Question for Heidi

Heidi,
I have a question concerning a board I have played this week.

Dealer South:

North
♠ J982
♥ A7
♦ QJ83
♣ J92

South
♠ KQ75
♥ KJT98
♦ 10
♣ Q64


Auction:

N	E	S	W
		Pass	1♦
Pass	Pass	1♠	2NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

Should South have overcalled (after Wests 1♦ bid) 1♥ instead of 1♠?

Is it correct that North have passed after 2NT from West?

Thank you

Heidi's Answer

So if I have this right South originally started with a "Pass" (doesn't matter if they did or didn't) and then South's LHO (West) opened the bidding 1♦. North passed as did West's partner East. It was back to South again with this hand:
♠KQ75
♥KJT98
♦T
♣Q64

South had a couple of options -- 1♠ not being one of them. To overcall you need a good FIVE card suit. Now yes, in the balancing position you might be stuck, but here South was not.

So yes, South should have overcalled 1♥ instead of 1♠ IF they were going to overcall.

Another option South had was to make a Take Out Double instead of overcalling. This way they can potentially find a fit in either major. This works out well on this hand because they do not have a ♥ fit but they do have a ♠ fit. So, to be fair to South, bidding 1♠ did help the partnership discover their ♠ fit much better than 1♥ would have.

Now let's talk about West's 2NT bid.

West probably should not have bid 2NT. They probably meant to show a strong balanced hand with 18 or 19 HCP. However in THIS auction they would only need to bid 1NT to show this strong balanced hand. Why? Because their Partner PASSED their opening bid! Partner is broke. Don't get too high! If West just had a minimum hand that would normally rebid 1NT they should be PASSING now! Partner has nothing! Stay out of trouble!

Now back to North with this hand:
♠ J982
♥ A7
♦ QJ83
♣ J92

If my Partner makes a Take Out Double originally I will DOUBLE the 2NT bid. Penalty. You've bid too much opponents.

If my Partner makes a 1♥ overcall originally I might DOUBLE the 2NT bid. Penalty. You've bid too much opponents.

If my Partner makes a 1♠ overcall originally I still might DOUBLE the 2NT bid. Penalty. However with the 9 card fit I probably would not. I would probably raise my Partner's suit.

I think the best place to play is 2NT Doubled. Best for North/South I mean. I think West is going to be in big trouble -- those ♦ are not running and I know it.