RD350LC

I do not play ACOL, but playing 4 card majors, I would open 1♠. This will save a rebid problem when p responds 2♣. I have learned that when bidding 4-4-4-1 hands, tend to bid the suit below the singleton.

I do not play ACOL, but playing 4 card majors, I would open 1♠. This will save a rebid problem when p responds 2♣. I have learned that when bidding 4-4-4-1 hands, tend to bid the suit below the singleton.

In referring to the laws, the current relevant law is Law 40, section B6a. The law as quoted remains valid. In any respect, I agree with your statement.

Mention was made of law 20F. Also, in the 1987 version of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge, Law 75C states, in part: "When explaining the significance of partner's call or play in reply to an opponent's inquiry (see law 20), a player shall disclose all special information conveyed to him through partnership agreement or partnership experience, but he need not disclose inferences drawn from his general knowledge and experience." When a player indicates that he is not sure or does not know, the simplest explanation is that we do not have any agreement. In my opinion, no further explanation is merited. The laws have been revised a few times from the version that I have, but I believe that this portion has remained unchanged. I hope this answers the question.

I prefer to use new suits after 1M/3M as control showing, and a mild slam try if it is below game. This could be either A/K or a singleton/void. If the suit is repeated, then it definitely shows first round control.

I tend to agree. Hindsight is always 20/20.

My responses. 1) Yes. With a natural system, what else? 2) At pairs, I likely would bid 2♠. Do you want to play in 2♦ on a possible 4/2 fit, when you would have at least 6 spades in the two hands?

I agree that such an approach would be difficult to enforce. I also have difficulty with people who list themselves as "World Class", "Expert", "Advanced" or even "Intermediate", and do not have a profile posted. What I do with such people (and this IS in my profile) is indicate "No profile, NO CONVENTIONS". That means ALL natural bidding-4NT is a natural NT bid (or raise, as appropriate), 2 bids over a 1NT opener are natural signoffs, and so forth. When this happens, they learn quickly what no conventions means. Some people may not like this approach, but I prefer it to no profile, no play.

I have played at a very nice bridge club in southern Ontario, where all the players are very friendly. However, there is no issue with making a director call, and players are not afraid to do so. It is not accusatory, but just a matter of making sure that the rules are followed. In the case mentioned above, the other statements made are correct according to the laws.

Good question. It depends on the limit for a negative double, and whether you would use it over a weak 2 bid. Given that you DO use negative doubles in this case, then it would show hearts. Just my opinion.

I tend to agree. My first choice is 5♣, as a standard cue bid. I have a tendency to use Blackwood as a way of KEEPING OUT of slam, not to get TO slam.

Agree 100%

It is likely that I would bid 1NT. You definitely have a spade stopper, and 17 hcp. You can also handle any rebid that partner makes-including responding 2S to a Stayman inquiry.

It is likely that I would bid 1NT. You definitely have a spade stopper, and 17 hcp. You can also handle any rebid that partner makes-including responding 2S to a Stayman inquiry.

I will give you three choices-pass, Pass, and PASS. Anything else is just asking for trouble.

I would not double on the first round, as this would be (or should be) a negative double. I would want at least 10 hcp to do this, same as a 2/1 bid. On the second round, in the passout seat, I definitely would bid. I would leave it if they go 4H.

I agree completely.

I agree completely with this response. I would expect that the hcp would be split 20/20 or nearly so, so I do not want to hang partner for balancing. I would bid 3C-and no more. If they bid 3S, then it is a case of heads you win, tails you tie.

I agree-I would pass 1st or 2nd seat, but likely would open any of them in 3rd seat. 4th seat-pass it out.

Sorry, duplicate reply

If I were playing South African Texas, I definitely would make that bid-especially opposite a weak NT bid. I would call it a normal bid.

There are advertisements for bridge cruises (some including noted players, like Marty Bergen) in the ACBL Bulletin.

I see this as a bad misfit. When I see a misfit, I stop bidding. In this case, pass, and prepare to lead a club.

Maybe others will not agree, but I would re-open with 2D. As they put it, losers pass, winners balance.