dkham

Thanks for the replies. I bid a modest 3♥, which partner passed. As you can see, game isn't great, but makes on a friendly lay out: Board 8

You've a balanced 23 count and are all set to open the bidding when LHO opens ahead of you. You double, then double again, and finally get a bid from partner. What do you do now? [hv=pc=n&s=sak86haqjdaj62ca3&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1cppd2cppdp2hp]133|200[/hv] East-West are playing Bridge Base Standard (1♣ could be short, 2♣ shows a real suit)

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. To finish the story, 2♠ was indeed passed out. Here is the full deal Board 15 As was predicted, South had a weak hand with Spades. As it happens, we beat 2♠ by a couple of tricks to gain 1.18 IMPs. Declarer could have gone one off in 2♠, and we could have made 3♣.

Thanks for the replies. To finish the story, 2♠ made +2. This lost us 2.29 IMPs, as declarer made 10 tricks and some only made 9. On this deal, pushing them to 3♠ doesn't help much.

Thanks for all the comments. It seems people are in favour of doubling the second time round, though lots wanted to double the first time (I've not been convinced of that). Just for fun, here is the actual hand: Board 23 You can see that getting to 3♦ is a winner (however you get there).

Even at this vulnerability I can't resist 3♦. Would be more fun if we were non-vulnerable.

Thanks for those replies so far. For those doubling first time, what do you do after (1♠)-x-(2♠) passed back round. Double again? In this hand (and in general I reckon) you're in a better position if you overcall 2♦ first time.

Thanks for those replies so far. For those doubling first time, what do you do after (1♠)-x-(2♠) passed back round. Double again? In this hand (and in general I reckon) you're in a better position if you overcall 2♦ first time.

Playing cross-IMPs in a good standard field. You overcall 2♦ then have a choice on the second round. Are you selling out? [hv=pc=n&n=st8ha73dakt63ca85&d=s&v=b&b=7&a=p1s2d2spp]133|200[/hv]

Playing cross-IMPs in a good standard field. You open 1♣ then have a choice on the second round. What'll it be? [hv=pc=n&n=s4ha73da62caq7642&d=s&v=n&b=15&a=pp1c1sp2s]133|200[/hv] (You are playing weak NT and four card majors if that makes any difference)

We were playing cross-IMPs in a good standard field. In the hand below East-West were given an easy ride and allowed to play 2♠. If North-South push to 3♣ they get a good score (either making, or defeating 3♠). Should South have ventured 3♣ over 2♠? (that's the only way we have to show this sort of hand) Should North have made a takeout double of 2♠? Or maybe you think the result is fine. I'm interested in what the consensus is here. Board 1

I was the one faced with this hand. I chose to double. I know one hand proves nothing, but it's always nice to see how the story ends - the opponents were pushed into a making 4♥! Board 2

You are playing matchpoints in a field of mixed quality. [hv=pc=n&s=sjt8hj5daq65c9843&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=1hp2hpp]133|200[/hv]

Just for fun, here's what actually happened. I bid 4♠, which pushed them to 5♥. But we had such a good Spade fit partner went on to 5♠, off one: [hv=pc=n&s=skt932hdt52cj9832&w=sq7ha9642d84cak74&n=saj84h5daqj763cq6&e=s65hkqjt873dk9ct5&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=p1h2d4h4spp5hpp5sppp]399|300[/hv] Since 4♥ was making, 5♠-1 was worth 60%.

The opponent's opening bid of 1♥ promises at least four. The 4♥ bid is natural, could be weak or strong

Matchpoints at the Club, you are dealt this South hand. You pass initially then it comes back to you. What do you bid? [hv=pc=n&s=skt932hdt52cj9832&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=p1h2d4h]133|200[/hv] If it makes any difference, you are playing Acol with four card majors, Weak NT and three Weak Twos.

I'm in it to win it. Why are all the scores multiples of 3?

Having ♣A76 means its unlikely partner has a good hand with long Clubs (and so was unable to bid).

4♣ from me

Very interesting, the results of the follow-up BridgeWinner poll about West's bid are nicely split between PASS, 2♠ and DOUBLE. With my partner we play 2♠ as 10+, showing at least 5 spades and forcing, which isn't quite what you have but I'd still do it.

Yes I just meant PASS was the winner as it topped the poll. Do people think West should have bid on the first round?

There is a risk of a big penalty but that is balanced by all the small gains. I'm going to go for it and bid 2♠

Thanks for all the replies. PASS was the winner, with only a few tempted by double. At the time I felt that East should have doubled on the second round, but I now think that West should have bid on the first round, as this was the full deal: [hv=pc=n&s=sahj5dqjt8543cj32&w=skqj74h93d97cq986&n=st65hq72dak62ca74&e=s9832hakt864dckt5&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=1c1h2dp3dppp]399|300[/hv] 1♣ from North was a misbid playing a new system, but North-South the Diamond suit easily enough. 3♦ made with an overtrick, whereas East-West have a nice 4♠ or even 4♥. At our table I was West and although we missed the major game we still gained IMPs. At the other table our North-South found the cold 3NT!

Thanks for all the replies. PASS was the overwhelming winner in the poll. Just for interest, here is the full hand (and auction): [hv=pc=n&s=st5ha965dq82cq843&w=saj76432hqj7d9cj9&n=sqhk3daj765ca7652&e=sk98ht842dkt43ckt&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=3sd4sppp]399|300[/hv] I chose to DOUBLE, which I now agree is pretty poor, although it did have the unexpected benefit of pushing East into bidding a bad 4♠ (saving me from putting down my two Hearts as dummy in 4♥).

[hv=pc=n&n=sqhk3daj765ca7652&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=3s]133|200[/hv] You are playing a Teams Match and are getting ready to open the bidding when dealer opens 3♠ in front of you. What do you bid?