[Flem72]

West deals, N-S vul

North:

x
JTxxx
AKx
QTxx

South:

AKJT9x
void
QTxx
AJx

it starts:

P-P-P-1S
2H-P-P-?

I know there are a gazillion possibilities from here, but you gotta start at the beginning. I trust that permutations will manifest.

Regards and Happy Trails,

Scott Needham
Boulder, Colorado, USA

[rhm]

I would not reopen with a double on the South hand. I would simply rebid 2♠.

North will probably bid 2NT and South will now have a difficult choice.

Rainer Herrmann

[phil_20686]

I think a dble is ok. You have quite a lot of defense to make up for having a void. Is this hand worse defensively than KQxxx x KQxx Kxx which everyone would reopend with a dble?

It just feels so likely that partner has a pen pass and that 2Hx is your best spot. Although I suppose you are vul vs not. Tough one. I mean, you dont need a lot to make 4S. OTOH if partner has those cards plus a KJ9x hearts then it feels like 500 is pretty likely anyway. And there is no guarantee you are reaching 4S opposite perfect cards as partner will be sure to consider his hearts wasted opposite a likely void if you do not dble.

[Phil]

I'd double. Partner isn't always trapping when I have a void, and I'd like to get the nature of my hand across.

[aguahombre]

Phil, on 2011-August-12, 10:29, said:

I'd double. Partner isn't always trapping when I have a void, and I'd like to get the nature of my hand across.

Maybe. But I sympathize with those who might think the 6th spade, the interior strength of the spade suit, the void in hearts, and the vulnerability are too many things which don't get the nature of this hand across via double. Wish North's hand had not been posted this early.

[xxhong]

Perhaps something like:
1S 2H p p
2S p 2N p
3H(transfer to 3S, either sign off or game choices) 3S
3N(showing strong S suit and 3NT is an option) now either pass or 4S are close for north I guess.

Flem72, on 2011-August-11, 17:49, said:

West deals, N-S vul

North:

x
JTxxx
AKx
QTxx

South:

AKJT9x
void
QTxx
AJx

it starts:

P-P-P-1S
2H-P-P-?

I know there are a gazillion possibilities from here, but you gotta start at the beginning. I trust that permutations will manifest.

Regards and Happy Trails,

Scott Needham
Boulder, Colorado, USA

[gnasher]

2♠ seems an understatement with the South hand. We'd bid that with AKJ10xx - Qxxx xxx. I think a reasonable auction is:

1♠ 2♥ pass pass
3♠ pass 4♦ pass
4♥ pass 4♠ pass
pass pass

though either player might have taken stronger action on the last round.

[JLOGIC]

Yeah I would reopen 3S, good problem though.

[Cyberyeti]

Don't have this problem, opened 1♥ with the N hand, but would simply bid 2♠ and the auction would probably proceed 2N-3N.

[aguahombre]

Cyberyeti, on 2011-August-12, 12:24, said:

Don't have this problem, opened 1♥ with the N hand.

I have no problem opening some 10's with 1M, but not this one, unless maybe within a strong club context.

[Cyberyeti]

aguahombre, on 2011-August-12, 13:35, said:

I have no problem opening some 10's with 1M, but not this one, unless maybe within a strong club context.

To me with the 2 10s in the long suits, a J10 and an AK, and no wastage in the singleton, this is 11 not 10. We tend to open pretty much rule of 19 in an Acol context unless there's a reason not to, so this comfortably qualifies.

[Echognome]

I'm curious what people think about North bidding 2NT rather than passing 2♥? South should have a reasonably sound opener in 4th? Given the vulnerability should we try for the penalty or to get to our best game?

[vianu2]

I don't understand 3SP , S opened in 4th. Should not open bad -weak hands.
But then someone opens (4th) "1"sp with AKJ10xx - Qxxx xxx ...matter of style.
But S should not force his partner with 3Sp (partner passed 2 times btw....)

I don't understand why N passed the second time too.
He meant to penalize 2h? being vulnerable?
So if partner has enough to reopen with X, he will be comfortable on 2h X?
Did he pass just to play 2h not double, in case partner opened weak 4th?
LOL
Nevertheless , someone did a right thing here : decided to open 1H Congrat
Edit: two right things at that moment (see the previous post))))

[aguahombre]

Echognome, on 2011-August-12, 18:05, said:

I'm curious what people think about North bidding 2NT rather than passing 2♥? South should have a reasonably sound opener in 4th? Given the vulnerability should we try for the penalty or to get to our best game?

I know you asked what "people" think, but I will try, anyway. I don't think 2NT sucks, unless it means something else. But apparently North was planning to sit for a reopening double with his pass, and this doesn't suck either. I really don't like anything with the North hand, but the penalty pass seems ok

[the hog]

I would double with the Sth hand. Bidding 2S is very poor because it does not show the nature of the hand, and it suggests a 6th Spade. As Phil posted above, I would much rather get the nature of my hand across.

[aguahombre]

the hog, on 2011-August-12, 20:15, said:

I would double with the Sth hand. Bidding 2S is very poor because it does not show the nature of the hand, and it suggests a 6th Spade. As Phil posted above, I would much rather get the nature of my hand across.

And what hand were you looking at? It does have a sixth spade. But, you are right that 2S doesn't quite do it. 3S seems better.

[Cyberyeti]

aguahombre, on 2011-August-13, 00:02, said:

And what hand were you looking at? It does have a sixth spade. But, you are right that 2S doesn't quite do it. 3S seems better.

2♠ is plenty, opps haven't raised hearts, partner/overcaller haven't weak 2d, so very likely partner has 5, how many tricks do you think you can make opposite ♥AQxxx and out for example ?

The chance of making game is also reduced if you'd open this sort of N hand but not eliminated (I know ♦KJ and a black Q is enough).

Quote

I'm curious what people think about North bidding 2NT rather than passing 2♥? South should have a reasonably sound opener in 4th? Given the vulnerability should we try for the penalty or to get to our best game?

Would be a spade raise for me.

[jdeegan]

You can't reopen with a double with a void in ♥. 2 or 3 ♠ is correct depending on the feel of the table - by that I mean the opponents' demeanor. Reading your partner is cheating.

[gnasher]

vianu2, on 2011-August-12, 18:30, said:

I don't understand 3SP , S opened in 4th. Should not open bad -weak hands.
But then someone opens (4th) "1"sp with AKJ10xx - Qxxx xxx ...matter of style.

I hadn't noticed that we were in fourth. You're right that 2♠ shows a better hand than I suggested, Still, I don't think it shows all this.

Quote

But S should not force his partner with 3Sp

3♠ isn't forcing.

[the hog]

aguahombre, on 2011-August-13, 00:02, said:

And what hand were you looking at? It does have a sixth spade. But, you are right that 2S doesn't quite do it. 3S seems better.

I meant "though it suggests a 6th S". My bad English!