apollo1201

Ithink your partner is being a result merchant on this deal, blaming you for his light bid, as he is'indeed a little weak (the 7th D does not fully compensate the soft C stopper). But I would probably have perpetrated the same bid! Your 7th S could also be the factor for pulling, but with majors well stopped as well from my side (AQ + Q9 in support of partner's H stoppers) I'D probably have respected the 3NT bid as well, expecting Kx at least in C. A bit unlucky but the "shut up 3NT" is the main reason imo.

I’ll reluctantly go for 3S, because it is the Q. If it was a low singleton and Qxxx in D, I would probably bid 5D, risking a 4-3 fit. Lots here do not seem to realize that 4D is a seriously slammish hand since we are in a GF auction so partner might just jump to 6 and be kinda dissapointed when I table dummy. Having bid my (minimal) values so far (6-10), I shouldn’t pass.

I would try 6S. I need 3 cards from p (the kings of my suits and the HA) to make 7 and 2 for 6. With his fit, pard will have 1 for sure and often 2. He could have 3 but I fear leaking info and I am not sure how to conclude anyway if it goes 6D 6H. Uninformed opps could bid 7C as a save against a non-making slam while informed opps will not. So I go for a practical gut feeling bid rather than scientific.

MPs, red vs. green, dealer bids 1H, you have Q8x (void) AJxx K8xxxx Do you move, if so, what? If you pass, it goes 2H, pass, pass. To you again. If you bid 2C, it goes 2H, 2NT (nat, around opening values), pass. If you X, partner bids 3NT on LHO's 2H. For the record, partner had Kxx A9xxx KQx Jx and 7/8 tricks is the limit in NT while 4C can be made. Unless you blow a trick by leading a small club against some heart contract by W, you can expect to make more tricks than the opponents.

All nonvul, IMPs, the dealer opens the bidding with 3D, you hold Kx Jxx Kxx JTxxx Maybe a few 8s and 9s in the x but not a too fancy hand, I guess we all agree to pass. RHO does the same but partner protects with a double. In this position, he usually has at minimum a decent opening hand, a bit less with ideal shape maybe. What do you bid? I am not sure of the vuln, so feel free to modulate your answers ;-)

Thanks Cyberyeti for tgese entertaining stories. I’LL dedicate my next 10 (or 11 lol) card suit to you!

Just a side digression as some mentionned the support by opener. In order to distinguish balanced and semi-BALANCED 4-level support (NOT sure it would help though): after 1m-1M, 3NT is very balanced (namely 4333, 4432) while 4M is less balanced with no other suitable call (4m for good 6-cd or splinter), so usually 5422. Not had issues since I played it and avoided some lousy slams warned by the 3NT.

I actually had a 10(!) card suit, ♣ as well, in the same pass-pass situation (not sure of the vul though). Despite having a Q-high suit (yes, I somehow managed to be lacking AKJ despite holding 10 out of 13 cards), I perpetrated the same 5♣ bid. So sign me in for 5♣ too here, and the host who booted you doesnt deserve much consideration imo. For the record (that is why I remember the hand so well), I had a ♠ void and 3 non-descript red cards. LHO bid 5♦, raised to 6 by his partner. My partner led the ♣A, surprisingly cashing, and easily gave me my ♠ ruff after I had dumped the Q under his A. But it was an average as several of pairs also went down in 6♦ (after sequences starting by pass, 3, 4 or 5♣ in my seat). BTW, did anyone has a longer suit once (in a non-prepared deal I mean)?

Far from being expert, I like to play that acceptance promises the fit, usually 3 but could be 4 in 4333. As a corollary, very weak responder with a 5cM passes. Remebering playing 3S in 5-2 fit with 20 hcp facing xxxxx Qx xxx xxx, I got easily convinced it was not a bad trade off. Then 3M+1 by responder cant be to play,it asks opener to cue his controls economically, while 4m is slammish with side suit (4 or 5 cds), not denying controls skipped. Sequences are then easier and more reliable to reach slam, from what I experienced. Superaccept is 4M when all other suits are controlled, or cheaper cue otherwise. For minors we play transfer, cheaper NT = not interested (doubleton), others = answers in steps like to RKCB. Again, this is probably less than for an expert but for average+ it works, is simple to use and is quite easy to remember.

Isn't 5S sth like "I have a monster but lack H control, bid 6 if you have it"?

I am tempted, thinking I was junior not so long ago, but will refrain. I really need more stuff,sorry. Especially playing against spades where you'll end up at the 3 level. Even holding 2 aces, I am not sure of wanting to defend 2 or 3SX.

Dear Diana, I would consider you as a good and thoughtful player based on your contributions. I would balance I guess, not a fan of Kx but lots of nice intermediaries. The 2 threads about this 1h 1nt 2h trigger thos additional question to the board: what is required to bid 2s directly and not in the balancing seat?

I wouldnt blame my p for Xing especially after deciding for 1H at first bid (otherwise bid 2/3H and shut up for the rest of the auction), but I would have bid differently. You can reasonably expect a few spades opposite or a H doubleton but too weak to X the 2D bid (6/7 hcp still possible if opps have 12/13 plus 9, I do bid 2D with Kxx xx AQXxxx xx). But you could be 800 on bad days (more often 500 which vs. 400 is not too horrible).

Hate it but pass. My suits are weakish (god it is a lot of losers), I’m red (so was opener so he shouldnt be too garbage), LHO might just wait for me to move to fire a 4 digit X, and part might push me too high (6m) expecting better. In the meantime, pard can still balance. But if it goes 4s pass pass I’ll still be scr**ed. And enplayed on the lead. Oh well, next board please. Who said that preempts do work?

4H. I am a bit weak in S to just punt 6, need too much from p with S honors probably offside. Maybe X followed by 5H on 4s does better justice to the hand.

Agree. A strong take out with defence (usually 16+ although I would commit it with 4441 and 14 prime hcp with A and Ks if partner is not passed) that enables partner stand with balanced weakish hands for a reasonably expe ted set, and offer him reasonable chances to make if he pulls out with distributional hands (2 suited or 6+ suits). Could also be a 18+ hand with strong nt shape. 4HX tends to be left less often because patner can still play at the 4 level in spades, a suit which you strongly suggested when doubling.

I will go’for a 15-17 no trump. Kings to protect and 3 spades in case partner has the good idea to transfer. I'd prefr to be IMPs but we cant always live in an ideal world, can we?

Everything could work but I'll go for a C. I'll tell S my admiration for his bidding if it makes.

Matchpoint events i forgot

Another hand from Sunday... all green my partner deals ans opens a weak 2S (6-10, 6 cards, supposedly). RHO bids 3H, now what : Jx KTx (Void) AKQJTxxx I decided 3NT (after all, p could have a D honor), planning to run if blood starts to appear. Then it goes 4D on the left (nat, lead directing with fit?? not alerted), pass from partner and 4S (D fit plus control). Ok my gambling is exposed although they dont know whether it was a psyche with a fit or better. Now what? In the PM we let them play 6D undoubled -2 (p had Qxx, scored a S and I made my HK). Btw, what is better with RHO hand (definitely too weak for a leaping Mikl): Axx AQJxx Jxxxx (Void)

Thanks all for your answers. The argument was actually with the opps who said I shoukd always signoff at 2S. I replied NT would probably fare better considering she could have a doubleton in a min hand as she didnt let 1S, in which case 1NT is probably safer with my 10 points. Reading your comments make me feel better! As a PM I used 2C to decide between 2S and 2NT (which is stupid I admit, the worst contract on earth). I chickened out and passed her 2S response (max with 3) and made 10 facing a not too fitting AKx Qxxxx Kx Qxx with everything on side for an avg+.

Hi all, quick question that arose in a tourney this afternoon (MP for it mattrs). All red, dealer with JT9xx xx AJ Axxx Not having a 2S 5-4 option, you pass and pard opens with 1H (5cM). Opps silent all way long, the bidding goes 1S 1NT (balanced min). Can you rate now pass, 2S signoff, and 2C artif (ask for number of S and strengh rather 12 or rather 14). Over a fitted max, what would you do then ? The fact that it is MP and that you are a passed hand influence you but up to where? Thanks all! And apologies for not knowing how to make nice diagrams...

Niceproblem! I was also surprised that my lazy / crude line worked but the bidding struck me. After 4sf is Xed, I wouldnt bet that 2s is a 4-cd support, I would tend to think 3 and no stopper of c, and no other good call, and could still be invitational only (eg. what do you do with Kxx AQxxx Qx xxx or a jack more). So I would have bid 3s clearly forcing (or 4 if I am pessimistic but I liked my hand lol). Also, the opener with 2 stiff honors in responder’s suit never sghows his tolerance (since he denied support by passing the X he cant really be any better) and bids 2nt with a dubious stopper.

Hi all this is what I play for 55, used it on ce for a 65 but was never dealt à 66! Weak hand with no hope of game: just transfer to S and pass, even with xxxxx QJxxx, it avoids your 2D transfer being Xed and if opps balance you can cheaply show your 2nd suit Hand with game possibility (if pard has no wasted minor hcps): transfer to H then bid 2S if pard doesnot superaccept Hand with GF value but no more: 4D we use for that - we do not lose the moderate slam try in H vs gf in H by direct 4H and 2D followed by 4H Hand with slam hope if pard doesnt have an ill fitting hand: transfer to S then 4H Hand who would be disappointed not to be in slam: transfer to S then 3H and lots of room to cue Stayman is used (as mentionned by other posters) only if knowing pard has a 4cM is useful to you. Usually you have a 4cM (sometimes a 5M 4m 31 with invitational or almost invitational value). With a 55 hand you dont need. Even so more with 66!

What about (almost all natural) 1♦ - 1♠ 2NT - 4♦ (trump suit, slammish) 4♥ (cue and cant RKCB cuz 1 ace only) - 4NT (RKCB) 5♠ (2+Q) - 5NT (what else do you have just in case, you just showed 9pts out of your 18/19 ; if the answer is not top, we can always land in 6NT so bypassing 6♦ is not too risky) 7♦ (I can't be better with 3 Kings)