[mike777]

IMPS, FAV VUL

(1NT)=P=(2C)=?


YOUR HAND IS:

A98...9....QJT92....KQ76

[gszes]

Taking liberties at favorable but even if the opps have
the rest of the deck I am a big favorite for only down 3
vs their game so going for the best lead director seems
like the way to go. Naturally this time p will have Axx
and happily lead their ace (sigh) and lho will have the
king (such is life).

X for a club lead might be ok against a slam but we have
little reason to assume the opps will venture that far so
we go for the best shot at setting their NT contracts.

Pass is much more reasonable when vulnerable where a largish
penalty can loom

[whereagles]

2♦ seems to achieve little, but I prefer that to a club lead. So I bid it.

[BillPatch]

Our par on this hand is three or four hearts for the other side with their side making 9 tricks. 2♦
can lose by 1)partner's A ♦ lead, 2) our side playing in ♦ for a bad result, or 3)
their underbidding or superior play due to bad split we warned them about. I let them keep the dice.

[kenrexford]

whereagles, on 2014-July-05, 16:59, said:

2♦ seems to achieve little, but I prefer that to a club lead. So I bid it.

2D actually achieves more, in theory. It keeps the spade fragment in consideration. For example, if Opener bids 2H, passed around, the 2D start sets up a nice accurate reopening double.

[BillPatch]

Since responder by passing 2♥ has shown a limited hand, his 2♣ implied values in both majors.
I doubt we will win the battle in the majors.

[akwoo]

I pass.

If they end up in game in a major, I don't want to direct a lead. I want partner to lead what they think best.

If responder is weak with both majors, I can still come in with 2N next round.

I seriously doubt they end up in 3N (though I agree in that case it would've been better to have bid 2D).

[mike777]

ok it seems some that pass will bid 2nt in balance seat
Ok it seems some that bid 2d will bid double in balance seat

fwiw the opp do have hearts