[TylerE]

Scoring: MP

(p) - p - (1♥) - p
(1NT) - 2♦ - (p) - p
(3♣) - p - (p) - 3♦
(p) - p - (3♥) - ?

---

[jjbrr]

edit the auction? 3♣ after 3♦?

[TylerE]

Yes, oops... This was from a tourney that was canceled inprogress, so I don't have an actual hand record to go off of.

[jillybean]

I double first round, pass now

[nigel_k]

Pass.

I'd say they are making or down one. I doubt we can make 4♦ and if they are making we could easily be down two in 4♦. 3♥ could well be normal so it's not a situation where we'll necessarily get few matchpoints if they make undoubled. And getting 100 instead of 50 will not beat those making 110 our way. If they were vul and you needed a top you could double but I think it would still be better to pass.

I would not double on the first round but would definitely have done more over 2♦. 3NT could be on opposite KJxxxx and an ace, and hoping to buy it in 2D at pairs against NV opponents is wishful thinking.

[Phil]

Consider a few things:

1. Partner knocked them off of 1N, which has to be good for us.

2. Hearts are likely 3=2=3=5 around the table. This cannot be good for our offensive prospects. RHO undoubtedly has the AK so they are taking the 1st three tricks.

3. Partner didn't open a weak 2 (assuming we play that), so we are on a 9 card fit.

4. 3♥ on the presumed 5-2 might be successful, but its an odd contract.

Pass is obvious here.

[andy_h]

Easy Pass. I have some defense against 3♥ and I don't exactly fancy 4♦X.

[cRi cRi]

pass as well

[gwnn]

I agree with your first pass but you should have bid 3♦ second round. Now the decision is difficult only to the extent that your second round pass made it difficult. I think pass is best anyway.

[OleBerg]

Pass.

Not that I like it. The opponents have probably guessed right. My best hope is that both 3♦ and 3♥ are down.

Not enough "value" in an X for me.

Edit: Typos.

[effervesce]

A general rule I live by is one balance is usually enough. I think pass (or double, top or bottom bridge) is clearcut here. I think bidding 4♦ is awful.

Since it's MPs double is quite reasonable. No 2♥ rebid but bidding 3♥ over 3♦? Hmmm... the bidding does look really suspicious. Do you know the opponents? Sounds like they're in a 5-2 fit.

[rhm]

Partner's bidding is strange.
He has no opening bid and a weak two in ♦ was probably unavailable (2♦ was something else)
Coming in against this auction with a 5 card minor suit is harakiri.
There is no need to bid with a strong suit either because partner would be on lead against a no-trump contract, so you usually keep quiet.

It follows partner must have bid on a broken long ♦ suit, not suitable for a preempt, at least six or maybe seven cards in length.
RHO 3♥ must be based on a good heart suit and by inference club support.
Otherwise he would certainly not bid 3♥, when he refused to rebid his ♥ over 2♦

If partner had a weak 2♦ bid available the bidding is even stranger.
Which hand justifies passing first but then coming in over 1NT?
Probably a reasonable 4 card major.
If he has 4 cards in hearts they can not be good, If it is ♠ I would have preferred a double over 1NT, but without ♣ this might not be universal.

I bid 3NT

Something like

Ax
xxx
KJxxxx
Qx

would make the contract almost cold.

Rainer Herrmann

[WesleyC]

Nil at MPs it is very unlikely they will let us play 2D in a 9(10?)+ card fit. I'd prefer to raise to 3D on the second round and then pass if they guess to bid over that.

In the actual problem, I'd mostly pass, occasionally double (based on table feel).

[billw55]

Clear pass, even without 3♣ bid on my left.

[MFA]

Pass to 2♦??

His being a passed hand is no excuse for not supporting him. I would bid 2♥ and hope to get to 3NT or perhaps 4♠ on a very good day. At least he will know I have a strong hand and perhaps be able to do the right thing if he has good shape.

I'll try 3NT now. But maybe I should just abstain.

[billw55]

MFA, on Jul 31 2009, 02:34 PM, said:

I'll try 3NT now. But maybe I should just abstain.

I can't imagine that will work, the auction has blueprinted the defense: ♥ over to righty, ♣ back through.

[kgr]

gwnn, on Jul 31 2009, 10:17 AM, said:

I agree with your first pass but you should have bid 3♦ second round. Now the decision is difficult only to the extent that your second round pass made it difficult. I think pass is best anyway.

agree 100%

[rhm]

billw55, on Jul 31 2009, 02:53 PM, said:

MFA, on Jul 31 2009, 02:34 PM, said:

I'll try 3NT now. But maybe I should just abstain.

I can't imagine that will work, the auction has blueprinted the defense: ♥ over to righty, ♣ back through.

This seems a bit pessimistic.
Of course a ♥ to RHO and a ♣ back might lead to a quick defeat.
However, this is not certain.

After all RHO has opened the bidding and LHO has responded 1NT.
It is anything but clear who has the ♣ace.
Any ♣ honor in partner's hand will help and partner is marked with something outside of the red suits.

Rainer Herrmann