[gwnn]

We are unfavorable at teams. Slightly behind (about 10 imp probably) with 2 or 3 boards to go.
RHO deals and opens 1NT (13-15) and:

Scoring: IMP

---

You have agreed to play Astro:
2♣/♦=4♥/♠ (sometimes weak 5) and another.

What would you bid and what is your follow-up plan?

If you X for penalties,

Spoiler

it goes 2Sp natural from left pass pass

If you bid 2♣,

Spoiler

it goes 2Di from partner (NF relay) pass

If you bid anything else,

Spoiler

there is no need for a follow-up plan.

[han]

Agree, this hand is too good to do anything else.

[Fluffy]

Won't show hearts no matter what conventions, 3♦ or double are both ok.

[jdonn]

It's not that I mind showing hearts, I just worry that if I bid 2♣ partner will be weak with long clubs and pass it. So double, obviously bidding diamonds next.

[whereagles]

Seems like we need a swing. I think I'll pass the 1NT and set them on my own. If LHO transfers, I have an easy dbl 2nd round.

Under more normal circumstances, dbl + diams is routine.

[cherdano]

whereagles, on Oct 2 2007, 01:24 PM, said:

Seems like we need a swing. I think I'll pass the 1NT and set them on my own. If LHO transfers, I have an easy dbl 2nd round.

Under more normal circumstances, dbl + diams is routine.

So defending a non-vulnerable undoubled 1N while we almost certainly have a partscore plus is the new way to win 10 IMPs in one board? Under the circumstances, double is even clearer.

[pclayton]

Sick animal these mutant swans.

I will double and bid diamonds. I may be in a position later on to make a TOx and bring hearts into play.

[ArtK78]

I saw a hand like this written up many years ago. The way to win a big swing is to overcall a NATURAL 2♣. If the opponents double you can run to diamonds. But if they don't double you, but instead bid 3NT, now you double. LHO, with AQJx of clubs, redoubles. When you run off the first 7 diamond tricks, that should gain you at least 10 IMPs.

Today, almost no one plays a 2♣ overcall as natural. So maybe you should overcall 3♣! If the auction goes as you hope - 3NT-P-P, you can double, get redoubled and beat it 3 tricks.

Hopefully partner won't ruin your best laid plans.



Of course, if they do bid 3NT, maybe you should just pass and beat it 150 to prevent partner from pulling your double.

[whereagles]

cherdano, on Oct 2 2007, 08:32 PM, said:

So defending a non-vulnerable undoubled 1N while we almost certainly have a partscore plus is the new way to win 10 IMPs in one board?

Swing doesn't always mean 10 imps. If I set opps -2 in 1NT and the guy with my cards on the other table bids to 3NT -2, it will be 7 imps for our side, with 2 boards to go.

If I try for a large 11 imp swing, there is probably a higher chance things go wrong...

[pclayton]

ArtK78, on Oct 2 2007, 02:38 PM, said:

I saw a hand like this written up many years ago.  The way to win a big swing is to overcall a NATURAL 2♣.  If the opponents double you can run to diamonds.  But if they don't double you, but instead bid 3NT, now you double.  LHO, with AQJx of clubs, redoubles.  When you run off the first 7 diamond tricks, that should gain you at least 10 IMPs.

I've done this at the table a long time ago, and I like my action better than what Art mentioned. Not sure I've ever mentioned it here.

I held: ♠xx ♥Axx ♦AKQxxxx ♣x. RHO opened a strong NT and I overcalled with a natural 2♥. LHO snarls and bids 3N. I double and LHO sends it back LOL. Why shouldn't he? He held KJxxx of hearts.

If I overcall one of my stiffs its too likely I'll get doubled and the ruse is up when I run. I might even get raised. If I was going to f** around with this hand, I'd try 2♥.

[goobers]

Instead of 'mutant swan,' how about we call it ugly duckling?

[Free]

goobers, on Oct 3 2007, 12:39 AM, said:

Instead of 'mutant swan,' how about we call it ugly duckling?

That would be more like a 4333

Dbl!

[ArtK78]

pclayton, on Oct 2 2007, 05:44 PM, said:

ArtK78, on Oct 2 2007, 02:38 PM, said:

I saw a hand like this written up many years ago.  The way to win a big swing is to overcall a NATURAL 2♣.  If the opponents double you can run to diamonds.  But if they don't double you, but instead bid 3NT, now you double.  LHO, with AQJx of clubs, redoubles.  When you run off the first 7 diamond tricks, that should gain you at least 10 IMPs.

I've done this at the table a long time ago, and I like my action better than what Art mentioned. Not sure I've ever mentioned it here.

I held: ♠xx ♥Axx ♦AKQxxxx ♣x. RHO opened a strong NT and I overcalled with a natural 2♥. LHO snarls and bids 3N. I double and LHO sends it back LOL. Why shouldn't he? He held KJxxx of hearts.

If I overcall one of my stiffs its too likely I'll get doubled and the ruse is up when I run. I might even get raised. If I was going to f** around with this hand, I'd try 2♥.

Yes, the natural 2♥ overcall would probably have a better chance of success. I just did not want to get beyond 2♦.

[ArtK78]

Jlall, on Oct 3 2007, 11:37 AM, said:

It's always great when I have the most money last 2/3 boards of my life, have a claimer on the match, and my teammates who THINk they are down 10 but have no idea that I  just wrapped up 790 with no play with 2/3 boards left decide to psyche with 7-4 16 counts and dump some imps.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Unless this match was being scored on some sort of barometer method so that the players KNOW the exact score of the match, there is always a significant risk that you have misestimated.

I would never take a flyer (such as the psyche discussed in previous posts) assuming that I was behind in a match and needed a swing. I always assume that my teammates have had at least as good a match as the opponents at my table.

However, the "conditions of contest" for this thread stated that we were 10 IMPs behind near the end of a match, and asked how could we create a favorable swing on this board. That is all that is being discussed here, not tactics at team play.

[whereagles]

That is very correct. Our mates might be having a good session. You don't want to blow it by taking losing risks that might turn out to have been unnecessary.

If I had meckwell as mates, I sure would be playing a straight-down-the-middle game