PhilG007

Some dog....some arse (!) ;)

All compliments are accepted....even grudging ones(!) :rolleyes:

I would bid 2♠on the South hand. It's perfectly safe and it's cowardly not to contest the part score. The part score area is where tournaments are won or lost.

We are in tiger country My highly developed sense of danger tells me to PASS If you know where you're going,go there quickly. But I am in unchartered waters So discretion is the better part of valour

Patricia Sheinwold(wife of Alfred) in her book "Husbands and other men I've played with" related that she had two dogs called 'Ruff' and 'Finesse' which proved to be tricky when admonishing them and playing bridge at the same time .

No 'pussyfooting' there then(!) :P

Perhaps I should say here that those pairs that do play the Mini No Trump are likely to be well versed in escape routes like wriggle,sos redpuble etc should it be doubled for penalties.

I cringe at raising partners major on only 3 cards. The benchmark for a trump contract should be a combined minimum total of eight cards,nine are much better but with seven it becomes extremely awkward... after all, the enemy has just as much as you do and if they should happen to split badly(more than likely) then you're facing difficulty. :(

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Oh dear oh dear You've just brought a tear to my glass eye(!) :rolleyes:

If East had already passed,then certainly 1NT is the bid of choice. But the fact that East still has to bid means there is unknown strength on your left. It's well known that the most painful and expensive overcalls are those in second seat. The safest course is to pass and await developments. You have a useful hand for defense.

I forgot I had posted this :( Forgot the fait accompli was Chose Jugee. Well it was good to get further feedback :)

See the article about it in the ACBL Encyclopedia of Bridge p 283

There has been an increasing trend to open 1NT on 10-12 points in any position and at any vulnerability. This is known as the Mini No Trump. It's allowed in ACBL sponsored tournaments under certain conditions but any conventional responses,even Stayman,are barred. My question is, does this particular gadget have any merit? Does it confer any long-term advantage on its operators?

Nowadays quite a number of top players regularly open 1NT on 10-12 pts in 3rd seat and non vul in 4th.

I would respond 1NT on the above deal Unlike an opening 1NT responder does need not a balanced hand to make the bid He is simply showing limited pointage.

But equally, there is the risk of going to bed with it. Better leading it and save your blushes. :)

How many of us here have actually underled an ace against a trump contract? The upshot is,as like as not,it not only resulted in gifting declarer/dummy a singleton king and thereby allowing a contract to score when it really shouldn't have,but also facing the wrath and outrage from across the table. The last time I (dared) to do this was when I was a beginner four decades ago and I've never done it since. I'll never forget the 'advice' I got from my partner who was far better than me at the time "Do NOT give tricks to the unworthy' It's a lesson I've never forgotten.

One of the big weaknesses of this gadget is where hearts are the agreed trump suit but the queen is missing but 5♥ would be seen as a sign off Take this bidding sequence. 1♥ 3♥ 4NT 5♦ Opener's hand :- ♠AJ10 ♥K108632 ♦AKQJ ♣ - Opener thinks a slam is very possible and wants to ask if the Q♥ is held but a 5♥ bid would be looked on as a sign off. Is there a way around this?

In an experienced,established partnership I would bid 3♣ cue bidding the enemy suit asking partner for further information and showing mild slam interest. In a casual partnership I would just bid 4♥ and hope we haven't missed a slam..

Have any books been written on how to bid minor suit slams(?) I can't seem to find any or even recall if there was.

The North hand in no way qualifies for a 2♣ opener. I would open a simple 1♥ to get the ball rolling. If West's 4♠ were passed round to me,I would double for takeout thus focusing on the minors. South should now bid 5♦ making 12 tricks. It's frustrating to be gazumped out of a slam like this but it's part and parcel of the game. The opponents are there to obstruct you.

Looks like we have the makings of a bridge prodigy here ;)

And if East plays low...? What then?

Looking at the N/S hands 6♥ is feasible but how to bid it? Difficult after a 1♠response,almost impossible after a 2♠ reply.