[655321]

I would assume double is takeout, and bid 4♦ planning to pass partner's next bid.

[hotShot]

If partner had ♠, he could have said 3♠ (1NT should have limited his hand). So I would expect partner to have a semibalanced shape with short ♠ (1444, 24(34), 15(43) or 1435). He should be sort of maximum for his 1NT bid.
I guess at the table I would conclude that he has to have a ♦ stopper and bid 3NT.

[andy_h]

Hmm a bit hard. I expect partner be something like 2425 or 2524 or maybe he can be a bit offshape like 2533 etc with ♦xxx. I expect our likely making contracts are 4C or 4M with 5C needing partner to have quite a few good cards. 2416 may also be a possibility so I think I will bid 4♦ and get him to place the final contract. Hopefully he'll bid 4H with ♠Kx ♥AT98x and 4S with ♠KJ ♥Axxxx or something along those lines.

[rhm]

Partner is showing a maximum not a diamond stack. But with a maximum and a reasonable diamond holding he might have ventured 3NT.
I would pass and take the money. I doubt that there is game for our side even though the values are present and you probably have a reasonable club fit.
I would expect partner not to double with 5 hearts or 3 spades or 6 clubs, so his double should show at least 2 diamonds.
There is a slight risk that they will make 3Dx but it is only slight.

[Sambolino]

i'd take x as cards and relatively balanced distribution and pass

[helene_t]

Pass with most partners but I suppose I must bid 4♣ or 4♦ with a young expert p. I would bid 4♣.

[mike777]

Jlall, on Jun 20 2008, 03:01 AM, said:

AQ9xx KJ xx KQxx. R/W imps. You deal.

1S p 1N(semi) 3D
p p X p
?

You are playing with a modern (young) expert, no agreement about X.

Very tough problem.

I cuebid 4d

yes i follow old rules.....many say silly rules......x or cuebid with tough bidding hands.

[helene_t]

mike777, on Jun 20 2008, 10:44 AM, said:

yes i follow old rules.....many say silly rules......x or cuebid with tough bidding hands.

If you are aiming at good scores in the MSC it is certainly a good rule

[gnasher]

I'd guess that the double is takeout, typically 2425 or an offensive 2434. It's not sensible to play it as including more defensive hands as well - if he has a balanced 11-count with a diamond stop, he has to either pass or bid 3NT.

I bid 4♣. Although I have a nice hand, I don't think I'm worth any more than that: xx AQxx xx AJxxx is about as strong as he can be, and 5♣ is poor opposite that.

[Apollo81]

I'd bid 3♠ which leaves 3NT open in case partner's double was penalty, 2nd choice 4♣

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would say penalty / optional, and I would Pass.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

rhm, on Jun 20 2008, 04:12 AM, said:

Partner is showing a maximum not a diamond stack. But with a maximum and a reasonable diamond holding he might have ventured 3NT.
<snip>

while I agree with pass, I doubt that partner will ever bid
3NT by himself, he made a nonforcing response to my opening
bid, and I never promised more.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[mikeh]

For me, close between pass and 4♣. I am not bidding 3♠, to cater to 3N. How on earth does 3♠ suggest 3N by a responder who didn't bid 3N last time? 3♠ sounds like, and is, a 6+ suit not able to rebid 3♠ last time.

4♦ is a pseudo expert bid, designed to make partner responsible for the last mistake. Make the hand 5=3=1=4, and 4♦ is perfect. (edited to get to the appropriate number of cards.. see helene's comment.. at least it shows someone read my post )

I choose 4♣... I doubt that we will miss a good game...note that xx Axxx xx AJxxx opposite is NOT a good game on the auction.

I don't expect to get rich by defending and the chance of it making is enough to make me pull.

[helene_t]

mikeh, on Jun 20 2008, 03:47 PM, said:

Make the hand 5=3=2=4, and 4♦ is perfect.

[pclayton]

Pard is prototypically 2=4=3=4 or 2S2D(54).

We will probably beat 3♦ on power, but I don't want to take a chance. 4♣ looks fine.