[bid_em_up]

Having on the spur of the moment deciding to go and play in a local Regional over the long weekend, I get to the playing site Friday afternoon just before game time, needing a partner. The partnership desk has noone that I feel would be compatible (I got there too late), and I am just about to give up when a lady says she wants to play in the one session side game. Now I was really wanting to play both sessions, but faced with no other prospects and not really wanting to have to return home without playing, we discussed system for a few minutes and agreed to play.

Surprisingly enough, she was a competent player in most respects, with only a few trivial bidding or defensive errors occuring throughout the session. As we reached the last round (3 bds/round), I expected that we were doing well, just not quite sure how well. After getting what should be a top or close to it on the first board, I picked up this collection:

MP
Nobody vul

---

and hear this: (1♣) 1S (p) ?

and it is your call?


To be continued after some replies.

[Gerben42]

2♦ sounds about right if it cannot be passed. If it can be passed I have to bid 2♣ or so...

[FrancesHinden]

2♦ as long as I'm confident it's forcing.

[Walddk]

I would be reluctant to bid 2♦ since it may not be interpreted as forcing. With some partners I play it as "constructive but non-forcing". 2♣ would be the catch-all bid with the hand. If my agreement is that it shows 3+ spades as well, I must jump to 3♦. Scary.

I will risk 2♣. She won't pass that.

Roland

[Al_U_Card]

This sounds like a real accident waiting to happen. Opener is likely to hold 4H cards. Pard likely has 3 or 4 and RHO couldn't make a neg dbl due to lack of points. While the value bid is 3NT ??? your only entry to dummy may be in H...(ha ha). 4S on the 5-2 fit may be your only makable game. Start with 2C and then bid NT until he gets the idea or tries for slam or signs off in 4S.......

[whereagles]

Cue seems ok, though I wouldn't be surprised a "stay out of trouble" 3NT was the solution.

[bid_em_up]

Not being sure of how she will take 2♦ (it certainly should be forcing, imo), and I really want her to describe her hand further, I chose the cuebid of 2♣.

To this, she responds 3♠ (although her call really should be 2♥, but she thinks 2♣ is limit/better ♠raise). The 2♦ bidders will hear a lame 2♠.

After 3♠, I decided that I should be able to score 6-7 spade tricks, at least 3 clubs and the Ace of hearts, so I bid 3N (concealing the club suit in the closed hand, so that it will probably take 5 tricks after opps have been forced to pitch on the run of the spades).

Oddly enough, she now bids 4♠. I am reasonably certain that LHO's opening bid consists of the KQ♥ and ♦AK at this point. As I am contemplating our chances in 6♠, a friend of hers walks up (remember its the last round, and other people are finishing), and says "I see you are in first going into the last round".

Does this have any bearing on your call? Is it proper to use this info? It really irritated me that the person did this.....

And now, what do you bid?

[Al_U_Card]

based on the lack of a D control, just pass and take your plus. She is pulling to get away from 3NT not to look for the S slam.

[P_Marlowe]

2C.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Al_U_Card]

bid_em_up, on May 31 2006, 12:30 PM, said:

Surprisingly enough, she was a competent player in most respects,

Why is it surprising? You were there in the same manner, were you not?

[pclayton]

If 2♦ is NF, then 3♦ has got to be forcing.

Quietly pretend you are sneezing and pick up the cc you filled out in the same motion and check.

[mike777]

3nt giving up on slam after 1c opening in first seat by LHO.