[Apollo81]

none vul, IMPs

♠98xx
♥Axx
♦10xx
♣Kxx

1♥-(2♦)-2♥-(3♦)
Dbl-(pass)-???

It's a maximal (game invitational) double.

[nick_s]

I'd accept the invitation. My high cards are all working, even though the distribution is crap.

Excuse me while I attempt to hijack the thread...

In a recent ACBL bulletin, Frank Stewart says he likes to play a style where you stretch to invite game, but don't stretch to accept the invitation. Is this a common agreement in the expert community?

Nick

[P_Marlowe]

No.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[kfay]

No

[ArtK78]

No.

If this hand is good enough to produce a game, most of the time partner would just bid the game, not invite.

You have 2 cover cards - the ♥A and the ♣K. To produce a game, partner would need a five loser hand. Most game invitational hands are six loser hands. He is looking for 3 potential cover cards. You do not have them.

I do not accept the invite.

That is not to say that game won't make. But it is likely to be AT BEST on a finesse or two.

[whereagles]

My feeling says: "don't accept". Upon reasoning, it seems likely pd has some spades wasted.. e.g.

KJx
KQxxx
xx
AQx

[bid_em_up]

I do not accept. 3♥

[keylime]

I reject an invite - I'm 4333 and it's a very soft hand. Even if pard is short in diamonds, you need a lot of tricks.

[neilkaz]

I'll reject the invite as well. 4333 isn't pretty and while game could make, I suspect it is a clear underdog inspite of the fact that PD is short in ♦.

With many hands offering good play for game opposite mine, PD could have just bid game himself. ie.. those with a 6th ♥ and maybe a stiff ♦ and containing hard values in ♠ rather than needing a hook, and/ or something useful in ♣.

This is likely close, but I have to retreat to 3♥

[kenrexford]

Not with anyone like me on the other side of the table.

[pclayton]

To invite, I think pard will usually have a bad 5 or good 6 loser hand. He probably doesn't have any diamond wastage either, although this isn't certain. I'd throw out the 5332's with a 15-17 as well since they will usually be 1N openers.

Picture a few hands:

1. AQx, KQxxxx, x, Axx (game is decent. We need the spade hook (maybe 3:1 on your left or 3-3 spades or a remote endplay. The ♠7 gives us additional chances, although we might need a key trump pip for another entry)

2. Kx, KQxxx, xx, AQxx (game is poor - we need 3-3 clubs (or a black suit squeeze) and the spade Ace onside).

3. Ax, KQJxxx, xx, Axx (game is pretty hopeless).

I think on balance its right to pass, although I'd be tempted if we were vul.

[Fluffy]

I would pass 3♦ if my partner had another invitational bid avaible. But given that he does not, I am happy to reject and stay in 3♥.

[hrothgar]

What would partner open with 15 - 17 and a 5332 hand?

If partner would open 1N with a 3=5=2=3 or some such, this would make an accept significantly more attractive. Partner is probably sitting on some shape (perhaps a 3=5=1=4 or a 2=6=2=3). My Ace and my King are suddenly looking a lot stronger and the my sterile 4=3=3=3 isn't nearly as much of a concern...

Even if partner could hold a 5332, I'd still strongly consider accepting the invite. I bid 2♥ in competition. Had the auction started

1♥ - (P) - 2♥ - (3♦)
X

I'd consider my hand pretty minimal for the single raise. However, as things stand, I think this looks like an average to average plus competitive raise.

I guess that I just talked myself into 4♥

[Free]

I'd pass, although it's close. P probably has singleton ♦ and I don't have wasted values there, and a King and an Ace are useful entries.

[jdonn]

I pass. It's sort of a shot in the dark since game will sometimes make and sometimes not, but I think the nots will too far outnumber the makes.

[Apollo81]

Pard's hand was Ax Q10xxx x AQ10xx on the actual deal, it was suggested to me that the OP hand was a "clear accept" I think it's pretty borderline.

[Fluffy]

I think any 5-5 opposite a raise should bid 4M. But anyway, game is 40% or so yes? so whatever decision you made it will win/loss 0.05 IMPs or so, nothing to worry about.

[Apollo81]

Fluffy, on Dec 28 2007, 01:51 PM, said:

I think any 5-5 opposite a raise should bid 4M. But anyway, game is 40% or so yes? so whatever decision you made it will win/loss 0.05 IMPs or so, nothing to worry about.

Just confirming that it wasn't a clear accept.

[ArtK78]

Marginal game, nonvul at IMPs. I don't even think we want to be there, and it is not a big deal if we are not there.

Absolutely not a "clear accept" as demonstrated by the overwhelming majority who declined.

[whereagles]

Apollo81, on Dec 28 2007, 06:47 PM, said:

Pard's hand was Ax Q10xxx x AQ10xx on the actual deal, it was suggested to me that the OP hand was a "clear accept" I think it's pretty borderline.

That's resulting. The club double fit and diamond singleton is what makes it a good game and there's no way responder could have guessed that. Maybe the diamond he could, but the clubs I don't think so.