[Zelandakh]

bid_em_up, on Oct 8 2010, 02:37 PM, said:

2♣ offers our best suit, and the suit we want led, but likely loses both the heart and spade suits.

Why would we lose the spade suit? Surely if partner has a decent hand and 5 spades they will bid them. And even if partner cannot bid we are well placed to double diamonds next time round if they have not barraged us out - and if they have then none of the other options will likely have fared any better. Both double and 2C involve treating the heart suit as Hxxx in effect - losing a 5-3 heart fit is not a big deal imho, and we should not miss a 5-4 fit on good hands. (you might guess from this that I voted for the unpopular choice from the main 3 options of 2C).

I think this is a good problem and all of these 3 options have pros and cons and would likely have adherrents - I think it comes more down to style than any one being the best.

[bid_em_up]

fwiw,

I used to play againt Mike Lawrence on another (now defunct) bridge site. A partner of mine on that site local club had hired him to come and teach classes a couple of times and he would frequently join us for some casual games. I took the liberty of sending him the hand in question. My email to him and his response follows:

Hi Mike, I am bid_em_up from Bridge Base Online and I was (user id) on (now defunct bridge site) and a regular partner of (user ID) there. There is currently a discussion on BridgeBase forums regarding the following hand:

Both Vul
Imp Scoring
East deals and opens 1D, and you hold

AKx 9xxxx void KQJxx

I'd like your input on what you would bid here, at both IMP's and MP. The reason I'd like your input is that several people are referring to your book on overcalls (with regards to bad suit overcalls) and are advocating that its ok to bid 1H here. My opinion on what I have read in your book is that its ok to do it, but from what I can tell, it is only intended if no better choice is available.

I wanted to see if you would be willing to share your thoughts on double, one heart, two clubs, 2N (unusual) or any other choice of calls, which call you would choose, and whether or not the form of scoring (IMP vs. MP) would make a difference in your choice of calls.

Also, if you choose to answer this, do I have your permission to share your response with others on the forums?

Thanks in advance,

bid_em_up from BBO

[bid_em_up]

Here is his response:

Hi xxxx,

Feel free to use my comments.

The problem with this hand is that you actually are close to having three suits.

My choice, and I am not prepared to go to war over this, is to bid 2NT. At least I get two suits in. In the back of my mind is the thought that I might double something later to show this hand but in fact, bidding 2NT and later doubling merely shows a strong hand but still only 5-5 or better. No promise of three spades in implied.

Really, all choices are flawed so you can waste a lot of time debating.

Here are my specific objections to each possible call.

Pass Not possible.

1♥ Possible with this suit but not with this hand. There is a fair chance that your LHO will find a way to bid notrump and you do not like a heart lead. Also, if you bid a heart and Lho raises to 3♦, for example, you won't be sure about bidding 4♣ now. You might double 3♦ but it has flaws of its own.

2♣ Out of the question for me. You give up on hearts. This hand is good enough that you can hope for something your way. Bidding 2♣ is a tactical bid that you might make with an assortment of other hands, none of them looking like this one.

The form of scoring is not important. You have hopes so should try to find the best way to get to the best spot.

One thing about 2NT. You need methods for responder to show good hands, invitational hands, etc. I have nothing to offer on this but obviously, knowing what partner will do is important.

Let me know if my answers help.

Mike Lawrence

[Fluffy]

wow, mike didn't even consider double I mean, he considered 2♣ but not double?

[bid_em_up]

Fluffy, on Oct 11 2010, 01:24 PM, said:

wow, mike didn't even consider double I mean, he considered 2♣ but not double?

I suspect he just overlooked it. I sent the email during the middle of the vugraph yesterday. I've sent him another email inquiring whether this was deliberate and if so, why.