mr1303

I chose to bid 4S to see what that brought. It brought a fairly unhelpful 5C. I knew 5C was almost certainly no matchpoints, so decided to take a punt on 6C hoping it might roll in on a finesse. (I had no way to get back to NT below 6NT at this point. Was surprised 6C was no matchpoints either though. There's usually 1 pair who don't bid a slam....

2NT confirms a 6th club (and a max), but does not show or deny a 4 card major. 2C 2D 3H and 2C 2D 3S would show 1435 and 4135 respectively (with a maximum), whereas 2H/S would show any minimum with that 4 card major. I could've bid 3C to ask for the major, but chose not to.

The lead was a club I take it then? It seems I can make this if the 2H explanation is correct just by going after spades. I don't expect diamonds to break 3-3, so after I win the opening lead I will duck a spade. Unless I can get the full spots in the spade and diamond suit, that'll have to do for now.

[hv=pc=n&s=sj6haqjt9dkt963ct&d=w&v=n&b=12&a=1sp3n(3+%20card%20raise)]133|200[/hv] For better or for worse, 4D would show diamonds, so your choices are (realistically) 4H or pass. Playing matchpointed pairs.

[hv=pc=n&s=sakq64hqdaqt6ckqj&w=s73hakt852dk9ca83&n=sjt985h94dj873c97&e=s2hj763d542ct6542&d=e&v=e&b=10&a=p2c(Strong)2h(Alerted%20as%20showing%20%21S%20or%20both%20minors%20%5Bsuction%5D)p2s(Intended%20as%20P/C)3sp3np4nppp]399|300[/hv] The vulnerability should be E/W only vulnerable, matchpointed open pairs. Table result 4NT N -4, NS -200 The facts. 2S was alerted as showing spades or both minor, (as part of the Suction convention) which West had forgotten. At the end of the play, the director is called and asks to see E/W convention card, which they say they have misplaced (this is the second session . They say they will be able to get hold of an electronic copy if necessary. They say there is nothing on it to say that they play suction over a strong 2C, but it does say that they play this defense over a strong 1C opening, and they say that they use the same over all strong artificial openings. The ruling: As a TD is required to rule mistaken explanation rather than misbid in the absence of evidence to the contrary [i forget which rule this is - no doubt someone can enlighten me], the score is adjusted to 80% of 4S S making 10 tricks and 20% of 2S E X -5, NS +1400. (My note: the percentages may not be exact, it may be something like 75% 25%. I don't have the paperwork to hand). EW decide to appeal. At the end of the session, EW are able to find their convention cards and the defense to a strong 1C is shown as "Suction (X = diamonds or both majors etc)". There is nothing specific about a defense to a strong 2C opening. They also explain a detail of a hand played the previous day when they went for -1700 after the auction (2C) 2NT (P) 3S (X) when 2NT was intended as showing both minors whereas the agreement was it showed spades and diamonds or hearts and clubs. South says that he felt that East and West were both being honest about their agreements. The AC's ruling was to agree with the TD's ruling. Their comments were (roughly) as follows: "We agree with the TD's ruling. E/W should point out that they sometimes forget this part of their convention." Thoughts? I hope I have included all relevant information here. If I have missed something I will endeavour to correct it.

...Says that it is impossible to get absolute zero. I can disprove it. These hands achieved an absolute zero. AKJ Axxx KQx Axx Starting with partner. 2C 2D 2NT 4C 4H ? 2C was precision, 2D enquired, 2NT showed a max(13-15 or so), 4C was RKCB, 4H showed 0 or 3. Which your abacus tells you is a lie. How do you proceed?

It is a good idea is to play transfers at the 2 level, where you can show a good raise to 2S by bidding 2H, with 2S as a rubbish raise. But I would bid 2NT with hand 1 and 3S with hand 2.

Sorry, all a bit over my head clearly...

This reminds me of something from South Park 1) Collect underpants 2) ....? 3) Profit!

I was complaining just the other day how I'm getting dealt a lot of 4333 hands lately.

Mike was right here. Overcalling 2D makes you join the -1100 camp, and if you're not careful you go for -1400, but I was wondering if I was just unlucky.

[hv=pc=n&s=s82hq843daqj42ckq&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=1h]133|200[/hv] Do you overcall here?

LHO was 3334, RHO was 3433, and decided not to use Stayman.

Whenever I bid these, Qxx is offside and so game has no play, so no blame here.

Alas partner didn't have any hearts to lead, and declarer has 9 top tricks in 3NT.

I consider 2S as a forward going move. I don't consider pass - I have too much for that.

Endy has this almost word perfect. I too pass for the reasons given.

I bid 4C at the table. It now goes 6D all pass back to you. Are you finished?

[hv=pc=n&s=saq975ht86432d42c&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=1d2s3s(Game%20forcing%20%21D%20raise)]133|200[/hv] What do you call here?

[hv=pc=n&s=sj73hakqt72d84c72&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1np3n]133|200[/hv] What say you here? 1NT was 12-14.

Both my granny and I would bid a good old fashioned 3H with this hand.

Hi all I'm using the Samsung Galaxy S4 as a phone, and I've been thinking about getting a tablet. Is it worth it? Do tablets do anything that phones don't do?

You lead the Jack and see if the next player hitches or not.

This is why the consensus is to bid 2D with the North hand.

130 players in Mongolia. Looks like I'll have my work cut out when I move there....