With only us vulnerable at matchpoints, I opened one club in second seat with this powerhouse: ♠ Q52 ♡AQT5 ♢void ♣ AKQ852.
Left hand opponent passed, partner bid one diamond, right hand opponent bid one spade.
I made a negative double showing four hearts and zero to limited tolerance for diamonds and spades. Partner rebid three diamonds, which under our system showed seven diamonds and 12-13 high card points.
I froze at the misfit and passed. We got a bottom because all other pairs with our hands bid and made either five diamonds or 3 NT. The five diamond bidders got average minus, and the 3NT bidders shared tops on the board.
With the benefit of hindsight, five diamonds at least, was cold. I could count on partner for at least six diamond tricks and one side trick or five diamond tricks and two side tricks. I had at least four in my hand (the AKQ of clubs and the A of hearts), making a total of 11.
Can I reasonably venture 3NT with my shaky spade stopper? Or should I have gone for the "safe" game with five diamonds. And would my "pass" have been reasonable if my hand had been slightly weaker, say with hearts headed by the KJ rather than AQ? (I believe I had a reasonable fear of lack of "transportation" to my hand in the club suit, but should not have feared this lack to both the club and heart aces.)