Edmunte1

1. I would have played 2 rounds od clubs before trumps 2. In this situation i'll play for the most probable shape with East 4252 (so i'll play for the drop). Why? Maybe with only 4 hearts East would have bid a direct 2♦. Also with clubs 4-1 probably 5♣ and 3nt will probably go down, so i'll don't risk a big loss.

1.[hv=d=w&v=n&s=s102h102daqjcak10875]133|100|Scoring: IMP (4♠)-pass-(pass)-?[/hv] 2.[hv=d=w&v=n&s=s102h102daqjcak10875]133|100|Scoring: IMP (4♠)-pass-(pass)-?[/hv] 3.[hv=d=w&v=n&s=s102h102daqjcak10875]133|100|Scoring: IMP (4♠)-pass-(pass)-?[/hv] Here are three balancing problems i encountered recently (you're sitting South). Your opinion?

. I'll return ♦Q. Partner has 7-8 hcp. If he has ♣A, declarer will always make the contract by ducking one round in diamonds. So our chance is that partener has ♣J and ♥AQ. In that case declarer has only 8 tricks and needs 9th trick from hearts, and we will promote partner's diamonds before declarer promotes his hearts

2♣ followed by 3♦ should be OK. Starting with 2♦ won't bring in the scene the great clubs

Sry, i didn't saw the right question. 1♥ is normal

1♠ for me

1. Chicken pass 2. 3NT

Double, for penality.

1♠ -2♣ (1) 2NT(2) -3♣(3) 3♦(4)-3♠(5) 3NT(6) - 4♦(7) 4♥(7)-4NT(8) 5♠(9)-6♠ 1-relay GF 2-one suiter in ♠(5+card), 16+ 3-relay 4- 6♠ and a shortage 5-setting ♠, serious ST 6-singleton ♣ 7-cues 8-RKCB 9-2+Q

Benlessard is right. Winning cases (RHO hand), nad their percentages: 1)AQ7 - 6.2% 2)A7 -6.8% 3)Q7 -6.8% 4)A9 -6.8% 5)Q9 and RHO decides to put 9 - 3.4% 6)Q9 and RHO decides to put Q - 3.4% 7)AQ -6-8 8)Q -6.2% Cases 6-8-9 are irrelevant for our decision at this time. In the other cases when it's important to take the decision now: -if 7 appears - small wins in 13%(AQ7+Q7) of cases, K wins in 6.8% (A7) of cases -if 9 appears - small wins in 3.4% (Q9 and RHO decides to put 9 - 3.4%), K wins in 6.8% of cases.

I voted 4NT (slamtry). But i don't play Leaping Michaels as forcing, just smth around 4-4.5 losers

This cannot be a speculative double. A tiger double, considering maybe that tigers risk a lot, possible

For 3 tricks: Finesse to Q, if it wins go to dummy and finesse again to the 8

Firstly: Congrats for reaching national team semifinals (don't know your country, but it's a good result anyway). Secondly: It's extremely important to stick to your methods and, if that gives you constanly average plus results, accept the minuses. Thirdly: About this hand, i'm a 2♠ bidder anyway. The main disadvantage of bidding 1NT is that leaves opponents entering on a low level with hearts (and, painfully, 4♥ is a game). Due to that reason and adding the importance of a shortage, 2♠ is mandatory. Fourthly: Did you ever thought about bidding over 2♠? Knowing about 9 cards fit in spades and probably their 9+ cards fit in ♥?

♥Q at IMP's, going with the majority and lead ♦ in MP's

4♥ i don't see other options

I'll bid 5♣. Not enough for 4NT. I don't like dbl

I also think Netherlands has a very good team

I think this is a 5 sided coin, my bid would be 3♣. If this option is not available, i'll bid 4♥

4♠, some day it will make (i believe that is a 40% chance), some day it will preempt their minor game/part score. By the way, a balancing double is possible

I'll play West for 5 spades. With 5 spades in East, and in this vulnerabilities, probably West would have sacrificed in 4♠. On the fifth diamond, West is squeezed in 3 suits: has to keep all 4 winners in ♠, has to keep at least 3 cards in ♥ and the comunication card in clubs, and can't do it. I can call this, acording to Geza Ottlik, a squeeze against exit cards (correct me if i'm wrong)

1.Dbl+1NT 2. Pass

-2♥ as a lead director could work. -As about partner's double in 2NT, i'll change partner after this board.

1) 4♥, taking the bidding space, maybe we will sacrifice against their slam 2) pass, i'm not telling them how cards lie

Mandatory 4♣ for me