[P_Marlowe]

Hand 1)
- Double, since there is no real alternative.
- No, pass.
Partner could be stretching. I dont mind losing 500, on
a 50% slam, maybe the actual slam is a little bit better,
but I dont care, but I mind losing 600, when the other
table is only in game

Hand2)
- 3H

With kind regards
Marlowe

[ochinko]

I prefer separate threads for separate hands. Answers in a single thread are longer, less thorough, and often only half interesting.

It is understandable that people don't want to create many new topics, but I believe it would be more convenient for the readers. Make them Hand 1/4, 2/4, etc.

Petko

[FrancesHinden]

Chamaco, on Apr 16 2005, 05:18 AM, said:

Hand 1:

Scoring: IMP

---

E......S......W......N
2H...Dbl....4H.....4S
all pass

2H was a natural weak 2.

1) Do you agree with the first t/o double ?
2) Should south make a move towards slam ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

1. I suppose so.
2. No.

The fact you've asked the question implies 12 tricks made. But slam isn't huge. All the bidding going on implies things may not break very well, and they don't have to lead a heart at trick 1. To make slam, you need:

a) spades 3-2
clubs and diamonds not 5-1 (the hand with the likely singleton and non-trump ace is on lead)
c) a twelfth trick from somewhere. Though I admit once a) and are specified, if opener has 6 hearts you know must have one of the minors breaking. But could the 2H bidder have, say?

10x
K109xx
xx
J109x

now try 6S on a club lead...

[awm]

It seems like double is nearly unanimous as a first bid on hand one. What is partner supposed to bid over 4♥ with:

Axxx
xx
Qxxx
Kxx

Some sort of responsive double? If everyone really plays responsive doubles this high I suppose I can accept that, although I personally think a LOT is lost by not having the option to penalize 4♥ here.

But if in fact partner would bid 4♠, doesn't this put you in something of a bind? 5♦ is obviously excellent, but I honestly don't like my chances at 4♠ in the 4-2 fit...