mr1303

I think a warning that dummy should not get involved should be sufficient, unless dummy was a persistent offender in which case the PP definitely comes out.

What Hrothgar said.

If you bid 2C, partner raises, then after 3H partner cues 3S.

If you splintered, partner signs off. You are a bit strong for a splinter in your methods.

If you BW, partner has 2 without the Q. Leave it or 6?

1H 1NT 2C 2S Looks a good way to start the auction. Where you go from there depends on your methods. This is gibberish as 1NT is not forcing...

If you make a bid on either hand at this vulnerability, you have to accept the 800s and 1100s that you will surely go for on other occasions.

You hold: X AJ9X Xxx AKJxx Partner opens 1H. You decide to bid 2NT and partner shows a stiff diamond. How do you continue? Would you prefer 2C or 3S instead?

Well, if double is not penalty I don't double. But what else can it be? If I wanted to show spades I had a previous chance, and partner has already shown 6H.

Pass might work, but I prefer not to defend with a clear alternative. Partner has implied spades so I bid them.

I think 1H 1S P 2S is unlikely, since partner is marked with at least 8 ish hcp. What is more likely is that partner might bid 1nt or double, and then you need to bid 3 non forcing clubs. My biggest concern is that 3S might be cold and 4C/H one off.

If I don't double this for penalty, I might as well get rid of the card from my bidding box.

The problem is that for a strong NT, this isn't close to a max. 4 small spades and a wasted K of clubs. Compare with 10xxx, AKx, AKQx xx, and you see how much better East could be.

The only partners who bid 3C here are BBO experts who haven't heard of Stayman. If you psyched 1nt you pass 2C, not raise to 3.

What happened? Did 4S go for a lot? Or did 3S miss a good game?

Disciplined 4S.

I have no interest in 4S. What I want to know is the meaning of 2NT, 3H and 4H. Has declarer shown a heart stopper? I think I lead a heart. I don't want to lead a trump or a club, and a spade looks too risky.

Thanks both. Unfortunately the heart 9 didn't drop, and the lead was a stiff spade, so when I tried to cross back to the K of spades it got ruffed. Clubs were 3-3, so the suggested line (which I took) failed.

[hv=pc=n&s=sq972hkqjt7dckt43&n=sak5ha843d954caq9]133|200[/hv] On the lead of the 8 of spades. You're in the good 7H. Now you need to make it.

5C seems a fine contract to me. Well done?

[hv=pc=n&s=sj72haj3dk4cakq42&w=st65ht92d8753ct75&n=skq9hk5djt962cj93&e=sa843hq8764daqc86&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=p1hdp3dp3n(25%2B%20HCP%3F)p6ndppp]399|300[/hv] Just played this one anonymously. Surely 3NT cannot promise 25+ HCP.

The problem on BBO is that people often do other things. Such as chat on Facebook etc.

Just been having a think about Lightner doubles. Do they actually give out a profit given that: a) It stops you doubling when it's going loads off if you want the normal lead, or the non-specified lead. b) Often, partner won't know what do lead. c) Opponents might be able to run. d) You might not get any more tricks other than the ruff you ask for a trick 1. e) Opponents might redouble.

That is definitely true. As I enjoy telling my US students.

I held: xx AKJxx KQx Axx Partner decided to only bid 5H and as a result, 13 tricks were easy. It was a pick-up partnership, so I don't know what a 5D bid would have been in our partnership, but I thought the sensible options were 5S and 6H.