Close Calls

4th in hand, Pairs, unfav., all other factors 'normal', early on in the evening.

Q3
87652
J82
QJ7

Pass 1NT (12-14) Pass ?

["Build-up"] teams,game-all, 3rd in hand.

b.29

QJ1076
Q7642
8
KQ

3C 3S 4C P;
P 4D P 5D;
P 6D P P;
X

Presumably a lightner double asking for a major lead. Sadly you are 5/5 which is probably the most unlucky part of a very unlucky evening. Any clues here?

["The Sting"] Only four hands later, this sequence occurs:

b.33, Teams, love-all, 3rd in hand

9
x
109xxxx
Jxxxx

Not the best 6-5-1-1 count you will ever be dealt!

Sequence:

1H 2S P 3S;
4D 4S 5D P;
P 5S P P;
X P ?

You still have a bid and could presumably play in 6D almost certain to be whacked. You have absolutely no defence (and in the post-mortem, it turns out that your partner would not actually shoot you for bidding on to 6D! - he doubled quickly so there is no pressure from that angle)...

however, in spite of 'not holding a lot of defence' - you have chances with 2 red aces and a heart ruff or possibly (if partner intended it that way - is it possible that this is another Lightner double) with (say) a 3640 hand that scores a club ruff at trick one and comes to two (maybe three) other tricks in the wash?

How are you reading and reacting to this double?

Teams, Game all, partner has 530 Greens! [Other half of team are a weak pair - like Pinner/Elton Cup]. Oppo unknown somewhere in the W Midlands! Your second game with this partner.

Weak Reverse-Benjaminised Acol, you are 3rd in hand

10954
Q9
QJ73
K94

1C X ?

How do you feel about 1D, 1H (psychic), 1S, 1NT and 2C ? Try to work this out in your normal bidding tempo!

Another from my W Midlands game.

Pairs, favourable vul., 3rd in hand.

void
K1098542
A94
Q54

1S X ?

You deal at love all playing as a visitor with a partner who is very sensible indeed and has 530 greens to his name! You are on 60% (after 18 boards out of 26) in a field of 24.

KQ109
83
82
AQJ92

1C P 1D P; 1S P 3S P; ?

4S or Pass with reasons please!

Negative double question.

Love all, pairs.

Q8
J975
K74
QJ75

1C 3S ?

Pass or negative double?

Pairs, Love all, 3rd in hand, av+ oppo

A9
KQ3
QJ62
K982

P P 1C 3S; X P ?

Quite a straightforward question for once!

Pairs, favourable vul., 3rd in hand, av. club oppo

10
AK94
8542
10532

1NT(12-14) 2S ?

You are playing take-out doubles here & therefore the choice is a straightforward double or pass.

You deal yourself a 3 count and Pass, game all, pairs, mid- div 2 level oppo., not shooting.

Q64
J432
876
987

P P 1D 1S; P 3S 4H 4S; ?

Pass, Double and 5H all spring to mind, with a possible 5D open for the left-field contingent!

3rd in hand, love all, pairs, average club oppo, not shooting

KQ1052
QJ2
109873
void

1NT P 2H P; 2S 3C ?

1NT is 12-14 and 2H is a RST. Partner can break with 4-card support. The two most sensible bids to me seem to be Pass or 3D - but you can only bid one of these at the table!