[helene_t]

Double. Might get us to a ridiculous ♣ contract but I think the the alternatives are more risky.

[Winstonm]

whereagles, on Jun 24 2006, 07:13 AM, said:

Double. I've tried passing and coming in later with hands like these and concluded that's it's FAR safer to take immediate action.

I agree wholeheartedly that if action is to be taken it should be taken now - my experience on these hands is over the long haul it's best to just shut up and let the opponents struggle trying to go plus - usually any plus our way is OK, but occassionally there is going to be a big swing on these types hands and all you can do is hope your counterpart holding the same tickets does the same thing you do.

I do agree with Phil that in a short swiss match it is probably right to take borderline action as you don't have time to "grind them down", but this hand still to me doesn't fit the ticket for even borderline action - it's all defensive with very little offense unless you get lucky an find a huge fit.

Anyway, that's my thinking for what it is worth.

Winston

[kfgauss]

I hate this problem, but will perhaps double.

Double is pretty dangerous, as they'll be quick to (redouble and) double at these colors. A good agreement about running will, however, probably be helpful:

If pard bids 2♣, and the opps double:

Running to 2♦ shows equal length (in the reds) or longer diamonds
Redouble shows longer hearts (the more expensive strain)

This scrambling agreement is discussed in the current Bridge World in an MSC write-up (on the auction P 2S P P; X P 3C X; ?).

(I'm not certain why this is the agreement they mention [or how standard it is] instead of xx = equal or longer ♥ and 2♦ = longer diamonds, but in any case, it helps us here.)

Andy

[mike777]

For sake of discussion let's say our choices are pass, x and 2h.

This seems to be the perfect hand to invoke Hamman's and others rule of saying well bid partner and concentrating on the next hand. I see no reason to blame partner and put her in a bad mood for the rest of the session.

I x...but.......am willing to listen and learn.

[FrancesHinden]

I don't think you can crime any of pass, double or 2H. They all might work well, they all might go wrong badly. I would probably double, but one of my regular partners would probably overcall 2H.

[Codo]

Minority report: I bid 2 ♥, unhappy of course...
I would prefer pass as a second choice. But all three bids are fine.

[han]

While I agree that all three bids may be correct, I think that it would be wrong for the same player to make all of these bids in the same partnership. I try not to overcall 2H on hands like this and I prefer my partners to know this.

[jchiu]

I'm glad to know that you don't overcall 2♥ on this type of garbage. Of the three choices, I find that one the most risky. Double is fine, and I may do it depending on my mood, but I side with the passers here.

[000002]

the potential ugly ♣ contract reduce my t/o,but i vote it when we are Vul.or else,we have more question to seek game.

[Halo]

Double. I like to make a try for our side to declare when I pick up a decent hand. As others say, it has to be now, next round will be too late. I prefer to keep up the standard of my overcall suits in this situation.

[arrows]

Overcall two hearts. even with 1543, I still overcall two hearts.

I feel it is usually helpful to just overcall a 5 card major instead of double.
You are not expecting partner bid heart first with 3 hearts, aren't you?

if the emaciated spot cards make you nervous, think about this:
the best way to score spot cards is letting them be trumps.

Usually, it is not the weak suit, but the perspective of having a fit worries me most.
However, any concern of misfit is just far too remote at this point.

[benlessard]

Pass is best.

X is 2nd best and very reasonnable as long as you pass 2 or 3 clubs ...or play same level conversion. (or exclusion over take-out X)

2♥ is the kind of bid you make when you play too much matchpoint or you dont get doubled enough. IMHO no expert player will make that call.

1nt deserved major punishment.





if the hand goes

1♠---pass----2♠---pass all around ill have no regrets.


Ben

[HeartA]

pclayton, on Jun 23 2006, 06:50 PM, said:

If its a short match, or MPs, I'll dive in with 2♥. A long match and I'll pass.

I second that.

[cf_John0]

I don't thnik that pass is beter than dbl.

[Apollo81]

hrothgar, on Jun 23 2006, 06:07 PM, said:

IMPs

Red versus White

RHO opens 1♠

You hold

---

Name your poison

I think if I pass now then I will have to pass after 2♠-p-p. I really don't want to do that, so I will double now and get it off my chest.

-Noble