[diana_eva]

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2d = multi
3♥ = strong hand with better ♠ support

NS pair were regulars, EW randoms. W a star, East was me. We had no agreements for multi defense

1. Was my pass over 2d OK?

• I was not sure how pd would take a double,
• I pretty much knew their major suit was hearts so didn't feel like bidding NT,
• wasn't sure what my pd would make out of 3d.

I guess I should have just bid 3d, but at the table I was in doubt so i passed.

2. Over 3h, was x acceptable? Or 4d/pass would be better with this hand?

3. Finally, over 4sx should I pull to 5d ?

Thank you.

[phil_20686]

East should bid 3d over 2d. After that it is not clear how the auction will go. South will probably pass, and west will make some move towards 3N, depending on yoru agreements, he might just have to lump 3N.

[Codo]

1. I had bid my best suit,on the same time taking some space away from them. NT is out, so is double (showing a take out against spade for me). My second choice had been pass.
2. X over 3 Heart as take out is just asking for trouble. South showed a strong hand with good spades. So I would not like to play in 3 or 4 Spade nor in 4 or 5 clubs. That leaves a clear pass for me.
3. Abstain, the double was really bad. But I guess I had left it in. Maybe partner has 5 Spades and no diamonds...
4. You did not aske, but: To bid 4 ♠ after this bidding looks bad. South announced a good hand for spades and partner could not act over 2 ♦. More then 50 % of my points are in their suit. I think 3 NT or even pass must be much better.

[gszes]

even w/o specific agreements sometimes an auction is so informative
that you will have a strong clue how to proceed when given the chance.

Did you realize that the 3h bid was an invite to game in spades? The only way this
bidding makes much sense is when there is a much smaller heart fit (say honor x)
than spades. Your lho appears to have decent offensive potential to invite game
opposite a weak 2 spade bid as well as fairly long spades. Your p rates to have
4 hearts here under declarer and lho has decent values to make a game try and they
are behind you. All of the information seems to suggest pass as best since there is
zero tactical advantage for lho to lie about having a big spade fit.


This is still a great example of how ANY agreement over artificial bids is better
than none because both partners are operating mostly in the blind when no
agreements are present. As an aside, I have found that X of an artificial bid to
show that suit (when no other agreements are present) is still one of the strongest
defenses around saving a "raise" of the artificial bid as a preempt. This one agreement
helps to show the difference btn say xx xx KQJTxxx xx (3d) and Axx x AQJxxx Kxx (x).

[jmcw]

I much prefer an immediate 3♦...good suit decent values.

Given your original pass I wouldn't touch 3♥ with a 10 foot pole....you've been warned, a strong hand is behind you.

[Fluffy]

passing first is wrong as many have noted, but if my system forced me to pass 2♦ with this hand I am pretty sure I would double 3♥ later.

partner should pass 3♥X, and its not close, the only alternative is to bid 3NT to get more points due to vulnerability, but that is greedy assuming this is a weaker take out double than acting before (we lack values)

Pulling 4♠X is nonense, you made your move and you hope that you have a nice 5-3 fit ruffing hearts in the short hand. You only promised 3 spades with you double and that's what you got.