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Assuming standard count, declarer started with ♥AKxx. I can't solve this one without partner's help. So I assume partner would have played hi-lo in ♦ if he has ♠Q or ♠Jxxx without a minor suit king. Conclusion: a low ♠ now. Steven

Playing a ♣ in T2 seems best. Even if LHO wins and returns a low ♠ for the ruff, you can ruff a ♣, draw trumps and play a ♦ to the 9. You win if LHO has the ♦K or ♦JT. Steven

♦K, ruff a diamond, ♥QA Assuming LHO shows out on the second heart: ♦A, cash spade winners throwing a club, ruff a spade in hand, ♣A and another club... If you got that far, it doesn't matter who wins it. You still have ♥KT in hand. Steven

There is a difference in the value of an honour between trump and NT contracts. In trump contracts, the value of honours is more like: A = 4.5 K = 3 Q = 1.5 J = 0.75 T = 0.25 (A = KQ = 3Q; K = 2Q; Q = 2J; J = 3T) In NT contracts, it is more like: A = 4 K = 2.8 Q = 1.8 J = 1 T = 0.4 (A = 2Q+T; K = Q+J; Q = J+2T) Unfortunately you don't always know whether you will end up in a trump or NT contract... The usual judgement, like honor concentration and long suits, applies as well. Steven

And a 12-14 1NT opening I presume? MC looks the same as the Nightmare system from Buratti-Lanzarotti who played this with great success on the highest level before the cheating scandal. Take a look: http://homepage.mac.com/bridgeguys/pdf/NightmareSystem.pdf Steven

against 1m 1M = natural 1NT = 15-17bal (OR 1suiter minor weak IF NV) against 1m/nt: 2♣ = 2suiter (54+) majors 2♦ = 1suiter major weak OR any 1suiter strong 2♥/♠ = 2suiter (54 NV; 55 V) ♥/♠ + minor, weak 2NT = 2suiter minors (55) OR 2suiter major+minor, strong Steven

♣AT... What happens?

I don't consider it likely declarer will have 5♦ after this bidding... (don't tell me he had Kxx-Qx-AQxxx-Kxx) If it is count, declarer has a 4-4-3-2, but more likely a 3-4-4-2 and I will play ♣J/T. With Kxx-Qxxx-AQxx-Kx with declarer, he would always win (throw-in in ♥). If it can be attitude from 9x, declarer has a 4-3-4-2, but more likely a 3-3-4-3 and I will play a passive ♠. Without agreements you have to guess, but a ♠ seems most likely not to be wrong. Steven

I prefer: ♣ ruff, ♥A, ♣ ruff, ♦... If RHO wins, I'm there. If LHO wins, I'm playing for the drop in ♥ & ♦. If the Q holds, I cash ♠K and now I have to think... Does RHO hold a strong NT hand? Steven

Take a look at David C's Millennium Club. It has a weak NT opening as well though. Steven

A funny one is: dbl = the other 2 suits...

Yes, I think it was something like this: 1♣ - 1♦ 1♥ = <4♠ <3♥ 1♠ = 4♠5♣ 1nt = 12-14bal <4♥ 2♣ = 18-20bal <4♥ 2♦ = 3♥ unbal 2♥ = 4♥ min

I would have raised to 3♠ in the previous round with the South hand... Vulnerable at imps, you want to bid those 35% games. How am I supposed to know this is only a 20% game during the bidding? Steven

So the Q is lead from QJTx and KQTx? If declarer wins the trick with the A, you don't know who has the K. Isn't this a problem? Steven

♥A, ♥ ruff, ♦K, ♦ ruff, ♥ ruff, ♠AK If LHO shows out on the 2nd ♠, I need RHO to have ♣Axx... If trumps break, I have to find ♣J... - x - KTxx Q9 - - Q9x Steven

If I can take 4♦ tricks, I'll make my contract... So: ♦ to A, ♥K, ♠ to A, ♣AK, ♦J... Steven

3♥ as invitational is a strange agreement... (1) dbl = t/o of ♠; 3♠ = t/o of ♥; else natural (2) 4M = cue Steven

Isn't it standard to lead the Q from QJ9x(x)?

South. He should have lead the "normal" heart...

Run the Q. If it wins, 2 to A. If it is covered, win the A, 6 to 9. If it looses, run the 9 next. Don't know if this is the correct play, but it feels right. Steven

I open a 1-4-4-4 with 1♦ if I have less than 18hcp and with 1♣ otherwise (as a rule). Only if the suit is very weak, I might open the other minor. After 1♦-1♠, I will rebid 1NT if within range (11-14) and 2♣ if 15-17. (if I occasionally have 18+ I will rebid 2♥) After 1♣-1♠, I will rebid 3NT (18+) by agreement (with 15-17 I'd be stuck, so I don't do this and with 11-14 I'd rebid 1NT) All of this is clearly dependent on your NT range. Playing Reverse Flannery Responses after a minor opener or bidding 4th suit with inv+ values might be usefull in this style. Steven

After (1NT) - dbl - (p) - pass = penalty 2♣ = P/C (to play in the minor) 2♦ = asks major (can be passed; so you can double with a (not so strong) diamond onesuiter as well) 2♥/♠ = to play with own suit If you're using dbl as a "psyche detector" as well, you have to bid 2NT with that hand over partner's response. After (1NT) - 2♣ - (p) - pass = clubs 2♦ = you choose the major 2♥/♠ = I have chosen After (1NT) - 2♣ - (dbl) - rdbl = you choose the major 2♦ = to play other bids as before After (1NT) - 2♦ - (p) - pass = diamonds 2♥ = P/C -- pass = hearts -- 2♠ = spades -- 3m = natural strong overcall -- 3M = natural strong overcall 2♠ = to play opp spades; inv opp hearts After (1NT) - 2♦ - (dbl) - rdbl = bid your suit 2♥/♠ = to play with own suit other bids as before After (1NT) - 2M - (p) - 3C = P/C (to play in the minor) In all these cases you can play 2NT as an artificial strong asking bid and drive to game if partner shows a max. This won't come up a lot against a strong NT though. (1NT) - 2NT would show a minor twosuiter, but you can play this as any freak twosuiter (not just the minors). (1NT) - 3x are natural preemptive Steven

In the last year or so its gone from about 100 % of people playing 4C as keycard to like 75 %. In a few years or so I believe it will be mainstream to reverse 4C and 4D since it's definitely better. I believe that 3♠ as a slamtry with shortness, both 4♣ and 4♦ as balanced slamtries with a cue in the bid suit and 4♠ as RKC for ♥ is even better... Steven

2. Win ♥A. ♦ to K, then a ♣. If RHO plays the 2 or the 7, play the 8, else win the A. 2.1 If LHO wins this trick and plays a ♠, play the Q. Test the clubs. If they are 3-3 you have 9 tricks. If they aren't, play a ♠ to the T. Duck if LHO puts in an honor. 2.2 If you had to win the ♣A, play a ♠ to the A. Cross to your hand in ♦. Play another ♠. Steven

North has a maximum in the context of his bidding (and system). Was 2NT forcing? If it wasn't, North should have bid 3♦ (assuming 3♣ wouldn't be forcing either). Then South can bid 3♥ and if North then has the judgement to bid 4♣ you're there. However South should have bid 3♥ no matter what 2NT meant. Steven