A Balancing Problem

In the very last round of a club game, you deal and pass (yes you could have opened 2S, but that is a real bad suit, and you have a side A, both of which argue for passing). Your LHO opens 1C, and after two passes it's your turn again.

 

What do you bid?

Where are the points?  You have only 7 HCP, and East has at most 5 HCP.  That leaves 28+ for West and North.  So your partner has some points, and consequently it is likely that you and your partner can make something.

Could you be missing a game if you pass?  Maybe, but probably unlikely.  The vulnerability is very favorable for us to compete.  If North (a known aggressive bidder) can't overcall the measly 1C bid, there are really only two possibilities: North has clubs, and a decent number of points, or North has only about 10 points and no good 5 card suit (except possibly clubs).  With anything else, North would find a bid.  

If North has the clubs and a good hand, West is in trouble.  He must have opened 1C with a balanced hand and 12-14 points.  You may set 1C enough to compensate for a game.  Setting 1C four tricks matches making 3NT.  You should probably pass.  Don't double.  It will give them a chance to escape to a better suit.

If North has only 10 points, West must have about 19.  It's likely that EW have a higher scoring contract somewhere.  Why let West show East how strong he is?  Pass is a good option here too!

What happened at the table?  I was North (the notorious aggressive bidder) and Frank Morgan was South.  He passed.  I had 10 points, including the AQTxx of clubs (and a singleton KS).  Declarer had a 3-1 club fit.  When he failed to drop the singleton KS, declarer found himself winning only one heart trick and one diamond trick: Down 5.  +500 for me and Frank, enough to outscore any games our way (and in fact there weren't any.  It was a complete top score (one of several on the night), the culminating blow in a strong winning evening of bridge.