GreenMan

I was amused, after the commenters were shaking their heads that such a match could turn on a 1NTxx contract, that the total swing (~20 IMPs) still wouldn't have changed the outcome unless H&H fell apart, which is unlikely.

WTHYHDTA = Where's the hand you held during the auction?

I agree that this may signal a new "era", but I wouldn't call DIAMOND the old guard, considering both their respective ages and the fact that as a team they haven't been dominant for long. Hell, losing by 0.25 IMPs/board in the trials final is hardly a sign of obsolescence. I'd say the old guard is NICKELL and their contemporaries, including FLEISHER, who let's not forget are USA1 this year. I do believe those folks will be less and less prominent as time goes on. And I'm glad to see BATHURST doing so well. I won't be surprised if they win the BB.

The claimer must state a line of play. "I claim on the double squeeze" doesn't qualify, IMHO. So claimer has some 'splaining to do.

There's a story in "Have I Got a Hand for You" about a young player in a similar situation, told to just bid the shape of his hand, who opened 4♣. LHO doubled, which came around to him, and he bid 4♦. Double, 2 passes, 4♥. Double, pass pass, "and 1♠".

I'm in Fort Worth. I used to play a lot when I lived in the Kansas City area, but not so much lately. I sometimes show up if there's a tournament nearby.

Thanks for the quick replies! Mike, I don't play enough to note whether this type of action wins consistently or loses consistently, hence my second-guessing. This was only my third session of bridge or so this year. Thanks for your feedback! Justin, your points are well taken. I appreciate your explanation. Oh, and congrats on winning the Swiss on Sunday -- that was the same tournament, FWIW. I was staggered to see 32 teams in a sectional KO! ;)

[hv=s=sjt65ha87daj53c75]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Silent opponents, partner opened. 1NT 2♣ 2♥ ... Looking at the club weakness, I bid 4♥, figuring the Moysian fit might play better than 3NT. I'm not trying to play results, but we lost 13 IMPs when 3NT made and 4♥ didn't. Partner had something like ♠KQx ♥9xxx ♦KQ ♣AQJx. Edited to add: I was thinking of the sort of hand where I open 1♦ on ♠KJx ♥AJxx ♦A87x ♣xx and partner bids 1♠; I'd bid 2♠ rather than 1NT without a second thought. I figured this was an analogous situation. Was 4♥ so-so, ill-advised or just plain rotten? FWIW this was an early board in a sectional KO final (not the top bracket). Thanks!