BruceZhu

Partner should automatically raise 2♠ to 3♠ or even 4♠ at IMPs. He has a decent 6 points, and opposite the expected 18+ from you (or any strong hand) has a good chance of making game. Btw, LHO's 1♥ bid could be made on anything (can be 0-5 pts in the 21st century but is a matter of style), and first rule is to trust your partner first, so easy raise for me.

Hi, 54 in the majors generally indicates opening 1♠. Often, you will not miss game even after a forcing 1NT from partner as partner will raise a 2♥ response to 3♥ with a good 8 or 9 points. If you open 1NT and partner passes, you will miss your spade fit or heart fit. Bidding 1♠ first gets you to the correct strain.

I'd bid 2♥ on the first round, and I'd pass on the second round. I may risk 2 NT or double.

I'd give 4♠ a good bet that it would make. RHO's pre-empt shows that he is weak, and partner rates to have some of the missing points. However, don't upgrade your hand because of the heart singleton; partner is also likely to hold less than 2 hearts. The long diamonds might be an asset. In unfavorable vulnerability, I might bid or pass. P.S. I am an aggressive bidder so I might be wrong.

If a splinter is on your convention card, I would definitely bid 4♣ and let partner handle the rest. Your partner probably holds at least 3 small clubs and he/she can ruff clubs with your singleton. If you do not play splinters, I suggest you cue-bid 3♣ because you can add some points for your singleton and five card diamond suit. Your 4♠ bid shows that you have less than 8 HCP and 5 card spade support. Hope this helps! :)

South should have bid 3♠ holding 6 of them and 17 total points. But even after 2♠ by South, North should have bid 3♠ to show his limit raise. I don't know about your system, but I might have bid 2♦ over 1♠ showing more than 10 points, less than 3 spades and 5 or more diamonds.

probably signoff

[hv=pc=n&s=sqj654hkda2cakqj2&n=sahqj975dk964c965]133|200[/hv] I was sitting south in a Swiss Team match in sectional tournament and opened 2 clubs. The auction was the following: 2♣, 2♦, 2♠, 3♥, 4♣, 5♣, 5♦, 5NT, 6♣. I received the 7 of spades lead and I won in dummy. I crossed to the Ace of diamonds and led the Jack of spades, letting it run, which it won. I then led a low spade, and my L.H.O. dropped the King of spades. I crossed to my hand and drew the trump wich were 3-2. I ended up losing 1 trick to the ace of hearts. Our opponents were very unhappy because their side was in 3NT+1 for a 22 IMPs gain for our side. They thought it was lucky and same with one of my team members. What do you think? Thank you.

2♠should be forcing, because opener should have a strong hand and a heart singleton/void to keep the bidding alive outside of a heart contract.If 2♥was strong, it would definately be forcing.

I think that passing should be correct here, as you should leave the decision to partner. He might have a big spade hand, which he himself would bid 5♠ but he might choose to double 5♦ if he has a feature.

I would only bid 4♥, because you are vulnerable and you don't want to be any more than down 2 or 3 doubled. Or I would just redouble, because I expect partner to make it.