What’s your call?
| 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 |
A half-dozen experts – including Meckstroth, Boehm and Sanborn – test the water for game with 3♠.
Weinstein says, “I’m not sure if 3♠ is forcing, but the good news is that I don’t really care. 3♠ leaves open the possibilities of 3NT, 4♠ … and 3♠ if partner takes it as non-forcing.”
Per Rigal, “Looks like a textbook example of extras, letting partner make the last mistake.”
According to Falk, “Partner has not absolutely guaranteed spade support, but then someone is bidding on tram tickets, and it will not be North. If partner has just a goodish hand, he will likely have at least honor-doubleton of spades. I have a pretty good overcall and an extra spade, so I think I need to show my values and six-loser hand.”
Sanborn bids 3♠. “I surely have a good overcall, but we could play better in notrump. If partner bids 3NT, it is probably a better place.”
A half dozen panelists eschew the invitational route.
Kennedy is one who goes directly to 4♠. “With partner’s cuebid, I am good enough for game.”
4♠ by Robinson. “Bid what I hope to make. I have a lot more than I could have had.”
Cohen says, “Can’t play around with a vulnerable IMP game bonus at stake.” He bids 4♠ directly. “As little as:
♠K J x x ♥A x x x ♦ x x x ♣J x
is enough, and partner wouldn’t know it.”
Lawrence calls his 4♠ a value bid. “There is a tiny concern that partner’s cuebid is based on something other than spades, but given they opened and LHO made a bid, I am assuming partner has spades. If LHO had passed, I might have legitimate worries that partner was making a cuebid with something other than spades in mind.”
Colchamiro bids the game. “4♠. Even discounting the ♦ Q, we should have great play for 10 tricks – the sixth spade here is huge.”
Stack bids 4♠, saying, “This is not a minimum overcall. We would have bid 1♠ with the same distribution and only the two black aces. We definitely cannot sign off at 2♠. If we jump to 3♠ and intend it as highly invitational, partner will almost always bid 4♠ if only because we are vulnerable at IMPs. Let’s take partner off the hook and bid it ourselves.”
Hampson makes a 3♣ game try. “I will go to game over any cooperation from partner, but pass 3♠.”
Korbel also uses 3♣ to invite game. “Let’s give it a try by bidding my longest side suit – where I need the most help. We still might get to 3NT when it is right.”
Meyers and the Sutherlins use 3♦ as sort of an asking bid.
Meyers: “I want my partner to bid 3NT.”
The Sutherlins: “We’re not sure where partner’s cards are. Does he have a game-going hand with only a doubleton spade? Unlikely, but possible. Things should be clearer after his next bid.”
Lee squeaks out the meekest possible forward-going call. “2♥. I’m too good to sign off in 2♠, but I’m not happy about forcing to the three level.”
