Kalvan14

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=sqt73hj5dk7cakt83]133|100|Scoring: MP (1H)*-X-(3H)**-3S-(4H) - ?[/hv] (*): 1♥: 5 cards, max 15 HCP (**): 3♥: a good raise to 2♥

I can imagine a lots of hands opposed to which the posted hand is good for a slam; there are even more hands where there is no 5-level contract foir either side. I pass, and take the plus.

A splinter, in standard usage, should show 12 to 15 HCP (which is typically enough 40 to 50% of a 30 points deck). If the hands fit without wastage, there can be slam with 29 HCP (even if this time the fit is just 4-4). IMHO, can be stronger, and will re-open over 4♠. The message of the singleton diamond is too important to go through a 4thSF. 4♥ is certainly Last Train (and 4♠ would not deny a ♥ stopper). In this case is easier than ever: ♥ is the first suit named by advancer, and opener would not cue-bid a shortness in any case.

it is a good practice to raise pard's 1♠ with 3 trumps. Maybe the tactical situation here is such as not to recommend the usual approach. If you can play the transfer to ♣, and then show minimum fit in hearts with the right point range, it is fine with me.

If W wants to bid, she must double immediately (not everyone's cup of tea, I know: otoh, it's MP, and my experience is that with 10-12 balanced it pays to get in). I would never double S 1NT: now the position is really dangerous. E: an immediate overcall is not what I would do, but if your partnership agreements allow it, welcome (which also explains my theory of first in, first out: partner has not doubled or overcalled). It may seem contradictory, but I would balance with E hand. I cannot believe oppos to have misbid this kind of auction, and partner must have something in the range of 11-13 points, likely with clubs values. Leading a spade against 1NT is not so out of the blue. If an oppo has 4 cards, it must be N. Leading the ♠J requires a lot of confidence in one's judgment

IMHO, redouble is a bit stretched with N hand: the strength is almost-but-not-quite there, and effectively N can double just clubs (doubling 2♠ with 4 baby spades is not much appetizing). I'd not double, and would not bid 1NT: I'd bid 1♠, 1-round forcing. W is likely to have 4 spades, but it is not written in blood. And maybe you find oppos napping and you steer them out of their best fit. The suit is too weak? apparently not so, if you're willing to double a 2♠ contract. Note: I'm not sure in your method you can bid 1♠ with a natural meaning. If it is not possible, then I pass: there will be time to come back into the bid, and i would not expect it to come back at 4♠ level :D

Have to say that I've not seen H/L being used since a few years ago. The reason? IMO, keeping 3♣ as a weak jump is more useful than immediately disclosing the minor in a Michaels. And when you hold spades, you can stop at 2 level. Btw, I'd bid 2♠ with the posted hand: I'm not a big fan of Michaels (and this is not worth it in any case); 3♠ would be ok, at reversed vulnerability.

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=s8hk762djtxxcakxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] The cards of North were these. At my table, the bid was 1♠-1NT-2♥-4♥-6♥ (we were always silent). Not a great slam, requiring both red suits 3-2, and the finesse in diamonds. It went one off, with the ♦K off-side. My team mates stopped in 5♥, so it was a good hand (sorry, don't have the auction). Still, I sympathise with S: he has a nice hand once there is a fit in hearts, and his auction had the advantage of not disclosing anything. There are a lot of N hands which fit nicely, and have a great play. IMHO, a Riton 2♣ can be advantageous in this particular hand: I am not so sure that it pays giving away a natural 2♣, in the long run. I am not in agreement with having a pre-emptive 4♥ bid either: Oppos were playing 3♥ as a courtesy raise, and 4♥ 10-12 HCP [did not ask what 4m would have been]. It is the same kind of treatment I use too, with 4m being fit-showing (in these case it would have been nice: 4♣ is a forcing raise, with clubs values which are not useful). 4♦, do..

I like the suggestion of 4NT, which would combine the best of everything (pre-emption and indication of diamond holding, without committing to a broken suit). On the other side of the table, 5♥ presents a tough problem, which obviously depends on the kind of oppos you're facing (and I'd like to know at least if 2♥ is forcing or not). 5♥ is a funny bid in this auction: oppos should have something like 20 HCP. Give the guy a good heart suit (7 or 8 cards), and you start wondering why he did not bid 4♥ immediately. Maybe because 4♥ would be understood as a splinter supporting spades (horrible treatment in a competitive auction), but I think that the only explanation is that the ♥ bidder has some fit inspades. If we assume 10 cards (or 11) in the majors, 5♥ makes more sense. If pard had bid 4NT, I think we should go for 6♣: maybe we have been suckered, but 5♥ can make. Strangely, I'm less convinced to go for 6♣ over 5♣ by pard. Now oppos might have more points and controls 9including the diamond ace), and 5♥ might go down. Still, the safer bid would be 6♣ at IMPS; at MP, it is much more debatable.

All of them are quantitative. I fail to understand how your partner would ask for aces, at 2nd turn, without ever mentioning a suit, and with a void.

None

4♥ for me too.

X and 3♦ show the right strength, and the wrong shape, 2N the right shape, and the wrong strength (would be an overbid). I cannot convince myself to consider 3♥. Overall, X is the least evil (hoping not to hear 4♠ from pard).

[hv=d=s&v=b&s=skt432haqj5daq95c]133|100|Scoring: IMP 1S - 1NT* - 2H - 4H - ? *: forcing 1 round[/hv] System is 2/1. I solved your first problem, imposing a re-bid of 2♥ over the forcing 1NT. Now partner jumps to game. It's your turn. Btw, all in agreement with the 2♥ rebid, or there are any 2 diamonders?

even if the J♣ comes down, you still need two ruffs in spades with N hand. The best chance is to play a cross-ruff, and certainly not play on clubs. The grand becomes reasonable with K♦ instead of the Q.

East is certainly the worst offender. A slam try with a bare 10 HCP and horrible trumps fit (worse, 6 points are in the doubletons), is creative, to say the least. West has accepted on the strength of his trumps, but it is not good enough: just one ace, KQ tight in diamonds and minimum HCP should make the refusal easy. If E is stronger (and has a real slam try will come back again - possibly with 5♠ if his problem are trumps). 65% E, 35% W, but it should actually be something like 70% E and 50% W (irrespective of the strength of the slam try, W cannot accept).

If pard had a good 5-5, or better, it would make no sense to pass first, and then come back with a double over a game invitation. A good 3-suiter (singleton or chicane in hearts) makes much more sense. 5♣ for me too.

Quite right. E already took a position by bidding 5♣, when effectively he is not bringing a lot to his pre-empting partner. Maybe he was lucky or it was the right bid for the wrong reasons (but it was already -800). To compound the offense unilaterally deciding that oppos can make a slam in a suit not yet picked up goes beyond words. 4♣ is a bit off-beat, but pre-empts cannot be too obvious all the time. An extra king is a venial sin, IMHO.

Which, seen from the other side, means also that you cannot let oppos play in 1NT undoubled, in particular if they are not-Vul. And therefore it is mandatory to balance against this contract. Taking another step forward, if your line gets to 1NT and you are not-vul, it does not pay to invite: the oppos should know that they cannot ley you play 1NT, and balance accordingly. Then you can double

Wow again. I'd open 1♥, and rebid 2♦: the concentration is just too nice (btw, you can even keep the J♠)

Over a 14-16 range, this hand is worth an invite. IMHO, 2N is probably the best solution.

the break in tempo helped for sure both double are not very rational, and might be considered double shots, or gambling Adjust for N/S; E/W result stands. Btw: IMHO, S should have double at 2nd round, rather than bidding 3♥

The bidding has been stretched a bit on both sides, and it is always a bit of a guess in this kind of situation [white vs red makes a saving more attractive]. However, and contrary to the majority of posters, I do feel that N should have passed the double.

I sit. 5 tricks in 1NXX are much more likely than 7, given my hand and the lead.

The consideration on the oppos being NV is the most cogent. If they are 1 off it does not make a lot of difference; and pard can still double. There is also no need to go for a top on each board: 3♠-1 would be avg+, IMHO OTOH, I've not promised a lot in defense, and I'd be unlucky to bring just 2 tricks.