4♠, 5♣, pass, or double... What will you choose? - with India Natt née Leeming 

India is a very good in explaining

The clubs do matter if you play a sensible signalling method. The correct card on the second round is the 10, which partner can read as the highest of equals when declarer ruffs. This should be a signal for spades, particularly when the C9 follows as the next discard. The real question on this hand is what X over 4H actually means for the GIB bidding system. I think for the bidding discussion to have any real merit, this needed to be highlighted. For example, if X were Responsive and South decided to stretch, North would be able to continue 4NT offering a choice of minors. That would be a somewhat higher-level discussion, since many club players would not think about what such a 4NT bid might mean.

The reason that pass is correct here is that any other call is greatly overstating your values, or what we often term "bidding the same values twice." The South hand has 13 hcp and in reality only has 12 working points, since the singleton J of hearts is a worthless card. Sure, you have a decent six card suit, but not much else. Even more important to remember here is that your partner is guaranteed of another bid! If North has a good hand, then he will not sell out to 4H undoubled; similarly, if North does not have a good enough hand to compete, then we are best placed to defend and take our best shot at beating 4H.

Online I would have doubled, crashed and then rage-quit because I refuse to play with unreliable robots.

really enjoyed the analysis thank you

great discussion

4S for sure!

At IMPs scoring, nothing would induce me to let opponents play this hand. When opponents bid to game vulnerable, I expect (at best) them to be beaten by one trick, and often making. This is a classic case where pass (non forcing) could result in a double game swing, and I am very surprised that any strong player would consider it. Frankly, when you pass, you are mighty lucky that game is not makeable for your side. If I agree (as I generally would with a regular partner at IMPs and this vulnerability) that pass is forcing, then that is my choice. With the robot, that is not an option. Partner will usually pass a double, so forget that. 4NT (take out) would work OK on the actual hand, but suggests at least four diamonds and strikes me as wrong. Thus, we come down to 4S or 5C. I think I would choose 5C as, even if partner has five spades, 4S could be unmanageable with a (not improbable) bad spade split. Entries to the club suit will become a problem. An additional consideration is that partner would be less likely to stretch to a borderline negative double with a singleton club. By the way, when you bid 5C, there is a case for partner to correct to 5D (not showing extra values as you did not bid 3D over 2H). The point is that the failure to bid 4S and your marked heart shortage virtually guarantees some diamond length opposite. Occasionally, you will look stupid doing this, however, and I would only do so in practice with one more diamond. Maybe, partner could even bid 5D (as a sacrifice) when you pass 4H, but that could be a disaster if 4H was bid to make with a strong hand and only two or three hearts. I would not risk it with only five diamonds, This is a much harder decision at matchpoint scoring (or point a board) when not playing pass as forcing. An interesting competitive situation, and a common type of problem.

I would bid 4S in case 4❤ is making. It might nudge oppo to 5❤ too which may be crucial. Either way India is an excellent teacher and I admire her clarity of expression as well as her bridge.

I play a lot online and often yell at the robots. "Are you kidding me?" Your partner doubled but didn't support you in clubs. Their partner increased the bid showing support in the same suit. You don't have much in the other suits to block them or much more than the ACE and King in clubs. Knowing the robots your partner could have 1 club, again not supporting you in any thing. Definitely go the safe route and pass.

To be honest - the discussion made me lean towards 5 clubs. Partner must have at least club fit [4252 hand (or 4153)], as with 6 diamonds P should bid 3 diamonds. It may a) Make b) Put opponents into 5 hearts c) Go down -2 and 4 hearts might make making it a good sacrifice.

Did the robot lead the eight of clubs against four spades, and if so, did that enable declarer to get out for three down? On a heart lead, declarer would have great difficulty retaining trump control.

Here the opponents are vulnerable - so east is bidding this with a chance of making it - they will generally have an unbalanced hand for this type of bid. So the first thing is: I am never passing in a million years playing teams at this vulnerability. So the question is 4S or 5C?...partner can easily have 5 spades here but not be strong enough to bid - so I'm opting for 4S...there is a good chance that they don't double us....so it will be only 50's. If they bid 5H I will pass and if they double 4S - I might run to 5C....that will be the tough decision...but I'm pretty sure partner has some clubs in their hand.

4 spades

5 clubs

Five Clubs May be a Great game contract with S-support from Partner. and if OPP goes to 5H, it may go down.

India omitted to count the 2 points for dummy's QC in trick 1. Dummy has 10 points. We have 13, Declarer has 6 to 10, therefore partner has 7 to 11. No wonder the surprise when declarer came up with the AD

Perhaps looking at a sacrifice bid with the hope of a miracle

5Clubs, might go down but could be a good sacraf

Start with 2 C

Playing IMPs I would have sacrificed in 5C. I think that contract goes 2 light (AS, AD, ruff, QC). In 4S we lose 3 spades, AD and probably another diamond. So probably 2 light there as well.

My bid would be 4S

I mean, pass. 5 C is bad. In 4 S, they get a heart, maybe a club, or/and maybe even possibly three diamonds. Thats if partner has AQJx of spades. It's tricky, but I think 4H is likely to go down, i guess, more likely than 4S is to make at least. It's close, I guess i just dont like 4-3 fits.

I would have passed but good to learn the sacrifice bid of 4s was better points wise. love these videos thanks

5 clubs maybe down 1?

I would have passed but only because I would not really know what the alternatives were

4S

Depending if they have game, 5C if yes

I would bid 5clubs as not vulnerable and leave it to my partner.

4s

At the 4 minute mark, 4 spades

Pass

double

I would have tried spades even if it went down

pass or double

My bid PASS

North had no business doubling with just two hearts. But since North did, you just have to hope you can hope for better than you did. You and your partner lacked enough high card points to go above a 4 level bid. With no hint of what your partner has, if assume he had better hearts. I think with only 8 points and no long strong suit, he should have passed.

Too bad it’s a robot, which will double with long spades. With me, the double denies more than 4. So, with a reasonable partner, 5 Clubs. At IMP’s don’t let the vul opponents play

What tricks you think you will get by Doubling? One Spade, 1 Club, maybe two Diamonds...or Two Spades and 1 Diamond. Playing in 4 Spades on a 4 ; 3 fit, down 2 probably. I forgot Vulnerable or Not!?!?!? Double will probably get passed out, maybe down 1

This guy is either the best actor or the lamest bridge player EVER

5 Clubs, not Vulnerable and short in hearts

Too slow

4 spades

5 clubs