[mikl_plkcc]

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Will you pass or bid 1♠?

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

if I had 5332, i.e. a n add. club / heart card instead of the 4th spade,
I would pass, but I have a 4 card suit, I can bid on the 1 level.

Make the 4 carder clubs, and I may consider pass, most likely following the
old advice "Take doubles are to be taking out".
I in case the 4 carder is clubs, you may not even have 7 card suit fit, so
trying your luck defending 1Dx may be your best shot at minimizing their plus
score.
But I have spades, and I have ruffing features, and I will quite likely have a
7+ trump fit.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[mycroft]

[Edit: argh, I did it again - read the vulnerability completely wrong. Changes things significantly. Sorry to those who read who thought "what is he on?". Much more likely that they'll sit for anything, doubled. OTOH, they didn't XX for "cards, penalty interest", so we can hope.]

If I pass, I'm conceding they have game, and I'm hoping to keep it to two overtricks for -340. And that they don't play a penalty redouble (or a "do something" redouble that can get passed on cards) - because then I have to hold all the overtricks, and I won't get away with a pull.

If I bid 1♠, I'm hoping they don't work out that they can get me 2 tricks, or that game doesn't make their way (it's pretty likely they can get me 2 tricks). And that partner doesn't have the "too strong for NT" hand or the "double and bid" hand (in which case, they can't make game, any plus is a good score, and we aren't going plus). And that the opponents see and seize the opportunity at favourable - which is unfortunately not hard to do (they're basically bidding 2♠ to make in "our suit", with 3NT (or 4♥) staring them in the face. Not unreasonable.)

I'm a good boy. I take out my partner's takeout doubles. I'd take it out if I was 3=3=5=2 (with the added benefit that "double and bid spades" is survivable, but the added risk that 1♥ may not take any trump tricks - and runs to a better place are going to be doubled). This is better.

If partner is one of those who assumes partner has 6-8 for their minimum (because they always do; frequently have 10-12, too and bid minimally) and rebids on their minimum, well, then they get to watch me go -800. And, hopefully, learn.

I'm also not one to yell at partner for doubling us into telephone number land. It happens. It's not the end of the world - we likely even have company.

[Douglas43]

It's a question of least-worst, but pass implies some values and 1S doesn't, so if West bids again we could get into more trouble from the pass

[P_Marlowe]

 Douglas43, on 2021-November-02, 12:46, said:

It's a question of least-worst, but pass implies some values and 1S doesn't, so if West bids again we could get into more trouble from the pass

I am not sure, it is common, that pass promises some values, but it may be a common enough agreement.

[eagles123]

1S for sure, passing has disaster written all over it.

[LBengtsson]

 eagles123, on 2021-November-02, 13:50, said:

1S for sure, passing has disaster written all over it.

agree. pass says good trumps not garbage trumps. 1♠ says no more than I am by force asked to bid. 0+ points and 4M. always remember that I have by force been asked to bid so I can have poor hand such as this.

[nige1]

mikl_plkcc' Will you pass or bid 1♠?'
++++++++++++++++++++
Whatever option chosen: Prospects are bleak;
but I rank
1. 1♠.
2. Pass
In such a contexts, with 5 ♦ and 3253 shape, the cheapest unbid 3-card suit, biddable at the 1-level might also be the best option

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[Trinidad]

What do you think is easier: taking 7 tricks in spades in a 4-4 fit (where you can tell partner what to play) or taking 7 tricks in diamonds opposite a singleton diamond (and a partner who will not understand that you have a Yarborough)?
What do you think scores better: taking 6 tricks in 1♠ or taking 6 tricks against 1♦X?

Answer these two questions and you have the answer to yours.

Rik

[AL78]

Seems to be a clear 1♠ to me. A yarborough is not a hand that wants to penalise the opponents opposite a TOX at the one level. If it goes badly wrong, so be it, if my partner is asking me to bid my best suit and I do so because I haven't got a penalty pass, they are responsible for the consequences.

[Winstonm]

The auction suggests someone has a real good hand - probably partner. He will be disappointed with my hand; he will be even more disappointed if I pass - so I won't.. 1S.

[mikeh]

Passing deserves to find one defending a cold 1D when cold for 4S our way.

Anyone who passes needs to study how to bid after a takeout double by partner.