[Cascade]

Scoring: MP

Pass 1NT* Dbl** 2♦
2♥*** ?

*(11)12-14
** Spades and another
*** Pass or Correct

---

If you pass west will bid 2♠ suggesting spades and clubs or less likely spades and diamonds.

Scoring: MP

Pass 1NT* Dbl** 2♦
2♥*** ?

*(11)12-14
** Spades and another
*** Pass or Correct

---

[gnasher]

On the first, if 2♦ is natural, I bid 3♦ over 2♥. It's not easy for them to double in this auction, because both opponents have quite a wide range.

On the second, assuming RHO hasn't promised any values, I bid 3♥. This time it will be easier for RHO to double me when it's right, but against that I have no diamond wastage and I'm not vulnerable.

[1eyedjack]

I pass on the first - don't like the smell of the vulnerability.

For me, the second problem is harder. I expect at the table I would bid 3H.

[xcurt]

On the first 3♦ over 2♥ immediately. 2♥-AP more likely than 2♥-P-2♠. You don't win matchpoint events by defending 2♥ and partner almost certainly cannot balance against 2♥.

On the second raise hearts immediately. I'm not playing a mini-NT so I can breathe a sigh of relief when I don't get nailed for a number, I'm playing a mini-NT to pressure the opponents. Let's pressure them.

[Cascade]

xcurt, on Feb 23 2009, 01:23 PM, said:

On the first 3♦ over 2♥ immediately. 2♥-AP more likely than 2♥-P-2♠. You don't win matchpoint events by defending 2♥ and partner almost certainly cannot balance against 2♥.

You don't win them by going minus 200 in 3♦ either. Perhaps you can't win this game.

[helene_t]

Seems like a wtp raise in both cases. On the first one, if I pass I will pass again.

[the hog]

Pass on both hands. You do have a partner. If pd has values for her bid, let her show them. Bidding here is crucifixion bridge.

[jdonn]

First is a little tricky since you don't know if they have a fit but it seems likely they have a heart fit and our hand is useful, so 3♦. It will also be hard on them because they don't know if they have a big fit in hearts or clubs.

Second is a completely obvious 3♥. Passing shows a real lack of consideration of the situation I would say. They didn't penalty pass 2♥ when we might not have had a fit, and my bidding 3♥ shows a fit. So if they double 3♥ and set it then they are doing so on general values rather than a heart stack. That means they either have a game, or are short of one in which case I can reasonably hope to go for 100 vs their 110 or 130. Really the only likely way I see 3♥ losing is if they have game values but the field is mostly down in 3NT on a heart lead, which would just be unlucky.

The_Hog, on Feb 22 2009, 07:46 PM, said:

Pass on both hands. You do have a partner. If pd has values for her bid, let her show them. Bidding here is crucifixion bridge.

How does partner say "I want to compete to the 3 level opposite a good fit, otherwise sell out"? I mean if you think raising is dangerous then that's one thing, but your stated reasoning is cliche that really doesn't have much to do with the given situations. In fact, it's reasoning your partner could use to not compete on layouts where you will wish you had, because you haven't shown him your fit.

[655321]

I would bid on both hands. As a general rule, I would always compete on this sort of hand with 4 card support.

There is some danger on the first hand (RHO leads their singleton spade at trick 1, etc) but I would still bid 3♦.

The second hand I think is a WTP 3♥.

[Fluffy]

I'd like to know if there is a remote chance that partne has 4 cards in his suit.

If its not, I raise in both, both a bit scared, but on the first one I feel strong, on the second I am not vulnerable.

[Cascade]

Fluffy, on Feb 23 2009, 02:44 PM, said:

I'd like to know if there is a remote chance that partne has 4 cards in his suit.

If its not, I raise in both, both a bit scared, but on the first one I feel strong, on the second I am not vulnerable.

0% chance of a four-card suit. We would scramble with 2♣ if we do not have a five-card suit.

[Codo]

To me the first hand was a clear and direct raise and the second is a clear raise, when pd promised a 5 card suit- he did, so the raise is surely right.

[Cascade]

Scoring: MP

Pass 1NT Dbl 2♦
2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass
Pass Pass

---

On the first hand I chose to Pass 2♥ basically because I don't like bidding on these auctions and especially not when we were vulnerable and then felt proud of myself when the doubler corrected to spades suggesting spades and clubs and my cards did not look well placed. As it happens 3♦ makes but it is pretty much on the ♦Q since west is marked with the values and the club rates to be wrong.

West didn't actually have his bid. Stuck without a penalty double of our weak No Trump he decided to double anyway.

We can actually beat 2♠ but I think that sort of requires getting a heart ruff.

We let 2♠ make although we had our chances to defeat it and the play became mildly interesting.

Partner led the ♣J and I won the ace and returned my low club (possibly an error if declarer had had five clubs when I should I have let the jack run). All was well though when declarer won the king. The ♠A was cashed next on which partner's jack fell. Declarer now played a low heart to the dummy in order to lead a spade up. I won the king and cashed my ♣Q.

Now I can beat 2♠ by playing two rounds of diamonds and partner can lead the fourth club on which I can pitch my heart and whether declarer ruffs the club in dummy or not he cannot avoid losing to my 107.

However partner had not signalled for a diamond and I was worried that declarer had the ♦K and eventually played safe for 8 tricks (this was matchpoints). At this point I had seen partner play the club jack, four and seven and the club lead of the jack was not consistent with a three-card holding so I was suspicious that declarer did actually have a penalty double and not spades and another as advertised. So I played him for ♠ AQ ♥ A ♣ K and therefore ♦K to make up 16 HCP - i thought he might have resisted with a balanced 15. The heart jack and therefore diamond queen foiled my reasoning.

Scoring: MP

Pass 1NT Dbl 2♦
2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass
Pass Pass

---

This time I competed with 3♥ and we got carved up. The field were going plus against 3NT although 5♦ will make. At matchpoints though when we played the board no one was in 5♦.

[OleBerg]

For #2:

In Scandinavia, where weak NT's are thick on the ground, many players have agreements including two ways to run with a one-suited major hand.

One way when you absolutely do not want partner to compete, and another way, where you allow partner to compete.

There are many ways to set this up.


The two most popular methods:

"Sundelin" (Only recommendable when NV, playable when vul., if you don't mind gambling.)

1NT - (X) - ???

Pass = To play.
XX = To win. Subsequent doubles are penalty.
2♣ = Clubs (Sits X), or diamond and a major (XX = hearts, 2♦ = Spades) or both majors (2♥).
2♦ = Diamonds or a weak major.
2♥/2♠ = Natural, partner is allowed to compete.

"Nilsland" (Recommended vul., playable NV.)

1NT - (X) - ???
Pass = Forcing partner to XX. (See below.)
XX = One-suited run-out.
2♣ = Clubs and diamonds.
2♦ = Diamonds and hearts.
2♥/2♠ = Natural, partner is allowed to compete.

After the redouble by opener:

Pass = To play. Can be strong, or just "hoping".
2♣ = Clubs and a major.
2 ♦ = Diamonds and spades
2♥/2♠ = Natural, partner is not allowed to compete.

Of course both simpler and more ingenious schemes can be set up.

[OleBerg]

Oh yes,

in #2, if you were facing competent opposition, south should consider 3♥ the first time. The double should not come as a shock.

[Hanoi5]

1) If 2♦ is natural I bid 3♦.

2) If 2♥ is natural I bid 3♥.