PhilG007

You don't mention whether your partner overcalled in their suit. If they did,I would be more inclined to lead it. As beginners,we are taught to lead partners suit but this advice should be tempered with common sense as we grow more experienced. Bridge players are not automatons(!) If an alternative suit was available,I would prefer to lead it and get a look at dummy rather than blindly follow "tradition"

I would rebid 3♣ and pass the buck to partner. 3NT is tempting but the short red suits worry me as one of them is almost certain to be led. And what if the clubs break badly? No 3♣ is the correct rebid and let partner make the final choice

I would certainly bid 2♣ on the North hand Why not? Its a strong 7 suit headed by sequential honours. The question is,having bid the suit would your partner be alive of the potential misfit and the subsequent dangers of that situation? I would advise the pair of you to have a discussion about misfits and how to deal with them when they arise.

Leading the King is standard and was the correct choice and is the start of the vital exchange of information between the defenders. Although they are known as "Standard" leads.1000s of bridge players get them wrong Result? Their defence starts in confusion. You may be thinking why are these leads so important ? Holding KQJ you would think they are all the same value And they are ...to YOU But you have a partner,you are not trying to defeat declarer single handedly. In defence,your partner is just as important as you are. And.because neither of you can see the others hand,the only way to concoct a plan is to pass information by means of the cards you play Lead the wrong card,as in leading the Jack in this case,and you tell a lie. Unfortunate that your partner failed to unblock but its a lesson for the future!

Even though I'm a Brit and will never be able to read Ron Klinger's column.I still signed the petition in recognition of the knowledge I gained in reading his books

4NT RKCB Whether I bid 6♠ or 7♠ is dependent on how many key cards partner shows if its 5♣ showing 3 (It must be 3 given the pointage) I'm definitely bidding the grand slam. Any other 5 level suit response,I'll settle for six.

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That is a risk you have to be prepared to take. You can't play safe all the time(!) 4♠ is the only sensible action on thehand given I have opened 1NT many times and partner has put down a 'bust; as dummy You have to play the hand you're dealt(!)

IMHO this hand does not qualify for a 2 Club opener as it has neither the shape nor the pointage. Another thing is your partner has already passed. I would just open a straightforward 4♠ getting the hand off my chest in one bid and making it as awkward as hell for my LHO in 4th seat.

4♥and if the opponents persist in spades, 5♦ thus telling partner I have good support for his red suits

Are the opponents playing strong intermediate or weak jump overcalls? There's a different action for each of them.What's worring me about this deal is that North,the preemptor's partner hasn't yet spoken and,for me,that spells danger.The red light is flashing. Fools rush in...... I would not hesitate to pass and await developments. If partner doubles,its still for takeout meaning he has values in the unbid suits. and you are now on safer ground Yes,of course you should bid boldly when the occasion merits it. But you should also play safe(!)

If I held this hand in third seat after 2 passes,I would not hesitate to open 5♦ as it puts huge pressure on LHO who very likely holds a rock crusher. However,as dealer I have to take the view that if I made a high preempt it would stifle partner as well as the enemy and we could well miss a small or grand slam. I've learned to treat such hands with caution and thus I would open a simple 1♦ on the hand given as a 'feeler' bid. If partner should happen to respond 2♣ my hand becomes enormous.

I used the SOS redouble by opener for many years. Its unconditionally forcing and partner must remove to his best suit preferring length to pointage. If you are going to use this particular gadget,it needs prior partnership agreement to make sure both players are on the same wavelength. Its by no means foolproof but then again,what gadget is(?!)

The Laws of Bridge are an arcane mystery to many players and will continue to be so for a long time hence. Only experience will guide you in this field.

Obviously easily amused (!) :(

You forgot to include "Eeeny Meeny Miiny Mo" oh and of course that fickle Bitch "Lady Luck" :)

I fail to understand the role of percentages in this game. Bridge is supposed to be a game of deduction/detection....NOT a study in Higher Mathematics (!)

Why was North being deliberately vague in not replying to his partners Stayman inqury? All he had to do was bid a major if he held one or bid 3!D in denial.. Anyway in answer to the question posed I would lead a diamond a deceptive 5th best from the longest suit

The OP said "In a Precision context-where it was invented- a support double is an otherwise idle bid" How have I misunderstood the question ?!

If the support double is Precision orientated,then maybe you should consult books on that system. the answer to your question could lie there Just a suggestion :)

With a hand like ♠xxxx♥xxxx♦xxxx♣x opposite a 1NT opener, Stayman is an entirely appropriate bid.Indeed its the only sensible one in the present circumstances(!) Imagine having to play 1NT facing that collection of junk as dummy(?!) :(

I've played the Acol weak No Trump for donkey's years and I see no reason to change the format now As the saying goes,"If it ain't broke,don't fix it." ;)

Have you thought about using the teaching facilities here on BBO? If your friends have internet access,then arrange to have a teaching session online. Remember bridge has a lot of theory to it It's not a game you can learn overnight (!)) :) So approach it as you would teaching a language. And don't try to cram too much into a session 30 minutes per topic should quite sufficent and end each session with some hands to play. . Be sure your students thoroughly know the topic before progressing to the next one.Encourage questions.I recall I did this when a novice many moons ago.I found the best way to learn was to pick the expert's brain(!) :)

With a 6 card major I will always open with it. as the length will provide a safe and sensible rebid. Anyone who opens 1NT on the hand given should be referred to a good psychiatrist(!) The hand is unbalanced,,the diamond suit is woeful and the spades are threadbare. I intend to rebid 2♥ over any 1 or 2 level response from partner thus accurately describing my hand, 6 + hearts and 15 hcp max. The ball will then be in partners court as to whether a game or slam is on .

I was basing my reply on "Murphy's Law" If anything can go wrong,it will. I was visulalising the possibility of the trumps splitting badly such as a 4-1 split over declarer. if you try to draw trumps it means you are having to use up two of your trumps to pull one of the opponent that holds the length. That's why its more feasible to try to make your trumps individually..