[kgr]

Scoring: IMP

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(2H)-P-(p)-DBL
(3D)-3S-(4D)-4S
(5D)-P-(P)-5S
(p)-p-(DBL)-All pass
 
(North blamed South for bidding 3S. I guess a DBL by South would be penalty?)
 
Lead ♦A (East ♦8)
♦3 to ♦K , South discarding ♥2.
East plays ♣J for ♣A in North (West ♣8).
You now play ♠A from North, East ♠8 and West ♠2.
How do you continue now?

[Hanoi5]

I draw trumps. I don't know of any way to make the hand if spades are worse than 4-2, the important play of the hand was discarding the heart on the second diamond, now the hand should make about 70% of the time.

[OleBerg]

In the bidding, my blame goes to North.

A double of 3♦ looks so much like a penalty-double to me, that I wouldn't dare to bid it withouth a firm agreement. (It would probably be take-out according to Robson - Seagal though.)

In my book a double of 4♦ is take-out, for which North has the perfect hand:

- Strength to bid again.
- Only three spades.
- The unbid suit is an option.

The 5♠ call over 5♦ is playing partner for the perfect hand. (Which they never have.)

Can't see anything fancy in the play.

[jdonn]

Bidding: I think it was fine until north made his final bid of 5♠ instead of doubling 5♦. I don't think there is a reasonable way to find 6♣ unless south plays a double of 3♦ as responsive, which I wouldn't.

Play: Of course the only way to make is to draw trump and hope they are 4-2, but are they? East really looks to be 6-5. 5-5 may be possible but 6-4 certainly isn't (no way would easy bid 5♦ with that shape.) The problem of course is what if we draw two rounds of trumps and they are 5-1, we will lose control and I believe go down 3, vulnerable, doubled. And that's if east is 1651 - if east is 1552 I believe it's even worse. But complicating things is that if I settle for down 1 (drawing one round of trumps then running my tricks) I don't see any way that we won't lose lots of imps on the board. Almost every possible result would involve a game-sized plus or more for N/S at the other table. Pretty much the only scenario I can imagine that doesn't would be 3♥ p p 3NT, and a diamond lead for down 1.

All things considered, I just think it's way too likely trumps are 5-1 and I don't want to go for 800 or even worse in case our teammates did well to get a plus score, so I will play the ace of spades and run my tricks to settle for down 1.

[jdonn]

Hanoi5, on Dec 13 2008, 09:09 AM, said:

I draw trumps. I don't know of any way to make the hand if spades are worse than 4-2, the important play of the hand was discarding the heart on the second diamond, now the hand should make about 70% of the time.

70%? In abstract sure, but not after this auction...

[kgr]

jdonn's analysis was pretty complete.
East has 1=6=5=1.
I misplayed first by playing 2 ♠'s. You only go -2 then (you switch to ♣ until West ruffs and West then has to play ♦ in double ruff. You ruff in N and play H until West ruffs. You can ruff Diamond return, play ♠ to get West's last trump and cashthe winners).
I did ruff ♦ at the end, but ending with ♠K and ♥8 (♥K in dummy) I played ♥ giving W a ruff and another trick for -3. ...That was probably enough reason for North to criticise my bidding and play and to leave.

[kgr]

BTW: I thought this hand is very interesting to study because it teaches trump control and communicating (Not playing a 2nd trump allows communication to S to draw trumps). ...So i should thank N for leaving and triggering me to study this hand.

[gnasher]

Over 3♦, I think 3♥ should be like a responsive double. I doubt if that would get you to 6♣, but at least it would avoid 5♠.

[FrancesHinden]

gnasher, on Dec 14 2008, 01:36 AM, said:

Over 3♦, I think 3♥ should be like a responsive double. I doubt if that would get you to 6♣, but at least it would avoid 5♠.

I was about to say the same thing.

Generally, when the opponents have bid two suits in this type of auction, and a double would be penalties, the cue is available as a 'responsive double'. Similarly applies to e.g.

1H P P x
2D 2H

or 1H x 1S 2H

[OleBerg]

FrancesHinden, on Dec 15 2008, 12:06 PM, said:

gnasher, on Dec 14 2008, 01:36 AM, said:

Over 3♦, I think 3♥ should be like a responsive double.  I doubt if that would get you to 6♣, but at least it would avoid 5♠.

I was about to say the same thing.

Generally, when the opponents have bid two suits in this type of auction, and a double would be penalties, the cue is available as a 'responsive double'. Similarly applies to e.g.

1H P P x
2D 2H

or 1H x 1S 2H

Sounds right. Must admit I missed it the first time.

So the 3♥ shows 4 spades?

I ask because many play that, for instance

(2♥) - X - (3♥) - X

does not show 4 spades, and probably denies it.

I can see that the situation is not the same, but still I would be a little afraid to bid 3♥ with four spades.

[brianshark]

The dbl of 3♦ is penalties so I have no problem with 3♠. The dbl of 4♦ would show better Diamonds so despite the fact that I have only 3 cards in partner's chosen suit and have a balanced hand rather than a take-out hand, you kind of have to bid 4♠ to show your extras. But when 5♦ is bid in front of you, just smack it. It's tough to find 6♣.