Polixenes

Plenty to unpack here...I thank you all for your help.

Is this standard? How would you ask for aces with only 5M?

I had a BBO hand last night with 17 HCP and a 5 card spade suit, AJxxx. Pard opened 1NT (15-17) and it went 1NT - 2♥ 2♠ - 4♣. I intended the 4C as Gerber but partner didn't see it that way. I had enough QJT power elsewhere that I just felt I needed to know about Aces and Kings. What would be the standard way of bidding to slam after a transfer or stayman? 1NT - 2♥ 2♠ ....at this point is it usual to have 4♣ Gerber and 4NT Quantitative? 1NT - 2♣ 2♦/2♥/2♠ ....same question 1NT - 2♥ 3♠ (super-accept) ....same question....in this case would the presence of a known fit make 4NT be Blackwood? If that is the case is 4♣ a control cue bid? 1NT - 4♥ 4♠ ....again....I think the trumps are "set" as spades by the Texas transfer, so I assume 4NT pretty much has to be used as Blackwood? I know there are probably some sophisticated agreements available but for now I would be happy to get straightened out on a sensible approach, something I can talk over with partner for next time.

We were in a 2 section game if that makes any difference to how the scoring was achieved. The E-W field also didn't average 50% - their scores skewed much higher.

Playing on BBO in a Virtual Club Game last night, my partner and I scored 54.2%. Normally this is an unremarkable 3rd or 4th place, but we won the north-south field. I don't think I have ever won with such a low %. But then I noticed we were the only pair over 50%. One pair had 36.84%, but 2nd through 6th ranged from 49.16% to 47.16%. Perhaps this is not so remarkable as I imagine? I don't think I have ever seen it before.

My thanks to you both!

I was directing a local ACBL club game yesterday and was called to a table. After 1NT opening, next seat Doubled (Alerted). Double meant one of "Both red suits, both black suits, or a long club suit". Doubler's partner required to bid 2C if third seat passes. It's part of a modified Cappelletti. 2C overcall would have shown a single suiter (not clubs), 2D for majors, 2H for H+C, 2S for S+D and 2NT for minors. The 3rd seat player called me and asked me if the opponents were required to provide a Written Defence. She was convinced they should. I had no idea. In the absence of knowledge I ruled that they did not need to write down a defence. I said they could raise the question to the bridge club management committee but I'm not sure what will happen at that point. Out of my depth on this question and appreciate any guidance - how to deal with this next time, and how to help the management committee decide what to do when they come to ask me about it.

Considering hands with shape 3145 or 1345 or 2245, and particularly with no high honours in the majors, making a 1NT rebid less desirable. Some authors, e.g. Andrew Gumperz http://youth.worldbridge.org/opening-with-4-diamonds-and-5-clubs-by-andrew-gumperz/ recommend opening 1C Other authors, e.g. Larry Cohen https://www.larryco.com/bridge-learning-center/detail/18 recommend opening 1D My partner and I disagree on the better approach so I have been thinking of simply caving in and playing it his way. I play it the way I do simply because Mr. Cohen says so, but when I went online to find articles to show partner my way is how the experts play, it seems there is not universal agreement. I'm curious if anyone here has strong opinions one way or the other based on practical experience or statistical review as to which approach is likely to be better in the long run.

Thanks folks - for the welcome and the advice. I think just lie of the cards was the issue with 3NT, but I have the feeling maybe my hand was not as good as the HCP suggested with the opponents holding my longest suit. Sorry I can't remember the heart spots but they were not 987 or anything like that I would have been happier. I was really wondering whether I should have upgraded my AQ of spades to be reasonable support worth a raise but since none of you think the 2NT was unreasonable I guess I will bear this in mind for 'next time' (i.e. when I get a similar hand/auction in approximately 4 years time and will have completely forgotten this discussion!) Cheers

♠ AQ ♥ AQxxxx ♦ Kx ♣ xxx LHO was dealer. After hearing 1H-1S-Pass I was rather stumped for a call. We were not vulnerable so I expected as few as 8 HCP from partner. I decided against cue-bidding 2H since that would have shown 3 card spade support, but in retrospect I think AQ support is at least as good as xxx so perhaps I should have made that bid. (I actually bid 2NT after some angst, pard bid 3NT and we didn't make it on this occasion). Supposing I bid 2H and pard had responded 3S I imagine I could perhaps offer 3NT as a choice of games? Supposing I bid 2H and pard had responded 2S could I now bid 2NT as a game try in either strain?