PhilG007

3♣ The quality of the suit justifies the double jump

I always regard the double of a 1nt opener as for penalties and should not be removed unless holding a very weak hand.

I pass and defend on both counts and hope to defeat the contract. The only place for heroes is the cemetery

Why did your partner raise the diamonds with a minimum hand when there was no justification?! You were asking for simple preference so he/she should simply have passedthe 2D bid and there you rest making 9/10 tricks. Its on occasions like this that make me wish bridge wasn't a partnership game(!) http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

Or,alternately you could just go eeny meeny miny moe and lead 'moe' and pray (!)

There are books on this subject One of the best I cut my teeth on long ago is "Your lead Partner" by Ben Cohen and the late Rhoda Lederer

Pass With this motley collection there's nothing to get excited about.

I would call 1♠ over the heart bid. keeping the diamonds in reserve(Partner could bid them) You always should bid a four card major if youhave one. Partner has not denied spades so the chance of finding a fit in the suit is still feasible.

If I have an alternate suit to show,I bid it first to find out partner's strength. Remember opener has a range of 12-19 hcps This change of suit is a one round force and opener's rebid will determine my next move. Lacking an alternate suit,with12 points and 3 card heart support,I would respond 3♥ which is not forcing to game but highly invitational.

♣6 simply becuse it's the lesser evil.

Unquestionably it has to be the Ace,the only card that controls the enemy suit

I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law :)

I don't really like bidding 70% slams I prefer 90% or better. Usually when I bid 70% slams I find something always goes wrong such as finding I have two inescapable losers, the trumps divide badly,partner has had a sudden rush of blood to the head or some other thing that wasn't in the script. No I will stay true to my beliefs so when I bid a slam in future, there won't be any nasty surprise lurking at the end of the bidding

So what was the full deal?(assuming you either have or remember it) Let everyone here draw their own conclusions. I'm itching to see the North hand.http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

I would have shown the diamonds first then rebid the clubs over 4♠ Partner now knows you are asking for his better minor and will act accordingly.

I was actually in a situation like this in a real life tournament. Declarer was in a suit grand slam and after the opening lead was made, claimed 13 tricks by "drawing trumps" and faced his hand My partner conceded but one defenders concession is not binding upon the other. I held Qxx in trumps I immediately called the TD and gave my reason for disputing the claim. The TD then requested declarer to play on stating that he could draw trumps as he stated but was barred taking a finesse against me since I was the challenger. None too pleased declarer bashed out the ace and king but was forced to concede a trick to my queen which was now the master trump. One down The lesson to be learned here is never make a claim until you are SURE you will take the remaining tricks and draw any outstanding trumps BEFORE claiming.

"Canape" went out with the Dodo. Switch to a more modern systemhttp://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

I put this in the wrong category Sorry! Anyway,I've often seen this referred to in bridge books but never fully understood the concept. So what does it really mean? Does it imply a 'forced play' ? I need enlightenment.

Play bridge in front of a mirror(!) Just don't get into an argument when you make mistakes Or is this what is known as "self criticism"(?!) http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif

The latter is exactly what I meant I learned early in life that the world is full of narrow minded people I learned to live with it. and rise above it. In my youth I used to get really upset at what I regarded as unjust criticism. Living six decades among men has toughened my hide. Does it bother me now?! Huh! When I hear anyone upbraiding me now,I don't even bother to turn round and see who's doing it That is the attitude to adopt. Be indifferent http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

Bridge is fun. That is why millions of people around the world play it....for entertainment but,as you have found,you might not think it at times. Bridge players are human and they have all the failings that the flesh is heir to. They come in every guise;the merry,the sad, the gabby,the silent,the ladies and the gentlemen,the bitches and the bastards Hard though it is to believe,they are having fun,why else are they there at the table(?!) You've already seen that a 'must have ' at this game,in addition to ability is a thick skin. One learns early in one's bridge life the art of self defence. I can recall a long time ago a partner who went down in a stiff 3NT For the sake of politeness,I said nothing. But when I was curtly asked "Why did you raise me to 3NT?" I simply replied "Because you could have made it." I always find it astounding how 52 bits of cardboard can bring out the beast in otherwise pleasant folk. My advice to you,is simply laugh it off and put it down to experience. Don't let it get under your skin. Remember,it IS just a game,after all (!)http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

I prefer opening 1NT simply because you have got the hand off your chest in one bid with regards to points range and distribution. Also,if partner should operate Stayman,you have a ready made reply Suit quality is also a factor K1098x is quite a decent suit and could well take more than one trick whereas Kxxxx is a king heading a load of garbage.

Yet another example of being gazumped. Part and parcel of the game I'm afraid(!)http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

I wonder what advanced GIB would bid on the South hand after the auction given...just for my curiosity.?http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

4 of a major or 3NT? Often a difficult decision and more often than not a decision to reach correctly. And MPs or IMPs can depend on the right choice. Is there any guidelines which can help?