[awm]

Scoring: IMP

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1♠-P-P to you.

[Echognome]

I balance 2♥. I do like the idea of double then 2NT in that I think NT might well be a good spot on this hand, but my worry is that if partner bids 2♥, I can't imagine playing anywhere but hearts on the hand and I might have a tough time right-siding the contract. So I'll start with 2♥ and bid NT if I hear any noise from partner at all.

[rogerclee]

I would x and then bid 2NT, even if partner bids 2♥.

[Fluffy]

On my methods 2NT (17-19) would be appealing, but now I think I will double and bid hearts.

[Echognome]

By the way, I would love double, then 2♥, then 2NT. And that is probably the best sequence that could occur for me. I feel it's close in that regard. 2♥ is definitely an underbid. But I want to start with that and big aggressively later if partner makes a peep.

[cranebill]

spades could be worthless, so with 13hcp (not the best heart suit in the world) I think 2 hearts for me

[655321]

Double, planning to bid 2NT.

[ArtK78]

Double, followed by 2NT.

Much too strong to balance with 2♥.

By doubling and bidding 2NT, you will be accurately describing your values and shape (you can always claim that you had a heart mixed in with your diamonds). And you are protecting your spade holding and having the stronger hand on lead.

Also, 2NT in balancing seat should show 20-22, so it would be an overbid.

[Echognome]

Jlall, on Jul 8 2008, 12:32 PM, said:

Double then NT. You absolutely cannot bid 2H imo, partner should be passing with a lot of hands where game is cold.

I'm understanding of this. But just to clarify, if it goes:

(1♠) - P - (P) - Dbl
(P) - 2♥ - (P) - ?

Are you still bidding 2NT?

Suppose instead that partner bids 2m.

Why not 2♥? Doesn't this show the flexible hand with hearts too strong for a 2♥ balance? We won't worry anymore about right-siding NT as partner won't be bidding it. Or does this show something like x AKQxxx Kxx Axx?

[skjaeran]

Echognome, on Jul 8 2008, 10:53 PM, said:

Jlall, on Jul 8 2008, 12:32 PM, said:

Double then NT. You absolutely cannot bid 2H imo, partner should be passing with a lot of hands where game is cold.

I'm understanding of this. But just to clarify, if it goes:

(1♠) - P - (P) - Dbl
(P) - 2♥ - (P) - ?

Are you still bidding 2NT?

Suppose instead that partner bids 2m.

Why not 2♥? Doesn't this show the flexible hand with hearts too strong for a 2♥ balance? We won't worry anymore about right-siding NT as partner won't be bidding it. Or does this show something like x AKQxxx Kxx Axx?

Even with a fit, your chances for making 3NT seems greater than 4♥.

[awm]

The actual hand:

Scoring: IMP

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Balancing 2♥ leads to playing there, making two or three depending on whether opponents manage to score the spade ruff in time.

Balancing double gets 2♣ from partner; rebidding 2NT after this leads to playing 3NT by south, which should make.

Rebidding 2♥ after a balancing double should get you to game also, but it might be 3NT from the north which does not make.

Balancing 1NT probably gets north signing off in clubs, after which I suppose you can bid on to indicate you lied about your point range.

[andy_h]

awm, on Jul 10 2008, 03:58 AM, said:

Balancing 1NT probably gets north signing off in clubs, after which I suppose you can bid on to indicate you lied about your point range.

lol

[awm]

Jlall, on Jul 9 2008, 01:06 PM, said:

This is very very hard to beat and in practice would always make. Also if you X and bid 2H I don't see how to play it from the north side since he will bid 2S.

Is it hard to beat?

A spade lead from east (opener's suit) seems kind of automatic. Assuming that this lead shows count (i.e. high from doubleton) then the subsequent defense is fairly marked. West will get in with either a heart or club (whichever suit declarer tries to develop). He will know the layout of the spade suit from the lead and what he sees in dummy, so will not continue spades but instead try to get partner in. Since he can see the ♣A in dummy and ♥AK in his own hand, the only entry to partner can be a possible ♦A... I'm sure if this were posted as a "defense problem" everyone would get it.

It's true that you might reach 3NT by south anyway; the auction after a double and 2♥ seems like it could develop in more than one way.

[Echognome]

I think I'm missing something.

3NT by North.

Spade lead won by K.

Club A and another club. West is on lead. What does he do now?

I think the only defense now is to play ♠Q to lock declarer in hand so he has to run the clubs squeezing dummy (which I'm sure Justin will love). West cannot attack hearts and a diamond will set up the 9th trick (2♠, 2♦, 5♣).

[Echognome]

I missed the communication problem with the diamond duck. I certainly wouldn't have found it at the table (unless I was running extremely well). I definitely agree with Justin that it would be a difficult hand to beat.