PhilKing

Here, here!

Looks like it's on the double diamond hook to me, so circa 1/4.

Unless we here what the ruling was, I intend to throw my toys out of the pram.

My stock response would be "flat - well done."

Why is this good judgment?

Wrong forum.

The spoiler made me chuckle.

East's 4♠ was probably a misclick. West got confused and lost their mind. As to the theory, after a fourth seat double, I play 2NT as natural, showing nominally 8-11 points. The reason is that our most common hand-type on this particular auction is a moderate hand with something in their suit (since there was no raise). So it would go: P X 2NT 3♣ 3♦ 4♦ 4♥ 5♣(East could Blackwood, but it's a bad habit with two losers in spades - pards stopper is sometimes JTxx) 5♠ 6♦ This should get you a good result. East can't underwrite seven, since West could be 4252, so there is no parking space for the heart loser.

Just to clarify the first few tricks: Trick 1: club ace (no huge reason, but it is mildly deceptive and counterintuitive on this hand) trick 2: spade to the queen trick 3: they exit to our club queen tricks 4-6: play KD QD AD Do not on any account cash black suits first. Our ordinary auction has concealed our shape from the defence, so cashing black cards prematurely will just allow them to defend double dummy. What we want to happen is that the hand with short diamonds to be pseudo squeezed. One might also consider: trick 2: diamond king trick 3: diamond ace (if nothing dropped) which makes them find a discard before we have touched spades.

That would also be true if we were 3532. Anyway, just because we have a 5-3 fit does not mean it's right to play in the major. For instance, if pard has a 2344 10 count, I am pretty relaxed about playing 3NT rather than 4♥. To me, this hand screams no trumps, and I wouldn't be shocked if 3NT was better opposite balanced hands with three hearts (2-3s 3h 2-5d 2-5c).

This partly boils down to what we think of the 5♥ bidder - does this action not register as being unusual? If I trust LHO even partly, this is a 5♠ bid. We can make this on a good day, and I think they are making a lot of the time.

I went slightly on tilt because it reminded of of Brian Townsend's Cardrunners videos.

I like 1NT. You have a pretty ugly rebid problem over a 1NT response (surely the most likely response) and you are probably right-siding the contract.

If I bid 3♠ and partner raises, I am screwed. I think keycarding is very gambly. For one, slam may be poor opposite two key cards and the five level in spades is not safe. I prefer double, but I think the best answer is to just bid 4♥. Showing a slam try in clubs should work out well - after all, that is exactly what we have. If partner signs off, I will respect his opinion, but opposite any other call, I will drive to slam. Over 4♥ I play that 4NT by pard shows slam interest with no spade control. If you don't have that agreement, the situation is not so clear, but that is not my problem.

I thought that, as stated above. Although a quick sim proved this was quite possible (but not likely), LHO inevitably bid spades, so we escape that way. My strategy is to start with 2♥ and take it slow, hopefully ending in a doubled slam on a murky auction.

FWIW you can still guarantee the contract after playing the ♠K from table.

Over 2♥ one can play 2NT as hearts and a minor, too strong for 2♥ direct and 3m as the same with spades, so overcaller has spades and clubs on sequence a). b) shows a void club and seven diamonds. Partner is assumed to be able to guess your major. It can't show clubs, of course, since partner might pass 2♦ on a blizzard with long diamonds.

I don't see how you make 3♣ opposite that unless pard has the spade nine (West rates to be 5251), in which case Two Spades is certainly going down. I think any plus score will score well, and the chances of both contracts making is negligible.

Sorry. I am biased by knowing that they bid 3♦ rather than 2♠ over the double which is where matters rested. Had we now bid 3♥, lefty bids 4♦ which may well get a fifth. http://app.pianola.net/Results/Session12638/Travellers/12

You have good reason to think pard has nothing and no reason to believe the opponents have a fit. I would expect pard to be 4xx4, in which case offensive prospects are non-existent. There just seems no reason to act here. Sure, he should pass with 4-4, but that doesn't mean they are going off. When we can beat 2♠, the difference between +50 and +100 will be minimal, and partner will often pull when he shouldn't in any non-practised partnership (and be clear that I would pass however much we had discussed these sequences). I would categorise a second double as a clearcut error, and would award it 7 out of 10 on the Nige scale.

I bid 2♥ and sold to 3♦. I think after the direct 3♥ they should have sniffed 5♦ though few did. 2♥ then 3♥ merits drooler status.

I wish the best of luck to the good ship Double, and all who sail in her.

Double would ask for a diamond lead, so I don't do that. Partner is likely to fish a club if we pass, and so I try that. Maybe a fearless 4♣ is best. As long as 4♠ only goes for a monkey, you are OK, but the upside is quite large, and they generally let you off the hook.

Im pretty gutted. Nige - how can you give me a zero? :(

4♠ seems pretty clear now (or 4NT to show a spade cue if playing your beloved kickback).