apollo1201

With no offense, seems like an episode of misbid this hand with me😅 but no horrible error around the table. Your bidding was actually the best and you succumbed what we call an « annoyment / upsetting / pissed » X. But at least declarer’s play didn’t upset you too much 🤣 1st E, probably better to consider weak 6m5M (especially with H that can’t be bid over S at the same level) as a 55 and start with 1M, rebidding m twice if offered the chance. Otherwise, the rest of the auction could be tricky…even if here, the bid struck gold finding part with Hxxxx. As S, given you are 6-5 and have S that can be bid over opp’s or pard’s potential H bids, it is better to start with D (at least your partner didn’t pass like your opps who had a similiar hand over a NT opening) to show shape better. As W, most people bid 3C as a preempt, but it could be limit if they play it like that. As N, some more adventurous players might have Xed (trying a red suit in your hand), or bid 3S (forced by the opps, something like 2 and a half S, even if I’d prefer a S honor rather than 3 small). But pass can’t really be criticized. Then E who is 65 with a void and just learns that his p has a bunch of C passes…whatever the 3C means in their system, there is a strong necessity to try something as it is unlikely the bidding dies here. The rest of the bidding derives from the fact that you don’t know partner’s shape. Had you known the 65, you’d have proposed 5D knowing that it would be hard to produce 3 tricks against 5C.

I think S is a bit too heavy, even at MPs, to pass. The trump Q, the singleton and the promising D suit are good factors for slam. Just hope partner doesn’t have xx S!

If I can’t show a 2-suited, I’ll show D, and as it is likely that things are not going to stop there, I’ll bid S then, at the 2, 3 and maybe 4 level if need be. And if it stops there, partner having lots of H, well, let’s hope S dont produce a better MP score. But I think D then S is a better anticipation of what could happen next.

Thanks that was my 1st idea. I know there are color codes for that but never managed to get them properly (like amber or sth?).

A bit tough because vulnerability will clearly affect what to expect from the preempt. IMPs vs MPs too, but clearly less. The player who opens 5C vul vs not will on average have 2 more tricks than not vul vs vul. Facing QJ 8th and out or KQ 8th + the HA make some difference. And probably due to language barrier, not sur to understand « vul is not opps only »: - we can’t be green and them red - only opps are not vul Both situations would tend to make the preempts a little sounder maybe, so probably raising 4 to 5 and 5 to 6. In the other sequences, pass is not clearly forcing, so given partner managed to find enough points to open the bidding, we are clearly going to slam. 5NT might help find the grand but partner can still have - xx KQx KQJ8th.

Not aiming for 6 even if that is a lucky make here with good guessing. Not planning as well to play the hand. So the answers to what to bid will be system dependent.

1D and too bad for this rare occurrence. Furthermore, you lack at least 1 trick to be a GF hand on your own. So there aren’t really much choices. Keep also in mind that if you start with some artificial 2-level opening, you’d end up showing your S at the 3 level and partner doesn’t know whether if is a real suit or a stopper to find 3NT. Or even at the 4 level and partner doesn’t know if it is a real suit or a cue agreeing their suit as trump.

That is exactly the way to distinguish « non garbage but less than limit » hands vs the ones who can bid a direct forcing 2S bid, as most players who play standard-ish methods. Of course the negative free bids will swap, but I am less knowledgeable about this. In all cases, X then 2S and direct 2S can’t be both forcing. This also stresses out the fact that with H, you must be cautious and have a fall back position in case partner bids S: - a 3-cd fit for S to let partner in a « playable » 4-3 - a stopper and 10 HCP to try 2NT - a 6th H to bid a nf 3H over 2S - a fit for opener’s suit (in case of the 1D-2C sequence, here obviously it is different…still wondering btw where S found a 2C vulnerable overcall!) to get back to a playable spot at 3m

The hand is almost worth a 1C opening (« strong » 55 blacks), and this would help here for sure. On the 1st hand, I think pass is the most reasonable call. For the reasons David mentions, X is out of the question. 4C could be the winning call (making or pushing opps higher) but I wouldn’t be surprised at green that partner balances 3H with KJ 6th and out. On the 2nd hand, I’d tend to 3C with such a shape, but X is definitely not a bad call. Al, how did this end?

If some calls are forcing, it is precisely because they are ambiguous. Sometimes in strength, sometimes in suit length, sometimes on both. A 1S answer to an opening bid can be anything from QJxx Kxx xxx xxx (or even worse, depending on partnership’s agreement) to AKQJxx A KQJx Ax Or even more on a good day! Make a small S a small H if you play 1m-2S as strong. Having made a forcing call, partner owes you to speak (unless opps interfere, of course) and you are sure to have a 2nd word to unveil some more details of your hand. Sometimes you’ll know enough and can place the contract, sometimes not and you must ask partner’s opinion. Either via a forcing call (eg you « question » partner, like do you have 3-cd S, do you have a stopper in this suit). Or via a non forcing call (eg bid game if you are max of what you’ve said so far). In that case, your call is non forcing because you’d have quite precisely and narrowly described your hand. But with your hand, you already know game has to be bid, most likely 4S or 3NT, although not knowing the rest of your hand, other options might be viable too. Furthermore, if partner shows a additional source of strength, slam could be on too (if her 1D is as large as 12-22). Last, jumping one or several levels can cause stress on the next bids because you can reach level 3 or 4 with little exchange of information. That is why they should be avoided, unless you have the perfect hand for that, and prefer lower level calls, like 1S with your example hand.

My 2nd choice, only because MP and they are red. And risky for risky why not put CK on the table. But surely 4D is the safe bid What did partner have?

Definitely extra values, so maybe unbal with H tolerance (1354 or 1363) and strength of at least a strong NT, pr may also be a balanced 18-19’w/o S stopper I’m risking 4H in all cases, trying to look confident 😅😅

Hilarious. I guess the lead wasn’t accepted and the suit banned from lead? Reminds me of a little old lady who told me when against 7NT, lead your ace, in case partner revokes before you cash it in the otherwise normal course of play!

5H is often used as bid slam if you control opp’s suit (your cue did not promise that control). But if you feel RKC could be confusing enough, 5H, whatever it means, looks riskier. With such a partner, the most practical bid if 6H, unless you expect the field to be playing 2C🤣🤣

Not sure if showing a doubleton over 1NT is really useful, but fine. Over 2NT, you have 2 things to consider: - does simple acceptance show a fit, or can it be 2-cd - space for curing is small - in case of a slam, showing your source of tricks (eg a nice suit) rather than a control can help responder better assess the hand I tend towards the latter. And same for responder after opener accepts, a new suit is rather a 54 hand than a cue.

If you’re very weak, it is better to transfer to S. That avoids the 2D transfer being Xed and they compete to 3D. And if they still compete, maybe your hand is worth balancing and you can cheaply show your H suit. As for game invites (which can be light in HCPs given the shape, K 5th twice is enough), game strength, slam invites and slam hands, it then depends on what your Stayman (and Xfers) continuations are. And probably where you live too!

True it is not exactly what I was expecting. But she thought I’d not have enough to think I can make ab 11 or 12 trick contract so would pass, then we’d collect hundreds instead of fifties. She had a not great 16-count (where 4SX could really make btw if I just have an average balanced 7-8 count). 4SX is much more often left out than 4HX.

At red vs green, MPs, you deal and pass the not too bad in the context following collection xx AQxx ATxx T9x LHO, no doubt taking of the favorable vulnerability, bids 4S, Xed by partner and passed back to you. This high level TOX promises support for unbid suits and sufficient strength that if left in, has reasonable prospects to set. So, it is to be taken out if you really fear it is making and have a cheap save (eg very weak with a 6-cd suit), or if you think you can make an 11-trick contract. At red I thought I wouldn’t get too rich, even at MPs, and could envision a high level contrat in one of the reds, so bid 4NT. It might also lead partner to slam and they can’t expect more, 2 aces, the HQ, all those 10s. 5C as expected from p, 5D to offer choice, corrected to 5H by p. -1 and a bad score on the board, partner had an in between hand (Kxx KJT9x QJ AQx) and wasn’t expecting me to pull out. Was my reasoning too IMPs?

I had guessed that, given she hadn’t blamed you for raising! And yes, the 2C overcall is beyond disgusting.

Sign me in for 2S, given we are a passed hand, partner won’t expect more. Passing can’t be serious, and 3C is probably a slight underbid. Partner might even be pleasantly surprised with 2 A, the 4th trump, a side Q and no wasted S points, although if we are to play at NTs, from my hand, the SQ might be better.

The risk of a pass after 1H is low. With S instead, it would be not as clear. So 1H and forcing C calls till the level and strain are found. Needless to say you’re better placed if the auction comes back at 4S having started 1H - 2S - p - 4S than 2C - 2S - p or X depending what it shows - 4S

I rank : - nige1 6.275 - etc 😉 Congratulations!!

Same issue with partner. IMHO, 1S shows a better judgment than 3H. 2H is the normal call but I’d regret it with such a lousy C suit. 2NT is not thrilling either… As others pointed out, 3H is often used for: - a a 6-5 with slightly weaker HCPs but likely concentrated values in the suits - a mini splinter - or a maxi anti-splinter (AKxx AKx x KQJxx), ie a hand stronger than a splinter where you bid your residue and imply the sg in the other suit

Having passed, 1S is NF. Actually the only forcing bid you can make is an invite like 2C Drury if you play that. But playing in 1S facing Axx AKxx xxx xxx might not be a bad deal after all😉 So you raise to 2H. If partner makes another move and naturally bids S, like they probably should with the given hand, you will get to 4S. If you hadn’t passed, raising is almost always better with weak hands. If opps compete in minors, you’ll have to overbid with 3H or hidethe fit. Also, if partner rebids 2M, your 2H will look like a false preference with 2 cards. Partner then would not further invite not knowing of the fit. Basically, showing your suit implies you’ll be able to handle the rest of the auction and unequivocally show your fit at a level consistent with your strength. Unless extreme things happen eg opps bidding 5m.

Agree with David. If you don’t do it at once (and it is not clear), it is extremely doubtful to do it after. Opps could already exchange info cheaply. And E might have lots. And if E is broke, partner might find a call other than pass. Which makes me think a playful S might balance 2S, though. Not w/o risk but partner’s points rate to be well positioned. So she was again quick at pointing your supposed mistakes to better put her own under the carpet…