HeartA

It's indeed basic. What could opener do except pass?

How about South bid 5S over North's 3S? Although it's not very clear what South was worrying (trump or diamond), it's most likely South was asking about diamond. Other wise South could cue-bid 4D or SD.

I would like an even simpler action: 1S - 2C 2S - 3N.

I would bid 4NT, I don't wont to miss the club fit. If my pd bid 5D, I would "correct" it to 5H...

To overcal a major of 4 with 2 honors at 1 level is acceptable. But to overcall a suit (minor or major) at two level is not acceptable, imo. If you can not overcall 1NT (not strong enough), can't double (because of shape), and don't have a good suit to bid, pass is the only choice, isn't it?

I would bid the way: 1♠ - 2♦ 3♠(1) - 4♣(2) 4♥(2) - 4NT(3) 5♠(4) - 6NT (1) self sufficient suit (at most one loser) (2) cue-bid (3) RKCB (4) 2KCs + SQ

2H or pass, I might open 2H though. Now that I passed, I would invite.

After pd's free 2H, I will bid a game regardless CQ is (likely) a wasted card. I am bidding 3C. If he doesn't understand, I bid 4H.

How big is the possiblility for both opps to have at least 2 spades? Do your math. (hint: it's less than 40%).

I agree that it is an 8 tricks hand (or 5-loser). On the other hand, however, this hand doesn't have defensive trick (at most one). I will open 4S.

Well, if 4D bidder had DAKQ....., we should be in grand. Since I don't expect pd had nothing in D, I am looking for small slam only.

It is the RIGHT thing to do to bid 3C with an entryless hand!

bid a pass ^_^

For this kind of hand, I would never land on 3N. I don't have 9 trick with my hand, and if pd has an entry and solid clubs, club contract would be better. I would bid 3D and see what pd would do next.

It appears that declarer holds 6-5-2-0. If he has HQ and DK and guessed right, I don't think I can stop him to make 10 tricks (another trump to dummy and heart back again, then dummy's 2 diamonds will go under 2 hearts, 3rd club will be ruffed). It appeas that declarer has HQ and I have to assume pd having DK (we missed a slam). I would play HJ, ... By the way, I don't like the 3D bid at all. I would dbl over 2S, discussed or not.

Win DA (pitch C in hand) and finesse S at trick 2. If SQ lost to SK. Any side suit back would eliminate losers in side suits (Assuming LHO led K from KQ). I will try to get the distribution of side suits and then decide how to play H. If SQ covered by SK, I win with SA (or better yet, SQ wins) and HK to dummy and finesse with HJ (unless HQ appears). If it losses to HQ, he is end-played. ...

4C (splinter) or 5C (exclusive). I voted for the later.

4C or 4NT. I wouldn't consider 3NT which, for a lot of players, would be to play.

It's very close. Slam is possible but requires a little too much from a minimal opening hand. Your hearts are weak, and DQ and SJ will probably be wasted. To make slam, you need pd to have (semi)solid hearts plus some good cards, DK, for example. And there would be communication problems. I would stop at game.

pass, wtp?

I read it wrong, it is that "pd passed at direct seat" AFTER 4S opening, not a passed hand. In that case, it's possible that pd has two black aces and HKQ...

To make grand, I need pd to have TWO black aces (unless he is void in S) and HKQ. That was a opening hand. So I pass.

If first spade (S8) wins, I go back to diamonds and force out DK. 1) If S back from LHO, I win with SA, cash HK and diamonds, and then attck clubs. Whoever wins, she has to get to my hand (after cash one spade if she wishes and possible). I will have 2S+3D+2H+2C 2) If H back, I cash SA, cashes diamonds and then attack C, ... the same as 1) 3) If D back, I get to dummy: cash HK, diamonds and SA and then working on C 4) If CA and C continuation, I win in hand, unblock D if necessary, and then H to K. Cashes D and SA, and S out. Opps, after winning at most 2 spades, 1 diamond and CA, have to get back to me via H or C (or get to dummy's S). 5) If small C back, I win in dummy and cashes SA, D, and HK and then C out. Opps has to get back to me via C or H (or spades to dummy).

Overtake with DA, and S8 to dummy at trick #2. If S8 wins, I give up S and will get 2S+2H+3D+2C. If S8 were covered by LHO, dummy covers with SA and continue with S, we will get 5S+2H+..., more than enough tricks. If S8 lost to RHO's SJ, wins whatever card RHO returned (or continued at trick 4), and continue with S, we will have 4S+2H+3D and perhaps more.

dbl, wtp?