mikestar13

The real reason why some decent players would open 1m with Ax Axx Axxx Axxx (if their system can handle it) is to avoid wrongsiding the NT. Anybody who takes "aces and spaces" seriously to the point of thinking four aces are a weak NT, not only isn't a good player, but very likely never will be. (I speak from years of directing games at a retirement community for the residents--the good players among them bid sensibly, and the LOL's/LOM's screamed "aces and spaces!".)

I wouldn't open this 1NT playing a system requiring 1NT on all 5-3-3-2's (which I do, most of the time), preferring to treat this excellent spade suit as a six cards. And if I won't open it 1NT, I sure won't overcall 1NT, where 1NT has more downside and less upside.

Yeah, you should. If West had said "the next heart won't cash, please switch", no one could doubt that a director call would be appropriate, and here West said precisely that, using slightly different words. If West is really that inexperienced, he badly needs teaching; and if he is not so inexperienced, he knows better, and the intentional UI needs to be noted and punished. The fact that the UI was used badly is only relevant to restoring equity (not applicable here, no damage) but not relevant to whether the intentional sending of UI should be punished. Attempted murder is still a crime, though the victim didn't die.

By the way, hand #3 was a takeout double according to Edgar Kaplan back in the 60's.

I'd consider 3♥ even at equal, but would surely pass 2♥ if I had opened a multi. Preempt as high as you dare, then shut up. The perpetrator really needs to learn paradox bids (Chris Ryall's webite is a good source.)

The only contexts I have personally found pass/double inversion useful are forcing pass situations. In such sequences it can't be right to sell out undoubled. When it can be right to sell out, sometimes it will be right, and you need to be able to do it, which PDI makes impossible.

This hand is one reason why we play Precision. If we can be sure they have a ten-card heart fit, 4♠ is likely to be a make of a good save, depending on the high card position. But if an eight-card fit on a "game but no slam" hand is possible, you just have to guess and hope you guess right. By the way, it has always been our practice in my Precision partnerships to alert the game raise, so the opponents are sure to know the guess they are facing.

As a computer programmer I can tell you this: even if it is, in point of fact, difficult (never impossible) to hack the score-sheet application, it's not so hard to hack Windows; something that the various governing bodies in Bridge would do well to keep in mind.

Something else interesting is found in John Montgomery's Revision Club notes. Respecting John's copyright, I will only quote the basics for direct bids with no followups. After (1♣) X = 4 spades exactly and 5+ in a minor. 1♦ = both majors, not as good as 5-5. 1NT = two suited including spades, 5-5 or better. 2NT = two suited hearts and minor, 5-5 or better. 3NT = two suited in minors, usually better than 5-5. All other bids natural. The complete PDFs for the system are at BridgeWithDan.com

I have to abstain on this one--it really depends on the overall system. In, for example, Revision Club, 1NT is 16-18(!), so the choice with a weaker balanced hand is between 1♦ showing a balanced hand among other possibilities, or 1M. In this context, 1M is clearly superior. In other big club/variable club contexts, YMMV. But in general, whether the 1M opening is limited or not, the stronger the NT range, the more likely 1NT with a 5 card major is to be right. Kaplan-Sheinwold refused to open a 12-14 NT with a 5 card major better than xxxxx. And while EK wasn't right about everything, he felt strongly about this, according to the KS system book..

I've played Precision with natural positives for many years. I've found natural continuation (given this is forcing pass situation) quite adequate. Pass/ Double inversion is not usually used at this level, but might work out OK as this should improve the bidding of opener's two-suited hands. New suit bids, no trump bids, and raises should be natural. These kinds of bids by fourth hand are neither as common nor as troublesome as 1♣ -(P)-1♦ negative-(2♠) and similar. By the way, I've been experimenting with immediate responses on negative values with shape (like Revision Club) and had had some interesting experiences.

Quite true, though I'd rank 1♥-2♠ just about as bad. Best counter move is for opponents to interfere aggressively. Responder may still be able to unwind 1♠-(P)-2♥-(3♦) ,but how do you propose to handle it if next hand tries 4♦ instead?

Quite true, though I'd rank 1♥-2♠ just about as bad. Best counter move is for opponents to interfere aggressively. Responder may still be able to unwind 1♠-(P)-2♥-(3♦) ,but how do you propose to handle it if next hand tries 4♦ instead?

Agree 100%. Partner can cue 3♥ over my 3♦ if he has good cards but no heart stopper. (His most likely holding on my hand plus the bidding, hitch or no).

OK, I'll tell you this bid could logically be a picture bid showing great trumps and nothing else noteworthy (No A, K, stiff, or void on the side.) This makes pass obvious: we're off A♣ and two red kings.

OK, I'll tell you this bid could logically be a picture bid showing great trumps and nothing else noteworthy (No A, K, stiff,void on the side.) This makes pass obvious: we're off A♣ and two red kings.

How about this for keeping it simple: [hv=pc=n&s=sakqj74hda62ck862&w=s862hajt96d98753c&n=sth74dkj4caqjt743&e=s953hkq8532dqtc95&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=4cp7cppp]399|300[/hv] No way to bid the South hand scientifically, unless for you 5♦ = Grand Slam force in clubs, or some similar gadget. 5NT = GSF is useless, as you only need the A♣, with 11 trumps the queen will fall. At matchpoints this is tougher as 7♠ is cold unless 5 spades are in one enemy hand or the opening lead is ruffed. Personally, I'd still stick with 7♣--a making grand slam will never be a zero and will often be above average even if a higher scoring grand makes.

Not crazy but I wouldn't do it (assuming middle of the road direct overcalls). Exchange then spades and diamonds and it is an absolutely routine balancing double of 1♦. Either partner is weak or they are in they wrong suit. You do need a natural 1NT overcall in balancing seat, but it requires a it more than this I might even gamble on it if I had a third spade and the same high cards (better safety if partner has spades but no values and we need to run). I would think about it and probably do it if there were overriding state of the game considerations.

I think rather the contrary: If responder is weak, 1NT will usually play better than 2M when responder has two cards opposite partner's 5 card major, a little worse, with three cards, and much worse with four cards (but then opponents have enough shape they should be bidding); with a stiff or void in partner's major, some other suit will usually play better than NT if you can find the right suit (no sure thing on weak hands), but 1NT will play much better than opener's major. 1NT will usually play better than the 3M that you will often get to if you open 1M on these hands. If responder is invitational, you can find the fit when opener is going to accept (assuming a well-developed method). So there are losses when responder has good support (4 cards) we break even at worst when responder has three cards, and gain a little or a lot if responder is shorter. My advice: With 5-3-3-2 (5 card major) in your NT range, open 1NT unless your hand is very suit oriented and your major is so good you don't mind pretending it's a six carder. I believe this would be reasonable in a world where Puppet Stayman were never invented, not to mention the actual world.

This is precisely the kind of feedback that I'm looking for--areas that can change profitably without the need to redesign to whole method. I'll try out your idea, it sounds promising. My notes should be clearer for the method that I have, however. The 2NT rebid is forcing, responder will bid 3♥ with 45xx. You method still looks like an improvement, identifying the spade fit as soon as possible.

Final installment . . . The auction has started 1NT-2♦-2♥: 2♠ = Exactly 5 hearts, balanced, or 4+ minor, invitational. Denies 4+ spades.. .....2NT = rejects balanced invitation, usually <3♥. ..........P = to play, either balanced or minor suit with poor shape (usually 5-4-2-2). ..........3♣ = 4+ clubs. ...............P = to play. ...............3♦ = shows diamond stopper, interested in 3NT. ...............3♠ = shows spade stopper, interested in 3NT. ...............3NT = to play. ...............4♣ = invitational to 5♣. ..........3♦ = 4+ diamonds. ...............3♥ = artificial, shows club stopper, interested in 3NT. ...............3♠ = shows spade stopper, interested in 3NT. ...............3NT = to play. ...............4♦ = invitational to 5♦. .....3♣ = 4-5 clubs, <3 hearts, accepts balanced invitation. ..........3♦ = 4+ diamonds. ..........3♠ = 4+ clubs, asks for diamond stopper, interested in 3NT. ..........3NT = to play. ..........4♣ = usually 5+ clubs, no interest in 3NT. .....3♦ = <3 hearts, 4+ diamonds, accepts balanced invitation. ..........3♥ = to play, normally 5 hearts, 4+ clubs. ..........3♠ = 4+ in either minor, asks for club stopper, interested in 3NT. ..........3NT = to play. ..........4♣/4♦ usually 5+ in bid suit, no interest in 3NT. .....3♥ = 3+ hearts, rejects all invitations. .....3♠ = <3 hearts, asks for spade stopper, interested in 3NT. .....3NT = to play. .....4♥ = to play.

Continuing. . . 2♠ weak or game forcing with 6+ diamonds, or weak with both minors. .....2NT = prefer diamonds if partner has both. ...........3♣ = 6+ diamonds, club shortage. ...........3♦ = diamond sign off. ...........3♥/3♠ = 6+ diamonds, shortage in bid suit. .....3♣ = prefer clubs if partner has both. ..........P = club sign off. ..........3♦ = diamond sign off. ..........3♥/3♠ = 6+ diamonds, shortage in bid suit ..........3NT = 6+ diamonds, club shortage, no slam interest. ..........4♣ = 6+ diamonds, club shortage, slam interest. 2NT = transfer to clubs. .....3♣ = normal action. ..........P = club sign off. ..........3♦/3♥/3♠ = shortage in bid suit. 3♣ = Low information Puppet Stayman, game forcing. .....3♦ =denies 5 card major. ..........3♥/3♠ = asks for 4 cards in other major. -- responder will use regular Stayman with 4-4 majors. .....3♥/3♠ = 5 cards in bid suit. 3♦ = 5-5 or better in majors, game forcing. .....3♥/3♠ = 3+ cards in suit, slam interest. .....3NT = poor support, concentration of values in minors. .....4♣/4♦ = Cuebid, support for both majors, slam interest. .....4♥/4♠ = 3+ cards in suit, no slam interest. 3♥/3♠ = both minors, shortage in bid suit, game forcing. 3NT = To play. 4♣ = Gerber. 4♦/4♥ = Texas. 4NT = quantitative. Next: 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 2♠ sequences.

Thanks for the info, I'll look it over.

Continuing . . . 2♦ = transfer to hearts. .....2♥ = normal action. ..........P = to play. ..........2♠ = 5 hearts, balanced or 4+ minor, invitational. This sequence will be covered in a following post. ..........2NT = 4=5=x=x, invitational. -- not forcing, continuations natural. Higher bids comparable to 1NT-2♥ sequences. 2♥ = transfer to spades. .....2♠ = normal action. ..........P = to play. ..........2NT = 5 spades, balanced, invitational. ..........3♣/3♦ =5 spades, 4+ in bid suit, game force. ..........3♥ = 5-5 or better in majors, invitational. (5-5 majors, game force doesn't start with transfer.) ..........3♠ = 6+ spades, invitational. ..........3NT = To play. ..........4♣/4♦/4♥ = auto-splinter, slam interest ..........4♠= 6+ hearts, slam interest but not forcing, denies splinter. ..........4NT = quantitative. -- to use RKCB, auto-splinter or bid 3♣/♦ and bid 4NT on next round. .....3♠ = super-accept. Other super-accepts may be agreed on, we prefer a low information strategy, YMMV. To be continued ...

Sorry for the noise, this didn't post correctly and I didn't notice. I had written the full Stayman structure, but it wasn't reflected in this post, my " it's after midnight" was in explanation for net yet moving on to Jacoby sequences and more. Could an admin please delete this thread?