HeartA

This is a board my friend, who sat North, asked me to judge. I agree that it is a mess from the very beginning, since I would open 1♣. But I think 1♠ and 2♥ were not the worst. While my friend insisted that his pd was to blame for the entire mess, I said he was partially responsible. I could accept 3NT bid since it might be the last chance to bid 3NT, given that two majors were "misfit" (pd didn't show support for ♠ and South was void in ♥). 4♦ was still OK as North wanted to investigate slam but not sure which level would be good. South might think 4♦ showed slam interest in ♥ (as Justin also mentioned the same), and therefore tried to show and ♣ fit. So I think 5NT was the worst (pick a slam), because South was completely in dark. I would bid 6♠ instead of 5NT.

Actually, I was not sure of 4♦, cue or transfer. And my 4♥ couldn't be wrong: if 4♦ were transfer, 4♥ showed acceptance; if 4♦ were cue-bid, 4♥ showed ♥A. Over my pd's 4♠, I think I had obligation to keep the bidding going. I didn't wnat to bid 5♣ for 2 reasons: 1) No Ace in ♣, 2) didn't want to give pd's impression I had a solid ♣ suit.

That's my style as well.

I was South. I agree that 3N was a little over bid (x and then 2N, if possible, might be better). But my acceptance of 4H transfer and no mention of ♣ suit (assume my 3NT was based on it) indicate I had a balanced hand, better than direct 2NT. Anyway, I wouldn't pass 4NT holding North's powerful 2 majors.

[hv=d=s&v=e&n=sk852hakj97643dc4&s=sqj1076hdaqckq10762]133|200|[/hv] South opened 1S: South - West - North - East 1♠ - PASS - 2♥ - 3♦ 3NT - PASS - 4♦ - PASS 5♣ - PASS - 5NT - PASS 6NT - PASS - 7♠ - DBL PPP.

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=s9h108dakq4ckq10964&s=saj4hak42dj8cj532]133|200|Scoring: IMP South opened 1C, North bid 2C (inverted minors), and East interfered with 2S...[/hv] The bidding went: S -- W -- N -- E 1C - P - 2C - (2S) 2N - P - 3D - 3N PPP.

Which auction? I would suggest: 1D - 1S 2D - 3C 3N - 4N ppp I wouldn't pass 3N holding South's hand.

I could be wrong but isn't this a make? Low club to the 10 and duck. Now if LHO returns a club, and declarer covers, East must duck to preserve communications - but if he does, then declarer can finesse the heart and cash the heart Ace, finesse the spade and cash two more, then exit with the his highest club. East can cash his clubs but then will have to broach the diamond suit and eliminate the loser there. Winston I was thinking East covers with CA and shift to H. But then declarer has time to set up ♦s by cashing ♦AK and let East in with 3rd ♦. So East had to duck 2nd ♣...

Agree.

don't understand North's double.

why didn't South try 5♦?

no way, with accurate defense (assuming West has ♥J).

How about: 1S - 2C 2H - 2S 3D - 3N 4C - 5C?

I prefer 3♦ over dbl. my defensive perspective doesn't look great with 6-card of ♦s.

3S. 3 small H is a drawback though, at lease I don't waste cards in H.

pass, wtp?

who holds this hand?

To transfer to minors usually denies majors. "transfer to clubs and jump to 4S" would show singleton or void in ♠. I would transfer to ♠ and then bid 3♣. If it is overbid, so be it.

First of all, I would NOT pass, MP or IMP. It becomes apparent that pd had 4423 distribution. Continue with D to kill an entry to declarer's hand.

2C opening? It is not even close. It would be closer to 2C opener if the two suits were majors. 4S was OK imo, besaed on North's 3NT which meant stoppers (and length of course) in S. To go beyond game was bad with North's hand, with an overbid 2C opening and misfit hand.

I would never use such 3NT convention either. 2♣ would be my only response.

[hv=d=e&v=n&n=sajxxxxhkqjxxdjtc&s=sktxhaxxdaqckqtxx]133|200|Scoring: IMP East opened weak 2D and South overcalled 3NT[/hv] Bidding went: East South West North (2♦) 3NT pass 4♦ pass 4♥ pass 4♠ 4NT Pass Pass Pass Who was more responsible for the missing slam?

2♣ without xyz, 3♣ with xyz.

Without NFB, 2♦, of course.