GrahamJson

The "Suit Combinations" section of The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge unfortunately doesn't cover this precisely but has an analogous layout of A1098xxx opposite Qx. The recommended line is to run the Q the, if this looses, play the A. Chances of six tricks is 77%

I'd be incline to play AK and another diamond at tricks 2, 3 and 4. Win the return, play two round of hearts and run diamonds. Bingo.

As W did not lead a club honour he is unlikely to hold AK, so assume E has at least one honour, possibly both. He could also hold DA. So if the H finesse is losing it is unlikely that E also holds the SK. OK, it's all a bit iffy, but it suggests that taking the finesse at trick one does have a lot going for it. Don't forget E is a passed hand, and with ten hearts outstanding could hold length, so might easily open 2H with HK and a club honour, or 1H with an additional honour.

I'm afraid that I have come across one blatant cheater who clearly kibitzes himself playing. Reasons why I believe he is cheating include; Frequent "inspired" leads. Yesterday, for example, against a 1NT - 3NT auction, holding Kxxxx Q10xx xxx 10 he led the C10, finding partner with QJ9x. Interestingly such leads never work out badly. Never missing a making slam. Twice I have seen him bid six, despite two aces missing, then partner turns up with an undisclosed void. On one occasion he actually used RKKB so knew two aces were missing, the other time he bid 4NT then quickly had an undo then bid 6 direct. Never taking a losing finesse, unless it can't be avoided. The most blatant example of this is once leaping to 7S, a contract that needed a finesse (onside, of course) and bringing in a trump suit of AKJxx opposite 10xx. This he did (with no clues from bidding or play) by dropping the Qx offside. I could go on with many examples. What makes it worse is that he is often calling other players "novices" when they make mistakes. Also, when set for a very poor score he boots others off his table, forcing a redeal. Or even worse, accusing oppo of cheating and then throwing them off. Interestingly this particular person has played in two tournaments in which kibitzing is not allowed. He came 56th out of 56 in one and scored 44% in the other. I have complained to BBO about him in the past, but clearly no action was taken. He frequently appears on "interesting tables" holding court and accepting praise from other players. Incidentally, this guy is well known amongst at least some kibitzers as a 2PC man. I think some, like me, watch him out of amusement (sad, I know) curious to see how blatant he dares to be. What can be done?

I suggest that 4C is only Gerber opposite a 1nt opening. 4nt is Blackwood if your or p's last bid was not nt.

Don't like the 4nt bid. 3nt looks obvious to me. The 3h bid does not guarantee 3 card support, so why the hurry? 3C has already shown a good hand. Mind you, I don't play 2 over 1 .

"rules"

With no clear agreement I think there is little choice but double. Playing traditional Acol Norths pass should show some values (he would double with nothing) so 5nt (choose a slam) comes into the reckoning, but it is close. A forcing pass is clearly best, but I don't think the ruled allow it.

If you are asking questions like this then I think you should keep it simple. In that case, 2C should be forcing to game except for the sequence 2C - 2D - 2NT, which can be passed, or play in 3M after a transfer. This approach is pretty standard in any case.

If the opening was 1S and your spades and clubs were reversed then a 1NT overcall would be ok, as it is unlikely that p would take you too high in clubs. As it is a 1NT over all makes it too likely you will end up in spades on a misfit. A to double is even worse as p will certainly assume some spade support. Pass is best. P should protect with any reasonable values. Having said that, anything could turn out well, or badly.

Which I guess gives you a good chance if they are BBO "Experts".

There is no squeeze on the hand shown. The entries are too easily destroyed by any half competent defenders.

A pass of 2D looks automatic to me. If p can't drag up a bid the the omens look bad.

This is a 1C bid in "classic" Acol. You weren't lucky in your outcome, any more than anyone else is lucky when their "system" bid works out well.

I wouldn't put too much faith on the 4H bid being weak. Playing on BBO with an unfamiliar partner it may often be sensible to make the simple 4H bid rather than bidding round the houses and risking confusion. Also, in the words of T Reece, A pre-empt that is known to be weak is a blunt sword. Anyway, I would probably bid 4S but wouldn't be surprised if I ended up writing -800 on the score card.

I voted for 4D but on reflection I think 4H is better. You need AAAK from partner for a slam to be on. Over 4D partner is likely to go beyond 4H holding AA K, or even AA. Even 4H could to too high (and was in this case). There is mertit in other bids, including 1S, but with an unfamiliar partner I think it best to keep it simple, particularly opposite a BBO "Expert".

I don't play much on BBO largely because my Wifi isn't very reliable. When I do, I seem to score pretty well by bidding rather less than others. My main observation from watching on BBO is that most players get too busy and bid (and double and redouble) too much. This problem is tricky. I wouldn't criticize 1H, which could work out well, but I think pass is the percentage call. If you have a decent partner he will try hard to scrape up a bid over 1D, particularly if holding spades, so he rates to have a very poor hand.

For what it is worth, I have always played Asptro; 2C=Hearts+another and 2D=Spadess+another. With both majors you show the shorter. Partner usually supports the major with 3+ cards! otherwise bids the next step. Overcaller then rebids his major with 5, passes with 5 cards in that suit or bids alower5 card suit. This gives you the greatest chance of finding a playable fit.

Oops, I see you already have Jack of clubs. (I pad mini; can't type and see previous text at the same time)

You could hardly hold less in partner's two suits (3 points out of 15), so a sign off in 4H seems automatic. The only way that your hand could be worse for the bidding so far is if you changed a black suit ace for a couple of black queens, or QJJ.

I lead the H10 to tempt a cover. If E plays low overtake and play diamonds then try for a major suit squeeze for the 12th trick.

I'm afraid to say that I have come across at least one BBO player who would find this easy and would probably rebid 6NT as south, almost as if he could see all four hands.

I go along with most others. S has made all the obvious bids, N's bids depend on agreements, but lacking these a double is better than 3D, which suggests a more two suited hand.

Yes, I originally wrote "Hamman" but it got auto-corrected.

He must have stolen the idea.