sassan

This is a very difficult question and probably the correct answer is beyond my level. But I give it a go because it looks interesting to me. First the bidding: It's understandable that N wants to be in game: 24+ combined HCP and looking at a 5 loser hand. However there is a strong hint against bidding 4♥: two shallow suits headed by A, while bidding suggests a misfit deal and strong hint that dummy cannot cover those shallow suits. Is it correct to bid 4♥? I am not completely sure, probably 3♥ (which is indeed a false preference)would have been the end of the auction for me in a conservative day. The play is really not a big issue for me. There are a few things I might think of: * if the initial trump lead was a singleton? 4-1 break is against the odds and 3-2 break twice more likely. * What was the hasty cashing the ♠A by E and exiting with a low ♠? Didn't E have a safer exit? This is probably the most important clue. Both E/W do have clear view of diamonds, because declarer showed out in the first round. If E had another ♥ wouldn't he continue the initial plan of playing trumps? (and he was looking at a singleton ♥K in dummy). This ♠ play contains a small hint that E initial lead was a singleton. Why E didn't try to exit in ♣? probably because he was afraid of leading into a tenace. so it's safe to put E with ♣K and afraid of leading into tenace. So he assumed pard's points must be in spades. And what declarer should do? If everything splits nicely: W - E or W - E 3...4 ... 3...4 3...2 ... 3...2 4...3 ... 3...4 3...4 ... 4...3 we want to lead to ♥K and run the diamonds. If we believe East's odd play of ♠A is a sign of 4-1 heart break (W started with ♥QJxx) we should play for a nice 3-4 split of diamonds. If I had to play the hand I would have played for the following layout: W - E 3...4 4...1 3...4 3...4 Once again the play of the hand is not much different. lead to ♥K and run the diamonds. If W started with doubleton diamonds we are always down. He will ruff third round of diamonds and good diamonds in dummy will be stranded forever. W - E 3...4 4...1 2...5 4...3 In the end, I assume leading toward ♥K is the correct play, though contract is not guaranteed.

Thanks Wackojack for deep through analysis. Still not sure when you analysed the hand in 5-3 fit, did you put the exact E-W hand into the program or program picked a random hand with 3 card hearts for W every time? this makes a big difference in the meaning of the analysis.

Victim of the bad THE BOOK. No reponder jumps to 4♥ with 13HCP after 1♥ opening these days, 3NT by West is the same horrible thing. After all, responder's task is to get more info and put the partnership in the best contract, isn't it?

Partner is unbalanced most of the times. She possibly holds 5(31)4 or even better distribution. 1NT in our first turn was a slight underbid and either red suit shortage can be helpful. 3♣ is worth a try, but maybe just personal preference.

good question

2♣ is not an option for me. If partner has some points, you have misguided and pre-empted your side. If partner is weak with no clubs, you will settle for -500. If partner has long clubs with weak hand, you still have a chance to find the fit even if you open 1♦. 1NT has some merits, but with dubious values of ♠Kx ♥Jxx ♦Qxx, it is not going to work more often than it does. This hand looks like 13 HCP, but hardly has 10 working points. If opposing side has a game somewhere, it means our 1NTX will go down 3 for -500. If they don't have a game, why bother; let them bid it :) 1♦ seems to be the only choice for me, the system bid and does not pre-empt our side. If they have a game they will bid it and make it, whatever we chose to open. Not to pre-empt opponents with a balanced defensive hand is the correct tactical bid here.