[Poky]

MP. None vul.

♠KJ963
♥AT6
♦7
♣8765

2♣* - Dbl - 2♠ - Pass
3♦ - Pass- 3♥ - Dbl
3NT - Pass - ???

* GF or 23+ bal

[inquiry]

If the choice is between bid slam or pass, I choose pass. A ♥ lead will probably be helpful for them and you do not fit ♦ and what ever club honors partner has, your RHO has the others behind him.

However, I do have a nice hand. I would be willing to bid 4NT as an invite to slam as long as that is clear that invite is its meaning. It would also be nice to know how often partner opens 2♣ with long solid minor ♦ and a couple side quick tricks. Sounds like partner is something like...

♠A
♥xx
♦AKQJT9x
♣AQ

(this is an approximation).

Ben

[Cascade]

I have a rule that after a strong 2♣ and a positive that unless the auction turns really ugly (no fit found at 4-level) then I owe partner at least one slam try.

An ugly auction would be:

2♣ 2♥
2♠ 3♦
3♠ 4♦
4♠ I can pass this based on a bad misfit.

So for me, on the auction given, 4NT is automatic. This is quantitative allows opener to bid slam with modest extra values.

[paulhar]

I presume the double of 2C shows clubs, so both doubles reduce your chances for slam.

That being said, you stated that your 2C was game forcing or 23+ balanced. When your partner rebids 3D, I presume that this means that he intended to force to a game, quite possibly with diamonds as trump. (He doesn't seem to like spades or hearts.) A 2C opening bid intending to rebid a minor suit needs to be stronger than a 2C opening bid intending to rebid a major. If partner is missing a diamond card, I think he should have the rest of the aces and kings.
I would expect something like A, Kx, AQJ10xx, AKQx, and still that's a sketchy force to game. With less, (say no queen of clubs), game is going to be pretty tough unless partner can respond or you hit a lucky DK in dummy. However, if the opponents' bidding is to be believed, you might not get good breaks and I'd give partner a chance to bail with a 4NT invitation. If this would be taken as ace-asking, I guess I take a shot at 6NT. I would guess that my 2C followed by 3 of a minor shows more than Ben's, or that my hand evaluation with the misfit is optimistic (or bad ), or both.

This case is made even stronger if you have some other strong bids in your system to show hands just below game forcing strength. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of the requirements for some of these like Acol 2-bids or some other funny 2D openings that show strong hands, but I am aware of their existence and if you play one of them, then your partner must be serious about that game force (to 5D no less!) so I would take a shot at a slam even if I had an invitational bid available.

[Flame]

The first thing i would do is ask the opponents about thier doubles, it can help you in evaluation you hand.
The second thing to know , is what your partner 3nt is, what is the diffent between this and passing,and maybe whats redouble here.
After all the questions, if i have to choose its definetly not a slam vs 23 hcp hand with diamonds.
If your partner can be a bit stronger u can consider maybe a natural inv 4nt.

[Cascade]

paulhar, on Jul 21 2004, 11:54 AM, said:

I presume the double of 2C shows clubs, so both doubles reduce your chances for slam.

You are probably right but IMO this is an inefficient treatment.

If I want to show clubs I can bid 3♣. Yes I know there are hands where you will be willing to double to show clubs but not willing to put your neck out at 3♣. Nevertheless I believe that it is much better to show something other than clubs with double. I use all of these sorts of doubles to show both majors.

[luke warm]

4nt if quant, i think 12 trick are there (but i'd rather partner decide - and play it )

[the hog]

I would pass this now. Also I admit I don't like the 2S response, as I would expect a better suit. Presumably you are playing that 2S shows 3+ controls, well pd has heard my bidding as well and has made a min bid. Also the D s/t does not thrill me.

[whereagles]

Matchpoints?? I pass

[Fluffy]

I really hate to pass, but I have my minimum, and partner didn´t want to try any further.

Still it depends on partnerships, as Wayne says, partner may think after a positive you won´t pass that quick to 3NT, and at least will make a small try, well... we will know were we lie the next tiem this auction happens.....

[luis]

Pass.... Doesn't look like the right hand to force.
The doubles are like passes to me, my pass is not based on the doubles but on pd's bids and my holdings.

[Free]

pass, missfit situation, weak 4-card ♣

[Cascade]

If you pass 3NT does that mean for you that partner has to do something else with a better hand.

2♣ 2♠
3♦ 3♥
4NT

Would this be stronger than 3NT or would it be RKC for hearts?

[paulhar]

On this hand a RKCB for hearts hand would have redoubled 3Hx.

[Trpltrbl]

Pass.
Don't really care for 2♠ response.
I play pass as forcing in this situation and XX as negative, less then a K.
Now my pd can XX with balanced hand and leave decision to me. Have made a few 2♣ XX with some overtricks, and I like them 100 % people wanna give me.

Mike