bacca2002

Not only that, but south also had the strength to force to game..

The bidding would be reasonable if the king of clubs was the ace, but here it is a little pushy. Slam is a little more than even money, and yes, try the safety play in diamonds.

4♥, to take away the opponent's bidding space. Once partner has passed, slam is very unlikely, and 4♥ is probably the best contract. If 5 diamonds or anything come saround to you, the same problem will arise after a 1 heart opening, but it's more likely, since they have space to describe their hand.

Yes, you count distribution always, unless you are sure that you are going to play notrump(I follow Richard Pavlicek), and you would rebid 3 diamonds to show a minimum. A reverse shows 17-22(maximum opening), and you have 18, and next turn, the 3 diamonds shows 17-18(with 19+ you would have jump reversed, showing a 6-4 shape).

2♥ is what I would bid and most experts. First, this hand is worth 18 points, 15HCP+2 for a singleton + 1 for a doubleton, and after 2♥, partner would bid 2NT to show a minimum(6-10), because he shouldn't count a singleton in diamonds opposite of 6+ unless he finds a heart fit, and then 3♦ is rebid, which is passed since he doesn't have to bid again, and he he a misfit. 3♦ is also fine, but should be passed, since he has a misfit. With Qxx and even 3 less HCP, I would accept and bid 3NT. It also keeps the avenues if partner has a slightly better hand(3NT, 4♥, 5♦)open.

BBO, you gove me a headache wHen you give NS unfavorable layouts for overbidding slightly to a 68 percent contract. This started my hanid of cheating and better distribution can change that. Nonetheless, I am still an overbidder, and there is nothing you can do to change it. Perhaps this is why BBO people are conservative,and play in doomed 3NT when slam was cold. in other words:are you placing the enemy cards randomly?