[ArcLight]

North opens 1 Spade.

---

As East, what do you bid?

Please use standard overcalls, not ultra modern non-natutal ones.

From Hugh Kelseys "How to Improve Your Bridge", p 82

[Echognome]

Do I wait for North to make a call?

Since this is an overcall problem, I assume North opens 1♦.

Then I make an offshape NT call. Again, all the strains I want for game are in the picture.

[pbleighton]

Double.

1NT is close.

Peter

[hrothgar]

1NT once again

[Echognome]

I will stick with 1NT over 1♠. I'm actually a bit happier now as I am more likely to have 5 diamond tricks.

[luis]

1NT

[mikeh]

Why is 2♦ not one of the poll options? Looks like a 2♦ bid to me

1 NT may work out, but I don't have to like it

[joker_gib]

mikeh, on Dec 2 2005, 04:27 PM, said:

Why is 2♦ not one of the poll options? Looks like a 2♦ bid to me

Same for me on a 1♠ opening as mentioned

[FrancesHinden]

Very close between 1NT and 2D. Scoring & vulnerability and who opponents are may have some relevance.

[ArcLight]

For 2♦ please vote for: Other.

I should have added the 2♦ as one of the options.

[Winstonm]

2D. Be nice to have a 6th diamond but this suit is fine. I don't see the reason for distorting my hand when I don't have to do so - if partner can keep the auction open I can bid NT later if that looks appealing.

Winston

[pclayton]

1N is OK; I'm not concerned about pard transferring to clubs, since it will be a 6-bagger or longer.

Pard will pass 2♦ on hands that look like a misfit where we are cold for 3N; Jxx, Qxxx, x, AJTxx.

[Al_U_Card]

I hate my S but pard will get to C if I do anything but bid 2D, and I do want the D lead should they end up in C (what a surprise!)

[inquiry]

Pass is too conservative. It this was matchpoints I would bid 1NT... partner is less likely to try to wiggle out of notrump and into clubs at matchpoints. At imps, I would over 2♦. My strong diamonds and overall stregth will keep off the penalty doubles I think even if thigs so terribly bad.

Since the type of game isn't given, I give both answers... pick the one based on the game being played.

[awm]

I can't really imagine passing; this is a very strong hand with a good biddable suit. Really the choice seems to be between 2♦ and 1NT.

While Phil is right that partner may pass 2♦ with some misfitty hands that make 3NT, partner can also pass 1NT with many hands like: x Axxx xxxxx xxx. A bunch of junk, but 5♦ is excellent. The range of hands where partner passes 2♦ and we have game seems rather narrow to me -- with a good 9 or 10 points partner will scrounge a call, as my 2-level overcalls are fairly sound. With less and a few small diamonds partner may raise, with 5♥ and an eight-count partner will probably bid. So while there are a few hands like Phil's construction, I don't think they're that common. It seems more likely to me that partner has a lousy shapely hand with a diamond fit, and can't find a call over 1NT (but we can make 5♦). Bidding 1NT also gives LHO the chance to bid 2♣ or 2♥ (natural and not forcing) making it easier for the opponents to compete the hand.

[Chamaco]

I voted for 2D.
Good suit, lead direction, a side singleton, all these make me lean towards an (admittedly a bit heavy) 2D overcall.

[bridge2k]

2♦ for me.

If I have a ♦ honor in replace of the low ♣, I may choose 1NT.

[hrothgar]

Jlall, on Dec 3 2005, 12:40 AM, said:

I don't understand not bidding 2D. Doesn't 1N show a balanced hand? Bidding 2D gets a lead in, enables us to compete for the partscore in diamonds, keeps game in diamonds, hearts, and NT open, and is a descriptive bid.

Comment 1: 1NT suggests, but doesn't promise a balanced hand

Comment 2: 1NT is highly descriptive bid. 1NT immediately clarfies playing strength and the prescence of a Spade stopper. It leave partner well positioned to drive towards 3NT (the most likely game). For a change we don't even have to worry about a stiff Heart...

[whereagles]

Obvious 2♦ bid. If something, I feel this might be a slight underbid.. lol.