Red suits, Black Jacks

[JLOGIC]

When I learned bridge if you doubled and corrected a major to diamonds you showed an invitational hand. If you had one major and diamonds and less than an invite, you just started with 2D. This still seems sound theoretically to me, if you have a game in a 4-4 major when you have a 7 count you are still going to find it once you bid 2D, partner will bid again. It might be harder to find a 5-3 fit but double doesnt help you there either, arguably 2D helps you more since over 2N you can bid your 5 card major. Also, it gets difficult to control the auction if you start with X on 7 counts with no fit for one of the majors. A common auction will probably be 1D 2C X 3C 3S. Now if correcting to 4D is unlimited we have to bid 5D on reasonable hands (or we have to risk correcting and hearing 5D from partner), and with this hand we have to play 4 diamonds opposite a reasonable weak NT with 4 spades. Stuff like that all in the name of playing a rare 5-4 heart fit instead of playing 3D seems unnecessary.

 

Maybe this has changed but that is still how I play, I'm fine just bidding 2D and going from there. I do not understand pass at all, we have 4 diamonds and a 7 count. What else is 2D supposed to show?

[marcD]

FWIW I agree with your partner pass . bidding twice with a flat 18 count can turn out very badly . This is the kind of hand which supports opening 2♣ or 2♦ (italian way) with 18-19 balanced . Playing standard, I think responder should bid 2♦ lest partner should have the dreaded 18-19 notrump hand (You may survice dbl then 3♦ invitational but pass seems wrong). Nice hand to discuss with your favorite partner :)

 

After reflection, I prefer 2♦. Over 2N, it seems we can stick our neck out a little and bid 3♥ and get to the right spot.

 

Double and then bid 4♦ over 3♠ when LHO competes seems like a problem, although partner probably has 4252 at worst when this happens. but I don't like it as much, since its tough to find 5-3 hearts.

 

Partner passed 2♣ (?!) with Axx AKx QT8x KQx, so we lost a vul game swing here. If he doubles, then my plan was to bid 3♥.