HeartA

I would set up one club trick via trump-finesse for discards of spades.

Yes, I would over-call 2H if 2S is not available. Now, I would bid 3C.

I assume that you are talking about no interruption from opps. Over 1S-1N-4S I would pass. Yes, I have the upper limit for my 1NT response, but still I have only one key card. If my hand becomes xxx, Axxx, x, AJxxx, I might be tempted to bid further. Over 3S, well, depending on partnership agreement. If 3NT is clearly not to play (serious 3NT), I would try that. If 4H is not to play and pd knows it is cue-bid, I would bid 4H. Otherwise, I would simply bid 4S.

To me, 1NT response and 4NT over 4S were two contradict bids. If your hand is not strong enough for 2/1, then you should not bid 4NT over pd's 4S. It is true that your hand is better than "average" 1NT hand, but it is still a 1NT hand. Ben didn't agree with 1NT so OKed 4NT. I am OK with 1NT and so don't like 4NT.

I actually agree with 1NT response. The worst bids: 1) 5D 2) 4NT (although you have controls in every suit, but they are secondary controls. After all, you responded with 1NT, opener expected come useful cards from you when bid 4S). 3) 6D (pd obviously doesn't have 4 controls. 3 aces plus SK would be toooo good for 1NT response.)

I agree with Ben completely on this. But there is one thing North ignored as well. If South has 4 key cards, he would not respond with 1NT.

There is no way I would open this 2C. After any response from pd (without interruption), I would bid 3NT.

I agree that opener should carry on with 4D. But he is worried about the strength of diamonds and, if pd has 4 diamonds only, 5D would be tough with obvious trump lead. After all, 3D is more preemptive than invitational (opps may have C and even S fit), imo. With such a STRONG and FIVE-cards of diamonds, 3D over pd's 2D is a crime.

True. But 1H opening shows 12-21 HCP, while 1H overcall promises 8-16 only.

1) negative dbl is good. 2) with such good diamonds and shape, I will cue-bid 3C. After pd's whatever bid, I then bid 4D.

Hand #1, 2H. Yes, you would like to tell your pd you have 5-4 red suits. There is not a single bid to tell pd of that. After all, heart is major and you have 5 of them. Hand #2, 3C, what's the problem? I don't agree with 2NT, which usually implies support for pd's suit (2+).

This hand is good enough to double first. You have both majors and tolerance to clubs, and decent 6-card hearts, and 16 HCP.

3H over pd's 2D is contradicted with 1NT response, imo. After pd's shows 2 suits (of minimum or close to minimum strength), you try to force pd to bid 3S/3N/4D or play 6-1 hearts at 3 level, my hand is not any better. I would just bid 2♥.

Most expert players would not open 3C with West's hand. But if B/I players play strict 1-2-3-4 count and 12 hcp opening, 3C is fine. There is nothing wrong with it. And North's 3H over call with that self-sufficient suit is OK and I believe most players would do that. And finally, North-South had nothing to complain about the result. East-West had cold 3NT. Even doubled, you only only -500. What's the problem?

I didn't pay attention to that South passed. In that case, South should bid 3D instead of 3C.

With this mindset, you should never play bridge or even come to this forum. You better go playing lotery

I voted for dbl (not for penalty though). I would be happy if pd converted to penalty (not likely). If pd bid 4C, I would bid 4H. If pd bid 4D/4H, I bid 4S. If pd bid 5C, well ......

Do you have the method to tell pd that you have 5/6 spades and 4 hearts if pd responds 2D over your Stayman? if so, bid 2C and treat spades as a 6-carder. Otherwise, transfer with 2H and invite with 3S.

Opps pitched clubs when declarer was running diamonds/hearts. That gave NS 5S+6H+6D+3C = 20 tricks.

Then you should bid 10NT.

Me, 3.

Your 7NT bid is prefectly fine. If pd opened a hand at first/second position with sub-minimum, it's his problem.

Agree. Also agree with mr1303 that 2H bid shows at least 5-4 in the red suits.

3♦.

Well, I don't agree. You completely ignored another 5-card suit. How about direct 3D or dbl and then 3D? Actually I like 4NT a lot.