mikeh, on 2014-February-03, 20:18, said:
Maybe just for a change, you should consider whether the fact that some pretty good players opt for pass is a hint that maybe pass is not an 'appalling call'. Note: I am not suggesting that the given result is a reason for you changing your opinion...no one hand ever really proves anything, but when some real life experts express a view contrary to yours, maybe that should mean something.
Agreed with this. I'm not saying pass is a slam dunk--i.e., that bidding is an appalling call. It's not--it's fairly close. But to call a pass an appalling call is... well, kind of appalling.
In my view this hand falls into the majority of hands that appear in this forum--namely, there may be one view that wins consensus, but not by a mile, and there are other opinions that have plenty of merit.
I see the merits of bidding something, I just personally think 1
♣ doubled has a very good chance of being the best spot for our side.