[gnasher]

If partner had a 10-count and five spades he'd have bid 2♠, not double. Hence we're probably in a 4-3 fit, somebody has doubled, and I have to play it. I can see some reasons for unhappiness, but I have nowhere to go.

Partner should realise that 2♠ is often bid on a three-card suit, so he should usually avoid bidding 4♠ with only four of them - he can also bid 3NT or 3♥ to explore alternatives. This 4♠ bid implies, therefore, that he doesn't think we have any alternative strain.

[JLOGIC]

Id run

[paulg]

gnasher, on 2011-November-17, 02:27, said:

Partner should realise that 2♠ is often bid on a three-card suit ...

It's surprising how many people forget this in the heat of battle. They need to enter bidding challenges or read these forums more.

[phil_20686]

mikeh, on 2011-November-15, 13:22, said:

And 3♦, logically, has to show extra values.....it forces partner to raise the level in order to return to clubs, so meets every definition of a reverse. While over a 1♠ overcall, bidding 2♦ in response to the negative double shows, imo, 'some extras', in this auction, in which we are bidding at the 3-level and partner has to take preference, when preference is needed, at the 4 level, 3♦ should show, again imo, 'substantial extras'.

Not if you open one club with, say 3-4-4-2.

Agree that 3d must show extras if it necessarily shows longer clubs.

[jdeegan]

2♠ the first time for reasons well-explained in this thread. After 4♠-double, I too want to run, but how? Expecting pard to treat 4NT as being for minors is too obscure for me, and he is unlikely to have a double ♥ stop. 5♣ seems the least of evils. Does RHO look like a player holding five spades and four clubs? Good players usually won't double 4 spades unless they are prepared to double any run out. 5♦ puts all our chances in pard having four or five. If I had another king, I might pass and try to brute it out.

[jdeegan]

delete

[mikeh]

jdeegan, on 2011-November-25, 13:47, said:

2♠ the first time for reasons well-explained in this thread. After 4♠-double, I too want to run, but how? Expecting pard to treat 4NT as being for minors is too obscure for me, and he is unlikely to have a double ♥ stop. 5♣ seems the least of evils. Does RHO look like a player holding five spades and four clubs? 5♦ puts all our chances in pard having four or five. If I had another king, I might pass and try to brute it out.

I don't think any competent player would misunderstand 4N. In fact, if my partner did it, I'd give 10-1 odds that he has exactly this shape and approximately these values.

That's not saying I'd run....I have no reason for thinking that 5 of a minor will be better..

[Fluffy]

most tables made 10 tricks in NT, while spade contracts were doomed to 9 tricks. Partner had something like ♠KQ10x ♥QJ9x ♦Kx ♣Kxx (not fully sure about the minors)