What should I Bid? - Best enquiry for October 2005

The best submission for the month of October was made by Michael Flacks.

Hand: At nil vulnerability, playing matchpoint pairs, my partner at East was dealt:

	J75  J8  J92  AJ853

Bidding:	West	North	East	South
	1	2*	?

*weak

Comments: We play Benjaminised Acol with 4-card Majors and negative doubles to 2. My partner bid 3 which I thought showed greater strength and was forcing. What do you recommend that he do?

And Peter's Response:

Hi Michael,

Whatever you choose to play the only real caveat is that you and partner are playing the same music.

It is possible to play new suits as nonforcing, but I wouldn't contemplate doing so. The problem is that double gets loaded up and auctions in which responder has to double are so many that things become impossible to untangle, particularly when LHO raises.

So, a new suit, after opponent's jump overcall, is forcing. As a practical matter, when that bid is at the three level the auction is forcing to game. There simply isn't room to explore and stop. Whatever room is available is needed to sort out fit and possibly suggest slam going values.

With the given hand responder cannot afford to bid immediately. To pass and then bid clubs if partner re-opens with a double is the appropriate action.

You might consider playing Lebensohl in response to such doubles as a handy means to distinguish reasonable values from rubbish.

In any case, I recommend you raise the bar substantially with your negative doubles, takeout doubles and responsive doubles. You need to be able to double for takeout, rather than penalty, when the opponents barrage. e.g

	AQ54  8  KJ76  A532

Should partner open 1 or 1 and opponent bids 2, 3 or 4, double for takeout is best. Partner passes with a suitable hand or bids on as appropriate. You'll continually end in the wrong contract without this opportunity.

Regards
Peter Fordham

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