Balance?

[apollo1201]

All green IMPs, RHO deals and passes, and you pass too beacuse it is only a 10 count, because it's clubs, because you're 2nd, because your suit is not good enough with very small pips...oh well you decide to pass this collection, period:

 

Axx

Qxx

x

Axxxxx

 

LHO preempts 3D which is passed back to you... Now what? Agree w/ first pass?

 

Thanks...

[eagles123]

I'm not too fussed between opening and not opening - now i will X

[Tramticket]

Yes, I probably pass in 2nd seat - particularly if the x's are small.

 

I certainly double in protective seat, since I'm the one with short diamonds.

[wank]

yeah i'd double. 2 aces. we'll be happy if partner floats it. if p bids we'll probably go down but then 3D was probably making.

 

definitely pass originally.

[apollo1201]

if p bids we'll probably go down but then 3D was probably making.

 

 

Right that''s why I wasn't sure if X was so obvious. Partner had an unexciting 12-count with 44 majors sth like Kxxx Kxxx Axx Qx and felt he could cue after my passed hand balancing dbl (!),so I ended up (fortunately undoubled) in 4H-2. 3D was just -1.

 

But your answers make me feel better!

 

Thx and nice🎄

[ahydra]

Well, TIL to double on this... I would have passed, only holding 3-3 in the majors (not expecting partner to be happy when he bids 3M, 4M or 4D and I go down with 3D also down). We are of course protected by being a passed hand, but when both 3D and 3M are off, partner is going to bid way more often than he'll pass as nobody wants to concede 470 at IMPs.

 

The given hand was a case in point - though partner should have, of course, just settled for 3 of whichever major had the better spots.

 

ahydra

[nige1]

All green IMPs, RHO deals and passes, and you pass too beacuse it is only a 10 count, because it's clubs, because you're 2nd, because your suit is not good enough with very small pips...oh well you decide to pass this collection, period:

♠ A x x ♥ Q x x ♦ x ♣ A x x x x x

LHO preempts 3D which is passed back to you... Now what? Agree w/ first pass?

As opener, Pass and 1♣, are both OK, IMO. Now I rank

1. Double = T/O but partner will often pass for penalties and you have good defence. Partner might play in a Moysian fit at the 3-level but should realise that you are bidding his cards. Protection denies an opening bid. It doesn't mean you've found an extra ace.
2. Pass = NAT. Correct opposite a partner who has paid no attention to the auction. I suppose, however, you must have some sympathy for a partner with both majors who feels that finding the correct strain is as important as reaching the right level.

[eagles123]

Right that''s why I wasn't sure if X was so obvious. Partner had an unexciting 12-count with 44 majors sth like Kxxx Kxxx Axx Qx and felt he could cue after my passed hand balancing dbl (!),so I ended up (fortunately undoubled) in 4H-2. 3D was just -1.

 

But your answers make me feel better!

 

Thx and nice🎄

 

if pard has a trap pass it's game over - bridge is a game of trust, if my partner passed in this position i would lose trust

[msjennifer]

Two guaranteed defence tricks,7 losers.conveniient rebid ,green,6 carded suit headed by Ace.I don't need more to open this hand 1C in the first position.Additionals are thee cards to an honor support for either major. I shall always open this hand.

Supposing I ,hypothetically ,pass this hand then in the given auction,I will not be very happy ,yet, I will pass again.

[Joe_Old]

Pass originally (Rule of 20) because of the vulnerability. If they were red I'd bid either 1♣ or 3♣, depending upon partnership style.

 

I'd double now, then get a new partner. Forcing to the four level on that hand is !

[iandayre]

Pass originally (Rule of 20) because of the vulnerability. If they were red I'd bid either 1♣ or 3♣, depending upon partnership style.

 

I'd double now, then get a new partner. Forcing to the four level on that hand is !

 

Exactly. Cuebid is how GIB bids.

[GrahamJson]

I must be getting old, but I can't see how a hand that is not worth opening at the one level can somehow be later worth forcing partner to bid at three level.

[Caitlynne]

Yes, I agree with the 2nd seat Pass. It is not an opening bid for all the reasons you cited as well as most guideline (e.g., Rule of 20, 12 HCP and 2 Quick Tricks, etc.)

 

And, now I call Double because that is the obvious call.

 

I really don't see the problem here. Yes, it is risky to bid, but it is also quite risky to Pass! Partner clearly has some values and I have diamond shortness and support for the other 3 suits. Why would I not Double? Surely I would Double if LHO opened 3D in first chair and this were passed around to me - and then it would not be as clear that partner has some values as RHO might have a pretty good (minimum range opening) hand! Now, when it is clear partner has values and RHO does not opening values, it is much easier and safer to Double.

[msjennifer]

I must be getting old, but I can't see how a hand that is not worth opening at the one level can somehow be later worth forcing partner to bid at three level.

Yes.I agree fully with your argument that how can those who consider the hand not worth opening at ONE level FORCE the partner to bid at THREE level.However ,I shall always open this hand 1Club.I don't bother about the so called rule of 20.Let us say a hand 10987,10987,AK,A76 11 plus 8 makes 19 .How many dare pass this hand as it does not satisfy rule of 20? That rule is an arbitrary and general guide line for those learning bridge (novices to early beginners).Perhaps they will suggest some modifications to that rule so that they can open this hand.

[MrAce]

First pass or opening is about your style.

Double now is auto.

[Joe_Old]

Yes.I agree fully with your argument that how can those who consider the hand not worth opening at ONE level FORCE the partner to bid at THREE level.However ,I shall always open this hand 1Club.I don't bother about the so called rule of 20.Let us say a hand 10987,10987,AK,A76 11 plus 8 makes 19 .How many dare pass this hand as it does not satisfy rule of 20? That rule is an arbitrary and general guide line for those learning bridge (novices to early beginners).Perhaps they will suggest some modifications to that rule so that they can open this hand.

 

Your example has nothing to do with the Rule of 20. Three quick tricks and great intermediates in the majors makes your example an automatic opener. Rule of 20 is meant to apply more to hands like Q432 Q432 K2 A43, which should be passed.

[dtaneri]

I certainly agree with the pass in second seat and would pass in last seat. Stay fixed you are likely down 1 and so may the 3d bidder.

[dtaneri]

I certainly agree with the pass in second seat and would pass in last seat. Stay fixed you are likely down 1 and so may the 3d bidder.

[ncohen]

P was too aggressive. You have at most 12 opp 12 and may face bad splits. Also, the DA isn't as useful as an A elsewhere, because it can't work well with your honors. For instance

xxx Ax is far better opposite x KJxxx than P's actual holding. So, 3H is plenty

 

Right that''s why I wasn't sure if X was so obvious. Partner had an unexciting 12-count with 44 majors sth like Kxxx Kxxx Axx Qx and felt he could cue after my passed hand balancing dbl (!),so I ended up (fortunately undoubled) in 4H-2. 3D was just -1.

 

But your answers make me feel better!

 

Thx and nice🎄

[miamijd]

Allow me to disagree a bit with some of the other posters.

 

Pass in 2d seat looks clear to me. If you open, you will go overboard way too often. If the hand gets passed out, you probably are going to break even in the long run.

 

A balancing X also looks right to me. You might actually have a major suit game.

 

Where I disagree with the other posters is with respect to your partner's action. In IMPS, I think he's right. You might as well get into the right strain at game rather than risk being in the wrong strain in a 3-level M contract. I would bid 4d in a flash. The fact that it doesn't work on this hand is immaterial.

 

Sometimes, things just don't work out so well. C'est la vie. It doesn't mean anyone did anything wrong.

 

Cheers,

Mike

[WesleyC]

I must be getting old, but I can't see how a hand that is not worth opening at the one level can somehow be later worth forcing partner to bid at three level.

 

I think the idea that you're missing is that a hand doesn't have a fixed value. During the bidding you need to constantly be reevaluating your side's potential as new information comes to light.

 

When LHO advertises a weakish hand with soft values in diamonds (your singleton) that hugely increases the offensive value of your hand.

Your singleton diamond also inferentially improves your side's defensive prospects because any diamond honours are in partner's hand sitting over declarer.

 

So even if you knew the points were divided exactly 20/20 on this hand, your side would still have a significant positive total point expectation.