BBO Discussion Forums: Bidding Over Weak 5-5's - BBO Discussion Forums

You are second hand---RHO opens 2♥, alerted as at least 5♥ and another 5 card suit 6-11 points. Do you act? Please come back later after you post and I will give you the denouement...

Tricky hand. I think I have to pass, but 6-4 shape with values in the long suits and a heart void make me far from certain that this is the best choice. But both double and 3♦ are supremely unappealing, so I go with pass and perhaps come in later.

Pass. You are too weak to act in the direct seat, even with a 6-4.

Peter

Pass is the disciplined call, but how are you going to feel when it goes 4♥ on your left, passed back to you? You have great suit texture and side ♠ suit.

Of course, I won't like 3♦ (4♥) x P either

This is very, very close and maybe I am being braver (more foolish?) on paper than I would at the table, but I am voting for 3♦. I think that this is the winning bid more often than not. I fall back on the dictum that the partner who is short in the opps' suit should be the one to stretch.

I would not be surprised to learn that I have created a nightmare

BTW, thx for the ♦98: without which I would pass

My memory failed me--when I went to check, the♦ suit was only QJ10432, not 987. So I am granting Mike the right to change his mind and pass originally, though still with reservations. JW

microcap, on Nov 21 2005, 01:41 PM, said:

Thanks:))) While the difference may seem subtle, I don't mind playing 3♦ doubled opposite Kxx Qxxxx x Axx with LHO holding AK432 of trump

I do mind if he holds AK987

pass
having played a system where we play two suited weak twos people who tend to bid with nothing do get lucky once in awhile but they also go for numbers

Since all have passed the hand (as did Rex), I will go to part 2 quickly, then maybe part 3 LOL The best bridge problems always have more than one part!! LOL

As Mike predicted, LHO bids 4♥, partner passes, RHO passes, now back to you. Do you act?

3D.

I have a normal 2 level overcall,
a bit light, but thats is.

The 6th card and the intermediate cards
are enough compensation.

Marlowe

PS: With QJ10432 in diamonds, the call
gets a bit dubious, but still I would make
the call, and I stand to it.

microcap, on Nov 21 2005, 02:11 PM, said:

No.

With kind regards
Marlowe

microcap, on Nov 21 2005, 02:11 PM, said:

No. The time to be a hero was over 2♥.

Passing and bidding is insane: I don't care if it works: if a partner of mine did it, he or she would no longer be a partner of mine: my heart can't stand playing with Superman or any other caped crusader. If I was forced to do something other than pass, I'd bid 4♠. That's how insane 5♦ is: 4♠ (an absurd bid that could be justified only by a magic dummy)is better than 5♦

Dbl. All other calls (except 3♦) ZERO.

I expect to hear 4♥ on my left no matter what I do.

If I pass, we are likely done bidding. I am guessing that 4♥ will make most of the time despite a horrible trump stack. Positioning myself to defend with a hand that has less than one and one-half defensive tricks and six winners makes no sense to me.

If I double and partner has spades, we should be OK. If partner has a good club suit, that's OK too with the heart ruffs coming in the short hand. If partner passes, so can I. If partner doubles 4♥, I am going to have to bid 5♦ and hope for the best.

If I bid 3♦, I will lose the spade suit unless I slide with 4♠ when 4♥ comes around to me. Bidding that way is too exciting for me.

Now, let's consider what Mike's FTL analysis tells us. With the outstanding high cards split evenly, we figure to take 11 tricks: 13 - 2 (pard's doubleton) - 0 (20 working points). It might be only ten, if pard has wasted heart honors or is the lesser of the two unheard from hands. GOTTA BID

What about LOTT? I can see nine diamonds, nine hearts, a two suit fit and a void. That would be 20 tricks for my baseline estimate (of course it could be less, but it might just as likely be more). GOTTA BID

As far as what to do over a hypothetical 4♥ -Pass - Pass - ???, I think sheer consistency requires that I make a second really hopeless bid, maybe 4♠

Double. Do I hear anyone saying "I only have 9 hcp"?

Pass. Don't look for 4 - 4 fits, they won't be breaking anyway.
3♦ or nothing at all, this hand: nothing

Pass too !

Alain

Since Rex is about to leave on vacation, i will post part 3 of the problem now. Feel free to answer parts one and two as well if you haven't already. You hold: The auction goes:

LHO- 2♥, Partner passes, RHO jumps to 4♥, you pass, LHO passes, now Partner doubles. Do you bid or let it sit?

Hi,

since partners dbl is penalty, we know he doesnt have one,
but in theory at least, the double is penalty, and since I have
two defencive tricks in diamond (??? should I know that partner has a 6 carder)
and one likely in clubs, I pass.

Marlowe

Partner's double is not penalty but convertable. With 2.5 defensive tricks I pass, seems dangerous though with 5 - 5 hand around. Bidding is also dangerous with said 5 - 5 hand with opps.

microcap, on Nov 22 2005, 05:36 AM, said:

Student: Sir, how do I bid this hand?
Teacher: Under an alias

Give me ♦K and I woudl still pass