What’s your call?
| 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT | |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass | Dbl |
Pass by Weinstein, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know if we are in a force or not. I don’t know if they are making or not. I don’t know if we are making or not. I think my panelist card should be revoked!” Ha! Not a chance.
Rigal’s in the dark. “Pass. I have no idea what to bid. Why should I pretend I do?”
Falk, a little befuddled, too, passes. “It is not clear what’s going on, but my two aces may be only one defensive trick, so I’m not going to step in front of partner.”
Colchamiro’s pass is nonforcing. “Edgar Kaplan, the king of forcing passes, says that when our side has bid only one suit, there are no forcing passes.”
Kennedy’s pass is forcing. “I have no way of knowing how weak or strong partner’s hand may be.”
Meckstroth’s pass is noncommittal. “I’m definitely not in a position to make a decision for our side!”
Robinson’s pass is apathetic. “I don’t care what partner does.”
The Sutherlins shrug. “Pass and leave it up to partner.”
Calling it close between pass and double, the Coopers pass. “If partner has good trumps, the ♥A and ♦ K Q, 6♠ could be easy. On the other hand, this is sort of a minimum-ish hand. Since we don’t know what’s right, we again ask partner for help.”
Walker passes. “I’m not ashamed of this hand if partner wants to bid 6♠, but I’m expecting a double.”
Boehm passes. “Take the middle road with no clear direction.”
Enter the doublers.
Stack: “This hand has plenty of losers, so 6♠ is remote. It is possible that 6♣ is making, but I cannot pass with two aces in hand and no interest in 6♠ except as a sacrifice.”
Sanborn: “I think pass not only shows the club control, but it also invites partner to bid on. If you put the club in with my hearts, I would pass. Now I would have three first-round controls to go with my extra shape.”
Hampson: “I will assume the opponents are saving and discourage partner from bidding further.”
Meyers also doubles to send a message to partner. “I am afraid if I pass, I am inviting partner to bid, and I don’t have the values to go on.”
The Joyces double. “They may not cash, but we do have two aces. It is not clear that a pass would be forcing or that we want it to be.”
Lawrence doubles. “I fear that partner has a big hand, also with a singleton club. If he has what I need to make 6♠, he would have bid it already. Pass is forcing, so I do not want North to bid a slam. If my partner has a weak 5♠ bid (possible) and East is bidding 6♣ to make, I may regret this.”
Cohen is among the doublers. “I think pass is forcing, but with two aces and no extra spade length, I’m willing to defend. Sometimes taking out insurance can cost a lot of money (or IMPs).”
The Gordons propose a foresighted, if offbeat, 6♦ . “Partner needs a lead against 7♣.”
