Apollo81

I would definitely bid 4♦ at the table, but I wonder if pass followed by 5♦ (if it doesn't passout, and assuming partner will be able to tell what we have) is the right action? Maybe this is a good hand for a simulation?

I'd do the same thing with your hand.

Self-splinter. I can't think of another reasonable meaning.

If you're playing 4th suit GF, then opener has to be prepared to bid 3♥ over 2NT on hands like this.

Pass. Bidding only really helps when both 3♦ and 3♠ make. If you believe the Law, this shouldn't happen on this hand.

FWIW I would take 2NT as natural if I were doubler

I'll hog the hand and bid 2♠. Last time I checked they still paid more for the major suit contracts.

This is pretty disgusting. I would bid 3♣ at the table.

I blame South and prefer a 5♣ cuebid. Hindsight is 20-20 of course.

i also dont get why didn't we pass 2♥

such as?

I'd pass, but if responder tries 3NT then I would bid 4♣ over that, since it's MPs.

agree with the spade lead usually it's right to choose the aggressive option against a small suit slam

I think we need an "uninteresting bridge hands" forum for hands like this

If I can make a takeout double at my second chance, I'd do that. I think partner will be able to pass when it's right since I have shown a penalty double of a 15-17 notrump. I will be converting partner's 2♥ bid to 2♠ if it comes to that.

I don't think it matters.

BTW if the East player happens to be reading this thread -- don't feel too bad. I see decent players make this sort of error (underevaluation of support/shape when raising partner's secondary minor suit) all the time. Heck, maybe even my 4♣ bid is an underbid.

One "real-world" advantage of playing 2/1, particularly with a first-time partner, is that when you have a 2/1 auction, there is much less confusion about which bids are forcing. In a strict interpretation of SAYC, a 2/1 bid by responder promises a rebid. Thus all of these auctions are forcing: 1♠-2x-2♠ 1♠-2x-2NT 1♠-2x-3x Many beginning or intermediate SAYC players think these bids are non-forcing, so it's not unusual to see the partnership get to the wrong level. If opener has no extra values, he must rebid something no higher than 2 of his major. Any higher rebid is forcing to game. For example, here are some ways to stop short of game: 1♠-2♣-2♥-2NT-p 1♠-2♦-2♠-2NT-p 1♠-2♦-2♠-3♦-p 1♠-2♦-2♠-2NT-3♦-p In 2/1, opener's rebid is much more intuitive, since all below-game bids are forcing. For instance if he wants to raise responder's suit he can do that regardless of his values. This leads to far fewer misunderstandings in 2/1 auctions.

er, didn't notice the followup by the OP The first action is obviously double. The second action is much harder; I think I'd double again.

Interesting thread. I doubt I would have thought of 2♦ at the table. I like it.

East should be able to guess (or come close to) partner's distribution since the opponents aren't bidding hearts. That makes his hand huge. I would bid at least 4♣ with the East hand.

Pass since partner is a passed hand. Double otherwise.

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agree pass runs a risk of the opps stealing the bacon in some contract (very likely 1♥)

I'd just bid 2♥, not risking any misinterpretation. If you moved my queen to a minor then I would be tempted to bring out the undiscussed bid, but here I feel like I'm not absurdly far away from having the right values for the 2♥ bid.