Going down.

[hanp]

Matchpoints in the Netherlands, red against white.

 

Qxx

Axxxx

AKxx

A

 

RHO opens 4S. Your call?

[Ant590]

I hate replying first, but...

 

x (whatever the partnership agrees it to be), then pass partners 5♣, raise anything else to slam.

[dake50]

Push to red slam - hope they sac if it is failing. Convert 5C to 5D - into partner's lap.

[jjbrr]

push to red slam!?

[cherdanno]

Pass.

[Phil]

I think Han is joking.

 

I hope Ant is.

[Ant590]

I hope Ant is.

Nah, I just have no judgement.

 

But it's post on the BBO forums or continue the Thesis, so I might as well look foolish here :)

[aguahombre]

What jurisdiction? If playing where standing up on your chair before doubling shows penalty, I would do that.

 

Otherwise, I guess I try a "convertable values" double, and live with 5C. It will not be a 4-1 fit, and not likely a 5-1. With two places to play, CHO can try 4NT. With a sort-of balanced hand, he will pass the double.

[hanp]

Otherwise, I guess I try a "convertable values" double, and live with 5C.

Playing with those rules I would definitely make a "penalty" double.

[jdonn]

I like double. Yes it's for takeout, be good partner pleeeeease!

[pooltuna]

Matchpoints in the Netherlands, red against white.

 

Qxx

Axxxx

AKxx

A

 

RHO opens 4S. Your call?

X>pass>>>4NT

[Jlall]

I'll X but find it close. If partner has a stiff spade they'll usually bid, but if they're 4-5 they will bid 4N and we should have a shot in 5 of a red. If they have 2 spades I think they'll usually pass unless they have 6 clubs.

 

If partner is 1-6 or 2-6 in the blacks this will probably work out poorly.

 

A big thing is I expect almost the entire field to X (if the 4S bid is normal) and pass. If the 4S bid is not normal, the field will be much better placed than us also. Basically I think we're in a bad spot so it's worth it to gamble, plus it's not that horrible of a gamble.

[mikeh]

I'll X but find it close. If partner has a stiff spade they'll usually bid, but if they're 4-5 they will bid 4N and we should have a shot in 5 of a red. If they have 2 spades I think they'll usually pass unless they have 6 clubs.

 

If partner is 1-6 or 2-6 in the blacks this will probably work out poorly.

 

A big thing is I expect almost the entire field to X (if the 4S bid is normal) and pass. If the 4S bid is not normal, the field will be much better placed than us also. Basically I think we're in a bad spot so it's worth it to gamble, plus it's not that horrible of a gamble.

agreed, altho I am not so sure that partner will bid with most hands with a stiff spade....unless he has unusual shape, he will usually pass with very weak hands. I wouldn't expect him to bid with, say, x Qxxx Jxxx Jxxx.

 

If he bids 5♣, I hope to look unworried as I pass, while silently willing LHO not to double.

[jdonn]

I'm not so sure partner will pull to 5♣ with 2-6 in the black suits either. I think he will sometimes pull and sometimes pass, mostly depending what his clubs are. He will usually pull on hands with a stiff spade though 1444 is the most obvious exception.

[hanp]

I doubled.

 

Partner had something like xx J10 87xx KQ8xx. What should he do? (of course we know now what we want partner to do, but try to ignore that :) )

[jdonn]

I really think he should pass (if I thought he should pass when 2-6 I can't have him bidding when 2-5...) and of course if he doesn't pass he should (clearly!) bid 4NT and we would at least be in a fit, though still a hopeless contract.

[Phil]

I doubled.

 

Partner had something like xx J10 87xx KQ8xx. What should he do? (of course we know now what we want partner to do, but try to ignore that :) )

I think he should pass too. But I think the 17 count is an automatic pass over 4♠ as well.

 

Judging from everyone's comments, I believe I have a different opinion about this hand.

[gnasher]

I'd pass with the strong hand. My partners always pull to my singleton.

 

As advancer, I'd bid 4NT in reply to the double.

[Fluffy]

if pulling wether to pull to clubs or diamonds depends on partnership style, obviously if you play with those who bid double now you better try 4NT, while if you partner a passer you are better pulling to clubs with that holding. So you can give this hand to all your partners before each session and see :)

[mikeh]

I doubled.

 

Partner had something like xx J10 87xx KQ8xx. What should he do? (of course we know now what we want partner to do, but try to ignore that :) )

Ugh...and while I fully understand why we are (eventually) given the actual hands, I almost always have the same problem: I am not at all sure what I would do at the table with the advancing hand, since I already know what would probably be best.

 

Thus at the table I might, as advancer, pass (not enough shape/strength to want to contract for 11 tricks), bid 5♣ (I'd rather play in clubs than diamonds opposite say 2=4=4=3 on some layouts...I may be pitching diamond losers on hearts, as an example, or 4N: I'd rather play in a 4-4 or 4-5 diamond suit than a 5-2 club fit.

 

So, since I cannot be sure what I would really do....ugh summaries it nicely

 

(Doing the best I can, I think he should pass, and my second choice would be 4N, but, like I say, I cannot be objective)

[pooltuna]

I doubled.

 

Partner had something like xx J10 87xx KQ8xx. What should he do? (of course we know now what we want partner to do, but try to ignore that :) )

Basically I think he should pass but I need to think of a clear reason why to be sure I am not resulting. The reason that comes to mind is that I would not want to play either 5m or 3NT opposite any opening 1NT which is well within the range of partner's possible card holding hands

[gwnn]

I would double and pass from partner's side, honest. I (almost) never pull with 5422's because partner never seems to be 4441 when he ought to be. As for double or pass I'm less convinced but I really do have a lot of points. Change partner me's hand to KQxxxx of clubs and a singleton then I bid 5♣ and get a terrible result.

[whereagles]

Dbl, intending to pull 5♣ to 5♦. As for what should pard do... not easy.. toss between pass and 5♣. Really a guess.

[mikeh]

Dbl, intending to pull 5♣ to 5♦. As for what should pard do... not easy.. toss between pass and 5♣. Really a guess.

pull 5♣ to 5♦...lol

[the hog]

I would pass the big hand. I really don't like a double. (I don't like passing either, but....)

 

I would bid 4NT with responder's hand over the double, and I don't think this is a close decision.