[the_clown]

On the deal you hold:

10xxx
x
AKJxxx
Kx

Partner opens 1♥ in second seat, next op bids 2NT. I double, showing interest to penalize the ops and after 3♣ pass pass its my bid again. We have no clear agreement what a pass over 3♣ means, a double would have been penalty.

Do u pass, try 3nt or bid something else?

[quiddity]

Vulnerability?
I don't think you can pass here; your earlier double set up a forcing pass and partner could have a strong hand. I would double.

[JLOGIC]

3N

[quiddity]

ok, I'll bite.. why 3N? Won't they just set up a bunch of clubs on opening lead and then cash them? And if partner has club help don't we expect to murder 3♣?

[JLOGIC]

If I go down some number in 3N and they're cold for 3C X I have gained a lot. If we are "murdering 3C X" we probably will make 3N, so I haven't lost much/have gained there too.

Do I love my chances in 3N? No. But I'm certainly not doubling them with no tricks or trumps. If partner has a doubleton club, doubling them just seems like a complete disaster.

And as you said we're in a force so I can't pass.

I think you like your chances on defense way more than I do.

[gnasher]

 JLOGIC, on 2011-April-01, 22:08, said:

And as you said we're in a force so I can't pass.

Can't?

[JLOGIC]

 gnasher, on 2011-April-02, 02:35, said:

Can't?

Haha, I actually laughed when I wrote it too, nice catch.

[whereagles]

Pard is min and so am I. Besides, I can't see where our tricks are coming from. Pass and lead a heart.

[phil_20686]

I actually think double is a pretty good bet. Partner would bid with 7 hearts so it seems like dummy must have a bunch of major suit cards. I cannot beleive that they are in a 9 card fit with short diamonds and only bid 3c here. That doesnt seem right. Sure, they might be able to get 9 tricks, but it seems like I have a pretty good chance of restricting them to 6 tricks. Obviously vulnerability matters a lot. It they were red and you were green I would imagine that double is the winning strategy by some margin. I would want to have at least one or two decent diamond pips though. I.e. At least the 8 so that Declarer cannot set up long diamonds by force. Do you really imagine that 9 tricks is a possibility on this auction if declarer cannot establish a single diamond trick? I would even consider leading a trump away from Kx if I doubled.

I mean, 3N might be making, but it hardly seems like a lock. No reason partner cannot have 4 clubs on this auction and just not be prepared to double if they aren't very good.