[ArtK78]

In my area, we have a round-robin team tournament which leads to a KO final. The event is primarily social in nature, but the players in the top bracket (with a few exceptions) are national-class players.

After a very enjoyable dinner prepared by our hostess, we sat down to play two 12-board matches scored at IMPs converted to VPs. The first board of the match often sets the tone for the evening, and so it was with this one.

Scoring: IMP

(1♣) - P - (1♦) - X
(2♦) - 4♠ - (6♦) - ?

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The 6♦ bid was made after long thought.

1. Do you agree with the double on the first round?
2. What do you do over 6♦?

[Apollo81]

1. no, would bid 1♠
2. 6♠

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

#1 No I dont like the t/o, i would show a two suiter with 2NT.
#2 6S, who knows, may make

With kind regards
Marlowe

[skjaeran]

Apollo81, on Apr 18 2008, 04:52 PM, said:

1. no, would bid 1♠
2. 6♠

Agree with Noble.

[helene_t]

Agree with Marlowe (although I think 2NT emphasizes hearts so I should bid 2♣ to emphasize spades).

[Echognome]

helene_t, on Apr 19 2008, 12:35 PM, said:

Agree with Marlowe (although I think 2NT emphasizes hearts so I should bid 2♣ to emphasize spades).

For me 2♣ emphasizes clubs (and only clubs). Why do we need so many ways to show 2-suited hands in this auction? 2NT as 5-5 majors seems a pretty good start to me.

[jdonn]

I like 2NT, if partner bids 3♥ I'll continue with 3♠ and feel I have shown my hand, anything more is up to him.

[cherdano]

helene_t, on Apr 19 2008, 02:35 PM, said:

Agree with Marlowe (although I think 2NT emphasizes hearts so I should bid 2♣ to emphasize spades).

For me, 2♣ emphasizes...clubs...

[matmat]

Echognome, on Apr 19 2008, 04:29 PM, said:

For me 2♣ emphasizes clubs (and only clubs).  Why do we need so many ways to show 2-suited hands in this auction?  2NT as 5-5 majors seems a pretty good start to me.

cherdano, on Apr 19 2008, 07:31 PM, said:

For me, 2♣ emphasizes...clubs...

there's an echo in the house, but i thought it was matt, not arend...

[gwnn]

2NT, 6♠. bid one more, bid one more, it's imps, you'll regret it when more than 0 slams make

[mikeh]

Sounds like partner has 6+ spades and a yarborough. So we don't have a defensive spade trick and passing (or doubling) requires a layout that we surely can't count on.... either 2 heart tricks or partner having an unlikely minor suit winner.

I bid 6♠.. I'm not (usually) going more than 500 and that won't be a disaster. I may lose 11 imps but only if they defend and beat a slam in the other room.

BTW, I think on this hand I'd bid 1♠....with 2N as the second choice and double as the least favourite.

I'd be planning on bidding hearts at the 4-level if need be at my next turn.

The double worked out ok because partner was able to bid 4♠, but there will be lots of hands on which we belong in a major contract and he can't bid... now the auction will often work out less well after a double than after either of the alternatives.

[Fluffy]

What would you do with balanced 15-19 with 4-3 in th majors or so? people around here double, that makes double very awful towards description.

I agree with mike about the yarborough with 6 spades, we can't do anything else than bid on I guess.

[ArtK78]

I bid 6♠ over 6♦, which turned out to be wrong. Both of your major suit aces cash.

At the other table, there was not nearly as much bidding on the hand, and my side was allowed to play in 5♠ making.

6♠ is not the worst contract ever. It is on the heart finesse.

[ArtK78]

By the way, before anyone comments on the fact that I said that both major suit aces cash so 6♦ is down one, but that 6♠ by us was on the heart finesse, here is the full hand:

Scoring: IMPs

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[neilkaz]

mikeh, on Apr 20 2008, 04:48 PM, said:

Sounds like partner has 6+ spades and a yarborough. So we don't have a defensive spade trick and passing (or doubling) requires a layout that we surely can't count on.... either 2 heart tricks or partner having an unlikely minor suit winner.

I bid 6♠.. I'm not (usually) going more than 500 and that won't be a disaster. I may lose 11 imps but only if they defend and beat a slam in the other room.

BTW, I think on this hand I'd bid 1♠....with 2N as the second choice and double as the least favourite.

I'd be planning on bidding hearts at the 4-level if need be at my next turn.

The double worked out ok because partner was able to bid 4♠, but there will be lots of hands on which we belong in a major contract and he can't bid... now the auction will often work out less well after a double than after either of the alternatives.

I don't like bidding 6 over 6 but here I really have to agree with mike !

6♠ it is for me..and I'd start with 1♠ and plan on rebidding ♥ later.

[joker_gib]

Echognome, on Apr 19 2008, 10:29 PM, said:

helene_t, on Apr 19 2008, 12:35 PM, said:

Agree with Marlowe (although I think 2NT emphasizes hearts so I should bid 2♣ to emphasize spades).

For me 2♣ emphasizes clubs (and only clubs). Why do we need so many ways to show 2-suited hands in this auction? 2NT as 5-5 majors seems a pretty good start to me.

For me, 2♣ is 2-suiter (weaker than 2NT) because the ♣ bidder is behind me.

2♦ stays natural (same for 2M on 1M) cause I'm behind the bidder of ♦

[ArtK78]

Most players play that both 2♣ and 2♦ are natural on the auction (1♣) - P - (1♦), and that is the agreement that I have with my partner.

So bidding 2♣ is not an option.