aleatory

[hv=pc=n&s=shakjt95dakj9ck94&n=sat7hq42dt42cajt3&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1hp1np3dp3hp3sp4cp7hppp]266|200[/hv] first trick goes ♠2 - 7 - Q - ruff trumps split. bidding aside, what should declarer be thinking here?

1NT 15-17 Right now we are using 4 suit transfers (1NT-2S=clubs, 1NT-2NT=diamonds, in between bid shows poor fit). I mention this because it has ramifications on the 1NT-2♣-2♥-3♣/3♦ sequence which is the one I am most interested in. More generally, after 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥: 2♠ -- 4 spades invite? 5 spades invite? if it is the latter then do all invites with 5 spades go through Stayman or just the unbalanced ones? what is 1NT-2H-2S-2NT? 2NT -- if natural invite and the immediate 2NT defined as other then should opener bid 3♠ if accepting invite with 4-4 majors? This shows a lot to defenders if auction goes 1NT-2C-2H-2NT-3S-3NT... 3♣/3♦ -- if natural 5 card suit, does it promise 4 spades? how does opener show a good fit for the minor? can/should opener show 5 hearts? 3♥ -- invite 3♠ -- artificial heart raise? if so, must opener cue? can opener show min or max - perhaps with 3NT, or maybe 3NT=spade cue? 3NT -- natural, 4 spades 4♣ -- splinter? or some ace/keycard ask? I hate to use the g-word here. 4♦ -- if splinter what does it say about heart honors and/or control in unmentioned suits? 4NT -- quant with 4 spades right? -- can/should opener ever sign off in 5♠?

[hv=pc=n&s=sakqt2haqt5d92ck8&n=s84hk962daq43cqj9&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1dp1sp1np2cp2hp]266|200[/hv] Ideally I'd like to agree hearts, show my club control and hear a diamond cue before keycarding right? If 4♣ would accomplish that then great but wasn't sure - that bid could mean a few different things (splinter maybe?) I gambled on keycards and we were ok but agreed to look at this particular auction. So after opener's 2H as above (which does not deny 3 spades) we would like to be able to: - invite game with 5 spades - suggest slam with 5 spades - invite game with 4 hearts (3H surely) - suggest slam with 4 hearts We have 3S designated as 6+ spades with slam interest. Supporting opener's minor at the lowest level possible is slam interest with that suit as trump. Repeating the new minor we have defined as 2 suited invitational but could be artificial I suppose. Suggestions?

Thank you both. I could see the squeeze if west had 4 diamonds but thought maybe I was missing something when they break 3-3 and neither of them pitch a diamond early. The point about ruffing a spade early to get a better picture of the spade count is good.

[hv=pc=n&s=sq653hat742d97c54&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1d1h1n]133|200[/hv] IMPs, white/white Partner's overcall is more conservative than some -- 8 HCP overcalls have a good suit or advantageous distribution. 3♦ is a mixed raise. Your bid? Do you do something different at different vulnerability? Leave 5 hearts with south but change the points or distribution. With what would you bid 2H? 3H? 3D? 4H?

fixed. 7♠ led to 9 and Q. later east discards the 6♠

[hv=pc=n&s=sk94haq3dkj32caj2&n=shk75da94ckqt9874&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1cp1d4s5cp7cppp]266|200[/hv] Please feel free to comment on the bidding but I'm more interested in the play. spade lead. if u draw trump, west shows out and discards spades all 3 rounds if u play another trump, east throws spade after hesitation, u pitch diamond, west also another spade. Now things look something like this: [hv=pc=n&s=sk4haq3dkj3c&n=shk75da94ct9]133|200[/hv] assuming west started with 8 spades, he has 5 red cards and 3 spades left. east has 8 red cards. How do you figure the highest percentage play from here, or is it just a guess? if u play another trump, east plays heart. whatever u discard, west throws another spade.

Ah, a delayed NT bid to show a half stop. This isn't something I thought about while mulling over this auction. very cool.

I like double showing 4 hearts (rather than 3 diamonds) might be the only way we find a 4-4 fit (or even a good 4-3) fit. OTOH we are used to support doubles so I'm hesitant to suggest an exception for this specific auction I also agree that perhaps 2D is better as artificial.. Can you give a quick summary of continuations or refer me to somewhere?

1♣ - (P) - 1♦ - (1♠) 2♣ - (P) - 2♠ - (P) 3♣ - (P) - 3♦ - (P) Does my 2♠ force to 3NT/higher? opener has Jxx Qx x AKJxxxx

No strong jump shifts, no inverted minors so we have the immediate 2D defined as a game forcing club raise with no major suit shortness. It never comes up. In the unopposed auction 1C-1D-2C I would rebid 3D not forcing and expect to miss some games. With a couple more points I might try the idiosyncratic 2H.

1♣ - (P) - 1♦ - (1♠) 2♣ - (P) - ? You are responder with ♠xx ♥KJx ♦AKQxxx ♣xx System is vanilla 2/1, scoring IMPs, don't remember vulnerability. Openings are relatively sound -- partner doesn't have 11 HCP unless the club suit is exceptional. I think double by opener would be support (it certainly would be if I had responded hearts) I'm pretty sure 2♠ is just generic force here. We have successfully used Western cuebids at the three level. I also don't know if 2♥ promises 4 or just shows heart values. For certain, partner knows that after 1C-(P)-1D responder will only have a 4 card major if also has game forcing values. In any case, using YOUR methods, what is your call and what is your plan for various rebids? (assume no further interference)

partner opens 2♥ vulnerable in first seat, passed to hero with: ♠QJxx ♥KQxx ♦void ♣AKQJx This partner has the heart ace always in this spot. new suits are forcing, jump in a new suit I have no clue. we play 2NT as feature asking looking for a side ace or king. cue bidding style is to bid 1st and 2nd round controls (A,K,singleton,void), but I don't know how to set trumps and initiate cuebidding here. What is your method for finding 2nd round control in spades? If you bid 2NT feature asking, partner answers 3H.

Yes 1♠ definitely shows 5+

(P) - 1♣ - (1♥) - 1♠ (2♥) - Dbl Does the double show 3 spades? If not, what is it? If so, what's the difference between double and 2♠?