Kalvan14

1. Opener should have 16-18 HCP, with 6 good diamonds; the spade support is unclear yet: opener might have Hxx yet, but I would not be surprised by Hx (in any case, no good stopper for clubs). Advancer: 4 spades [can still have 5, in a cramped auction like this], and values in hearts. No values in clubs (the first re-bid - 3♥ - might have been an advance cue bid, but in principle is looking for 3NT. Hx (or xxx) in diamonds. 2. Diamonds have been set for trumps. 3. 3♥ is GF 4. 5♦ is my best bet. Made on the nose.

Justin said everything. Including the (only) possible justification for an immediate WJ to 3♦ :)

I play exactly as Justin does. If you want to nitpick, #4 should be "either stopper trying to play 3N or advanced cue" [game before slam]

Strange to have a perfect split between pass and 2NT. I'd prefer to play 2♥, given the very poor communications in this hand (and I'd be quite surpised if we have more than 21-22 HCP together)

Since 3♥ would have been GF (and confirming 5 cards, btw), IMO 4♥ should be a hand without any willingness to make a slam try. Pass, wtp?

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=saj9854hqtdakjck]133|100|Scoring: MP (1S)-p-(p)-2C-(p)-? 1S: 5-card major[/hv] Two questions for you guys: - what are you bidding now? - which is your agreed minimum for a 2♣ balancing bid?

Balancing is one of the grayest areas, or maybe one of those areas which are in flux. I'm also quite interested in these issues, soI'll post another problem which happened yesterday. Agreed that 3♠ is simply not there. A few years ago, I'd have had no doubt in balancing with 2♠. Now, I'm much more inclined to reopen with a double.

1♠ for me. The free-bid concept is a bit outdated.

Pass. I'm bringing 3 tricks to defence, in addition to my 2 Qs, which should be worth more in defence than in attack.

[hv=d=n&n=shj8753dq62cat975&s=skt97532hqtdaktc2]133|200|1S-(2C)-P-(P)-?[/hv] Pard reopened 3♠, which was set by 2 tricks (4 spades and 2 hearts) Everything is badly divided in this hand, except diamonds. Overcaller holds Qx AK Txxx KQJ84, and would have likely been set by 2 tricks also. While S hand has mostly attack values, IMO a reopening double is best, holding spades. It would have been different with hearts, or with a better spade suit, I agree.

2♦, but opening 1NT originally would not have been a bad idea

[hv=d=s&v=n&s=skt97532hqtdaktc2]133|100|Scoring: IMP 1S-(2C)-P-(P)-?[/hv] What is your pleasure now?

Pass. The only reason for partner to balance with 2♥ is 10-11 cards in the majors. Not even a strong hand, IMHO.

Let me re-post the bidding, since there still is some confusion. Dealer N: 1♣-(P)-1♠-(P)-2♥-(P)-3♦-(P)-3♥-(P)-? Some additional clarifications: - 2♠ would not have been 100% forcing - 3♦ is nominally a 4th Suit Forcing (but can well be with diamonds, as in this case) - 3♥ is 100% 6-5 in the round suits. What do you bid?

Bridge was not created to be played at snail's pace. A consistently slow player is quite annoying. Usually, a hand is allocated 6 minutes to bid and play: if someone is very slow, you'll never make it.

It is an uncontested auction, otherwise the oppos bid would be shown in brackets. 3♦ appears to be the only bid: pard finds 3♥

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sak7532h76dqj875c]133|100|Scoring: IMP 1C - 1S - 2H - ?[/hv] Let's start from here. There will be more later.

2♠ and 2NT would no be at the top of my worries (in particular 2NT). 3♠ (or 4♠) would be worse. I am not convinced that there is a game in a hand where we are likely in misfit. Let's see the other way around: 3♦-3♠-4♣-4♠: a reasonable auction. We can either play 4♠ (I'd expect that partner has 7 cards, but...) or complete the 2-suiter disclosure with 5♣ (only this time partner has 7 cards in spades, 1 diamond and 2 clubs). IMO, it is pretty close, and at the table I might go either way (depending on a more pessimistic or optimistic mood, I suppose). I am just surprised that there is this complete consensus on invoking a GF on these values and a certain misfit in partner's best suit.

2♣. 2NT is a distant second. There is no other contender.

with scattered values all outside the transfer suit and 6-7 HCP I prefer a pass

[hv=d=n&v=n&n=sajxhq9xxxdaxxcxx&s=skqxhakdkqjcakqxx]133|200|Scoring: IMP 1H-(P)-7NT All P[/hv] I was West, guys, and all I had left to do was to pick up a lead. Not that it mattered: hearts were 4-2, but clubs were obligingly 3-3. It was not the best of grand slams, even if I can understand S :lol: They had both the wrong Js, and none of the right one. In the other room, N did not open, and my teammates stopped in 6NT (wrongly, IMHO: when you've 38 points, you should be in 7NT). Oh, well...

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=skqxhakdkqjcakqxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP (1H)- P - 7NT All P[/hv] I was W.

True, but your strength is a bit suspicious. Are you going to play in a minor 100%, or are you going to pass when (if, sorry) partner rebids spades at high level?

Double: I'm not strong enough to invoke a GF, and the spade misfit is troubling. I will not be surprised if pard rebids 4♠

1♥. No reason to be ashamed.