After a preemptive raise

[gnasher]

IMPs, nobody vulnerable

 

1♣ pass 3♣

 

AK74 KJ5 K73 A64

 

1♣ is clubs or a weak notrump, including 3=2 or 4=2 in the minors but not 5=2.

 

What do you do? If you double, what do you plan to do on the next round?

[Echognome]

I think an initial double seems clear enough. I'll probably pass whatever partner bids (if not a cuebid).

[rogerclee]

This is sort of an ugly double, but the alternative is defending 3♣. I prefer not to win my IMPs three at a time.

[Guest Jlall]

I would X and pass.

[kfay]

This is sort of an ugly double, but the alternative is defending 3♣. I prefer not to win my IMPs three at a time.

Sort of disagree with you in that I think it's just a regular double. I have compensation for my shape.

[pclayton]

I think its possible for clubs to be 2=5 in the opponent's hands.

 

But clubs could also be 5-4, so I think double is clear.

[ArtK78]

Double.

 

I have support for every suit (even clubs!). A classic 4-suiter.

 

Seriously, what other choice is there? 3NT with Axx of clubs? Pass with an 18 count? Overcall 3♠ on AKxx?

 

The continuation is less clear. Over 3♦ and 3♥, pass is fairly clear. If partner bids 3♠, I am tempted to bid 4♠. I would pass at MPs, but this is IMPs.

 

Partner could not overcall 1♣, so he should not have a near opening bid with a 5 card major. And partner is not timid about bidding a game. Furthermore, he must be short in clubs, so if he can't bid game with known club shortness, is there a game in these cards?

 

On the other hand, partner knows that I am under pressure on this auction. So maybe he is giving me some rope when he makes a simple nonforcing response.

 

All things considered, it is probably right to pass any nonforcing response.

[Apollo81]

Double and pass. Doesn't seem that close to any other sequence IMO

[Trinidad]

Dbl and Pass.

 

Also after partner bids 3♠. Give him four queens and four spades and 4♠ won't make. With significantly more (not very likely), partner would bid 4♠.

 

Give partner four spades and one queen and he will be declaring 4♠ doubled (if you bid 4♠, of course). He will go -2 in 3♠, for -100, but he will be -3 in 4♠X for -500.

 

Rik

[andy_h]

I would also X and pass

[gnasher]

I also doubled, and passed my partner's 3♥ response, but I don't think it's the right action.

 

If you double, it's very likely that partner will bid three of a suit. It's really hard to imagine a hand where he'll drive game (perhaps a 4=4=4=1 8-count?).

 

If he does bid three of a suit, it's likely to be a seven- or eight-card fit. It will be fairly easy to defend, because your hand will be dummy. Do you really prefer to play in a tight three-level partscore than defend 3♣?

 

I think that if you're going to bid on this hand, you should bite the bullet and bid 3NT, perhaps doubling first to suggest alternatives.

Edited June 19, 2008 by gnasher

[hackenbush]

3NT will usually fail, and might even be doubled. Remember that when you double, partner could have a 5+ card suit.

[nige1]

IMPs, nobody vulnerable ♠ AK74 ♥ KJ5 ♦ K73 ♣ A64

(1♣) _P (3♣) ??

1♣ is clubs or a weak notrump, including 3=2 or 4=2 in the minors but not 5=2.

What do you do?  If you double, what do you plan to do on the next round?

IMO

• Now, _X = 10, 3N = 9, _P = 8
  
• Later, raise 3♠ to 4♠ otherwise, _P =10, 3N = 9.
  

IMO Gnasher's argument receives less attention that it deserves:. if you are going to risk bidding at all, then you should aim for a reasonable profit when you are right. Furthermore, a confidently bid 3N is difficult to double.

[CSGibson]

I also doubled, and passed my partner's 3♥ response, but I don't think it's the right action.

 

If you double, it's very likely that partner will bid three of a suit. It's really hard to imagine a hand where he'll drive game (perhaps a 4=4=4=1 8-count?).

 

If he does bid three of a suit, it's likely to be a seven- or eight-card fit. It will be fairly easy to defend, because your hand will be dummy. Do you really prefer to play in a tight three-level partscore than defend 3♣?

 

I think that if you're going to bid on this hand, you should bite the bullet and bid 3NT, perhaps doubling first to suggest alternatives.

The problem I see with 3NT is that you need 9 running tricks after the club lead, and I don't see any possibility of that, since partner couldn't take either normal or preemptive action over 1 club.

[gnasher]

The problem I see with 3NT is that you need 9 running tricks after the club lead, and I don't see any possibility of that, since partner couldn't take either normal or preemptive action over 1 club.

I don't think that's true, because it's likely that LHO has three or fewer clubs. Given the methods, RHO is likely to have six. Having passed over 1♣, partner is unlikely to be void; even if he is, if we follow the route of doubling and then bidding 3NT, he will presumably remove 3NT.

 

Perhaps I should emphasize that I'm not particularly arguing for 3NT; I just think it's better than doubling and then passing a three-level response. I'm actually inclining towards passing over 3♣.