[inquiry]

Them vul, You hold,

S - J 9
H - 4 3
D - A Q 9 6
C - A Q 7 4 2

You.. LHO Pard RHO
1D 2S Pass Pass
???

Your bid?

[irg20]

I would open 1C but even if I did this problem is still worthy of consideration.

Whatever I open I think I pass now. Minimum opening hand, poor suit texture and less than ideal shape being contributing factors.

By opening 1D any competitive action I take now might result in partner expressing a diamond preference with equal length in the minors.

Ian

[mikestar]

In SAYC or 2/1 I open 1C, but I would open this hand 1D in Precision.

I don't doubel as I'm stuck over 3H--partner may have a spade stack, but may not He might have hearts and no values, as RHO can pass a good hand here.

Pass might well be best. If partner does have the stack, taking then down a few at 100 each will be a good score.

If we're playing good/bad 2NT then I might try 2NT.

[inquiry]

Ok, here is my take on this hand.

Double is out, since you can not stand a heart rebid by your partner. That leaves pass, 3C, and 2NT. Clearly pass has to be an option, after all, you don't have that much and the most you will miss is a non-vul game, and you have the worse spade holding (2 cards) and someone (maybe partner) has heart legnth. I would never bid 3C with this hand, so that is out of the question (if my choice is between pass and 3C, then pass is a clear winner). But, I like good/bad 2NT. I like it because of this hand. I can compete on hands where I would be forced to pass otherwise. If I bid 3C or 3D on this auction, I am showing a "good hand", so I get to bid 2NT to compete on "bad" hands. I expect partner to bid 3C unless he has a) a preference for my first suit (diamonds) over clubs (in which case he can bid 3D), or he had a penalty pass of a potential reopening double by me, in which case he can bid something else, perhaps 3NT.

So my choice is a "bad" 2NT rebid with this hand.

Ben

[luis]

Pass

2NT is likely to be misunderstood.
Double is not an option with a heart doubleton.
3c will lead you to the wrong minor suit contract maybe doubled for a nasty accident.

Sometimes they play 2 spades. Pass.

[inquiry]

Quote

Pass

2NT is likely to be misunderstood.
Double is not an option with a heart doubleton.
3c will lead you to the wrong minor suit contract maybe doubled for a nasty accident.

Sometimes they play 2 spades. Pass.

Well, only bid 2NT if you and your partner have agreed upon it, of course. In which csse it can not be misunderstood. :-)

So Luis, if you had the option of 2NT (good/bad) would you still pass (assuming no chance for misunderstanding)?

[luis]

Quote

Quote

Pass

2NT is likely to be misunderstood.
Double is not an option with a heart doubleton.
3c will lead you to the wrong minor suit contract maybe doubled for a nasty accident.

Sometimes they play 2 spades. Pass.

Well, only bid 2NT if you and your partner have agreed upon it, of course. In which csse it can not be misunderstood. :-)

So Luis, if you had the option of 2NT (good/bad) would you still pass (assuming no chance for misunderstanding)?

Yes, I would still pass because with 3-3 in the minors pd will likely pull to 3d and we are risking a serious accident for no reason.

[mikestar]

I originally voted for 2NT, but the more I think of it, I believe pass is better on this vulnerability at least. Game is quite unlikely if partner can't act. If partner is weak, pass does best to keep us out of trouble. If he has the spade stack, +200 or better will be an excellent result on a partscore deal. 2NT is probably still best if neither side were vulnerable.

[luis]

EIther you take the risk and double or you don't and bid 6 clubs as you did. It's a gut feeling.

[sartaj1]

Pass. Pass. Pass.

[flytoox]

inquiry, on Jan 5 2004, 03:22 PM, said:

Ok, here is my take on this hand.

Double is out, since you can not stand a heart rebid by your partner. That leaves pass, 3C, and 2NT. Clearly pass has to be an option, after all, you don't have that much and the most you will miss is a non-vul game, and you have the worse spade holding (2 cards) and someone (maybe partner) has heart legnth. I would never bid 3C with this hand, so that is out of the question (if my choice is between pass and 3C, then pass is a clear winner). But, I like good/bad 2NT. I like it because of this hand. I can compete on hands where I would be forced to pass otherwise. If I bid 3C or 3D on this auction, I am showing a "good hand", so I get to bid 2NT to compete on "bad" hands. I expect partner to bid 3C unless he has a) a preference for my first suit (diamonds) over clubs (in which case he can bid 3D), or he had a penalty pass of a potential reopening double by me, in which case he can bid something else, perhaps 3NT.

So my choice is a "bad" 2NT rebid with this hand.

Ben

I think there is every evidence showing that pd are short in both c and d, I think 2Nt, even played as good/bad 2N, wont bring you a good score. better pass.

[Trpltrbl]

Pass

I understand bridge is a biddersgame, but that doesn't mean you have to bid.

Mike