[matmat]

(matchpoints, sitting south)

Scoring: MP

(1♦)-?

---

if you choose to overcall 1♠:

(1♦) - 1♠ - (P) - 2♣;
(X) - ?

if you choose to pass:

(1♦) - P - (P) - 2♣;
(X) - ?

what action would you have chosen? what are the merits/demerits of each? and what would you do now?

[the hog]

I would have overcalled 1S originally. Get in quick. I would pass now, though.

If I had passed originally, I would bid 2S now. This has to show a C fit as well, else why not overcall. I agree you might be better placed with this auction rather than with the immediate overcall.

[Lobowolf]

matmat, on Oct 19 2008, 11:39 PM, said:

(matchpoints, sitting south)

Scoring: MP

(1♦)-?

---

if you choose to overcall 1♠:

(1♦) - 1♠ - (P) - 2♣;
(X) - ?

if you choose to pass:

(1♦) - P - (P) - 2♣;
(X) - ?

what action would you have chosen? what are the merits/demerits of each? and what would you do now?

I'd have bid 1♠ the first time. Good lead direction, enough strength for a 1-level call, decent playing strength if we have a fit & competition ensues.

Now I'd pass.

[Cascade]

The 1♠ overcall is marginal. I might have made it six months ago but I seem to be overcalling stronger hands (or more distributional) at this vul now.

If I overcall I raise clubs - partner expects a raise with with support.

On the second auction 2♠ should show club support especially after the takeout double suggesting some spades with west.

[the hog]

Cascade, on Oct 20 2008, 12:20 PM, said:

The 1♠ overcall is marginal. I might have made it six months ago but I seem to be overcalling stronger hands (or more distributional) at this vul now.

Getting old, mate.

[655321]

This looks to me like a straightforward vulnerable 1♠ overcall of 1♦ at any form of the game. I don't agree that bidding 1♠ here is such a daring action it should be reserved for 'getting in' at matchpoints.

And raising 2♣ to 3♣ seems just as clear. Partner has bid a suit at the 2 level for which we have KTx in support. Partner will not get carried away thinking we have a good hand. He knows we will support with support, we did not make any strength-showing noises over the double, and opener likely has a good hand to double when his partner passed. Better to raise now, both getting the whole hand across to partner, and making the opponents guess, rather than passing and taking the last guess later on.

[Codo]

I pass and show my good hand ( for a pass) with a "raise" via 2 Spade.
Had I bid 2 Spade, I would now show my support and minimum with a pass.

[pclayton]

I would overcall and I don't consider this a minimum. If RHO passed I would pass too. 2♣ is constructive, and we are in a good spot.

When RHO doubles, surely I'm taking the push to 3♣ at some point, so its better to do it now. I have two strong calls (2♦ and xx) available, so 3♣ doesn't promise much more than a fit. I realize we are vul, but we don't always get doubled and I would be very surprised if we weren't making 2♣. I would expect they have a heart or a diamond fit (or both), so I'm hoping we are +110 or -100 against their 110 or 140.

[Apollo81]

I would overcall 1♠, and consider this hand a bare minimum for that action.

I would pass in the first case, happy with the auction.

I would bid 2♠ in the second case, hoping that this will help us buy the hand in 3♣. If partner might think that this could be just spades then I would just raise.