scipio2004

Aguahombre : I don't think you are right... We were playing matchpoints. holding south hand my thought was 4H= is probably not a good score for us since I think we can make at least 4 or 5 diamonds if they do have heart fit. (I guessed heart loser, spade loser) It's probable I would not double at imps. When I bid I estimated something like 30% they are in the wrong contract, maybe even playing without fit. (In which case I will reconsider if dummy removes to 4S) and 30% we can't make 5D or 4H will be more then 500. counting on couple of clubs tricks and a spade ruff or two... Partner could hold for example a major suit ace and the jack of clubs or king of diamonds. I think a hand such as south actual hand was less likely because he may bid 4D (choose a major) with that hand.

This hand was played in Israel Bridge Festival Open Pairs. I was actually a substitute on one session for another player but I played with a regular partner of mine. I am pretty sure I can locate the hand in hand records but I am positive declarer was 5-6-2-0 with solid hearts and ruffed my club lead.

I am less interested in the actual hand. more interested in he principal. (the auction could just as well be 1H-(P)-3H(bergen)-(4S)) but with respect to comments about the hand. 1. it's pretty obvious they have spade fit. (partner doesn't have a 4 card major and I hold singleton spade so they rate to have at least 9 spades) The only case where they don't have double fit is if they don't have a fit in hearts - the suit they bid (could happen if partner has 3 hearts. In this case dummy is probably void and may pull the double...) 2. The X is marginal at best. I debated before doubling and (wrongly as i turned out...) choose X. Playing match points I couldn't pass this. so it was between 5D and X. My intuition was that if they do have heart fit, then partner doesn't have more then 1 heart loser and 1 spade loser and possible 1 diamond loser so 4-5 diamonds is likely. On the other hand I figured that it's possible that they are playing in the wrong suit. (maybe a 6-0 or 6-1 and even 5-2 or 5-1 fit is not impossible.) or that I may score 2-3 clubs, a spade ruff and some diamonds for 500 was not out of the question. I am not saying I would choose X every time but stating I would bid differently now is being a result merchant. 3. As I said our methods says to pass the X which is what happened on the table. It will not be the first time our methods yield poor results but we wanted to check that we are on the same page with most of the bridge population.

I gave a little time to see what's people reply... I hate to break the sad news to everybody who tried to guess the whole story. Indeed I opened 1D and X meaning penalty. partner left the double. 4HX+1 made. An expert said it's common in experts circles to double holding a strong balanced or semi balanced hand (more or less what I had) and partner should pull the double if he is unbalanced. According to him one should not double with something like XX AQTX XXXXX AK because one doesn't want the double could be pulled. I was wandering just how common is that method. (not on the actual hand in which partner bid was disciplined and systematic) for those who want the complete hand... I held Q 9XXX AQXX AKQX and partner held JX X KJXXX XXXXX and stood the double. (partner bid is 6-7 in our method and partner upgraded because 5-5) declarer held 6 hearts to the AKQJ and 5 spades with void in clubs and two small diamonds. dummy had 5 spades, doubleton heart, doubleton diamond and JXXX in clubs. We have 4 in either minor (after giving a spade, a heart and a club) they have 5 in either major. some players actually made 6S or 7S after a club lead. According to the traveling score it was common to double 4H with my hand.

Green against red. Matchpoints Playing 2/1 you deal and bid 1D (better minor) and LHO pass. Partner bids 3D (inverted minors) and RHO bids 4H. What does X from you mean?