[Cascade]

I found this auction in a Master Solver's Club in a bridge magazine.

I am not so much interested in what to do with the hand in question as what the auction to this point has shown. Therefore I will just post the auction for now and maybe later I will give you the hand still to act.

Teams NS Vul

(1♣) DBL (PASS) 1♦
(2♣) DBL (PASS) 2♦
(PASS) ?

This is the point in problem where south has to act.

At this point how many diamonds has partner (north) shown?

[jdonn]

He has shown 4(3) (by which I mean shows 4 but 3 is possible on rare difficult hands), in other words no more than he showed with his first response. What else is he supposed to do with xxx xxx xxx xxxx, pass? 2♥?

[JLOL]

jdonn, on Jul 8 2010, 07:57 PM, said:

What else is he supposed to do with xxx xxx xxx xxxx, pass?

Yes?

[jdonn]

Ok you win maybe (3) is ruled out! Btw is the handle jlall280 taken on bbo?

[Cascade]

Here is the problem hand:

Scoring: IMP

1♣ Dbl PASS 1♦
2♣ Dbl PASS 2♦
PASS ?

---

What would you bid now?

Would you seriously consider passing?

Would you have acted differently in the earlier auction?

[dake50]

T/O dbl, then 2nd dbl to alert partner "this may still be our hand.
Penalties? M-game?"
He said NO WAY! with 2D.
I quit.

[JLOGIC]

Cascade, on Jul 11 2010, 08:58 PM, said:

Here is the problem hand:

Scoring: IMP

1♣ Dbl PASS 1♦
2♣ Dbl PASS 2♦
PASS ?

---

What would you bid now?

Would you seriously consider passing?

Would you have acted differently in the earlier auction?

Obv to pass 2C with this hand. This problem is not a shocking one to have. w/r makes it super easy.

[Cascade]

Its Red on White

[JLOGIC]

Cascade, on Jul 11 2010, 10:33 PM, said:

Its Red on White

Ah, sorry I'm retarded.

Red/white I'll gamble the second double hoping partner can make an encouraging move and we can make 3N on power (though if his hand is KQJxx and out then...LOL).

I would pass 2D, I wouldn't worry about him having 4 diamonds as he'd have to be 3343 and that would be really unlucky with RHO having 6 clubs. I think 2D might play alright because partner can overruff clubs and hook a heart, hopefully scoring 2 hearts 2 spades 1 club 1 diamond and a couple of ruffs. Even if his hand is like J9xxx and out he's probably a fav to make.

I'm still not thrilled about this though, I would def pass 2C at any other colors

[jdonn]

I would have bid 2NT the second time. It's easy to see how that could work badly but at least my hand is actually on the heavy side in high cards, and it has the advantage of never reaching a 4-1 fit (ok, avoids the 5-1 too).

[JLOGIC]

jdonn, on Jul 12 2010, 12:29 AM, said:

I would have bid 2NT the second time. It's easier to see how that could work badly but at least my hand is actually on the heavy side in high cards, and it has the advantage of never reaching a 4-1 fit (ok, avoids the 5-1 too).

2D in the 5-1 seems infinitely better than 2N when partner is broke

[gnasher]

I'd bid 2NT the second time, because it describes my hand better.

Double says that I'm interested in a suit contract, and will make him think that diamond length is a good thing. It also doesn't describe as much high-card strength as this - I'd double 2♣ on a 4=4=3=2 16-count.

2NT says that I'm interested in notrumps, and will make him think that stray high cards are a good thing. It shows about this much high-card strength.

If I double, will he bid more than 2♦ with Qxx Kxx xxxxx xx ?

[Cascade]

JLOGIC, on Jul 12 2010, 05:31 PM, said:

jdonn, on Jul 12 2010, 12:29 AM, said:

I would have bid 2NT the second time. It's easier to see how that could work badly but at least my hand is actually on the heavy side in high cards, and it has the advantage of never reaching a 4-1 fit (ok, avoids the 5-1 too).

2D in the 5-1 seems infinitely better than 2N when partner is broke

for small values of infinity

[Cascade]

JLOGIC, on Jul 12 2010, 03:37 PM, said:

Cascade, on Jul 11 2010, 10:33 PM, said:

Its Red on White

Ah, sorry I'm retarded.

Red/white I'll gamble the second double hoping partner can make an encouraging move and we can make 3N on power (though if his hand is KQJxx and out then...LOL).

I would pass 2D, I wouldn't worry about him having 4 diamonds as he'd have to be 3343 and that would be really unlucky with RHO having 6 clubs. I think 2D might play alright because partner can overruff clubs and hook a heart, hopefully scoring 2 hearts 2 spades 1 club 1 diamond and a couple of ruffs. Even if his hand is like J9xxx and out he's probably a fav to make.

I'm still not thrilled about this though, I would def pass 2C at any other colors

This is interesting.

I thought pass might be reasonable but couldn't get much support for it. I was thinking of passing even at this vulnerability. I wonder if many would find a pass at the table.

I was also more inclined to bid 2NT than double a second time. I was more inclined to think that double a second time suggested some diamonds.

[jdonn]

JLOGIC, on Jul 12 2010, 12:31 AM, said:

jdonn, on Jul 12 2010, 12:29 AM, said:

I would have bid 2NT the second time. It's easier to see how that could work badly but at least my hand is actually on the heavy side in high cards, and it has the advantage of never reaching a 4-1 fit (ok, avoids the 5-1 too).

2D in the 5-1 seems infinitely better than 2N when partner is broke

If he has 0 or something, sure. If he has scattered 5 or 6 count then I don't think so, like QJx Jxx Qxxxx xx.

[gszeszycki]

X then 2n

Imps still have to press for game p can always "run" to 3d if it looks right but we cannot ignore huge shot at game if p spade Q and heart J and dia Q say.