[Phil]

♠Q8xx ♥AQx ♦Qxx ♣QJx

Matchpoints this time and you are w/r.

Partner passes as dealer and RHO opens 1♦. Even if you wanted to double 1♦, you cannot because of system (don't ask), so you pass. LHO bids 1N and pard is in there with a double.

Your call?

[bigbenvic]

Pass, I fully expect them to bid but if they don't he'll lead his best suit and we should beat it. If they bid at the 2 level I will bid 2♠ if they bid at the 3 level... hmm if they bid 3♦ I'm stuck. maybe pass isn't so good?

Ok maybe I'll bid 2♦, kind of like a re-take out bid. If partner bids ♠ I'll kick, if he bids NT I'll bid 3, if he bids 2♥ I'll pass. Yep I think that's going to be easier for me to unravel.

By the way what would a X of 1♦ have shown?

[the hog]

2S. Surely you are not going to pass and surely you don't want to bid more opposite a passed partner with this soft hand?

[Phil]

bigbenvic, on 2012-February-21, 18:07, said:

By the way what would a X of 1♦ have shown?

15+ generally balanced.

[bigbenvic]

the hog, on 2012-February-21, 18:07, said:

2S. Surrely you are not going to pass and surely you don't want to bid more opposite a passed partner?

No but I kinda want him to know I've got more than I could have so that when it's right he'll compete to 3, or possibly wield the axe if he has a suitable hand. I could bid 2♠ with a lot less and he'll never X for blood if he thinks they could hold 24 of the 40 points.

Edit just saw Phil's response, yep 2♦ for sure, I'm flat but very close to a maximum for this situation.

[nigel_k]

2♠.

No need to be greedy as other pairs may not even find spades. If we pass, LHO could easily bid 2♦ then sit for 2♠, whereas he might bid 3♦ over an immediate 2♠.

[CSGibson]

2♠. I don't want to give them the tempo to run out to 2♦, because it would allow an informed decision about further competition to 3♦, which I don't want to allow.

[ArtK78]

the hog, on 2012-February-21, 18:07, said:

2S. Surely you are not going to pass and surely you don't want to bid more opposite a passed partner with this soft hand?

I agree with the 2♠ call. But stop calling me Shirley.

[whereagles]

Opps seem to have long diamonds. They didn't escape into it (yet) but even if they stick to 1NT, 6-7 tricks are possible for them. 2S then.

[quiddity]

Is pass really so bad? When I picked this hand up I wanted to play 1NT. Now I might have the opportunity to do that with apparently more than half the high card points and the opening lead - why should I run to 2♠?

I don't care if the opps have an informed decision to compete to 3♦; nothing is going to stop them from bidding it, and if they choose to sit for 2♠ that's fine with me. I don't want to see partner save in 3♠ though, so I'll let him know that I like our chances on defense.

[jdeegan]

2♠. Pard is a passed hand. My hand has lots of high cards but is junky and the ♦ Q is likely useless on offense and easy to find on defense. It is a clear danger signal. Our spades should be 4-4. 2♠ is likely to end the auction.

[the hog]

quiddity, on 2012-February-22, 02:05, said:

Is pass really so bad? When I picked this hand up I wanted to play 1NT. Now I might have the opportunity to do that with apparently more than half the high card points and the opening lead - why should I run to 2♠?

I don't care if the opps have an informed decision to compete to 3♦; nothing is going to stop them from bidding it, and if they choose to sit for 2♠ that's fine with me. I don't want to see partner save in 3♠ though, so I'll let him know that I like our chances on defense.

Yes, pass is so bad. Would it surprise if they made 1NT and you can make 2S? Also, what is this nonsense about "saving" in 3S?

[gnasher]

If partner has a normal passed-hand takeout double like Kxxx Kxxx x Kxxx, I don't want to defend 1NT, I do want to play 2♠, and I don't mind if partner competes to 3♠ (though he wouldn't, of course).

[ahydra]

Pass is tempting but I guess you've gotta go with 2S

ahydra

[han]

Agree with 2S, passing is strange to me.

[Phil]

The player that held this hand passed. Partner held: J9x 8xxx x AK8xx. Unfortunately the ♥K was with the 1N bidder, so 7 tricks were easy when declarer successfully guessed diamonds.

I think the biggest risk in passing is you know the opponents likely have five diamonds tricks. I also think CSGibson's comment is valid as well - why let opener know LHO's diamond fit that might be shown if we pass?