mikestar13

4NT if unusual--you will make slam opposite either minor queen or opposite a few rat cards in a minor if the queen drops, so if partner bids 5m, raise to 6. If 4NT is not unusual or you aren't sure partner would take it that way, open 1♦ and bid 6♣ at your next turn.

2♠ is the best of of bad lot--partner will likely bid NT with a ♠ stop. I hate 4-3s when short hand has no ruffs, 5♣ seems to unlikely opposite this shapeless mess.

Been studying 5-4 major hands and I have a solution: use Romex Stayman rather than Puppet Stayman. Rebids after 1NT-2♣: 2♦=denies 4♥ or 5♠ 2♥=4 or 5 ♥, not 4♠ 2♠=5♠ 2NT=4-4 majors, minimum 3♣=4-4 majors,maximum Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2NT/3♣: Pass (of 2NT)=to play 3♦/3♥=transfer to next higher suit 3NT=to play Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2♠: 2NT/3NT=no ♠ fit 3♠/4♠=♠ fit Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2♥: 2♠=asks for ♥ length; partner will bid NT with 4 and ♥ with 5 2NT/3NT=no major interest 3♥/♥=♥ support Rebids after 1NT-2♣-2♦: 2♥=asks for 4♠ 2♠=5♠-4♥-x♦-x♣, invitational 2NT/3NT=no major interest The rest of system remains the same except that 1NT-2♥-2♠-3♥ is forcing 5-4 majors, while 1NT-2♦-2♥-2♠ is 4-5 majors, invitational or better, round forcing only.

Actually, a more common type is when both our hands are balanced and we can't expect ruffs. Also weak trumps strong side suits can be an indication: 4M may go down on a bad break when 3NT rolls.

I voted splinter, but with 5 good ♠, the hand has a lot more playing strength than I envisioned. Worth 2♠ if playing SJS (especially Soloway). If playing WJS (or some other treatment)--very common these days, I use WJS myself, I don't mind 1♠ followed by FSF at all.

#1 is an easy 4♠. #2 I pass. When he is expected to be dead worthless, he would jump to 5♦ with ♦Qxxxx. I expect 4 rat ♦ in a 0-count.

Assuming the 13th card is a club, I splinter. This is a minimum though solid game raise, I want to show rather than ask.

[hv=d=s&v=b&b=7&a=1h1s2cp2hp2sp3cp4dp4np5dp6cp7cppp]133|100[/hv] 1♥=11-16, 4+♥, unbalanced, may have longer minor. (1♠)=overcall. 2♣=10+, 5+♣, forcing to 2NT. 2♥=5+♥,tends to be minimum. 2♠=cue bid to force. 3♣=second suit. 4♦=Kickback. 4NT=2 keys, no queen 5♦=Kings? 6♣=none. 7♣=gambling that the hearts are good. (Likely on your hand.) 7♣ over 4NT is a good alternative.

I think 7♦ is a good result at MP or IMP and the odds or sufficient as 6 is likely to be reached. First, with East dealer: [hv=d=e&v=b&b=10&a=1cp2dp2hp3cp3dp4cp4np5sp5np6cp7dppp]133|100[/hv] 1♣=17+, artificial. 2♦=8+, 5+♦, unbalanced. Denies 4 card major. 2♥=5+♥. 3♣=second suit. 3♦=agrees ♦. 4♣=♣A or K. Should have extras as serious 3NT not available. 4NT=RKCB for ♦.... With West dealer: [hv=d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1dp1hp2cp2sp3dp4np5sp5np6cp7dppp]133|100[/hv] 1♦=11-16, 4+♦, unbalanced OR strong NT. Denies 4 card major if unbalanced. 1♥=6+, 4+♥. 2♣=5-4 either way in minors. 2♠=FSF. 3♦=longer ♦. 4NT=RKCB in ♦.... Not particularly proud of either auction.

I think 7♦ is a good result at MP or IMP and the odds or sufficient as 6 is likely to be reached. First, with East dealer: [hv=d=e&v=b&b=10&a=1cp2dp2hp3cp3dp4cp4np5sp5np6cp7dppp]133|100[/hv] With West dealer: [hv=d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1dp1hp2cp2sp3dp4np5sp5np6cp7dppp]133|100[/hv]

[hv=pc=n&w=s54ht4daqj97cak76&e=saqt3hakq92dk54c3]266|100|East dealer, both vulnerable, IMP[/hv] Would you bid it differently at matchpoints? How would you bid if West deals?

I'd give a rule: if you have to ask, play to make. Exception are rare and should be obvious to a good player.

4♦. Let's rule out the others. RKC with two open suit? I've been known to gamble on one if the lead isn't marked, but no way. 3NT with slam values? Grow a set.... 3♠ puts the focus on ♣, which you need, but you also need ♥--and there is no way for partner to know that ♥x is gold. 3♠ is my second choice.

With a totally topless suit, I settle for 3♠, but 4♠ may work well.

[delete inadvertent post]

A fair meta-agreement for double: Doubles are penalty if: Our opening is NT at 2-level or above (natural). We opened a preempt. We have found a fit. The auction is at game or higher, starting at opener's rebid. (These tend to be general strength rather than a trump stack.) All other doubles are takeout. Exceptions may be defined, for example 1M-(P)-2M-(3any)-X may be defined as a game try.

If a keycard is missing, asker will sign off in 6♥ regardless of what 6♣ means, so we assume no missing keys.

Game forcing 5-4 majors (either way) use Puppet Stayman and rebid the shorter major Smolen-syle over opener's denial of a four-card major. Invitational 5-4s go through Jacoby, responder's rebid of the other major is not forcing and can't be 5-5 because these go though 3♦. Puppet Stayman answers are as follows: 2♦=no 5cM, 1 or 2 4cM. 2♥/2♠=5c in bid suit. 2NT=no majors, minimum. 3♣=no majors, maximum.

High ♥. Why did your hand pass vs. weak opponents?

No, Hog's bid is reasonable if he chooses to raise ♥ but lacks the values to do so (requires more than minimum.) Not the way I play, but some do.

Ordinarily yes, but the previous bidding lets East know that West has ♣K and West knows he knows (not the ace as it is known, and not shortness because West showed ♣.) I should have clarified in my auction notes.

Here is our bidding as promised: [hv=d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1hp2np3cp3np4cp4np5cp5dp6cp7hppp]133|100[/hv] 1♥=11-15, 4+♥, may have longer minor. 2NT=limit raise or better. 3♣=second suit is ♣, may be minimum as it doesn't bypass 3♥. 3NT=serious 3NT, denies ♠ control. 4♣=♣ control and ♠ control. 4NT=RKCB 1430. 5♣=1 or 4 Aces 5♦=Queen ask. 6♣=♥Q and ♣Q. 7♥=that's all I need to know. Partner would correct to 7NT with solid ♣.

[hv=pc=n&w=sa83hq975d3ckq732&e=sj2hak843dak6ca96]266|100|West dealer, both vulnerable, IMPs if it matters.[/hv] The topic says it all. I will post our auction later.

2NT if you have a checkback available, 1♠ if forcing, otherwise 2♠.

Here is my structure. It's based on a 12-14 NT with frequent 5-card majors, but should be adaptable to 11-14. 2♣=Puppet Stayman one level lower. 2♦,2♥=transfers. 2♠=invitational in NT or minors. Rebids are: 2NT=declines NT, responder may bid a minor to invite in that suit. 3♣=accepts NT, declines ♣, responder may bid ♦ to invite. 3♦=accepts NT or ♣, declines ♦. 3NT=accepts all invitations. 2NT=transfer to ♣, weak or GF. 3♣=transfer to ♦ weak or GF. 3♦=5-5 or better majors, at least invitational. 3♥/3♠=5-5 in minors, short in bid suit, GF. 3NT=to play, no interest in majors. 4♣=Gerber 4♦/4♥=transfers, no slam interest. This structure sacrifices Garbage Stayman, which may be too high a price to pay. If you seldom or never open a five-card major or are willing to miss some fits, Garbage Stayman can be substituted.