keylime

Possible bug: Watching a team game, when chatting to a friend, the dialog box instead refers to the South player on the screen unless you hover the mouse directly over their handle.

I overcall here as well, just because I can rebid 2D naturally here. I used to pass this like a flash, but enough bad scores has changed my views about this.

Version 1.0.2, for lack of better naming convention, worked on my iMac, WinXP laptop and desktop, and on my Vista devices. Didn't notice any dropoff or interruption of performance. 1st Edit: Like the hand diagram a lot; I prefer this greatly versus the regular cards. 2nd Edit: The chat interface does not interfere with my KeyScrambler software on Firefox; the client sometimes will spit out junk when I type until I bring focus back to the client. 3rd Edit: Fred, is it possible to increase the font sizes for alerts? They are quite tiny compared to the larger and I think richer texts.

I pass here. Aiming for any plus score.

I like 4♣ here with new partner too, because of not only a void, but an utter lack of a heart call. Sounds like hearts are splitting somewhat favorably here. 5♣ admittedly has some allure in experienced partnerships.

Normally my overcalls are lead directional and not on the lightish side, but I do frequently overcalls good 4 card suits, even at the expense of a shaky five card minor. I want to get my major (especially spades) into play quickly. In terms of rough high card points, at least QT9x or better, I prefer of course KQT9 or better. :)

Between OS5NT, Rainbow Gerber, and the "Mandatory 4NT Keycard" bids, bridge has shown remarkable progression in its slam bidding.....

Spade and diamond here too.

I like the Michaels cuebid here too - not only does it place pard well in the auction, but the 4S preemptive raise doesn't hurt you here since pard is going to find a 4NT bid to ask for the minor followed by a raise.

I'd reluctantly pass here; I normally play a double here as honor showing in clubs for lead direction. It's somewhat rare to have a responsive double in this type of auction.

Me thinks the ACBL would deny this method for 2 reasons: 1. The perceived "destructiveness" of the method. 2. The analogous connections to MOSCITO with the 1m openings. edit: I'm drafting my own 3 card major system on my blog - helping to stimulate the brain cells.

Helene, This has piqued my interest.

Arend, The article is rather hideous and stinky - in serious need of deodorizer. :)

Adam, I gather this convention is "modern" and "progressive" thusly worthy of inclusion in the next ACBL encyclopedia edition? :)

I use the form where step 1 = no, step 2 = yes, and higher are yes with specific king (5NT is replacement for king ask bid). These days I rarely get to use RKC since I use Turbo instead coupled with denial cuebids.

If pard had three-four spades I would smack it around; a doubleton tho and then I would yank it.

Elianna, Check Garozzo's Ambra notes - I think he applies it to this case as well.

5C. No soft bids from me.

I've seen people ask for queens that show all the keycards, and was also probing for that one critical card to get to slam. It's definitely not uniform. Another thing is how to respond to a queen ask - that itself is not uniform either. <a former king of fouling up any form of queen ask>

You send it back, and send it right now mister - blue card followed by doubles at each and every opportunity unless pard can't hit 2H; then you think about 3NT.

6C, and prepare the celebrations. You hold the best diamond holding to accept a slam try coupled with above average trumps and length. In addition you have a stiff in the spade suit which upgrades.

1. 3D, followed by hearts. (Yes Arend, it was intended :) - 3♥ is alluring too more I think about it). 2. Depends on state of match for me. 3. 4S. Let 'em figure out what to do at the five level. 4. Open 1D, reverse into spades over a heart response. Then again, I don't open offshape 2NT's. 5. Ouch. Probably runout to 2C knowing that I will have at least a doubleton over there. Then again....

I agree wholeheartedly with Noble. Just getting the opps to have to start guessing at 2♠ is going to cause them problems unless they have discussed how to handle it in detail. A surefire way to test their agreements is to float a trial balloon of sorts; i.e. come in on a relatively safe hand and make an aggressive call. If they struggle to their spot or miss it, attacking play is warranted. If tho they bid as if it never happened and get to where they need to be....you might want to have a rethink.

Mike, A question for you. Age may have some degree of factor with regards to preference, but does locale help to dictate in essence, what isn't comfortable or playable with regards to general approach? And does this in turn help to reserve valuable brain cells for judgment and play?

A good base defense that seems to be popular is Mathe: double = majors 1NT = minors rest of the bids = natural I'd also discuss with pard what the meaning of these 2 sequences mean: 1C - 2H versus 1C - 1X - 1Y - 2H. Normally in expert standard, a pass then bid, shows a good playing hand versus a freebid that shows a preempt.