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1 ) X, 3 NT bidder is psyching on bunch of ♣ cards. 2 ) 4♠, pd has max hand with at least 4-4 in ♠+ ♦. Mike :D

Sometimes preempts just work, there is no X, so new suit is forcing. But pd already used your points for his bid, just pass, and if you miss slam, it happens. That's why people preempt. Mike :D

4♦, I have ♦ and a Major, this is what I am showing. And I will make a slam try too, after pd picks his preference. Mike :D

After pd's 4♥ bid my hand has become gold. 2 First round controls and a void and 4 trump. My pd must have something for his 4♥ bid, especially if he knows my light opening style. So I have 2 choices, either 5♠ as GS try or 6♥. I will settle for 6♥, I have seen my pd play :D Mike :D

Start using Kokish after 2♣ opening and you have 8 opening ranges. That should cover it all I think. Mike :D

That's what I play. I think the X by West was one of these "I don't know pd" X Mike :D

I think this falls under Law 40 PDship understanding : B. Concealed Partnership Understandings Prohibited A player may not make a call or play based on a special partnership understanding unless an opposing pair may reasonably be expected to understand its meaning, or unless his side discloses the use of such call or play in accordance with the regulations of the sponsoring organisation. Mike :D

It's based on "Law of Total Tricks". But What I play with most my pd's is this ; accept at 3 level with minimum bid 2 NT with max and 4 trumps and no worthless doubletons bid of other suit shows max with 4 trumps and worthless doubleton in that suit. All really simple and make it easy on pd and hard on opps, what a combo :D Mike :D

When playing weak NT, for now 12-14, and you rebid NT or support pd's suit with simple raise you show 15-17. When playing regular NT, 15-17, rebid of 1NT or support pd's suit with simple raise show 12-14. When you play variable NT's depending on strenght or vul, it depends what agreements are. Mike :D

More and more people are starting to use that approach again. I like it. Mike :D

Flannery is a waste of time, it just takes up space on your cc for no good reason. If you can't handle 5-4 in major, maybe you should try Bingo. Mike :D

I bid 2♣, since this is only sequence in my 2/1 version that is NOT GF. I am just showing 10+, and no 4 card major with 5 + ♣. Suprising how much easier bridge becomes when you use common sense. :D Mike :D

I think N bidding was fine, South should have bid 5♦ after 4♥. 71,22% Slam is good enough for me, takes a double finesse at worst. Mike :D

1m-2NT I play as 11-12 with no 4 card major. 1m-3NT I play as 13-15 with no 4 card major. And I am fairly sure most do play same, even though back in olden days ,when I was 15 years old, I played 2 NT as 12-14 or 18-19 and 3 NT as 15-17. I am sure that both have their perks, and about slamgoing hands opposite a balanced 4-3-3-3 there are only very few, mostly based on openers very shapely hand. So common sense is biggest part, not a system. Mike :D

You need more then aces to m ake a grand. Mike :D

She made you write that, didn't she :D Mike :D

Not sure what you mean about academic bridge papers, so maybe when I do, I can help. Mike :D

Opening leads are not scientific, they change with bidding, scoring and opps. That's why you will no find quizes, it's more a feel and experience then something you learn out of a book. Like with most things in bridge, you can learn the very basics and then your experience and, if you have it , bridge feel will kick in. Mike :D

I play cuebid, as either asking stopper or limitraise or better in support of pd's suit or any GF hand. But that aside, if opps are asking for stopper I think X should ask for lead in one of other 2 suits and pass asks for pd to lead his suit. If opps play it as limit raise or GF, X should show tophonor, preferable the Ace or King. Mike :D

We have no say about a lot of things on here. We have to play by their rules and if not, things happen. But then again I don't own this place. So I obey the rules, under protest... Mike :D

1 NT. I have 15, am pretty much balanced. And it works somewhat preemtive. Mike :D

I totally agree, but maybe Nickell can buy the US marines or the French Foreign Legion to protect his, at least in his eyes, important a.. But I am sure that as soon as he is overseas, pretty much nobody will recognize him. Mike :D

Greco-Hampson Mike :D

It's an ugly hand. Most will be in 4 of a major. Which doesn't have any play. Sometimes these wild hands happen, but not often enough to start worrying about it. Mike ;)

That's why I always advocate to play with Laws of duplicate Contract Bridge 1997. As soon as someone claims, the play ceases. And go from there. But most directors haven't even heard of that, so why even bother. Mike ;)