apollo1201

In the PM, the bastard on my left had AJT9x H and a side ace and despite partner having the 2 other aces and the DQ, I ended up -300 for a bad score, but at least I would have not been the only one here :) 3D is the ideal spot that we can reach after an X and with a very pessimistic partner (with 11 HCPs and the SA she would go to 3NT). There were several 3NT down 2 or 3 undoubled, another poor guy like me in 3HX (some wests didnt double 3H, unbelievable at this level of the competition), a mad team at 4HX, and some 2S=.

A nice tolerance for S, 44 minors and a nice 9 HCPs. What more is needed for a (responsive) double?

A deal that almost cost us the qualification to the national final... Last board of the last session of the league final, MP scoring. So far you feel you are between 5th and 10th out of 40, only 5 will qualify. So you dont think you need to play and bid in a desperate need for a swing. Anyway, you are green against red, LHO deals and passes, partner passes, RHO opens 2S (weak) and you hold: K6 KQ876 KT54 Q2 What is best? Good things: SK looks slightly better now, you are not completely flat, you are green if things go wrong, and both opps hold less than opening values Not so good things: aceless hand, suits quality ok-ish, not a clear 2-suiter

Why the hell are they gently setting up dummy's S instead of putting me at a guess on C at trick 2? And with what N is encouraging (if he has a diubleton that leaves AK 6th with S who remained silent). Not sure it is so N/B a hand! Actually I have now more losing options than a direct C switch at trick 2 (fwiw, I'd have let it run to the CQ to see if I have C losers or not, to decide whether I play H safe or try for no losers): - go up with A, cash HA and SQ to discard a C - same w/o cashing HA - same play as with a direct C switch I'd try option 1 and congratulate S who owns SAK, HKJT and CK for his clever play. Last option: I completely missed the point and all this thought process I had is completely ridiculous.

IMPs, all green, playing 15-17 NT, dealer you hold Jx AKJx A9xxx Qx I am pretty sure someone raised a same question previously so I apologize if some of you have to repeat. But I dunno how to browse on my tablet... With more scattered values in the blacks, it would be an easy wtp NT, with a little more HCP (in D especially) it would be an easy reverse, with H and S switched, opening 1D would create no rebidding issues. However, you were dealt non of the above... So what would you favor, and does vuln/scoring might change it? Btw, if you open 1D and partner doesnt punish you by bidding S but bids 1H instead, how high do you raise (we never raise with 3 cd-support, 2H is 12-14, 3H is 15-17 with shortness expected as you didnt open 1NT...well finallynit is back to the start again)?

Marlowe, I'd add a few more raises: - for hands too good for a splinter (e.g. 20-22H that couldn't / didnt wanna open some kind of strong opening), a jump shift or reverse in the 3-cd "residue" might hide a real fit but auction can get tricky - also some consider 3NT as a balanced raise with 18-19 and 4M for 5422 (or the reverse) to really have 4m rebids only by 64 hands that can have less weight in terms of HCP but strong offensive value (AQxx x AKQxxx xx is min but acceptable, but with 5422 you obviously need more HCPs to force to game)

You seem to have all the best case elements for a "light" opening: good honors (AKs), 2.5 QT, intermediates supporting them, a 5-cd suit which has the good idea to be the most expensive one, and 1st at green. I wrote light with "" because I'd probably open all positions all vuln nevertheless. Compare it to QJ5 K74 QJ82 QJ3 which has the required 12 HCPs.

Couldn't agree more. Low-level interference actually don't interfere that much so you can still play the system with Stayman and xfers. The only thing you might adapt to depends on the X nature though, especially on a weak NT and/or if the X has a strong possibility of blood. Then you absolutely need to be able to play 2C/D in a long minor or find a "suitable" suit of 7+ cards where you might play undoubled or end up defending if the opponents compete. Some play there all transfers (XX for C, 2C for D, etc.) and pass balanced passing the buck to openeer to find a common suit.

4S. If 5 trump support, a side ace and a (99% of times) useful void are not enough, what else is? Although I'm not too sure of the meaning of "more preemptive". Then I guess the answer to question 2 derives from the fine (but not 100% explicit to us) gradation you make between the different raises. And if a pass from partner is forcing (after 2NT?). But anyway, I'd still be tempted to bid 5 as I have a bit more than expected, while 5C can only be -1 or even make on a very stormy day.

Friendly IMP game with partnerships created for the occasion. Green against red, bidding goes 1S pass 3S not alerted and explained as limit raise with 4 trump support after you ask. You hold: (void) QJx QJ9x KQ9xxx What do you bid? And what if the raise is explained as weakish (4-7 HCPs with 4 trumps)? We were exchanging the deals with another table (we were 8 and faking a duplicate) where it had gone 1S p 4S 5C X for 800. Opener's partner had actually KQxxx xxx Kxx xx.

In addition to all the downgrades mentionned (lousy suits, not the lead you want if opps buy the contract, etc.), you only have 1 spade, which means opponents are likely to have them, and as overall HCP strength is pretty balanced between you and them, they are statistically bound to outbid you with the most expensive suit, or you will be pushed a level higher if you want to compete which can be costly at red with the suit quality issues you face. I am not even sure I'd open in 1st or 3rd so I am clearly passing in 4th. I think if you open you will more often score -100, 110, 140 or 200 than +620.

Nekthen, partner won't pass you out in 3S as it is a forcing bid. But with less than 11HCP, X is the only option you have if you want to compete, true not what you wish for when you are 55 but sure not to get overboard. And if partner passes, your 2 trumps with the singleton in his suit could set the contract on the lead.

I guess some kind of strong D raise that does not fear going past 3NT. Not sure it guarantees a C control though.

You just exposed a (semi-)psych. X here denies a 5th heart (you would bid them at the appropriate level based on your strength), and probably 4 spades as well as you could bid them now or even at your 1st turn. With 5C and 4H, you probably wouldn't find too much difficulty in bidding them at the 3 level (or cue bid if your hand can make game). So after eliminating all the natural bids, X remains for some kind of 8-10 or bad 11 hcp, most likely 3424 like wank said.

Playing IMPs, a red game, they offered me a trick on the lead and I'm not even sure they play 4H at the other table. So I want to play über-secure... Kxx and S doubleton from RHO and finesse is necessary. Having (probably) diagnosed SA, DA plus Q and/or J, and CJ in LHO's hand and just CK in RHO, it then depends if you judge your "not so good" RHO can bid "with just 3 points" or not...

I think lots of ppl play that it shows values (let's say 7+) w/o stopper or long suit so kindof balanced-ish. 4H should then be 3-suited. Others show X = negative and pass positive. In all cases, it is better to play the same thing as partner :)

Hi Ahydra. I have no issues Xing now and Xing again if the bidding comes back at 2/3 D. So bidding 2C has no clear advantage except maybe sometimes losing a major fit to play in 5-2/3 (on other occasions C will play better). Partner's 1S is purely competitive with maybe 4-7 HCPs and 4 or 5 S, and probably less if a 6-bagger like QJxxxx and out, you can't remain silent with that much, can you? And it almost makes game facing your hand! With more stuff, partner is expected to jump or cue. The answers to your other questions are less clear to me. I should probably discuss it with my partner, but I would consider a 2C bid not GF (F1 given I freely bid), while a 2D cue would (almost) be GF. The 2C bid could be a little weaker than the big TOX but it should be rare (opportunistic 16-17 HCP hand 3325 who preferred TOX to 2C? Or 3415 with some extras like yours?) But I'm not sure how it could gain facing a limited partner who could hold Qxxx Jxx Kxxx xx. So here I would just raise to 2S and hope for the best. I am eager to hear what more advanced / prepared posters will say because it is blurred for me. Last thing, in that sequence, partner's X is for penalties (anti-psychic, although it is more common for responder to "psych" a 1S bid in this situation), not TO. If you have S's just bid'em.

If I am in a gambling mood, I would try 3NT. But I'll normally bid 2H, and 3 as the others mentionned if pushed by opps.

I wish I have the nerves to pass N's hand. At least I could show a /-suiter next... In all cases, I would also try to rightside NT's by probably rebidding a GF 3D bid as S (a bit low but lots of taking trick power). Partner will not leave me until he's sure 7 has no play!

+1 with Ken. North has a powerhouse, almost self-sufficent S and fitting honors with partners' suits. All he is worried about is the C suit and 5S should do it (well, you could be 2 aces off if partner has KQ of C and no HA). System does not seem to help, though. Maybe S could hide this ratty D suit when he has such a good H suit and a good tolerance for S. Rebidding 3H (6-cd suit) might then motivate N to cue?

I'll open 1C. I thought of NT to protect my red K's but that will be for the 2nd round, if any (1C-1D/H-2NT). I am definitely too strong for 1NT opening with a prime 17 count made of A&K, good intermediates and a 5-cd suit. If opps intervene, I'll be able to show my S's anyway. And probably rightside the contract as well.

But you are red against green :angry:, and that is why your valuable comments are welcome. It is the last hand of the first qualificative session (out of 3) of a MatchPoint event. So far, you're above average (53-55% you assess). [hv=pc=n&n=sjt9643hkq874d6c2&d=s&v=n&b=15&a=p1d]133|200[/hv] Do you come in? How? And now, pretending you didn't see my partner's hand... [hv=pc=n&s=s2hjt96djt43cat85&d=s&v=n&b=15&a=p1d2d3n]133|200|3NT came after a long thinking.[/hv] Up to you... For the record, I bid 4♥, and got Xed. Actually, the 3NT bid looked fishy and my minor oppostion should have told me that it would fail (although several pairs bid and made it, I guess not after a brave 2-suited overcall). But I thought I needed no more than Hxxxx KQxxx or Axxxx Axxxx to make, or that maybe I could push them to 4NT or 5m (one pair went down in 4NTX while several went down or were allowed to make in 5♦) which I would double more confidently. But now, I think it was a bad bid (since both contracts are likely to fail, after all partner saw we are red, right?). Nevertheless, the contract is far from hopeless, especially on the ♣K lead. Opponents forgot again to lead 2 round of trumps when in with the ♠A, but unfortunately, ♠ were 4-2 and ♥ 1-3 (West 4144 Qxxx x KQxx KQxx and East 2344 AK Axx Axxx Jxxx). I escaped for down 1 (W called his partner in ♦ by dumping one of his honors so I made my J on the last trick!) but I should have been down 2 the way I played it (i.e. trying for +790 with a friendly break in one of the majors, -1 can be guaranteed by playing safe). -200 was slightly below average. Was there a way to make it? I apologize for this long post and multiple questions but will read your comments with great interest.

Thanks all for your comments and double thanks to Diana who kindly updated the diagram. She is always so nice to everyone ♥! I am posting anysoon another one from the pair competition, with a braver partner as you will see!

I think I manage to stay off the slam and at the safe 4 level, after a good old Stayman sequence. Yes, responder has a 4 card-major, it seems like lots didn't notice. Or maybe with such an unbalanced strength between the 2 hands, it is better to play in 6-2 or 6-3♥ fit (hum, on a bad day it could be 6-1 with a stiff A or K) even if partner has 4♠? With my partner, we would bid something like 2♦ - 2♥ GF - aceless, 0-1 King, 0-7 HCPs,(we wrong-sided the contract but it makes no difference in this case) 2N - 3♣ 24-26 balanced - Stayman 3♦ - 3♠ no 4cM - 5+♥ and 4♠ 4♥ pass I think as opener I would simply bids 4♥ rather than cue-bidding, to show a hand with no real extras (ok, lots of AK, but knowing 9 major cards at least opposite, the ♣Q and ♦J are wasted, so unless partner has M honors, slam is bad and with a maximum like Kxxx QJxxx xx xx, partner is welcome to continue bidding). Responder, with his 6th♥ is probably not strong enough (weak suits and questionable value of the stiff ♦Q) to make a further move facing a not-too cooperative partner. Even if I cue 4♣ as opener, I would now contend with 4♥ over 4♦, having already done enough, and things probably stop there as we both lack a little something to continue (namely decent trumps or decent trump support).

It is usually better, when you "fake" a suit, to cheat on a minor than on a major, because partner would usually still try for 3NT if you bid a minor, while stopping in 3NT after a major fit is found is more difficult. That said, it is also likely that partner is better placed to play NT contract (because of your ultra-weak ♠holding), so you should try to right-side by not stealing NT that early. Over 3NT, partner with a non-descript 1453 minimum is not expected to move and you'll go down with e.g. 5 or 6♦ laydown (x AQxx Axxxx Kxx or A AQxx Qxxxx xxx). The hand you provided, absent any agreements like the inverted minors lots mentionned (but that I do not consider to be a B/I convention), asks for a 2♣ bid, waiting to see developments (like bid 3NT over 2NT from partner, 3♦ if forcing over 2♦ otherwise 2♥ which would not guarantee a 4-cd suit in that sequence). You can convert back to ♦ if partner bombards you with any high number of ♣, and if that is the case, you probably didn't belong in 3NT.