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Does anyone think 3♣ should be forcing?

I few years ago on this forum a Precision like system was discussed where the opening 2D bid showed 6+D, no 4 card major, and 11-15. A key part of this approach used 1D-1S-2m to promise 4 hearts and 5+ in the minor suit, while 1D-1M-1NT promised both minors (at least 5/4). What is the best way to continue after the 2D opener using this approach?

[hv=pc=n&s=s73h843dckjt98654&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=1c2s]133|200[/hv] Your call? IMPs again, just to make it clear. Balanced hands with 4-4 in the minors are opened 1♣ around here, in case it matters.

Unless I have agreed with pard what 5S would be, I wouldn't bid that. Bridge is not about giving pard an headache.

Frankly, the main problem I have with Hardy is that he was a lousy writer. I think some of his proposed agreements were less than optimal (I would prefer two way Checkback over New Minor Forcing, for example) but that's a minor problem.

Isn't this the same ruling as "Revoke?" Why is this in Simple Rulings? We know the omission of the disposition of the named/misplaced cards in Law 45D after both sides have played to the next trick means that ruling is not simple. We already have two threads on this topic. I think we all "know" that the trick should stand and that defenders have not revoked if they followed to the card misplaced by dummy, but we would like the Laws to say so. (Bah, Humbug!)

If you're in Los Angeles on a weekend and want a unique brunch experience, I'd suggest that you go to The Magic Castle in Hollywood: it's a magician's club, and for the price of brunch you can see shows in each of the three theaters (the Close-Up Gallery, the Palace of Mystery, and the Parlour of Prestidigitation). The downside: you need to know a member to be allowed in. The upside: I'm a member.

More on the Impossible Spade. I have in my notes a tidbit from Fred G.... where you can improve on Responder's rebids when Opener has rebid 2D : His suggestion ( I can't find the original thread ): 1H - 1NT 2D - 2S! ( either a good Club hand or strong Diam raise ) 2NT! ( asks ) - ?? ......................3C = good Club hand ( direct 3C over 2D would be a lesser hand ) ......................3D = strong Diam raise Just thinking out loud, let's say the 2S! always shows the strong Diam raise: 1H - 1NT 2D - 2S! ( strong Diam raise + something else ) 2NT! ( what else? ) - ?? ..............................3C = Club-stop(s), no Sp-stop ..............................3D = 5+ Diam or questionable stops ..............................3H = honor-x doubleton Ht ..............................3S = Sp-stop(s), no Cl-stop .............................3NT = Cl & Sp-stop

New partnership, called self advanced by standards of online bridge(3000+ mp) Was my bidding out of line and how should I have bid it? [hv=pc=n&s=skq9653hqjt43dj7c&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1d1np2h3d3sp4cp4dp5cppp]133|200[/hv]

Perhaps. Although some people will make cuebids below 4NT with a king, especially when they know the lead comes up to them. But I would not assume this with a pickup partner. *shrug* his problem. He should accept some responsibility. His pass of 5♣ seems to say that he was suddenly not so sure you had spades. Some people play systems off after NT overcalls, so this might be a reasonable fear. With a new partner, I think 4♠ over 4♦ would be wiser, avoiding any confusion and highlighting the lack of a heart control. After this partner should have a good picture.

All good points. I think you meant winning after 1D-1♠-2D-2H...since the 2D bid promised 4 hearts. It seems 2H by responder after 1D-1S-2m should be non-forcing. What about other continuations?

After a year or so of playing only in the Main Bridge Club, I've decided to give the ACBL BBO tournaments a try. Until I get some regular partners, that means the Individual events. I've only played in three of them, so I'm still figuring it out. One thing is not clear to me --- it says "no enemies". If I flag someone as an enemy, does that mean only that I won't get that person as a partner, or does it mean that person won't ever be at my table?

[hv=pc=n&s=s9632h7daq2caj643&w=skj85hkq6djt74c75&n=sa4hjt5dk865cqt98&e=sqt7ha98432d93ck2&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=2hd3hd(responsive, denies 4 spades)p4cp5cppp]399|300|[/hv] Here's the full hand and how it went at our table. The ♣K was duly onside, making +400 a deserved reward for the good guys.

For Matchpoint Pairs, do NOT make 2♥ & 2♠ replies to an opening 2♦ bid as forcing, they should be N.F. because playing in the right suit at pairs is critical. We play them as N.F. but opener can raise with a good hand and fit. Use 2NT as all G.I. hands or better, 3♣ rebid is all minimums, another response is G.F. and maximum. It is great to use transfers over 2♣ openings with 2♠ transferring to diamonds. We have used this scheme for over 10 years and are quite happy with it.

We open 4 cd majors and open with longer minor if one available thus 1D then Maj = at least 5 in the minor and 4 in the Major

Thinking about it more, I think I can just bid 4nt over 4♦, the ace of diamonds implied by 4♦ makes the formally useless ace of clubs useful for a diamond pitch. Sigh, partner didn't speak to me for the rest of the tournament :(

This is in the context of 1C=16+, 1D (may be as short as 1) 1H/1S=11-15, 1NT=11-15 balanced, 2C=11-15 with 6+ GOOD clubs, may have a 4 card major (Hamway response structure) 2D=11-15 with 6+ GOOD diamonds, may NOT have a 4 card major 2H=Flannery 2S=weak 2 2N=20-21 I'd be interested in your thoughts about our initial ideas. We are thinking of the following structure after this 2D: 2H=INV - opener can pass with a minimum and 2 or 3 card support 2S=INV - opener can pass with a minimum and 2 or 3 card support, otherwise: 2NT=natural, Max (probably with 2 card support) 3C=Max, club values or length, looking for 3NT (worried about OM) 3D=NF 3OM=double stopper, looking for 3NT (worried about clubs) 3NT=to play 3M=min with 3 card support 4M=Max with support 2NT=Forcing, asking bid 3C= Max, club values or length 3D=all minimums 3H=Max, heart values 3S=Max, spade values 3NT=solid diamonds 3C=Forcing, 6+ clubs 3D=less than inv 3H=GF, 6+ 3S=GF, 6+

I have this one in my files... from a friend in the Netherlands .... 1NT - 2S! ( GF, Distribution-Ask ) where 1NT does NOT contain a 5 card Major. ?? .. 3C! = 4 cards + another 4 card higher; 3D! asks for 2nd suit .. 3D! = 4 cards + 4 card Major; 3H! asks for 2nd suit .. 3H! = 4/4 Majors .. 3S! = 5 cards Clubs .. 3NT! = 5 cards Diam So, after: 1NT - 2S! 3S! - 4C! ( Minorwood ) 4NT ( 4th step = 2 + ♣Q ) - 6C/6NT

I couldn't do it without relays. It's one thing to upgrade from 14 to 15 but upgrading to 16 is something I wouldn't really ever do. Not to mention that south hand is actually pretty crappy for quantitative with his 4333 shape. I think I wouldn't even bid a quant opposite 14-16NT with that. To show how it can "easily" be done with relays: 1♣ - 1♦ (Nat or 14-19 bal/ Transfer walsh) 1♥ - 1♠ (14-16 bal or 3♥ / Nat or GF relay) 1NT - 2♣ (14-16 bal without 4♠ / relay) 2♦ - 2♥ (5♣ / relay for rel points, not interested about doubleton) 2♠ - 2NT (8 AKQ pts / relay) 3♦ - 3♥ (0/2 Kings and 0/2 of top 3 in clubs /relay) 4♣ - 4♦ (1/3 in hearts and spades, 0/2 in ♦ / relay) 4NT - 6NT (♣J and ♥J / just what I needed) Just a note that if north's other J was in spades, I'd end up in 5NT, nice to have those T9 of clubs so there's no risks :rolleyes:

you have to remember that he can't tell his partner that he's an idiot without it impacting his bank balance.

You have to upgrade North's hand for starters- its worth 15 HCP with the good 5 card club suit. With South's hand- full of control, he has got to be thinking slam. Maybe start: 1NT,2♣,2♦,2♠(game force),3♣(5 clubs),3♦(I am thinking slam).... With a game forcing stayman 2♦ as used in some precision, slam is easy. Relay systems wouldn't have a problem either. Its a hand evaluation failure rather than system failure.

If you passed the first time. You really ought to pass again. Perhaps, the best arguement for acting immediately is to avoid making this decision now.

I can't imagine passing over 3D with the south hand, it is an automatic 4H bid to me. Given that north showed competitive values with minimal diamond waste and often a 4th trump, south had an easy game bid the second time, even though 3H was not invitational.

Passers get a second chance: West raises to 3♥, Pass, Pass back to you.

Maybe I am too wimpy but I just bid 3NT. We have a max of 30 HCP, a crummy suit, and no obvious source of pitches. Sometimes at matchpoints taking the max number of tricks is worth almost as much as bidding them anyway.