broze

Some good and creative attempts. Though I think the 1♦ openers are being rather disingenuous. I thought this was quite a tough one - easy to see why 2NT openers and rebids are called slam-killers. Stay tuned for part two. All that is clear to me is that the South hand is worth a lot more than its 22HCP. KnR values it at 24.6! I think Helene's auction is the most likely natural one, though as she says it's easy to be biased seeing all 26 cards. Question: After 2♣-2♦-2NT-5NT, what is 6♦? Is it offering an alternative small slam or inviting grand with a 5 card suit? If the latter it seems pretty perfect.

[hv=pc=n&s=skthak73dakq75ck4&n=saqj2ht9dj84ca653]133|200[/hv] EDIT: Sorry, South was dealer.

[hv=pc=n&s=st5h52dj8532caqj7&d=w&v=n&b=12&a=1h2c2h]133|200[/hv] Matchpoints. What's your plan here? Does your approach differ at teams?

Just speaking for me, I am very keen to play these but find it difficult as they always happen on Saturday night in the UK and I am very often busy. I might be free for this one however - will check with my partner.

Surely unanimous...surely.

The hand is 100% a totally normal splinter for me. Indeed what else? I really can't stomach 2C at all. Agree with lowerline that requirements for splinters should be different the more room you take up, but I would prefer the word "purer" rather than stronger. 1S-4H for example should be a much rarer bid than 1S-4C. If instead of 4H I can describe my hand more suitably with jacoby, a LR or a 2/1 I will do so. You might say this is "just bridge" though..

Don't mind pass but I don't really think you can catch up enough. Prefer 1♦

Had to double-check that I'd read "love all" correctly. I'm so so far from bidding.

Who redoubles at goulash?

I remember studying 'A Shropshire Lad' at school I think, and then Housman's Juvenal edition at university. A great intellect.

Without much Googlage, are the results for this tournament available online? I enjoyed watching you on the Vugraph Phil, even though the software told us that is was actually Fred King playing...

I think there are just fewer trolls on BW because they have to use their actual names and so they don't quite have that shield of anonymity. What caused jdonn to quit BBF btw?

Nicely done. I erred by winning in dummy and then playing clubs as you said, forgetting I couldn't establish a heart later. Unfortunately your good work is not rewarded on this deal as clubs are 5-1.

Playing against Garozzo and JEC you bid to 3NT on these cards (comments on the bidding welcome) On this board Pachtmann and Eldad Ginossar have stopped in 2C in the other room so you can pick up 7 IMPs if you bring this 3NT home. [hv=pc=n=jec&s=&wn=broze&w=S8HK76DAJ4CAKT862&nn=sillafu&n&en=ibraves&e=SAJ954HQ532DQ96CQ&d=w&v=o&b=8&a=1C1D1SP3CP3HP3NPPP&p=D2]399|300[/hv] Lead 2♦ (attitude I think). Can you find the correct line? NB. that they have a rather conservative style, so a one level overcall promises either a decent suit or a decent hand. 1D will be up to strength. Spoilers for the first couple of posts please.

3♠. Unless p's takeout doubles are VERY sound (and whose are these days) 3♠ should be enough. If p has extra shape or values he will be aggressive to raise to four. No reason to suspect we are getting rich in 3Dx (but it would be a good shot at MP I think); 3N is a total gamble and could easily miss 4S.

Not a critique - just curious. Wondered if you were holding a boycott.

...well, yes. That much was obvious. I was just curious as to why he was using an alternative (and solely from my experience, inferior) engine to that of our lords and masters Google. I really didn't think people still used Yahoo as a search engine. (sorry for derail)

Ok, I'll bite - "Yahoo'd"?

Why exactly do you need this clarification? If Mbodell says his partnership is free to play presumably his partner is in on the deal?

Aren't there some 1=3=4=5 15/16 counts not good enough to reverse and so forced to bid 2H? Or will you shade a reverse with that shape? (P.S. you make some good points about the 40% figure. Then again I'd much prefer to bring 3H-1 to my teammates than a vulnerable 2H+2)

I'm quite surprised by the number of passers. Isn't this IMPs? Aren't we vulnerable? We only need to get to a 38% game don't we? What about Qxx AJx x AQxxxx etc.? Some move is called for imo - I will go for 2N as it is defined in the OP. Although I would like more info. If opener has 4H for sure I will try 4H now, if he can be balanced with 3 I will pass....

DJ least likely to blow a trick imo. It has the added bonus that if declarer is missing the Q as well he might try to play me for it.

Opening 5♣ is terrible imo. I would bid 1♣ planning to rebid 3NT over 1H, 5C over anything else.

Yes, I understand this. I was trying to show that both of Frances' scenarios will amount to the same thing: that the party arriving at the table will be able to find out the relevant defences to the different No Trumps before disclosing which one they play, though as you say they can then change their defence. Which law are we actually dealing with? Or if it is only a regulation can someone tell me what the EBU one is?

This might continue: A. "Well, can we see your convention card?" B. "We have two and which one we play depends on what you play." A. "Is that legal?" B. "Pff." A. "Can we see them both then?" B. "Not until you show us yours." A. "Director!" What should happen now?