[hackenbush]

Scoring: IMP

---

N S
- 2♦a
2♠b 3♣c
4♥ P
a: multi; b: ♥ > ♠; c: shows feature, game try in ♥

East deals, and EW pass throughout. Sure, opening by East would've worked great this hand, but can either EW get in the auction after the initial pass? Assume ACBL defense #2, if it matters.

[hanp]

If it went 2H - p - 4H then neither would bid and you'd be in the same situation.

However, the auction showed that the opponents have a very good heart fit and few spades (responder wants to play 2S or 4H), so perhaps both players have a chance to act over 4H? I'd say east more than west as east's spades are better and hearts are shorter. Even though multi is often not alerted here, I still have little experience playing against multi.

[jdonn]

I think east should double 4♥ personally, not that I would expect it to work out quite this well.

[gnasher]

It's a good idea to play
  2♦ pass 2M dbl
as two-way, either a takeout double of spades or an overcall in spades. That would have worked here.

[karlson]

It also seems like a fine idea to play the double of any rebid by opener as takeout of hearts, not that I would expect that to be standard.

But otherwise, I agree with Han. Responder has shown short spade and not a world of values, so east should be willing to jump in. I think it's actually unclear if it's better to double or bid 4s (you are more or less assured of at least an 8-card spade fit if you trust the opponents' auction).

[inquiry]

I happen to like Multi-versus-Multi. Look it up on the internet (Chris Ryall has a nice write up on it on his paradox webpage).

Basically,

2♦=DBL, where dbl shows either

• Opening hand with 5+ ♥s, or
  
• Opening hand with 5+♠s
  
• Balanced hand 19-22 pts
  
• 19+ any three suiter

There are other parts to this method of course, like a 2♥ bid over multi 2♦ shows a balanced 15-18, and 2♠/2nt overcalls are opening bids in clubs and diamonds, while direct 3♣/3♦ are preemptive. Etc. For full details see Chris's excellent write up.

So here, WEST would dbl 2♦ (if he considers this essentially an "opening bid" (with 5-4 it is somewhat close). After that start if the opponents still get to 4♥, east knows what do do. In fact, unless NS are willing ot play in 2♠, EW have found their spade fit.

[cherdanno]

Hmm I think both of them have an easy 4♠ bid over 4♥.

[rogerclee]

hanp, on Feb 26 2010, 12:27 PM, said:

If it went 2H - p - 4H then neither would bid and you'd be in the same situation.

Favorable vulnerability?!

[effervesce]

Agree with cherdanno - on the multi auction

2♦ - 2♠-3x - 4♥ the opps have shown a huge heart fit, and on this auction you should look to bid 4♠ over it if you have a hand with some spades - it will either be a good sac or will make.

Both players really should have bid 4♠ over 4♥.