006, 03:57 PM, said:

4.

Scoring: IMP

You open 1♦, partner bids 3♦ (inverted).
Do you make a move? If yes, what is your plan?

---

Partner's hand was QT9 xxx AKxxx xx. +170 as they didn't lead a club. (This is a max but in range for 3D. 3D can't be trash.)

There is no way that is in range. I mean I suppose you can make whatever agreements you want, but this is easily worth a limit raise.

[cherdano]

cherdano, on Apr 3 2006, 03:57 PM, said:

Scoring: IMP

RHO opens 1♠. In case you double, LHO will show a Bergen raise with 8-10 by 3♦ and RHO will retract to 3♠. (Not exactly what happened at my table, but what should have happened.)

---

Here is the full hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

What actually happened was the following bidding:
1♠-X-3♦(*)-P *= alerted and explained as natural, weak
P-X-4♠-P
Turns out 3♦ was meant as Bergen raise but not understood as such. I doubled again and we gladly took our +200. I don't think I would have managed to pass 3♠.

(Yes I did call TD but I think it is obvious for LHO from the AI that partner forgot, and we had nothing to complain about the result anyway.)

Arend

[whereagles]

jdonn, on Apr 5 2006, 06:35 PM, said:

whereagles, on Apr 5 2006, 01:26 PM, said:

I dunno.. this isn't a question of high cards, but rather where they sit. Move a heart honor to diamonds or clubs and it's a lay-down.

Isn't that EXACTLY why 3♣ is correct, so partner can appreciate where you want his highcards?

I was SO sure someone was going to point this out...

I have an answer to that, but I don't want to get into more arguings about this particular deal.

[han]

jdonn, on Apr 5 2006, 03:18 PM, said:

cherdano, on Apr 5 2006, 02:59 PM, said:

cherdano, on Apr 3 2006, 03:57 PM, said:

4.

Scoring: IMP

You open 1♦, partner bids 3♦ (inverted).
Do you make a move? If yes, what is your plan?

---

Partner's hand was QT9 xxx AKxxx xx. +170 as they didn't lead a club. (This is a max but in range for 3D. 3D can't be trash.)

There is no way that is in range. I mean I suppose you can make whatever agreements you want, but this is easily worth a limit raise.

I agree with that. Even if you play that 3D is somewhat constructive, this hand seems too much.

On the other hand xx Qxx xx QJ10xxx doesn't look like trash to me. You did well to get to 5C, but I still think that a direct 3NT will more often be the winning call. It is very unlikely that partner will be able to bid 3NT over 3S, so bidding 3S basically gives up on (imo) the most likely game.

[Cascade]

Hannie, on Apr 7 2006, 07:29 AM, said:

On the other hand xx Qxx xx QJ10xxx doesn't look like trash to me. You did well to get to 5C, but I still think that a direct 3NT will more often be the winning call. It is very unlikely that partner will be able to bid 3NT over 3S, so bidding 3S basically gives up on (imo) the most likely game.

3NT hasn't been beaten yet. The opponents still need to find the diamond lead.

Like others I really don't like the range of these weak jump raises.

[Blofeld]

whereagles, on Apr 5 2006, 06:17 PM, said:

jdonn, on Apr 5 2006, 06:35 PM, said:

whereagles, on Apr 5 2006, 01:26 PM, said:

I dunno.. this isn't a question of high cards, but rather where they sit. Move a heart honor to diamonds or clubs and it's a lay-down.

Isn't that EXACTLY why 3♣ is correct, so partner can appreciate where you want his highcards?

I was SO sure someone was going to point this out...

I have an answer to that, but I don't want to get into more arguings about this particular deal.

I really wish you wouldn't be so antagonistic.

You apparently made your original post, knowing what the obvious objection was. Then when someone made it you said you knew that they were going to say that, and you've got an answer but you're not going to tell anyone.

Why do you bother posting? If you're not willing to share information, nobody's going to get anything worthwhile out of your posts.

[whereagles]

Blofeld, on Apr 7 2006, 01:17 PM, said:

Why do you bother posting? If you're not willing to share information, nobody's going to get anything worthwhile out of your posts.

I didn't bother posting on that particular matter because I believe it would lead to a futile discussion. I thought this was rather clear, but there you have it confirmed.