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 |
| Dbl | Pass |
Elegant restraint
All but three of the voters agree that 2♠ is right call.
Kennedy, writing on behalf of the majority opinion: “Partner knows I have values because of my pass of 2♦doubled. I don’t want to punish partner’s double in fourth position by jumping to 3♠.”
Lawrence notes that North could have “whacked” 2♥ with four hearts and sound values. “2♠ looks to be cold while 2♥ may actually be making as well.”
“Clear cut,” is what the Sutherlins call their 2♠ call. “It’s what I might have bid instead of passing 2♦ doubled. Partner should raise with 16+ points and four spades. We will not miss game.”
The Gordons bid 2♠, but consider other options. “2NT could be right,” they suggest. “Partner could still have four hearts. He might not double 2♥ with a marginal hand since our first pass could have been a desperation move.”
“If partner couldn’t double 2♥, I certainly don’t want to,” says Weinstein. “Partner is in the balancing seat, so he might be a bit lighter than usual, but I’m not selling out to 2♥.”
The Coopers question whether this is a forcing auction. “If so, partner denied four hearts with his pass and 2♠ is forcing.”
Rigal notes that 2♠ may not conclude matters. “I’m hoping partner will advance with modest extras with 2NT or 3♠. At teams, maybe 3♠ would be more reasonable.”
Sanborn justifies her 3♠ “value bid” by describing it as non-forcing. “I am likely to have only four trumps considering I passed diamonds for penalty. If 3NT is the right spot, partner will know I have diamonds stopped.”
Surprised by the panel’s decision to let the opponents up off the mat, Walker is the sole doubler. “After the trap pass, a double of their runout doesn’t promise a stack in that suit, too,” she explains. “It shows defensive strength and at least a doubleton heart. Partner’s failure to double isn’t relevant. All he knows is that I have a diamond stack and perhaps nothing else, so he’s going to pass 2♥ with most minimums, even those with four hearts.”
