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(3m) 4♣ (other minor + unknown major) then 4♦ asks major; 4nt slamtry minor (3m) 4♦ (both majors) then 4nt slamtry ♥; cuebid slamtry ♠ (3M) 4♣ (clubs + other major) then cuebid slamtry ♣; 4nt slamtry major (3M) 4♦ (diamonds + other major) then cuebid slamtry ♦; 4nt slamtry major So the slamtry bids are always the cuebid and 4nt, the lowest of these for the lowest of our suits... Steven

The strong 2nt opening is often called a slam-killer. If you make this opening 22-23 iso 20-21 it will come up less often, hence less slams will be killed... Usually the 2nt opening only has a 2-point range because a 3-point range is too hard to handle. That 3-point range is less of a problem after a 2♣ opening. That might fit in better with your system. Steven

I think you can only get to six if South opens 2nt... However I don't agree with defending 4♠. 5♣ seems clear to me. Steven

Agree. I prefer 1♠. Second choice 4♠ in 1st/3rd or 3♠ in 2nd. Steven

Or: 4♣ = asks transfer into major 4♦ = asks major If you bid on over partners answer, your initial 4m must be re-interpreted as a cue and slam-interest... Steven

All these sequences show a 6crd heart suit: 1. 1nt-2♦-2♥-4♥ 2. 1nt-2♦-2♥-jump to show splinter 3. 1nt-4♦-4♥-pass 4. 1nt-4♦-4♥-4nt (RKB) 1 = slam-interest without shortness 2 = slam-interest with shortness 3 = no slam-interest 4 = plan to bid slam with enough keycards Steven

1. invitational or slamtry (opener bids 3♥ with a minimum) 2. GF (but not enough for a slamtry) Steven

Win the ace. Cash two spades. If spades are 3-2 you have no problem. If spades are 4-1, play a diamond to the Q next. Only if the diamond king is in West together with the remaining trumps, you have a problem. Then the only remaining chance is a red suit squeeze. Steven

a) inv; 2♥ is a weak hand with 6 spades and 3 hearts b) inv; 2♥ is preference

Both are minimal in high card points, but 2♠ shows an unbalanced hand, while 1♠ shows a balanced hand. This is especially interesting for those who play a short club... Steven

Choice should be between double and 3♠... This hand is too strong for 2♠. I prefer 3♠. Steven

Exactly. So you must play North for 5-3-3-2. Play the ♣Q (which North must duck) and duck a club to his ace next. Opps make 4 spade tricks and 1 club for just made. Steven

3, 5, 6 & 12 But only 3 responses to Puppet Stayman: 3M 5crd suit & 3♦ no 5crd M Steven

Why can't South have 16-17 hcp and a 6crd heart suit? Why shouldn't North pass that at matchpoints? I don't believe that 3♥ can be that strong that 6♣ is laydown. 3♠ is the only way to 3nt. North has to decide right now what the most likely game is. Maybe 4♣ is better, but if 3nt makes, 3♠ can hardly be a joke... South knows there is a diamond fit. If he doubles again now, he can always bid 5♦ later. Are you so worried that 4♥ makes and 5♦ doesn't? Steven

I can understand Norths pass. 3♥ is limited after all... North should have bid 3♠ anyway because it's imps. I think another double by South is better than 3♥. With one more heart and and a few points less 3♥ would have been spot on... North 60% South 40%

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Double to invite 4♠4♥. I don't agree with 2♣. I would have bid 1♠.2nt. If partner then bids 3♠, I will bid 4♠.

Simple line: heart finesse There might be a heart/spade or a heart/diamond squeeze against East, but you won't be able to tell... Only the triple squeeze is automatic. That's just a matter of playing out the clubs.

I'd say that (expert) standard is pass without heart control, redouble with first-round control and another cuebid with control in both suits. Edit: I see now I misunderstood... ROPI makes sense.

1 spade & 2 hearts from both hands Cash one spade and cash all the clubs, pitching another spade from dummy, play heart to the king. Steven

Looks like West started with J3-7x-Q765-KT864. Then East started with T976-JT8x-T8-J32. One down. But just maybe West had JT3-7-Q765-KT864 (this would correspond with East's H8). So SQ next. Edit: I just saw your answer. I played the right card ;-)

+1 And the double on 5♥... I would sympathize if South had overcalled 2♥. Steven

Or 4♦ mild slamtry in either suit --4♥ no interest in ♥ ----4♠/nt mild slamtry in ♣ ----5♣ sign off --4♠ interest in ♥ ----4nt RKB for ♥ ----5♣ mild slamtry in ♣ 4♠ good slamtry in ♣ 4nt good slamtry in ♥ Then East makes a mild slamtry with 4♦ and passes Norths 4♥ Steven

So North had ♦K942 and made the mistake of not playing the 9 to the first trick... The lead of the Q (or the T) would have been easier for North. I cannot see a winning line in 3nt without a defensive mistake. Though you can keep it to one down by playing on spades instead of hearts. Steven

Right ;-) Well, then I play spades from top. If the queen does not drop, 5 club tricks are needed. Steven