keylime

Larry and I have been practicing - who else is getting prepared?

1NT - sound. Stayman - yep. 2H - normal. I used to use 3 of the other major as an artificial slam try asking for cooperation. Then cuebids direct you into slam.

I am confirming with Larry about this date. He should be back by the date in question, and we wish to play the entire way using C-cubed (strong club, 4 card majors, canape, variable NTs). Side note: the team played courageously today.

Just got email from Larry; he is still traveling to Rochester, NY, so best to count us out for this match. However, he's interested in the next one.

K I've emailed Larry because 2pm would be 7 over in the UK and Mars is tied up.

I agree with the sentiment that the strongest possible team should be fielded. Any word on time?

1C-2D* (balanced, 8 to bad 11) 3D* (SAB) - 3H* (2 diamonds) 4C* (SAB) - 4NT* (4 clubs, 3 controls) So there's 8 controls, and you have no clue where they are. I'd rebid 5C and take a plus. Slam is really, really hard to get to. In non-relay Precision, you may actually get there.

Is there a time that the match has been agreed upon?

Larry and I play 1C-2D as 8 to a bad 11, any balanced hand, including five card majors. We can xfer into them via a 2NT ask. That allows a good 11 to 14 to be bid via 1C-1H-1S-1NT. With 15+, that hand might come up once a year, and that's if you're playing a lot.

I'd rather play in a known partnership, especially since it's canape club. They haven't dealt with that often.

I'm awaiting Mars' response for the match. I am giving Larry a weekend off after our solid Gatlinburg outing.

GGWhiz - nothing wrong with a heart there. You'll compete with some number of clubs.

I'd start with 2♣, and then rebid spades if able.

I open a 7 card preempt two at adverse colors. I try to have suit quality but the 7th card compensates for it.

4♦ for me, and I think it's standout. Besides the comments above about 3NT vs. 5 of a minor, it's the fact that I'm interested in six. 3♥ isn't a bad call because you want to try game on the construction. Does the p'ship play GB2NT (saw that it was a pickup p'ship)?

Auction 1: For me, not Kickback. I'd play it as cuebid in support of clubs. Auction 2: Natural, forward going.

Doesn't mean you're disallowed from opening 1. I was writing from the view of what the general normal grouping of bridge players would open. I gave this hand to the local club here in South Florida, and got a wide range of answers as well. In addition, if one opens 1 here, and there's no major suit fit, you're driving towards 3NT and this will be the dummy. I would feel awkward tabling this dummy. The other thing I'm considering is the splits on this hand. Clearly we'd strongly prefer declaring, but I'm trying to think ahead in the auction as well. For a limited bid setup, 1♠ is for me standout.

It's either 1 or 5 with me as an opener. Since you've opened 1, rebid 3.

Pass. Pard's nice enough to have diamond support.

Pard's 4333 on a five count, but they hold an extra trump and an ace. I'd bid 2♠ and not a forcing NT. Of course they'd reject most game tries.

4/27 would work for me. Need to determine if Larry or Mitch or Mars is free.

Admittedly if my RHO is on 4-3-2-4, I won't be enjoying this hand.

I'm catering to the fact that LHO has evidently given us a gift because they didn't want to blow the lead. Maybe something like x(x) 9xx(x) Kxxxx xxx. I wish I had a pusher in clubs.

I think the group is being a bit hard here. Playing 2/1 methods, one does not open 1♠ here (unless you're playing Zar points I suppose, but how many players actually know about this?). If pard has minor suit lengths here, you'd rather have him open and have you table this hand. It's a nice hand...as dummy. Opening 3♠ here is a bit excessive. I'd hate to miss 4♥ when 4♠ is off. I'd open 2. Yes, 2. I have a 7th spade, but my suit isn't all that snazzy, and if pard makes a forcing bid, I can get my hearts into the mix. FTR, if I have an honor in hearts, like J-8-x-x, I'd pass to start.

I would not have played spades here at trick 2. I would test clubs first.