[Thymallus]

Last time I posted there were lots of helpful answers which cleared my thinking temporarily .. at least until the clouds returned.

This time I held with no one vul

♠T87
♥AQ6
♦AK54
♣876

P dealt and passed as did RHO. I opened 1 ♦
LHO bid 1♠ and partner Doubled.

Now I felt I had no good bid. Assuming p had made a negative double I felt that bidding 1N was out (no spade stopper), bidding 2 ♦ was out (only 4 cards) so I had to choose between 2 ♣ or 2 ♥.

I feared (irrationally probably) that 2♥ might be taken as more positive than 2♣ so bid 2♣.

P went straight to 3N and was doubled ... going one off.
LHO had 5 spades and A clubs

P held

♠K2
♥753
♦JT98
♣KQJT

so what should I have said in response to the Double of 1♠?

Thanks in anticipation
John

[mr1303]

Partner's bidding is horrific

1) He has 3 low hearts. Therefore he does not want to play in a heart contract.
2) He has 4 card diamond support that he never mentions, and 4 card club support for your supposed second suit.
3) 3NT is a horrific overbid.

I could go on, but I can't be bothered.

[hrothgar]

Few comments here:

1. Many people would consider raising Diamonds rather than making a negative double.

2. Some people who could not stomache raising what might be a three card suit would bid 1NT and limit the hand immediately rather than making a negative double

3. Some players would make a negative double. I don't think many of them would arbitrary force to game opposite partner's 2♣ rebid.

Now, moving to your hand... None of your rebids after the double are particularly attractive. I'd probably rebid 1NT despite the lack of a spade stopper. RHO couldn't raise so I'll probably survive this bid. I don't have strong objections to 2♣ or, for that matter, 2♥.

[1eyedjack]

As above.

Your 2C bid, right or wrong, did not promise values sufficient to justify partner's 3N bid. He just *MIGHT* venture 2N on the grounds that he has dug himself into a hole. You would pass 2N, and whether it makes or not you will unlikely be doubled.

[plaur]

I would bid 2♥. I dont like to support with three when i have no ruffing values, but 2♥ might often be the right contract and I bid where I have my values. If partner has a game going hand with 4 hearts, she will know that I might support with three and she could suggest NT with a solid spade stop, also rightsiding a NT contract.

[mike777]

Just a suggestion but try never bidding a 3 card major in response to a negative double. Try bidding nt with a balanced hand without a stopper as an alternative option.

[HeartA]

Holding North's hand, I would bid a simple 2D.

[whereagles]

I think

1♦ (1♠) dbl pass
1NT

is good. Stoppers are far less important than getting through your shape and strength. Back in 1930 a 1NT opener required 16-18 and stops in ALL suits. Today 9-11 and moth-eaten suits is enough for some pairs.. lol

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

partners double is a neg.,
I would bid 2H, since I would
promise a stopper with 1NT.

2H instead of 2C has the adv.
that I am most likely to have
found a 7 card fit.

Your partner should have bid 1NT
instead of the neg. X, or if he
thinks the hand is strong enough 2NT.

I dont want to waste a word on
classifying the 3NT.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[EricK]

I would also have bid 2♣ with your hand but there is nothing wrong with 2♥. 2♣ works if partner has 5♣ or 4 cards in both ♦ and ♥, 2♥ works if partner has 5♥, they are about the same if partner has 4♥ and 4♣ or is 3433. So I fall back on my rule of thumb that if I have two equally good bids I make the cheaper one.

Your partner, though, shouldn't have made a negative double. Either 1NT or 2♦ are much better. I don't understand his 3NT either.

[1eyedjack]

Catching partner with 5 Hearts when you bid 2H can be a two edged sword. It will work out well if partner passes, but he may get excited.