Go for the throat?

[Guest Jlall]

W/W imps

 

Q98 AT9xx x AJTx

 

1C(16+) from partner, 3C on your right.

 

You can bid 3H GF, pass which is less than GF or penalties, X which is takeout and GF, or 3N.

[jdonn]

I'll go for pass, at least if partner doubles for me we slaughter them (I lead a spade). If he bids 3♦ I bid 3NT. If he passes I hate life, but that really doesn't seem likely, and even then he has some club length and they are probably down 4 or 5 so it's not a total disaster at imps.

[ArtK78]

Partner opened a strong club and we get a club preempt on our right.

 

While it is tempting to pass and await the inevitable reopening double, I think that would be setting our sights too low.

 

Opposite as little as AJxx KQxx Axxx x we have a claim for a small slam, and partner announced that he has more than that in high cards alone. So settling for 500 or 800 against 3Cx would be small compensation for missing at least a small slam.

 

Sure, partner could have wasted cards - obviously values in diamonds would not be very helpful. But it is also possible that partner has more than a minimum for his opening 1♣ bid. Also, it is possible that RHO is not a lunatic, and we are not punishing him as much as it might seem.

 

I am going to bid 3♥ natural and game forcing. I may live to regret my decision, but at worst I will be getting to a normal spot, potentially passing up a bonanza at 3♣x.

[655321]

Pass.

 

I know some strong club pairs who have a policy of going for the penalty whenever possible. If that is your partnership policy this is a pass WTP.

 

Actually, given what a lot of people would bid 3♣ on perhaps it is a Pass WTP anyway. :)

[Guest Jlall]

Opposite as little as AJxx KQxx Axxx x we have a claim for a small slam,

lol, because clearly 1 top loser = 12 tricks!

[Guest Jlall]

but at worst I will be getting to a normal spot, potentially passing up a bonanza at 3♣x.

Really? Why would 3C X not be a normal spot? I would expect most players in an expert field to pass for penalty after 1D 3C ?

[jdonn]

Opposite as little as AJxx KQxx Axxx x we have a claim for a small slam

Good small slam? Ok. Claim? Not even close.

 

Edit: Darn you jlall why are you always faster than I am!

[kenrexford]

Pass.

[pclayton]

I'll pass. Do I need to ask if this is forcing?

[matmat]

Opposite as little as AJxx KQxx Axxx x we have a claim for a small slam

Good small slam? Ok. Claim? Not even close.

 

Edit: Darn you jlall why are you always faster than I am!

we can claim we have a good small slam, can't we?

[NickRW]

You ask, "go for the throat". Quite simply, yes.

 

If (and it is a big if even for the very best players) you can accurately diagnose all of your games, slams and grands, you just might show a profit by declaring rather than taking on the more delicate task of defending. But that is a big ask.

 

Take the money.

 

Nick

[MarkDean]

I would bid 3H.

[Guest Jlall]

I'll pass. Do I need to ask if this is forcing?

Not forcing since you may have 0 points. You would expect partner to always reopen with a stiff or void in clubs though.

[kenrexford]

I'll pass. Do I need to ask if this is forcing?

Not forcing since you may have 0 points. You would expect partner to always reopen with a stiff or void in clubs though.

What kind of unexplained silliness is this?!? Partner can decide to defend 3♣ undoubled? Blech!

[han]

I would also pass, pay off if 3C was a psyche.

[Free]

Pass

[Guest Jlall]

I also passed, the other table bid a very weird 3N over 1D 3C. You get 800 after a pass. 6H has some play but is down the way the cards are unless you play double dummy.

[Gerben42]

I guess carpe jugulum with this. Pass.

[neilkaz]

but at worst I will be getting to a normal spot, potentially passing up a bonanza at 3♣x.

Really? Why would 3C X not be a normal spot? I would expect most players in an expert field to pass for penalty after 1D 3C ?

I find this to be a difficult decision, but PD won't have 2♣ here and a hand that will pass very often. However, sometimes you may have a slam. I am 50/50 here and note that with a clear GF passing out 3♣ will be a sickening result.

 

I'd flip a coin between pass and 3♥

[jdonn]

I find this to be a difficult decision, but PD won't have 2♣ here and a hand that will pass very often. However, sometimes you may have a slam. I am 50/50 here and note that with a clear GF passing out 3♣ will be a sickening result.

 

I'd flip a coin between pass and 3♥

I'm sort of repeating from my first post, but calling a passout a 'sickening result' is a big exageration. If partner passes out it's almost certain you don't have a slam, so it seems like +200 or +250 (remember partner will have some clubs to pass it out) instead of +450, lose 5 or 6 imps. Not a good result, but not such a big disaster that I think it should make you scared of passing. If you bid it's because you think slam is likely but not because you fear 3♣ being passed out imo.