[jdeegan]

jdonn, on Nov 12 2009, 08:00 PM, said:

I just bid 5♦. My trumps are very bad and that scares me, especially when the breaks are sure to be awful. Maybe I'm too low if partner has AQJxxx of diamonds, but honestly if you bid 5♦ on this hand would you even be that surprised if LHO doubled? And if he was right?

Edit: I didn't see it's a weak notrump system. That's a huge difference since a weak notrump is exactly the hand I feared. I guess I could go for 6♣ now.

5♦ Maybe I am getting cautious in my old age, but jdonn's initial analysis made sense to me. A strong 1NT opener with a wasted ♣ card is no better than a weak 1NT hand. Opponent's preempt has done its job. Remember, partner has another bid, and you have to decide between the three choices (5♦, 6♣ or 6♦) rather quickly and on instinct, else you create an ethical problem for pard, esp. if you select 5♦. How would you feel after an opponent's very slow 5♦ call raised by his pard? If you are slow with your choice, you have to choose the aggressive call. It's like a smooth duck by a defender. Once you hesitate, that opportunity is gone.

[wank]

not true on this auction. A slow 5♦ wouldn't imply anything in particular. Surely the most likely explanation for a hesitation would be choosing between Xing and supporting.