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You may like to read Jeff Rubens "The Secrets of Winning Bridge" on hand evaluation including a modified LTC to handle close decisions. Another older but fine book is "Morehead on Bidding" that deals somewhat in theory. But I suspect almost all today would open something with 3 aces in all forms except Chicago 4 deal $ in the right situation....0 Your thinking a study is great keep it up! DAVE $00

The Bridge World magazine features one suit combo to play in each monthly issue. They have published a book about the subject as well.

Probably but that depends on system, type of event, quality of players in the event. In rubber bridge, do I or E-W have a game or part score on? IF they have a game on, then open to kill the vul if playing Chicago. Open if we have a part score on. Etc. These days it seems everyone bids on air...

The ten of diamonds- the most counter-intuitive lead for an unusual auction. Partner figures Not to hold strong clubs here. All roads lead to a lengthy post mortam?

All great ideas. For some quick hands (while traveling or at dinner etc. try the old method CC Wei recommended for Precision: Take out 2345(and 6?) from a deck in each suit and deal 2 hands...

Perhaps an agreement is needed for 2 NT here? To me it says I have good diamonds (perhaps 6) with stops for clubs and spades that improved the hand to be 14+. How good is your heart suit? 3♥should be 14 with good diamonds and something like Kx or Ax in hearts to make much sense- the bidding made the hand better in value/fit. Definitely an excellent and somewhat open question!

Ask Zia?? This looks like a need for brilliancy where you try to set up and cash partner's spade. So I might try the Spade K in case dummy has the stiff Queen. Not very optimistic about any lead!

Playing 15-17 I bid 1♦ here. I have found that the specific holdings of Jx or Qx should be discounted on marginal hands. But, of course, in robot games the majority open 1 NT whenever possible. I might upgrade if I hold several 10s or 9s depending upon what my major suits look like. Some of my favorite partners likes to play 14-16 for this and other reasons... Nice question kind sir!

I had this conversation with Edgar Kaplan who opened (RIP) 1♣ in most cases. Naturally they used K/S system. 2/1 western style opens 1♦ unless reverse. And puts 4-4-3-2 om the convention card. But often it might depend on the heart suit. I currently think opening 1♣ when holding 3 hearts gives better results. Most important is to have a firm partnership agreement. great question and discussion.

Perhaps N-S owed an alert plus a better explanation if the XX shows no fit (call the director after play?). Certainly bidding should imply holding something with a preference although 1 ♠ has some merit. The problem with not passing is that partner may be more inclined to compete based on a fit. But West should pass with this hand. Or bid 1♠ if passed around to them. Perhaps N - S will misjudge their final contract...

Why did not partner do something over 1 NT? He should not be so strong as to make a game likely- but that might change if you bid your best major or double if OK in your system. Bidding earlier by either North or South would be safer yes?

2/1 Max Hardy style uses the call to show a raise and denies the ability to use Lebensohl.

ACBL allows 1 NT with A,K, Q. One of the main problems with 1partner only can do is that it creates so many ethical issues involving Unauthorized Information that can lead to discipline or at least a severe playing penalty that might lead to an issue with your reputation. Play one system binding on the partnership: and in certain situations whereby partner would GENUINELY not suspect that you have deviated from your treatment based on looking at your hand (and any future problems in the the auction that you anticipate). Doing something frequently causes the presumption that there is partnership knowledge. You should ask whoever is the authority in the UK of course about specific situations... (ACBL CERTIFIED CLUB DIRECTOR)

All good. Now suppose partner had bid 3♦ instead of a nebulous 2♠? Would that bid turn on any lights?!

Isn't it still possible to have 6♣ or even 6♦ on? Give partner the spade Ace and AK of diamonds? 2♠ and a later pull of 3♥ X would show a strong hand with good/long clubs. Although at MPs it might be easy to bail in 3 NT.

All excellent responses. You may be interested in getting Glauert's excellent book on combining chances and calculating the probabilities- I cannot remember the exact title as I loaned it to a partner long ago. Jeff Ruben's book would be in that category also I expect/

East should make a takeout double over 2 NT NV and pass thereafter. Penalty doubles might prove embarrassing at IMPs as the opponents could end up in a better spot at the 3 level. But note that in ACBL land the system players must offer at least one proposed defense in advance. While I would bid 2♠ over 2♥ instead the 2NT bid could hit paydirt if the side suits fit. If opener can really have 5-4 in the majors it surely is a bad idea (The Poles use 5-5 ) Fun hand!

2♠ minor suit Stayman is possible given the 8 point holding- see what partner responds. No bid is perfect as mentioned above. The worse that will happen is you have to decide how to invite or over 2NT should you raise ? With the right hand partner might be able to bid 5 of a minor since your hand type will have been painted fairly well for them.

It seems to me that on the whole, the bots bidding is worse in many auctions because of the way they count points- especially adding short points when that cannot possibly make the hand stronger in context. The fixes are good but when they start opening 4 card majors and do not come close to playing 2/1 lite then it becomes a crapshoot.

No but I bid 5♦ as a last try.

Sounds like you have it solved. With 14/13 you could run "revenge Mitchell" for the 13 T section with a second chance at the Round 1 results. Let us hear how you finally solved it!

I would bid 1♥ unless my diamond holding was KQT9 or better. But then I prefer to use inverted minors forcing to game. This is due to the extreme inaccuracy of this part of 2/1. You are well placed after 1♦ -1♥ to any response here.

6 NT by North without a club lead might be over 50%. But 4♠ looks like the right spot. South should bid 4♣ over 3♠ and North would probably try 4 NT which would leave a second chance for heroics after he finds out two key cards are missing. Against a much better team I might try a flyer to 6 since only the A T of hearts are missing. And, of course, the mavens trying to win an instant tourney always seem to do this to get an excess of imps...grrr. What fun!

I don't use LTC- here many would not overcall 1♠ with the stiff heart K. I have good former partners who would then pass N. After this auction I would DOUBLE 3♥ showing a good hand since my normal game try of 3♦ is not available. Over 3♠ someone might hazard a double and avoid bidding game. To me it is about judgment and not any point count evaluation, and the Law application can vary significantly depending upon the purity of "our suits" versus theirs. A very good question and sample hand.....

Some might say it was "the rub of the green" because the weak 2 bidder held ATxx of hearts and most games go down. There won't be a discovery play available so making a minor part score would often score 60%. Barry Crane would open the North hand and there they would be at 3 NT making when the diamond queen comes down doubleton on a good guess. I would suppose 2NT in response to the double makes good sense regardless of the meaning...NO reason to beat yourself up over this one!