0deary

East can’t support West in H because our long suit will lose control by repeated club forces, and similarly West wants to hold low spades for cheap ruffing, and we can’t afford to “waste” such high spades (ironically a bad and not good feature) so either needs to pass ASAP. Some use 2N as forcing in which case East should pass the 2H (but avert from partners face for 3 minutes), but if 2N is weak and can pass then West tables the green card I think. (I’m not competent to comment on the other treatments, but thank you TT- it was interesting to look at Professor Ingbermans work)

It goes South 1S- West-2H- to you...(sorry if unclear). Vul/they not; Pairs imps on: http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?n=S32HQ764DA987CA85&d=n&v=o&b=1 What is your bid in your favourite system please Thank you 0deary

Although we are a couple of top tricks short to start with, I think we could easily manage this by a black partial cross ruff, but if E has Q987 trump, well I think I’d be heartbroken if that’s the layout you faced...

3D forcing? The strong family are 3C, 3NT, 3H, X, 2NT so 3D is the weak end similar to 2S/H, just above P, so not forcing East’s better bid? 3C is normal and safe sides the NT contract, or does it? I’m now a bit worried for 3NT- double for an unusual lead (S) so after taking the KS south attacks the S/Hs, with the AD entry to come, so -1, and I’d be rueing my 1D bid...

If you have reservations opening the 1S hand then maybe -change your CC from “1S means 12+” to “1S means 12+ with caveats” and describe what aspects you won’t open, (ie don’t automatically open each an every 12), or -tweak your 2S response from 6-9 to e.g. 7-10, and/or -treat first bid after passing as forcing for one round- e.g. P-P-P-1D-P-1S= forcing for one round The vast majority would open though, and enormous thanks to Tramticket’s gently exploring elsewhere, and based on 32 posters as at 9.3.2018:- (NB "5 card majors/SNT" compare "your favourite system") Board number Hand HCP Description Percentage open 0 KQ864,KJ2,65,K63 12 the hand that started my interest 88.2% 1 86543,KJ2,KQ,K63 12 move S honours to D 51.5% 2 KQ86,KJ2,654,K63 12 move one spade card to diamonds 50.0% 4 KQ864,K62,65,K63 11 change JH to a 6 42.4% 3 KJ864,KJ2,65,K63 11 change QS to JS 30.3% 6 KJT64,KT9,65,KT9 10 drop the JH but build up the 10s a bit 27.3 % 5 KJ864,K62,65,K63 10 and remove the 10s now 18.2% (spreadsheet with two sheets: raw data and summary: if you want a copy send me your email address) Good luck dear bridge players!

By “playing tricks” I meant “tricks won by playing” that is “winning tricks,” sorry TrramT Maybe “1S= 12+ but with exclusions by agreement?” (so can pass bad 12s systematically)? But that leaves the 5 who would open Board 5; the 7 on Board 3 and the 8 on Board 6…

Well I’ve just posted a valedictory message on the previous one (feel like the shop keeper trying to sell a dead parrot :)) but these new examples are great- good fun! I’m a “playing tricks” sort: top honours need intermediate support (without it lose tricks and tempi), whole hand sets the type (offensive/defensive), and bidding is a positional consequence...so you won’t be surprised that these examples just fall short. I tried plenty of ultra weak openers and mini NT in my time but the better players just gratefully take our imps

1S 5 spades to KQ with 12 Milton Work points- ample to open under Acol (>11 points and >Rule 19), moreover N deserves to know that S owns the 12 points. If S passes we could easily miss a decent contract 7 losers- fine to open 1S controls the first level of bidding for N/S- pre-empting value S hand is a good basis for S or NT or even H contract You get the spade lead if needs be The rest of the field are going to open 1S anyway Pass Its a game of winning tricks: S only has one sure (slow) trick (when 1S contracting for 7 tricks- quite a shortfall) The intermediates are very poor- not even KQ9xx in your showcase suit Other honours are unsupported Substandard points to open under a 13+ SAYC Structurally a defensive and not an offensive hand, moreover 2nd position under (what could easily be) a heavy West EW are not Vul so quite likely West will intervene and in consequence N might well have to strain to bid now (in 4th) NS are Vulnerable so more expensive to slip Pencilling in average points and suits I imagine N hands will cluster to 11 points with shape 3,3,4,3, so the value bid is closer to 3S bid than 2S, something like: xxx, Axx, KQxx, Qxx I’ll pencil in a losing 1 1/2S, 1/2H, 1D and 1 1/2C, so it looks like a losing 3imps even on such an average hand :) What am I missing? Thank you 0deary

Here is the whole hand and the bidding that prompted this posting:- http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?s=SKQ864HKJ2D65CK63&w=SAT9HAT985D4CJT92&n=SH764DA9873CAQ854&e=SJ7532HQ3DKQJT2C7&d=n&v=o&b=1 P-1S-2H-X-P-3C-all pass for 3imps to E/W If it went P-1S-P-2D-P-2N-all pass, N/S are still losing imps Once you open 1S you will pretty much have to hand over 3+imps! On this hand the points around the table look average so is it just an unlucky shape? But a slightly less extreme shape might face similar challenge for N/S. On other hands it could just be average shape but just unlucky points? When does “just unlucky” become “avoid.” Is it “just one of those things” and everyone else will be losing 3imps too, or could we beat the field by better Bridge here? Maybe these factors are relevant, but if so I’m not sure how to weight them: S owns the Spades- hoist the flag! Milton Works points (BBO Convention Cards Acol 11-19 or SAYC 13+); Whole hand shape- Rule 19 (UK Blue Book para 6-Level 2) or Rule 20; poor Hand suit intermediates- top card an 8; Position- when East has passed its slightly more likely that West has points (over South), moreover North has yet to bid in 4th- NS Vulnerable and EW not; 7 losers in S hand; You wouldn’t lead KS (missing the 9) so your rebid isn’t completely solid; S is Ace-less. Is 1S a sound basis for major or NT try. Opening 1S has pre-empt value. If they buy the contract North has a solid lead. (?Drury). The field Any more advice would be very welcome Thank you 0deary

Pairs imps N/S Vul E/W Not Vul, Declarer East. All play 5 Card Majors and Strong NT ♠KQ864 ♥KJ2 ♦65 ♣K63 http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?s=SKQ864HKJ2D65CK63&d=n&v=o&b=1 East P-? What is your bid, and wha factors do you take into account in your decision please? Thank you 0deary

Best response: 1D slow slow (a 4-4 D fit won’t hurt a 6-3 C slam {by 1C-3S} but if N have Jxx in Cs both minor slams are doomed so I need to explore) Likely continuation: 1C-1D-1M-4th suit force- typically now shows 4423 13 points-(I hate to say it but) 3NT. But if it went 1C-1D-2D-then cue so as to ask N if had C control

Pass -You can’t bid beyond 3NT until you’ve explored it, (and you can’t now) -X now is penalty, (otherwise opponents can just bid on any old rubbish and partner is forcing to take out to what could be quite unsuitable places), -If you ain’t got a bid then pass (partner is still there- and by the way pass isn’t absolutely forcing for the same reason that double shouldn’t be take out now, in my view) On that basis it’s between a “safe” +100/300/500 Double (in 3D*minus whatever) and a possible +600/+620 or just +130 (in our 3N, 4H, 4C) The vulnerability suggests try for game so pass. If partner passed it out we’ve not missed much, and we’ll just have to try to beat our +130 in 4C with their 3 off for +150 in 3D, for 20 and an imp. (PS if it was match points I’d want to think about it further....)

If we play in 3D (tick I guess) but everyone else make 3N then we lose ~9imps and partner is a little irritated you didn’t X If we try 3NT and everyone else is it in: it’s a push but partner is aware that you took a big position when X is normal If everyone else was in 3D but you make 3NT then of course you gain ~9 imps, and partner smiles, but in a funny sort of way If everyone else was in 3D but you slip -1 in 3N we lose ~6imps, and partner is not amused And if you try 3N but S had Kx C and East leads eg JC you are going to feel very queasy and S....well at the minimum that’s the last time S will balance weak in future. 3N-4 cf 3D tick just costs the 12imps. And if East suddenly awakes and doubles then it’s just the 15 imps. South apologises to the Director and leaves the club complaining of a terrible headache, and your calls will not be returned So put me down for Pass and see if E awakens. Even if not let partner have the pleasure of a useful + score, making an imp because it was played so well as everyone else is in 3D too. It we missed 3N then apologise immediately and turn to the next hand asap: your turn at the bar, again!

2H* always makes: just duck a C if a trump defence or ruff spades otherwise Lovely hand- thank you!

West has one fast defensive trick, one slow trick and possibly KS. In my view significantly weaker in defence to offer a penalty double to East. Could East really have ~4 tricks to knock the 2H? So West’s double must have been one of those “I know you will pass East but I know best so insist that you bid something!” So it’s off to the 3 level on quite possibly 20 points combined and no clear fit, I feel a wheel coming off soon! :)

No Norths H jump overcall in second so I’d like to have zapped their 2H* by converting partners co-operative double to penalties by passing, but I’m 2+ defensive tricks short so it has to be 2S or 3D Both bid allows 3H in by South by some sort of part fit in H but if so they are welcome: raising partners balancing bid is losing bridge And for sure in both 2S and 3D we absolutely need to make them 2S: in M we might pinch an imp compared to m. We keep the level slightly lower. We know we have a S 5-2 fit and we cannot guarantee a better fit in D 3D: weaker hand has the trumps so might play better. Don’t like strong hand on the table but might not matter if North is based mainly heart tricks Sort of feel 2S could be a struggle because I have no ruffing shape in dummy Can make 2S if we have a D fit too. If so...let’s go there anyway-3D is safest choice for me

Yes Tom, and something similar might run.... I suppose Tram you could try this sort of sequence (and adjusting for 2S=3C etc) 1N-2N now 3N= not at home in diamonds and neither 4 major 3C= not at home in diamonds but at least a 4 major somewhere 3D= at home in diamonds but no first round control in a major 3H/S= at home in diamonds and first round control in this suit bid But I’d advice against it. This isn’t going to crop up very often and risks misunderstandings Bon voyage!

Good points Cyber: Your 1) for mystique 1N-2C-2x-3C/D weak to play; a prosaic 1N-3C/D invitational (reversing the conventional modern acol) and for the more exotic 1N-2S/2N=3C/3D showing a cracker at match points but can just be invitational at imps And your 2): The 4 major plus a longer minor is always a headache. That doesn’t need torpedo my ship though: after 1N-2N (“hows your diamonds?”) 3C= “sorry not at home” but there is still scope for a sequence of “puppet” like bids you could use: 3H= “no D but I did have 3H/S showing 4+ there” that might be the lifeboat for the major fit after all? (but ditching the 3 level control bid and Questioner has a better solution there anyway...

Regard North as the captain on this voyage and treat South as dutiful passenger: Very much like the evening meal as: 3D as 3+ in the suit plus one top honour Why not top off drinks by implying the 3D by breaking the transfer and straight to 3S, showing first round control Throw overboard the next bid as natural: once you have agreed the D we haven’t got time to explore other fits, so 3N is just a neutral stop off for provisions allowing the 4 level second round controls: Souths 4C bid now shows North that has King clubs North checks the Ace Spades with Black and can now show off the Northern lights by moving South from 5D to 6D, a splashing contract! :)

PS (after the posting above)... Actually it just struck me that the traditional move over 5H is 5N- “bid 6 with one top honour” and “bid 7 with two top honours” Perfect! Except west is still thinking we are in a C slam, not the H slam, so naturally west will just bid 6C Now east must come out of the shadows and bid 6H What would west make of this? It would need an angel to suss whats going on and even if west did: would west actually move to 7 in the real word? After the 5H East could count 6C+2S= 8 but can I guarantee 7 red tricks for 7N? :) I feel a 6H+1 coming on whatever!

After the 1S my ranging shot is likely 6N in match points and 6/7H in imps Ideally I’d like to ask west: “Have you got the AS? How many spades have you? How many diamonds? Have you got the KC? How solid are your red suits?” It would be lovely if we avoid a bad slam missing AS, a spade ruff, trump loser (ruffing out the Ds could expose that) and missing/bad placed KC, but I can’t find all that out After the 3D I’m forcing 3S again- I doubt if west can bid 3N but I’m interested in more shape information, then the Black... There could be a problem using the RKCB that you suggested next, but sometimes a problem can offer a neat solution too! When I bid 4N west will have to rely on the general agreement that “without express agreement to a suit {we haven’t actually agreed hearts} I’ll assume that you are RKCB in the last suit bid” and if it went 3S-4C-4N then 5H now shows west the AS and the KC, making 7H a real goer Failing that at least you can make a reasonable judgement of contract and level, without trying to ride a bicycle backwards as happens after opening weak in first position and then back-pedalling :) Bon chance!

The first hurdle is just to agree D at all. Because in SAYC BBO convention card 1D= 3+ But I’d expect us to get here 1D-1N-2H-3D As I see it the next hurdle is too hard though Its for South to make the call:- 19 points plus max 9 opposite means we are missing ~12 points: thats a lot! At match points you really don’t want to end up in 5D (by exploring beyond 3N) at all (because e.g. +400 will not compare with +430 in 3N). So I just think its clear to bang 3N At imps we might have a little more scope. The difference between 5D and 3N isn’t going to cost more than the odd imp. So if it worth exploring 6D now? South will have to think about North shape very carefully now. Slightly different flat North hands could mean very poor chances. All you know is that North show 8/9 points (didn’t rebid 2N), 4 diamonds and < 4 in both majors but there is plenty of problematic shape for us: e.g. a 3343 gives us very poor chances. Can I conveniently explore North’s shape before 5D? The trouble is we are off to the races without our saddle: 3H-4C-4N just tells me control information but nothing more about shape. All in all I’m for 3N again unless…. Unless your team is badly down and you really need a result…if so don’t paint the picture too clearly for opponents (e.g. 3H-4C-4N)- just bang 6D and sit back after your team mates offer congratulations!

Before considering aX I put in 3 1/2 defensive tricks for opener and then add mine: that way I have secure starting place. I avoid doubling for just -1. As regards souths defensive tricks I first put in 1 1/2 clubs and 1 heart, total 2 1/2 defensive tricks. And then reflect Based on what I’ve heard I’m going to pencil in West with a black-ish hand. And east got excited, so I’m pencilling in spades and reds with club shortage. So I can easily see my club tricks down to 1 or none. And the hearts could easily just be too slow for a trick. Declarer will establish a side suit and rid the losers there. So as I say I’m only setting aside 1 or no defensive tricks as south. Hence after partner passed originally I can easily see 4S doubled tick up one As regards the earlier bids well yes of course I’d not open. And even more importantly North absolutely must not make the second double. But that’s not what the question was And yes too, I do fear for a -800 but hope a -300/500 beats a sure -690 for a few match points at least

4NT Nice problem! Two thoughts: If I open a hand I’m offering partner 3 1/2 defensive tricks and although I expect a bit of latitude in 3rd position I’d still imply some defence. I have one or even none at all And the hand itself is less important now. The issue as I see it is our partnership. My partner has offered a take out with some Hearts and now with the second double a scattering of points, partner is well aware that my bid can be a third position effort. Can I see us beating 4S? Gifting 4S doubled to them will just upset partner; I can’t do that: 4NT it has to be!

You can’t use 2C-2D-2H because that virtually sets the suit contract and the Hs are not so strong Certainly 2C-2D-2N-3C-3H-3N is solid and secure But I’d suggest you don’t. You know you are going to express west as a balanced powerhouse but you only have bare Ace in both minors- absolutely no intermediates. I’d treat the hand as a 20-22 hand. If east have a blizzard opposite west you fare better there. As it is 2N-3C-3H-3N is fine (I'd ignore easts 4 spades after 3H now and just go 3N)