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 |
| Pass | Dbl |
Hampson explains 2♠: “I have a game-going hand. I have heart shortness, so I can’t double – partner is too likely to pass when they make. I do have spade stoppers. This should give partner a good sense of my hand.”
Robinson’s 2♠ says, “I have a spade stopper and a good hand.”
Abdou is a 2♠ bidder. “I have a super hand for partner, and if he can stop hearts, great. If not, we can compete in the minors. 2NT is possible, but that’s a call that can be made with fewer highcard points.”
So is Meyers. “This is a little awkward because three of a minor is an underbid and 2♠ could be a bit of an overbid. But I would bid 2♠ and then if partner bids 3♣ or 3♦ , I would bid 3♥.”
2♠ by Korbel: “Although defending 2♥ doubled could easily be right, it feels like a big position to take. I will move toward 3NT, our most likely game.”
Sanborn: “2♠. I must have spades, so in case we belong in 3NT, maybe partner can bid it. Double by me would say that I had a spade trap, but this hand doesn’t really qualify, and I’m not sure that I want partner passing with weakish hearts.”
Colchamiro offers 2♠. “Maybe I’m supposed to double here to show a spade trap, but I can’t bring myself to do that with the singleton jack in what might be their nine-card fit. 2♠ seems to leave all roads open and suggests a stopper in spades but weak hearts.”
Rigal terms 2♠ “the equivalent of a responsive double. I could double 2♥ with a spade stack and slightly better hearts, but not here.”
Boehm likes 2NT. “Double is penalty in my book, typically high-honor third in hearts, spade strength and general values. Those who double are courting minus 670 when partner balanced light with three hearts.”
2NT by the Sutherlins. “Double would be penalty here. 2NT is natural and shows about 12 HCP. Partner should raise with 12-plus points.”
Ditto Lee: “I don’t have enough defense against hearts to double, so I will just make a value-showing bid.”
Lawrence, too: “I’m hoping my ♥J combines well with partner’s heart holding. If 3NT is on, partner will bid it.”
Falk, 2NT: “Double here says, ‘I wanted to double spades for penalty.’ I did not intend to pass 1♠ doubled. Whatever partner thinks I’m doing, I have it covered. I have a notrump invitation and both minors.”
Stack asks whether 2NT would be natural or for the minors, then admits it doesn’t matter. “However partner interprets it, we have it. How many times do we have a chance to make a somewhat nebulous bid where partner cannot go wrong? The downside is that we may play three of a minor on our 3NT hand. If the opponents compete to 3♥, we will double and lead the ♥J.”
Cohen, too, likes the flexibility of 2NT: “I can claim this is natural or minors – whatever suits me best in the postmortem.”
Weinstein doubles. “I have a good hand and don’t know what to do. Hope we are on the same page.” [I don’t think we’re even reading the same book, Steve.]
