[roninbc]

At matchpoints, nonvul vs. vul, you hold:
AQxxx K10 A10x QJx

Your partner passes in first seat.
RHO bids 3H.
Now what?
dbl? 3S? 3NT?

All of these bids seem to have real weaknesses.
Which one is best?
Why?

What was actually bid at the table turned out badly,
but that's not really relevant.
What's the best call, in this kind of situation?

[pescetom]

The best call is the one that partner understands
But failing that, in the circumstances I would prefer 3S or even (with the right moon) 4S.
With less favourable vulnerability, dbl.

[FelicityR]

The key here is that your partner has already passed. That means there is potentially less likelihood that you will have game your way, BUT, it isn't beyond the realms of probability that may have enough between you to make game. Therefore I am inclined to Double, but you are entirely right all bids have their weaknesses. The one bid I least like is 3NT.

[Tramticket]

roninbc, on 2018-July-18, 11:28, said:

Your partner passes in first seat.
RHO bids 3H.
Now what?
dbl? 3S? 3NT?

You don't even mention pass? Opposite a passed hand partner, this could easily be the winning action.

I would not bid 3NT. The stop isn't great and you probably don't have the points. 3S might work - paricularly if it pursuades opps to go on to 4H. Double might work - aiming for the magic +200 if partner passes.

I wouldn't pass at IMPs, but I probably would at MP pairs opposite a passed hand. Partner can always protect.

[ahydra]

I am really not good with these situations, but would bid 3S.

ahydra

[neilkaz]

3♠ for me as well.

[wank]

Pass is definitely in the game at matchpoints - possibly collecting 200 on defence when you'd be going negative bidding and some of the time when you're making game partner can protect.

Double is ridiculous imo - your target is tiny, essentially aiming to stop on a pin head in 4m. With 2 honours you can't ever expect partner to pass.

Kx is a pretty poor holding for 3NT - can't duck.

4S as suggested up-thread would be one of the worst bids of the year.

3S is not a bad bid, but I think pass is better.

[vladesch]

Agree with pass. If we were vulnerable vs non vul I might try 3s on a good day. 3nt is dreaming.

[roninbc]

Tramticket, on 2018-July-18, 15:28, said:

You don't even mention pass? Opposite a passed hand partner, this could easily be the winning action.

I would not bid 3NT. The stop isn't great and you probably don't have the points. 3S might work - paricularly if it pursuades opps to go on to 4H. Double might work - aiming for the magic +200 if partner passes.

I wouldn't pass at IMPs, but I probably would at MP pairs opposite a passed hand. Partner can always protect.

No, I never mentioned passing, as neither player at the table considered it at all. But it's looking better and better all the time, especially, as you say, at matchpoints.

Thanks.

[roninbc]

neilkaz, on 2018-July-18, 19:01, said:

3♠ for me as well.

And 3S was the bid at the table.
Turned out to be a loser (horrid split), but a better result than dbl (3Hx makes!).

I'm now inclined to favour the pass, given the comments here.

[roninbc]

FelicityR, on 2018-July-18, 15:04, said:

The one bid I least like is 3NT.

Yes, I agree. 3NT needs too much, like partner having KJxxxx of diamonds and the A♣ with the K♣ onside.

Oh, wait ... that's what he did have.

[roninbc]

vladesch, on 2018-July-18, 23:57, said:

Agree with pass. If we were vulnerable vs non vul I might try 3s on a good day. 3nt is dreaming.

Yes, I agree...despite the detail that on this particular hand the dream comes true. In general, it can't be the right call very often!

[roninbc]

wank, on 2018-July-18, 20:51, said:

Pass is definitely in the game at matchpoints - possibly collecting 200 on defence when you'd be going negative bidding and some of the time when you're making game partner can protect.

Double is ridiculous imo - your target is tiny, essentially aiming to stop on a pin head in 4m. With 2 honours you can't ever expect partner to pass.

Kx is a pretty poor holding for 3NT - can't duck.

4S as suggested up-thread would be one of the worst bids of the year.

3S is not a bad bid, but I think pass is better.

All good arguments. Thanks.
I've become a fan of "pass" after reading the comments received.