vang

i agree that scoring is _very_ complicated at bridge, compared with any other game/sport. is anything remotely so complex? on the other hand, scoring affects how you play. imho any big change has no chance to become popular since you'll have to adjust anything you've learn about this game. in other words, "Bridge scoring has problems but there isn't any solution" ;-)

of course 3♥ is (relatively) weak. problem here is that 3♠ may lead to one down when 3♥ was also down or to 4♠ by partner, one or two down (doubled?) when they are also down in 4♥ etc. is a 10 losers (or 2 cover cards) enough to bid 3♠?

[hv=d=s&w=skqxxxhxdkqcajxxx&e=saxxxhxxxdxxxcqxx]266|100|Scoring: IMP (1♥) - 1♠ - (3♥) - p all pass[/hv] your oppinions on this? - E shall gave fit (bid 3♠ over 3♥) - W shall have used michaels to show a 2suiter - first round of bidding it's fine but then W should balance (with double?) - all is ok, though luck I don't remember vuln (i think it was all red or all white anyway), please mention if that will change your bids.

3!D too aggresive for MP. i think 2!D is enough.

especially if you play non-leaping michaels ;-)

did you thought that maybe already partner did something and 4H would be a good contract?

you mean the double dummy optimal score?

i'll vote for double (=extra values, no clear bid) as the least evil. most will require a better suit for 3C. 2NT also has flaws, with heart ace is better notrump played from other side and the hand is not "notrumpish" (only Aces and Kings).

you may check the content of old issues here http://www.bridgeworld.com/default.asp?d=b...es&f=index.html

I lead a small trump in both cases.

to defend my option - which seems to be alone at this moment and probably not very well thought: probably the poll should be "you stop or you go". right now the results are 50%-50%. how exactly you go (if you decide to) seems to be a matter of taste.

No And the fact that Justin, Hannie and I (just to name only those who said no) say no means that it is not, viewed objectively, a 'clear limit raise'. That is NOT the same as saying that for jdonn or Frances (and others) it is not a clear limit raise: just a recognition that it is unsafe and unfair to base a criticism of East's bidding on the basis that it is 'clear'. To me, it is a maximum single raise... a super-max, if you want. But the line has to be drawn somewhere, and I know where, in my world, the line exists on this hand. That some superb players draw the line elsewhere doesn't make their placement of the line 'clear' other than to themselves. Now, if we accept, for the sake of argument, that some good players will bid 2♥ as East, then West should 'clearly' cater to this with his monster... and, of course, he doesn't need everything that east has in order for slam to be a good spot. Change the trump A to the Queen and I suspect that josh and Frances would join the host of single raisers, and I'd like to be in 6♥.. altho, admittedly, that contract is far less secure than with the actual hands due to the possibility of a spade ruff. I blame West 90% and East only 10% simply because he could, not should, have saved West from his pessimism. i agree with mikeh here and i'd like to ask if qxxx a10x kx xxxx or qxxxx a10x kx xxx are also an obvious limit raise?

[hv=d=w&v=n&n=saqjxxxhxdxxxcaqx&w=skxxhaxxdaj10ckjxx&e=sxxhkqjxxxdkxxcxx&s=sxxhxxxdqxxxcxxxx]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] West open 1NT, North overcalled 2D, East bid 4H. At this moment, South said, "ups, I must alert 2D". East asked and was informed that 2D means an overcall with one unknown major (multi-landy). He said he mantain his 4H and he didn't called TD. The bidding continued with p-p-p. The explanation was correct and confirmed by CC. It is in fact more frequent that 2D means "multi" rather than natural (with diamonds) for players in this particular context (country, skill, experience etc). The play started with spade lead and declarer went one down (losing 2 spades and 2 clubs). After the play, declarer called TD and said that lack of alert (or the late alert) prejudiced him. "I can make 3NT. if i knew what 2D is, i'll pass and then after the presumed 2H in South and 2S by North, revealing the major, I can continue with 3S to ask partner for stopper and we'll play 3NT". TD adjusted the table score from 4H-1 to "50% 3NT= and 50% 4H-1". All the players are experienced, S with ~ 15 years, E with ~ 30 years of competitive bridge. NS appealed considering that 1. E may have called TD when was informed about what 2D is and changed hid call 2. the explanation about how to reach 3NT are not very believable (never showing the heart suit etc). What would be your decision in this appeal?

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agree with blofeld. so, partner is bidding practically alone on 4th level and i cannot give him 5? yeah, we can loose 3 direct spade tricks or 2 spades plus one trick in one minor. still, there is a game prize.

1. 4♠ is perfect. obviously with club support/tolerance. 2. 4nt general slam try (or kcbw? agreements here?). anyway, strong move towards some slam. i'll continue with 6♣

imo it was lucky. not always 2NT opener has only controls. i won't even consider that a 2NT opening, it's way too strong.

make a poll for that ;-)

pass. wtp???

why not? good ofensive hand, requiring one quick trick (or two, depending on vul) from part or some luck. kqjxxxx x x akxx

pass then double seems obvious.

I move. 4NT KC seems ok. probably a direct 6♠ also have some merits.

auto-splinter is default. and anyway, a 7 card suit + shortage is more frequent than 6-6/6-5.

agree with Mike, seems obvious.

i agree with pass on 2C. i don't exactly understand what other posters propose. 2D? - how this expresses my hand? 2NT? 3D??. now, after balancing double, i'll bid 2NT (no way pass), if partner can't cooperate, i don't see where the tricks are coming. yes, this 2NT should show some extra values, otherwise i'll bid 2D/H/S.