JT9xx xxx Axx Ax

[Elianna]

While this hand shouldn't lead to fistfights, it seems to have segregated my circle of bridge playing friends into groups who feel that one choice is clearly better than the other. I think that it's close, and may be affected by how limited your openings are, but I was curious what people here would do (and whether you feel that it's a right or wrong decision, a question of style, or anything could be an ok agreement).

[pbleighton]

It is close. You didn't give scoring or vulnerability, but:

 

I would double, but wouldn't be upset if a partner bid 2S or passed at MPs. At teams, I think you have to double or bid 2S.

 

Peter

[luis]

2♠ I can't pass with two aces and doubling with 5 spades seems to be wrong. So while far from perfect I think 2♠ is quite clear.

[mike777]

2s

[Double !]

You didn't mention which system is being played. (Phantom Club?)

2 bullets and solid interior sequence in spades: I voted to push a little and bid 2S. I think I can tolerate any bid P makes.

[Free]

2♠ non forcing for me.

[joker_gib]

A 6th spade, 2 aces, enough for 2♠, even if forcing

 

Alain

[Finch]

er... certainly 2S is obvious if you had 6 spades, but sadly you don't.

 

I think it's very close between 2S and pass. I don't see the point of double.

 

Playing weak NT it's an easy 2S bid. Playing strong NT you are going to play in 2NT opposite a balanced 12 count which may not be the best spot.

[Chamaco]

Almost any non-rubbish hand with 2 aces is worth an invite to me (I count Aces = 5 hcp), so, assuming 2S is invitational or better with 5+ spades, I'll bid it without a thought.

[Fluffy]

Can someone tell me if 2♠ is forcing before I make a decision?. I think it is an agreement more important than opening range ;).

[joker_gib]

er... certainly 2S is obvious if you had 6 spades, but sadly you don't.

Oops I saw 6 spades ! ;)

 

I think I wd still bid 2♠ with this hand cause I have 3♥ and RHO bid 2♥. This increases the chances to find a ♠ fit.

 

For Gonzalo : if 2♠ is NFB than 2♠ is obvious, isn't it ?

 

Alain

[mike777]

er... certainly 2S is obvious if you had 6 spades, but sadly you don't.

Oops I saw 6 spades ! ;)

 

I think I wd still bid 2♠ with this hand cause I have 3♥ and RHO bid 2♥. This increases the chances to find a ♠ fit.

 

For Gonzalo : if 2♠ is NFB than 2♠ is obvious, isn't it ?

 

Alain

NFB over WJO? That makes the game rather hard does it not if you have to start with X and then listen to LHO raise their partner?

[joker_gib]

Yes, of course I agree that it can't be NF on WJO ! ;)

[coyot]

Since we play 2nd level NF in competitive bidding, 2♠ is a clear favorite - not too strong. True, the spades are ugly, but, then, noone promised life's gonna be easy.

 

If we play Lebensohl, I still bid NF 2♠, but if the ace of diamonds moves to spades, I would bid that hand as invitational.

[Double !]

This post raises an issue for me.

 

Assuming that the partnership is NOT playing negative free bids, does the person making the 2S bid unconditionally promise another bid? This is an issue where I have heard differing opinions such as "yes, unless opener rebids 2NT". For those of you not playing nfb's (are there any?), what are your opinions on this question. (This is sort of like the question of, playing sayc, whether or not someone making a 2/1 response promises a second bid.)

Thanks in advance.

DHL

[mike777]

This post raises an issue for me.

 

Assuming that the partnership is NOT playing negative free bids, does the person making the 2S bid unconditionally promise another bid? This is an issue where I have heard differing opinions such as "yes, unless opener rebids 2NT". For those of you not playing nfb's (are there any?), what are your opinions on this question. (This is sort of like the question of, playing sayc, whether or not someone making a 2/1 response promises a second bid.)

Thanks in advance.

DHL

To repeat playing NFB after WJO must surely be convention abuse!

Lawrence plays a new suit here as forcing but not promising a rebid.

Same as over a one level overcall, example:1D=(1s)=2c....

[EricK]

It is close between 2♠ and pass. If I have a close decision and 3 small in their suit then I usually go for the cautious route. So Pass for me.

 

I do expect partner to balance aggressively though (as is the style in England).

 

Eric

[luke warm]

2S nf for me

[Al_U_Card]

Your shape is the worst it could be after a H bid by the opps so pulling in the horns with a neg. dbl would be my choice at unf. vul. or at matchpoints. With an understanding pard I would venture 2S at imps or fav. vul. with my apologies in hand......Shortness in pard's suit is almost NEVER good unless its his 2nd suit :)

[luis]

This post raises an issue for me.

 

Assuming that the partnership is NOT playing negative free bids, does the person making the 2S bid unconditionally promise another bid? This is an issue where I have heard differing opinions such as "yes, unless opener rebids 2NT". For those of you not playing nfb's (are there any?), what are your opinions on this question. (This is sort of like the question of, playing sayc, whether or not someone making a 2/1 response promises a second bid.)

Thanks in advance.

DHL

I play that 2♠ is forcing but doesn't promise a rebid.

Responder can pass if:

Opener rebids his suit

Opener supports with 3♠ or 4♠

Opener bids 2NT or 3NT

 

Responder can't pass to a new suit or a cuebid.

[Al_U_Card]

I play that 2♠ is forcing but doesn't promise a rebid.

Responder can pass if:

Opener rebids his suit

Opener supports with 3♠ or 4♠

Opener bids 2NT or 3NT

 

Responder can't pass to a new suit or a cuebid.

Likewise, but I would still double with this hand.

[Elianna]

I held xxx AQ Axx KTxxx. I made the correct decision (on the lay of the cards) to bid 2NT, but managed to completely misplay it (I HATE 10am start times, especially on the East coast, where I'm forced to play at least an hour before I would normally be awake).

 

Anyway, Mike Pudlin (a well respected LA player, who was the 2♥ bidder on xx KJxxxxx Kxx Q) thought that partner's 2♠ bid was the only possible bid on her hands. I disagreed vehemently (picturing a stronger spade suit, even making one of her A's a spade A would be more acceptable to me). Mike polled a group of people, as did I.

 

According to him, everyone that he asked voted for 2♠. Everyone I asked voted for dble. :)

 

I had lunch the next day with Mike, John Jones (another LA expert) and Marshall Miles (recently inducted into the hall of fame) and Mike asked Marshall's opinion, which was in favor of bidding 2♠ (as that's what he did at the table). I later ran into Gene Freed (Grand LM from LA, and still active expert player), and he said that he'd double. I told him Marshall voted for 2♠. His response: all the more reason to double. :unsure:

 

Oh, yea, this was matchpoints, but I don't remember vulnerability.

[flytoox]

I will bid 2S. This is a tough choice. As many said, good control and JT9 of spade give me reason to be aggressive.

 

 

But more important is partnership should be more understanding when confront this kind situation. Dbl, 2S or pass could all be right. To argue who is right or wrong is not very productive. Instead, make an agreement what you and pd should bid when similar hand comes up next time.

[flytoox]

This post raises an issue for me.

 

Assuming that the partnership is NOT playing negative free bids, does the person making the 2S bid unconditionally promise another bid? This is an issue where I have heard differing opinions such as "yes, unless opener rebids 2NT". For those of you not playing nfb's (are there any?), what are your opinions on this question. (This is sort of like the question of, playing sayc, whether or not someone making a 2/1 response promises a second bid.)

Thanks in advance.

DHL

I strongly recommend you to get a copy of Mike Lawrence's complete guide to contested auctions. This book will answer many questions you have or will have.

[han]

Assuming that 2S is forcing I'd double. Seems clearcut to me.