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I play LM after: (2M) (3M) (1M)-p-(2M) (1M)-p-(3M) Then these are stopper asks: (1M)-3M (2M)-3M (1M)-p-(2M)-3M Steven

I prefer that a Splinter shows around 10-13hcp. This assumes you have a way to bid the 14+ Splinters though. It also makes sense that 1♥-4♦ is a stronger Splinter than 1♥-3♠. Steven

I will open 1♣ and rebid 2♣. Opening 1nt might get you to a making 3nt you would not have bid opening 1♣. That sounds more like imp strategy (when vulnerable). Steven

This was my line at the table. ♦A was onside, but trumps were 3-1, so I ended with 11 tricks. Good for a score of around 35%. Most made 12 tricks, but I cannot find a reasonable line to get there. These were the EW hands: [hv=pc=n&w=s5hqj875dt7cqj632&e=s972ht632daq62c85]266|100[/hv] Steven

[hv=pc=n&s=saqjth9dk85cat974&n=sk8643hak4dj943ck&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=2h2s3h4sppp]266|200[/hv] 2♥ was Muiderberg (5crd suit with 4+crd in a minor). Lead is ♥6. How do you play? (remember it is matchpoints) Steven

In the Netherlands (home of Muiderberg) the following can be considered as expert standard nowadays: 2♣ = weak 2♦ OR semi-forcing ♥/♠ OR 25+ balanced OR game-forcing ♣/♥/♠2♦ = weak 2♥/♠ OR 23-24 balanced OR game-forcing ♦ (Multi)2♥/♠ = weak 5crd suit and 4crd or longer in a minor (Muiderberg)2nt = 21-22 balanced Steven

In that case your 3♠ rebid would have been GF... (otherwise you would have started with a 2♠ response). So why did you bid 4SF? Steven

pass denies a stop redouble is business (to play 2♣ redoubled) other bids are as without the double but showing a stop as well after a pass by opener, responder can repeat Stayman by redoubling (or bid 2♦/♥ as weak pass/correct), then opener bids in transfer (2♦ for hearts or 2♥ for spades) so the hand with stop can play. Steven

Penalty (assuming 1nt is natural). Steven

I agree with this, except for E. E will depend on your system. If you play a short club like me, I prefer E to be take-out. Steven

Maybe I didn't explain it well, but the idea is to use this convention any time responder has a 5crd major without slam interest. Then a sequence like 1nt-2♦-2♥-3♣ always shows slam interest (with 5-5 or a strong 5-4). So it is not just another tool for finding the 5-3 major fit, but it is a way to distinguish the game-going hands from the slam-going hands when responder has a 5crd major and a minor suit on the side. Steven

King Count Ace Attitude usually implies King Count or unblock against NT. That means West has lead from a strong holding and East can overtake with the ace and continue the suit. West will not know the count, but he doesn't need to. After he cashes the queen he will know if there are 5 or only 4 tricks in the suit. Steven

Do you assume a forcing 1nt? If 1nt is not forcing, then opener's 2♥ rebid will always show a 6crd suit. Intermediate hands (15-16hcp) with 4 in the other major can go via Gazzilli. Weaker hands with 4 in the other major pass after 1♥-1nt and bid 2♥ after 1♠-1nt. Steven

There are basically two approaches here: negative freebids (non-forcing with a 5crd suit, around 8-11; some stronger hands have to double first) or 2/1 one round forcing (also showing a 5crd suit). It is important to know what you are playing. But with this hand I would always bid 2♥ (very minimum when forcing, but maximum when not forcing). Steven

2♣-3♣ 3nt-5nt(1) 6nt-p (1) pick-a-slam

There is one flemish association (VBL) and one french association (LBF). Additionally there is the national association (BBF) that has two members: the two other associations. Steven

With that hand I will pass. I will open x AJTxxx xx ATx with 1♥ though. I believe there is not much of a disadvantage by passing in 2nd hand. But in 1st hand I hate to pass this. Also, I am playing Multi. We have good agreements after that, but none that let me find out below the game level whether the weak two contains two aces... Steven

I will add it right now ;-) Seriously, I always thought this was common bridge sense. Most players around here apply that rule AFAIK. Steven

I have an agreement never to preempt in 1st or 2nd hand with 2 aces.

A range of 6-12 for the simple raise is unplayable. Opener will have to make a game try every time he has a decent opening of 13hcp or more.Did your partner know that his range was 6-12? How can he accept when he is at the very bottom of that range? Your hand is even worth a game try opposite a standard 6-9, so blame the system first and your partner next. Steven

I recently learned how Brink-Drijver play Puppet Stayman after 1nt. After 1nt-3♣ 3♦ is no 5crd major, then 3♥ 5crd ♠, 3♠ 5crd ♥, 3nt to play3♥ is 5crd ♥, then 3♠ to play 3nt, 3nt 5crd ♠3♠ is 5crd ♠ doubleton ♥, then 3nt to play3nt is 5crd ♠ 3crd ♥, then 4♣ transfer ♥, 4♦ transfer ♠ The advantage is that a sequence like 1nt-2♦-2♥-3♣ always shows slam interest. The disadvantage is that with 43 in the majors responder will use ordinary Stayman and is unable to discover a possible 5-3 fit. What do you think of this? Will it remain a gadget of this pair or will it be picked up by others? Steven

The same as without the double... What that is, depends on whether Stayman always promises a 4crd major or not. Steven

I would have bid 1nt with the South hand... But that is besides the point: North should never pass 3nt. Steven

Assuming the minors are breaking, draw trumps, cash clubs, ruff a club, ruff a heart and cash the last club, then this remains: ♠J874 in dummy and ♠A9♥AQ in hand. Now spade to the ace and another. It wins with ♠Hx in West or with ♠Hx in East together with the ♥K. It also wins with singleton ♠H in East. Steven

If East's double is lead-directing the hearts aren't good enough. If East's double is take-out the hand is too weak. Without an alert redouble should be a proposal to play there (2Hxx). But if North interpreted it that way he would have passed. Fuzzy enough to call the director. West only has a penalty double if East's double was take-out and if it was matchpoints. Steven