With the poor crooked scythe and spade(s)

[pilowsky]

"The glories of our blood and state

Are shadows, not substantial things;

There is no armour against fate;

Death lays his icy hand on kings:

Sceptre and Crown

Must tumble down,

And in the dust be equal made

With the poor crooked scythe and spade." (James Shirley)

 

Playing GIB 2/1, I bypass my wonderful diamonds to make my partner aware of my five crooked spades.

But, with no armour against fate, Scylla passes and Charybdis doubles.

Well, I have five spades and a nice diamond suit. I'll pass and see what West thinks of his partner's hand.

Pass, Pass, Pass.

Scylla leads the ♦6, and the dummy appears.

I'm guessing that the ♦6 is a singleton. Charybdis ruffs with the ♠K.

Panic sets in.

When the dust settles, I've managed a creditable 1SX-4 and -800.

I was not disappointed when I discovered that this scored +1.6 IMPs

What did Scylla and Charybdis fail to find?

[hv=pc=n&s=st7642h4dakqj83cj&n=sj9ht83dt97542c42&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=1sppdppp]266|200[/hv]

 

Here's the deal

 

[hv=lin=st||pn|pilowsky,Scylla,Homer,Charybdis|md|1ST7642H4DAKQJ83CJ,SAQ853HJ9752D6CT5,SJ9HT83DT97542C42,SKHAKQ6DCAKQ98763|sv|e|rh||ah|Board%203|mb|1S|an|Major%20suit%20opening%20--%205+%20!S;%2011-21%20HCP;%2012-22%20total%20points|mb|P|mb|P|mb|D|an|3+%20!C;%203+%20!D;%203+%20!H;%209+%20HCP%20|mb|P|mb|P|mb|P|pc|D6|pc|D2|pc|SK|pc|D3|pc|HQ|pc|H4|pc|H2|pc|H3|pc|HK|pc|S2|pc|H5|pc|H8|pc|S4|pc|SA|pc|S9|pc|C9|pc|H9|pc|HT|pc|HA|pc|S6|pc|DA|pc|S5|pc|D4|pc|C7|pc|C5|pc|C2|pc|CQ|pc|CJ|pc|C3|pc|D8|pc|CT|pc|C4|pc|S8|pc|SJ|pc|H6|pc|S7|pc|D5|pc|CA|pc|DK|pc|S3|pc|SQ|pc|D7|pc|CK|pc|ST|pc|HJ|pc|DT|pc|C8|pc|DJ|pc|H7|pc|D9|pc|C6|pc|DQ|]300|300

[/hv]

 

 

The possible contracts

 

http://bit.ly/board3Mar14

 

[nullve]

So West had

 

 

 

AQ853

J9752

6

T5.

 

 

I seem to recall that the robots (basic ones?) were pretty decent at applying LoTT, but recent experiences (mostly with advanced robots) suggest they have forgotten all about it.

[LBengtsson]

LOL X is wrong bid after west has passed. only robot can do...surely not human?

[AL78]

LOL X is wrong bid after west has passed. only robot can do...surely not human?

 

I assume the double was the start of showing a massive hand (intending to cue bid next round). That doesn't seem unreasonable at first glance except when partner passes with a spade stack. If you don't double, what do you do with the West hand?

[pescetom]

I assume the double was the start of showing a massive hand (intending to cue bid next round). That doesn't seem unreasonable at first glance except when partner passes with a spade stack. If you don't double, what do you do with the West hand?

 

Think you mean East hand.

 

East knows from the auction that partner probably has a spades stack, so why risk double?

If 5♦ is exclusion Blackwood then that seems a good start.

If you have no agreements, then 6♣ will not be a disaster.

[apollo1201]

If 5♦ is exclusion Blackwood then that seems a good start.

If you have no agreements, then 6♣ will not be a disaster.

I’m not sure it is standard to bid XKCB at your 1st turn in balancing seat. 5Dwill be natural for 99% of players.

You might survive a 2S cue (H+minor) but 6C is a practical bid.

[AL78]

Think you mean East hand.

 

East knows from the auction that partner probably has a spades stack, so why risk double?

If 5♦ is exclusion Blackwood then that seems a good start.

If you have no agreements, then 6♣ will not be a disaster.

 

Yes I did mean East and I agree, punting the club slam is probably the best alternative.