Quartic

I think 4NT should be double rkcb - ie both major Kings are keycards. We're probably headed to 6♥, but the ♠King is likely to be just as important as the ♥King.

I would bid 3NT, but I play a 15-18 1NT rebid... If 1NT shows 12-14 I would probably pass.

Yes. Though most won't open anything more offshape than 5322 (with 5 a major).

Quite possibly, the other contracts were ♠ NS.

This hand wasn't a success for us: [hv=pc=n&s=sakt94hq76d5ct976&w=s7ht9853dakt862c4&n=sq852hkj42d73caj3&e=sj63hadqj94ckq852&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=1n(12-14)p2d(%21h)p2hppp]399|300[/hv] Even with a friendly defence, I (East) only managed to take 7 tricks, which was worth only 2/16 matchpoints. Most EW pairs reached 5♦ making. Should we have found 5♦ even after I started with 1NT instead of 1♣?

Maybe I should have mentioned that this hand came up at my local club, so the standard of bidding isn't necessarily high. ;)

Yes, transfer to ♥ then 3♦ is GF. 4♦ after 2NT would be a slam try.

[hv=pc=n&w=s7ht9853dakt862c4&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=1n(12-14)p]133|200[/hv] Playing matchpoints your partner opens a weak NT. Your agreements allow you to transfer to hearts or to diamonds. If you transfer to diamonds your partner will bid 3♦ with Qxx or better, and 3♣ otherwise. Which do you choose, and what's your follow up plan?

I'm not certain what NS's agreement on the double was (we didn't ask), but I think it was probably showing values and ♥ support/tolerance. The full hand was:

I think it was more likely a slip of the hand than of the mind, but I concede we can never know for certain either way. I think (particularly) before any other player has called it is better to believe a player made a mechanical error than a mental one. In my experience people are more often honest than not. (Maybe I'm unduly optimistic, and will develop a suitable pessimism with more experience!)

Unfortunately, this wasn't asked at the table. (I wasn't the director, I was East.) I think South would probably still have bid 3♦, but I think he might have passed instead.

I think in this case it would be considered being made (I don't know the relevant (EBU) regulation here, but the bidding card hadn't moved very far from the box.) - but I think my opponent could easily have not noticed until it had been made, so I don't think the distinction is really so important.

Tonight one of my opponents started to pull 2♣ out over her partner's 2NT bid, but noticed before she placed it on the table so corrected it to 3♣. Perhaps this is as rare as you say (or maybe you were only referring to cases where the bidder notices later), but I don't think it's so unusual myself.

[hv=pc=n&w=sjt875hj43dk8654c&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=p1h2h(%21s%20and%20a%20minor)d4s5hp6hppp]133|200[/hv] Your opponents get to 6♥ after a competitive auction. You play standard leads (4th highest, top of a sequence, etc). What do you lead?

[hv=pc=n&s=s64h42dkt98762cq2&w=sqj952h873daqcat3&n=skt873haq65dck974&e=sahkjt9dj543cj865&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=p1n(12-14)2c(%21h%20and%20another)p2d(alerted)p2sd(Alerted)3dppd(Alerted)pp4cd4sdppp]399|300[/hv] North went down 6 for 1400. East called the director after the play because West had alerted his double of 2♠, which he (Edit: East) thought was takeout in their system. How do you rule?

I agree with Art, except I would usually require a 6+ card ♣ suit and probably 10-17 points - a 2 level overcall should have a higher minimum than a 1 level overcall.

I'm playing AK and then the 8♦. (Hopefully partner hasn't encouraged with the Q♦.) I don't want a ♣ return and if I'm very lucky, I'll get a ♠ ruff before South can draw trumps. I think I probably should have started with the K♦, as long as partner will show count, but its too late now.

If North thought the second double was for penalty why did he pull to 3♣? I'm wondering if that should be ruled a serious error.

Thanks for the replies, I can see how these get me to 6♥ with more confidence. I still wonder if there's a sensible way to get to 6NT by partner. (Which was cold anyway with the ♣King onside.)

If I'm reading the regulations correctly, the 2♥ bid here does show a willingness to play 2♥ so the double should be alerted. I would adjust to 2♠x down 2 for 500 (Law 21B3). (I assume that 2♠x down 2 is the only likely outcome, otherwise would assign a weighted score.)

Assuming I'm North, I think I will sit for this - there's no guarantee that 3minor will play any better. Hopefully partner wasn't messing about at this vulnerability.

Is there any merit to playing inverted minors in an Acol context? (12-14 NT, 4 card majors) I was brainstorming a bit tonight with one of my partners, and came up with this: 1♣ - 2♣; 11+ natural - 10+ points, denies a 4 card major unless game forcing. 2♦; Any game force. 2♥♠; Natural minimum. 2NT; Minimum with diamonds. 3♣; Minimum, 6+ clubs. 1♦ - 2♦; 11+ natural - 10+ points, denies a 4 card major unless game forcing. 2♥; Any game force. 2♠; Natural minimum. 2NT; Minimum with hearts. 3♣; Minimum with clubs. 3♦; Minimum, 6+ diamonds. I'm not sure what the best follow ups after 1♣ - 2♣; 2♦ and 1♦ - 2♦; 2♥ would be. I assume that bids above 3♣/♦ should show distributional 15+ hands. Would it be better to put all the minimums into the first step, and have all higher steps show extras instead? Constructive criticism and alternative schemes welcome.

[hv=pc=n&w=sa8hkqjt2dak6cj43&e=skqj63h87543dcaq5&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=1sp2hp4d(Splinter)p4s(Cue)p5c(Cue)p5d(Cue)p5s(Cue)p6d(Cue)p6hppp]266|200[/hv] Making 12 tricks on the ♣8 lead. I'm not entirely happy with this auction, because I (West) was unable to find out whether partner had the A♥. Also, while I thought 6NT would be good from partner's side of the table, I wasn't sure if it would play well from my side. Where could we have done better? Our general system was Acol, so 1♠ didn't immediately promise 5, and 2♥ was 10+, not game forcing. Our cues showed first or second round control.

Any and all of these could be true - I don't have enough information to make this decision now.

I don't understand the 7♣ bid. What is wrong with pass? If I decided to get into the auction, I think I would bid 3♥ or 4♥ over 3♣. Once I've passed here, I think I have nothing to say unless partner bids again.