What’s your call?
| 1♠ | 1NT | |||
| 2♣ | 2♦ | 2♥ | 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 | Redbl |
While this hand made its holder squirm something awful at the table, it really isn’t much of a problem in the light of day. Most of the panelists passed without a backward glance.
Cohen: “Without squirming.”
Rigal, nonpareil when it comes to understatement: “Partner will run from 1♥ doubled if necessary, while I don’t want to encourage him to do any more. Dummy may come as a disappointment …”
Stack wonders, “Why do anything but pass with no high-card points and no reason to bid? Would a psychic redouble work here?”
Pass by Boehm. “If West passes, partner may be able to ask for rescue by redoubling. Bidding now is asking for bigger trouble.”
Korbel goes into a little more detail about what bigger trouble might mean. “Sure, maybe this will go all pass, but bidding with this hand is just likely to get us into even more trouble. I believe partner averages more than six hearts in this situation – when I have a void – and East has a takeout double, so bidding 1♠ could easily lead to a contract of 2♥ doubled instead of 1♥ doubled or us defending.”
Kennedy emphasizes that her pass does not indicate a willingness to play in hearts. “I have no reason to make a forcing bid. If LHO passes, partner can reopen with a redouble or bid another suit.”
Weinstein says, “I prefer to defend, and passing increases the chances of that. If the double gets left in, partner knows to run.”
Lawrence says, “If I get by this bid, I may be able to bid later without feeling guilty.”
Meyers says that while she’s tempted to bid 1♠, she passes.
Although he prefers to pass, Falk bids 1♠. “The risk that LHO will pass is much higher than usual and partner may not know to run for the hills.”
Colchamiro, God bless him, bids 1♠. “And prays.”
