13 April 2011

The smallest things

Just a small bidding problem for you all today. You've very little so weren't really expecting to make a bid at all. That would have been quite ok; but, when forced, what will you do? The auction proceeds 1♣ on you left, double from partner, pass on your right:
♠8 7 4 3
♥T 2
♦Q 8 7 4
♣Q 7 3
If it's worth anything the game is matchpoint pairs and you've at unfavourable vulnerability. The debate is surely between your two suits, you weren't thinking 1NT were you?
Posted by Daniel Skipper

5 comments:

  1. JamesApril 13, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    1S.
    Guessing the right answer on the hand is 1D?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Paul GipsonApril 13, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    1♠ is clear as doubles focus on majors. As Meckwell used to say on their card, "support for unbid minors unclear".

    Of course 1♦ is better for the lead, but bidding the top suit takes priority.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownApril 14, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    If I had two three cards to choose from (say I were 3=2=3=5), I would choose to advance 1D, in hopes that my bid would fail to excite partner. But with a four card major among my choices, advancing 1S seems pretty clear.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Daniel SkipperApril 14, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    I thought 1♠ was the normal action as well but what happens when the auction continues:
    (1C) - X - (/) - 1S - (2C) - X - (/) - ?
    It now seems right to bid 2♦ but will partner expect 5 spades?
    (Imagine partner holding AJx, AKJx, AJxx xx)

    ReplyDelete
  5. JamesApril 14, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Partner definitely shouldn't expect 5 spades for a forced 2D rebid. In fact IMO this could be 4S/5D. If partner doubled again and I held 5 spades I'd emphasise them by bidding them again (at the expense of bidding my 4-card diamond suit). We are sure to have a spade fit when I have 5.

    ReplyDelete

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