microcap

I find pigpenz idea the best, as it lets the free market work! But a simpler way is just to add pluses and minuses to the various options, especially the advanced and expert ones. While self rating isnt perfect, more choices should lead to better accuracy. In the meantime, I recommend that you just edit player's notes to mark experts and world class players that are nowhere close. :P

Despite the fact that you almost all agreed with Rex, thanks for your input anyway! LOL :)

OK, I will switch gears. You hold [hv=d=w&v=n&s=sk842hj1054dj6cq84]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Would you bid 3♥ or pass after 1♣, pass by you, 1♠, double by p, 2♠ by RHO..... And if you think 3♥ was wrong, which was worse, the double or the 3♥ bid?

OK PART 2--- Even though I think the passers could use a shot of testosterone, I accept the significant majority. Nonetheless, I doubled at the table. Now LHO bids 2♠, and partner bids 3 hearts. What kind of hand would you expect him to have?

Rex and I haven't had a disagreement worth posting for weeks--must have been the holiday good cheer that has clearly dissipated. As usual, this will be a multi-part question, where I ask one, get some answers, then post follow ups---so make sure to come back later. First part: you hold: t[hv=d=w&v=n&s=s3hkq87da87ckj1083]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] LHO opens 1♣, partner passes, RHO bids 1♠. Do you bid, double, or pass and hope to come in later? Opps are playing SAYC so opener may or may not have clubs. :rolleyes: ;)

Is there a good online description of Rubens advance or transfer advances? I run into this situation frequently-- a hand worth saying something, but no real fit for partner.

I want to be clear that I think Rex did the right thing absolutely by pulling 3NT. So when Rex refers to his "side" of the argument, he really means that his partner is an unpredictable lunatic !!! :) :P I am also willing to lean against the significant majority and say that opening 1♣ is a losing proposition in the long haul. Bidding one club just begs opponents to find their major (and it could be♥ despite my AJx holding) and they could easily make 4 on 20 HCP with a good fit. Any pre-empt is better than 1♣ IMO-- :P But the discussion has been very interesting and as always I thank all for their input.

Thanks Hannie!! lol I fixed LHO's hand :rolleyes:

For the precision players, I would agree with simple 2 club bid. However, for the rest of us it isn't so easy. I felt that 3NT was the right tactical bid, especially at the colors. That is certainly our best chance in game, and creates the biggest problems for our opponents who are still heavy favorites to be playing the hand in spades (or even hearts). I did mislead partner, who was expecting a solid minor and nothing else---but since it was only Rex, who cares? :P :P :rolleyes: LHO held [hv=d=n&v=e&s=sak8532hkdaj83ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] He passed (not everyone's choice), Rex bid 4♣, pass pass, now LHO bid 4♠ pass pass back to me. I tossed in 5♣ , LHO bids 5♦, pass, 5♠ by RHO, dbl by me down two. In the other room, my hand opened 5♣, which I think is silly, but LHO couldnt stand it and bid 5♠, doubled down two. All that for a pushed board!!! But as the title indicates, I think tactical decisions create interesting problems. I do not at all agree with the simple 1♣ for that reason.

You hold[hv=d=n&v=e&s=s4haj3d65caqj6432]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] It goes pass pass to you? What do you open and why?

I have been interested in transfer advances--it seems that when partner overcalls, normal bidding just cannot describe all the different hand types, ESPECIALLY when I have a good hand but no fit with partner. For instance, if bidding goes LHO 1♠, 2♣ partner, RHO pass. Sitting with a singleton ♣ and a 5 card suit, you might be better off bidding or not, plus partner won't know if you have 6 points or 12... Any simple suggestions or links--thanks....... :P :D

Here is Rex's logic, in his own words so I cannot be accused of misquoting him (like he usually does...) "I am not strong enough to act directly because partner will infer I have more general strength than this. After the auction gets to 4H I have another decision. I voted for action as it has three ways to win: 1> you have a real penalty oriented hand, pass and we set them (least likely and with my void worrying) 2> they have a cold game and we take a good sac 3> we have the cold game and find it after I double; the odds of us having a fit went up when they >bounced into 4H. I am unsure who can make what BUT with three ways that we might win this seems OK. Having you pass and choose to defend without a trump trick was not one of the three ways to win that I think are available. > > :-) > > My problem with the 3D overcall is that I feel it shows > around 14-15 > > HCP. The hand I held shades that promise by about 1.5 > tricks, which I think is too much. Partner may now make a wrong decision re bidding game or defending."

Since Rex is about to leave on vacation, i will post part 3 of the problem now. Feel free to answer parts one and two as well if you haven't already. You hold:[hv=d=w&v=n&s=sj3h543dak10ckj954]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] The auction goes: LHO- 2♥, Partner passes, RHO jumps to 4♥, you pass, LHO passes, now Partner doubles. Do you bid or let it sit?

Since all have passed the hand (as did Rex), I will go to part 2 quickly, then maybe part 3 LOL The best bridge problems always have more than one part!! LOL B) :D As Mike predicted, LHO bids 4♥, partner passes, RHO passes, now back to you. Do you act?

My memory failed me--when I went to check, the♦ suit was only QJ10432, not 987. So I am granting Mike the right to change his mind and pass originally, though still with reservations. JW

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=saq42hdqj10987c432]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] You are second hand---RHO opens 2♥, alerted as at least 5♥ and another 5 card suit 6-11 points. Do you act? Please come back later after you post and I will give you the denouement...

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=s863haj96d843caq3&s=sa5hkda9765ckj764]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv] The auction starts normally, I open 1♦, LHO passes, Rex bids 1♥, RHO overcalls 1♠. I rebid 2♣, LHO passes, now Rex jumps to 3♦. Not entirely sure how to take that bid, I bid 3♠ angling for 3NT or even a ♦ slam! Rex comes back with 4♣, now I bid 4♦ which Rex passes! With a rare bit of luck, clubs are 5-0 and I can't get to the board to pitch my ♠ on the A♥, so we end up in the only making contract! LOL But we should be in 3NT. The side issue is how people view showing and asking for stops at the 3 level. Usually Rex and I play the rule of 2 suits open, show stops, one suit open, asks for a stop. But sometimes it gets murky, as in this hand. As always, I look forward to comments. B)

Gerben, frankly when he rebid ♦ to show extras, it didnt quite occur to me he had 5 to the 8 LOL I tend to agree with those who didnt like the 3♦ rebid for that reason...

[hv=d=n&v=n&n=sakqhkqj87d87654c&s=s3ha103dj103cak8743]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Playing 2/1-- These were the two hands--Rex was North, I was South. The bidding started innocently enough-- 1♥-2♣-2♦-2♥. Now Rex bid 3♦ showing a 5th diamond and extras. I tried 3♠, meant as a cue since it couldnt be natural at this point. Rex bid 3NT naturally, and I bid 4♣ as another cue. Rex bid 4♥, then I bid 4♠ as RKCB for hearts. Fortunately, Rex forgot what this was and bid 5 ♣ to show his void. I thought it was one key card, and bid 5♥, which went down one anyway LOL Where did we go wrong, and why? Is there a decent auction that stops in 4♥? The other room went down in 5♥ as well.... thanks to all as always.

Simple questions, but complex answers no doubt: When leading from x-x-x against NT in Partner's bid suit, do you like Top, Middle, or Bottom? When leading from x-x-x against NT in a suit not bid by partner, do you like Top, Middle, or Bottom? Thanks for the accumulated wisdom, assuming there is some!! ;) :)

Rex and I had yet another snafu with these hands[hv=d=n&v=n&n=s87haqj86daq65c43&s=saqj94hdk98ckq1072]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Rex opens 1♥, I respond 1♠, Rex bids 2♦, now I bid 3♣ FSF. Stuck for another bid, Rex tried 3♦. Now I thought he was 5-5 or 6-5 in the reds and got too carried away, ending up in 6♦ dbled. Does anyone have any good ideas for this general sequence? Thanks!!!

I caught partner with a huge hand, 14 HCP all in Aces and Kings. 6 spades was cold, though Rex bid 6NT. That made only because of a defensive error. Since he thought i would have a minimum of 18 HCP, not the 16 I held, 6NT was reasonable and we didn't have one of our usual slugfest arguments! LOL After reading the posts, I think I would bid just 3♠ next time. The key question is how many 5-7 point hands will miss a good game if 3♠ gets passed around. I think most of the time, 4 spades will not be a good play. You will often be off the AK of both♥♣ and go down quickly. Thanks all for the input. :unsure:

IMO- this is not even close to a 2♣ opener. Too many losers, and I agree with Fluffy that two suiters don't work well with a 2 club opener. ALso, opening with both minors is even worse. IMO, the best rule for 2♣ is the "sick to the stomach" rule. If you open 1 one of a suit, and the hand passes out--- if you get "sick to your stomach", you should have opened 2♣! :unsure: B) :(

You hold [hv=d=s&v=n&s=saj109hxxdakqxxcqx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] and open 1♦. LHO Passes, Partner responds one spade. What is your rebid and your thinking? Thanks!!

My comment: I am not as good a player as those who would open 1♥, and I am surprised at the significant majority that vote for 1♥. [i agree with the poster who would open 1♥ if playing limited one bids] My thought is that this auction is almost sure to get competitive, and in fact that is what happened at the table. Your partner is going to expect some quick tricks from you if you end up on defense, and the fact is that you have none. And if you catch partner with a very good hand, you could end up in a bad slam or even 5♥ down one~ I would vote for 2 ♥, the choice of no one so far, as the best lie, with pass second choice.