jonottawa

I'd rather See Stormy Baring. (It's Bering, btw.)

Would you settle for a NEXT ?

You're never getting 2 ♦ ruffs (unless you want to ruff with the A or K) barring some ridiculously unlikely (impossible on the auction) ♣ blockage.

My initial reaction was similar to that of others, but in 20 years of bridge I can't remember a single instance where a director ordered me to hand-deliver a board. This was an irlpeen competition, initiated by the director, and he deserves most of the scorn. Directors have a number of legitimate ways to deal with slow play. Playing 'Who's your Daddy?' isn't one of them.

This auction is forcing. My double was normal aggressive. I have no qualms about bidding 2♥ now, which tends to show almost exactly what I have (pard would expect a 10 count and a doubleton.) If bidding turns +50 into -50, I can only hope that somehow we can overcome this huge adverse swing on a later board.

You're smart.

This was the worst lead of all time! What was the lead? Damned if I can remember.

Partner's bidding is normal, anything else is gross. A lot of result merchants in here. Let me play 3NT, thanks.

I pass. Maybe pard has a 10 count. Maybe opps are 8 opposite 9 or 10 opposite 7 and were going quietly. Besides, it's not clear what the opponents can make or whether we have a profitable save. If you forced me to bid, I would bid 4NT. If I was drunk, I might bid 5NT.

Ditto. Their being vul and the temptation of +200 (if not a lot more) cinched it.

I led a ♠.

I don't understand bidding game with a working 4 count (albeit with 2 8-card fits) opposite a 14-15 opener. It requires getting lucky on partner's hand to work. I keep things simple and double.

I like 3N as well. This is one of those every third session bids that I hope works out. I considered double (blame transfer) and 4♥. I'm not a fan of rebidding bad 5 card suits.

I'd do it at any form of scoring. Being minimum is also a necessary prerequisite, as missing a good slam is much less likely. I consider it very close, and very much wish my ♥6 were like the ♥8 instead, but oh well. I'm also a fan of bidding stayman with 5 bad major. If I know partner has the same tendency, I'd be more inclined to show the fit.

I voted pass. I think it's close.

Double

This is an interesting hand from a double-dummy perspective. Not sure why you find it interesting from a bidding perspective since 2N, 3N, 2S, 3S and 4S are all perfectably reasonable contracts.

2N ... 3N is more likely than 5♣. Opps have a ♠ fit AND my spots suck so trapping is out.

Both offers to defend imo. Pretty common spot for a 2♥ psych.

I think you forgot to mention, Continuing the invisible argument: :P

I bid 2♠. WTP. Good spots. Good description of overall strength and hand's best feature. Equal vul. Spoiler:

Fixed it for you :P

If leading 4 best and I have the 4, I lead it. If you are trying for a swing, better to lead the 2, I should think. Do this VERY rarely.

Is FoxNews the only channel you get on your TV? If you're going to call out other people's opinions as 'rubbish', maybe you shouldn't make comments like this. ... Anyway, When I discuss my political beliefs, I don't preface every statement with: 'I may be wrong, but I think ...' In my 25+ years of regularly watching talking heads expressing views on TV, I've yet to see 1 who does that consistently (or hardly ever.) Your (paraphrasing) 'don't express a political opinion without making it explicitly clear that it is only an opinion and that you are not 100% certain that your opinion is correct' idea is silly. (I'm gettin' deja vu all over again.) To your question: President Obama's #1 principle is that he wants to be liked. He surely has other principles as well, but he keeps those to himself to the extent that they conflict with his #1 principle. America risks slipping into permanent decline, as previous empires have before it. Yes, that is largely the fault of Dubya Bush and congressional R's, but they're not running the show anymore. What we need is a leader who: 1. Recognizes the seriousness of the crisis 2. Knows (or in Josh's terminology, thinks he knows) how to fix the most serious problems 3. Is willing to fight for his positions Obama MIGHT be 1. If he's 2, he's keeping it a very well-guarded secret. He sure as hell isn't 3, and I don't think he ever will be.

The next principled unpopular decision President Obama makes will be his first, Josh. He's also doing this because (if you believe him) he remains convinced that one day Republicans will stop bashing everything he does because they want him to fail more than they want America to succeed. Good luck with that, Barry.