	NORTH 92 874 764 J9532
AQ643 AQ5 AQJ5 4		KT5 KJT96 T3 KQT
	J87 32 K982 A876

Dealer: South Vul: NS MP Scoring

West

1
3
4N
6

North

Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass

East

2
4
5
Pass

South
Pass
Pass
Pass
X
Pass

IMPs Versus Matchpoints

1 1430 Keycard: 1 (or 4) of

After South's double of the Keycard asking 5

bid, West took stock of a few things that indicated that 6N might be the best bid.
Did South's double show the

A? Did it just suggest a club lead might be in order? Would you at least consider possible alternative auctions based upon an explanation and ask? Would you have to in order to ask? Are all questions point and/or distribution showing?
Should there be a limit to the number of questions you ask?
How about how many times you ask the same question? How about how you ask them?

West had some information to suggest that 6N might be the better contract.
East's 2 bid promised 5+ hearts and perhaps 10+ HCP.
East's 4 bid after West's 'extra' showing 3 bid denied 'a good 14 points' even after 3+ card heart support had been promised.

West valued hand at 19 HCP plus 3 for shortness.
If playing in NT, those shortness points would have to be deducted.

Could East have had just 12 HCP that DID NOT include something in clubs?

If you the suits of East and South's minor suit kings, 6N is down two with a club lead, a virtual certainty after the South double. If you further give South North's J, at IMPs, doubled and best defended, looks like 6NX down 4 for 800 when 6 would otherwise be more than 'odd's one and +980. That's a 1780 point swing in this hypothetical. How long do you need to consider bidding 6N as East?

If you're playing matchpoints, you probably should give some thought to bidding 6N anyway.
If you're playing IMPs and you gave more than a smile as consideration to 6N, I need you at some of my tables.