the_clown

They didnt specify it is forcing. But I couldn imagine they anyone could play unlimited openings and not forcing.

Yes, Dummy had King fourth of clubs and nothing else.

Vulnerable against not, In a recent MP tournament I held something like Axx xxx AKQ10xx x . LHO opens 1♣, alerted as 15+HCP, 2+♣ (their convention card stated the same).I assumed it was forcing, since there was no upper range to be seen. Partly because I wasnt sure if we shoukd play our defence to strong club here, partly because I hoped they end in some number of NT, I decided to pass. I was very surpised when it went all pass. They made 2, which was a very bad board for us. Do you think that it would be ridiculous to call the director? Thnx in advance.

1.No I would have bid 2NT to show 18-19 bal. 2.Yes 3.Yes, either RKCB or cuebid 5♦. 4.After 2N, S can bid 3♣ asking for 3♥s or 4♠.

Agree completely. Besides both hands arent even close to invitational for me, stiff in partner suits is really bad and the diamonds are not great either. I would expect partner to have an 11 count with 6 diamonds if he has a stiff♠. And he cant harly have more than 2♥s unless oponents are complete lunatics and want to play in a 6 card fit rather than in their 10 card fit. About the worst he can have is xx Kx QJxxxx KJx where we could go 2 down but give partner as little as Kx x QJxxxx xxxx and 5♦ is laydown.

At IMPS I would bid 5♣ over 2♦ with no second thoughts. At MP I would also bid 5 if we agreed to play sound preempts 1. seat, otherwise I would bid 3.

I cant imagine not doubling 1♠. Now I have to pass.

Sry, I overlooked that in standard methods pass would probably not be forcing, since 4♣ should probably be forcing only to 4♦ which makes it a lot tougher. I definitely like the fact that you have clear agreements in competitive auctions, even if the agreements are not optimal in some cases. If I understand correctly, your partner showed a minimum hand, and judged that declaring is right, and he bid 5♣ to show 4 cards (with only 3♣, he will surely have 5♦ and would not suggest 5♣). Since he has already limit his hand, the double tells me that he probably has ♠ card. I see no other reason to double, since I already know that he is minimum. My best guess is Kxxx Q Kxxx Axxx, Ax Kx KQxxx xxxx or maybe Axx K Qxxxx Kxxx. I can not be sure that we can bid 5♠, and as Codo said we dont need much for slam, so I am bidding 6♦, although I dont expect to make it very often.

I dont understand this agreement. In standard methods you can show the following 4 hand types: - I have wasted ♠ values / No good support for ♣ - double - a so so hand for offense - forcing pass, let partner whether to defend or declare. - good hand for offense but no SI - 5♣/5♦ - slam try - pass and pull. And you can bid RKCB if you are interested in slam and care how many KC partner has. With your methods you give up on RKCB to be able to show a hand I dont undertand. Is it a weak offensive hand, or a hand, that would make a forcing pass in standard methods? If it is latter, I think it is really bad, since you will never be able to double them. (you are allowed to have Kx♠ and a stiff ♥ right?)

Pass is totally obvious for me with a balanced hand.

Hi, I think it is clear to bid on. Partner decided that his hand is more suitable for offense than for defense,(he could pass if is not sure or he can double with a lot of wastage.) Now his double is a warning that he has a minimum hand for his opening bid. I dont need much to make 6♦, and since partner already showed a good hand for me, I would just bid it. I dont care that they doubled 5♣.

When partner has 5 cards in the major, we can super accept to show a 4 card support and a maximum hand excellent 16 or 17 HCP. When partner has 8 points and a 4 card major he will stayman and we bid game. So we are left with the hands where partner has exactly 7 points and a 4 card major. I am not sure that partner will be routinely accepting with a balanced 7 count (or that game will be good more than 50% of the time). And when he doesnt accept I think 1NT is a lot safer than the 3 level in a 4-4 fit. Furthermore partner will never know if the hand is well fitting or not. You would bid the same way anytime you have say a 15 count with 5♦4M. Now we come to the hands where partner doesnt have a major suit fit (and has less than 8 HCP). I dont think I want to be in game opposite some random 6-7 count.

Tough. 3♣ and 2NT are both very sensible. I would probably choose the normal 3♣, although I can see how 2N can work out a lot better on some hands (we may find the 4-4 spade fit or play the better partial, limit our hand etc. On the other hand partner may upgrade his hand because of his long diamonds or get us too high). I dont consider pass, 2♠ or double.

I would pass, not strong enough to double.

Pass - to play. XX - bid your major. 2♥ - natural

Unfortunately my opponents always lead a trump on this auction without looking at their cards.

1. I would guess slam try with a spade control. But I would not be very confident. 2. Weak NT with a good stopper. 3. SOS- probalby 0454, with a two-suiter he could bid 2NT

I cant understand why you didnt bid 2♠ on your second turn. But since your partner didnt bid 2♠ himself, he doesnt have 4 of them. If he had solid diamonds, he would have either bid 4♦ over 2♥ or 4♦ over 3♠. He doesnt want to play NT else he would have bid 3/4/6NT. He never supported hears, so he cant have slam try in hearts since we showed only 5 of them. So the only thing that is left is choice of games. And I would choose 4♥

It seems that any plus score will be good so I wouldnt worry about playing in a minor and will bid 2♦.

[hv=pc=n&s=saj943hakqdjtcjt7&w=s765h5dak8754ca52&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=1s2ddp3dp3hp4hppp]266|200[/hv] In a decent MP game partner leads the ♦2 (3/5) to your ace and then follows with the 3 when you play the King (declarer following the 9 and Q). What do you play at trick 3.

4♣ and 4♦ are autosplinters for sure, (show shortness, long spades and slam interest). 4♥ can be either natural or autosplinter depending on your aggreements.

With a such a hand partner might open 3♦. I think 4♥ is lead directing on the way to 5♣ so I am not confident that partner is short in ♥.

2NT for me, I dont think its close

1♠-2♣ (2♦ would show 5 cards for me) 2♥-3♥ 3♠-3NT non serious 4♣-4♦ RKCB and slam. Bidding RKCB and not bidding slam when only one KC is missing is just silly.

I would never double with the North hand. I have only 3♠ and a weak no trump and partner failed to open the bidding. Furthermore I hate my 3 little hearts. I would also balance with 2S as South, raised to 3, so it will come down to the same ending.