mr1303

The trouble is, is that if you decide to make a trap pass, you'll have thought about it for so long partner will be virtually barred from reopening with his 6 count and stiff spade. So I'll double and rebid NT. Same at any form of the game. (except maybe plus or fishfood)

Any number of diamonds could be right here. Depends on what partner's hand is. Incidently, I presume 1D is SAYC style, theoretically 3+ but only 3 if exactly 4432 shape. I vote for 3D, since I'm concerned he may have a good hand, but without much conviction.

I like to cut my partner slack whenever possible, but he shouldn't bid a ropey club suit here (dangerous suit, since responder could well have long clubs) on a misfit auction. All my points look like they're working, so I'll put 5C in as well

Hmmm, isn't the hand suggested by AWM a penalty double of 1NT? I would bid 2H holding JT9 in hearts, and 432 of spades.

1NT for me. If partner really wants to play in hearts, I have the A, which might be as good as xx. 1S is also an option, but I prefer not to overcall 4 card suits if I have a reasonable alternative. Double is out as I don't have enough to rebid 1NT if partner bids 1H

2S for me, but I think this only just cuts it. Reverse my minors, or give me a singleton diamond and it would be a very close decision. Give me KQJx AKxxx JT xx and I would bid 2H only

I'm going to pass. I have some reasonable defence, and partner may have a trick or 2 outside of diamonds. I don't like to sacrifice just because I'm at favourable vulnerability.

Presumably you bid 2D first because you rated the North hand as a game force. I'm not sure if a game forcing spade raise such as a Jacoby 2NT is a method with which you are familiar, if so then this is a sound way to progress. Alternatively after 3NT a 4S bid I believe would show something close to this hand. Then if partner has slam aspirations he/she can go on.

In the EBU, I believe it is currently illegal to have an agreement to open 1C with less than 16 HCP. Which of course is silly, but then these rules and regs sometimes are.

Does anyone think pass is forcing here? If so, I might well make 1. However, no-one really seems to think so.

Incidently, does the fact that we play a weak NT make a difference? (Partner can pass with a hand with clubs, since the probability of her having a strong NT is slim on the auction). She held: xx KJ Jxx KQxxxx I was not overly impressed, when I decided that partner might well be void in hearts and bid 5C, which was doubled for 2 off, when they made nothing.

Why are people saying this 4NT was reasonable? Even at this vulnerability this is just suicide. 6S was equally crazy, you barely have a raise to 3S. 10 of your points are in teh suits promised by your opponents, so you have (for a 6S contract) a working 1 count. Even assuming that RHO has his bid (dubious decision, if RHO is Matt) you need a huge hand to force to the 6 level here, including a lot of shape, and working points. You have neither. 7C, given that he too has a working 1 count, is a bid that wouldn't occur to me either. Especially not if Matt was my partner. I would breath a huge sigh of relief and get the green card out as quickly as possible.

Maybe the South hand should rebid 3C? Not sure what North should do after this. I don't like 1NT by S, or do I really like a raise to 3C by North, since game looks a long way away, and his majors don't really inspire looking for game

Back in the days when all tourneys were free, I had many arguments with a director who kept complaining about me running my regular tournament, which I had previously scheduled with Gweny (before he started running his). Apparantly I had to give way since he ran a bigger one using qualified directors. Needless to say the director is on my enemy list.

To fill in, vulnerability was love all, and it was pairs (so MPs)

You hold: KJxx xxx Kxxx Ax Bidding proceeds: (partner deals and opens) 1C P 1S 2H 3C 3H ? What do you try here? If you double (I did) and partner pulls to 4C, what kind of hand should she (she was a she) be showing?

I can't imagine a set of rules whereby a penalty double of 1NT should be alerted. A double meaning "I don't think you can make this" sounds as unconventional as they come. Alternative doubles such as a DONT double showing a long single suit absolutely should be alerted. I would assign a procedural penalty to NS for wasting the director's time.

4H. It'll either make or it'll go down.....

How about several/all of the above. If the people I play with/against regularly aren't available, and I really want to play, I used to use the "find me a game" option. Far too often the people playing there were silent throughout, and never answered any of my questions. So I decided I might as well play against GIBs. At least they don't respond to my bids with ????????????????????????

Last time I bid 6H with a hand similar to the second variety after a similar auction. Partner put down a heart void and an 8 card diamond suit (he actually opened 1D). 6D was cold, 6H 3 off

I'm sticking up for Whereagles here. He has stayed consistent to his point of view throughout, and didn't consider his attitude rude or unreasonable at all. Unlike that of some of the other posters here.

Parnter opens a 7 count, 2nd seat vulnerable. I have an 18 count and a fit, and get to the 5 level down 1 when I make a slam try. Partner says "I had to open I had 7 losers". Partner gives me a jump raise holding 4441 shape and an 11 count, saying "I only had 6 losers". Playing a match vs Justin Hackett. Team-mates miss a 16 point game on 25 HCP and a 9 card fit, saying "the losing trick count said it wasn't there". I decide that the LTC is a waste of time and the biggest loser of IMPs since Benjaminised Acol :)

That North hand isn't an opening bid. 1) 10 HCP. OK, I can stand opening on 10 counts playing a limited opening system, but a) Aceless :) singleton Q of hearts not likely to be worth very much and c) You don't really want a spade lead if opponents play the hand. Incidently, I'd bid 3S. Probably the best description of my values

Look, I tried my best to interpret and answer your question. If my answer isn't good enough for you, then let someone else have a go. I don't need to be spoken to like that.

As I understand it, the rule of 18 is the minimum you can have as a partnership agreement to open. A psyche, by definition, must be against partnership agreement. So the two rules do not appear to be in conflict, which I think is what you're suggesting. Hand 1: A rule of 16 opener. A partnership agreement to open such hands is illegal, but wouldn't, IMO, be considered a psyche. Hand 2: An out-and-out psyche.