[kgr]

1C-(1S)-??
You play 2D is forcing.

---

I don't remember the exact hand or how this auction continued, but bidding started like this and I had 5 card D and 9 HCP.
I did bid 2D, but it didn't feel right.

[jkdood]

There are no wonderful choices with this hand for the auction you had.

Most experts would chose 2C. But it is flawed and far from perfect.

Other "flawed" choices that might receive votes or support:
Negative double (lacks 4 hearts)
Pass (may never catch up)
1NT (no spade stopper)
2D (100% forcing and too weak and no good rebids)

I recommend 2C, but you can always pass if you fear a final bad contract of a 3-3 fit or something. But more likely pard may have Jxx Kxx Kx AQxxx and this will alllow him to bid 3C over the expected raise to 2S. 3C is a nice spot.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I dont like 2D as well, I think it is either pass
or a neg. double, I would go with a neg. double.

9HCP is not the issue, but the points are poor, the
suit quality is poor and we talk about a minor.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Edmunte1]

Double seems just fine

[mcphee]

Double sure appeals to me. While no perfect it looks like the least of evils.

I can not imagine anyone raising C with 3 when it is quite possible partner has 3. Is it not a David Burn rule to try never to play in a suit where the opponents have more trumps than you?

[jtfanclub]

IMPs I would pass.

If partner doesn't reopen, we don't have game. I'm not going to double when my partner's next bid is likely to be 3♠ followed by 4♥ if i don't bid 3NT. Not only do I not want to play in the Moysian, I don't want to declare!

Yes, some people have an agreement where X here doesn't show 4♥ or game-forcing strength. Bully for them. Wish I had that agreement about now.

Even in MPs, I'd be tempted to pass. Partner knows that it's MPs. He's not going to want it to die out at the 1 level either. Ya know, it would be interesting to play this pass as forcing at MPs (are you EVER going to want to let it die here). But I suppose that's a topic for another thread.

[skjaeran]

I'd never bid 2♣, might get us to a 3-3 fit (or even 3-2 in my methods).
2♦ is ugly.
I prefer a negative double.
The only other alternative I'd consider is 1NT - I'd pick that over 2m.

[inquiry]

double... the "rule" that negative doubles must have 4 cards in the unbid major is too stringent. With a doubleton spade (ruffing values) and three hearts, double is just fine with this hand. You are willing to play in hearts, diamonds or clubs, depending on your partners bid.

[benlessard]

WTP X, X is good deal better than pass and everything else is bad.

[jdonn]

Most people I know would double. I have always passed and still believe it is the best answer, it works fine. If you never get a chance to bid that can often be a good thing.

The bid I hate most is 2♣. Not so much fear of a 3-3, but often when I'm opener I like to push on to the 3 level with four trumps when my minor is raised since I "know" they will bid 3 of their suit over it. The 4-3 fit in a minor on the 3 level works badly.

[han]

I hate double.

I double, pass second choice.

[kgr]

han, on Aug 3 2008, 09:26 PM, said:

I hate double.

I double, pass second choice.

I like this the most.
I did bid 2♦ (probably because I hated DBL and didn't think about 2♦ )

[SoTired]

In an expert panel from several years ago, this hand and similar auction came up. Steve Robinson recommended a Neg Dbl because the hand is short in opp's suit and must take action.

[jkdood]

A decade or so ago i sent in this hand to the Bridge World panel:
1C by partner, 1S by rho, you hold;

xxxx x KJTxx Axx

FWIW, The nbr. 1 choice of the panel was 2C.

sure this hand differs some, but seemed reasonably similar as well.

[han]

With the hand jkdood gave pass is a lot more reasonable than with the OP's hand. I also think the hand is more likely to play well in clubs.

[benlessard]

Quote

sure this hand differs some, but seemed reasonably similar as well.

Similar ??? For me they are quite different. In 1 case if partner respond in the unbid M(likely) you are still ok in the other case (favorite that partner will respond in the other M) you are stuck. To compare these hands is pretty pointless. In the 2nd hand if i make a neg double it will be because i wanted to psych.