[eyhung]

On BBO yesterday, I was dealt a fairly familiar-looking nightmare hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

RHO deals and opens 1♣. What's your poison?

[hanp]

Classic Pass.

[inquiry]

1♦, wince. At MP would try 1NT

[Echognome]

No call other than pass springs to mind.

[Phil]

I'll pass this. I won't even try to defend 1♦ or 1N.

[xcurt]

If you pass you will be most likely forced into making a takeout double of spades. I'm not so keen on that when partner would be taking the tap with the high honors in our heart contract.

Also, passing and bidding later is going to maximize the chances we play the hand when it's a partscore hand, or their hand. If partner has a little something at least one game contract will have play, so I have to bid at some point. But if partner has junk I want to defend and maybe defend doubled.

Finally, this isn't that bad a dummy for spades.

I'll bid a warped 1NT.

[orlam]

xcurt, on Apr 2 2009, 11:53 PM, said:

Finally, this isn't that bad a dummy for spades.

It's quite bad, compared to its potential as a dummy for clubs diamonds or hearts, or as a defending hand against any strain...

[jdonn]

I would overcall 1NT at this vul, I don't want to be stolen from. Plus if you pass first you aren't going to be able to describe either your shape or strength anyway.

[xcurt]

orlam, on Apr 3 2009, 02:08 AM, said:

xcurt, on Apr 2 2009, 11:53 PM, said:

Finally, this isn't that bad a dummy for spades.

It's quite bad, compared to its potential as a dummy for clubs diamonds or hearts, or as a defending hand against any strain...

Of course. But at least if partner puts it in 2♠ or 4♠, we won't be just conceding a big loss. In fact, if partner wants to put it in 4♠ opposite this hand (say ♠KQT8xx and a stray jack) that's probably the best game. It's not like I have a bid that's going to let us have a scientific auction to a minor suit game or slam anyway. In fact, the best chance we have of recovering 6♦ is to let partner introduce the suit, then we know we're on a big fit and not a shaky 4-4 where we need to ruff clubs good in one hand and stop the spade suit with trumps in the other hand.

[whereagles]

I'll try 1♦. Pard's a bit broke, so he's not likely to go nuts over this

[kfay]

Held a hand like this at this vul a while back. Pass didn't work favorably.

I bid 1NT.

[mtvesuvius]

1NT, oh well.

[hanp]

1D is a joke.

1NT at least gets our shape across but I admit, I don't like to do it with a singleton in a major and 5 cards in their suit.

Quote

If you pass you will be most likely forced into making a takeout double of spades.

Painful!

[Phil]

I think worrying about partner with ♠KQTxxx getting shut out is a red herring. Certainly pard will find a call at some point with this suit.

I still pass and await making a TOx of spades.

[JLOL]

hanp, on Apr 2 2009, 10:29 PM, said:

Classic Pass.

Yep.

[eyhung]

Thanks for all the opinions. The actual hand result probably doesn't prove anything, but partner had :

---

If you PASS, two more passes will follow and you defend 1C, down 2 or 3 for +100/+150.

If you bid 1NT, all will pass and you will play 1NT, making 3 or 4 for +150/+180.

If you bid 1D, partner will raise to 2D and it's up to you to decide whether the partnership will reach 3NT for +630.

[xcurt]

Phil, on Apr 3 2009, 06:22 PM, said:

I think worrying about partner with ♠KQTxxx getting shut out is a red herring. Certainly pard will find a call at some point with this suit.

I still pass and await making a TOx of spades.

I wasn't worrying about him getting shut out. I was trying to demonstrate that the usual rationale for not bidding 1NT -- that if partner insists on playing in our major suit singleton -- is not really a consideration with this hand -- because the tricks are all quick.

3NT on the actual hand is not that great, by the way, though I guess it has the merit of making.

[mike777]

eyhung, on Apr 2 2009, 07:24 PM, said:

On BBO yesterday, I was dealt a fairly familiar-looking nightmare hand:

Scoring: IMP

---

RHO deals and opens 1♣. What's your poison?

pass, hate it...now I will read the posts.

[mike777]

eyhung, on Apr 3 2009, 06:41 PM, said:

Thanks for all the opinions.  The actual hand result probably doesn't prove anything, but partner had :

Dealer: ????? Vul: ???? Scoring: Unknown

♠ Kxxx ♥ xxx ♦ KJxx ♣ xx

If you PASS, two more passes will follow and you defend 1C, down 2 or 3 for +100/+150.

If you bid 1NT, all will pass and you will play 1NT, making 3 or 4 for +150/+180.

If you bid 1D, partner will raise to 2D and it's up to you to decide whether the partnership will reach 3NT for +630.

pard does not balance with this hand?

Just what does 1s show here in balance seat?

[JLOL]

mike777, on Apr 3 2009, 11:52 PM, said:

eyhung, on Apr 3 2009, 06:41 PM, said:

Thanks for all the opinions.  The actual hand result probably doesn't prove anything, but partner had :

<!-- ONEHAND begin --><table border='1'> <tr> <td> <table> <tr> <td> Dealer: </td> <td> ????? </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Vul: </td> <td> ???? </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Scoring: </td> <td> Unknown </td> </tr> </table> </td> <td> <table> <tr> <th> <span class='spades'> ♠ </span> </th> <td> Kxxx </td> </tr> <tr> <th> <span class='hearts'> ♥ </span> </th> <td> xxx </td> </tr> <tr> <th> <span class='diamonds'> ♦ </span> </th> <td> KJxx </td> </tr> <tr> <th> <span class='clubs'> ♣ </span> </th> <td> xx </td> </tr> </table> </td> <td>  </td> </tr> </table><!-- ONEHAND end -->

If you PASS, two more passes will follow and you defend 1C, down 2 or 3 for +100/+150.

If you bid 1NT, all will pass and you will play 1NT, making 3 or 4 for +150/+180.

If you bid 1D, partner will raise to 2D and it's up to you to decide whether the partnership will reach 3NT for +630.

pard does not balance with this hand?

Just what does 1s show here in balance seat?

LOL