mfa1010

We play relays from 1NT and we have the option of inviting slam after partner has shown his shape: 1♥-1NT (game force relay) 2♣-2♦ ((13)14-15 almost any hand; relay) 3♣-3♦ (exactly 5♥+4♣; relay) 3NT-4♦ (3514; slam try in hearts). Opener should cooperate after 4♦ even though his trumps are bad which is a big evaluation factor as we play. The rest of his hand is very good with so many controls and no waste.

Like what? Playing 2♦ as 10-18?

3♣ I suppose, but it will probably be a guess from there.

3♥ down the middle for me. We support to 2♥ with any excuse in these situations.

I agree that 4♣ doesn't set up a force, but still partner should expect a good hand opposite and feel involved. I don't think he needs a majestic misfit to double. I'm pulling this but not with confidence.

Ah ok, I didnt read the spoiler.

What order of discards did I state?

There is indeed a squeeze (a double guard squeeze?) to 13 tricks, if declarer reads the end position. Declarer discards the small spades and ♥9 on the clubs. West must keep all his diamonds and at least ♥J to avoid a finesse in hearts. After the clubs, ♦K, diamond finesse, ♠A, west is therefore out of spades and has only one heart left. ♦A then kills east in the majors T11. The best west can do is to throw all his hearts to keep a spade guard. Declarer then has to play heart to his 8 to make all the tricks, and that would fail if west had started with five hearts.

Yep.

Against a good defender I think the diamomd finesse is indicated. They will tend to lead from strength here, and with nothing in the minors they will tend to lead a club. Against a bad defender I don't know. It might be the other way around. It depends on the player. Against the actual player who lead a spade, which is lol, flying ♦A would surely have been right, had we got a diamond lead.

The delayed double shows the hand with spades. But I think the heart fragment thing is off when they bid and raise. We are not on the hunt anymore. Partner should not pass 3♥X with a random minimum and a doubleton heart imo. Our double just that shows we have too much to pass and that no other option was available for us.

Interesting thread. I don't think that it is impossible to get there from a somewhat older age. But you'll need a) the enthusiasm, b) the time and c) top players as hangarounds. Apart from talent. Almost all players that start late miss out on all a)-c).

3♥. I like to put on pressure if possible. Too strong? Don't care. If partner can cover enough losers, he will be a big favourite to raise us to game. Three card spades would have been a greater worry if the preempt were in a minor instead of AKJxxxx hearts.

If we reasonably give west at least 3 of the 4 black tops, then playing him for spade AKxxx will allow three times as many club holdings than AJxxx would. He could then have any spot card club holding in combination with A, K or AK. So even if we think the spade situation is restricted choice then this is trumped by the degree of freedom with club holdings.

I agree. Having kings is a luxury when it comes to one-level overcalls. :)

I would have responded 3♠. The difference in suit quality/length between ♦/♠ is not great enough to surpress the major, and I do have a few values, so it is ok if partner raises 3♠. After partner's 3NT I would have passed (given a 3♦ bid). His sequence is implying some hope for finding a major fit but we have little guarantee to find a spade fit and not just four hearts opposite. Redoubling for blood is not appreciating that partner is under a lot of pressure in these situations and should have some leeway.

I vote for the alternative line of not playing spade to the 8. I don't think the safe play is worth it, as AlexJonson is arguing. In addition we have to deduct for the increased risk of a club ruff by losing a spade early. Clubs could be 6-0, or 5-1 with west having a singleton ♠9 or ♠T. Then we are down on a club shift with ♥A offside. I admit he might have led a club then.

On the actual bidding east should be comfortable about bidding 7. I simply don't see what values west could have for his very aggressive bidding if not ♠A, ♦AQ, ♣K.

It looks like a spade. ♣5 is a big club, but presumably we shouldn't read more into that than it is discouraging. If spade is wrong then partner might have discouraged spades or encouraged diamonds instead. Also he did play big heart then big club. If he has ♦K out he has not been helpful. Maybe he has ♠A + ♦Q and hopes for a switch to the suit where we have the king?

I wonder what N was doing signing off with all the key cards when partner was unlimited. In mps or bam against reasonable opponents, I would have taken ♣A T1 and gone down. The chances for 13 tricks are good: ♥2-1 with ♠ not worse than 4-2 or ♥3-0 with ♠3-3. And still I would often get 12 tricks anyway should this fail. Many of those who got 12 tricks probably didn't get a club lead, because it does really seem obvious to me to go for all 13. I'm surprised by how few bid the slam (if it was a decent field).

I think I would double with the same hands with good shape. But when partner is passed I would be a little more cautious with shapes like 4333. But only a little.

The bridge equivalent of masochism.

Double. I would surely raise if partner bids 5♠.

As it is pointed out it is much better just to establish the long club in with ♦A. Failing to do that it is important to keep counting and visualizing the shapes. At the time declarer plays spade to the king, partner has now shown T-9-x, so it is clear how the distribution is. Declarer is marked with 3-4-4-2. North should duck twice in spades, win the third, cash ♣K and exit hearts. It is then still possible to hold it to 8 tricks, if north unblocks ♥Q. If declarer plays club up himself after the first spade he will get 9, though.

Reminds me of the 2007 world mixed pairs scandal in Turkey, where the field for the final was enlarged after the result from the semi final had been posted. Aside from the very dubious procedure I agree that 16 qualifying teams was much more reasonable in this Transnationals.