[relpar]

After 2 passes your RHO opens with 1♣. Here is your hand ♠97542, ♥AKT8765, ♦-, ♣9. Vulnerable against non-vulnerable this is how the bidding proceeds: P - P - 1♣ - 2♣, 2♦ - 2♥ - 2♠(natural) - ??? Two questions. 1. What is your next bid? 2. Whatever you bid, say, LHO bid 5♣ and partner passes do you bid again?

[Cyberyeti]

I might bid 5♥ first time and put them to the test, partner didn't have to bid over 2♦ but has chosen to do so, he also only bid 2♥. Second time he hasn't doubled 5♣. You may well be beating 5♣ on a diamond lead, but probably won't get one. My problem with this is that in reality I may have no defence to 6♣.

5♥ is unlikely to make (but it's far from impossible) although I think it's most likely -1 against a making game.

[mycroft]

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Questions:

• Your next call?
• If possible, LHO bids 5♣, passed to you. What now?

[FelicityR]

With both West and North passing, I wouldn't have entertained a 2♣ Michael's cue bid on the first round with 7(strong)/5(weak) shape. I would have just have bid 4♥ as South. That doesn't answer your questions but may have avoided a tricky decision later.

Answering your questions. On the auction given I'll just bid 4♥; I can always bid 5♥ later, and that's what I would do if they then bid 5♣ after 4♥. It sounds that we are sacrificing, and it sounds they are hesitant to enquire about a slam, so hopefully we get doubled in 5♥ for a good score, even red/white.