[Mr. Dodgy]

Scoring: IMP

1♦-P-P-?

---

[jdaming]

Generally the suggestion is to have 8-13 hcp which this hand obviously does not meet. In addition 2 of the 6 points you do have (Q♣) are virtually wasted. While you do have a 6 card ♥ suit I do not think this can outway the other negatives of this hand.

[nick_s]

Pass.

Partner is marked with at most 16 HCP. It is highly likely you are outgunned.

The best that can happen is that you steal a part score. The worst that can happen is that you push the opponents into a making game.

Remember that opener is sometimes forced to open one of a minor with a 20+ count if the hand is unsuitable for 2NT or 2♣. There's a good chance that this is one of those times.

If you were thinking about overcalling 2♥, this is not the hand for it. When balancing, a jump overcall is commonly played as an opening strength hand with a good 6 card suit.

[jdonn]

This seems like one of those times they could be in a 6-1 diamond fit while missing their 4-6 club fit which makes game or slam. I pass.

[neilkaz]

Pass for me, although if PD is really cautious about competing somewhat offshape over a 1♦ opening, I can see where you may be missing a game, but the odds favor passing here.

Often when I pass here with a hand like this, I see that opener either has a near 2♣ bid or was unbalanced so he didn't open 2NT and responder passed 1♦ with a 5 count, that most of us would bid on.

[Walddk]

jdonn, on Dec 27 2007, 06:24 PM, said:

This seems like one of those times they could be in a 6-1 diamond fit while missing their 4-6 club fit which makes game or slam. I pass.

Possible, but it is also possible that partner has been kept out with something like

♠ Ax
♥ AJxx
♦ KQxx
♣ xxx

Wishful thinking? Perhaps. I tend to believe that opener is very strong and that pass is with the odds.

Roland

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

1H, but it may well be, that the later auction
teaches me, that Pass is better.

If I add a King, I have a min 1H overcall, so
I would just do it.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[pclayton]

Pass. Patience here. Pard has a good hand yet passed. I think its a near-lock he has a diamond stack.

Alternately, LHO has some 23 point monster and didn't want to open 2♣. Why give him a 2nd chance to find 3N?

[mikeh]

pass...(relatively) easy at imps, notwithstanding Roland's valid construction of a hand where balancing is right.

A tougher problem at mps, I think.

[pclayton]

mikeh, on Dec 27 2007, 11:16 AM, said:

pass...(relatively) easy at imps, notwithstanding Roland's valid construction of a hand where balancing is right.

A tougher problem at mps, I think.

Odd, I think its an easier pass at MPs.

Defending 1 or 2 of a minor is very attractive especially when the opps are vulnerable.

At IMPs, if pard hits one of our majors we could have a game, and even then +140 / +200 isn't a big swing.

[whereagles]

lack of controls is worrisome. Pass

[mike777]

Mr. Dodgy, on Dec 27 2007, 08:57 AM, said:

Scoring: IMP

1♦-P-P-?

---

pass, partner could not find a bid at fav vul. Next hand.

[mike777]

Walddk, on Dec 27 2007, 11:45 AM, said:

jdonn, on Dec 27 2007, 06:24 PM, said:

This seems like one of those times they could be in a 6-1 diamond fit while missing their 4-6 club fit which makes game or slam. I pass.

Possible, but it is also possible that partner has been kept out with something like

♠ Ax
♥ AJxx
♦ KQxx
♣ xxx

Wishful thinking? Perhaps. I tend to believe that opener is very strong and that pass is with the odds.

Roland

14 hcp at fav vul? looks like a clear 1nt overcall.
One more reason to pass in balance seat.

[rogerclee]

mike777, on Dec 27 2007, 04:45 PM, said:

Walddk, on Dec 27 2007, 11:45 AM, said:

jdonn, on Dec 27 2007, 06:24 PM, said:

This seems like one of those times they could be in a 6-1 diamond fit while missing their 4-6 club fit which makes game or slam. I pass.

Possible, but it is also possible that partner has been kept out with something like

♠ Ax
♥ AJxx
♦ KQxx
♣ xxx

Wishful thinking? Perhaps. I tend to believe that opener is very strong and that pass is with the odds.

Roland

14 hcp at fav vul? looks like a clear 1nt overcall.
One more reason to pass in balance seat.

I never understand why people are so eager to overcall 1NT. Even with very sound overcalls, this is, in general, pretty risky.

[CSGibson]

mike777, on Dec 27 2007, 01:45 PM, said:

Walddk, on Dec 27 2007, 11:45 AM, said:

jdonn, on Dec 27 2007, 06:24 PM, said:

This seems like one of those times they could be in a 6-1 diamond fit while missing their 4-6 club fit which makes game or slam. I pass.

Possible, but it is also possible that partner has been kept out with something like

♠ Ax
♥ AJxx
♦ KQxx
♣ xxx

Wishful thinking? Perhaps. I tend to believe that opener is very strong and that pass is with the odds.

Roland

14 hcp at fav vul? looks like a clear 1nt overcall.
One more reason to pass in balance seat.

I'd overcall a heart before overcalling a NT with that hand if I felt I had to get in the bidding. Pass seems right.

[CSGibson]

Mr. Dodgy, on Dec 27 2007, 05:57 AM, said:

Scoring: IMP

1♦-P-P-?

---

I learned my lesson on hands like that early on. I balanced in a similar situation, only to find opponents bidding and making 5 clubs. Unlucky, but why give them that opportunity. And god forbid if partner doesn't have a fit with us, but isn't in on the joke and gets too high!

[the hog]

Walddk, on Dec 27 2007, 11:45 PM, said:

jdonn, on Dec 27 2007, 06:24 PM, said:

This seems like one of those times they could be in a 6-1 diamond fit while missing their 4-6 club fit which makes game or slam. I pass.

Possible, but it is also possible that partner has been kept out with something like

♠ Ax
♥ AJxx
♦ KQxx
♣ xxx

Wishful thinking? Perhaps. I tend to believe that opener is very strong and that pass is with the odds.

Roland

Eh? This is a 1H bid unless you have changed your name to Caspar Milquetoast. Pass on the given hand for me.

[jdonn]

1NT? 1♥? Well I thought it was a good example Roland. Granted I would still not balance, but it does illustrates the worst case scenario (after all it's a very specific hand. Jack of hearts, KQ in the right minor, four card support...)

I think there is a very easy rule. When you are a very minimum potential balance, you take your life in your hands when short in any side suit.

[mike777]

if you guys expect partner to pass many 14 hcp at fav vul .....ok?

[Mr. Dodgy]

it's a cruel game...

I passed, and lost 8.4 IMPs.

Scoring: IMP

---

Several N/S Pairs were allowed to make 4♥, though it can be held to 9 tricks, as can E/W in ♦s (♣s is better. we let them make 11).

Resulting, I know. I'd probably overcall on the South hand myself. In my RL partnership 1NT is 13-15, 1♥ is also possible. Would you?