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Generally (absent a very strong or unusual hand type) when you have some feature to show (singleton diamond here)it is good to Tell first. 2NT should ask and suggest nothing to show. Good to have partnership on firm ground of course as to particulars.

You are working your way into being a fine player. The best reason to start with 1♠ is that you will play the contract more often from your side and rate to play it better from the South hand. GIB does some strange things- not surprising given the programming limitations....

Very correct sir! Use Jacoby to ask but first here is to tell partner about shortness. Partner declines unless desperate for an unusual result, of course. I much appreciate Mr. Broggeland's methods for J NT in place of the original- check out his book if interested. At matchpoints declarer play usually gives a good result anyway instead of seeking marginal slams when not very distributional.

ZOUNDS!

I like 2♦limit raise with at least 4 pieces. Some in the Western US used 3♣ = weak 4 or 5 clubs with little defense against diamonds/ 2NT = constructive limit raise with defensive values (not usually diamonds). A few players might use 3♦ = "Bluhmer" with NO wastage in diamonds looking for game. Not the shape for a negative double. Obviously good club spots. It is very necessary to have a good partnership understanding as to which style preferred. 4 Diamonds = void mild slam try.

Quite so and wise. Sure they could be 7-6 and partner might have the Spade Ace- but that ship has sailed. It isn't for $ fortunately!

Clearly, the hand is worth an invitation. 2♠ or 2NT if that is in your system- or perhaps as said above 2♣ or even 2♦as a 1 round force. I might just bid 4♥with her hand (and the opponents might just bid on so a double comes to play)- depends on our system structure.

2♣ seems wrong because the singleton is the A. Certainly 4♥ has a lot going for it, but I like 1♥ as it may help bid a slam Or even occasionally getting to a superior NT contract. GIB doesn't know NAMYATS and at any rate the robot hand evaluator never gets these right. I like NAMYATS only when it shows a hand with a solid suit and 8.5 to 9 tricks in hand. Just a tricky hand to play at Matchpoints.... Thanks for sharing!

I like your style! XX did occur but I prefer (if available)a mixed raise else being an over-bidder I probably would bid 4S right away here.

A flyer is just that. But consider that robot might have a Smolen hand where you might land in a 5-3 fit. And your terrific declarer play might give you a real high board at best and average + at worst.

Just a zero not $. GIB never seems to bid those strong suits well.

Kantar talks about just every thing in his book RKC the final word. Without agreement it seems that 4♣ should be RKC for CLUBS. 4 NT would be quantitative. The only thing that makes sense to me is that he has a solid suit with only 3 outside losers. Otherwise with potential cue bid first. After 1♣ -pass- 1NT make a forcing bid first looking for some fit or strength first. 4♣would suggest that something makes his moose of a hand not suitable for a forcing 2♣.

Sounds like you are enjoying your games. I miss the days when everyone went to eat or drink afterward. Doesn't seem to happen much now. I do recommend that if possible you go over them in sequence after a while if your objective is improvement and record what you learned. When I had 3 important partnerships in New Mexico I kept a personal journal about all the good and bad things that happened in each session. (I still have those notes!) Enjoy!! DAVE ###

probably not a USA thing? I am not familiar with Benji. Today I might learn Polish. As a student I played a strong club with that old Schenken 2D asking for certain cards. It seems like Multi has become popular especially at IMPS but it all comes down to how to get your system to have as few gaps as possible for your style of play. I enjoyed reading about this...

Playing RONF (Raise only non force 1 round) then my first instinct is to bid 3♥ but I think better to bid 3♣then over 3♠ try 4♥- leave it up to partner,,,

Hard to disagree with any proposed auction. 2 NT over 2♠ would be possible, but I like bidding 3♦suggesting a good 6-8 HCP with less than 4 hearts. When South bids 3♥ that makes the North hand worth some try- perhaps 4NT or 4♣ not showing the minors but denies a great fit. That might yield a pass or a flight toward 6 of a major. What is the state of your score to this point? Need a top then pick a slam with 5NT.

Great hand for partnership discussion as 3♥might be a problem when no good fit (and often is invitation with 6 hearts) and you really want to be in some game. 2♥ evokes that famous remark from Roth (If I can just get by this round...) and yet it seems right here as partner will bid on with extras. As for slam the best way to make it would be: just bid 6 over 4. Surely correct at rubber bridge and it leaves the opening leader in the dark. Naturally a 5♣ cue seems good as an alternate try. But is it an ace or shortness. Thanks much for this problem good sir!

Touch and go contract, but do not lead a spade. I guess depending on the auction to lead ♣J at matchpoints but as always declarer may work out a winning line. passive leads sound good and may often work, but when holding a fair hand speed may be important and partner could likely not have a good spade hand but might have hearts... Excellent question.

I played this hand yesterday, so hard to answer. With the crazy robot I always end up guessing wrong! With partner likely to have a singleton spade it looks like a crossruff but a trump lead likely- so what is the perfect minimum that is held? I agree with another that 2♦ is an underbid (but since GIB adds too many points for shortness who knows?) My real life partnerships would probably bid 2♣ and over my 3♦ they would bid 5 with the correct hand.

Precisely accurate analysis. You must be a terrific partner!

I see so many cases where the top score is insane or not permitted in real life, that it takes some of the joy away. I use BBO to improve my play until I can form a solid real partnership. I have improved some of my goals especially using some great tools and reads. Life is good!

Some might play 2♥ as a weak jump shift in their system although I cannot recommend it. More popular in the 70's and 80's/

Possibly that 3♣improved my hand? No outside controls to bid. The alternative might be showing specifically a 1 loser suit?