jdulmage

I'm gonna pass with that hand. If partner opens 2NT, we are off to slam, maybe even if he opens 1NT. This is a great hand and I can't afford to cut partner off too soon. However, if the opponents open, I will be happy to stick my nose in there later on.

Yes, excellent play. However, there was a lot to explain how he knew to hook there.

We play it - hardly ever comes up.

4♥

no problem here - it stands.

That's amazing. Oh well, I think we need to leave this to the abuse team and not the forums.

1♥-2♦-3♦ (Agreement with diamonds) 3♥ (I've got something in hearts if you care, probably not 3, but good 2) 3NT (Nothing more to say) 4♣ (Cuebid club control, not gerber, i hate that) 4♦ (Ace of diamonds) 4NT (1430 on diamonds) 5♣ (I have one keycard) 5♦ (Queen ask) 6♠ (I have the queen of diamonds and the King of Spades, does that help?) 7NT (It sure does)

that's fine, do what you think best... but remember, the 'book' lead is so for a reason... btw, when you say you will "always" lead the ace, does that mean regardless of the results? Yes, just like the "book" situations have always been - nothing but suggested leads and just like my choice to lead the A♠ - a suggestion. And I will lead the ace against certain bidding or bidding where my partner hasn't come in with a suit of any sort. If it's IMPs, I'll be leading small. Also could depend who I'm playing against. So no, I won't "always" lead the A♠, but people don't always have to follow a book just because somebody published it. Bring on the harder ones.

#1 - He just said West had the K♦ and NEVER asked to specify a play if East showed up with it. #2 - I meant to say "no need for *THAT* endplay" Done attempting to look smart?

#1 - That is what you get for psyching #2 - Ruling was wrong anyways #1 and #2 cancel each other out. Morale of the story: Attempting to fool others makes a fool out of you.

Certainly not in America, and I doubt elsewhere. The big money made playing bridge comes mostly from being paid to play as a partner or team mate. There is also the possibility of making money by teaching bridge, or running bridge games, but I don't think this is what you were really asking about. How not? I know of at least 2 players alone (friends of mine) who make loads of cash, well, not loads, but more than they would be working a dead end job. And trust me, if you plan on wanting to make a career out of it, don't bother going around and playing in money games all the time, often they a couple hundred bucks, not enough to even fly home. You want to do a "pay to play" service. But trust me on this one, you will have had to win some pretty recognizable events like a GNT or something and maybe a Blue Ribbon to get your name on the map. The last time I went to a regional, I was fortunate to get $50.00 from one lady for a session of "play and lecture" and $20.00 from another lady to play with her and I wasn't even there looking for that. Extra money always helps and it paid for my entry fees (I only pay $5-6, I am a junior)

Doubling is silly, 1NT opening may have KJxx♥ and a 5-5 club fit between them, before you know it, they have 7 tricks scored up. Just bid 4♥

Hand 1: 2♥-Dbl-4♥-4♠-Pass-5♥ by you. You want to end up somewhere, telling your partner "I have a huge hand, if you have anything extra, help me out". With AJ♥ and 6♠, may bid 6♠ next. However, it is tricky, because you never know how the spades are sitting. Hand 2: 3♥, no bones about it.

I don't want to end up in the tank for -800 or something stupid, just 3♥ should do the trick.

It's GAME FORCING, therefore you can use other means to find a slam, such as 1♦-2♣-2♥-2♠ (Fourth Suit Forcing) and then start cuebidding over that. Even bidding slower allows you to determine if you have slam versus a quick arrival.

I would draw AK♠, all trump, then go A♦, out a ♦, if LHO wins the K♦, he either has to play a spade in to the board, a heart, which you win on the board with the Q♥ and dump losers away or he has to play diamond, giving entry to the board. Simple. No need for an endplay.

9 towards the J. Let's hope somebody plays the 10 or even trick them in to covering with an honor. If the 9 wins, well, you have to cash the ace now, if it's Kx or K10 doubleton, you are winner, if not, you will still get 4 tricks eventually.

and one time, there will be QJ♠ on the board and 9xx♠ in declarer's hand and you will have given him the contract by leading the 10♠. I will always lead the A♠ to check out the situation.

1. 6♥ - 4th best, if I can catch my partner with an honor, we are ready to set it. 2. J♥ - This one is easy, I have the Jack, Ten and Nine of the suit. It's almost a must 3. 10♣ - I really don't want declarer to know my partner has everything, and I am never getting back in again, so I'll lead my best card and hope that helps my partner out. After all, he may have KQ9x or something. 4. Q♠ - Steering towards this more than the 4th best lead. I am going to make declarer work for this, but I want my tricks too! 5. 8♥ - Again, I'll make declarer work for his tricks. 6. 3♠ - Please god, let my partner have the J♠ or better. I can get in 3 times, so if partner has an honor, we may set it 1. 7. 6♦ - 4th best, no surprise there. 8. 10♥ - Top of internal sequence. Any other lead may be finessing my partner off of the bat. No thanks. 9. 7♦ - Top of nothing - I don't want to lead 4th best because I don't have anything in that suit to help us with. I'll sit back and let declarer decide what to do. 10. K♥ - Yes, believe it or not for the same reason as #3 - My minor suits will never be reached. On 1NT-3NT - the opponents have a higher chance of having minor controls, this is my only chance to try to set something up for partner, even if it's a slow winner with say the 10♥ eventually, well, at least it's a trick. 11. A♠ to check out the situation, after that, I'll be able to count the dummy's points versus the possible declarer points and that'll tell me whether or not I should continue or switch.

5♥ I would expect [hv=s=sxhakqxxxxxxxdxcx]133|100|[/hv] Everything sitting in ♥, if partner has 2 aces, he is to bid it up to 6♥, with 3 aces, 7♥ because he knows I will have a wild hand with a definite solid suit.

I expect some honors - partner won't do it with say 5 to the 9♦, but if it isn't vul, it could be as bad as QJ9, if he is vul, it will be AQ10 or better. So I would only bid 3NT with 3♦ support to an honor and outside stoppers in every suit.

Well, you could always go down to your local club, pay a few bucks, support your local clubs and play real bridge instead of relying on online play for the rest of your life. Online play is about the most boring bridge there is and is nearly no fun, I go on to ACBL tourneys online when I have nothing better to do and haven't picked up many points in that week and even then, it's normally with my regular partner whom play together in many club and tournament games. So I'm there for pure honing reasons. So who cares if they are fee based or not; maybe that will direct people to go to their local clubs, pay them instead. Or if you don't like the fact that 9 out of every 10 tournaments are paid, become a director, start voltuneering your own time and see how that ends up. BBO needs the cash and I appreciate their support; you don't.

His hand is far too powerful to overcall 2♠ unless you have passed already. If he opens 1♠, you can find 4♠ easier, but in either case, a 4♠ call is fine from your hand.

+no life lol

You have no heart losers, 1 diamond loser possible, probably only 1 spade loser, etc. 3♠ call for sure with this hand. 4♠ in IMPs, to hell with it! lol