[jdonn]

Scoring: MP

All the x's are quite small

---

1♣ - (1♥) - P - (2♥)
Dbl - (3♥) - P - (P)
P

Whose fault for selling out? N, S, bad luck, or nothing wrong with the contract?

[Cascade]

North has a clear bid.

[the hog]

I think Nth should bid 4C. South did as much as possible.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

over 1H North could have bid 2C, I am not sure bidding 2C
is matadory, but showing the likely fit is usually best.

If th partnership decided, that a direct raise showes more,
reasonable, than thats it, so all in all bad luck / normal
contract, I dont like to defend with 4m against 3M.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[karlson]

I would double 3h as south.

[EricK]

The way I answer ATB problems like this is to look at the hands, read through the auction and see at which point I involuntarily say "huh?!" Using this highly scientific method (patent pending), I determine the blame lies with North.

[gnasher]

South has done all that he was put on this earth to do. With North's hand, I'd have bid 2♣ over 1♥. Having not done that, passing again over 3♥ seems very feeble; I'd have thought about bidding game.

[zheddh]

i think 2C the first time is very obvious. Having passed that, I am not sure if i will bid over 3H

[ArtK78]

2♣ or pass on the first round by North are both OK. I think the criticism of the failure to bid 2♣ over 1♥ is really double-dummy.

However, the failure to bid 4♣ is another matter. North really should bid the second time now that he knows that there is a real club fit.

[655321]

Whatever blame there is (if any - sometimes 4♣ won't make) must go to North, not sure what more South is supposed to do.

I don't like the initial pass by North. As usual, describing and limiting one's hand as soon as possible makes the rest of the auction simpler. Having passed the first time, North has an unpleasant choice between passing 3♥ (forever suppressing primary support for partner) and bidding at the 4 level, vulnerable at MP, with a possibility of being doubled for -200. Perhaps he should bid 4♣ anyway, but 2♣ on the first round was surely clear.

[hotShot]

When South is opening 1♣ and both opps bid ♥, than North can count:

South can't have more than 2♥, he does not have 5♠ and assuming an American style he should not have 4♦.
So South shape has to be 4234 or (more likely) 4135 ( or 4144 perhaps not playing American style).

While I agree with North first pass, bidding 4♣ should be considered and has a lot of appeal. Working points and shortness in ♠ are goodies.

[Hanoi5]

Most probably nothing wrong with the contract, although if the issue is pushed too much I'd say South could double again.

[mtvesuvius]

I'm fine with 2♣ by North, however I personally would not bid it. 4♣ over 3♥ seems like a good bet though... South did all he could do, I blame North.

[mcphee]

N is to shoulder complete blame here. I do not at all mind passing first time as I see no reason to get involved. Passing 3H however is not good at all and it is time to join in with 4C, with 5C a consideration.

[Phil]

I would not bid 2♣ with North looking at ♥xxx. But after South doubles 2♥ we know about a very likely nine card fit and no heart wastage, so I think North has a clear 4♣ call.

[kenrexford]

P_Marlowe, on Jul 19 2009, 04:32 AM, said:

over 1H North could have bid 2C, I am not sure bidding 2C
is matadory, but showing the likely fit is usually best.

I was thinking that bidding 2♣ might be asking to get gored, but North must grab the bull by the horns and bid 4♣. North needs to show some cape-ability.

[Jlall]

Love the first pass by north. Hate the second pass by north. Sure you could get owned if partner is 4234 18-19 and you bid 4C, but it's way more likely when the opps bid 3H they don't have no points and 8 hearts, and instead partner has 4135.

[skjaeran]

Bidding 2♣ over 1♥ looks really bad to me. I'd never do that, clear pass IMO.

Over 3♥ it's entirely different. Now north has a very clear 4♣ bid, in fact, I'd bid 4♣ with a tad less.

[Apollo81]

If North responds 2♣, I bet the final contract would be 3♥x at least as often as 4♣.

I'll go with blaming North at his second call.

[gnasher]

I've noticed before that I raise a minor-suit opening in competition more often than most on these forums. What's wrong with this one - too few clubs, or too little high-card strength?