Posted 2010-December-21, 11:03
Well, this is one position where (assuming the overcall is Alerted) I *always* ask. Maybe in NA the variety of things played is larger than in that area of England, but the only thing that the ask shows here is that we have 13 cards, and might want to bid something over some meaning from (one major/hearts/spades/diamonds and another/major+minor/red suits/oops, sorry, not Alertable).
So for me, I have no sympathy. There's just too much it could be. Passing is insane if 2D isn't forcing (which, even when I played 2D=single-suited hearts, it wasn't - partner *frequently* had "better diamonds than my hearts"). Do this pair have agreements on D showing hearts, such that a direct 2H, a direct double, and a double of 2H have different meanings? If so, if nothing else, failing to ask means that either partner is going to misunderstand East's next call, or that they have agreements over these bids when partner doesn't ask that are different from when partner does ask (which probably isn't exactly legal, and almost certainly isn't explicit, to be fair to E-W). And that doesn't count what happens if it *is* spades and another, and south bids spades.
I would investigate what South thought 2D was, and why he Alerted it, however. But East's decision is massively wild and incredibly gambling.
And Nick, of course Alerting a clearly non-Alertable bid is MI. It's information to the opponents, and it's wrong. What else could it be? But as you say, that's not what caused the damage.
When I go to sea, don't fear for me, Fear For The Storm -- Birdie and the Swansong (tSCoSI)