[Stephen Tu]

Scoring: MP

---

1♠-(x)-xx-(p);?

Redouble implied no fit, you are playing transfers starting with 1nt.

Pass or 2♠, and why?

[Gerben42]

Pass, because if partner doubles something, I'm not placed badly because I do not have a shortness in the suit partner is about to Dbl. If LHO bids something and partner does not Dbl, I will of course rebid my ♠.

[whereagles]

Pulling the redouble at this stage requires a very offensive hand, say

KQJxxx
--
KQxx
xxx

Ours is actually quite ok on the defensive department, so pass and see whether pard can double them.

[Mbodell]

I think I pass. When I held this hand on the same auction and implications my RHO bid, not passed, and I choose to bid 2♠, so maybe to be consistent I should raise to avoid them finding a fit? But if opponents are confused maybe they let me play 1♠xx (someone did at our club).

[mtvesuvius]

Pass... to pull I really have to have offense. I have plenty of defense too, so I'm fine whatever happens.

[jdonn]

obv pass.

[the hog]

Pass.

[Stephen Tu]

The problem continues:

1♠-(x)-xx-(p);
p-(2♦)-x-(2♥);
?

[RichMor]

Stephen Tu, on May 8 2009, 12:50 PM, said:

The problem continues:

1♠-(x)-xx-(p);
p-(2♦)-x-(2♥);
?

Pass again, which is forcing.

[jdonn]

Yup, pass again on the same logic by which you passed the first time.

[mtvesuvius]

Pass still...

[Stephen Tu]

1♠-(x)-xx-(p);
p-(2♦)-x-(2♥);
p-(p)-2♠-(p);
?

[kenrexford]

I can only imagine one problem with this auction. And, I have an easy solution that I have worked out.

Ask the guy to your right for one of his green cards.

[jdonn]

Pass again, partner doesn't have real support or a forcing hand or he would do something stronger.

[hanp]

These are very easy questions.

[Stephen Tu]

Scoring: MP

1♠-(x)-xx-(p);
p-(2♦)-x-(2♥);
p-(p)-2♠-(p);
all pass

---

West needs to lead a diamond to hold you to 3, which ought to be possible on the auction since his partner implied diamond shortness. But he didn't. Nor did other Wests. 9/12 reached 4♠, only 1 failed, and 1 made 5(!!). 3nt is cold but wouldn't have gained much in practice.

ATB:
(1) Field for being lousy opening leaders. (Though they might well perpetrate different auctions that make it more difficult to find. As a side question, what's the std expert scrambling agreements for E-W, I assume 1nt ought to be utilized on both sides, to show what exactly?)
(2) Partner for not bidding more. (what)?

[ochinko]

2♠ the first time (after the rdbl).

Because it's MP where the fight for the part score is fierce. Having 6 spades, and quite solid too, and knowing that I will be willing to compete with them to the second level why wouldn't I bid them right away, instead of allowing opps to negotiate their defense?

It's important for partner to know that 2♠ means precisely a reserve in length, not in HCP. My regular partners do.

I would bid the same way even at IMPs, but only NV.

[kenrexford]

North, for letting the opponents wriggle off the hook. I'd hit 2♥.

Suppose South makes a reasonable lead of the heart King. North-South should be able to pull most of the hearts, leaving E-W to claim the heart Ace, a ruff on each side, the spade Ace, and the diamond Ace, for -800. Something might be dropped along the way for only +500, and perhaps +200 if you really botch this thing. But, if you aren't going to bid the game, take the +200 or better, IMO.

[Stephen Tu]

Quote

North-South should be able to pull most of the hearts, leaving E-W to claim the heart Ace, a ruff on each side, the spade Ace, and the diamond Ace, for -800. Something might be dropped along the way for only +500,

No. There is no way to score +800 without declarer botching things. You can't prevent declarer from scoring a club trick. If you keep on leading trumps, South has to get in with the club K to play the third spade to kill West's last trump, North only has clubs left (maybe w/ diamond winners), and has to give E-W the last trick in clubs.

As it turned out, +500 would have gained you all of 0.5 matchpoints.

North really knows to hit 2♥ with Jxx trumps? How does he know South isn't going to bid game if he bids, neither of the first 2 passes limited South in principle?

[Hanoi5]

I play the xx as showing either 10+ no fit (so I'll double almost anything) or 13+ with fit. In this case partner shouldn't bid 2♠ or maybe we should invite with 3♠, but playing this partner's hand should be more clear.