[bd71]

Scoring: MP

(P) 1N (2♠) 2N*
(3♣) P (P) 3♦
(P) 3N (X) P
(P) 4D PO

*Not playing Lebensohl, so just showing invitational strength with spade stopper

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Intermediate field (N. American Pairs Flight C district finals)
Result: Making 5, ~10% MP for E/W

How should the bidding have gone? Should we be in 5D, and if so who's to blame?

[Cyberyeti]

I'd be interested to see the traveller for this. You've already passed up 1 better score in 2♠x on the stiff club lead and another possibly better score in 3Nx (after ♣KQ S has to switch to ♠AQ to beat you by 1 or the diamonds put his hand through the mincer).

I suspect 3N has made many times to go with a few 5♦.

Assuming the notrump is 15-17, I'd have bid 3N rather than 2N, south would have led a small major suit card, and I'd have made 9 easy tricks, possibly 10 depending on the discards.

Hands like the west one are not good invites, partner tends to evaluate general values which often won't tell him whether he has the specific cards to make the game good, I tend to find just blasting game works better.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

4D is a bid, which basically says ... I dont trust you partner.

Partner showed the spade stopper, and showed long diamonds,
I did bid 3NT because of the great diamond fit, which was a good
bid. The important thing of course is, that 3NT also showed the
fitting diamond values.
The reason: Why would I otherwise decline the invite, I was willing
to let them play 3C, but bidding 3NT after 3D from p.

Now they doubled 3NT and partner passed, which showes a willingness
to play 3NTx.
Partner knowes, I opened a 15-17NT, he knowes my diamond values,
he knowes his stopper (I also have the jack of spade).
He knowes all this about my hand, what feature does he not know, and
what do I know about partners hand? So pass it out.
For this recommendation it does not even matter, if 3NTx makes or not,
learn to trust your partner.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[neilkaz]

As west I'd just have bid 3NT and taken my chances that we can collect 9 tricks from D and what can up as 2♠ stops if both are needed and noting South may not make a double dummy lead.

Or if e/w play penalty doubles, taking a shot at the vul 2♠ isn't so bad here at MP. Playing negX you can pass and hope pard reopens, but I'd just shoot out 3nt.

However, East gets the large majority of my blame for running from the double of 3NT. I'd pass and note that I don't expect double dummy defence and that the D fit will see him home.

I do think that one of the players should have bid to 5♦ if pulling the X here but that may be too much resulting.

[mike777]

KISS

over 2s I would just bid 3nt...next hand pls.