Responding to opening bid

This question was asked to: Julian Pottage

Question

Hi Julian, partner opened one spade vulnerable and after pass from opponents , i had 54 in spades, 86542 in hearts, 106 in diamonds and KQ107. I thought about bidding 1NT but with just five points and one working ten decided to pass. Partner had 19 points. What would you have bid?

Julian Pottage's Answer

With 5 HCP I do not go out of my way to find a reason to pass. Playing 4-card majors, partner will quite often have only four spades, in which case 1NT might play better than 1S. Also, if partner should happen to have four hearts, you might have game on. KQ10x of clubs is rather a good holding for 5 points. If I was playing that the 1S opening promised a 5-card spade suit, i would be more inclined to pass.

What do you think? Click here for Julian Pottage's Answer

Questions are taken from the Bernard Magee Bridge forum which is available with BMB paid memberships.