wanoff

I'd say neither to start with since we don't know declarers hidden spade. So ♠8 or 9 = heart pref. and ♠5 = diamond pref.

I read it as the tank that often precedes a Potter lead. For those unfamiliar with this type of lead, it's the 4th best lead and originated in Birmingham UK, though the method is probably played quite widely.

There is at least one more solution, again not very likely.

Correct but having just alluded to electoral fraud I thought that enough of a clue.

No he didn't. Not if you believe the exit polls for Florida. Still it wasn't all bad - the 'special relationship' strengthened under Bush/Blair.

1. 2♠ 8. It may be their hand - 5♦ 14. 3♠ 19. Pass 20. 3♠

Win in hand, ♠AR, ♦AR and if both suits break it's ok. If diamonds are 4-1 with the Q outstanding, we need hearts to behave. ♣A, ♥AQ and finesse beating Kxxx or K10x right. If ♠Q or 10 falls under the Ace, change course and try to ruff a diamond immediately. Draw trumps.

I'll go for the bog standard double with West holding the missing King. 5 rounds of diamonds pitching ♣8 and ♠9 and West will unguard a major. Cash ♣A, that major and the last diamond. Voilà.

A not clear double, trouble is it's not really good enough to bid 2c and then double.

The middle hand does not even look like 50% let alone 75%. If West thought Drury showed 4 and East thought it showed 3+, then indeed it would be an agreement problem. If not, I agree it's bad evaluation.

That's a slight change since you originally said you'd bid game over Drury. Isn't this simply a partnership agreement queastion where East bids game over a 4cd limit raise or a fitting 10HCP 3cd raise.

Agree with a lot of this except the 4th point. Some 18s will bid 2nt, so 18 not that likely and even then game won't always make. Also I'm doubtful that there are sufficient high cards to expect to make 2♥. In hearts the East hand could be a working 2 count and that coupled with the likely trump break being 4-2 makes 2♥ too risky.

Ok so 2♦ is artificial - I still have a max, 4 trumps and a shortage - 3♠ What's 1♠-2♣-2♥

You may well all be right, but as I've never played Drury perhaps I don't understand the intricacies. Assuming 2♦ is some sort of natural game try, surely the 4th spade and a shortage are enough for West to bid 3♠. The ♦10 is difficult to value but at least you have it and not the deathly xxx. Should I start using Drury, and where might I find a good write up.

Normally you'd finesse, because otherwise you'd be playing E to have passed with a probable 11 cards in 2 suits. But it costs nothing to cash ♥K first. If he's false carded with Jx and so trying to encourage the finesse, I'd do the opposite. I can't see anyone ruffing the ♥K but you never know.

Just to get the ball rolling.... 1. 4♠ 2. 4♠ 3. pass 4. 4♠ 5. double 6. double 7. 5♦ 8. double 9. pass 10. pass 11. pass 12. 4♠ 13. pass 14. pass 15. 4♠ 16. double 17 pass 18. pass 19. 4♠ 20. pass 21. pass 22. 4♠ 23. double

After his initial pass, South is well worth 4♥ at his next turn and then 6♦. Don't agree with the double which suggests defence.

You must have misunderstood. On offer is good bridge, wining and dining and a guaranteed top 5 finish. Fantastic.

ok I've changed my mind. If W avoids the squeeze and chucks three high hearts, E can squeeze dummy with ♥8. Nice hand and I must remember not to post when I get back from the pub.

Exactly, so you wouldn't duck the heart. Alternatively E or W could keep a heart instead as the exit card.

Best lead is a heart but I think it makes since W is squeezed on the last diamond.

I'd be tempted to run ♥J at trick 2. You're now ok if N holds ♥Qx / Qxx or S has ♦Jx and ♥Qx / Qxx / Qxxx. Also beating some 44(32) with QH though low odds

Alternatively they may have a good idea of what understandings they can get away with omitting in particular, practices of the partnership.

Yes the correct bid was 3NT and maybe next time I'd get it right. Perhaps I'd been softened up by East who earlier in the set, valued xx Jx QJ98x Qxxx as a weak 2. 3NT is still tricky as on 2 top diamonds you'd probably duck and later have to pick up clubs for 1 loser. The hand: [hv=pc=n&s=sjt9hj8da964cq973&w=s832h62dkqj8753c6&n=sak64haq93dckt542&e=sq75hkt754dt2caj8&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=pp3ddppp]399|300|tick[/hv]

♠Q and if West follows, cross in diamonds at first opportunity and run ♠9. Only a problem now if trumps 4-1, so shorten trumps if necessary to match Easts length, cash clubs and go for the trump coup.