[sailoranch]

Scoring: MP

P - P - P - 1♦
1♠ - 1NT - 2♠ - 3♣
P - 4♣ - P - P
P

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Partner and I were not playing any kind of conventional 2NT on this sequence, so 3♣ is "standard" and undiscussed, but please feel free to recommend any methods that would help here. Thanks in advance.

[TylerE]

Why not X 2♠? Then partner can either sit for or it, or take out to 3 of a minor. 3♣ shows a better hand than this.

[helene_t]

As South, I would not have opened. Having opened, I would pass after 2♠.

North's bidding is fine.

[mikeh]

Passing or opening as South is a matter of style. The good news is that we have 3 controls and no rebid problems.. the bad news is that we have a bad hand:)

Having said that: 3♣ is a horrible bid.

I do not, btw, agree with the earlier suggestion that S double 2♠. My suspicion is that B/I players are taught that this is a penalty double.

Even if one plays that such low level doubles of a fit auction by the opps are not penalty.. they HAVE to show extra values... we are forcing partner to choose between defending or competing to 2N or higher, after he made a NON-forward-going, descriptive 1N call.

I can empathize with 3♣ if we were 5-5 in the minors, since with such a hand we are very likely to hold at least one 8 card fit and will often find a 9 card fit.

I would not view 3♣ as forcing.

Having perpetrated 3♣ as South, the focus shifts to North. North has a maximum 10 hcp, for a bid that showed 8-10, and he has 3 working minor suit cards. These are all positive signs. His spade K is not great because partner is virtually marked with a stiff... but maybe partner is 1=2=5=5, and a spade lead allows him to ditch a heart loser (picture x Ax AKxxx Q10xxx.

I would expect to have 4 level safety as North, and I would not suggest notrump, having but one stopper, which I have already shown, so I agree with the 4♣ call.

So the fault lies 100% with S.

[jdonn]

Opening south's hand or not might be a matter of style in first seat, although most would open it, but it really should be passed out in fourth seat. 11 with a singleton spade is something to move onto the next hand with.

[mikeh]

I forgot to look at the auction... yes, I agree, this is a hand that should pass in 4th chair.

[bill1157]

I think South might open 2♦.

Bill

[Phil]

How many times do we have to go through what 3♣ means? We beat this one to death a few months ago when someone asked if 4♣ was a splinter in a similar sequence.

3♣ shows a good hand, way better than the subject hand but it is not forcing. South has a pass and North can act; probably with a double in the balance.

[neilkaz]

Agreed that South bid twice when he should've passed.