? Systemic problems?

[revert2b]

Watching the Buffet Cup this evening, one hand struck me.
At two tables the auction on the following hand proceeded as indicated.
Can someone tell me why North passed?


Dealer E, Vul EW
QT987
J653
-
KJT2
AJ4 K
QT87 94
A QT96532
Q6543 A87
6532
AK2
KJ874
9

N E S W
P 1D X
All Pass

[Peter]

I think it was two of the Americans who sat North and passed. Roy Welland and Bobby Levin, I think. The BBO Vugraph commentator who wrote:

pour moi S est si responsable de N
for me, S is as responsible as N being my translation

also has me baffled. I can see no reason not to bid 1S.

Peter Gill

[sartaj]

In 2004 olympiad R/16 match between USA and Italy, an American ( Steve Weinstein), i think, did something similar.
Passed after 1D (X) and tried to catch up later with (what he thought was) a takeout double of 2H.
Levin passed on xxx or so and they were -670.

[sartaj]

Board 18 here
http://www.bridgefederation.ch/2004/olympiad/r165a.php

[BGN]

Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

[Ralph Parker]

since two good players did the same thing when 1 spade looks obvious there must be an upside or systemic reason. playing a strong club system 1 spade could be constructive plus or pass forces redouble on most hands assume oppos are not stupid(think most/all souths will stick it here). Or just a trap hoping to whack something later