maartenxq

I would not give this hand much thought and bid 3 nt even in mps and certainly on bbo. Pass is playing against the field. Maarten Baltussen

My answer has been given here. 2 ♣slight overbid, 6 Nt big overbid. Maarten Baltussen

Probably both are -1. I bid 5 ♥ however on the principle of the lesser risk. Opponents may apply this principle too, now I can dbl. Maarten Baltussen

There is a simple rule of thumb for this: Never (almost) ruff with a natural trump trick, but rules of thumb or not for computers. Maarten Baltussen

I pass cowardly or double bravely. No way i will save. I guess both games will down, so depending on mood, mp/imp I will choose one or the other. This double is penalty for me, I should add after reading other comments. Maarten Baltussen

I open 4 !h and wait for further developments. I f p can make some noise wit or without intervention I will reflect on what to do then. V vs. not I am not saving at the 5 level. Maarten Baltussen

I agree totally, nevertheless I would be quite happy if we would bid a slam like this. Maarten Baltussen

Apart from being right or wrong it is also useless. The late S.J. Simon wrote: "Tell your partner he made a mistake and he will make another next hand, prove it he it wil cost you 4 hands". Maarten Baltusseb

If trumps and ♦are not worse than 4-1 this is non problem. I draw trumps, cash K A of ♦, pitch ♣ and claim. As far as i can see with spades 5-0 diamonds have to be 3-2 and I can afford to loose the finesse. If trumps are 4 - 1 I finesse diamond Q over short trumps, playing A or King first depending on shortness. Now North appears to have 3 spades I can concentrate on diamond 5-0. I end therefore in west and play small diamond to 10. If north revokes I play K, diamond back covering everything throw club and claim. Maarten Baltussen

Indeed, due to opponents mistake ( other expressions spring to mind, but let decency prevail) you have a great score and you see fit to boast about. Maarten Baltussen

1 ♦and if p responds 3 NT describes more or less what I have. This bidding allows p to pass or to go on, maybe even for slam. Maarten Baltussen

I suppose a direct 3 ♦means good ♦and slam interest. P cues, supports or signs off in 3 nt. Another approach would be to start with 2 ♣and ask for minors afterwards if that method is available. Maarten Baltussen

What about 1♣- 1 ♥- 4 ♠? Bid what you think you can make as old English acol told us. Maarten Baltussen

Difficult, any bid can be right. Tactics depend also on your estimation of your opponents. 3♠is maybe the most honest bid, fit and some strength. However, I do not like to hear 4 ♥in south and opponents maybe ever reaching slam. So I bid 5 ♦and be done with it. Maybe they will play me for the short ♠if they bid 5. Maarten Baltussen

When fixed stay fixed, especially now we are playing weak NT. P is unbalanced or 15+ NT. I trust he will have another bid, then I can take action. Maarten Baltussen