Statto

2NT would normally be about 17-19 here. With such a wide [15-19] range, how is responder to judge whether to bid 3NT? And if you bid 2NT here with a 15 count you could end up playing 2NT with a combined 21 count. Though with the given hand it looks a reasonable upgrade with the ♦ sitting over RHO.

Could West have ♠A109x-♥AQ9xxx-♦xx-♣x and partner ♠KQJ-♥KJx-♦QJ10-♣AKQx? I pass 3NT.

This I did not understand at all. You need invitational values for normal Stayman too unless you are bidding it on an Exit Stayman or Crawling Stayman hand. I think this means if you're weak with 5-4 in the majors you can't check for a 4-4 fit before signing off in the 5 card major (if you play this as NF, rather than invitational).

These are mutually exclusive. I don't consider these valid disadvantages if you know what you're doing. Don't these amount to the same thing? 4-3 in the majors? By bidding your minor? What about when 4M makes and 3NT goes off due to lack of adequate stops? Edit: did not see next page of responses, sorry if duplicated what others have said.

http://www.bridgebas...e-opening-lead/

If poor answers are posted you can be sure they will be contended. If you joined a computer tips forum as a lUDDITE, wouldn't you rather someone knowledgeable replied to your posts? If all you got was other Luddites, wouldn't you go somewhere else?

It's called full disclosure (or full closure) :(

Because... FYP ;) But still, why not X instead of 3NT? Something's fishy anyway. Perhaps declarer has something like ♠A-♥109-♦AKQJxxxx-♣xx and still sat the double gambling that we can't take 5 tricks off the top? :unsure: Is this MPs or IMPs? What do we know about East?

Relevant figures for 2nd leg home advantage from the above (%win / decisive result): Overall: 54.33% (n=6084) Normal Time: 53.77% (n=5750) Extra Time: 66.42% (n=186) Penalties: 57.33% (n=148) There has been a decrease in the 2nd leg home advantage over time so the current advantages won't be as high as the figures above (though not distinguished which). Away goals in extra time have counted in UEFA competitions I think since extra time was introduced (in the 1971/72 Cup Winners Cup 2nd round fixture between Sporting and Rangers the referee mistakenly ordered a penalty shoot out after both sides scored in extra time). You're right, the above shows a distinct advantage to the home side in extra time despite away goals counting extra. But personally, I prefer to see the contests decided by playing football rather than penalties whenever possible, and (in answer to the first part of the OP) the away goals rule helps that B-)

Good point :)

Asking about Kings doesn't help, you still don't know if your 3rd ♦ loser and ♣ loser can be covered. Oh, that was the point B-)

Finesse. South has no reason to lead a stiff ♣ with ♠J109x, so their lead doesn't in any way imply anything. But vacant spaces (South with 4 ♠ has less space for a 2nd ♣) I think means it's more likely North has 3 ♣. And North didn't pitch a ♣ which may mean they are trying to protect their ♣Qxx (though they should not pitch a ♣ regardless).

If away goals still count after extra time (as they do in the Champions League), then if the away team manages to score in extra time, the home team would have to score twice. This research suggests the team shooting first in a penalty shoot out has, on average, a 60% chance rather than 50% due to psychological advantage. I would also expect the home team to have an advantage in a penalty shoot-out (as well as during play). This research suggests that in a 2-leg tie, the team playing at home in the 2nd leg has an advantage, but I haven't read through it in detail and don't know whether it factors in away goals counting in extra time, which may not have always been the case, I can't remember.

http://xkcd.com/936/

We've only got 4 hearts.

+1 I think this is talking about if opener raises ♥ with 3 card support instead of rebidding 1♠. But even with this style, if opener is too strong for a simple 2♥ raise with 4=3=1=5, would they not rebid 1♠? So you'd still need a way of checking for a 5-3 ♥ fit after 2NT.

I mean all of those who didn't understand something will benefit. Don't forget there will be readers of these forums, possibly beginners, who don't contribute at all, and who are not necessarily members (as it is a public forum), though I don't know how many.

Agree. If you don't understand, there are probably others who don't either. It just needs someone to ask the question, then all will benefit.

2NT. If IMPs I want to make an effort to get to the 3NT game. If MPs and game is declined, 2NT if made will score better than 2♦+1. Not without risk of going beyond our last makeable contract though.

I think you need better suits and/or a better hand in case (b). Opps have both shown values and fairly unlimited, but have not yet found a fit, so would be more inclined to find a penalty double. In case (a) responder has not yet bid, so there is greater probability that partner has some values. Also, you make it harder for responder to find a bid at all, thus getting the full pre-emptive value. I'm not sure it's all good news. If opps don't have a fit, it's more likely we don't have one either.

West should press on after 5♦, probably with 5♥, though agree 5♦ is a bit limp with all those prime cards.

Agree doubler must have significant extra strength. It's not the same as if East overcalled 1♠ and it was passed round, because responder still has another bid and can protect, and was not inhibited from bidding in the first instance.

Yep, a huge game bonus awaits if we make...

I bid 2♥. It's light for unfavourable but I expect partner to have something, not least the King I borrowed. If 2♠ comes back round (unlikely), I'm more happy to sit that.

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