dcvetkov

Larry Cohen once wrote an article advocating strongly against double here with a void. Basically if you cant stand the parts to pass , do not double. Most of you like defensive prospects here it seems . However I would not be surprised if they have something like 9 trumps and 2H makes. LHO can see the vulnerability too

Congratulations to Fred and company for a very good performance in this tournament and well deserved win This team is becoming something of a force and may dominate the scene for quite some time

Lol, I really like this Banning coffee? Are you kidding me? Going little overboard, dont you think? I wd probably stop playing if someone ever implement it What would be next? No crackers? No blondes?

I dont know if there is anything standard here It makes sense to agree 1) gerber 2) Self splinter, but it makes sense to show specifically 5-4-3-1. or 5-4-4-0 distribution. With others, there are other bids available. Very strong hand

I highly recommend Mike Lawrence's 2/1 CD. Its very well done, easy to follow and planty of examples. Have not read Lawrence's 2/1 book, but should be the same material, except CD is expanded.

Obvious is not a strong enough word. Although I can't think of a stronger one. Is it really that obvious? So what you are saying is :"I know I have no hope of making 4s, opposite limit raise but I am going to bid it anyway? To sacrifice against their 4C at IMPS, and they may not even have a fit? Not to mention that perfect defence seems can get 300 againts 4s X it seems ( Not that East would leave that in, anyway) Passing 4c for -150 would be a fine score. A lot of people bid to 5 clubs, no doubt in some cases pushed by NS

Ok here is what happened. I opened this with unfamiliar partner and we got a bad score, in a what I think normal auction. Then partner went balistic how I should have passed, and she would not open in milion years. My opinion and experience is that this hand should be open and you have to get there to start bidding what you have early. One disadvantage is not exactly what awm is saying, but more the danger is that partner will X them in some partscore or game, and expect more defence from you. On the other side, I think people who are in the " I have time to describe my hand later" camp, are a little too optimistic. What do you do for example after 1C- pass - 3C or simular? Full hand. [hv=n=skqxxh10xdq10xxck10x&w=s10xxxhajxxxdajxcx&e=shxdkxxxxcaqjxxxx&s=sajxxxhkqxxxdxcxx]399|300|[/hv] Bidding S W N E 1S 2H 3H 4C P P X All pass Ok, the guy showed up with 7-5, so its unbeatable and I file this under " reasonable action - bad result", But do you agree with the last X? And more over should I take it out?

[hv=s=sajxxxhkqxxxdxcxx]133|100|[/hv] I am just wondering how many of you consider NOT to open this hand or something like " I pass, what is the problem"? White vs Red, IMPS , first seat

This is all nice, but you know that hand would not be here if everything is honky dory. Lets say you follow this line, but when you cash K of ♦, RHO discards a spade. What next? So, on my line, apparently everyone follows to the first heart, I then win the diamond Ace in dummy, and RHO shows out when I play a small diamond toward dummy to ruff? Or, does he pop in a heart pip to force my second top heart? RHO discards spade on a second D from dummy

This is all nice, but you know that hand would not be here if everything is honky dory. Lets say you follow this line, but when you cash K of ♦, RHO discards a spade. What next?

Yes, there are quite a few silly people out there;) 1C-- 1H 1S This rebid promises unbalanced hand, most of the time you will have 5 clubs and 4 spades. With balanced hand, I bid 1NT even with 4 spades. Partner can inquire later if he wishes

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=shjxxxdakxxxxcqxx&s=skqjxxhakxxdxxcjx]133|200|Scoring: XIMP[/hv] You get to this 4H with no opposition bidding. Opponents start with 3 rounds of clubs, all following, you winning with the queen. What do you discard from hand and what is your plan?

Yes, agree with this. 2D is better. Then 3♠ splinter would be a lot better and not beyond game This was pd hand [hv=s=sakqxhkqjxxdxcakx]133|100|[/hv]

Recently, my occasional partner and I have the following auction 2C ( strong) - 2H( bust), Ok, this is not my choice;) 3H - 4S ( splinter?) Now, I would like to get some votes, how many of you agree with the splinter. ( First of all, do you take 4s as splinter, or natural to play????) My thinking is as following 1) 5 level should be fairly safe opposite strong hand 2( I really like hearts, and my hand tremendously improved, and I have good developavable suit ( is this a word?) 3) 6 can be a good proposition opposite a lot of good fitting minimum 2C openers. Partner will now know how to proceed considering I don't have an ace or king in my hand Ok, disaster struck as 4s was passed ( undiscussed) but partner really disagreed with 4s bid. He thinks my bid should be 4h. Can I go beyond 4h game? Any ideas? This was my hand. Scoring is MP [hv=s=sxh10xxxdxxcqj109xx]133|100|[/hv]

I agree it is not probably a big deal. There are partner who insist on you showing the shape first and bid suits up the line, its almost like a crime to hide the spades. I find that showing spades frequently help opponents in the lead, when we eventually end up in NT contract, which could also be played from wrong side. But the other thing is, as part of this agreement, then 1m - 1H 1S Then this promises unbalanced hand, 5 in minor and 4 spades, so, responder can plan accordingly. So with all other balanced hand types you must rebid 1NT. Maybe there ia merit in this argument.

Recenly, i was given some system notes from my semi-regular partner. The issue is in which cases you supress showing 4 spades, and there are some specific agreements about it For example, this sequence 1m- 1H 1S This promises unbalanced hand, minimum 5-4, or 6-4 in blacks, while this 1m-1H 1NT can have 4 card spades quite frequenty, and it is balanced hand 4-4-3-2 or 4-3-3-3) . If responder wish to check for 4 spades, he can do it ( or show 4) via 2 way checkback. I thought forgoing to show 4 spades, would be made on a case to case basis, depends on your spade spots, and quit quality and shape. but looks I could be wrong. I would rebid 1Nt if the hand looks notrumpish, and if I welcome the spade lead, for example AJ9x of spades I would like to know if there is some expert agreement about this, or if it is part of 2/1 ( or it goes hand in hand with 2 way checkback

Ok, this is responder hand [hv=s=sxxxhkjxxdxcakxxx]133|100|[/hv] Questions is, South already made pushy 2/1 bid, do you think he should bid over 4♥, and if so what is the best bid 4NT, 5♣, 5♦, 5♠ 5 Clubs is the worst of all, since partner wants to hear about diamonds, and you will still be guessing after opener retreats to 5♠ My own thinking about 5♠ is that should ask about trump quality, indirectly confirming second round D control, unbid suit. This was opener hand [hv=s=sxxxhkjxxdxcakxxx]133|100|[/hv] and I this is what i think should be the auction 1♠ - 2♣ 3♠ - 4♣ ( Cue) 4♥ - 4NT 5♦- 5♥ Aks for trump Q 6♠

North South 1♠ 2♣ 2♠ 3♠ 4♥ 5♠ * What is the meaning of 5♠? 1) Partner, we are good for slam, please bid slam if you trumps are solid. I have ♦ under control 2) Partner, we are okay for slam, but I am worried about diamonds, the unbid suit. If you have Second round control, bid 6♠ Which one is more logical or likely interpretation with a pickup? Assume cue bids are up the line, aces first

Not sure where you are going with this or if you are getting it Ben was pointing what lie of the cards allows the contract to make, or at least to have a chance. In absense of other information, you should assume that cards are placed in a way that allows the contract to be made and play accordingly obtaining as much clues along the way as possible. Dont worry, it gets easier after 20 years of practice or so.

I dont find pass that unbelievable. Flat hand no ruffing value, and probably wasted king of clubs. Partner may have streched to act with shortness. I would like to defend with this hand. I might bid 3NT, at IMPS but would give some consideration at passing. Thats why double would work better from partner, so you will have maybe easier time now;)

If the club honours were in diferent hands ( if you have Ax and Kxx menace) then this would be textbook double squeeze

[hv=w=skxxxhxdq10xxcxxxx&e=sxxxhkxxxdkjxckxx]266|100|[/hv] These are approximate EW hands. yes the trick is to build spade trick before drawing all trump, since that knocks out entry to long diamond. How clear is this at the table, not sure. I guess just by vacant spaces, LHO rates to be the one with 4 diamonds. I suggested after jack of trumps holds, second round of trumps to the 10, then when that holds and LHO shows out, to play jack of spades from hand. This would minimze chances of a ruff. Is it better line or not then Frances, not sure

I reaally disagree with this. Not only blacking with doubleton club, but South can have some dead beat minimum hand, where 5 level may not be fun. Despite having anemic shape, South hand is better them minimal. He owns North cooperation by cueing something and 5 level should be fairly safe with both hands in slam zone. I think problem is you need to cue what partner needs to hear ( in this case club control), and not spade ace, which is implied. After this, North has easier time visualizing slam

Sorry I was dummy here, and barely remember any spots, so not much help there. LHO shows out on second trump, and let suppose discard some middle spade. D lead is 4th best from Q10xx, and its played up the line You correctly reasoned that the danger is you will run out of trumps and they can cash a long diamond. BTW, it shows again that two balanced hands should be in 3NT.

Ok, good play;) King of D wins, and a diamond comes back. You run the jack of trumps, it wins and take the next round of trumps in hand with 10. What next?