Double !

I'd probably open hand A (preferably with a weak NT, but...) only because of the JT combo in diamonds, but it is very close to a pass. Although I am opening lighter and lighter these days, the rest of the hands just don't do it for me, and A is on the very edge of my comfort zone. 9 losers..yuck! DHL

Again I wish to say a sincere "Thank You" to Pigpenz, Ben, Phil, the Panel, and all forum members for another very interesting "contest". These surveys or contests clearly involve a lot of time and effort. I, for one, openly admit that I learn something every time we have a BPO, so I value them. Just want all to know that everyone's time and efforts are recognized and greatly appreciated. DHL

Do you mean to say that the queen is not always over the jack? Are you sure?

FWIW, my reasoning was similar. The more I think about it, the more I'm impressed with reisig's 6D bid. The opps turned on the heat via 4H, and he turned it right back on them big time with 6D. (I was going to add "in spades", but he did it "in diamonds",lol) Well Done! DHL

I suspect that many who selected 5C, might have done so with the hope that opener might correct to diamonds with such a holding, making bidding slam a much more likely proposition. I must say that I admire the 6D bid to elicit a sac. I recall an article eons ago after two of the highest ranking US players had had a bad result following a 1m-3H(by opps)-? situation, when the 1m opener said to his/her partner something like "when the bidding goes 1m-3M-?, I do not have a balanced minimum!! or something to that extent. That certainly ran through my mind before and as I ultimately chose a losing bid.

not to worry, Un-named sources have leaked the information that someone will ring a bell first each time before delivering any shocks (which are purported to be relatively mild). I have not yet received clear permission to reveal the identity of this source.

DON'T BID THE SAME VALUES TWICE (or thrice, etc.). DHL

My choice was to Double ! Just hope that P doesn't have 6 (or 7) little clubs and upgrades them, thinking that I, too, am short in spades. DHL

lol way back when, we referred to this 2C/2D convention as "Double-Barreled Checkback Stayman". I selected an initial rebid of 2C. I feel that the hand is worth a game invitation. Rebid spades next. I am not adverse to playing this hand in 3NT opposite xx in P's hand. Spade A-J-T combo allows a reasonable play to bring the suit in. DHL

I elected to bid 4S. 3 quick tricks, 3 card support, a potential ruffing value: who knows? Diamond king is probably paper, maybe not! If partner has garbage for the 3S bid, well, we might not make 4 but, then, what can the opps make? DHL

Seems we've been down this road before. I elected to rebid 2 spades (the fact that I prefer that this shows 6 not being the reason). I can then raise diamonds. It's matchpoints! Majors first, especially if P has xx in spades: I have a suit playable opposite a doubleton. Partner's rebid will be very important. If I immediately emphasize diamonds, it is unlikely that we'll be able to stop in 4-spades if that's the better matchpoint contract. Otherwise, at MP, we'll be virtually committed to bidding 6 diamonds (which, as noted in another post, always makes lol). We might still get there should it be right. I guess I stand alone on this approach/ philosophy, but I'm OK with it. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. DHL

I voted for 5 clubs I don't know yet what my partner has, but I do have an 8-bagger in clubs and 10-4th in P's suit. Seems reasonable to bid an 8-card suit headed by an ace. I really want to hear what lho does over 5C. I shall attempt to make a reasonable decision at that point. Under such pressure my first objective is to obtain a reasonable result given the situation. Maybe P will be able to take further action!! :-) It's not clear at all that 5C will end the bidding. ps: This problem drove me nuts. The hand could make anything from 10 to 13 tricks, depending on partner's hand. Whose idea was this hand, anyway? DHL

1) When you know what to do, do it! When you're not sure, remember that you have a partner sitting across the table from you who is trying just as hard as you are. 2) COUNT! 3) NEVER become involved in opp's discussions. 4) Don't discuss things at the table. If it can wait, let it wait. 5) Warning to all partners: if I pitch less that 1 1/2 boards in a session, I've played well! lolololol

3 clubs I'm not going to try to guess whether or not my partner does or does not have good hearts and spades. My crystal ball is in the shop for repairs. (Maybe the perfect hand can crossruff to 8 or 9 tricks in spades before the smoke clears. Doesn't usually happen for me.) I think that I shall just bid what I have. Seven decent clubs headed by an ace and a good fitting honor in P's long suit. Some of partner's high cards could still be in the minor suits (P still has 3 or 4 cards in the minors: maybe an honor or two.) That's my story and I'm sticking to it. DHL

6 diamonds always makes "Flannery will get you nowhere."

Tx, Ben DHL

sorry if I'm dense here but, pm responses to where, to whom? DHL

I swear I did not have UI with that woman! Wm. J. Clinton

I'm with you on this. Responder can usually check back for an important honor in a side suit, and bidding a decent second suit brings that suit into play as a potential trump suit, playing in a good 4-4 fit while getting a discard from the 5-4 suit, making an additional trick. DHL

At imps I count my tricks first. 9 off the top. I would not pull any trumps. Start by playing AK♣ (pitching a diamond from hand), cash A♦, then play ace and another spade. I have all of the high spots in trumps, so if there's a bad spade break I will have a high trump in dummy to ruff my 4th spade with. And i won't have risked having an outside ace or king trumped in the end. 1S, 2C, 1D, and 6Hs (if spade needs to be trumped) = 10 tricks. At matchpoints I would likely play to take 2 spade finesses.

ALERT: "Bridge is a Partnership Game" I see so many bidding questions on this forum that, imo, involve taking views or master-minding instead of bidding one's values. Regardless of my choice of opening bid, I expect my P to show support and invitational values when he/she has them. I claim the right to re-assess my hand in view of the bidding. (I wouldn't have been displeased had P initially responded 1NT.) To not bid 3 clubs with the north hand is a lie imo. It's a unilateral decision, a failure to communicate the value of your hand to partner, and an action that doesn't permit partner to be part of the decision-making process regarding where the hand should ultimately play.

I have thought about this topic from time to time. Bridge does not and has not come easily or naturally for me. It has taken a lot of work and study to learn what I have learned at this point, and a lot of work eons ago working on my primary partnership. Just remembering material has required a lot of mental energy. (Please note that nowhere did I use the word "master".) IMO a significant change for me occurred after reading Kelsey's books (Adv. Play & Killing Def.) as well as M. Miles "All 52 Cards where I learned something about HOW to think and reason. Reading Rubens' Secrets of Winning Bridge was also invaluable to me. IMO, it is more important for many people for whom the game doesn't come naturally to have a really strong player who is willing to take the time to teach thinking, reasoning, and partnership skills early on. There is also little substitue for actual experience. The more situations that one has exposure to the better. (e.g.: See BPO-005 hand D) Now, if only I could maintain my attention span for more than 5 minutes in order to remember to count to 13........................

Warmest wishes for a very Happy Birthday to you, Roland. You are a very special person. Enjoy! DHL

For what it's worth: I might be incorrect, but I believe that the 3-9 pt range ("presumed fit" a la Ekren's) is not permitted in acbl GCC or mid-chart. Your post is also unclear regarding what kind of semi-GF hands are included in the bid. I can see playing it as 4-4 (10 hcp+) or strong, balanced (you pick the range), but not a GI 1 or 2-suited hand such as acol 2-bid.

K♦ solid sequence, unlikely to give a trick away, will provide opportunity to see dummy while hitting a relatively weak spot of opps. second choice would be second suit bid by dummy. I haven't had much success leading into declarer's first-bid suit from broken sequences (although it could be a good idea on this hand in terms of attacking entries). Also have to consider what I'm going to discard should declarer set up and then run a few black cards.