What’s your call?
| 4♠ | 4NT | |||
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass | Dbl |
Cohen, Colchamiro and Meyers say it isn’t close: 5♣, and what’s the problem?
Weinstein adds insult to injury with a shameless plug. “You must have gotten this problem from Bridge Winners. Those guys are so lame.”
The 5♣ club has a lot of company.
Stack says, “At least 5♣ cannot be doubled on trump tricks. Seems like a very straightforward bid, with the upside that the contract may make. Is there more than we can ask a bid to accomplish?”
Hampson bids 5♣. “I tend to believe opponents who overcall game when vulnerable. I don’t want to double and hear 5♦ from partner.”
Meckstroth, too. “I will believe the 4♥ bid.”
Sanborn, 5♣: “Nasty, but right-hand opponent should be able to count down two max. Could be a double game swing or a good sacrifice. Who knows?”
Robinson: “Close my eyes and bid.” Korbel: “5♣. Just a guess. I’ll be interested to see what the panel bids. Maybe double is right.”
5♣ by Boehm, who says, “4NT is possible, but it’s taking a big position. If partner holds:
♠A x x ♥A x ♦ K Q J x x ♣J x x,
4♥ may be unbeatable and 5♣ is a favorite on the likely heart lead.”
Falk’s defense: “Since I cannot have any confidence that partner has a heart stopper, or that we can run 10 fast tricks after it is knocked out, 4NT does not appeal – and that’s assuming partner would understand that 4NT is competitive. Maybe I can make 5♣, maybe not, but I have no intention of defending 4♥ when my hand may well take zero tricks on defense.”
Lee and the Sutherlins think double is right.
The Sutherlins: “East may have a very good 4♥ bid and we can still set him one. Or he may have a poor 4♥ bid and we will defeat him 200 while we may not be able to make game, even when we have a heart stopper. Double and go plus.”
Lee: “If partner passes and I just bang out clubs, it’s easy to imagine a nearly dead dummy where passive defense will net the maximum, and 5♣ is very far from a sure thing.”
Pavlicek opts for 4NT. “I can only guess at the best strain, and notrump seems as likely as clubs. Plus it doesn’t preclude getting to clubs, as 5♣ would to 4NT. Partner should have a heart stopper to pass 4NT.”
Lawrence’s partner has a heart stopper, too: “4NT. Natural.”
