PhilKing

Since when is a 4NT overcall Blackwood? It shows minors for me, particularly since 2NT here would be natural.

It's fair to say Madala did not have a standard 3♠ opening. That said, East made a nullo defence (winning and switching to a trump).

For a sing off, I would generally choose a power ballad of some sort.

My database shows extraordinary parameters for a certain Mr Hamman ...

http://www.rpbridge.net/9ya1.htm

Yep - the correct answer is to mix your heart in with your diamonds. :P

For most of us, 4♦ over 2♥ would show diamonds and spades. Besides, by-passing 3NT (our most likely game) is rather obscure.

I'd probably put ♠Q on the table pretty quickly. If I deem the king is offside, now I have a problem, since the issue is complicated by whether I assume there will be a lot of people in 6♣.

When 3rd seat passes, I don't think fit jumps are necessary, so if you want to play 2m as constructive, then 3m should show a powerhouse. So on this hand, a jump to 3♣ covers most options (but not as many as a forcing 2♦).

I make a forcing bid in a minor. Please don't tell me that is not possible, or I will go on tilt.

Don't fight the spade suit.

I duck.

You know that MPs stands for matchpoints, right? I would expect a lot of +500s and therefore a cold bottom. True, you will get 800s as well, but not quite often enough. In a weak field (and whatever kind is there?), a good declarer should rate to do hugely well in standard 3NT contracts, so there is no need to risk anything with too high a variance.

1♦ = either major 1♥/♠ = 3 or four cards with 5+ in either minor 2♣ = majors (can be 5-4) 2♦ = multi (weak nv but shows circa 11-15 vul) 2♥/♠ = 5M + 4m nv 5-5 vul The 1M overcalls put them in unfamiliar territory, but require a lot of work on follow ups. The 2M bids are fairly constructive, but the main aim being to win the race to find a fit. The two level bids as a whole take some strain off the 1♦ overcall (which is the weak spot), but 1♦ has some great boards where they show four cards in our suit.

To exploit this tactic, the opposition may need to start passing 3♠ with four-card spade support. Until that becomes common, the assumption here is that partner will usually have length.

Where does he assume that?

I would double with a minimum of: ♠AJxx ♥Kxx ♦x ♣AQxxx So anything more than 3NT is exaggerated.

If 3♣ over 2NT is forcing, then 3♥ followed by 4♣ suggests a different hand. North assumed it showed a strong hand with diamonds with a club control, and I would tend to agree with that interpretation. Having said that, 6♦ was somewhat agricultural - 5NT would be better, and would have allowed South to bid 6♣ to resolve the issue.

One of the problems is that very few countries have rich enough bridge federations to fund the absurd WBF gravy train. If they start saying no to dodgy quasi-dictatorships, they will have to cut back on first class travel and five-star accommodation and dining for all WBF executives and their partners, which are currently paid for by the host city.

3♦????? Choice is between 3♥(my choice) and Double.

Pards second double is a rookie error.

My guess is that the opponent's silence >>>>> significant than any calculations about partner's combinations, so the chances of 4432 has gone way up. And it depends on the oppo style - one partner of mine will overcall 100% of hands containing a five-card major when non-vul versus vul (even the nut low - 65432 and a zero count is on record).

Why did I pass over 3♣? :(

No. Partner most definitely could not bid NTs naturally over 2♥. And don't forget that opener could jump to 3♥ over 2♦, so we are not locked into hearts here.

After 1♣-1M-2♦, as long as one does away with the obsession about majors, you can do the lot: 2♥ = artificial, showing invitational values (usually 7-8, but can be GF with hands that don't want to get pard excited). Over this, opener bids 2♠(art) or 2NT (nat), with minimum reverses, and everything at the three level is GF. 2♠ = artificial, very weak response (max bad 6). Opener can bid 2NT or 3♣ unless super-strong 2NT = nat, weak, but promises five cards in the major 3♣+, GF The main thing you get is the extra layer (weak, inv and GF) as opposed to the usual weak/GF arrangement. This allows a slightly more relaxed approach to reversing with decent 4-6 hands with 15 points. But you also get more natural 2NT bids for your money - we don't always have a fit or game after reversing.