[fubbleskag]

first hand with a pickup, no discussion on systems beyond acknowledging the sayc-ish description in your partner's profile as being acceptable

1) am I wrong to want to keep this auction alive?
2) if not, how do you do it in this situation?
3) and, how do you do it in your favourite partnership, if different than #2?

Scoring: MP

1♦ - Pass - 1♠ - 2♣

---

thanks in advance

[han]

This is a clear pass. Partner still has a chance to keep the auction alive. If partner passes you should be happy to defend 2C.

Generally length in the suit bid by the opponents is a sign that you should pass.

[EricK]

Pass is a good call here. It is actually a very descriptive call. It passes the message that you have a minimum hand, no spade fit, and (by implication) a genuine diamond suit. Partner will now have a chance to act on this information.

[han]

It doesn't have the implication that you have a genuine diamond suit unless xxxx is considered a genuine suit.

[rogerclee]

One of the biggest reasons to pass is that partner will reopen with a double when he has some values but no clear direction. 2♣x = slaughter.

[ochinko]

I see no alternative to pass here.

1. You have no extras regarding your strength.
2. You have no extras in suits' length. 2♦ would mean six of them, as you're not in a forced position.

As Han said, you should be happy to defend a clubs contract. But even if you feel unhappy about it you should still pass. When your story is told you shouldn't make additional noise, as this would only hamper partner in taking an informed decision.

[fubbleskag]

ty for replies - it hadn't even occurred to me that p might be the one responsible for keeping this auction going.

auction continued:

1♦ - Pass - 1♠ - 2♣
Pass - 2♥ - all pass

p was holding ♠AKQT62 ♥87 ♦T73 ♣52

[jdonn]

With six good spades, partner had an easy 2♠ bid over 2♥.

[Lobowolf]

fubbleskag, on Aug 4 2008, 09:19 PM, said:

first hand with a pickup, no discussion on systems beyond acknowledging the sayc-ish description in your partner's profile as being acceptable

1) am I wrong to want to keep this auction alive?
2) if not, how do you do it in this situation?
3) and, how do you do it in your favourite partnership, if different than #2?

Scoring: MP

1♦ - Pass - 1♠ - 2♣

---

thanks in advance

As has been suggested, the answer to #1 is yes, and there are a couple of ways to look at it.


A) What do you need to tell your partner that he doesn't already know? You've opened the bidding in diamonds. You don't have extra HCP beyond what partner already knows you have. You also don't have a spade fit (given that you only know about 4 spades in partner's hand), or a second suit to bid. The only thing you really have that partner doesn't know about is a 5th diamond, and if partner has a diamond fit, he won't pass out 2♣.

When the opponents bid your long, strong suits, that's generally the best time to defend. High card points are good on offense OR defense. Long suits (for the partnership, i.e. fits) are good on offense, not defense (because your length implies shortness in the opponents' hands, meaning your high cards will get ruffed if that suit isn't made trump. In other words, barring some reason to think that you have enough combined strength for a game bonus, you'd want to keep bidding with a fit, or a potential fit. With length in THEIR suits, be happy to have an opportunity to defend. Your RHO sure isn't going to like that KT9x behind him.