PhilG007

With that holding,I wouldn't try to draw trumps at all but rather try to make them separately by ruffiing. If you draw trumps,you could quite easily lose control of the hand if they break badly.

Even if you managed to make a game force,I honestly cant see West staying silent holding all these spades and seeing his partner bidding the suit(!) One thing is certain,once the opponents find their giant spade fit,they are going to hound you all the way! :)

Its a No Brainer I would pass 2♦ Partner has offered two suits as trumps and is asking for preference Obviously you choose diamonds over hearts so you indicate your choice by passing 2♦

Maybe but no harm in getting it investigated for piece of minds sake ?

You might need to get your keyboard replaced. Get it checked over by a technician. If it's still within its warrenty it shouldn't cost you anything. Otherwise you'll have pay a fee. If you do,ask for an estimate and shop around for the cheapest price. Don't just accept the first offer. Good luck!

As dealer with the first hand I would open a very conservative 1♦ Yes you have a thrilling beautiful hand but you should also remember you have a partner sitting opposite you. A partner who could easily hold diddly squat in which case you STILL have 21 points, Its not yet time to get excited. A simple 1 level 'feeler' bid is whats called for here to see if there is life opposite. On the responder hand I am too weak to reply to a 1♦ opening. However if partner opens 1♠ then I can count an extra point for the doubleton heart and can raise to 2♠

With 9 hcp opposite a passed hand I would proceed with caution. A simple raise of 2♠ is quite sufficient

The automatic system allows only 30 seconds per decision per player. If a player exceeds the time limit,they are replaced by a GIB. Usually the score is adjusted by a 'director' even though there isn't one if the play exceeds the round time. I think you were unfortunate on this occasion

Some free tournaments on BBO allow psyches while others expressly forbid them. As was previously mentioned whether they are permitted is at the behest of the host Check the tournament info which is displayed before the tournament starts. If,during the tournament,you experience a psyche or suspect one has been used against you,call the TD.BBO tournaments embrace the Laws of Duplicate Bridge and I would ask the poster to reference Law 40 which covers psychic bids and plays.Pysches are part and parcel of the game as long as there is no concealed agreement between the partners.

What was the purpose of South's 2♠ bid? Was it intended as 4th suit forcing with a view to playing in NTs? If so,it was a ridiculous bid. in the face of a total misfit. Hands that don't fit in a suit very often don't fit in No Trumps either(!) After the 2♣ bid South should simply jump to 4♥ direct sending the message "I insist we play the hand in MY suit partner. Please pass"

1♣-1♥2♠-4♥4NT 5♥ 6♥ simple direct and replaces a funny old muddle.4NT is RKCB and 5♥ shows 2 key cards.which MUST be the Ace and King of trumps.The grand slam would hinge on Q♥ being doubleton a 42% chance.

Responding 2♥ on a 9 loser hand with 3 'rag' trumps and a useless doubleton spade is a consummation devoutly not to be wished. You have a limited hand Its vital to relay this to partner as soon as possible

From the example hand you've given,I'd prefer 1NT I don't like 2D which is forcing on a weak hand. For all the use the doubleton SQ is,she may as well be a little one.

[hv=pc=n&s=s2hakqtdakqjcakqt&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=4spp]133|200|At Game All you pick up this welcome stranger West deals and opens 4 Spades which is passed round to you. As you inwardly curse West,what action if any do you take?[/hv]

The TD should always be summoned in the event of any dispute. That is what he/she is there for....to act as mediator and arbiter. The event is irrelevant. Dummy can challenge any misplaced trick but only at the end of play. He can also give evidence in the presence of the TD if so requested by the TD.

If you are playing 5 card majors,then 3 card support will be sufficient provided you have the required pointage. If the support is headed by an honour,then so much the better. The presence of intermediate cards would also influence my decision. Holding something like ♠10xx ♥K10x ♦AQ9 ♣Q9xx opposite a major suit opening and i would definitely be raising to the 3 level.

Law 41B "Before the opening lead is faced,the opening leader's partner and the presumed declarer each may require a review of the auction or request an explanation of an opponent's call. Declarer or either defender,may,at his first turn to play a card.may require a review of the auction but this right expires once he has played a card. The defenders(subject to Law 16)and declarer retain the right to request explanations throughout the play period,each at his turn to play" If the 2NT bid was not alerted then you should have assumed it was not conventional. This is why you should always make agreements beforehand before the tournament starts to avoid confusion.

This is basic Drop the king

Respond 1NT This shows 6-9 hcps and denies a major suit. NEVER pass with 6 pts. You could easily miss a game if partner opened on 19 and is testing the water

1. "Do I have a rebid"? Opposite a passed hand you don't need one as any change of suit is no longer forcing. 2 Yes Its possible that could happen but you'll never know until you have a go and its cowardly not to compete for any part score Although partner has passed.he too could well be holding 10-11 pts. 3. "Is my opening bid lead directing"? An opening 1NT doesn't promise a specific suit so partner has a free choice if the opponents buy the contract and he becomes the opening leader.

What I like about duplicate is you can open on hands which would be thrown in at rubber bridge It tends to be forgotten that your true opponents are sitting in your direction.at the other tables I would open 1NT on 11-14 in fourth seat. Partner can still utilise Stayman and transfers. Of course it could also go belly up but,as in life,Fortune is allied to the brave.http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif

Pass its the only sensible action in this situation. 3NT "might" make if partner happens to have the ♦AQx But this is wishful thinking Go by what is factual and not surmise.

Lead K♣ Partner forced in the suit so highly likely he holds the ace. An intelligent partner would overtake,cash the Q♣ then lead a heart Declarer goes minus 2 losing 2 clubs two hearts and the A♠ Leading any other suit risks declarer making his contract.

I've always found GIB bidding to be erratic but than again they are programmed by humans who can also be erratic. :) Just be sceptical and bid sensibly.

If you think that you've been damaged as a result of a misexplanation,call the TD asap. If your complaint is upheld the TD will award an adjusted score. Of course this only applies when the opponents are human. :)