Defense against michaels

[rcbought]

[hv=d=n&v=e&s=skqj4hq852dk932c2]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv]

 

First question... I sat north with this hand and originally passed. Should I have opened?

 

2nd, My partner opens 1♦ 3rd seat and RHO bids 2♦ michaels. What should I do?

[inquiry]

No you should not have opened.

 

You should double 2♦ suggesting a willingness to double one or the other of their potential contracts. If West bids 2S or 2H and your partner dbubles, you pass happily. If West bids 2H and partner pass, you should correct to 3♦ (after all partner often opens light in third seat).

[hrothgar]

I would have passed playing a standard system. Your close to an opening bid, however, three suited hands are often better on defense than offense.

 

RHO's 2♦ bid shows a two suited hand with Spades and Hearts.

Many people play "Good/Bad Michaels", meaning that they will either have a strong hand OR a weak hand, but not intermediate strength. Its worth asking whether your opponents are using this treatment.

 

You have two different choices in bidding this hand.

 

1. You can double 2♦, announcement that you are willing to penalty double at least one of RHO's suits. In this case, you are happy to penalty double a Spade contract and cooperate in a double of hearts.

 

2. You can emphasize the fact that you have a strong hand with a fit for partner's Diamonds. Many players have adopted "Unusual over Unusual" as a defense to two suited overcalls. Playing this

 

A 2♥ cue bid would show a limit raise + in support of Diamonds

A 2♠ cue bid would show a strong hand with Clubs

A 3♣ bid would be natural and non-forcing

A 3♦ bid would be competitive

 

Playing these methods, you are certainly strong enough for a a 2♥ cue bid.

If you chose to bid 2♥, you are planning to play either 3N or 5♦.

 

The last point is important. You are Red versus White. I would expect to be able to collect +200 defending a doubled contract. You'll need to bid game in order to score better. This strongly suggests choosing option 1...

[luke warm]

i would open the hand, but for us 2♣ shows the 3 suiter... playing 2/1 i'd pass... and i'd double 2♦

[pclayton]

Oh I guess I might open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I'd usually pass. With RHO advertising the majors I'm glad I did pass.

 

Over the Michaels call, I'll double to set up a strong auction as a passed hand and suggest a penalty. It may be a big misfit for them.

[han]

Playing standard I would not open and I would indeed double later.

 

Clearly if they choose spades then you double. I think I agree with Ben that you should bid 3D if they choose hearts. However, it is awfully tempting to try to collect +200 at matchpoints. Since my partners often open light in third seat (very light at these colors) I would bid 3D, I don't think that it is very likely that we can set 2H.