gedikk

I will assume 5542 is played. Contrary to the popular belief hereabove, I seriously consider 2♥ as a cue: 5-5 always a strong incentive, 9+card fit, club figures likely onside - in West. Limit Raise or better by responder does not automatically lead to game bidding, esp. in this space-saving layout. 4M rather unlikely after both opponents initially passed. My defensive values are not best, still considerable. Vulnerability matters, but not to the degree to prevent me from exploring eventual game (3NT is not to be set aside as well). Diana might be so gracious to reveal the actual hands and outcome at JEC's tables :-)

Indeed, South's hand does not qualify at all for a level 1 opening, even in green. Re actual auction, North succession looks okay to me, as 3♦ forces South to bid 4♦, imho.

I would use the orthodox approach with a double over 1NT to show 15(even 16)+, allowing for eventual penalty. Moreover, 1NT is passable. 2♣ overcall is much vaguer than X in terms of hcp. Bidding after 2♥ is much tougher due to ♠ doubleton and ♥K on-side, i.e. pass is justified.

[hv=pc=n&s=s7hk98543dtca7632&w=s42ht62dj98732c85&n=skj86hajdak654cjt&e=saqt953hq7dqckq94&d=n&v=b&b=13&a=1dd1hp1sd]399|300[/hv] IMPs at a BBO table. N-S play 2/1 with 5533 openings and strong reverses. E-W are adhoc opps and their bidding not in my focus. Much more interested in your assessment and methods sitting N-S - up to the second double and beyond.

[hv=pc=n&s=saq9hkjdqj732ct72&n=s763h87dak654ca96&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=pp1ddp1hpp2hp3dp3hp]266|200[/hv] IMPs table. N-S are playing 2/1, 5542 and weak jumps. The auction went in this not very common format. North fell in love with his hand upon 1♦ opening and decided to probe for 3NT, despite the chance of losing a 9-trick part-score was not slim. Redouble was ruled out due to 9+ fit and improbable penalizing of a lower level contract. Instead of 2♥, a jump to 2NT would show a maximum fit as well, but place a wrong dealer of an eventual 3NT. However, South had a hard time deciphering pd's message. Were North's 2♥...3♥ bids unarguably forcing with a fit in diamonds, or they could convey some other meaning? You are welcome to offer your view.

[hv=pc=n&s=saqt8hqj65dq74ck2&n=sk964hk8d63caj874&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=1hpp]266|200[/hv] In competition, tighter bidding space and ambiguity of pd's initial pass demand for precise continuation and proper judgement. Here, some East players would pass, however others might prefer to show the good spade four-carder. In the former case, both hands are to coup with some challenges. How about your choice of bids?

As promised, here is the complete deal: [hv=pc=n&s=shj864dat753ca876&w=sq63hakt52d9ck432&n=skt87h3dkq842cjt9&e=saj9542hq97dj6cq5&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=p2sd3sdppp]399|300[/hv] Played double-dummy, the best spot for N-S is easily seen. However, the adequate bidding by West posed pressure back to opponents and was ultimately rewarded. All posts so far showed that the eagerness to foresee likely further action, level of aggressiveness, or strict system discipline are amongst incentives which mainly drive each of us.

Well, I won't say the actual result might change our way of thinking. A bit out-of-the-box bid can help as well as mislead both pard and opponents. Bridge is so attractive due to opportunities and risks associated with non-conventional /non-recommended moves aimed at finding better offensive or defensive odds. In applying this sort of judgement you estimate various factors - vuln, players' level, etc. Re good and bad bridge: are we all pleased with the bust openings at 3-level NV vs VUL so commonly seen during high-level competitions today? They often end up in unpleasant outcome, still that does not affect their use.

A hand from an IMPs tournament, N-S are non-regular partnership playing 2/1. Lebensohl use has not been discussed in advance. [hv=pc=n&s=shj864dat753ca876&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=p2s]133|200[/hv] You might offer your approach as South having favorable distribution and vulnerability opposite lighter count. All hands incl. bidding will be posted in a few days.

Thanks to all contributors, various valuable points came out here:-) In recognition of considerable community interest, the topic even deserved a place at BBO billboard.

[hv=pc=n&w=sj87654hqda7caqj9&e=saqhaj87432dkck87&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=p1hp1sp]266|200[/hv] E/W is a casual pd-ship playing 2/1; no interference by N/S. It is a curious deal tempting to at least a slam try. However, no unique way to develop both hands using 2/1. You might offer your view and continuation to the bidding. BBO record shows that only 1/3 of all pairs went above game, moreover using no fancy or scholar approach to reach the slam, IMHO.

http://tinyurl.com/q9b9yux Choice of openings and rebids is abundant incl. even 2♣. I tried the usual 1♦ overture with both minors. 3♣ is strongly pursuing minors, however 3NT not so encouraging. 4♠ sounds like 3055. 5♣ is a fit, and I passed not solving even partly the dilemma about the quality of clubs support mainly, and ♦/♠ dummy holding. Another holdback was the wide-ranging count (5-11) of 1NT response in SA / 2 over 1. Although playing strong two-suiter reverses, I am sort of stuck to perception that 544 hands need special treatment. Moreover, reverse in diamonds and spades is equally possible here. By using 1♣...2♦/♠ sequence, the huge club fit is to be found straight away leading probably to an easier slam. At some tables, West opened 2♥. Altogether, all BBOers having played it as N-S lacked skills to reach a slam. You might offer wiser hints for the proceedings in question. [hv=pc=n&s=sq94hkq5d98cq8632&n=sak32hdak53cakt95&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1dp1np3cp3np4sp5cppp]266|200[/hv]

It is common that 1NT-2C-2any-3m is an unbalanced, game-forcing hand with 5+ in a minor, with or without a side major. Possible following bids by Opener: 1) suit (CONTROL) - with m fit; 2) 3NT - misfit or 4333 with few controls; 3) 4m - slam interest, good m fit and controls in remaining suits.

http://tinyurl.com/l636l9z - last board from a 15-bd tourney; I was challenged by pd's 5NT and took it as "Grand Slam Force" expecting implied fit in hearts, and replied accordingly (moreover, current standings allowed me for a "Va banque" bid). From partner's prospective - he might have questioned my holdings in diamonds, however 1D followed by 2NT is still 4+ cards with 18-19 hcp, imho. On the other hand, looking afterwards up in data banks I came upon another 5NT convention - "Pick a Small Slam". How would you approach both hands, please?