[Cascade]

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Matchpoints
All Vul

Would you Pass?

I did and was a little surprised by how many others passed.

If you Pass west passes and partner doubles, east passes ...

what now?

I am especially interested if you are going to bid some number of diamonds rather than cue-bid spades

[l milne]

pass, 2♠. Not too close.

[nige1]

Cascade, on 2010-December-05, 19:53, said:

Matchpoints
All Vul
Would you Pass?
I did and was a little surprised by how many others passed.

If you Pass west passes and partner doubles, east passes ...
what now?
I am especially interested if you are going to bid some number of diamonds rather than cue-bid spades

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IMO ...

• Immediately over 1♠, _P = 10, 2♦ = 8, 2N = 4.
• After partner protects with a double, 2♦ = 10, 2♠ = 9, 3♦ = 6, 1N = 3, _P = 2. We seem to outgun opponents so 2♦ is not particularly dynamic but this auction seems strange. In particular, where are all the ♥? Probably that is where partner has most of his strength.

[straube]

Agree with Nigel. P and then 2D. Could well be a misfit hand and my values will work on defense.

[l milne]

Opposite 3 diamonds, I don't think our chances of making 3NT are that bad, and opposite 4 card support, 5♦ seems like it would have some chances.

I understand the fears but we still have a good hand and don't have to assume the worst hands for partner.

[Cascade]

l milne, on 2010-December-06, 01:40, said:

Opposite 3 diamonds, I don't think our chances of making 3NT are that bad, and opposite 4 card support, 5♦ seems like it would have some chances.

I understand the fears but we still have a good hand and don't have to assume the worst hands for partner.

3NT seems like it will need a lot to me.

Fitting diamonds and heart stopper and either enough fitting diamonds for them to run or a second spade stopper. And even all of that might not be enough 1 spade 5 diamonds and 2 clubs - assuming partner's heart stopper is slow.

[dake50]

This is a reasonable deviation for a VUL Unu2NT. I try that.
That at least warns partner heart honors are not fitting.

[gnasher]

I'm amazed that anyone would bid only 2♦. Is partner supposed to bid again with x QJxx Axxx Qxxx?

I'd bid 2♠, then raise partner's minor to the four level. That's obviously not forcing - there is no hand where I can pass over 1♠ and then make a slam try opposite a passed hand.

[Cascade]

gnasher, on 2010-December-06, 03:20, said:

I'm amazed that anyone would bid only 2♦. Is partner supposed to bid again with x QJxx Axxx Qxxx?

I'd bid 2♠, then raise partner's minor to the four level. That's obviously not forcing - there is no hand where I can pass over 1♠ and then make a slam try opposite a passed hand.

I am worried that partner might bid hearts in preference to a minor. Is not a cue-bid more likely to be checking for a 4=4 heart fit.

Would you treat 3♦ and/or 4♦ as invitational?

[han]

Pass and 2S seem obvious. 2D is masterminding, 3D is a serious underbid and 4D is too unilateral.

[the hog]

Pass and 2S. Lol at the 2D bid after the pass. You would do this with a zero count.

[rhm]

the hog, on 2010-December-06, 04:06, said:

Pass and 2S. Lol at the 2D bid after the pass. You would do this with a zero count.

True, but you can play all your life and I bet you will never have a zero count after this sequence and an intelligent passed partner will know this. You are virtually marked with strength, though you could have somewhat less. The 2♠ bid is rather pointless and partner is likely to bid ♥ over 2♠.
If this hand is going anywhere, you will need a fit and the best way to find out is to bid your suits and give partner a chance to raise one of them.
However, opponents seem to have a ♥ fit and Pass followed by 2♦ invites LHO to bid 2♥ now. That's why I would have preferred to bid 2♦ immediately over 1♠. With the ♥ void, an immediate 2♦ overcall is much less dangerous than it looks

Rainer Herrmann

[Fluffy]

I think it is a game too far situation I'd bid 3♦

I'd like that hearts are not mentioned in the bidding at all.

[han]

rhm, I don't think that partner will bid hearts over 2S. He will only do that if he is exactly 3-4-3-3 without a spade stopper, or if he has 5+ hearts. The latter is unlikely. With a balanced hand and a spade stopper partner should bid 2NT. With two 4-card suits, partner should bid the lower to give us room.

[OleBerg]

dake50, on 2010-December-06, 03:21, said:

The essence of expert is the discipline of agreements.

dake50, on 2010-December-06, 03:14, said:

This is a reasonable deviation for a VUL Unu2NT. I try that.

[han]

The title is "to bid or not to bid"... Are we supposed to consider passing?

[gwnn]

yes, on the first round, I think. I'm the only one here who seems to have considered 2♦ the first round but I wouldn't do it either.

[rhm]

gwnn, on 2010-December-06, 06:49, said:

yes, on the first round, I think. I'm the only one here who seems to have considered 2♦ the first round but I wouldn't do it either.

I would not only consider it, I would do it.

Rainer Herrmann

[OleBerg]

2♦ the first time, or else you'll never get your shape AND strength across.

I don't fear partner will run amok in hearts. Our hand is better as "support" for hearts than

♠ Qxx
♥ x
♦KQJxxx
♣ Axx

which I consider an obvious overcall.

Should I somehow pass on the first round, I try 2♠, it will take all the kings horses and all the kings men, to keep me out of game.

Pre-lol at "A 2-level overcall must show a 6-card suit."

[Cascade]

han, on 2010-December-06, 06:36, said:

The title is "to bid or not to bid"... Are we supposed to consider passing?

Yes as Csaba said on the first round.