A couple of decisions...

[pclayton]

1) 2♥, not close to a pass - where are our 6 tricks coming from?

Perhaps the question you should ask yourself is where are our 8 tricks coming from?

Who said they were expecting to make eight tricks? Even if we're only making six tricks in 2H, we're unlikely to be doubled, so it would still be better than -180.

Lose 2.

[Cascade]

1) 2♥, not close to a pass - where are our 6 tricks coming from?

Perhaps the question you should ask yourself is where are our 8 tricks coming from?

Partner judged it was worth competing at this level he does not expect us to be passing 2♦ with J10xx and a minimum sitting under the 2♦ bidder.

[mikeh]

On the first hand, I think that pass is the best call. I used to automatically pull these hands, and then regret it.

 

The opps occasionally step out/get unlucky in their overcalls and we owe it to ourselves, and our teammates to nail them when it happens.

 

One caveat: if partner is the type to negative double with 3 spades and short(ish) diamonds, I'd pull, but a passed hand shouldn't (imho) bid that way.

 

Yes, we can see a terrible score if they make, but why should they? As for the argument that they have half the deck.. yes they may, and they may have a nice fit as well, but the fit may be in clubs, and they ain't getting there ;)

 

On a good day, this could be bloody. Picture LHO with a sound overcall: xx Kxx AKQxxx Kx and partner with xx A10xx 9xx AJxx... we have given LHO a moose of a 2♦ bid, with nothing wasted in spades, and he is getting killed.

[awm]

Agree with David Burn.

 

I think most passed hands with five hearts are bidding 2♥ over 2♦, don't you? It's not forcing after all, by a passed hand. If partner has at most two spades and exactly four hearts, that means either diamond length (in which case 2♦X will be bloody) or club length (in which case it's a true misfit and we can hope that partner's clubs are pulling full weight on defense opposite our singleton). Obviously I will give up the occasional -180 or even -380, but those numbers will often be replacing the -200 I get from basically any other call (so a small loss, not a big one). On the other hand 2♦X going down could be a big plus score.

[gnasher]

Obviously I will give up the occasional -180 or even -380, but those numbers will often be replacing the -200 I get from basically any other call (so a small loss, not a big one). On the other hand 2♦X going down could be a big plus score.

You're not vulnerable, so -200 is unlikely.

[han]

I think most passed hands with five hearts are bidding 2♥ over 2♦, don't you?

No I don't, I think that would show a decent suit and about a 10-count.

[benlessard]

2H

3C

 

1st 1 is obvious.

 

The problem with the 2nd is that 3Nt might be a much better contract then 2D X or 4S. At the table i would have X, but after thinking more on this one im pretty sure 3C is best.

[Guest Jlall]

On the first hand, I think that pass is the best call. I used to automatically pull these hands, and then regret it.

Agree totally, ths has been my experience. I think ever since I have started passing I've gotten great results. On this hand you get 800 when partner has x Axxx 7xx Axxxx, and hearts are 6-0 lol.

 

I think that having the AK of spades opposite known shortness and when you know you're getting a spade lead is money. You may be able to cross ruff the blacks, or put a heart through and then give pard a ruff, etc. There is big potential upside given the possbilities of the defense imo.

 

Hand 2 I thought was closer, but I chose to X because we may belong in a major and again there is a potential huge upside against 2D and not a large downside. This time partner had the nuts again and you get 800.

[benlessard]

With today overcall im passing more and more of these X and i like to play that our X show some length in opps suit so that we can passes unless we have shortness. However playing standard method partner X should really suggest doubleton S and 5/6H. So playing standard i would not X with your partner hand and i would surely not pass 2D with ur hand.