mr1303

I think Katherine wanted to change the meaning of double so that it became penalty on this hand... Anyway, 3NT, no other choice in my opinion.

This shows at least 5 diamonds, 4 hearts, and extra values. What your partner should do is double for take-out, if suitable, otherwise pass.

The problem is more if it goes something like: 1C (2H) 3C etc when partner has a 7-8 count, we have to bid 3NT and not make it.

Tricky. Probably 3S, but if partner's pass was slow I'd expect to lose the director's call.

I heard a rumour that if both players were found to have psyched on the same board, it was automatically classed as a red psyche. If so, then 60/30 looks like my decision.

My style is to bid 4S on these hands. However, I don't often have much success. Not that 4S is a bad result, but usually that they bid 5H and partner bids 5S, which of course goes off.

Fred playing with Brad would bid 4S here. So I will too.

What about making a forcing pass? Does that not invite a grand slam, but if we're not making one (because partner has a pile of ****) then we can double 6S, which looks to be par on the board

Try smelling something vegan. It might do you good. Mark, who has never met a fat vegan.

If the original post requires secondment, consider this post as being just that.

Break in tempo and other similar UI things aren't a matter for abuse IMO, it's a job for the director at the time to sort out. Anyway, no adjustment on this board. If double is penalty, 3H is 2 off at least, and if double is take-out, then there's no alternative to 3S. It would be a more interesting problem if the BIT was before WEST's pass.

The problem here is that partner doesn't know about our 4 card spade support, which I should have shown on the previous round. As a result I now have no choice other than to pass. If I'd bid 4♠ last time it would be a closer problem.

I've had it officially confirmed to me that the WBF junior bridge camp in Nashville has been cancelled. Does anyone here know why?

if 2NT is known to be specifically the minors, then there shouldn't be any damage. However, lots of people play different varieties of 2 suited overcall in these positions, and if the 2NT was just alerted (but not enquired about) then there is scope for damage. It all depends.....

The first thing the new president of Bristol University did when I handed over to him was to put that as our official slogan. I refused to buy one of the bridge club t-shirts as a result

I'll open 2♥ every day of the week with this hand

Clubs, but double of 2C would be for take-out Some sort of 6-5 in the minors would be my guess

My better half is currently watching a program on TV called strictly come dancing. The idea is that a dozen or so top dancers pair up with a dozen or so celebrities (who don't know how to dance) and teach them, and perform live each Saturday, with one couple leaving each week, with a final at the end. What do people think about a bridge version of this, whereby 10 top bridge players pair up with 10 celebrities and teach them bridge, then play a duplicate live on vugraph each week?

He had a pretty good party in Oxford on Saturday night. Good turn-out. Happy birthday Mickey!

[hv=d=e&v=e&s=s10xxhaxxd10xxcjxxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Bidding goes: 2S P 4S 4NT 5S P P X All pass RHO opens a weak 2♠, and then re-preempts himself to the 5 level. You're on lead. What do you fancy? Partner's 4NT was 2 suited take-out (double would be 3 suited take-out)

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sqxxhajxxdaxcjxxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] After you open this pile of rubbish 1NT (12-14) in third seat, the auction proceeds as follows: P P 1NT P 2S 3C P 3D P 3H P 4S all pass 2S was a transfer to clubs. 3C was for take-out, and 3H showed both majors (apparently) Partner leads the Q of hearts, and dummy hits with: [hv=d=n&v=n&s=sqxxhajxxdaxcjxxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Declarer covers with the K, and you win your ace. How do you continue?

If I bid 5♦ here GIB will probably pass it.

What do I have extra and above my 2♦ opening? A 7th diamond perhaps, but nothing else. Therefore the most I'd ever bid is 4♦ and probably not even that.

Since we're talking about 1 of a major openings (and not 1♦) how about this: With a hand that would decline a game invitation, rebid your major. Then if partner bids 2NT (natural and invitational), or raises your suit, or rebids his suit (which I believe are all invitational in SAYC) you can pass. If you would accept partner's invitation (with a good 13-14 or so), you can bid 2NT natural and forcing. This seems a bit more straight forward than David's good 6 card major rebid, sound though it is.

Someone told me not to bid grand slams unless I can count 13 top tricks. Whilst I MIGHT be able to picture 13 top tricks, I can also picture 12 being the limit, when things don't break as they should (likely given the 4♠ opening. 3 low diamonds would be a major concern, and if they aren't 2-2 then I'll probably go off.