Posted 2011-April-30, 13:34
I would have bid 7♦ a round earlier - I seem to have rather more than I might have had for 4♦. However, passing 6♦ has worked well, because we now have more information.
Partner's double doesn't just discourage 7♦, it also discourages 6♠. He should be able to pass with something like ♠Kx, suggesting that we try 6♠.
Since he didn't do that, I think he has something like Jx x Q10xxx AQxxx, or a similar hand with a singleton spade, and we're getting 800-1100 from 6♥. 7♦ making will be worth about twice that, so it seems good odds to bid 7♦. In any case, they may take insurance in 7♥.
... that would still not be conclusive proof, before someone wants to explain that to me as well as if I was a 5 year-old. - gwnn