ewj

Love all, IMPs, longish match. [hv=pc=n&n=shajt864dkq963c62]133|100[/hv] What do people think about 4♥?

I would have bid 3♦ invitational if I could. If p doesn't have many diamonds, you are unlikely to be making much...

Thanks Phil!

So my partner and I have started playing what I believe to be quite popular responses....3C=clubs, 3d=diamonds, no major, 3M=4M and longer diamonds. But after 2c-3M, how do people tend to 'set' the major and/or diamonds? Obviously 4d does the latter but do people play 4c as hearts? It would be nice to have 3s (over 3H) and 4c as natural though.... Also, what do people think the minimum hands would be for such a 3M response? I was thinking something like axxx and xxxxx in the suits but any other thoughts?

Thanks! Would make it that way...spades are 4-1, a spade to the K would not work out well!

Surprised that nobody's even suggested bidding diamonds...

Didn't realise this would require any discussion....8-10? Maybe a v suitable 7 or v poor 11?

Maybe this is too simple for "Expert" bridge...but what would people now bid on this... [hv=pc=n&n=sq63h62dakqjt5ckq&d=n&v=b&b=13&a=1d1hppdp1np]133|200[/hv] Not very exciting I admit.

Play problem...obviously a few ways to kick things off and just wondered what people thought. [hv=pc=n&s=sk872hkj93dq953cq&n=sq963hat74dcat984&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=pp1dp1hp2hp2np3sp4sppp]266|200[/hv] 2NT showed 4 spades. The lead is the 6 of clubs playing 4th from an honour, 2nd from poor suit. How would you start? And thoughts on further play?

Looks like some transfer walsh stuff...

I guess if partner had bid 2NT you would have been laughing all the way to the bank...given 2NT shows 'something', it feels like 3D would be forcing, then splinter etc

Tough...I might have expected a few more values for 3♥ given partner could bid 2NT. Is partner 'marked' with a stiff spade? Didn't open a weak two? So presumably is 15(34) or 15(52)? Still....6♣ could just be no play if the heart values are less suitable. And even with the heart ace...Could try 4♦ I guess...if partner has something like x KQxxx xx Qxxxx, we're not in great shape but then 3NT looks like a struggle anyway, so maybe it's worth a go...

Yep

Sorry, my comment about being four was perhaps unnecessary....I was just trying to clarify the 3rd lead bit...I'm not adamant my partner has 4. Wasn't trying to influence any answers!!

If the CK gets ruffed, surely you are going to be ok? You might lose a trump trick but you can cross ruff a bit and just lose a diamond. If you win the CK, the right line is quite probably a heart to the 8? You have the 9x of clubs so they cant play a club without giving you a trick. If you hook into a stiff honour and they play a spade back, say...you can throw a diamond, win the diamond return, throw a diamond on spade and do some cross ruffing (after trying to throw a club on a spade..

[hv=pc=n&n=sq952h4d6532cakq4&e=skt3hakqt52dct632&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=1h2d2h3d4hpp5dppdppp]266|200[/hv] Partner leads the ♥6 playing 3/5 (so looks like 4 - to be honest I've made up the heart pips....there were two lower outstanding ones). You win the queen, LHO plays the 8 if that's relevant. LHO is a decent ladies player, RHO a client. What do you do?

Well it looks like a wide rebid, that's all.

Agree re 4S, SQ and an ace...even an ace and a couple of spades gives a decent game. I would have bid 1NT as South though Doesn't look like great methods where 1NT rebid shows 15-18....but I mean what can I say really.

1. I doubled, playing it as take-out orientated. It's dangerous of course, opposite a passed partner and with only 3 spades. Justin Hackett who was in my seat at the other table in our matchpassed. If you double, partner bids 4S and LHO doubles, you've got a bit of a decision about whether to sit it or not. 2. Trump...I like leading passively and don't want to lead from Kxx or Qxx....or away from an ace... 3. Reasonably clear to pass I think...

Yes that's an excellent point. I overlooked that partner had shown something extra and we might elicit an "agressive" club lead which gains us a trick....I mean if it's teams I can't possibly imagine not playing game here

Must admit QJT9 clubs and KJ432 heart would be an easy club at MPs for me....on this deal it's a ♥ or a ♦. I guess I would lead a ♥, maybe it's not even close...but I would be willing to apologise if my lead cost a trick :P. I don't think the standard of opps would matter. If I needed a swing? Dunno, I don't really play like that...every place higher is nice :)...a club lead would be quite swingy from KQxx

I guess if I can't double then I'm gonna bid 4♠. Could bid 4♦ choice of games but real danger I might get into some trouble if things are breaking poorly and maybe a confident 4♠ gives me the best chance of escaping a double if the hand is a disaster.

I suppose 2NT might have been the red suits. But I agree that our hand is very nice...obviously double now and 3H sounds like the ticket

6D for me.

Pass?...I splintered, partner bid 5♣ and then doubled 5♠...about as discouraging as is possible in my book