Jstroke

What are the relay points? The GIB's sometimes alert that they have relay points. While I'm at it how do the 8421 points work? Thanks

With everyone playing Standard American the bidding went: -- pass pass 1H 1S 2H Dbl RDBL 3C ? What should the Redouble show? And how would the meaning change if the 1 Heart opener were the dealer?

If the the Ten of Hearts had been led there would not have been a problem. Should it be obvious to East to lead the Heart? I think I would have known that West could trump either a Heart or Spade, but I don't think I would have know which. West's Hearts bids would lead me to think Spades were the suit to lead. Also, what are the mechanics of playing with a screen? How to the players see the dummy? How are the cards arranged and placed? Does the use of physical cards introduce mechanical errors?

What happens as the strength of the hand is decreased or as strength becomes more concentrated. Should these hands also be opened 1D? Axxx Axxx Axxx x Axxx Axxx Kxxx x Axxx Axxx QJxx x KJxx KJxx QJxx x KQxx KQxx Jxxx x AKxx AKxx xxxx x AQJx Axxx xxxx x AKQJ Jxxx xxxx x

I saw this hand opened at 1D in third chair. A9XX A9XX AQXX X Of course LHO bid clubs. But is 1D the best place to open this hand in 3rd chair?

Your pard made a (semi) GF bid, then agreed Hearts. So the next question for me is usually how many. In general I think a Major bid and raised is usually the trump suit. But it isn't a 100% rule. There are 10 bids between 2H and 4H and each should say something different. But without agreementsthe meaning of some are much clearer than the meaning of others. There is no confusion about 3H or 4H. I have no problem with the 2S bid, even though I think it is an ambiguous force to at least 3H. I don't think every 2/1 player would feel that game has been 100% forced by the 2C bid or the 2S bid. Partners 2H bid does not promise extras. The 2/1 suit usually shows a source of tricks. They are wasted values this time. And the Heart support can't be great. IMHO, I think 3N offers to play in some number of NT. I do not think it is forcing in this context. Without extras I think 4H was the bid.

Orla asked about showing the void as responder. I think the following is pretty standard in most flavors. 1. The void is not an A so don't add to actual number. Many times when you just answer with the true count. 2. 6 of a suit below the trump suit is 1A + void in suit bid. 3. 5N is 2 Aces and a void. I have never seen anyone ask for the void suit, but 6C asks in some cases. I think I would bid 7 of our trump.

On the first hand I think the 3N bid is the major problem. I don't quibble with the 2C bid because 4H is a reasonable goal. On the second hand, I don't like the 5C bid. Clearly South has 9+ pointed suit cards. Which suggests NS should defend on this deal. Percentages maybe 75% for the 3N bid and 65% for the 5C.

I mentioned to Ben that I think I have seen a hand similar to this at another site. It was a quiz, using a world class tourney deal. Forgive me if my memory fails but I think 10 points were given for the 2D reply, and 9 for the 2H reply even though the World Class player running the quiz, prefered 2H. Ben replied that he has tried 2H with mixed results. So to clarify my understanding I ask. When 2H goes bad, what happens? What I think I foresee is: 1C 1S 2H 2N* 3C ... 3S *leb pass, natural pass/4S? Looks okay. 1C 1S 2H 3/4H .... you 3N/? If a rational partner persists over 3N to 4H, should there be at least a good chance for a double 8 card fit, with sufficient HCP, albeit wasted minor suit slam values? This looks similar to a Game Try situation that used to come up in the dark ages. Related to the need to bid another suit in invitational auctions when using Forcing Major jumps. I remember some people would mix up their weak and strong suit game try auctions. The theory being that the opponents needed the information more than partner.

The following hand came up in a study sessions. RKCBW was the topic. You hold J64 void AJ8 KQ9xxxx The bidding 1H p 2C p 2S p ??? 4N was the bid suggested. I disagree but think the continuation presents a problem. The only strain that is unlikely to be trump is diamonds. How can I tell Partner about my Clubs and Cover Cards, and/or find out about the Spades? :-/

I have a study resource that had this hand in the RKBW section. What do you think? You hold J64 void AJ8 KQ9xxxx The bidding 1H p 2C p 2S p ?? I don't like any form of BW that I play here, because I dont know where I'm headed and have reservations about how well my cards will fit with partner. Partner suggests 4 or fewer minor suit cards: Diamonds are not going to be trump. How can I tell partner about my hand? What do I tell first shape or strength? How can I ask about partners hand? I really want to know about the black suits. If Ingberman were an option would 2N be a good underbid? Playing SAYC, how often will partner pass 3C? If so would 3D get me in trouble? Is 3D is on the menu4 if 2/1? Thanks

I think this is a great idea. And I think I know what my answer is. Maybe we should ask the programers if they can set some flags on this thread so that our answers queue up for whatever timeframe is best then all post at once.

I have several books that say this hand should be opened 1D. But some inet sites suggest opening 1N with 2 doubletons when they contain an honor. What do you think? 15-17 NT range. sayc or 2/1 You deal NV vs NV AK87 KT AQTxx Jx

I thought pass was prudent but didn't think it was a no brainer. I think it depends on the interpretation of the 4S bid. If 4S is a gambling bid opener must pass, stop reading now. Everything below is totally irrelevant. Only when 4S is based on values is there any judgement question. Can you ever make an unforced bid after the 1NT? I thought the answer would be rarely. This hand has possible magic cards. If this hand can't bid, no hand ever can. I visualize that the 5 level is safe and a slam possible. What should a 4S bid which is based on values show? Is QJxxxx K QJ JTxx good enough? It sure makes a good hypothetical. Partner can visualize openers hand for 2(3) spades and 5 hearts and 3-2 or 3-3 in the minors. No second suit was shown, no major raise. There is a lot of bidding room and the opponents are silent. With defensive values why not give the opponents a chance to make a mistake. Shouldn't 4S mean more offensive values but some quick losers. Where does the 4S bidder think the 10 winners are? Why is NT not an option? Is there a second suit? Either the spades are solid and there are holes in the other suits or there are minor suit tricks in a hand that doesn't want to play 3 NT because of fear that the Spades won't set up quickly enough. Maybe 2 Aces and a KQ will help.

Vul vs NV You dealt and are playing with a pickup partner. They have lots of stuff in their profile, but you have no agreements. T9x Axxxx Ax KQx Bidding is 1H p 1S p 1N p 4S p ? You suspect that partner would have bid 2S with a 6 card Spade bust, but you don't know how they will respond to 4N or 5D. Do you pass or bid? I suspect the only right answer is to keep smiling, and resolve to play some known system standard in the future.