Two Questions

[lisengerg]

[hv=d=w&v=n&s=sjhq96532d43cq975]133|100|Scoring: IMP

I am a beginner, but I got no response on the beginner/intermediate board. The bidding went:

 

 

(1♠) X (2♠) 3♥

(4♠) X (P) 5♥

 

Two questions:

 

Should I bid 4♥ instead of 3♥ at my first turn? Is pulling my partner's X justified, and if not, what hand would pull the X?

 

Thanks for your help.

[/hv] :)

[P_Marlowe]

#1 Yes, 4H.

#2 5H is ok.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[hrothgar]

This is a tricky hand:

 

Start by thinking of the types of hands that partner could have for his take out double.

 

He could (obviously) hold a decent hand with spade shortness

He could have a strong balanced hand that is too strong for a NT overcall

He could have a strong single suited hand that prefers to start with a double rather than an simple overcall.

 

Next, consider that

 

1. You have short spades yourself

2. You have a very weak hand

2. RHO is weak and doesn't have many spades

 

My immediate reaction is that partner is much more likely to have a strong balanced hand rather than a "classic" takeout double.

 

Personally, I'd start with a 4♥ bid (to show my Heart length). After I did so, I'd feel much better about if partner doubled 4♠

 

Having bid 3♥ I'm kinda stuck after partner's double.

 

I think that I'd pass, however, this could work out very badly.