HeartA

If you play 2/1 and 2D is gf, 3D would be good enough. Opener can bid 3H and then you may try 4C or raise to 4H. But if 3D is not gf, 4D is the choice. Opener can choose 4H or 5D.

I would pass if RHO passed, especially for this vulnerability (white to red). If vulnerability is reversed, you may treat pd's dbl as 1NT opening and bid 2C as stayman.

Since your pd showed a hand of 16+, it's your turn to show game interest. It is true that 2S is a free bid, yet it doesn't show game interest (without HQJ, you would do the same). 3C would be my first choice. If pd bid 3H, I would raise to 4; otherwise I would bid 3S if possible. I don't agree with what Echognome said "2S would show a hand that is very weak and cannot stand partner doubling opponents". In my opinion, 2S shows 5+ spades but no interest in game (only competitive for part scores). Pass would show a weak hand with nothing to bid and of course, no interest in game.

Agree!!!

While I can understand the opening of 1H with 5-6 hands and decent H suit, I don't tolerate 1H opening for 7-5, much stronger and longer diamonds. Minors are discreminated all the time, but should not to this degree. After 1D opening, H should be announced, starting at 2 level and 3 level if possible: 1D - 1S 2H - 2S/2N/3C/3D 3H - ? 4D

HA could disappear. Dummy's club might pitch declarer's H and then ruff out HA. Or dummy AND declarer are void in D (declarer has two black suits), and stiff H might get away via ruff-sluff.

Why dummy is void in D and declarer is void in H? After all, LHO (2C opener, dummy) bid 5H only. It is declarer who bid 7S. I think he is void of D and first round C control, expecting 2C opener (and 5H bidder) to have a running H suit.

ditto.

The spot cards are important. Without the spot cards in clubs, we wouldn't be able to afford C lead if HK is offside. Without the spot cards in clubs, we either don't need clubs if opening lead is not club, or we can develop enough tricks without the finesse in hearts if opening lead is club.

If 2N/3N has to show full stopper(s) in you agreement, then 3C is fine. 4NT should be natural without suit agreed.

With two small Ds, I could choose 3C or 3H, depending on how my honors are distributed. Besides, from time to time, we bid 1N-3N or 1N-2x-2y-3N without stopper in a suit, and I am OK with it (and I believe you are OK, too). There is no prefect bid for a lot of hands, that is why we have the discussion here. It's about preference, not right or wrong.

While I agree with most Chuck said here, I don't agree the last sentence, "If he bids 3 of a minor, I would be inclined to bid 3S ...". I would bid 3H if responder bid 3m, to show a hand of H support and stronger than a simple 3H raise.

I don't agree with "3C ... the only valid bid". 3C better show a hand with 6+ C and suit oriented hand (2S would show 6-5, presumably). As Frances pointed out, 1C-1S already shows 5-4 (not always though, could be 4-2-3-4), 2N/3N is more descriptive than 3C, especially given the quacks in red suits.

This hand is on the borderline of direct 3H and 2S-then-3H (3.5 H). Since opener is after you, and your H was not great (lack of spots), 3H would be the better choice.

Well, my first question is, why "3C"? I would bid 3N (or 2N), showing half stopper in D and semi-balance hand. The bidding would go like this: 1C - 1H 1S - 2D 3N - 4N 6N/P

It is true that pd could pass holding these hands. With Hand 1), pd would bid 3C or 2NT (or x, whatever is take-out or minors). For hand 2), pd would balance (2NT, for example), knowing opener is short in S, we must have fit for other suits (mostly minors). While for hand 3), I double over 1S (but pass is fine). If pd pass with that hand, I am OK with it. With trump lead, we wouldn't make many tricks.

Completely agree with Justin. While the logic is so simple to me, I don't understand the dbl...

Since it is double dummy, I don't see way to defeat 3S.

I would not raise, but will not blame pd if he does.

I would play DQ on side OR D 3-3, the chance should be more than 50%. There are two altenative lines: 1) To cash HAK and H exit (throw-in). The highest spot is only 9, and alerted opps would not fall in this trap (unless East has all high spots 10,J,Q). So most likely you would have to rely on DQ on side again. 2) To cash DAK and hope to drop DQ. If DQ doesn't appear, cash HAK and exit with 3rd H. Hope the one who wins doesn't have 3rd D. This again goes back to 1): an alerted opp will win the 3rd H with 4 Ds.

I don't care how much number you would get from 2S-X for THIS specific hand. It is simply wrong to run to 3C with an honor support. As a matter of fact, opps were sleeping passing out 4C. If 4C were doubled and defended properly, you would get -500 also. And this -500 is DIFFERENT from -500 due to 2S-X: the former lose your trust between partnership.

I agree with Hog and don't like 3S either.

Marlowe: Mike wrote in the first post:

Hi, 1) He can bid 3NT in case he holds 2 cards in clubs and a stopper in hearts. The post said opener had 5-3-5-0.

3C was very very bad, and 3S was worse. I don't want to comment on 4C.