[Antrax]

Matchpoints, unfavourable.
♠AKJ62 ♥A7 ♦A3 ♣Q942

(p) - p - (1♣) - X
(1♠) - p - (2♣) - p (1)
(p) - X - (p) - ? (2)

Assuming you agree with initial X, what do you bid over 2♣? If you pass, what do you bid over partner's reopening double?
(opponents are LOLs, so psyches are probably out of the question)

[dkham]

Pass, should get +100/+300.

[ggwhiz]

I don't like the first double but it has worked well here.

With the spades behind me and partner alive in the reds offence sucks and defence is yee haw.

[Statto]

ggwhiz, on 2012-July-05, 08:40, said:

I don't like the first double but it has worked well here.

It's too good for a immediate ♠ overcall for me, so I start with X intending to bid ♠ next to show a hand of this quality.

Agree with passing the X I think, though at these colours 2NT is tempting.

[BunnyGo]

I'm ok with this auction, and an easy pass now. I don't have any fit with (a passed hand) partner, and the opponents have bad things coming to them. In particular, I can count on 4-6 tricks in my own hand (5 most likely) on defense, plus whatever partner can bring.

I'd think hard about bidding 1♠ instead of double, but all the aces and good suit would convince me to double.

[gszes]

with p pass over 1s we have few worries about missing game and if we can
find p with either read suit K (a high degree of probability) we can see
at least 6 tricks on defense
it is time to convert:))))))))))))))))))

[Antrax]

Thanks. I see the bidding wasn't the problem (and yes, I would overcall if the hand were even slightly worse, but this is a great 18-count). The full diagram:

---

GIB says -1 but somehow at the table they made

[BunnyGo]

Sadly getting it only 1 isn't good enough compared to everyone who overcalls 1S and gets to play in spades. Letting them make is pretty bad.

[Antrax]

Well, you have to admit the cards lie favourably for declarer. As for the defensive error, the trick I should've scored and haven't is a baby ♣ (or the 9), and it's probably my fault as I was pretty latched on to the idea of forcing declarer in spades.

[BunnyGo]

Antrax, on 2012-July-06, 11:59, said:

Well, you have to admit the cards lie favourably for declarer. As for the defensive error, the trick I should've scored and haven't is a baby ♣ (or the 9), and it's probably my fault as I was pretty latched on to the idea of forcing declarer in spades.

The only thing I see favorable for declarer is the diamond king. Pumping in spades should work fine as long as you untangle them--that's hard. But it seems hard not to get A♠♥♦, Q9♣ and (probably) another diamond. He can't ruff the diamond loser in dummy without partner overruffing. Best case for declarer is he gets 3 heart tricks, but that's only good for 1 pitch (presumably a diamond unless you let the spade go).

It seems that to let this through you need to cash AK♠. Then what can declarer do? AK♣ and K♥ to your A? I guess leading another spade here lets it make...it's a pretty big blunder though, IMO. You don't want to set up dummy's spades when he still has an entry.

[gwnn]

I would have probably doubled and bid 2S over 2C. Keeping it simple. Maybe too much?

I don't know what partner's double is. It seems to be best played as optional (33 reds, 43 or 34 in blacks or so).

[nigel_k]

Maybe 2♠ is better but I can see how pass is tempting and I would do that if they were vulnerable.

The hand is difficult to defend because you have to force declarer to some extent to prevent him cashing hearts. But at the same time, you cannot let declarer ruff diamonds in dummy so you have to ruff high in front of dummy and lead trumps. If you force declarer too much he will eventually make all the clubs in his hand and one of dummy's will be high as well.

It's actually quite an interesting expert level defensive problem if you start with ♠A, low spade ruffed by declarer and he leads a diamond.

[Antrax]

I also wasn't sure partner would take 2♠ as natural It's natural if we overcall directly, but we haven't discussed what happens if the bidder doubles first.

And yeah, the defense blundered exactly as described. AK dropping partner's Q, declarer plays ♥K and I continue high spade. I told you when we played, BG, I tend to have these blind spots, where I plan the defense before the lead and then never reconsider

[the hog]

Why on earth did West pass? Was his 2D card, (preferred), or his double card missing from the bidding box?

[Antrax]

He was taught a free bid promises 8+ HCP or so, and didn't value the presumed double red-suit fit. X would've been penalty of spades.