[Fluffy]

---

The 1NT behind somehow scared both of us and we missed the game, I think we were all vulnerable, but don't remember for sure.

[paulg]

I think West's 2♠ is a little timid. If partner's double of 1NT does not have any spade honours then it will be stronger so I think you have to do something else.

What you do is not so clear. 3♣ has some attraction especially if this shows a hand that was unsuitable for Michaels. Another option is 2♣ which is probably best if it is not passed. Even 3♠ and 4[spades[ would have support in a bidding poll.

I plump for 3♣.

In my world East has a clear pass over 2[spades]

[gnasher]

I think West is too easily scared.

[nigel_k]

100% West.

It's kind of an unusual auction but I think pulling the double is a very weak action, e.g. Q10xxxx x xx Kxxx would be typical if that is not a WJO for you. Even a better hand might not make more than eight tricks in spades. It's possible that a stronger action with West would find a very unsuitable dummy but you have to risk it. I would bid 3♠ probably because spades will very often be better than clubs and 3♣ does not necessarily indicate 6-5, let alone 7-5. 2♣ is too likely to be passed.

[gnasher]

Could West pull to 2♥, as a delayed Michaels cue-bid?

[gwnn]

As usual I will do something crazy with my 7-5 and overcall 4♠ first round.

[ArtK78]

West has to do more with his 7-5 hand than bid just 2♠.

There is no perfect call, but 3♣ makes more sense than 2♠. Just shooting out 4♠ is better than 2♠, but partner could be 1-5 in the blacks and you could miss a SLAM. And you don't need partner to have 5 clubs for slam to be very good, if not cold. Just give partner:

x
KJxx
Axxx
AJxx

Slam will be easy if spades are 3-2 and clubs are 3-1 or 2-2.

[mtvesuvius]

I'd have bid 4♠ the first round as well.

West still needs to bid more than 2♠, I like the delayed Michaels suggestion, but I doubt partner would figure that one out. I'd bid 3♠ over the double.

[cherdano]

gnasher, on 2011-March-04, 05:44, said:

Could West pull to 2♥, as a delayed Michaels cue-bid?

Logically, 2♥ shows a distributional hand with game interest, but I don't see partner working out that it shows a 5-card minor. Still, it should get the job done.

[Fluffy]

Obviously it shouldn't show anything close to this, but the failure to bid 2♠ the round before, what does it suggest?

[gnasher]

Fluffy, on 2011-March-04, 15:03, said:

Obviously it shouldn't show anything close to this, but the failure to bid 2♠ the round before, what does it suggest?

Just a six-card suit and a hand too strong for 2♠ on the previous round. KQ10xxx x Kxx Kxx, for example.

[JLOGIC]

Hate the idea of 2S showing a hand too strong to overcall 2S the round before. There are a lot of reasons one might not overcall 2S the round before.

West lost his mind here. 7-5! What is the point of overcalling 1S if you won't show clubs next anyways?

Easts bidding was 100 % standard.

[gnasher]

JLOGIC, on 2011-March-04, 17:44, said:

Hate the idea of 2S showing a hand too strong to overcall 2S the round before. There are a lot of reasons one might not overcall 2S the round before.

What are the other possible reasons, given that West had now bid 2♠?