Retro Edition

8_9_hand

What’s your call?

2♠ 2NT
3♣ 3 3 3♠ 3NT
4♣ 4 4 4♠ 4NT
5♣ 5 5 5♠ 5NT
6♣ 6 6 6♠ 6NT
7♣ 7 7 7♠ 7NT
Dbl Pass
Click to reveal awards

Panelists
August Boehm, Larry Cohen, Mel Colchamiro, The Coopers, Allan Falk, The Gordons, The Joyces, Betty Ann Kennedy, Mike Lawrence, Jeff Meckstroth, Jill Meyers, Barry Rigal, Steve Robinson, Kerri Sanborn, Don Stack, The Sutherlins, Karen Walker, Steve Weinstein, Bridge Buff

Elegant restraint
All but three of the voters agree that 2♠ is right call.

Kennedy, writing on behalf of the majority opinion: “Partner knows I have values because of my pass of 2doubled. I don’t want to punish partner’s double in fourth position by jumping to 3♠.”

Lawrence notes that North could have “whacked” 2 with four hearts and sound values. “2♠ looks to be cold while 2 may actually be making as well.”

“Clear cut,” is what the Sutherlins call their 2♠ call. “It’s what I might have bid instead of passing 2 doubled. Partner should raise with 16+ points and four spades. We will not miss game.”

The Gordons bid 2♠, but consider other options. “2NT could be right,” they suggest. “Partner could still have four hearts. He might not double 2 with a marginal hand since our first pass could have been a desperation move.”

“If partner couldn’t double 2, I certainly don’t want to,” says Weinstein. “Partner is in the balancing seat, so he might be a bit lighter than usual, but I’m not selling out to 2.”

The Coopers question whether this is a forcing auction. “If so, partner denied four hearts with his pass and 2♠ is forcing.”

Rigal notes that 2♠ may not conclude matters. “I’m hoping partner will advance with modest extras with 2NT or 3♠. At teams, maybe 3♠ would be more reasonable.”

Sanborn justifies her 3♠ “value bid” by describing it as non-forcing. “I am likely to have only four trumps considering I passed diamonds for penalty. If 3NT is the right spot, partner will know I have diamonds stopped.”

Surprised by the panel’s decision to let the opponents up off the mat, Walker is the sole doubler. “After the trap pass, a double of their runout doesn’t promise a stack in that suit, too,” she explains. “It shows defensive strength and at least a doubleton heart. Partner’s failure to double isn’t relevant. All he knows is that I have a diamond stack and perhaps nothing else, so he’s going to pass 2 with most minimums, even those with four hearts.”