Douglas43

I'd bid 2NT then 3♥ if partner advances with 3♣. That must show a big 6-5.

I did it 40 years ago at Coventry. And I still wonder today... why didn't I redouble?

This is basically a development of the main difference between Auction and Contract -that you are credited "below the line" only for what you bid. The downside is that it would penalise (say) the opponents who bid 5♣ and finish up defending 5♥= instead of 4♥+1. So I think we might see more one-sided auctions as pairs balance less and compete less.

If it's BBO points I can't comment because I've not seen the formula. Would you mind posting it please? The EBU does the opposite to what you describe, and masterpoint awards grow more slowly as the numbers of entries get higher.

I too play 1NT - 2♣ X as showing clubs. If it's IMPs then there is not much point taking a big risk to fight for a part-score, so 2NT should be a really strong hand, say 19-21 that hopes to bid and make 3NT. If it's pairs, then according to vulnerability I suppose might be weaker. But it's not clear why I would not double 2♦ for takeout.

I don't play anything fancy; cue bid upwards (on this hand 3♠) or bid a direct 4♥ to show good support but poor controls for a 2NT opener. This opening hand is exceptionally rich in controls, which is quite hard to get across. I might have risked treating it as a 23 count and opened 2♣ or 2♦ according to how you play Benji.

The EBU magazine has an article on this topic this month.by Sarah Bell

King of diamonds for count?

Pass and try for two off?

To expand, permitted two level openings at EBU Level 4 include: "(iii) One or more meanings which all show at least 4-4 in the same two specified suits". The Blue Book says about Level 2: "This level is suggested for novice events, no fear events and events where there are several flights and a separate level is wanted for the lowest flight". 2♦ Ekren is not allowed in Level 2 (but 2♥ would be). I think levels 1 and 3 used to exist, but have been rationalised away.

I was getting quite excited until I read that 2♦ showed hearts...

The Bridgebum site has a summary of Ekren with advice about its ACBL status Ekren 2D Bridge Convention - Bidding and Responses (bridgebum.com) Don't know about Canada, but it's open for club use under EBU. A friend plays it regularly. With him I stick to at least 5-4. Good alternative to natural 2♦ even if you don't play many gadgets.

Systemically I play 3NT as solid suit with bits outside. Doesn't guarantee a full stop in both unbid suits.

Must be 2♣ for me. I know very distributional hands sometimes go better with a suit opening, but we have 19hcp, so too much risk of 1♥ being passed out.

If in doubt, it's worth looking at your spades and thinking about your rebid. If you have four spades, then you usually have a rebid available. The red suit shortages 4-1-4-4 and 4-4-1-4 are easier to handle than black suit shortages 1-4-4-4, or 4-4-4-1. I'd open this, but pass if the singleton was in a spades. I would think carefully about vulnerability and form of scoring before opening with the singleton in clubs where a 2♣ response is not game forcing, but that is less of a problem in 2/1.

Does the robot system allow you to use Stayman on this hand? Doesn't help this time, but if partner had four Spades it might

The thing I would take away from this is to have a clear agreement over when Fourth Suit Forcing is game-forcing. If you don't play FSF at the two level as game forcing (and I don't) then you must agree that if the FSF bidder bids again, it is GF.

If it's any consolation, I'd have done the same playing the stated methods. But I like LBengtsson's point about the possibility of playing 3H as neutral. With positive suitability (say Axx in Diamonds) you could cue bid.

650 - 2 = 648 left at the moment

I would have bid the same as you. The problem for me is the lack of suit quality in the overcall, and a poor decision to bid 2NT with no source of tricks

Five loser hand. 4♠. But bear in mind I usually play 4cM and a raise is based on 4 cards about 75% of the time.

Close my eyes and bid 3♠?

This hand is a good illustration of the downside to the theory that with a weak no-trump you should play natural run-outs to 2♥ and 2♠. Against (1NT) P (2♥) P (P) you have routine reopening 2♠ bid. For what it's worth I wouldn't come in on a 5332 shape at a score other than love-all, except to balance

Could not see any point in having both as splinters? That being the case better to use the lower bid, as it still leaves room for 3NT.

If I have a strong hand, the Ace. If I have a weak hand, the three.