[han]

xx
x
KJxxx
AKxxx

1D - (1S) - p - p
??

None vul, decent opponents, matchpoints.

[mikeh]

2♣: sorry if you had them nailed, partner...even if you did, they may be running to hearts anyway. Would be a tiny bit more inclined to double if my minors were reversed, since I will almost surely be getting a diamond lead if he converts...but would still bid 2♣.

There are two things that can happen if we double: partner passes (and probably leads a diamond) or partner bids.

If he passes, my hand may be a defensive disappointment (tho I like the xx in spades) and/or they may successfully run to 2♥ and then we have to make a decision about how far we are forced (if at all) and how to compete without overstating our values.

If he runs....well, if he runs to 1N, I suspect our 2♣ is safe enough, and if he runs to a minor, we're delighted. But if he runs to 2♥ (say he has some weak 4=5=2=2, not quite enough to negative double), we're screwed.

I'd take that risk if the upside of double seemed greater than it does, to me. Meanwhile, 2♣, boring tho it is, has the significant advantage of being a fair description of our hand. We make the bid and leave the subsequent driving to partner.

I doubt that anyone would consider the 3rd option: passing 1♠, but for those who do, I suggest you find a gentler game than bridge. Having said that, if the opps play split range Michaels or if LHO is a strong 6=4/5=4, pass might be the only winning call.

[gnasher]

Pass. If partner has a penalty double, they will probably have a safe heart contract, so the main upside of any action is that we might make 3NT. If we don't have game on, +150 against 1♠ should be OK.

If partner doesn't have a penalty double, LHO is probably itching to get another go. I dread to think how many hearts they can make.

If partner has xxxx Axx AQx Qxx, maybe he should have bid differently.

[Phil]

Pass. They have a great heart fit they are about to find if we make a peep. I also doubt we are about to defend 1Sx. If we have 3N, then sorry pard.

[mikeh]

gnasher, on 2010-November-26, 14:07, said:

Pass. If partner has a penalty double, they will probably have a safe heart contract, so the main upside of any action is that we might make 3NT. If we don't have game on, +150 against 1♠ should be OK.

If partner doesn't have a penalty double, LHO is probably itching to get another go. I dread to think how many hearts they can make.

If partner has xxxx Axx AQx Qxx, maybe he should have bid differently.

how about xxxx Axx Ax Qxxx?

But I take your point and think that I was overly assertive (not for the first time) in my view that passing was wrong.

[allspice]

I would pass. My pd, with 6 to 9 HPC would: a) double with no support for my diamonds, no stopper in spades, bid 1NT with spade stopper.
If my pd had over 10 HCP he would say something. So pd doesn't have good cards. We are not going to make a game. Partial for them against partial for us can't be a great difference ... and I don't want to risk opps making a game!

[kayin801]

Righty probably has 2 or less spades since he would probably raise with 3, and partner couldn't make a negative X to show hearts and couldn't raise diamonds, so I'm inclined to let them play in the wrong major suit fit. I echo mikeh's last paragraph about split range michaels.

The downside is when partner can compete in clubs I'd love to show the clubs, and his spade values are working. I almost wish I could show this hand with 3♣ to increase the chances of keeping the opponents out of the auction (but I don't feel 3♣ really shows this)

[han]

I made up this hand after a discussion with gwnn about when it would be right to pass with this shape. I added double to the poll to hide my intentions. Thanks for the responses.

[Free]

han, on 2010-November-29, 04:45, said:

I made up this hand after a discussion with gwnn about when it would be right to pass with this shape. I added double to the poll to hide my intentions. Thanks for the responses.

So, did you get to any conclusion? 11 votes vs 12...

[helene_t]

Pass. Opps have a heart fit. We probably have a club fit. Most likely they have the majority of the points. Defending 1♠ is likely to score better than letting both sides find their fit.

[Siegmund]

Interesting hand indeed. Actually holding these cards I would have bid 2C without a second's thought... but the case for passing is quite strong if you do take time to think about it. (I wouldn't go quite so far as to say passing is obviously right -- I can see us making a whole lot of clubs if they can make a whole lot of hearts.)

[hatchett]

Agree with Gnasher's reasons for passing.