N has opened 1D and E has made a weak 2 overcall. What should S do?
Mark:
There are 3 options that would all get multiple votes in a
bidding contest: Pass, 3 clubs and Dbl (negative). All three options have
flaws. Some would say the hand isn't strong enough to make a forcing bid of 3
clubs (And it is absolutely forcing). Some would say a negative double is
unacceptable without having 4 of the other major. Some would say that pass is
too wimpy. I agree with all of those complaints, but one of the 3 actions must
be chosen. My own choice is 3 clubs. As it happens, North has an easy decision
to raise to 4 clubs. Some would jump to 5, but that's pretty aggressive with a
nice but aceless hand. I would pass 4 clubs as South, being very much at
the bottom of my range for having bid 3 clubs. Of course, seeing all 4 hands I
can see that 5 clubs is unbeatable if played correctly. It requires expert
level play to make 5, so 4 clubs making 4 should be a very good board.
Meanwhile, E-W can make 3 spades and should have no trouble bidding it. W can
be forgiven for jumping to 4 spades, which has a slight chance of
success with a N-S mistake. Down 1 for -50 should be an OK duplicate
score.
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