Pre-balance or Pass ?

[sathyab]

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=s4haj94dq98432ct9]133|100|Scoring: MP

(p)-p-(1s)-p-(2s)[/hv]

 

From the 2nd qualifying session in the Life Master Pairs.

 

As South, let's say you found a pass first. After 2 passes, 1♠ by LHO and a raise to 2♠, do you still pass or pre-balance ? If so, with what ?

[rogerclee]

I would double.

[rbforster]

An easy double for me since I already passed.

 

I don't normally play equal level conversion (by UPH) so this would be a harder decision for me if I hadn't passed since I still want to compete but partner would take a correction of his likely 3♣ response to 3♦ as showing a very good hand with diamonds.

[Guest Jlall]

I remember I held this hand and I doubled. Looks kinda thin now that I see it but w/e.

[jdonn]

To me it's a normal double as a passed hand.

[benlessard]

X followed by 3D over 3C show this hand. With a 2 suiter you would bid 2Nt. So double implies 4H + longer suit or a 3 suited hand.

[Guest Jlall]

X followed by 3D over 3C show this hand. With a 2 suiter you would bid 2Nt. So double implies 4H + longer suit or a 3 suited hand.

Yes obviously if it goes this way that's very nice. But often the opps bid something and partner might bid 4C or 5C.

[Apollo81]

double

[han]

Double for me too, I think you have to act.

[sathyab]

It's a bit light, but you know your partner is going to have a tough time if you pass. Chances are he's looking at a balanced 12-13 HCP, not sure how to compete. I did in fact have AKxx KTx KTxx xx. Passing 2s didn't appeal much. If I doubled however, partner could easily bid 3c and we might be playing in a seven card fit at the 3-level VUL. The alternative was to bid 3d hoping to find him with Diamonds, but if pd had 1=4=3=5 shape that'd be a bad idea too. So finally I did pass, no matter how distasteful I found it. If I had a led a Diamond on the go we could play a forcing game and hold declarer to six tricks. But fearing that an aggressive lead might give away a trick I led a club instead and declarer easily made 2s.

 

In situations like this I'd expect pd to pass if his hand is what you'd expect given the auction, i.e, a 5431 shape with not enough to make any noise. It's still possible to gamble that pd has the red suits and try balancing and you might yet do it non-vul, but VUL you might go quietly.

 

Would anyopne try balancing after partner's pass ?

[kgr]

- 2D shows H and D with better D then H in my system.

- DBL in standard.

[gnasher]

I did in fact have AKxx KTx KTxx xx.

...

Would anyopne try balancing after partner's pass ?

I wouldn't. I'd just reason that with short spades and anything at all partner would have bid. This would be harder if partner weren't a passed hand - having passed, he can bid aggressively without overstating his high card strength.

 

I would have led a diamond. A club lead won't seem particularly passive if it hits partner's Qxxx or KJxx. Also, the fact that he hasn't bid is a hint that what strength he has is scattered rather than concentrated.

[jdonn]

If I doubled however, partner could easily bid 3c and we might be playing in a seven card fit at the 3-level VUL.

If you double and partner bids 3♣ you should clearly bid 3♦.

[gnasher]

If you double with a 4342 shape and partner bids 3♣, I think it clear to pass. If partner were 1345 or 1435, he would have bid 2NT, not 3♣. The only shape containing a singleton spade on which he'd bid 3♣ is 1336.

[jdonn]

Sorry I had only skimmed Sathya's post, I thought he was referring to the hand in the thread, not the hand he held at the table. Obv if he doubled with that hand he would pass 3♣.