Neither side vulnerable, sitting in the second seat, my partner opened one club with the following: (s) 9 (h) 9 (d)A7543 (c)AJT987.
Third seat overcalled, two hearts (showing 6). I passed in fourth seat with a 4-4-3-2 shape and 10 high card points in the red suits. First seat also passed.
At this point, partner passed, not able to show her diamond suit, and our opponents got to their best contract (bid two hearts made three) and a top on the board.
But if partner had passed on her first opportunity to speak, couldn't she now bid 2NT (unusual)? I had only three diamonds, with which to bid three diamonds, but they were KQJ. Other pairs with our cards bid and made 4 diamonds.
Is it fair to so that partner's "premature" opening bid precluded her from making the "right" bid later? Or are there advantages of opening 1 club in her position that I have overlooked? (People in my club often open with 9-10 high card points if they have 5-5 or better in length.)
