Do you overcall?

[AL78]

IMP pairs, 2 1/2 tables, NS vuln:

 

West

♠AK983

♥2

♦J542

♣862

 

LHO and partner pass, RHO opens a weak 2♥. Your call?

[TMorris]

Pass is automatic

[Cyberyeti]

Pass is automatic

 

It is because partner is likely to do something stupid if we bid or double, partner is virtually certain to hold 10-11 points. It's not a terrible gamble if you play lebensohl here that if you double parner will bid a forcing 3suit that you can pass and very likely make.

 

Is Qxx, xxxx, KQxx, Ax so terribly unlikely where they can make 3♥ and you can make 4♦/♠ if both pointy suits are 3-2 ?

 

The danger is that the layout is close to the above and the pointy suits are both 4-1 so they're making game and you're not.

[AL78]

I passed thinking this was not quite worth a two level overcall (would have liked a sixth spade with so few HCP). This is what happened:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=sj42hakqjt7d963c7&w=sak983h2dj542c862&n=s765h983daktca543&e=sqth654dq87ckqjt9&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=pp2hp2n(Ogust)p3nppp]399|300[/hv]

 

6 imps out when partner understandibly failed to find the ♠Q lead which is the only lead to get it down. Other table were in 4♥-1.

 

Again, I wonder if it is me being too passive or have I just been shafted here.

[DavidKok]

Mostly bad luck. I would not have opened that south hand 2♥, and 2NT Ogust is also optimistic.

[bluenikki]

I passed thinking this was not quite worth a two level overcall (would have liked a sixth spade with so few HCP). This is what happened:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=sj42hakqjt7d963c7&w=sak983h2dj542c862&n=s765h983daktca543&e=sqth654dq87ckqjt9&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=pp2hp2n(Ogust)p3nppp]399|300[/hv]

 

6 imps out when partner understandibly failed to find the ♠Q lead which is the only lead to get it down. Other table were in 4♥-1.

 

Again, I wonder if it is me being too passive or have I just been shafted here.

What would/should west's double of 3NT mean?

[sfi]

Again, I wonder if it is me being too passive or have I just been shafted here.

You weren't too passive. South's 2H is conservative, and only within range because North is a passed hand. You can get your overcall in if they open 1H, but otherwise it's just too dangerous. Sometimes preempts work.

[pescetom]

I passed thinking this was not quite worth a two level overcall

......

6 imps out when partner understandibly failed to find the ♠Q lead which is the only lead to get it down. Other table were in 4♥-1.

 

Again, I wonder if it is me being too passive or have I just been shafted here.

We too have some pairs that will open weak twos that are well worth a 1 level opening. It's frustrating but there isn't much one can do about it except to remember this behaviour (and nag them about accurate disclosure).

 

With some of my partners a double of 3NT would have obtained the spades lead (or 4♡ contract) you desire, maybe worth the risk given the bidding and vulnerability (although again it depends upon how much you trust the Ogust bid).

[AL78]

What would/should west's double of 3NT mean?

 

Undiscussed.