PhilKing

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4♣. I don't really understand the problem. Yes, partner could have Txx in hearts, but he probably doesn't.

2NT was described as a good raise to 3, but we are assuming OP meant 3+.

If N/S just play "natural" continuations over 2NT, then I would suggest 3♣ on the South hand. That's what I would have to bid in both my "client" partnerships.

The South hand is a little strong to sign-off over 2NT.

My view is that, without discussion, it does not exist. West should choose a different call whatever his hand.

Same as everyone elses - circa 50%, but it's not an exact science. However, overall efficiency can be increased by avoiding desperate auctions like this one, but you are free to just put your fingers in your ears if you want.

Either major - but I guess the very strong ♦ overcall may be more logical. I can always bid 2♠ with 5S 5-6D and bid 3♥ with a really strong 5-6. Everything is covered now, I think.

I think it should show 6D 5S and good. 2♠ shows 55 or a lesser 56.

That's how I play it. But I would make a penalty double on the given hand.

This is how to eliminate variance - play at least twenty boards.

If partner understands 4♣ as showing a big heart/club two-suiter, he will drive slam: ♠Axxx ♥Kxx ♦AJxx ♣xx Whilst it has some play, it is VERY poor. Personally, I think 4♣ is a cue for diamonds, since I would always bid 3♥ to confirm hearts as trumps.

After Baron, I strongly disagree that 4NT should be asking. After, say: 2♣-2♦ 3NT-4♣ 4♠ What is responder supposed to do if he was 4-4 in the reds and was just interested if he found a fit? I would continue: 4NT Nat 5m Nat presumably 4♥ 6m invitational. 5♥ Some sort of try 5♠ Some sort of try 5NT RKCB for spades (had partner bid 4♥, 5♠ would be RKCB, and so on) Those are clearly not perfect, but fit in with my generic rules, hence no fancy meaning for 5♥. After: 2♣-2♦ 3NT-4♦ You are in an almost impossible situation. You could play that partner only transfers with with slam interest, but this causes problems of it's own. Better is to change the structure: 4♣ Baron 4♦ Sign-off in either major or various (strong major suit slam tries start this way) 4♥/♠ encouraging This structure also applies when we overcall 3NT, so it's worth investing time in.

If you say we disagree, then I guess I have to believe you.

Why would he think that?

Because it leaks information to the opening leader, and exploring seven is almost impossible (and this is as good a way to explore seven as any). Not that that I would bid Six - just saying. This looks like a perfect hand for the snappily named "4NT = a good 5m response" convention.

-300 versus 620. Glad I could help.

Yes! We can designate that 4♥ shows exactly these 13 cards - that should do it. Now partner will know to sacrifice with ♠xxx ♥AJxxx ♦xx ♣Kxx. You can add the ♦Q or ♠Q or both and they will still make 4♠. Sadly, we will have to disclose this fine agreement, and the opposition will simply push to 5♠ and drop our stiff king.

I would bid 5♥. I doubt there is much in it either way, but say we faced this position 4 times and the results were -500 (win 3) -650 (flat) -300 (win 8) -500 (lose 12) I would suggest that was a fairly unlucky sequence. I don't think they will go down as often one time in four, we will go for 300 more than one time in three, and occasionally they will push to 5♠ down one.

T-Walshe solves it (at least played my way), since you can engineer three different ways of raising to 2M without much difficulty.

In terms of suitability, you are faced with a range of about 5 points.

It's not a fast arrival situation at all, because the destination on the front of the train is 4♠. Assuming 4♣ is a spade raise, they are committed to play in 4♠x unless we bid in front of them. So if we prefer to defend 4♠x than play 4♥, double 4♣. If we are not sure (ie we want to defend 4♠x if partner has a nondescript 1444, but want to play 5♥ opposite, say, a 1543 hand with decent playing strength, we pass. So it is logical that 4♥ encourages partner to bid 5♥ over 4♠ unless he has rubbish. In fact, it is encouraging, period. We could invert the meaning of double and pass, but not that of 4♥. It seems optimal to play 4♥ (which is essentially an idle bid) as mildly encouraging, since with waste in spades we would prefer to make them play 4♠x.

How can we possibly tell? What is partner's hand? And by any chance are you interested in why we would not look for slam?

If only non-serious players play it, WTP? But if you are referring to Chicago, it is the most serious game in town.

Measuring success by numbers is an excercise in futility if you are trying to improve. You could play poorly and win 100 imps. In the short and medium term, bridge players will experience fluctuating levels of success independent of how well they are playing. If you really want to improve by studying your robot sessions, you could do the following: 1. Save your sessions in a pbn or lin file and open them in a strong playing program. I would suggest Jack5, since it will allow you to review the hands as played. If that is too expensive (you might be able to pick up an earlier version more cheaply), you can review them in the BBO hand viewer, which you can select as your default program for opening lin and pbn files. 2. Go through them meticulously using the GIB DD function (if using BBO replayer) to see if you could have done better at any stage. In Jack5 this is much easier and quicker.