heart76

Several points for discussion with partner here... * within the general rule to use the bid that best describes your hand, 2♠ seems to be the best candidate. Why do you want to delay establishing the fit if you already think slam? (18 + shape opposite an opening) Even 3♦ mini-splinter is worse here, with the stiff A. * what is 3♦ now from partner? - IF --IF-- EVERY dead minimum bids 3♥, 3♦ has to show extras, maybe a 5-5 12 HCP, maybe a cue (K) - If it says nothing about strength, I would read it as natural and trial (but I don't like the agreement) * what after 3♦? You are obviously interested in a cue, so 3♠ would be the case. Partner could have bid 2NT with 5332 and ♠A, but could also have that card in a 5-5 that bids 3♦. So you can get 3NT (forcing) if he has it, or his cheapest cue otherwise. If he answers 3NT, you should now go for 4♣, hoping to hear 4♦ for the K, which ensures no spade loser. Than you only need RKCB to choose 6♥, 7♥ or 7NT (MPs). If he denies ♠A and ♣K, you have to consider which distributions make 6, assuming ♣K is with N. If he bids 4♣ for the K, you bid 4♦ or RKCB.

IMP not BH. MP ok also. RR is fine, unless you want to shorten it and go for direct KO. In this case I'd think a larger number of boards is better. It's very nice of you taking care of this and actually listening to all voices. Keep up the good work :)

After 1♥ pass pass X / 2♥, for me you have: - 2♠ with 4 cards and 5-6+ HCP (working though) - 2NT, natural with good chance to stop ♥ twice (i.e. you were trap-passing if you have an opening); 3NT is also possible if you were trapping, but for me not with 12, I'd say from 14 - a minor, your place to play esp. with 5+ cards, e.g. something like Qxx xxxx Kx Kxxxx, and even weaker - X, responsive, denying 4 ♠ and NT and usually 44 in the minors; this is a bid to the 3 level, so you need some 9+ HCP In your case I would have X. Bad ♣ and 4333 but some extra points.

I hope I did not misunderstand what you wrote... anyway, the explanation (when requested) of the DONT X should NOT include info regarding partner's options if not explicitly requested. I concur also with helene that 2♣ is not a mandatory bid: what do you bid with a club void and your own 6+ card major? 2♣ itself shall be alerted by the doubler as relay without any specific meaning about points or suits.

How I play (regular 2/1 or SAYC), 2H is forcing 1 round, 10+ with 5+ cards. Nothing wrong here. 3C is not showing extras since 2H is forcing. It denies 3 H and describes 44+ in the minors. The only alternative I see is 2S, which would be either a strong H raise or asking for a S stop to play 3NT, showing 14+ HCP. That would be a matter of partnership agreement. After 3C, for me 3D shows exactly 5H, 4+D and preference for a trump contract. It might or might not imply the absence of a S stop. It is kinda forcing, so in N I would bid 3S asking for a stop. Being S, I would personally bid a direct 3NT over 3C, to show good S stop and values in the range 12-14 HCP, also denying 6 H.

heart76 - derppp : 35% - 65% http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:3c85ecb2.dc11.11e7.a200.0cc47a39aeb4-1512735224&u=heart76 heart76 - broze : 45% - 55% http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:cab3e7c8.ddb5.11e7.a200.0cc47a39aeb4-1512915851&u=heart76 heart76 - shuba : 60% - 40% http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:e9e2e343.dd7b.11e7.a200.0cc47a39aeb4-1512890993&u=heart76 heart76 - cathcol : 35% - 65% http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:1a224b58.df68.11e7.a200.0cc47a39aeb4-1513102386&u=heart76 Sorry for late reporting, maybe some of these were already acquired.

I'd like to join :)

I'll also try with my non-expert answer :) Playing against 2-2 (36%?) you always have just 1 loser. Playing against 3-1 (42%?): - Kxx onside would play low, hoping J is with partner - Jxx onside would play low - what would KJx play? I guess K to switch to a short suit. So it seems right to me to play small to the Q, if the K doesn't show up. If the K wins, I pull the A at the next round. This loses only against KJx behind. Right? If you had side communication, playing the Q for the finesse would work only against Kxx-J. Would it be better than playing anyway small towards the Q? If your side communication is needed for something else, even a potential squeeze, I guess I would still lead low to the Q.

Semifinal 1st set: heart76 - broze : 14 - 19 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:eed8a562.b0b0.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1507965962&u=heart76 2nd set timed out before broze could finish. 12 boards were played with the standing result of: heart76 - broze 7 - 5 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:166c28bd.b0ef.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1507992657&u=heart76 I have sent broze a challenge of 4 boards to complete (that's the procedure, right?).

Heart76 - Smerriman: 10 - 30 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:9b9fc06c.ab69.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1507385572&u=heart76 29 - 22 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:b83b2322.abb9.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1507419980&u=heart76 37 - 15 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:0d261b49.ac66.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1507493996&u=heart76 37 - 12 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:c48a419c.ad68.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1507605114&u=heart76

Results Heart76 - Gqc6: 1. 19 - 20 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:a968e577.a3cd.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1506548936&u=heart76 2. 26 - 8 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:c23ccc84.a525.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1506696724&u=heart76 3. 63 - 27 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:ecd3e61b.a615.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1506799875&u=heart76 4. 27 - 67 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:649fdbaf.a693.11e7.84e2.0cc47a39aeb4-1506853763&u=heart76 Total: Heart76 135 - Gqc6 122

The challenge has been yellow for a few days now. Hope broze accepts soon.

Heart76 - ArtK78 (group 1) : 34 - 4 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:c9044bc9.9cd5.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1505782767&u=heart76

That is surely a very important point to discuss with partner. IMHO with 5♠ responder would bid 3♦ and opener show the stop or the secondary ♠ support. But I guess that a full relay structure as suggested by Zelandakh would solve the problem. At least if the minor is ♣. In the case of ♦ there is not so much space left.

Responder cannot be short in spades and has so far shown only 4, so he needs a way of showing 55MM and 5+♠. Regarding alternatives in the earlier auction, can you be more specific? :)

I see your point. I would anyway value knowing if opener has a serious D stop through the 3D asking bid. This may decide the final contract.

I'd like to know methods/thoughts you have for when the auction goes (uncontested) 1m - 1M / 3m. SAYC 5542 as basis. Maybe better explained with the following example: YOU: Jx - AQx - Ax - KQ98xx PARTNER: AKQxx - K109x - xx - Ax What is what after 1C - 1S / 3C? Note: I'd leave 1NT opening outside the frame of this discussion. Note2: do some of you just repeat C at the 2 level here? 1. 3H would be natural with 5H, 5+S. Not just invitational but strongly aiming at 4M (or more) or 3NT when opener has something in D. 2. 3S would be 6+ cards, also not just invitational. 3. 3D would be ASKING a diamond stop for 3NT, denying 6S or 5H. 4. 3NT would be to play. 5. 4C would be slammish in C. 6. 4D/4NT would be kickback/RKCB for those who play it. So the auction I have in mind for that hand is: 1C - 1S 3C - 3D 3NT - 4C (slam invitational in C or NT) 4D (cue) - 4NT (RKCB, C) 5C (3) - 5D (Q?) 5NT - 7NT (12 lay down tricks + unused extra in opener's hand) Far from realistic or optimal? Heart76

Hey, it's no way off-topic, it meant a full swing in the tourney :-)

Heart76 - toast1 : 16 - 40 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:30e78521.8e5f.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504192515&u=heart76 Heart76 - leeky123 : 23 - 21 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:4c16811a.8ffd.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504370372&u=heart76

Well, I get that. I was wondering what difference it can possibly make for the opening lead between 1x-1NT-3NT and 1x-1NT-2NT-3NT whit that holding... if you're going to make the most out of your hand of course.

Does someone know why GIB is behaving differently at trick 1 at the 2 tables on board 6 here? http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:1bbef737.8e5f.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504192479&u=heart76

Heart76 - iewnah : 47 - 23 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:9cb02320.8d9a.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504108085&u=Heart76 Heart76 - twisterrz : 97 - 33 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:5ea498bf.8c0e.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1503937900&u=heart76

Heart 76 - Stephen Tu : 26 - 22 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:286c4c3a.8c59.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1503970021&u=heart76

Heart76 - jj_ : 31-25 jj_ securing 13 IMPs on board 5 with a 4♠XX+1 (1480 vs 650) thanks to a dreadful X by GIB :( http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:a5f99e38.8b28.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1503839235&u=heart76

Count me in :)