PhilKing

I can't see the harm in bidding 5♠. This promises first round control in clubs as well, given the auction. On the issue of 3♥, I feel strongly that bids below 3NT are descriptive after we have agreed a minor, and cue bids apply above 3NT. Within that context, partner could have four good hearts, or any five.

1♦ then spades forever.

After 1♣-3♠, hands with hearts are a real problem. I play something pretty good here, which is loosely based on "Liggins Gerber": 4♣ = 6+ hearts, circa 13+ 4♦ = natural, GF 4♥ = nat, max circa 12 points 4♠ = clubs, slammish 4NT = two suiter, hearts plus minor, big With clubs, you usually double to keep 3NT in the frame, so losing 4♣ is not bad.

You made a clear error at trick four - assuming they are playing standard count it is mandatory to drop a club honour. This would help nurture the illusion that West is 3623 with Hxx in clubs. As pointed out, if West actually held a doubleton diamond, there is nothing you can do to talk them out of it.

On what lead?

Then I would expect to play in 3NT down one for a decent board, since 4♥ is going two down.

If 1NT shows any old 11-14, then I think N/S are playing an unbiddable style. Something has to give, so if North wants to open this trash, then switch to a 14-16 NT. Playing a style where 1NT shows at least a good 11, I would just raise 1NT to three (but invite opposite 11-13). I don't see much benefit in checkback on the south hand.

THe sad thing is, I will never find out why anyone who thinks pard can't logically have a stiff heart here is spouting drivel. :(

Ken, it's not you. :angry:

Just added a second person to my ignore list. B-)

Why did pard jump to 4♥?

It's not my style usually - it's just that Mgoetze is head of the "wrong forum quango", so I thought I would try and get one of his ones moved on the grounds that this is a complete non-problem! However, the fuzz disagreed, so I won't try again ... :( Anyway, I wanted it moved to the "is partner an ox?", forum, but there isn't one.

Fluffy's option 2 is better in isolation. It is the same odds as the double finesse (less stiff jack with East), but has the advantage that a non-expert West will err and rise with Kx. I don't completely agree about his spade inference, since West will lead a spade with any QJT (combo (except maybe QJT5) if holding the club king, so I am somewhat tempted by his line 3. Put me down for five rounds of hearts while I think about it. The discards may be easy, but I will still learn something. Clubs can wait.

That gave me indigestion.

No. You are looking at the hand where Frances gave an example where it is right to bid on even if LHO does not have anything resembling his bid. I would suggest rereading the post. The second construction is probably nearer the truth, but I would rather make pard 4234, which means one of the opponents has done something odd. Either RHO is 64 in the reds or lefty has inexplicably delayed revealing four card support over 2♠.

Most card play errors are not fatal, so the average cost is much lower. For instance, partner misplays a game, but the defence don't seize the chance, or they play a 70% line and make when a 100% chance was available. Card play errors tend to get punished more at a higher level, and the defenders put you under way more pressure. I'd be willing to bet that a typical intermediate player makes an average of at least three card play errors per hand. And in the bidding you get the same thing. For every three errors your partner makes in the bidding perhaps only one leads to the wrong contract, so take care with your stats.

http://www.eventprophire.com/_images/products/large/giant_microphone_prop_01.jpg And this article struck a chord: http://www.fulviofantoni.com/en/coppa-dei-campioni-2008-amsterdam/24-entscho-wladows-peculiar-bidding-does-not-always-pay-off.html

Yeah, it's the same technique. I guess it should have a proper name - how about partial avoidance?

He will know we had so many clubs that we chose to show clubs then three hearts rather than vice versa. Unless you are just doing it for a laugh, that should mean you have a lop-sided hand. 2NT then 3♥ is logically forcing to 4♣ so I have to have something like this. "Good" 2NT is superior to "bad", since you get more definition on your good hands (as here, but also because you get "good" and "GF", leaving a cue to show a game forcing trump raise).

He will know we had so many clubs that we chose to show clubs then three hearts rather than vice versa. Unless you are just doing it for a laugh, that should mean you have a lop-sided hand. "Good" 2NT is superior to "bad", since you get more definition on your good hands (as here, but also because you can use it to show good and GF, leaving a cue to show a game forcing trump raise).

Yes I have a story to tell, but it is War and Peace. I pretty much intend to keep bidding in most circumstances. I know they have a double fit unless pard has a strong non-shape double and 5♦ rates to have play if they bid 4♠/5♣. In some auctions I may be able to leave the decision to partner, or he may get to double 4♠ in front of me. Bidding, say, 3♦ (I have no idea which inadequate number you had in mind) rates a Guthrie 7 out of 10. Sometimes they can't compete that high. Say pard has KQxx KQxx xx Kxx. They are outgunned and just compete to 2♠. I reach a lousy 4♥ but make it on a friendly lie of the cards opposite 8 wasted points.

Is that because you naturally are not a worrier?

I haven't double dummied it, but it looks like it's to do with East being able to rise with a heart only twice (the reason I solved it quickly was by examining the title of the hand - you have to break the heart communication). Basically, you set about a non-material dummy reversal (you do not have enough entries to complete it). Whenever East rises with a heart honour, you ruff, but if he plays low you duck, so the play might go: 1 Win the ♠A 2 A♥ 3 heart - East rises with the king so you ruff high 4 ♠ to dummy 5 heart - East plays low and you pitch a diamond 6 spade by West, won on table 7 ruff a heart 8 ♦ ace 9 ♦ Now West can cash his long spade, but you just throw a club and claim. If he exits a club without cashing the spade, you play your winning diamond.

I find it interesting that when people try and construct hands in this type of situation, they focus solely on partner's bids, whereas if one takes a wider view, it is almost inconceivable that pard has a stiff heart ... ... the opposition bidding is just not consistent with a 6-4 fit. Anyway, I would have bid 3♠ on the previous round, rightly or wrongly, since we know they have a big fit and we are never buying it in two. (OK - obv it will turn out they do have a 6-4 fit, but that only applies against droolers).

As Mgoetze said, there is no standard meaning. I can think of at least five reasonably common interpretations (gf relay, inv with 5♠, f1 with 4♠, agreeing hearts, nf with 4♠, and an extra one my mother once did - five spades and five diamonds, intending to pass a 2♦ response, but raise 2♠ to game) but without discussion, one should not make such a bid, and should tend to flounder along with 2NT if in the hot seat. The best usage will depend on the rest of your system over 1NT, hence the lack of uniformity.