tgoodwinsr

Qx is a very strong indicator to declare notrump, so JDonn's distinction between the two 2=2=5=4 hands he cites makes a lot of sense. Jx not so much . . . .

We opened it, too, and ended in 4S.

And what about -500 vs. -470?

I find the several comments from jdonn and JLOGIC about how to, and how not to, bid in a bidding contest to be very interesting. We thought the idea was to bid as we would in real life, but I can see the other point of view. Maybe next year we'll try a different strategy. And incidentally, the postmortems are as much fun as the contest itself.

Is it really so clear for North to double 4D (after 3NT-Dbl.-4C-Dbl.4D-?). Maybe it is easier if he passes and lets his partner double with equal majors.

JLOGIC is absolutely right about passing the double of two spades -- this from someone who did that, and paid the price.

AT of hearts and Qx of clubs, both positive declarer-values, suggested to us rebidding 2D rather than 2S. After that, 3NT was easy: responder raised to 3D, and opener converted.

Hanoi may be saying he thinks the hand isn't strong enough to overcall 1NT -- a sentiment with we agree, although we did bid 1NT at the table. It seems a little hard to stay out of 3NT after that, so we imagine Richard is right about having a lot of company there.

We shocked Richard, mostly by passing the diamond hand as dealer. Our sequence was P - 1S (potential canape); 2D - 3H (canape realized, and with a very strong heart suit; 2H would have been forcing); 3NT - P. That last pass didn't come very easily, but made some sense when partner couldn't open the bidding.

We started 2S-Dbl.-P-4NT (natural), leading quickly to 6NT (first trying diamonds along the way). Hanoi5, hosting us, didn't like 4NT. Any opinions?

I thought our sequence was just right: 1D (potential canape) - 1S; 2C (canape realized) - 3D (which we play as forcing, and which made things easy); 3H (grope) - 3S (no help in hearts, but good spades); 4S.

I wonder if bidding 6C should be called a "P*ltch bid." (Only kidding.)

Repeating a request made elsewhere by TimG, we could use a moderator for the bidding contest this afternoon (Eastern time). Anyone available?

Eddie Fisher.

We (TimG and I) haven't had any responses to requests for host/moderators, so it is beginning to look questionable whether we will be able to meet the deadline for bidding the contest hands. I think this is sad, as we have enjoyed participating in the earlier rounds of the contest. Sincerely, TLGoodwin