[jim420]

Scoring: IMP

N - E - S - W
1♣ 1♥ P ?

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[Jlall]

Gut reaction was 1N and I think that's what most people would do but thinking about it some more I'm just going to pass. The spades are missing, so either partner has 4S and 5H and a good hand and RHO has crap in which case we have the values for 3N but how are we going to make it so I'd rather stay low, or RHO has trap pass and his hearts are so good he didn't even care about spades in which case I'm happy to pass and later show the minors if RHO passes a double rather than bid 1N now and get doubled there. Or RHO just has a really crappy hand and LHO has a really good hand in which case I'm also happy to pass (LHO will balance 1N or something).

Just a really weird auction to be 1-1 in the majors on.

[pooltuna]

Jlall, on Oct 14 2009, 11:51 AM, said:

Gut reaction was 1N and I think that's what most people would do but thinking about it some more I'm just going to pass. The spades are missing, so either partner has 4S and 5H and a good hand and RHO has crap in which case we have the values for 3N but how are we going to make it so I'd rather stay low, or RHO has trap pass and his hearts are so good he didn't even care about spades in which case I'm happy to pass and later show the minors if RHO passes a double rather than bid 1N now and get doubled there. Or RHO just has a really crappy hand and LHO has a really good hand in which case I'm also happy to pass (LHO will balance 1N or something).

Just a really weird auction to be 1-1 in the majors on.

I am a passer too as this looks like the "stop bidding ASAP when you have a misfit"

[jdonn]

I think a good reason to pass is if LHO balances there are lots of auctions where I can bid 2NT or something later and show minors, which would clearly be a better description than 1NT now. We could easily belong in clubs. For example 1♠ p 2♠ back to me.

[aguahombre]

After passing (which I would), and 1HX coming back around, is the delayed 1NT a minor suit takeout? I think so, since I can't really imagine it needed as natural after my first pass.

[Phil]

My first reaction was 2♦, NF constructive. I will remain open minded however and read other comments with interest.

I appreciate the remarks about a pass, but leaving pard in a possible 5-1 when we have a painless partial somewhere else, or even 3N seems like a position. Besides, if anyone is going to play the 5-1, it's going to be me dammit

Quote

Josh - I think a good reason to pass is if LHO balances there are lots of auctions where I can bid 2NT or something later and show minors

If you plan on going to the three level, why not try to get your suits in now? I'm not concerned about competing later, but I am concerned about 1♥ float.

[jdonn]

Because I'll get the suit lengths wrong, and they might end up in a minor if I pass, and I might be showing a better hand if I bid twice, and I don't see why you prefer 2♦ in a 5-1 to 1♥ in a 5-1.

[Jlall]

jdonn, on Oct 14 2009, 12:20 PM, said:

I think a good reason to pass is if LHO balances there are lots of auctions where I can bid 2NT or something later and show minors, which would clearly be a better description than 1NT now. We could easily belong in clubs. For example 1♠ p 2♠ back to me.

lol amazing there was a very similar hand to this in Portugal that I just remembered.

If it goes 1C 1H p 1N p 2H p you bid 2S showing both minors. Partner can assume longer clubs else you would have bid 2D over 1S. I was telling my teammates how I thought this was a cool bid and they thought it was auto and I got a sarcastic "let me tell you about 1H p 1N p 2H p 2S"!

Also I am doubtful that LHO is ever balancing with 1S since wouldn't that always contain 5 clubs? It's possible he will double and might also double 1N, in which case if RHO bids 2S you can bid 2N showing the minors and partner can assume longer clubs.

I still think the best time for pass vs 1N is when you get to stop low in 1H, or you get to run more when you are in trouble and RHO has a trap pass.