[mikegill]

Scoring: MP

1♥ P 2♥ ?

---

Seems like the options are pretty much pass, 3C and X. Which do you take?

[pclayton]

Many of you won't be surprised if I pass with this hand. Pard's still in if it gets passed back.

[mikeh]

pass for me. maybe this is why I don't win at mps

[inquiry]

At imps I would double, but not at matchpoints. A double is too likely to encourage a spade lead from something we might not want to lead a spade from. If I was going to prebalance, a lead directing 3♣ would come to mind. But I have too much overall stuff to risk -200 (doubled or not), so I will pass.

[Apollo81]

Double

[Apollo81]

pclayton, on Dec 22 2006, 02:52 PM, said:

Many of you won't be surprised if I pass with this hand. Pard's still in if it gets passed back.

My pre/balancing style must be pretty different than yours then. I rarely pre/balance with more than 2 cards in their suit. It seems like you will frequently go -110 if you dont prebalance here.

I like direct action, I don't like having to stick my neck out after both opps know each others' hand.

(pre/balance = prebalance or balance)


I like Dbl better than 3♣ because 2♠ is less likely to be hacked.

[pclayton]

Apollo81, on Dec 22 2006, 10:59 AM, said:

pclayton, on Dec 22 2006, 02:52 PM, said:

Many of you won't be surprised if I pass with this hand. Pard's still in if it gets passed back.

My pre/balancing style must be pretty different than yours then. I rarely pre/balance with more than 2 cards in their suit. It seems like you will frequently go -110 if you dont prebalance here.

I like direct action, I don't like having to stick my neck out after both opps know each others' hand.

(pre/balance = prebalance or balance)


I like Dbl better than 3♣ because 2♠ is less likely to be hacked.

Yep Noble it is. Here's why I'm not a big fan of prebalancing (especially with a double) - in no particular order:

1) Prebalancing automatically marks you with shortness in their suit, so pard's trump are always easy to pick up.

2) Its a live auction, and LHO is unlimited. Bidding gives LHO a fielder's choice.

3) Pard, even with length, understands the importance of not selling out at the 2 level. Prebalancers automatically assume that pard will not balance with length, but this shouldn't be the case.

4) Pard (in this case) couldn't take initial action over 1♥, so our chances of getting an 8 card spade fit are diminished.

Pre-balancing was pretty much unheard of before Bergen started advocating OBAR bids, but the bridge world has pretty much accepted this as gospel.

[neilkaz]

At MPs I make what I consider to be a weak 3♣ overcall. A passed PD shouldn't bury me at 5♣ without much distribution. I am pretty sure what suit I want lead and that is ♣.

I don't care to double here w/out 4♠.

I would pass at IMPs. .. neilkaz ..

[inquiry]

Jlall, on Dec 22 2006, 02:02 PM, said:

inquiry, on Dec 22 2006, 01:57 PM, said:

A double is too likely to encourage a spade lead from something we might not want to lead a spade from.

I don't see why a X which suggests all suits would suggest a spade lead. Partner will generally make his normal lead.

You maybe correct, but it seems to me after 1H-P-2H-X, if the contract is hearts, the opening lead is more often a spade (the one suit you "promised"). I could be wrong, but that is an easy bridgebrowser thing to check. I will take a look later to see.

[MickyB]

Pass looks absolutely routine. Why would I prebalance with a doubleton, both vul at MPs, when we are far from certain to land in the right strain?

[Halo]

3C

Why not? Not a lie. No more or less preemptive on the opponents than 2S from us.

[mr1303]

Pass every time. Put my K of hearts somewhere else (or even not in my hand at all) and I might consider it, but it's waste paper on offence, but might be useful on defence. Partner should play me for some values if it LHO passes.

[inquiry]

inquiry, on Dec 22 2006, 02:55 PM, said:

Jlall, on Dec 22 2006, 02:02 PM, said:

inquiry, on Dec 22 2006, 01:57 PM, said:

A double is too likely to encourage a spade lead from something we might not want to lead a spade from.

I don't see why a X which suggests all suits would suggest a spade lead. Partner will generally make his normal lead.

You maybe correct, but it seems to me after 1H-P-2H-X, if the contract is hearts, the opening lead is more often a spade (the one suit you "promised"). I could be wrong, but that is an easy bridgebrowser thing to check. I will take a look later to see.

1♥-pass-2♥-DBL, they play in hearts (less than 7)

Opening lead of a ♠ 52.9%, minor 40.1%

1♥-pass-2♥-Pass, they play hearts, (less than 7)

Opening lead a ♠ 29.9% of the time, a minor 58.2%

[whereagles]

I'm gonna bid 3♣ here. Not proud of it, but at matchpoints you have to act. I don't like dbl because if pard has 5 spades, he could have bid them already.