PhilG007

It looks like a convention called ASTPRO

Pass without any hesitation Partner's response of 1NT shows a maximum of 9 hcp which added to yours only gives a combined total of 20-22 pts;;well short of what's needed for game. The hand has no 'stuffing' and the singleton Q♣ might just as well be a small one. You might already be overboard in 3[hearts As partners 1NT was a limit bid,he really should have passed 2♥ as you were simply asking for preference. Pass and hope you can make it.

Speaking for myself the short answer is "Yes I do" If I have something to say. If I have a good suit to show partly to compete and hinder the opponents bidding and partly to direct a lead from partner. My decision is even more influenced when the suit in question is spades. The pre-emptive nature of the emperor suit gives me an advantage that must be exploited to the full You hold ♠AQJ9876 ♥xx ♦xx♣Qx and 2♣ is opened on your right. Only a coward would pass with that hand Non vul i Overcall 3♠ Vul I overcall 2♠

Club 7 as leading from the other suits is very risky. It's the lesser evil

In third seat after two passes and with my meagre pointage its obvious where the strength is. The vulnerability is in my favour so I'll open 3♥ regardless of the system to make life as difficult as possible for my LHO..

When your partner doubles the opponent's contract for penalties,when should you remove it and when should you leave it in? This is tricky ground so any advice would not only help me but also the novices and intermediates who read these forums. I await any replies with interest.

1.You don't really need a point count to operate Stayman. Partner opens 1NT (15-17) and you hold ♠xxxx ♥xxxx♦xxxx♣x If you pass,partner is going to be very hard put to it to make the contract. Bid 2♣ Stayman and pass any response. 2.9+pts 3. In NT I regard the middle cards as vital. 10s and 9s take tricks 3s and 2s don't K1098x is quite a decent suit and may well take more than 1 trick whereas Kxxxx is a King heading a load of rubbish. A long minor suit would also be regarded as a plus value if there is a chance it can be established. 4.No

Bid 4♠ and be damned Half a loaf is better than no bread

I would pass this hand without any hesitation and hope that partner has the hearts well stopped.

From the diagram,the slam is doomed. Try as he might,declarer must lose at least two heart tricks

Leading away from any of my honours would be risky. I'd lead my singleton trump. It doesn't give anything away.

A famous bridge master and writer once declared "When in doubt bid one more" My reasoning is not that 4♥ could make but because this will be the most likely contract the rest of the field will be in. Its easy to forget that your real opponents are those sitting your way holding your cards.

It's a no brainer. The heart suit is your only interest on this hand so you might as well bid game in it :)

I would suggest you address your requests to Uday the owner of BBO and see what he says about this.

In the bidding given I would regard the redouble as for business and ask partner to pass at his next turn The doublers partner should take out into any 5 card suit even if it's rags

I wouldn't worry about it. Every time they run,they lower their Tournament Completion Rate(TCR) Eventually they will reach a stage where their percentage will be too low to enter and they will be automatically excluded when they try to register.

I presume you are referring to Lance Armstrong. Yes he was found to have taken anabolic steroids which are banned under International Cycling rules

I recently viewed videos on You Tube under the heading "Bridge Cheating Scandals" I was left saddened. that some players will do anything to win. By hook or by crook..in this case crook.

In this situation,you should use the enemy suit A cue bid of 3♦ shows a very powerful hand with emphasis on the majors and slam ambitions. The bid is 100% forcing and partner may not pass until at least a game contract is reached

A perfect hand for that very rare bid a 4NT opening asking partner to cue bid any Aces he may hold If.by some miracle he responds 6♣ showing the A♣ it's a toss up which major grand slam you bid(!)

I may be of the Old Guard but I've found that the old ways and the tried and trusted methods are the best.

The yardstick for NT bidding is that the hand should not contain more than one doubleton