[gerry]

---

mps.
1♣ is 4+, pard is unlikely to be 55.

[billw55]

At matchpoints I will try 3♥. Defending 2♠ when they have a fit is usually a bad score anyway. Doubling this may be difficult, if they do so and beat it then well done. Most likely they will bid 3♠.

[rmnka447]

I'm passing. 3 ♥ down 1 doubled may be worse.

Partner will have another bite at the cherry if holding a very distributional red hand. If not, I think LOTT applies. We can't guarantee any more than 7 trumps our way and 8 trumps their way for 15 total tricks. If they're making 2 ♠, then we're probably looking at 3 ♥ off 2.

If 2 ♠ making is below average c'est la vie.

[cherdano]

billw55, on 2015-November-24, 15:36, said:

At matchpoints I will try 3♥.

I wouldn't consider 3♥ ever, but at matchpoints all vulnerable it seems particularly wrong. Both red matchpoints = want to defend. Why do you think they won't find a double if trumps break 4-2? Meanwhile, we have a lot of defense against 2♠.

The only bid I'd consider is 2NT, and maybe it's right at IMPs. At MPs I'd certainly pass.

[wank]

4c. we have a great hand. we don't need much at all to make game. oh i see 1c is 4+.

obv that makes it a little more tricky. still, i don't want to defend 2s when it's often a 9 card fit. double then i suppose. hopefully we can still scramble into clubs.

[KurtGodel]

I will try double. Pass is not allowed.

[MRTRUB44]

Points from bidding - W 13+, N 10, E 13+, S 7+ Total 43+
Most likely, at least some are bidding on distribution. I would pass, and let P bid his suit if he has one strong enough. 2 Spades may make, and clubs or hearts are likely to go down badly if the trumps split badly enough..

[wank]

MRTRUB44, on 2015-November-25, 01:31, said:

Points from bidding - W 10+, N 10, E 0+, S 10+ Total 30+

FYP. you will often make game here. partner can easily have a 14 or 15 count.

[kenrexford]

This is a situation that might be helped with Runtwich, where partner can bid 1NT inztead of X if he has a three suit takeout with short spades.

[WesleyC]

Tricky problem. Given we could easily not have a fit, prospects aren't great. On the other hand, there's a decent chance this auction won't be duplicated at other tables and defending 2S is unlikely to win many matchpoints, especially if the opponents have promised an 8c fit.

So rather than take a huge position right away I'll start with a responsive double and postpone my problem for another round.

[jodepp]

Interesting hand.

If partner is 2=4=4=3 you win by bidding 3C (especially if it implies values - some play 2NT as artificial here). Double could work but is probably responsive, so that's out. 3♥ has some appeal and I might try it if partner was the forgiving sort, but 3♥ has a big strike against it - if everyone at the table is serious, partner's heart length will be tapped early (pard's hand will be ruffing spades before mine).

I'll go with 3♣, hoping partner fields it as natural.

[Caitlynne]

With a 10 count including TWO aces, you simply cannot pass, so the question is what to bid.

Are the opponents playing support redoubles? That is highly relevant.

If you can rely on 2S showing 4 card support, I will bid 3C. Since partner cannot be 5-5 in the red suits, partner must have at least 2 card club support and may have 3. I am ready to whack 3S if they compete.

If the opponents might raise to 2S on 3 card spade support, the inference that partner cannot be short in clubs no longer is valid. So I make a card showing double. I don't know what to do and this is the most flexible call.

[mcphee]

It seems to me the only reasonable action is dble and 2N with dble a bid that may well only delay terror if pard bids 3D. However the upside to me is if they bid 3H which i think should be a 5 suit.

Those who suggest bidding 3C, be sure to take a cab home.

[Tramticket]

I'm bidding 1NT. We have the balance of points and I like my club stop. I can hold up the ace of spades twice and neutralise East (who probably doesn't have much in the way of entries).

[Zelandakh]

billw55, on 2015-November-24, 15:36, said:

At matchpoints I will try 3♥. Defending 2♠ when they have a fit is usually a bad score anyway. Doubling this may be difficult, if they do so and beat it then well done. Most likely they will bid 3♠.

If we are bidding it seems clear to try 3♣. Give partner a typical 2=4=4=3 hand to see why this makes sense. Be sure to have taxi fare with you just in case... Pass and double are obviously alternatives with double being the action I would expect most often, particularly given that 1♣ is real.

Tramticket, on 2015-November-26, 09:38, said:

I'm bidding 1NT. We have the balance of points and I like my club stop. I can hold up the ace of spades twice and neutralise East (who probably doesn't have much in the way of entries).

Unfortunately the opps might not be friendly enough to accept this. Did you mean 2NT or misread the auction?

[WesleyC]

Do people really play 3C in this sequence as natural?

Seems like a really handy agreement to invent after you're dealt a hand where you want to play in exactly 3C...

[wank]

WesleyC, on 2015-November-26, 11:15, said:

Do people really play 3C in this sequence as natural?

Seems like a really handy agreement to invent after you're dealt a hand where you want to play in exactly 3C...

it would be bizarre to play it as anything but natural. normally they've not even shown many clubs. there's only any issue because it's 4+.