An Instant Matchpoints Decision

[fuburules3]

[hv=d=w&v=b&s=saqjh8dqj98ckq742]133|100|Scoring: MP

P-P-P-1♣

1♥-2♥-3♥-?[/hv]

 

This was instant matchpoints hand #10 (rotated), but our auction differed from one suggested in booklet. My question is what do the bids of pass, double, and three spades respectively mean. Is pass forcing?

 

At the table I doubled hoping partner would "do the right thing," but the consensus was this was just penalty and I should bid 3♠, which is fine. However, if instead the auction was

 

P-P-P-1♣

1♠-2♠-3♠-?

 

then what would my various bids mean (X versus pass versus 3NT)?

[bucky]

I think double shows a defensive oriented hand in light of bidding, but not with a trump stack, therefore not "just penalty." Typically you will not double with 5+ clubs.

 

Without discussion, pass isn't forcing. With discussion, pass shouldn't be forcing.

 

If the auction goes:

P-P-P-1♣

1♠-2♠-3♠-?

your choice is more limited. With your actual hand the choice is between X, 3NT and 5♣. I'd be worried about X since partner usually has at most 3 hearts (didn't make a neg X), which means opponents have double fit in majors, and my long clubs are warning sign. Probably the MP format will swing me for 3NT call.

[Gerben42]

The way to answer such questions is to ask yourself: What's going on?

 

Partner bid 2♥, showing a ♣ fit and a maximum for his passed hand. Opponents then preempted to 3♥.

 

The conclusion is that partner has told his story, and you have to make a decision.

So Dbl must be "I want to defend", and bidding a new suit like 3♠ must be "choice of games".

 

With reversed majors, your choices would be to Pass, hoping partner can bid 3NT (he knows you are under pressure and if he has Kxx in ♥ he will know you are not balanced so your ♣ fit will be good), or to give up on 3NT and bid 5♣ (you are too good for 4♣). I would go for the first at MP.

[bluecalm]

The conclusion is that partner has told his story, and you have to make a decision.

So Dbl must be "I want to defend", and bidding a new suit like 3♠ must be "choice of games".

 

Too complicated for me.

Imo double should be takout (as every double ever when they bid and raise a suit and we don't have agreed major).

All other bids should be natural.

I fail to see how "partner has told his story". For now he has some points and some clubs. He could be weakish or strong, balanced or not etc (like x Kxx xxxx AJxxx or: Kxx xx AKxx T9xxx

 

Imo 3♠ should show 4 spades and unbal hand.

Pass should be normal minimum hand.

Double just shows extras and a hand which don't want to bid 3NT.

 

Having all this in mind this is imo easy double.

[the hog]

The conclusion is that partner has told his story, and you have to make a decision.

So Dbl must be "I want to defend", and bidding a new suit like 3♠ must be "choice of games".

 

Too complicated for me.

Imo double should be takout (as every double ever when they bid and raise a suit and we don't have agreed major).

All other bids should be natural.

I fail to see how "partner has told his story". For now he has some points and some clubs. He could be weakish or strong, balanced or not etc (like x Kxx xxxx AJxxx or: Kxx xx AKxx T9xxx

 

Imo 3♠ should show 4 spades and unbal hand.

Pass should be normal minimum hand.

Double just shows extras and a hand which don't want to bid 3NT.

 

Having all this in mind this is imo easy double.

I agree with most of this except for the last comment. This is an easy 5C bid. Partner also knows it is matchpoints and did not find a NT bid. I expect very few, if any, heart honours in her hand.