From ACBL Bridge Bulletin, March 2006.

Matchpoints, Both Vulnerable
♠J41 ♥A104 ♦J93 ♣J865

¹ 2 ♠ = non-constructive (5-7 points)
What is your call given the above bidding?

Pressured in the bidding
When the opponents push you around in the bidding, partner is under pressure and you have to give him some latitude. At least that's the thinking of the panel minority.

"Pass," says Meyers. "If all partner needs is an ace, she should double again. At matchpoints, I go for the plus score."

Robinson agrees. "Partner probably expects me to have something and my something is not that good."

The Sutherlins echo this. "Pass. We have to give partner some room. He is entitled to hope for a little something from us."

The majority, however, feel that you shouldn't pass. Even though partner acted under pressure, your hand is too good.

Lawrence bids 5 ♦. "This auction suggests both a good hand (by partner) and one that is shapely. My ♣J and ♥10 could both turn out to be useful."

"5 ♦ is the clear value bid," says Baze.

"It may not make, but I owe him a bid with a fit and values," says Meckstroth.

Falk agrees. "Ready to apologize, but I can't really come up with any hands that won't give us excellent play for game. Partner may have played me for a stray jack or two, but not two working jacks and an A-10."

Boehm bids 5 ♦. "Might need a finesse through the opening bidder," he says. "I'm a heavy (2 ♦) overcaller, so, for me, this sequence is particularly strong."

The Colchamiros agree that you can overcall 2 ♦ with very strong hands, thus allowing this sequence to show a powerhouse.  According to them, "The hands with six diamonds that have a limit of 10 tricks would start out bidding 2 ♦ with the intention of doubling later."

"5 ♦," agrees Cohen. "Passing would be pessimistic and I can't see making a slam try. This feels about right."
Freeman disagrees about not making the slam try. He bids 4 ♠. "Only slam try I can make," he says.

Even though you should give partner some leeway when he is forced to act under pressure, the panel opts for 5 ♦. Kennedy sums it up well. "Passing 4 ♦ is too unilateral."