Scoring: IMP
Italy vs Czech rep,
NS = Forth/Volhejn
EW= Bocchi Duboin
W N E S
p 1NT 2♠ 2NT
4♠ p p 4NT
X 5♣ p p
5♠ p p 6♣
p p X al pass
I 'd like to use this hand as one example for high level forcing pass.
I will appreciate any comments on my considerations below
Thanks a lot !!
For the bidding, I will assume 1NT by N is 10-12 balanced, and that South's 2NT is some sort of xfer to clubs (with the optoion of showing a second suit later).
After West's 5 ♠, using the "standard" agreement for forcing pass (please correct me if I am wrong ! ), N should:
- double with wasted values
- double with a minimum hand and low ODR
- bid on with high ODR
- pass when in doubt (no defensive potential and a fair ODR)
- pass then pull pard's double as a stronger slam try (unlikely by a limited hand here which has bid 1NT). Here it would be a Grand Slam Try, since simply bidding would commit to small slam.
Question 1
If the above is true (1NT shows 10-12 bal, 2Nt shows clubs, and the forcing pass agreements follow the abovementioned list), I disagree with N's pass.
Kx in spades is wasted values and strongly suggest doubling.
Do you agree ?
Question 2
Suppose that the same auction occurred but rather than holding
Hand 1 (the original)
♠K7♥842♦KQ2♣KJT63
North holds instead
Hand 2
♠xx♥Kxx♦KQ2♣KJT63
In this situation, no wastage in opps suit suggest not doubling.
Yet it is unclear whether 6 clubs makes or not.
I would pass, given the best offensive hand I can have.
Question 3
Suppose that the same auction occurred but rather than holding Hand 2
North holds instead
Hand 3
♠xx♥Kxx♦Axx♣KT632
In this situation, I have still no wastage in opps suit.
Yet I have a minimum hand (10 hcp), which suggests that outbidding 5♠ should not work.
I would double despite no defensive tricks.
Question 4
Suppose that the same auction occurred but rather than holding Hand 2
North holds instead
Hand 4
♠xxx♥Kx♦KQ2♣KJT63
This hand is exactly like hand 2 but with one extra card in opps suit.
This suggests to double, even if it is a small card (Law of total tricks anyone ? - PS Notice how I did not call it the Law withg uppercase letters not to hurt anyone's feeling LOL).