the_clown

Unhappy pass for me, would bid if we were NV.

1N seems perfectly normal to me and I would bid it at any vulnerability and form of scoring.

4♦ for me, at MPs no need to stretch for a tight game. Expect something like Qx Ax AKxxxx Jxx.

Clear pass for me. An overcall promises at unfav at the 2 level promises a 6 card suit or a (semi)solid 5carder and ideally some shape (Qx Axxx KQJ109 xx and I would overcall)

2♣ for me, second choice is 3♣. Doing something genius is not my style, especially not when vul against not.

Agree with double ,but 5♣ is the worst bid I have seen in quite some time. For me the choice is between pass and 3N and I would choose 3N here. Would be wrong here.

I would bid 4♠. Looks like the most likely game. I assume partner will open 1♦ with 6-5

IMHO there is no way double here is penalty. I have no idea if its best to play it as "I like to bid 5♦, but I double in case you have some ♥ tricks" or "I have a strong hand, please pass if you don't have anything special (like stiff♥ and good support)". Anyway I think I would pass, 5♦X is probably headed for 300+ and they haven't made 4♥ yet. Of course it could be terribly wrong, if partner has the first hand type, but its my best guess.

So south thought East passed 3♣X although he had ♥ and ♦. You cant be serious. Furthermore NS made the right decision in the bidding. I cant see how this made an overtrick. After the normal lead of a top club this will be at least 1 down, more likely 2.

Agree, alternatively you could bid 3♥ showing a hand not good enough to bid 2♥. Furthermore requiring a 8 points to make a negative double of 1♠ is too much IMHO, a decent 6 count with 4♥s or a 5 count and 5♥s is enough.

5♣s. To make 6 we need the diamond onside and that they dont have a heart ruff.

I cant decide if South's opening bid or Norths pass of 2N is worst.

I would double, second choice is 3♦. Passing with so much playing strenght wouldnt occur to me. No matter what partner does I would bid 5♦ at my second turn.

I would bid 4N, 2 places to play.

I disagree, I think South has no business bidding 2♥ with a minimum hand and no shape at all. North might have bid 3♥ rather than 3♠, but with double fit I think its clear to bid at the 3 level. Hell if South has a real hand like AQxxx AKxxx xx x game is practically laydown and South is certainly not bidding over 3♦.

Without the intervention I think 1N is more appealing. I never liked jumping on a poor 4 card suit when my partner has made a t/o double of 1m. If I feel strong enough I cue and then try to find a fit or I just bid 1M with anything up to decent 9-10 HCP. Partner will raise holding 4card support and anything more than a minimum.

I would open a rock solid 3♠ and apologize if we miss a game.

1N looks clear to me, although its a bit heavy. Only alternative is double+ 2N.

Sure, counting to 13 is sometimes hard.

I am also not thrilled about announcing our double fit, but I fear that clubs may play a lot better. Partner may have something like x xxxx Kx AQxxx and meant to bid 4♣ mainly as lead directing (I would certainly bid 4♣ holding that hand). Another danger in 5♦ are club ruffs.

5♣. They can probably make 5/6♠, but they dont know it. I would expect to go -300 when we get doubled. Pushing them to slam is my only concern, but it will be tough to bid it and sometimes it may go down, especially after partner told me what to lead.

DBL + 4♥

As West I would surely force to grand when my partner opens 2♣ and then cuebids 4♠. I guess I would just keep bidding spades until I get some preference for either ♥s or ♣

I would say its natural showing 3♥s and 2♠. With that major suit holdings and a stiff club it feels natural to give a preference to 2♠ at first, but after 3♥ you really want to play in your best fit.

I am not sure what partner has, but I would bid 5♣. Looking at my hand I think its unlikely that partner has exceptional diamonds and a slam try, so it may be as well a splinter for hearts. We are surely playing slam so it doesnt hurt to show my 1st round control. Over anything I would try 5N and see if partner can bid 7.