[1eyedjack]

Scoring: IMP

S...W...N...E
1♠..X...P..2♥
4♠..P...P...P

---

ATB

[karlson]

I think west should overcall 2♥. After the initial double, it's hard to assign much blame.

[655321]

I like 3♥ by East.

I also would overcall with West, although double seems OK.

[PhantomSac]

Strongly prefer the first X to 2H.

Slightly prefer 2H to 3H, the SK isn't great and going low seems reasonable here NV, but it seems very close.

I think by far the biggest thing on this hand is that west should crack 4S, if partner can bid something that is great, and if he passes we will often beat them, possibly a couple, and they aren't going to make an overtrick that often. A hand like xxx Kxxxxx xx xx can bid 5H over our double and make when they make 4S, or a hand like xx xxxxx x Kxxxx can bid 5C and get us a making game (probably) etc etc. The west hand screams double game swing potential. Note both hands I gave are only 3 points and pretty unremarkable, and partner could definitely have more points than that.

So yeah, I think if partner bids it will be great and if partner passes it should be fine (they make sometimes, they go down sometimes, they go down 2 sometimes, w/e).

[hotShot]

How weak could East be to take out partners double?
Obviously East is better than that minimum both in strength and in ♥ length, so East should bid 3♥.

[Codo]

I am surprised that this is a 2 ♥ call even with the high US standards.

In our continental standards this is closer to 4 then to 2 Heart. Yes the spade king is bad, but the doubelton diamond is fine and 5 nice trumps are great.

A second double from west opposite a possible yarb is possible but I would pass.

I had doubled with the east hand to show that I have a real good defence for my 2 Heart bid.

[P_Marlowe]

West.

I dont think East has a bid, but given the Void and the purity of his
hand, West has - most likely X, not sure, how good that would be.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[the hog]

Strongly prefer 2H to double. Somewhat prefer 3H as the response to the double.
West should double 4S.

[hanp]

I prefer double and a continental 2H.

[effervesce]

Double looks auto to me. 2♥ response also to the X.
West should double 4♠-you won't be unhappy if partner leaves it in or takes it out.

[1eyedjack]

May I ask, of those who prefer an initial 2♥ by West, what action they expect of either E or W if the auction proceeds

S....W....N....E
1♠..2♥...P....P
X....P?...P....P?

(obviously on a different deal of the cards than those presented in the OP)

[Hanoi5]

I guess XX SOS by the 2♥ bidder?

On the OP hand I believed 5♥ to be the right action by West. JLall convinced me of doubling, but I'm not sure when to use it. I mean, 5 card support of partner's suit (which should be al least fourth) and a void in their suit (which is not that bad for doubling since partner is supposed to be long and the double might make them err). So this double is still take-out? Is it optional? Is it 'I have support but don't mind leaving it'?

[1eyedjack]

The idea of making an SOS redouble before the opponents have converted the original double for penalties is quite novel, but has a certain logic to it, especially if you enjoy playing the odd game of chicken. A bit like responder passing to force a redouble when partner's 1NT opening bid gets doubled, which responder then has to choose between leaving and pulling on an otherwise marginal hand.

It may come back to bite you on the occasion when 2HX is the best that you can achieve.

Another similar situation is when you get to 3NT which the opponent not on lead doubles to ask for dummy's suit to be led, when some players "redouble in doubt" suggesting it be pulled.

I don't expect many of my partners would be enthusiastic about West redoubling in this situation, though.

[kenberg]

I think I double 1S as W. There is no reason partner's reds can't be Kx of hearts and Q fifth of diamonds.
With E, I respond 2H. The king of diamonds looks good, the king of spades much less so, the fifth heart is great, on balance I bid 2H.
Over 4S, as W I think I double again. Easy to say, seeing all the hands, but I think I do. And then, as E, I go to 5H.

I don't think any call in the auction was all that wrong, but I think I would do as above.

[pooltuna]

1eyedjack, on Feb 10 2010, 02:04 AM, said:

Scoring: IMP

S...W...N...E
1♠..X...P..2♥
4♠..P...P...P

---

ATB

West for no 2♥ over 1♠ East for no X of 4♠

[jdonn]

Taking each action in turn..

I'll go against my usual agree'ees and say I like 2♥ rather than double, influenced by the 98 of hearts for sure. I can always double later and at least describe reasonably and I don't want to miss a 5-3 heart fit. Also something like 4♠ p p back to me I am fine taking my chances with a double if I started with 2♥, but if I doubled first I feel stuck since doubling again seems like an overbid.

East's 2♥ bid is normal.

I think west should bid 5♥. How will east ever think west has this good of a hand for hearts if he doubles again? That sounds like stronger and fewer hearts and less distribution. I understand we would rather defend than bid on a lot of the time but I don't see what I can do about it now.

I strongly feel east should double 4♠ based on general values, his spade king will usually score IMO.

Overall I disagree most with east's last pass, next most with west's last pass, and next most with west's first double. I think the blame is about equal.

[1eyedjack]

Thanks for all the feedback.

As far as results go, I would have been happy just to defend 4SX. At equal vul I am not too bothered about missing a 5H contract that relies on a finesse when 2 down in defense of 4SX is assured. But I would not want to say that the results justify the action.

[helene_t]

I would have doubled with the W hand but I think 2♥ is not bad.

I would bid 3♥ with the East hand and I don't think it's particularly close, although I wouldn't go as far as Roland who says it is closer to 4 then to 2.

Wouldn't occur to me to double 4♠ as W but I suppose it is good with three aces. S could easily be void in hearts. I think my first choice is 5♥ but pass is normal IMO.

East's final pass is the most dubious action imho, having already underbid it's time to double.

[mike777]

1eyedjack, on Feb 10 2010, 02:04 AM, said:

Dealer: South Vul: None Scoring: IMP

♠ T6 ♥ 7 ♦ J8742 ♣ KJ952 ♠   ♥ AJ982 ♦ A653 ♣ AT63 ♠ K75 ♥ QT643 ♦ K9 ♣ 874 ♠ AQJ98432 ♥ K5 ♦ QT ♣ Q

S...W...N...E 1♠..X...P..2♥ 4♠..P...P...P

ATB

West 75% for last pass
East 10% for last pass.
Rub of the Green 15%

[MFA]

Wow, I think 3♥ is absolutely clearcut, I'm surprised by the style here.