wanoff

Not only is 3NT normal, but in the long run 6♣ is a loser.

It was based on an insufficient explanation. We had no agreement that it may be less than a 3cd fit but I have read that it may also be a hand that can control the auction. As you've probably guessed, partner had less than 3cd support.

I don't remember using it either without a fit but ........ big balanced, 2 cd fit, 0/1 stop in their suit comes to mind. The point is, does the EBU require chapter and verse, something like 'Either a good spade raise excepting the mixed raise to 3 level (and possibly the limit raise), or some other unspecified hand that has never occurred before' ? I am sufficiently an anorak to be able to give this explanation, but is this really the direction the EBU wish to go in attracting new members ?

We play a bog standard UCB, just the same as everyone else - so I'm asking for the correct explanation of this. As we all know, some of the time it's a hand that needs to force, so partner's stock answer,even though vague, would do the job.

I received a reprimand recently from the club's Laws and Ethics committee for my explanation of an Unassuming Cue bid. Trying to be helpful after (1♣)-1♠-(P)-2♣ I described it as 'A high card raise to at least 2♠'. Are they correct ? If so, should I instead use my partner's rather vague description 'Asking about the overcall' which they've never previously complained about ?

Looks more like 2♠

Agree with double. Need to look at the frequencies of these types. Type 1. would be expensive but I'd guess not that likely. Neither is 4. that likely. Type 2. will more often than not, be a controlled psyche with say ♦Kxx and likely to be more frequent than one might expect.

Thx. And on another hand how do you find the side suit fit. What if it hadn't been a passed hand ?

[hv=pc=n&s=s8764hk6d83caq742&n=skq2h94dakqtckj98&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=pp1hdp2sp4sppp]266|200|MP[/hv] What went wrong here, since 3NT is cast iron? I bid what I thought was a normal 2♠ but afterwards a good player at the club suggested that with such poor spades, it is better to start with 1♠. Second question and it happens quite often in competitive auctions. Say West bids 3♥, maybe after a raise by East, is 3♠ by North just competing, with double showing a general game try or a game try in spades ?

2/10 seems a bit on the low side for double. I'd score it a 10.

1♦- 1♥ 2♣- 2♠ 3♣- 3NT

No more than an opening hand with say 6-4. With a strong hand, 15+ I prefer to double.

Probably low to the Q and then low to the 10. Picks up K onside and KJ offside in 3-2 breaks plus singleton K onside. Also beating singleton 9 or J onside, so long as you run the 8 after the Q has lost. As a defender with J9 doubleton onside, it's probably another one of those auto false cards just to make sure of the trick.

The clue is in the forum used. About this tricky would put it in the beginner forum.

Will also take the ♠K and if partner follows I would say he prefers hearts to diamonds. That's not to say he doesn't have a diamond card though, so I'd go passive with the ♣10. If however he discards, and either discourages diamonds or encourages hearts, I will underlead the heart. Otherwise a club. Expecting to find declarer with J(x) Kx(x) Ax AKQJxxx or similar

[hv=pc=n&s=sakqj3hkqt6djcq42&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=p1s3c(Weak)dp]133|200[/hv] I've searched BBO but there doesn't seem to be much info about this situation. Does X show 4 hearts. What about higher intervention, presumably that requirement diminishes the higher you get ? 4c Major setting - is it any different under 5cM.

Did he agree? He said more than once that a small diamond is right. Anyway ♦A costs against the more likely Kxx with declarer in say 7231 and partner holding Ax KQxxx - KQxxxx.

Not bad though I don't think partner could remember it :) We currently play the very simple 3♣-4♣= please cuebid. 3♣- 4♦= RKC for clubs

It'll come up about as often as opening 1♦ with 4441. Playing the 4-2 fit is a risk but not on the scale of 4♥ on a 4-3 fit with bad breaks.

My first thoughts were to pass but don't bother slating me because I can see I'm well outvoted. Second thoughts were....what's going on? After reading about the BIT I'd have had a bit of a problem.

Seems reasonable - presumably if you allow garbage Stayman after 1M, this is the only 'medium' type possible. What about taking some of the weight off Stayman by using the cuebid and transfers into their suit ?

4NT 2 places to play. Remove 5m to 5♥.

I'm not sure you're entitled to that information which is why you'd normally ask the partner of the 3H bidder.

As you say, unless the top or bottom card is played, no signal is now clear. What makes me laugh, are the defenders who play out of tempo thereby telegraphing to all that it's a preference signal. Worse still, he might go neutral and lo and behold, we have the perfect signalling system. Nice.

Fluffy posed 5-2 (spades/clubs inc KS) as being more likely than 2-4. I'm not sure but probably, however 5S-(C any) must be more likely than 2-4. So lets consider what may happen if W has 5S. Say W holds ♥A you could play a heart to the K, cash ♣K and run diamonds. West will be squeezed in the majors. There are also extra chances if the ♥K is taken by the A. If E has 5H it looks like the double squeeze will work. Granted E can take out the ♣K to kill that, but then there will be a club/major simple squeeze against one of them.