Statto

1NT, 2NT, or 3♦. The other options are awful. Far too strong for 2♠ or 2♦, and need a 4th ♠ for 3♠. I'll go for a conservative 1NT.

1NT

Andrew Robson is currently advocating 'simple' for MPs, because if you discover slam is not on, the information leaked may cost your overtrick in game. I'm not so sure.

I would have overcalled 3♠ NV opposite a passed hand, as I want to make it awkward for opps to find their ♥ fit. Though I shouldn't preempt with 2 bullets, this situation is a little unusual. Now I think we have a good chance of defeating 1NT if partner leads a ♠, so I pass.

Plus this hand might not provide a trick in defence.

If a 1/1 or 1NT response generally promise 8+ HCP, then a reverse could be made with a good 14+, however extra distribution & playing strength would be required for a jump rebid.

Yup, overlooked the obvious as usual :o

Might partner choose to play in 4♦X with ♦KQJxx?

Works if taken as pick a slam or GSF :o - if slam is making...

I guess a question is how to handle a powerful single-suiter with ♠...? Do we roll that up into the 4♥ bid...?

I'm not an expert, but MGoetze's answer is what I would presume. Both minors can be shown starting with 4♦, natural and forcing. The quantative 4NT perhaps ideally should have a double stop in ♥, but with them being marked, KJx should do. (Edit: actually Kx is probably fine.)

Interesting that neither East's, South's nor North's suit were better than J108xx. I would have X rather than 1♠ on the 1st round, which may lead to the same contract, or may lead to 2NT-3 by North for -150. Having pushed opps to 4♥, I would sit the double. On the line given, it should go 4 off for +800, almost double dummy, but should always go 1 off as forcing declarer with ♦ should be obvious. How about suggesting a coaching session in your club?

Yes, and, yes, but I don't think these are such wide ranges, and responder has the tools available to distinguish them somewhat if necessary. I don't like opening at the 1 level vulnerable in 2nd seat with no honour card outside my suit. Presumably if ♠J is replaced by ♠x you open 2♠?

I think it's strong enough to reverse, regardless of how many cards 1♥ promises B-)

If 2♦ would be the only forcing bid below game, I think I'd have still chosen it here if it would make the auction GF.

I like Victor Mollo's Winning Bridge. It's basically a well selected set of problems, organized by theme. Some are about defensive play, and some about both, but they tend to be about declarer play. It's well-written too, as is any Mollo book.

I seem to have dropped a card on the floor...

I would take it as 2 places to play, irrespective of whether playing Kickback...

If I'm going to do something other than Pass, it would be 2♦.

Or a 4♣ splinter, perhaps? Unless they are fielding your extremely light 2nd seat opener B-) 3♥ looks like a reasonable opening in this seat at these colours, and should lead to 4♥. Both 2♥ and Pass I think are better than 1♥; 4♥ is ok, if a tad aggressive, and perhaps unnecessary with 3 cards in ♠, except as a double-bluff...

I'll X here. I don't see 5♦ being realistic with them having been bid on my right, and I don't know if partner has any support for ♥s. A bullet and RHO's ♦ is some defence. I guess I'm now regretting not having started slower. Still, partner can always pull... B-)

What Phil said. The LTC brigade will say this is an 11-trick hand, though I would agree with them here that it is worth a 2♣ opener.

As it's MPs, and I'm in no way convinced any game is making for us, I might have tried transfer to ♥ then 2NT, but it looks like we'd have gone 1 off too :(

Sorry, missed that, but not told opps vul...

Quite possibly, but they can then make another move over 3♣. I would have thought 2♥ to be the usual choice for responder with no extra values...