Simpler decision

[pescetom]

MP.

 

[hv=pc=n&s=st87h73dkq6cq9862&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=1hp1n(Semi-forcing, 5-11)2sdp?]160|240[/hv]

 

NS are playing 5-card majors with a semi-forcing 1NT response. A 1NT opening is 15-17, 2NT is 20-22, both exclude a 5-card major. Double is undiscussed.

 

Your call as South after partner's double?

Please answer the Poll and explain your reasoning here.

[FelicityR]

Vulnerable overcalls against non-vulnerable opponents who have both bid are usually solid and sound. Low level doubles are usually for takeout. Hence 3♣

[Cyberyeti]

We play lebensohl here, what's the range of 1N ? I bid 2N intending to pass 3♣ or 3♣ depending on the range.

[pescetom]

We play lebensohl here, what's the range of 1N ? I bid 2N intending to pass 3♣ or 3♣ depending on the range.

 

1NT opening 15-17, will insert in OP thanks.

[Cyberyeti]

1NT opening 15-17, will insert in OP thanks.

 

Not what I meant, was talking about my 1N response

[pescetom]

Not what I meant, was talking about my 1N response

 

5-11(12) and denies both hearts fit and 4-card spades.

[Cyberyeti]

5-11(12) and denies both hearts fit and 4-card spades.

 

In that case I bid 2N intending to pass 3♣, partner can bid something else if really big

[pescetom]

Thanks to those who replied so far. I hoped for a few more but I doubt they would change the result.

 

I just wanted a sanity check, because at the table South passed.

[rmnka447]

I don't play Lebensohl in this situation. Partner's double shows extras likely the 15-17 balanced hand excluded from 1 NT.

 

So the bid I have to make is 3 ♣. It's ambiguous, but allows opener to further describe his/her hand.

 

If I did play Lebensohl here, I'd continue with 2 NT and pass 3 ♣ just as I would had partner opened 1 NT with an intervening ♠ bid.

 

It's possible that partner could break the Lebensohl cycle with a bigger hand than the balanced 15-17.

[pescetom]

Here's the actual layout and full auction.

 

[hv=pc=n&s=st87h73dkq6cq9862&w=skj6532ha95djt42&n=saq4hkq864da9cajt&e=s9hjt2d8753ck7543&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=1hp1n(Semi-forcing, 5-11)2sdppp]400|300[/hv]

 

West's overcall was not up to Felicity's requirements, but neither East nor South had any reason to expect that.

NS picked up 800 for a top.

[mikestar13]

If NS play penalty doubles here, North has a reasonable X at white vs. red and South with ♠xxx and ♥xx has no reason to disturb it. South should expect a good penalty, 800 is a bit lucky, but 500 should still be be a top or near top. But virtually everyone plays X here as takeout.

[pescetom]

If NS play penalty doubles here, North has a reasonable X at white vs. red and South with ♠xxx and ♥xx has no reason to disturb it. South should expect a good penalty, 800 is a bit lucky, but 500 should still be be a top or near top. But virtually everyone plays X here as takeout.

 

As you say, virtually everyone plays X here as takeout, or so I thought. The RA doesn't mandate or allow alerting of low level penalty doubles and NS had no system card. 500 would still have been 97%, 460 was 68% and 430 was 33%.

[Cyberyeti]

N has the world's most normal 2N opener but has opened 1♥, so judgment of the auction is very difficult

[pescetom]

N has the world's most normal 2N opener but has opened 1♥, so judgment of the auction is very difficult

 

And S has the world's most normal 3N response, after that it's just a question of whether they make +1 or +2.

 

The choice to open 1♥ might be linked to 2N range rather than an agreement not to open 2N with 5-card majors, which would be moderately unusual even here. Maybe they play 21-23 and N was being a walrus.