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3♥ shows slam interest with heart support, asking partner for a cue. I bid 3nt. Steven

Where is the ♦9? Did South lead the 3 from ♦QT93 or did North played the K from ♦K92? Seems like the defense messed up. 3nt cannot win. Steven

1) Agree with 2♣ and 2♠. Now 3nt. 2) 3nt undisclosed mini-splinter or another way to 4♠ that describes this hand 3) No, pass. 4) ♥ ruff, ♠A, ♥ ruff, ♠ finesse (if the finesse looses, you'll come down to ♥J and one club in hand and ♣KJ on the table: decision time) Steven

2♦. What's the alternative? Steven

Then it's easy to bid 6♣... So I guess the meaning is something less helpful. Steven

With the North hand I would have bid 4♥ at first turn. Bidding only 2♥ at second turn is... <censored> I agree with South's first double, but I don't understand the second double. 3♦ seems more appropriate (a hand too strong for an immediate raise to 4♥). South's pass on 2♥ is... <censored> Very bad bidding. Only the first double was right... Steven

I would have passed. Partner has 3-5 clubs, 2-3 diamonds, 2-4 hearts and 2-3 spades. So only a heart fit is possible. No way to find out. Steven

I don't understand 2nt. It is clearly not natural... I bid 6nt now as I don't know how to uncover the club fit. Steven

Read Roman Keycard Blackwood by Kantar. It has the answers to your questions. But be warned: there are no easy answers. Steven

6♣. I don't know how to find out whether it's seven, so I'll settle for six.4♠. Given his preempt in second position at these colours, partner might just have what is needed for six. But I hate to hang partner...double. Partner is supposed to lead spades. Steven

If 2nt is invitational, North should have ended the bidding with 3nt. The bidding only makes sense if 2nt is game-forcing. If you play 1430 RKB, North could have checked keycards. South is blameless. Steven

At MPs I would pass with that hand. So yes, it is close. I think that 2♥ is limited to 20hcp and that it denies a 6crd suit when at the top of that range. My choice is 3♦. If partner has only a 5crd heart suit, we might end up in 3nt or 4♥ without a fit and possibly only 22hcp in line. That is the price you pay for not missing game at imps. Steven

I'd open both hands with 1♦. But I'll reverse only with hand B. Suit quality matters. Steven

I also play Criss Cross, but like this: 1m-2m standard raise (6-9) 1m-3m weak unbalanced (5-7) 1♣-2♦ 10-11 5crd raise or 12+ 4crd raise 1♦-3♣ 10+ 4crd raise My 1♦ opening does always show at least 4crd. After 1♣-2♦ the bidding can end in 2nt if opener is minimum with short clubs (2-3). Steven

No magic. One of the benefits of a strong club/diamond system is the limited opening. If the limited opening has more than a 5-6 point range, it looses its advantage. Basically the same with Gazzilli: a range of more than 6 points is too hard to handle. If it wasn't why would you need this convention? The minimum of a reverse is different after 1-over-1 or 2-over-1. Slam-interest has to do with how well the hands are fitting, not only with points. So definitely no magic 16 in those cases. Steven

1♥ - 2♣ 2♦ = any minimum 2♥ = GF with exactly 4crd ♦ (5-5 bids 3♦) other bids are natural and GF 1♠-2♣ 2♦ = any minimum without 4crd ♥ 2♥ = natural any strength (but GF 5-5 bids 3♥) 2♠ = GF with exactly 4crd ♦ (5-5 bids 3♦) other bids are natural and GF after 1M-2♣-2♦ only 2M is not forcing (or maybe also 3♣ if that is your style of 2/1) after 1♠-2♣-2♥-2♠ opener can pass with a minimum Steven

I don't think it matters on this deal. EW always have +120 if they play it right, no? Steven

1. Yes 2. More than he has 3. No Without South's 3♠ North might not have doubled. So 100% to South. That being said, you are a bit unlucky. Instead of bidding 3♦, East might just as well have bid 2♠. That would have been enough to shut up both North and South. Steven

2♠ weak

1. I only consider passing in imps. I prefer 1nt over double because it better shows my strength and we can still find a major suit fit. 2. 3nt. This should show a stronger hand than 2nt and you're not strong enough to bid 2nt first and 4nt later. With 17 you would be strong enough to take control, therefor I think 3nt should show around 14-16 and that is what you have. 3. 3♠, but I would have bid it one turn earlier Steven

I would have bid 1nt on my first turn... Now I bid 2♦. Looks like there are more than 40 points here... I guess the rest of the hands are East: AJx xx x KQxxxxx; West: xxxx xxx KQxxx x; Partner: KQx JTxxx Axxxx - Steven

I don't understand why South didn't double for takeout on the 1♦ opening? I also fail to see why a heart continuation gives away the contract... With a heart continuation you make ♥A, ♥Q, ♠A and 2 club tricks and I consider a second spade trick likely (for down 2). It is possible you need to underlead your ace of clubs at some point, but given the bidding that should not be so hard to find. Steven

I would have opened that hand 1♥. I do not consider this a question of system but a question of hand evaluation. 1♥ all pass or does partner respond with his lousy hand? If he does respond, I blame him if we go down in 2nt. Steven

Great effort! I didn't know your site yet. Thank you. Steven

What is the meaning of a bid of 5 in your major on your way to slam? In an uncontested auction does it ask to bid 6 with extra's or to bid 6 with good trumps? In a contested auction does it ask to bid 6 with their suit controlled? Other meanings? Other situations? I haven't found a book yet which treats this subject... Steven