[peachy]

1!D (2!C) is one of the most difficult auctions for opponents to handle. Therefore, 2C should be bid whenever it is remotely a possibility. Here, it is clear.

[peachy]

jillybean, on 2011-March-19, 09:06, said:

Like many, I bid 2♣

---

X-3 for -800

This was an automatic overcall for me however my partner has warned me of these hands before and says he would rather I overcall
1♠ here. Others say you need a 6th ♣ to make the 2♣ call.

Gerben, I shouldn't be asking but what is "Sabine's rule"?

You hit the one layout where you got burned. 9 out of 10 (my estimation from experience, on both sides of the auction) creates a problem for the opponents, so keep doing it. If you start guessing when to do it and when not to, you are left at the mercy of guesses. IMPs, a little more conservative.

[whereagles]

dbl post

[whereagles]

Fluffy, on 2011-March-24, 05:46, said:

Its an automatic pass at any form of scoring or vulnerability, you guys are really sick. 2♣ shows 6 card suit and we have 5, we would need a lot of extras to bid with just 5.

Please jilly, learn from this wonderful -800 instead of feeling in good company and repeating it.

huh....? ye neocon

[the hog]

whereagles, on 2011-March-25, 13:02, said:

huh....? ye neocon

Agree with Nuno. This is an automatic 2C. You are getting too old now Fluffy!

[quiddity]

I agree with Fluffy, this hand is a piece of garbage.

edit: .. but I might risk an overcall if not vulnerable.

[Free]

Fluffy has gone soft.

[JLOGIC]

I am definitely a passer with this type of hand. When I first started playing bridge the idea of overcalling this hand vulnerable at the 2 level would be laughable. Now the world is more aggressive with 2 level overcalls, but still being vulnerable with this hand it is very dangerous to overcall. It will often lead to -200 even if you don't get doubled (all pass sucks, and partner does not know your hand is terrible and might do something like raise you. I would not feel comfortable that I'm not about to go down 2 opposite a normal raise to 3C).

The other problem is, overcalling 2C might lead to you missing spades. I am perfectly happy with an auction like 1D p 1H p 2H X, or 1D p 1H p 2D X. Getting spades into play could be vital, and will be difficult after 2C because we are not going to feel comfortable bidding again obviously.

Yes there are some gains to overcalling 2C in that you make their life harder, and you get your side in and you might get partner off to a good lead, but I think the risks of going -200/getting doubled combined with the risk of missing spades makes it just too risky.

[JLOGIC]

As a side note, I think people are in general way too aggressive vulnerable at matchpoints in competitive situations with the wrong hand types. Going -200 is always going to be a disaster, and it won't be that infrequent when you have a hand like this IMO. That is why NV is so much better, you get the cushion of being able to overcompete and go down 2 for a great board if they don't double you.