PhilKing

I like 4♥. You want to catch lefty with a heavy 4♠ or 5♦ bid. Jumping to Five is too likely to push them into slam, either because he stretches to bid 6♦, or because 5♠ gets raised. For sure, slam is not always making, but I would rather just defend game. I am not intending to sacrifice over 4♠.

Problem 3 - will partner raise to 6♥ with his junk.

Not according to the OP - partner thinks you have shown 3 diamonds.

Declarer claimed two tricks, so he can't finesse.

I would have to ask a few questions about their opening lead style - for instance, I would lead low from T9x here. Anyway, I am certain the correct answer is not "ruff low". Ruff with the six perhaps, which pays off when South is 5125 with the ♥T9. But against myself, I would judge to ruff high.

Auction was OK, and game goes down if either of our suits breaks badly. However, I woud have gone on to game as East. Regarding the systemic issue, I think a cue bid just shows a random game force with values in the suit bid. With spade support, just raise to the appropriate level, which in this case I would say is three. With a "preemptive" raise, just bid game and transfer the problem to them.

You are entitled to the rest unless you are playing against the spouse of the director.

The bidding should have gone 1♥-1NT-2♣-2♠-5♣. Obviously 2♠ must show a max with clubs. Opener is willing to have a shot at game, and clubs rates to play much better than NTs. Slam is unrealistic, so there is no point farting about with 3♦ - all that helps achieve is perfect defence.

It's time for Sepp Blatter to step down from FIFA - if he need a new hobby, I think bridge administration would be a good choice. ;)

Just because 14% of people on BridgeLosers pass, does not make it a logical alternative - the passers could be mostly beginners or weak, timid players. I don't believe any real players would pass - game has decent play opposite one high card as long as partner is 2-3M, and pard's preference could easily contain two cover cards, hesitation or no hesitation.

Probably a strong NT if available and 1♣ if playing Acol. Definitely not 3♣!

If I were using this method, I would get Jack to play the hands. This would be somewhat time consuming, but would produce decent non-DD comparisons.

It was all looked at by the FIFA credentials committee, which deemed everything to be fine. B-)

Over 3M the other M agrees the suit (Helene_T, post 7). 4m is just natural, 5m plus 4♠ - not 2 way.

Would assume nat constructive with 6 hearts. I think it is fairly common to play 2♥ as nat with five, but I have never seen it played as forcing (before now).

In England I am pretty sure the standard agreement for Stayman then 4NT is quant (sources available B-) ).

It is very noticeable from my files that the leading Dutch players open 4♥ more than any other nation. I am fairly sure this is a winning policy. Anyway, this looks like a clear 4♥ opening even at game all.

I might be being a bit thick, but how does a simulation prove anything here?

In my experience, people who play negative double to 7♦ play all conceivable doubles as take-out.

I agree with Gnasher about (i). (ii) I like to play as a baby Bluhmer - eg Axxx xxxx JTx Kx.

I'm with Valardent: ♠KQJx ♥9xxx ♦Qxx ♣xx Even a Meckstrothian 4-2 fit could be right when pard has: ♠Ax ♥Jx ♦AKJxx ♣KQxx And if I bid 3NT, good players know to frequently lead a heart on this type of auction.

When you only have high cards.

Not that it is necessarily relevant, but why did I bid 1NT? 2♦ seems clear. Anyway, a delayed 2♥ by partner should show extra values, so for 3♥ I expect partner to have about 18 points 4351 - five should have decent play. Even if he has a bit less, game will have a shot.

I like pass then double to show 15+ balanced, at least 3-3 in majors. This charges them the occasional penalty for their methods at almost no cost, and it avoids the same when we were about to get crushed in a 1NT "overcall". 1NT is still natural, more minor oriented.

I'm not worried about a spade lead - clubs worry me more. If we are going to abandon science the answer is to bid 2NT (showing diamonds) followed by exclusion RKCB in clubs. Since we are punting slam anyway, we may as well stop the lead.