Posted 2007-April-16, 16:56
I'm with the doublers and passers (of 4♣), but I wonder if I and any others are influenced by the apparent wire we have on the board: the same problem that sometimes bedevils the BW MSC Problem D format, where we are told of developments after our first call. This is not a criticism of the problem, nor of the Problem D format... some problems cannot logically be presented otherwise, unless as a series of problems, which raises its own difficulties.
This is an easy position for RHO to be working us over, so we have to double 3N, else he owns us for life... whether he has a real gamble to make 3N on a ♥ lead or whether he has a piece of frommage... my hand is such that he could have either, depending on LHO's hand and whether partner is maximum.
Having doubled, I have expressed my approximate strength and my next pass tells partner that I wasn't doubling on ♥ support nor on a long, near-solid suit of my own (which I would bid now if I held it).
He should double with a flat hand and defence, and bid 4♥ with 6 good hearts.
The real question for me is: is my pass forcing? I think it has to be. If it isn't then I should have passed 3N.
As for the optional questions, I will double 5♣... I cannot see us making slam on this auction.... since partner didn't double 3♣ and didn't jump to 4♥.... I suppose I can construct hands on which we are better off bidding, but what was I bidding over an immediate 5♣? I assume I was doubling... so how can i do differently now?
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari
3♣ 3♥ 3NT ?