reisig

Some of this depends on what a X by partner would mean. If you play support X's then a penalty oriented X is out of the question. What would a 2NT bid by you mean? In absence of fancy methods ..I'd go with 3♦...3♣ is too rich for me...will get an immediate 3NT from your 3rd opponent :))

Justin is usually brave....but a chicken here:)))

There was no way for partner to make a try over 3♠..except 4♥ and that bid is impossible with xx or xxx. I agree that 3♠ would not be my choice ...I'd prefer 4♣ if anything...then we have more cooperation chances since 3♠ may have been 4(5)♠ and 6♦. I'd bid 6♣...I don't have to play it! Partner with most any hand with AKJxxxx has a shot..even AQJxxxxx (8) and 2-3♥ is a clear winner. Bid it fast ..they'll save anyway.

so many variables ...impossble anwer ...and question

The opening weak 2 bidder is NOT the captain of the team ..the responder is. So, when responder asks a question (whatever is requested)...you WILL answer. Passing 2N is like passing a Stayman bid (2♣) with a minimum NT and 5♣. Nobody has asked your opinion! Just try to remember what 2N asks ..feature, shortness, Ogust, etc. and nod and show what's asked. My experience is that opening terrible WEAK 2's opposite an unpassed partner leads to .....a new partner.

Hand 2 is easy(er) ...bid 2♦ and pray. Hand 1 -- partner has virtually denied ♠ support ...so 3♣ - pray harder:))

We are faced with bidding choices on about 70+% of the hands. Some as simple as "should I open" or is this the right hand (suit) for a weak two bid, etc. Most of these choices depend on what partner will expect if I make a certain choice. At other times, we have between 2 to 5 choices of actions (including Pass) and must choose ONE. The question is what is the thought process before making a final choice? I'll list a few ...not in any particular order. You may rearrange them in any way ..depending on the situation and of course ..who is my partner? 1. Am I inventing a "new" bid that partner will never understand? 2. Which bid limits my strength and shape the best? 3. Which bid makes partner's life easier? Very Important! 4. Tactics - should never be overlooked ...so you might choose a strange action to fool the opponents - as long as partner is not involved later. 5. How will partner take this bid? Forcing? Invitational? Weak? 6. Can I survive the post-mortem after the hand? I hate being yelled at. Don't forget - you can always claim you miscounted. 7. Staying within partnership discussed methods and style is another key issue Can I overcall (1 level) with 4 card suits? What suit strength do I need for a weak 2 at different vulnerabilities. 8. There are many more but consider all these ..within the 3-5 seconds you have to make your choice :))

2NT - why is everyone thinking that 2!h denies a stopper of any kind? Partner might have anything ..including a non-positional stopper in !h like Axx and would like the NT played from your side...if possible. Even if Kxx - our Qx makes the NT far better from our side. Generally - we don't use the 2 level to ask stoppers. Overstating your !s holding may become a disaster later in the auction.

Poor Roland...he seems to be defending this artif reverse all by himself. I've been playing that for many many years...there is really no other "good" solution to many hands. BUT ..what about 1!d followed by 2!h (reverse)? 1!d 1!s ? !s Qxx !h AKx !d AKQxxx !c x

2NT - Want reasons? I tend to look at many things when evaluating a hand..other than 4-3-2-1. My hand is always better with a 5 card suit (not xxxxx) And always worse with 4-3-3-3 NT opening bids tends to make partner's (and my) life easier for the rest of the bidding. I look for non-working secondary honors (Jxx Qx) - I know they MAY help. Is a suit headed by QJ10xx the same as QJ742? Not to me! Tens in longer suits that support higher honors must count for something. One last thought - I'll get to play the hand! Sometimes - a key factor:))

No doubt about the blame ...Wayne is right! But for Roland (of all people) to say - not a good slam)...amazing :D)) 12.82% is good to him.

I'm not sure that anyone else has this problem...but when the auction ends and I'm on lead - frequently my mouse is on the card that I intend to lead. Then suddenly the suits switch order and I lead the wrong card. Is the suit order change really important? Maybe I'm just too anxious to lead and should be more careful.

I'd vote for X (although 2H is certainly reasonable) - since partner might open a lightish hand with 1H with 4-4 Majors (good H) J10xx AKJx Qx xxx Over 3C - my preference is 3H I hate taking bidding space from a partner that indicates that there's an important message coming. Sure - I might have Qx (or xxx) - but I'd like to hear the message almost as much as partner is dying to tell it.

I'm always amazed at systems that steal opener's thunder (2C). When I open 2C - that says - "I have the best hand I've had in 3+ months)...why get in my way - just to show an ace...when You may end up as declarer (wrong side) and I feel frustrated trying to show my suit(s). My feeling is - let the opener bid..that's what he/she wants to do.

I don't use garbage Stayman - so partner is never weak. I play that Pass denies a stopper (no other meaning) and any bid is natural but includes a S stopper. So 3H does both. Partner does not promise a Major with 2C ...but I was accepting a try anyway.

Using jump shifts to 3 level as invitational with 6+ works very well...fills a gap in the 2/1 system. With fits ..can bid 2/1 then support.

I see that evryone agrees with Pass at this point..but not about the 3C bid. 3C is not ideal (but I never get the perfect hand anyway) --but clearly is OK. As for Passing the double (what's the problem?) - I have a problem with that..How does opener make a game try? In my partnerships when the X is under the overcaller - its always take-out. What should partner do with say: !s Axx !h x !d AKxx !c KQxxx ? There is only game try bid available over 3!h and that is 3!s. So - I'd use X as a try..and be happy to bid 3!s.

Ece and Steve are a very much need team for BBO members. They do everything possble to make BBO the best place to enjoy bridge. From tourney to a program for Juniors (which I fully support). I would hate to see them leave simply because "someone" can't seem to be stopped from making their lives miserable. If there were something possible for me to do - to keep them here...I'm ready!!! Reisig (Rich Reisig)