Alik1974

IMO it's better to play on ♦ than ♠. Even if they don't split, you might still survive (for example, if East has a singleton ♦, he may be unable to overruff the 8). So the plan is to ruff two ♦ in dummy. Or maybe 3 ♦. Depends on whether the second ♠ will cash. So you can attempt to cash a ♠ in the second trick, which will either provide a ♦ discard (in case they don't split well) or give you some information about East's distribution. If everything goes well, you will score 6♥ and either - 5 ♦ tricks and 1♠, or - 4♦ and 2♠.

With ♦ this good, Pass seems best. I would expect to make 500 or 800, a good score at IMPs. Is 6♥ making ? Unlikely IMO as partner would need very good cards in ♠ and ♣ .

Bidding 3♣ shows that you have more than the original X promised.

There was a hand that I had seen many years ago and the theme was quite uncommon. I believe I saw it in a book, not sure. What I remember is this : - You are South, declarer in a decent game and opening leader (West) makes the sole lead to cause you any trouble - You do your best and at some point pass the lead again to West, who causes you more trouble with a fine play - In the last 3 or 4 tricks you need to guess correctly to lose only one trick in a suit with KJ in dummy (you have two low in your hand) - The question is, do you play to the K or the J - The answer lies in the fact that West's great defence could only be possible if he was looking at the high missing cards - so you should play West for the A and put up dummy's K If anyone can remember this hand, I would appreciate if he can point me to it.

Frustrating http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif Opponents (East in particular) should know the closed hand's distribution and after cashing their minor suit tricks, a trump promotion should be on, provided East is on lead.

Agree perfectly http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

Bidding 3NT in this auction is IMO a commitment; it is hard to play in another spot thereafter. 3NT would be the proper bid with the same distribution and HCP, but with AQx in ♥. Doubling and rebidding NT would show the actual type of hand, where there is a stopper in the opponent's suit, but a slight reluctance to play in NT. I would put a little blame to South therefore. The contract seems quite good to me. With ♦ divided as they are, there is no chance to make.

I agree. You saved me from typing http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif

I'd say ♠Q with West : 55% ♦Q with West : 20%

What I don't understand here is why West bid 4♦ instead of 4♠ ... Dreaming of a slam ? Or maybe trying to create an illusion of strength.

Toughie..I would try ♥J, ♣to the Q, run ♦7 and play on dummy-reversal lines.

I would guess 6=3=3=1. He doesn't show us the ♥ fit before he investigates the ♠ position. His ♣ cuebid shows a strong hand with fit and no tolerance for ♦, otherwise he might pass the double.

I would pass. Even if partner has the majority of the outstanding HCP, it is possible that no game makes. In IMP it would be a tougher decision, but most likely the same.

Very interesting question. OP has mentioned all the major reasons why one would prefer 3NT over 4M. Here is my personal view : -------------------------------- MOSTLY BECAUSE ------------------------------ C- Soft values G- rightsiding A- 4333 shape ----------------------------------------- AND ALSO BECAUSE ---------------------------- I - Both hands are balanced F- bad trumps H- Concealing your hand Also I agree with Fluffy about the side minor thing.

We don't want RHO to obtain the lead. If ♣ are 2-2, the best play is ♣J intending to finesse. If ♣ are 1-3, the best play is low ♣ ducked all around, then run ♣J on the next round. Some have suggested ♣A and another club, but I think this play can be improved by crossing to a ♠ and playing a low ♣. East is the danger hand and may choose to play the doubleton King for a ♥ through, but he will be deprived of his entry.

Non-expert partner's 4NT over 3♠ might mean that he has like 3 or 4 small ♠. The auction would call for a trump lead, however opening leader chose a ♦. There are a few reasons why he chose this lead : he has the tripleton trump Q (and possibly not the ♥A, as he might have led this card instead)he has the doubleton trump Qhe has at most one trump and does not want to give out the trump position (again I'd say he lacks the ♥A)his ♦ is a singleton I would play ♦A and try either of these (depending on the mood) : a deceptive ♥10, intending to pitch a ♥ on the ♦K next (unlikely to fool expert defenders, but only costs if ♦ lead is singleton)play the ♠9 intending to finesse

3♣, although some would prefer to Dbl, especially in MPs. Dbl isn't so bad, because if opps have a ♥ fit, we rate to have one too (it could be ♦). If they don't, there is always a chance that partner passes.

My first thought was that partner should have 7 ♥, otherwise declarer would have chosen a better line of play instead of this one, which immediately sinks the contract. (There actually exist better lines of play if he holds 3 ♥) However, it is possible that declarer also believes that partner has 7 ♥ and he trusts that we don't have a third ♥ to promote a trump trick ! (Our lead of ♥10 and play of 5♥ next is consistent with this scenario, and he knows we rate to hold ♣A and ♦K)

I would open this 1♠ or 2♠. To pass or bid any other number of ♠ is like trying to create a swing (depends on the state of the match if you would wish to do that) In a post in my blog I elaborate on the potential merits of deliberately alternating your bids under the exact same circumstances.

I would try 3♠ to elicit a more accurate description of partner's hand. He could be 0=3=5=5 and have skipped the support double, if his cards in minors are great. It appears that there are enough points for 6NT but one or more suits are not splitting well.