[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

you hold

♠Q3
♥5
♦AK963
♣KQ1085

you are playing IMPs and are in 4th position, all red.

(Pass) - 1H - (1S) - X (1)
(3S) - Pass - (Pass) - ??? (2)

(1) your options are to bid 2C, a transfer to diamonds
showing 5+ and at least (+)7-..., the plan being to follow
up with clubs later, or would you go with a neg. X?
The main problem with the neg. X, the neg. X may contain
a bal. 10-12 count without a fit

(2) Having choosen the neg. X, what now, ... and if you would
not be there, i.e. you have bid 2C, what would you do in this
case?

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: Feel free to assume, that the neg. X may not contain a bal.
10-12 count.

[cherdano]

(2) seems easy, at that point I double again, what else can I do? Are you worried about partner passing, when you have a singleton in partner's suit and Qx in their suit?

I would have shown diamonds in the first round, hoping to bid clubs at the 3-level next round. As it is, I would double again.

[mikeh]

Unless I was playing NFB (which would require either a gun pointed at my head or a large amount of cash coming my way), I far prefer 2♣ to double, but this may have worked out okay.

Had I bid 2♣, I would now be bidding 4♣ to show a decent 5-5.. this hand is no longer as good as it appeared when I picked it up but I must have an 8 card minor fit somewhere, or partner has 7 hearts.. I don't expect 3=6=2=2 on this auction.

As it is, I double again. I am probably going to be ok with any decision partner makes.. I will raise 4 minor to game, pass 4♥ or 3N, and lead a heart should he pass (although there is something to be said for leading the systemic high diamond. I wouldn't bother with a trump... our trump will be 2=2 unless rho has made a bad overcall on a 4 card suit red, in which case we rate to do just fine anyway.

[jdonn]

I don't understand the negative double. It's hard to even think of a good way for the auction to go for me after that, short of partner bidding notrump. 5-5 bid your s00ts.

[gnasher]

I'd definitely have started with a transfer. Doubling twice sounds like a more balanced hand.

Having transferred, I'd bid 4♣. I'm not worried about partner's leaving in a double, but I am worried about his bidding 4♥. If he bids 4♥ over a double, I won't know whether to pass or convert to 5♣, whereas if he bids it over 4♣ I can pass fairly happily.