Strong balancing bid: what is the right call?
Sitting East, what would your next bid be?
Tom Drijver’s solution
You intend to bid NT after any response from partner. This describes your hand perfectly. In the pass-out seat, you first show a takeout double and then bid No-Trump, showing (15)16-18 points with a good opening lead.
Score: 20/20 ✅
This is certainly a possibility, but perhaps a bit too passive. A 2♦ bid gives a somewhat modest picture of your strength.
Score: 15/20
In the pass-out seat, a jump bid is not weak, but strong. Your point count is sufficient, but your hand lacks an extra diamond for such a strong diamond bid.
Score: 10/20
Your distribution is suitable for a 1NT bid, but in the pass-out seat this shows only 11-15 points, so you do not describe your strength accurately and may miss a good game contract.
Score: 05/20
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Sitting South