[gwnn]

Q9xx
KT
AJ
AQJT9

pass from the front, 1♥ from the right. imps nobody vulnerable.

[Phil]

Double. Fairly strong feelings about this one.

[maggieb]

Let's look at a couple possible plans:

1) 2C then X if 2H comes back
2) 2C then 2S if 2H comes back to us
3) Overcall 1N
4) X then 3C if 2H comes back to us
5) X then X if 2H comes back to us

Plans 1 and 2 are bad, because the hand is really good for spades, and we may never get a chance to mention them.

Plan 3 is bad. Again, we don't get spades in, we only have one heart stopper (albeit KT is good), but we do get in our values.

Plan 4 is an overbid, and also, it doesn't mention the spades on the second round.

So that leaves plan 5. It gets in the spades, and having the auction getting out of control in diamonds is reasonably unlikely and an acceptable risk to me.

[pooltuna]

maggieb, on Nov 10 2009, 04:33 PM, said:

Let's look at a couple possible plans:

1) 2C then X if 2H comes back
2) 2C then 2S if 2H comes back to us
3) Overcall 1N
4) X then 3C if 2H comes back to us
5) X then X if 2H comes back to us

Plans 1 and 2 are bad, because the hand is really good for spades, and we may never get a chance to mention them.

Plan 3 is bad. Again, we don't get spades in, we only have one heart stopper (albeit KT is good), but we do get in our values.

Plan 4 is an overbid, and also, it doesn't mention the spades on the second round.

So that leaves plan 5. It gets in the spades, and having the auction getting out of control in diamonds is reasonably unlikely and an acceptable risk to me.

not an unreasonable choice but I prefer 3) since my NT overcalls are in the 16-18 range and spades are not out of the picture as we may have stayman or transfers available certainly partner will play us for at least 2

[Trinidad]

maggieb, on Nov 10 2009, 10:33 PM, said:

Let's look at a couple possible plans:

1) 2C then X if 2H comes back
2) 2C then 2S if 2H comes back to us
3) Overcall 1N
4) X then 3C if 2H comes back to us
5) X then X if 2H comes back to us

Plans 1 and 2 are bad, because the hand is really good for spades, and we may never get a chance to mention them.

Plan 3 is bad. Again, we don't get spades in, we only have one heart stopper (albeit KT is good), but we do get in our values.

Plan 4 is an overbid, and also, it doesn't mention the spades on the second round.

So that leaves plan 5. It gets in the spades, and having the auction getting out of control in diamonds is reasonably unlikely and an acceptable risk to me.

This is not the way you should reason in these cases. Just to demonstrate that, I will add a sixth alternative and will continue your line of reasoning. My 6th alternative is:

6) Pass

My reasoning:
I don't like doubling (twice!) without three cards in the unbids suits. So 5 is bad. So we will have to pass.

(This is the Mrs Guggenheim option: "But I didn't have a bid, partner!")

The point is obviously that all alternatives (including number 6: pass) are bad. You will have to choose one of the alternatives and you have to pick the least of evils.

Rik

[Trinidad]

I would pick 2♣ (followed by 2♠ if they bid 2♥).

No strong feelings in general.

This depends more on what you think the opponents will do then anything else. In the field that I usually play in, opponents play 2♦ as a negative freebid and will bid 2♥ on tram tickets, certainly when they are not vul (like in this case). That means, it is likely that I will get another chance.

(I will, of course, double when they bid diamonds, rather than hearts.)

Rik

[mich-b]

2♣ intending to bid again (♠ or X) on the next round at any level.
This is my best chance to show both my suits, and their relative lenghts.

[dellache]

2♣ followed by Double.

[P_Marlowe]

2C.

Planning to bid 2S next.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[ArtK78]

P_Marlowe, on Nov 11 2009, 09:51 AM, said:

2C.

Planning to bid 2S next.

With kind regards
Marlowe

Agree.

[Codo]

Trinidad, on Nov 11 2009, 05:27 PM, said:

I would pick 2♣ (followed by 2♠ if they bid 2♥).

No strong feelings in general.

This depends more on what you think the opponents will do then anything else. In the field that I usually play in, opponents play 2♦ as a negative freebid and will bid 2♥ on tram tickets, certainly when they are not vul (like in this case). That means, it is likely that I will get another chance.

(I will, of course, double when they bid diamonds, rather than hearts.)

Rik

exactly my thoughts in better words

[mike777]

gwnn, on Nov 10 2009, 03:41 PM, said:

Q9xx
KT
AJ
AQJT9

pass from the front, 1♥ from the right. imps nobody vulnerable.

double, no problem yet.

[aguahombre]

Double, then do nothing if the opponents' bidding comes back around. This runs a mild risk of center opponent bidding diamonds and having no ELC. But other plans overstate or distort the nature of this hand. It is not really that great for offense unless a spade fit exists.

[mike777]

Side note:

I play Astro Cuebids so:
(1h)=2h shows 4spades and longer clubs.

[maggieb]

mm, forget it

[jdonn]

I double though I don't think 1NT is that horrible. Of course if 2♥ P P comes back I double again.

[gwnn]

jdonn does that mean that you think 2♣ is horrible?

[jdonn]

I think it's pretty bad though unlikely to come to much harm. If you want to show your spades you double. If you want to show the nature of your hand you bid 1NT. 2♣ is fine if the auction always goes 2♥ P P back to you, but that doesn't always happen.