hatchett

6♦. I can't think of a sensible way to investigate 7.

I also like the arguments for 3♦. Put me down for that bid.

Well telling partner I have ♣s is a start. Maybe partner has 4♣s and Hx in a red suit and can work out for himself.

I also pass. 2♣ by opener shows a hand much improved in the bidding, hence with xxxx ♣ something like AKJx AKQx x xxxx

No. Bad suit, flat shape and in this position and at this vul I should have a better hand.

3NT obviously.

I pass. They must be very cheap in 7 minor. I expect +650/80 to be well above par on the board if LHO lets us have 5♥.

I would begin with 4♣, 6♣ could easily be the right spot.

I like the 3♠ opening. Bidding in front of partner here is good way to end a partnership, why can't partner have a good hand?

I play X as a more balanced hand, and 3♥ as a three suiter 0/1 ♥s so that would be perfect here.

LOL. First trick goes 3 J Q K. and you want to finesse the T on the next round???

Low to the Q does not work against east having J, you lose two tricks to the K and 9. Cashing the ace first does not lose to someone playing the K from K9!

Here's another one http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...754C0A9659C8B63 ony five years ago.

Agree with LOL (whoever he/she is LOL). 7NT is obvious and as to those who think weak oppo might not bid slam...please

Agree with jdonn the system is crazy. Why don't you use 2NT to show the minors like the rest of the world and then you won't have a serious of bizarre bidding problems caused by you having to make offshape doubles with 15-18 balanced hands?

Was the ruling anything to do with the fact we only had 12 cards?

Where's JLOLL when you need him?

I agree with Han.

I would play RHO for the ♦A. (1) RHO has a lot more diamonds than LHO (2) LHO may not have pre-empted with the ♦A, and if the ♠J is a true card than I think it's even more likely RHO has the ♦A.

♠. Unlikely any ♣ tricks we have are going anywhere.

Wouldn't dream of converting.

2NT for me. A lot of the time you are going to have a weak NT in this situation and that is roughly how many points 2NT should show.

2NT although it seems to look ugly always seems to work well in these situations. Sometimes you have a game on and with a weak hand with a long suit partner can run to three of that suit. I'm not sure why some expect to be doubled for a number, since you hold nearly half the deck, and LHO has shown a weak hand it rates to be your hand, and even when it's right to double most of the time RHO won't be in a position to wield the axe. I don't understand double that is asking to play in 3 of a suit when 2NT/3NT is right and I don't see any advantage in it compared to 2NT since we can hardly expect partner to be passing for penalties.

A ♠ is clearcut. Try and build a trick and then get in with the ♦A to cash it.

Nothing is good here but I prefer 3♣. It doesn't wrongside as 2NT potentially does, is more constructive than 2♦ and gives partner a chance to practice playing 4-3 fits :P