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

I do not care whether 1 NT is forcing or not, but with the present hand I pass, what game could we be missing, especially if p with 4+ ♥ must find another bid. Maarten Baltussen

Nice problem. I prefer the rubber setting. I bid 4 ♠in all kind of game, which may be utterly wrong especially against good and solid players who tend to double instead of bidding 5. But as 4 spades may make or be a good sacrifice or gives opponents a nasty problem I prefer to get this hand of my chest as soon as possible. Maarten Baltussen

This would be pure penalty, cannot wait to see all modern explanations but I prefer to be old fashioned. Maarten Baltussen

When Bob Hamman joined the Dallas Aces they gave him a set of deadly sins. One of the first was pulling the wrong (bidding) card. Ie be focussed and avoid mistakes you do not need to make. Maarten Baltussen

Small ♥, hoping that partner has honor and/or length. Maarten Baltussen

1 club is the honest bid as you perfectly know. If you feel like experimenting that's ok with me. Big downside of this is that partner will get very suspicious on your 3rd hand opening bids. Maarten Baltussen

Partner seems not to have club control and AK of ♦. So hearts and ♠ must be solid and we can probably afford 1 ♦ loser. We could also loose a ♠, but i will take the risk. Maarten Baltussen

This is exactly the reason why you cannot play wjs without any agreement what to do with strong hands. Here you can escape without 2 ♣ 4th suit and bid 3 ♥ after 2 ♦ from partner. If partner must respond 2 ♦ you are stuck. Maarten Baltussen

At some point of the bidding you say 4 ♠. That is easy, but what to do if opponents find the 5th ♥? 5 even 6 ♠has chances and you cannot be sure you beat 5 ♥. I guess I would double with many misgivings. Maarten Baltussen

What faint chance of a miracle squeeze)? If spade king with 4 card hearts it is automatic. In fact I would play for that chance. Maarten Baltussen