Dinarius

After 3D showing at least 5/5 in the minors, what about 3❤️/3♠️ now by opener to set clubs/diamonds respectively, and 3NT to show minimum and the likes of 4432? D.

[hv=pc=n&n=sk8h6dqjt72caqj62&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1np]133|200[/hv] For example, how would you explore for slam with this hand opposite a 15-17 1NT opening? Can 3♥ or 3♠ be used to show at least 5/5 in the minors and game-forcing? (If not, what do you use these bids for?) Opener could retreat to 3NT with no interest (e.g. minimum and 4432, for example). But, I'm interested to hear what others bid. Thanks. D.

[hv=pc=n&s=sqhkj74da52ckj875&w=st972hq3dqj6caq32&n=skj5h652dk984c964&e=sa8643hat98dt73ct&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=pp1cp]399|300[/hv]b For the record, here is the hand. Par is 2♠ E/W, -110. Both N/S can make 1NT. D.

Since I wanted an answer to the issue of the bid only, I ignored the vulnerability. My bad. :unsure: We were red, they weren't. So, they buy the contract in 2♠. 3♣ would be doubled for -1/-200 and 0%. D.

Thanks for the replies. Strong arguments for staying out of opener's way by not bidding 1NT. On the given hand (it was MPs) if you bid 1NT you almost certainly buy the contract for +90 (or +120 if they mis-defend). If you bid 1♦, they find their nine card spade fit and you chalk up -110 (or -140, if you mis-defend). But, I totally accept that that's bridge and you have to suck it up. D.

Deleted.

Glad you asked. Isn’t it the case that playing 5CM/2+ clubs, that an opening of 1♣️ denies four diamonds, unless opener is 4/5, or longer in the minors? If that is correct; then isn’t 1NT better than 1♦️? It takes up space, denies four of a major, and hinders Opps finding a major fit. Maybe at Imps, 1♦️ is more correct. But, at MPs, I want to bid 1NT. Thanks. D.

[hv=pc=n&s=skj5h652dk984c942&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1cp]133|200[/hv] Playing 5CM, 2/1, 2+ Clubs. Partner opens 1C as dealer. What do you bid? D.

Is the Bidding Practice feature on BBO set to 5 card/Strong NT? If so, is it possible to set it to, say, 4 card/Weak NT? Thanks. D.

Thanks for the reply. Doesn't the problem for responder with 10 (bad 11) facing a 2NT rebid by opener still remain? "Do I bid 3NT and find partner with 12?", not good. Or, "Do I bid 3NT and find partner with 14?" Happy days. All the articles I've read seem to evade this issue while none advocate an 11+ baseline point-count for responder. D.

Neat. Thanks. D.

As far as I can see, most write ups on Inverted Minors advocate a 10 point minimum for their use. Thus, an auction like the following creates a problem for responder holding 10/11 points. 1♣-2♣ 2NT-??? or, 1♦-2♦ 2NT-??? Equally, opener holding a well-stuffed 13, or 14 points is unsure whether to bid 2NT or 3NT. (I'm assuming that the IM bid denies a 4 card major.) How do those of you who play IMs deal with this dilemma? Do you have a minimum of 11 points for an IM bid, or what? D.

Interesting you should mention a club switch. One declarer tried the following; 1. Win spade lead. 2. Run Q♦ 3. Duck spade return. 4. Win spade continuation. 5. Cross to A♦ All those who got a spade lead played as above...now this declarer diverged. Instead of running diamonds, she took the view that A♣ was the same 50% as K♥, but with an extra chance... 6.Played a small club to Q, which held. (South cannot go up A♣, or it's game over.) 7.Cashed three remaining diamonds. 8.Played a club to the K and South was end-played. She lost one spade, K♦, and two clubs. Is this a good line? Of course, if South had only clubs, they're cashing them and you're down. But, West took the view that suits were behaving. D.

Thanks. Just edited it. MPs D.

[hv=pc=n&w=sak8h74dqj876cq93&e=s432haq92da94ck64&d=s&v=b&b=7&a=p1dp1hp1np3nppp]266|200[/hv] Matchpoints: North leads 5♠ - fourth highest - South plays 10♠ Since you can't make 9 tricks without diamonds, I'll tell you South has K♦ and they are 3/2. Over to you. D.

Sequences such as this are extremely common.... 1♣:1♥:Double In the fourth seat, opposite the 1♥ over-call, how do you distinguish between the following bids. 2♣ (assuming you're playing Unassuming Cue Bids) 2♥ 3♥ Redouble I know it's a bit of a general question. I guess I'm wondering what's the order of strength, in the replies? It can also be dependent on the form of scoring and vulnerability. Thanks. D.

Perfect! Many thanks. D.

I hope this is the correct forum....! Three teams each play one another in a 24 board IMPs match. (It's part of a bigger league.) So far in this league competition, we are simply deciding who goes forward to the next round by IMPs scored - no VP conversion. We now have a round-robin of three teams. Let's say each team wins one match. What's the best way to separate them and decide which team goes forward to the next round? Thanks. D.

Ahah! I was aware they were dealing with self-kibitzing etc. I didn't know that using third-party software was the cure. I wonder if it's possible to tweak BBO vugraph to be behind real-time play? Thanks. D.

I just think, if it ain’t broke... Twitch.tv does zip for the Vugraph experience, in my opinion. D.

Is twitch.tv the future as regards watching bridge on the Vugraph? I watched USBC last weekend. Commentary was great, but being able to see the commentators added nothing for me. The UI is that of a school project website - no better than RealBridge, which I also dislike. Call me curmudgeonly, but BBO does exactly what is required; it would be nice if it stayed that way. This kind of BBO/Zoom hybrid is not for me. Waiting to be flamed! :) D.

[hv=pc=n&e=sa876h4dat952c832&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=pp1c4h]133|200[/hv] IMPs. 4H is described as wide-ranging, but not big enough to double and then bid hearts. What's your agreement on negative doubles in these situations? Is Pass by East forcing? Would you do the same thing at MPs? What's your bid? D.

Many thanks! D.

How can I save a deal diagram from my Recent Hands history as an image file I can then use as an email attachment, or in the text body of an email? In easy to follow steps, please. :rolleyes: Many thanks. D.

Minus 200 is zero at MPs, almost invariably. Will they double 2♠ or three of a minor? Maybe. But, minus 100 will score better than -110. I partner bids 2♠ and they push to 3♥, I'm passing and I would expect partner to do likewise. D.