[helene_t]

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Towards the end of the swiss teams at the Cumbria Congress we were bombed back towards the middle of the field, after a flying start in the first three matches. So there isn't much left to fight for but of course we still want to do our best.

Bluejak is South and his partner opens a multi (weak only, can be five cards) 2♦ to which he gives a paradox response (not necessarily constructive).

Although slam happens to be cold it probably isn't one you really want to be in in, but at least we should have bid game. Teammates sacrificed with 5♥ over 4♠, I don't know how the auction went at their table but multi is quite unusual in this area so North probably opened 2♥.

The number of questions appear to be limited to three, but it might also be interesting to discuss what E could have done if W reopens with a double.

(This was board 20. For those who know the deal: NS have been switched as have EW because I couldn't figure out how to correct dealer in a hand diagram).

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

#1 I think East should pass 3H.
#2 I think West should reopen, ..., I am not sure, I would have done it.
#3 4C - The X certainly does not show 5 spades, why should it.

In the end, thy got you, ..., that is all one can say.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[the hog]

I think East's pass is very poor. In any event West should reopen with a double, but this is not as clear as East's falling asleep.

[nigel_k]

I would bid 3♠, with double as the second choice and 4♣ as the third choice. West should definitely reopen with a double as well. If assigning blame I'd give slightly more to West as I can sort of understand East's pass but the reopening double is completely automatic.

[gnasher]

East should definitely bid 3♠ over 3♥. That won't usually have short clubs, because with short clubs you're unlikely to have enough to bid. Something like AQJxxx xxx xxx x is possible, however.

If East were to double 3♥, I think it would be for takeout, suggesting four spades but not denying five.

With the West hand I'd double 3♥, but I don't think it's automatic. Partner hasn't acted, so he probably doesn't have a great hand. I don't really want to be in 4♣ opposite a 4342 6-count.

[P_Marlowe]

P_Marlowe, on 2011-March-21, 01:32, said:

Hi,

#1 I think East should pass 3H.
#2 I think West should reopen, ..., I am not sure, I would have done it.
#3 4C - The X certainly does not show 5 spades, why should it.

In the end, thy got you, ..., that is all one can say.

With kind regards
Marlowe

Just saw, after reading the other comments, that East passed 3H in the
knowledge of a club fit, slower reading is sometimes useful.
If East knowes the fit, than he should bid, depening on your agreement
set, for us 3S implies fit, but even if you dont have this agreement,
3S should show toelerance, i.e. xx in clubs.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[gwnn]

east and west both have beautiful doubles of 3♥. perhaps east has a 3♠ bid. he doesn't have a pass.

[gwnn]

does west really have a 4♠ bid over x? I think 4 people have misread the third question or I am bad at bridge (which is true, but maybe both are true).

[gnasher]

gwnn, on 2011-March-21, 05:42, said:

does west really have a 4♠ bid over x? I think 4 people have misread the third question or I am bad at bridge (which is true, but maybe both are true).

I misread the question. I thought I was being asked what East should do if West doubles 3♥.

If East doubles 3♥, West should bid 4♥.

[Free]

I agree with Hog: 3♠ by E is clear, but if he's asleep then Dbl from W is clear.

I voted everything to the last question because I didn't understand why E should Dbl and we can't vote to only 2 questions - afterwards it appeared to be a typo zzz...

[Fluffy]

I was gonna say that east pass is the worst bid, and double from west is close, but gnasher said it all already. I also agree with him that 3♠ will often have club support but might not have it

[mfa1010]

I would double as east. 3♠ does not suggest club support in my book. We need to have some standards about overcalling after a multi 2♦, so a good spade suit is still very possible if the hand is weakish.
Pass is really unthinkable as east. If not double or 3♠, then why not at least 4♣? The hand is certainly strong enough for that.

If east passes, then west has a model takeout double of 3♥. I disagree that this is a close decision at all.

If east doubles, then west could bid 4♥ showing a strong flexible hand. Then E-W would land in 4♠, which is their right contract.