[jmcw]

Scoring: MP

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You open 1♦ LHO bids 1♥ partners passes and RHO bids 1NT

Your bid? Is this an automatic DBL? and if so what does it mean?

Thanks for the comments

[hanp]

Double is pointless with this hand, though I do think it should show good diamonds. With a strong balanced hand you pass. Although maybe double should be a good takeout of hearts.

The reason it is pointless is that LHO won't pass if RHO has a diamond stopper, and RHO won't pass if RHO does not have a diamond stopper. In the meantime, you haven't shown your hand.

I would bid 3H, which does show our hand. It is preemptive but keeps 3NT in the picture, it is possible that partner has the heart king.

[jonottawa]

I pass, pard is broke and stuff so we don't have game. He's a big favorite to hold 4 ♠ and didn't make a negative double or something. LHO might even get greedy and bid 3NT and I'll take my +250.

[JLOL]

Double is obv takeout of hearts with extras.

I would bid 2H.

[jdonn]

Yes double is definitely takeout of hearts, surprised there could be debate about that (well maybe there isn't). I like 3♥ here.

[cherdanno]

I would bid 4♦.

[whereagles]

3♥ if I'm feeling scientific.

Pass + take unilateral action based on opponents' bidding if I feel like gambling.

[Codo]

There are pairs who play that 1 NT does not promise a stopper but a balanced hand. Against these pairs any bid below 3 Diamond gives them too much room to ask for a stopper.
So I would bid 3♦

3♥ would be my second choice, but I would like to have a card in spades for that bid.

[mtvesuvius]

I would have bid 2♥ irl, but I like the 3♥ idea.

[CayugaGuy]

I think all these 3♥ bidders are living in dream worlds.

If EAST is a mediocre player, they hoave a diamond stopper. And after a heart lead and a shift to clubs to knock the ACE out of dummy, just how do you plan on makeing 3NT even if partner DOES have a ♥ stopper?

I think 3♦ is the right bid here. Long, strong diamond suit - an outside car - but not enough to ensure 3NT if partner has a heart stopper.

[andy_h]

CayugaGuy, on May 19 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

I think all these 3♥ bidders are living in dream worlds.

If EAST is a mediocre player, they hoave a diamond stopper. And after a heart lead and a shift to clubs to knock the ACE out of dummy, just how do you plan on makeing 3NT even if partner DOES have a ♥ stopper?

I think 3♦ is the right bid here. Long, strong diamond suit - an outside car - but not enough to ensure 3NT if partner has a heart stopper.

I think East is living in a dream world if he is not allowed to bid 1NT with AJx Kx Jxx Qxxxx or Kxxx Qx Jx Axxxx (if partnership disallows 1♠). There are lots of times where they have no other bid but 1NT.