BudH

I am curious under what conditions most experts play XYZ, particulary over what interference by the opponents. If you play XYZ (including 1X-1Y-1NT), under what situations to you play that it is still on after the opponents do not pass throughout? Please answer Questions A and B both, including additional answers or clarifications if needed. QUESTION A (not dependent on opponents interference) - under which conditions do you play XYZ? A1. Opener must bid 1 of a suit, responder must bid 1 of suit, opener then must bid 1 of a new suit or 1NT, responder must have both 2♣ and 2♦ bids available on his second bid. OR A2. Opener must bid 1 of a suit, responder must bid 1 of suit, opener then must bid 1 of a new suit or 1NT OR MAKE A SUPPORT DOUBLE/REDOUBLE WITH BIDDING LEVEL AT 1NT OR BELOW, responder must have both 2♣ and 2♦ bids available on his second bid. QUESTION B - over what opposing interference is XYZ still on? B1. Opponents must either pass or double and nothing else (so no cuebid is available later). OR B2. Opponents can interfere in any way as long as A1 or A2 above (whichever is being played) is satisfied, so that responder has both 2♣ and 2♦ bids available on his second bid OR B3. XYZ is off if either opponent fails to pass throughout Bud H

You are vulnerable, they are not, local Swiss team against very good opponents RHO opens a weak 2S and it's your turn in second seat holding 84 AK762 K96 KT6 3H, Double, or pass? Bud H

I tried to search for the text string "XYZ" for information about that convention, but I am having trouble searching since it gives me a warning about it being less than four characters in length. Can someone explain how I can search for all posts in these forums with the text string xyz appearing anywhere in the post? Bud H

I tried to search for the text string "XYZ" for information about that convention, but I am having trouble searching since it gives me a warning about it being less than four characters in length. Can someone explain how I can search for all posts in these forums with the text string xyz appearing anywhere in the post? Bud H

Does anyone know where I can find details on the XYZ convention, particularly versions other than are somewhat advanced? Also, the same for Forcing Stayman (which may have similar responses to XYZ). Bud H

If you played the Bridge World Standard of 3NT after a 1M opening as a 5-trump 4M bid with some defense, then why not play the same thing as a passed hand but bid 2NT instead to keep you a level lower? Bud H

Double of the preemptive 2♠ should NOT be Snapdragon for two reasons: 1. 2♠ is a non-forcing bid. 2. It is beyond a single raise of partner's overcalled suit. Bud H

Assume opponents bid game swiftly in spades, e.g. 1♠-2♠-4♠. On defense, you are holding ♠QJ2. Declarer plays the top two trumps. Assuming you can't afford to play an honor on the first top trump, which honor do you play on the second top trump to inform partner you may now hold the high trump? Conversely, would playing ♠2 then ♠Q imply you are now out of trump? Or would playing ♠2 then ♠J imply you are now out of trump? Bud H

I'm surprised there has been no comment on the 2♣ bid by responder. Shouldn't a 2♣ bid by South (responder) look more like that below? Personally, I would pass with the posted 2=2=4=5 responder's hand on the first round. With only a three-card difference between the club and heart lengths, I'd raise to 2♥ on the doubleton ace before I would bid clubs immediately. (Assuming a 5-card major system.) Bud H [hv=d=n&v=e&s=sxxxhxdq9xckqjxxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

I would normally bid 4NT to show the primary diamonds and secondary (two cards less in length) clubs. The problem is my Kx of hearts which I want to prevent attack on opening lead. Therefore, I'm going to bid clubs myself to ensure Kx of hearts is not attacked. Bud H

If LHO had four spades and two hearts, he would rebid 2♥. I think it likely LHO is 5-2 in the majors. Using Bridge World Standard 2001 guidance, a 3♦ bid directly over the support double would be about a queen less than the same call without interference. And since the hand is close to minimum in strength, a pass is the proper call at that point. I think partner will be often be 1=4=5=3. With 1=4=4=4 he would rebid 3♣ (or 2NT for the minors) over 2♠. I would bid 3♦. But it's very close to a pass instead. If partner turns up with a doubleton spade instead of singleton, I'll know I was wrong! My experience is that passing is probably (marginally) technically right, especially at this vulnerability at matchpoints, but in practice I always seem to learn I should have bid a confident 3♦ in this situation. Bud H

What a surprise - Alan Truscott's "Bidding Dictionary" says there is no standard meaning and gives five possibilities: 1. 5-5 invitational (if 2C would have been a game force) 2. 5-5 game force (if 2C then 3C would have been invitational) 3. mini-splinter 4. game forcing splinter 5. 4 hearts, 6 clubs, non-invitational Bud H

Since I passed 2♦ and would nearly always rebid 2♠ on a 6-card suit or 2♥ on a 4-card suit (or longer), I think a heart raise should be expected to be on honor third. I suspect 2♦ doubled may have been the best spot, but too late for that now. I'm rebidding 2♠, and expecting to bid 3♥ next. Bud H

Full hand was as follows: 9x T9x AKJ AK9xx AJT9x Kxx AJx Kxx Qxx T8 QJ T8xxx Qxx Q8xx 976xx x Matchpoints, none vulnerable 1S 2C 2S P P X P 3D P P P I was North, doubled in the balance, and partner was allowed to play 3D undoubled. Being dummy, I didn't pay much attention to the play, although I know West led a trump from the queen, dummy played the ace, the HT ran to the HJ, and a another low trump was led with dummy foregoing the finesse and playing the king. I'm not sure what happened after that, but the defense was able to hold declarer to 6 tricks. N/S: -150.

Open Pairs, matchpoints against good opponents You hold 9x T9x AKJ AK9xx 1S 2C 2S P P ? At what vulnerabilities would you reopen with a takeout double? And would you also at imps? And feel free to comment if you would pass or make an immediate takeout double the first round instead of overcalling. BudH South Bend, Indiana, USA