[pilowsky]

I've just been reading N.Timm's excellent new edition of 2/1.
Hand evaluation consumes a large part of it.
This hand was mismangled by most of the EW pairs - luckily we were NS.
What would you do as East?

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What happened at our table for only +2.45 IMPs
The hand was played at 144 tables and only 11 tables bid and made the optimal contract for -1.07 IMPs
There seems to be something intrinsically unfair about a scoring system that penalises players when they get the "optimal result", but I guess that's why it's a game and not a maths exam.

Spoiler

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[DavidKok]

I have some gadgets on this precise auction, allowing me to bid 2♦ showing either 4 spades and fewer hearts, or 5(+) spades and a hand too weak to bid a forcing 2♠. In a natural 2/1 system I would have to pass. I think most pairs play 2M as forcing here (I do), and despite the shape, even assuming an unbalanced diamond, this hand is not strong enough to survive on the 3-level (and then we have the death holding of ♣Qx to boot). Even worse, 1♦-(2♣)-2♠-(P); 3♦-(P)-3♥ is GF so we are never getting the second major in. I hate it, but I'm passing.

[jillybean]

Undisciplined me would double. Disciplined me would pass but I hate it, I still think I should show some life here.

[hrothgar]

So... Uh.... Where to begin

2♥ is an abomination
Even playing Negative Free Bids, 2♥ is awful

I would expect most people to pass with the East hand
Some will prefer a light double

I also really dislike the 3♣ rebid by your partner

The opponents are showing values and are in a no fit auction
If you want to be at the three level with the North hand, bid 3♣ immediately

3♦ with a 5332 and a dead King of Clubs is god awful as well.

[Winstonm]

The east hand has some value in a 9-card fit. The only way to find that fit is to negative double. This is not as crazy as it seems. Pard would have opened 1C 33 or 44 in the minors so is likely to hold no more than 3 clubs, meaning the opponents most likely have at least an 8-card fit. We should have a fit.

But it is not guaranteed - not a 9-card fit, for sure. So really it is risk/reward. Anything other than a 9-card fit doesn't look good. It will be really bad if partner rebids diamonds, which is also quite possible.

If my club Q were with my spades I would double. As it is, I pass.

[nige1]

Pilowsky 'I've just been reading N.Timm's excellent new edition of 2/1. Hand evaluation consumes a large part of it. This hand was mismangled by most of the EW pairs - luckily we were NS. What would you do as East?'
++++++++++++++++++++
I rank
1. Pass = Disciplined. Anticipates likely misfit.
2. Double = Into the valley of death.
3. 2♥ = Brave but you can tolerate the lead.
4. 2♠ = Foolhardy

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[helene_t]

I think I would dare a double at these colours.

If East wants to bid a major, probably 2♠ is better, then you might get a chance to bid hearts later without having to reverse. This would have led to 3♠ on this deal, but 3♠ doubled is of course worse than 3♦ undoubled. But a forcing 2♠ overstates East's values substantially.

I don't like West's 3♦ bid. Pass is fairly clear, but if West absolutely has to do something then double.

I think South can double 3♦ but that's of course easy to say when seeing all four hands.

[gszes]

I have not read the spoiler yet sooooo

double and I do not think it is particularly close. It is far too easy for partner to get shut out here and our x may very easily save this hand for us. If we have a game it is most likely in the majors and x now greatly facilitates that outcome. If perchance p tries 3n, our club Q could very easily prove to be an invaluable card. Too few down sides. IMHO x = 8 pass = 4 and most anything else a zero to .5