[Phil]

R/w

Ax JT9xxx x xxxx. Pard opens 1♠, 1N you, 2♦ on left 2♥ by partner. RHO bids 3♦.

You might not agree but I didn't want to stampede my opponents into a (making?) sac so I went a little slow with 3♥. Pard bids 4 but RHO (very aggro) bids 5♦ anyway.

You?

1♠ - (p) - 1N - (2♦);
2♥ - (3♦) - 3♥ - (p);
4♥ - (5♦) -?

[cherdano]

I would pass (forcing).

[whereagles]

I got quite a bit of unexpected offense and not much in terms of defense, so 5H for me.

[Phil]

cherdano, on 2011-December-11, 09:06, said:

I would pass (forcing).

Looked in my bidding box and couldn't find a forcing pass card is it a different shade of green? Seriously I wouldn't expect partner to read this as forcing, and im not sure even my regulars would.

Speaking of green cards LOL @ me in the second session. The gentlemen on your right is wearing a really obnoxious blazer that is the color of a new pool table felt. He slaps a stop card on the table but since you cant stand to look in his direction, your peripheral vision just sees 'green' and a card on the tables so you think he passes and you open 1N out of turn with Axxx AKQx Txx Kx. LHO doesn't accept so RHO opens 3♣. You can choose 3N and pard is barred for one round (not particularly helpful) or barred for the duration if you do anything else. Your call?

[phil_20686]

This looks like a 5H bid to me.

[aguahombre]

Phil, on 2011-December-11, 05:11, said:

You might not agree but I didn't want to stampede my opponents into a (making?) sac so I went a little slow with 3♥. Pard bids 4 but RHO (very aggro) bids 5♦ anyway.

You?

Yep, when I slowroll, I end up in situations like this, where I have to make a decision totally incongruous with my previous bids.

Partner would be the one charged with making the last mistake, if I had jumped to 4H. And the 5D bidder or his partner would possibly have a problem as well. Once I decided to be cute, whatever I do now will be a unilateral crapshoot. Looks like you and your RHO should be partners. He did the same thing with a simple raise then a unilateral 5D.

[mich-b]

Phil, on 2011-December-11, 11:17, said:

Looked in my bidding box and couldn't find a forcing pass card is it a different shade of green? Seriously I wouldn't expect partner to read this as forcing, and im not sure even my regulars would.

Pass here is (or "should be") forcing , because the same opponent who previously bid 3♦, went to 5♦ when we bid game. In such situations it is sensible assumption that they are saving, so our Pass should be forcing.

[sathyab]

cherdano, on 2011-December-11, 09:06, said:

I would pass (forcing).

What's the purpose of passing here ? Even if partner passes the test, understands that the pass is forcing and doubles, are you ever going to sit for it with so much offense and virtually no defense ? And wouldn't pass and pull show a better hand than bidding 5♥ directly ?

[TWO4BRIDGE]

5♥ ( for the reasons already stated ) ..... ( eventhough the 5-level belongs to Nigel ).

[Hanoi5]

5♥. 3NT on the other question (or 4♥, or 4♠); not passing though.

[Phil]

aguahombre, on 2011-December-11, 23:19, said:

Yep, when I slowroll, I end up in situations like this, where I have to make a decision totally incongruous with my previous bids.

Partner would be the one charged with making the last mistake, if I had jumped to 4H. And the 5D bidder or his partner would possibly have a problem as well. Once I decided to be cute, whatever I do now will be a unilateral crapshoot. Looks like you and your RHO should be partners. He did the same thing with a simple raise then a unilateral 5D.

When you pick up a hand like this, especially at MPs, your goal should be "please let me play 4♥, pleeaasse". Whats the best way to accomplish this? It's going to be close to a 20/20 deck so the defenders will have some defense, however that defense is pretty worthless in partners presumed club shortness. I could pass but the auction will die there. 4♥ looks 'obvious' but do you really think partner can make an intelligent decision over 5♦? Why couldn't we have 1-2 hearts less and compensating HCP? No, I'm convinced 3♥ is the correct tactical call here.

Anyway, I stabbed 5♥ and partner had a semi-max and it rolled. Frankly I was sort of hoping RHO tried 6♦....

[sathyab]

Phil, on 2011-December-12, 10:52, said:

When you pick up a hand like this, especially at MPs, your goal should be "please let me play 4♥, pleeaasse". Whats the best way to accomplish this? It's going to be close to a 20/20 deck so the defenders will have some defense, however that defense is pretty worthless in partners presumed club shortness. I could pass but the auction will die there. 4♥ looks 'obvious' but do you really think partner can make an intelligent decision over 5♦? Why couldn't we have 1-2 hearts less and compensating HCP? No, I'm convinced 3♥ is the correct tactical call here.

Anyway, I stabbed 5♥ and partner had a semi-max and it rolled. Frankly I was sort of hoping RHO tried 6♦....

I agree partner will have a tough time making an intelligent decision over 5♦, no way can he play you this kind of hand when you have 'only' bid 3♥ earlier. But a more serious problem may be that he may never have an opportunity to decide over 5♦ at all, as the bidding can quite easily die in 3♥. Even aggressive MP players would not rush to the 4-level as readily as they would to get to the 3-level.