[han]

Hand 2: K10xxx x K10xxx Jx.

1C - (1H) - 1S* - (2H)
p - (p) - ??

* = shows 5.

red against white, matchpoints.

[hrothgar]

 han, on 2011-May-31, 11:36, said:

Hand 2: K10xxx x K10xxx Jx.

1C - (1H) - 1S* - (2H)
p - (p) - ??

* = shows 5.

red against white, matchpoints.

Double edges out 2NT and 2♠

[Phil]

Double

Best problem of the set and I flip-flopped on this several times. Partner does not have three spades, and its quite likely our opponents have only eight hearts (leaving partner with 4), since LHO has multiple ways to raise hearts with four and they should be jamming us w/r, and RHO will probably compete anyway over my balance with 6.

While its doubtful we have an eight card fit here, 15 tricks looks likely, however, here I have the luxury of playing 2♠ when there are 15 trump, and 3♣ or 3♦ (partner should scramble with 1435 I think) when there are 16 TT, which are both positive to us, although a penalty double probably would be bad. A great result would be to find a 0445 across, but this pattern generally opens 1♦. We also might reap 300 from 2♥ if partner is unexpectedly strong and sits.

Do I have any reason to doubt the total tricks here? If anything, there seems to be negative adjustments with my secondary values, and the adverse trump split in hearts. So it would not surprise me if double was wrong, but its a bidder's game.

[mike777]

pass

tempted to bid good/bad 2nt then 3d but not sure that is part of the system.

[Echognome]

Double - I do not play that a support double from partner is mandatory in this situation and I would like to compete. I can also get out in 3♣ or 3♦ as partner is likely to have a 2=3=3=5 hand. I would pass at IMPs, but like the gamble at MPs. I certainly need an understanding partner.

[whereagles]

Dbl seems perfect here: doesn't raise the level and I sure can play in any suit (even hearts if pard passes ).

hmmm.. wonder if I sent han 3♦ previously

[Fluffy]

pass

I smell a misfit and I am red at MPs. I better give up now I still can. Acting options are too comital (double and 3♦) with litle recovery if wrong. So I just pass.

------

To Gnome: 1♠ showed 5

[Free]

Pass. I'm not interested in -200 in a MP game.

[han]

Hand 2: K10xxx x K10xxx Jx.

1C - (1H) - 1S* - (2H)
p - (p) - ??

* = shows 5.

Paul: Pass
MFA: Double
Ben: Double
awm: Double
Josh: Double
Fred: 2S
Nigel_k: Double
Andy:Double
Vincent: Double
Gonzalo: Pass
Frances: Double
Roger: Pass
Justin: Pass
Hanoi: Pass

The panel consists of passers and doublers, with Fred the only 2S bidder. Several panelists mention that 3D is non-forcing, but nobody bids it.

Nobody is eager to defend 2H undoubled, but most like the prospects of defending 2H even less. The main question seems to be how often partner will pass our double when he has 4 hearts. If partner will pass aggressively, then probably we shouldn't double with this, while if partner passes only with very defensive hands, double may be a good idea.

Several panelists comment on this issue:

Paul: Pass. Partner will expect a lot more if I double and he is certainly passing.

Michael: Double. I hope I'm not playing with a gambler who passes a lot.

Josh: A double is generally stronger than this and more balanced, if partner passes it expecting me to have a different type of hand that looks bad.

Frances: Partner shouldn't pass this without a great hand for defence. , he knows we are just trying to compete. With a 1=4=3=5 with poor hearts partner will bid 2NT, choice of minor and we can play in diamonds.

Justin is worried that partner will pass if he doubles. He wants his partner to pass frequently with 4 reasonable hearts.

The passers are not a happy bunch:

Hanoi: This looks like an uneasy pass. I don't want them to play at the 2 level but do I want to defend a doubled contract at the 2 level (if my partner passes my negative double) or us playing in a 5-2 fit at the 2 or 3 level?

Roger: Pass. I don't like to sell out with a stiff, but going for -200 is just too likely.

The doublers are worried that partner will pass:

Adam: Double. It pays to balance pretty aggressively at MP scoring, but 3♦ is a better hand. Certainly we might be in trouble if partner converts, but she knows it's MP scoring too.

Andy: Double. I'm a bit light in high cards, so if he leaves it in I'll be slightly nervous. However, this is the only way to keep all three suits in the picture, so it's worth the risk. If partner is 1435 I hope he'll bid 2NT, scrambling.

Nigel: Double. Maybe it is a style issue but I wouldn’t consider any other action here. I don’t want to defend 2H undoubled and am not ashamed of my hand if partner passes, though I’d prefer he didn’t. If double is not for takeout then unfortunately I have to abstain as my judgment just isn’t tuned to playing that way.

Everybody on the panel plays double as takeout. And now, for something completely different:

Fred: 2S - Gambling that partner has a balanced hand (presumably with a doubleton spade) or that the opponents will save me. Selling out to 2H undoubled is not my idea of how to win at matchpoints and I refuse to DBL with the combination of so little in high cards and less than ideal distribution. I have had bottoms before and it would not surprise me to get one here.

Scores:

Double = 100 (8)
Pass = 80 (5)
2S = 40 (1)
3D = 20 (0)
2NT = 10

[gwnn]

Yes I was feeling like I was alone in the desert with my 2♠ bid, nobody even mentioned it!

[Phil]

Again, good problem. WD Han.

[quiddity]

No one plays 2NT as takeout here?

[gnasher]

 quiddity, on 2011-June-03, 02:46, said:

No one plays 2NT as takeout here?

Yes, I do, but it's matchpoints and we will often belong in 2♠.

[y66]

Good problem.

[kayin801]

This is a great problem, I'll just echo that much as what others have said.

Are there other people who feel strongly one way or the other as to what 2NT is here? (gnasher and quiddity think its scrambling, I guess, and so do I.) Aren't we only screwed then when partner is 2425 and we make that call, otherwise we find an 8 card fit. (And I guess we leave partner guessing with 1435 as to what to bid)

Maybe if I make a really slow double partner will be less likely to pass

[mfa1010]

2NT is natural for me.

[benlessard]

My response was X at MP, and pass at IMPs since too afraid partner leave it in.