[mike777]

Scoring: MP

(1S)=?

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RHO opens 1s, your call now?

[ArtK78]

2♦. A bit heavy, but double is too dangerous, as partner is going to bid hearts, and I don't want to start bidding my suits at the 3 level.

3NT is the likely spot on this hand if partner can voluntarily bid hearts. But if he cannot, there is a good chance that his hearts are not good enough to prevent the opponents from taking 5 tricks.

If partner shows some life, a high level minor suit contract is a possibility.

[inquiry]

I vote for 2♦ without hesitation. The one bid I do not want partner to bid is 2NT with this hand, although I see that bid with 5-4 in the minors way too much (of course this is a very good four card suit, so if you were ever going to do that with 5-4 pattern, this is the type of four card suit needed). But even if you don't mind 5-4 for unusual (a mistake I think), this hand is neither weak enough or strong enough to use it.

[ArtK78]

inquiry, on Feb 24 2010, 11:22 AM, said:

I vote for 2♦ without hesitation. The one bid I do not want partner to bid is 2NT with this hand, although I see that bid with 5-4 in the minors way too much (of course this is a very good four card suit, so if you were ever going to do that with 5-4 pattern, this is the type of four card suit needed). But even if you don't mind 5-4 for unusual (a mistake I think), this hand is neither weak enough or strong enough to use it.

I have to admit that it never occurred to me that 2NT was an option over 1♠.

[jjbrr]

Ya I'd just bid 2♦. I have lots of spades that make my hand not so great.

[jdonn]

Among experts I think this might even be a unanimous 2♦. The farther down the skill-scale you go the more 2NT bidders you will probably get.

[Fluffy]

yeah 2NT then 3NT, doesn't it show exactly this hand? lol

[mike777]

thanks for the responses.


Meckstroth's comment on this deal made it an "interesting hand" to me.

"Pass, I'm glad my opponents are vulnerable. That makes defending much more attractive"


ACBL magazine:

call/votes

2d-13
2nt-3
pass-1
dbl-1


Lawrence bid 2nt.

[jdonn]

13 random experts vs Meckstroth huh, so pretty much a tie?

[PhantomSac]

I considered pass pretty strongly because it's MP and they're red, but I think my spades aren't really strong enough for that plan, and my minors are too strong. Trying to get +200 is quite reasonable though, or if they bid hearts making a takeout double.

Not that surprised to see meck is going for it though, that's what he does.

FWIW I don't agree with jdonn that meck vs 13 experts is a tie...meck wins especially at MP imo.

[Siegmund]

Pass is certainly my 2nd choice behind 2D, with double 3rd and anything else not on the radar.

Funny this hand got posted today. Tuesday night at the club, my most-of-the-time-pretty-good partner came up with 2NT, then pulled my penalty double of 3H to 3NT, and then 5D after I ran to 4D) on a 4-1-4-4 18-count. (I had xx KQxxxx xxx xx). 1600 point swings don't hurt quite as much at MP as at IMP, at least.

[ArtK78]

Siegmund, on Feb 25 2010, 02:11 PM, said:

Pass is certainly my 2nd choice behind 2D, with double 3rd and anything else not on the radar.

Funny this hand got posted today. Tuesday night at the club, my most-of-the-time-pretty-good partner came up with 2NT, then pulled my penalty double of 3H to 3NT, and then 5D after I ran to 4D) on a 4-1-4-4 18-count. (I had xx KQxxxx xxx xx). 1600 point swings don't hurt quite as much at MP as at IMP, at least.

Wow. I know you don't need anyone else to chime in on this one, but you made a penalty double of 3♥ opposite a supposedly weak 5-5 minor suited hand (I am assuming the 2NT he bid was an unusual 2NT, not an opening 2NT), your partner actually had 4144 18 count and he pulled? Must have been smoking something real strong.