Awkward interference

[AL78]

[hv=pc=n&e=skq4hak953dkq3ca3&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=ppp2cdp4c]133|200[/hv]

 

MPs. I opened a Benji 2♣ showing either a strong Acol 2 in a suit or 22-23 HCP. I decided my hand was worth more than 21 HCP so too good for a 20-21 2NT opening. My plan was to bid 2NT next. The auction however escalates quickly to 4♣. What do you do now?

[blackshoe]

Double for penalty.

[nige1]

[hv=pc=n&e=skq4hak953dkq3ca3&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=ppp2cdp4c]133|200| AL78 'MPs. I opened a Benji 2♣ showing either a strong Acol 2 in a suit or 22-23 HCP. I decided my hand was worth more than 21 HCP so too good for a 20-21 2NT opening. My plan was to bid 2NT next. The auction however escalates quickly to 4♣. What do you do now?'

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I would ask what a delayed leap to 4♣ means. Assuming that North has a club pre-empt but mis-sorted his hand, I rank

1. Pass = Forcing

2. Double = Cards

3. 4♥ = NAT but dangerous.

[/hv]

[Cyberyeti]

 

I would ask what a delayed leap to 4♣ means. Assuming that North has a club pre-empt but mis-sorted his hand, I rank

 

You need to ask what the double is, I suspect the answer is clubs.

[AL78]

You need to ask what the double is, I suspect the answer is clubs.

 

Yes the double shows clubs.

[Winstonm]

Double - which must be takeout - seems the standout as it caters to a weakish hand with length in one suit while retaining the penalty option if parter is balanced and yes, this will miss a 5/3!heart fit but if that was critical to this hand it should have been opened 1H.

 

I would reserve pass for 5431 with 3 clubs and 5422 shapes.

[AL78]

I decided the opponents had a big club fit so we must have a fit somewhere, and that fit is most likely in hearts, so I punted 4♥. It worked out, this is the full deal:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=st7h42djt42cqjt87&w=saj9hqt86d976c964&n=s86532hj7da85ck52&e=skq4hak953dkq3ca3&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=ppp2cdp4c4hppp]399|300[/hv]

 

An easy 11 tricks.

 

I did think of double and pass but I have little confidence partner and I would be on the same wavelength as to meaning and continuation, so this was the only other practical bid. I decided it has no more chance of going wrong as either doubling or passing.

[mikeh]

4H is a terrible bid, imo. How would you bid with, say, 2=6=3=2?

 

Double should show the strong notrump hand, but pass is also available. Pass should be forcing....they can’t be allowed to play 4C undoubled, after one opens a strong 2C. Edit: a reasonable alternative, which is what I actually play, is that double is takeout and pass the strong notrump

 

If you pass, partner has an easy double, just as he does had you doubled. Note that they go for 800. North is a bad player. He has very few tricks for partner and few cover cards, so 800 is entirely predictable.

 

Note that neither player has a ‘penalty’ double but that double by either hand should be converted.

[mycroft]

Pass is game forcing, yes? I think I would pass, let partner decide what to do. Apart from wrong-siding the contract (and I don't have any tenaces to protect) and potentially missing 4 (but not 6) hearts, I see not too many downsides. Double was clubs?

[apollo1201]

I’d have passed, meaning I want to play more but if you X that, that’ll be fine. That rules out single suiters so probably a balanced super 2NT opening with shortish C. Maybe 4432 shape would be better than 3532 but sometimes you need to do with what you have.

 

Partner should have hinted you a bit more, though, by XXing to show a positive hand.