brettnj

Most agree that the best bridge cruises are run by Larry Cohen. Check out his website, www.larryco.com

I agree with the director. Knowing that the opps were a weak pair, and did not have the ability "to field a psych", is not a demonstration of superiority, but weakness - doing it against a world-class pair, with the attendant risks, is fair game. However, psyching against weak pairs is the type of behavior that will drive newbies from the game. Since your level is demonstrably above those in question, you should rely upon your skill level to get an average plus board.

Against a limited (i.e., a rnage with a high of no more than 15) 1NT, you should NEVER give up the penalty double. Against a 15+ lower range NT or more, at mp's, since the frequency of having an actual penalty double (18+ or 7 tricks) is so small, most players use the double as an artificial call. Any system that permits you to show a one-suiter, and most two suiters, should work. At imps, the chance to get a "big" number may change things (and I have a partner who refuses to give up the penalty x for that reason). Nevertheless, my personal preference is the same as previously stated, although with a major 1-suiter, I like to show it immediately, as it has some pre-emptive value.

Many of the prior posts are cogent. I personally, with most of my partnerships, play a lower/lower cue-bid system (i.e., if you opened 1c, 2h would be a L/R+ in clubs, and 2s forcing with d's; if you opened 1d, 2h FORCING with clubs, and 2s l/r+ in d's). Such a system allows for non-forcing bids of 2d and 3c, and 3c and 3d, respectively, and to show both good hands and hands that merely want to compete. The important thing is to have agreements thereafter against a 2-suited o/c system: Let say it goes 1d-2d(o/c) by the PITA opps, and you bid 2h (forcing with clubs)-- you need to establish whether a subsequent bid of 2s or 3h by partner SHOWS a stopper, or asks for one, in an effort to get to 3n or 5 of a minor.

As an experienced player, rather than lecture on "what you should have done and why", there are several good books available on Squeezes. My suggestion is that now that they have re-issued Kelsey's 4 books on squeezes into one paperback, "Kelsey on Squeeze Play", I suggest you purchase it, and begin reading the the two chapters (of four) on Simple and Double Squeezes. Once you have learned how to recognize and play them, your play will adjust accordingly.

If partner could have as much as 18+, your system is seriously flawed, as 2c is passable. At imps, I would pass 2c, and at mp's, bid 2h.

If partner has his 2nd chair dbl., we belong in a game. Therefore, I agree that the only reasonable call is 3c.

I find it incredulous that no one posting on the forum suggested a "Goldman" slam try, something many of us on the East Coast (and many professionals, such as the late Paul Soloway and Larry Cohen)incorporate into their systems. (Bobby Goldman was a professional based in NYC, and one of the original members of the Dallas Aces.) Over 1n or 2n, after a transfer to 2 spades or 3s, respectively, 3h after a 1n opener, and 4h after a 2n opener, is a slam try. Partnership can show no interest by bidding 3n or 4 of the major after 1n, 4s or 4n after 2n, or cooperate with a cue bid.

Are you kidding? How could you NOT double and bid with a 5-loser hand?

I agree -- you have what appears to be 7 outside losers. Down 4 cannot be good. Bidding 4 spades is too unilateral.

I would never have doubled with partner's hand - a clear 4n bid (at least two suits to play in), & over which you could bid 5n (pick a slam). At imps, it is not a significant difference whether you are in 6c or 6h.

Are you kidding? An Ace, a King, and an 8-loser hand.

There are many 15-16 point hands on which the opps can get 2 heart tricks. Therefore, the only intelligent way to bid this hand is to transfer, and bid 3h as a Goldman Slam try. If partner does not at some point cue bid the A-h, slam is marginal (although it will have the advantage of playing from partner's side, protecting the h-k, if he has it). This is also the only way to find if 7 spades has any play.

Since in 2nd chair, partner could have a good hand, most quality partnerships play 2nd chair pre-epmts as disciplined. Therefore, in my regular partnerships, I would open this hand 2 diamonds, and have the necessary bidding space to reach 3nt, 4h or 5 of a minor.

Play should be routine. cash A-c at trick 2, and lead a heart up. Assuming RHO wins, and returns a D, win in dummy, ruff a d high, cash A-S (i.e., possible Vienna Coup, which is more probable that a one-entry criss-cross squeeze, and run the clubs --- there are many double squeeze chances. If the K-s doesn't show, and a high diamond remains, if all else fails, you can finesse the 10-h.