[Phil]

Been playing in some invited AM team games lately. I've been surprised by the level of the play, although sometimes you can get some subs that are out to lunch. I've been fortunate to have had some decent partners.

A few decisions from this the last go-around:

w/r

Qxx AQJx QJ9xx x

1♣ - x - xx - 1♦
1♠ - 2♦ - 4♠ - x
pass - ?
______________________

all red

Q9xx Axxx xx xxx

pass - pass - 1♦ - pass
1♥ - pass - 2♣ - pass
2♦ - pass - pass - 2♠
pass - pass - 3♦ - pass
pass - 3♠ - pass - pass
?

[JLOL]

I would pass both quickly.

[hanp]

1. No reason to overrule. Pass and lead a spade, I expect partner to have strong clubs.

2. Pass? Seems obvious.

[xcurt]

On the 2nd hand, since we probably were not making 3♦, the odds on doubling 3♠ are poor. If teammates are -110, doubling has a payoff vector of -7/+3/+6. If teammates are +100, doubling has a payoff vector of -11/+2/+5.

There's also the fact that I don't really have a nice surprise for declarer. Even if my 4th trump plays, having our long trumps in a hand with no deep winners limits it's power.

I'd pass the first hand in a shot too. I was not going to save before partner doubled 4♠, I certainly don't see why I should now.

[whereagles]

1. Smells like a double fit deal. But pass.

2. pass wtp?

[se12sam]

1. Partner expects us to beat it and I have nothing to suggest otherwise. I Pass

2. This one is not so clear-cut.
    Unless dummy has something like ♠AJ10 or ♠KJ10, I am certain of making at least 1 spade trick + ♥A. Can partner produce 3 more tricks in defence?
    The opponents will most likely hold all of ♠AKJ. So, of the 26 remaining HCP, partner has at least 12 (probably more for his 3♦ bid).
    I'm itching to double here. But at IMPs, the risk in doubling is high unless I am confident of -1 and hopeful for -2. As -2 does not look likely (and I'm not 100% confident of -1 either), I reluctantly pass.

[MarkDean]

I cannot imagine doing anything but passing in either one of these auctions.

[Apollo81]

Agree with pass on both.

What do people think the standard meaning of 3♦ is on the 1st board at the point where the hand bid 2♦? If it is preemptive in nature rather than strong then I'd have bid that since w/r

[Phil]

I passed on both.

On the 1st I was nervous playing with a new partner and hoping he wasn't playing me for much for the raise. We have a very lucky beat. LHO was something like Jxxx xx A KJTxxx. Pard was xx xxx KTxx Axxx. 5D is -1.

I felt this was one of those random auctions that I am itching to double. Its -2 all day long and declarer mistimed and we got it -3.

[hanp]

The first hand your partner will remember hopefully.