benlessard

Im a huge fan of most Rosenkraz ideas but the 2D Mex (all 3 versions of it !) is the bottom of the barrel. Using 2C for GF or a 2/3pts range between 18-22 make a lot of sense Imo. I even think playing 2C as 18-23 or 17-22 bal could work. Using 2D as any GF or a H preempt is palatable because true GF hands are so rare anyway.

"Obviously the initial t/o double promises at least heart tolerance" IMO the X can easily be 5S invitationnal or be 4S+5C. However you have to decide what X followed by 2S mean. Its either 5S inv or its 4S+long clubs. Playing a weak NT I like the 4S+5m better. I also think playing 3S as a H raise is a poor method.

a better version on cloud. https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=42B7534185EF0F89!179&authkey=!AK8jBbKxXiEXfTo&ithint=file%2cdoc

When you discard the T of H it wont be too tough I think. Can we have a link ? What happened other than the strip squeeeze ? i cant really see east swtiching D or playing the Ace or T of H here and declarer should be able to see the endplay rather than trying to sneak a club.

I think this method or one close to it will work because 1- in standard when asker hold the Q of trumps its annoying that his cheapest bid is useless. Being able to ask for parity is more frequent. 2- When you have all the keycards +Q and responder got the Q you save a step. 3 when responder show no keycard or 6 of them ! you dont need parity and the cheapest bid is directly the side kings. 4- I think that odd is slightly more likely than even (having the K or Q rather than both or none) 5- I think (not sure) knowing that your missing an ace or that your missing the K of trumps is worth more than the case where your missing the K or Q of trumps but dont know wich. 6- You are more likely to have AAA+KQ (miss an ace) than AAAAK or AAAAQ 7- when your missing KQ of trumps slam might be excellent. Even missing a side K and the K of trumps can lead to a 75% slams. The main drawback is that it deosnt work when you have 10 trumps unless the side who initiate the keycards got the K or Q of trumps.

Your side is missing the Q of trumps but you have all the aces and the K. There is 2 cases here. asker responder nothing K K nothing responder got the K 0= 4C-4D-4H-4S-4NT ------------ 4C-4D-4S +1* 1= 4H-4S-4NT ------------ 4S +1* 2=4D-4H-4S-4NT-5C ------------ 4D-4H-4NT +1* 3= 4C-4D-4H-4S-4NT ------------ 4C-4D-4S +1* 4= 4H-4S-4NT ------------ 4S +1* responder got no KQ of trumps asker got the K you have all the aces. Only aces 0= 4D-4H-4S-4NT-5C ----------- 4D-4H**-4S +2 1= 4C-4D-4H-4S-4NT ----------- 4C-4D-4S +1 2= 4H-4S-4NT ----------- 4H-4S-4NT 3= 4D-4H-4S-4NT-5C -------------4D-4H-4S-4NT-5C 4= 4C-4D-4H-4S-4Nt -------------- 4C-4D-4H-4S-4Nt * asker doesnt know if its the K or the Q that is missing, ** vs 0 keycard no need to ask for parity. Not knowing if its the K or Q is missing is annoying but having so many extra spaces im sure my method is winning here.

Your side is missing the K of trumps but you have all the aces and the Q. There is 2 cases here. asker responder nothing Q odd Q nothing even responder got the Q 0= 4D-4H-4Nt ----------------- 4C-4D-4S +1* 1= 4C-4D-4S ---------------- 4S * 2= 4S ---------------- 4D-4H-4NT -1* 3=4D-4H-4NT ---------------- 4C-4D-4S +1* 4= 4C-4D-4S ---------------- 4S * responder got only aces (asker got the Q) 0=4D-4S-4NT ---------------- 4D-4H-4S +1** 1=4C-4H-4S ---------------- 4C-4D-4H-4S-4NT -1*** 2=4H-4S-4Nt ---------------- 4H-4S-4NT *** 3= 4D-4S-4NT ----------------- 4D-4H-4S-4NT-5C -1*** 4=4C-4H-4S ----------------- 4C-4D-4H-4S-4NT -1*** * asker know hes missing the K or Q of trumps but he doesnt know wich one. ** vs 0 keycard there is no parity ask *** asker know that hes got all the aces but hes missing the K of trumps. I think my method is slightly behind here, but note that hands where your side got 3 aces and the KQ of trumps is probably 4 times more likely than having AAAA+Q.

Your side is missing an ace but you have the K and Q of trumps. Again there is 4 cases asker responder nothing KQ even K Q odd Q K odd KQ nothing even 1- responder got KQ and X amount of aces...3NT is RKC... Left is standard right is my method (im removing the 3NT for the rest) KQ 0= 4C-4D-4S ----------------------- 4H-4S-4NT -1* 1= 4S ----------------------- 4D-4H-4S-4NT-5C -2*,** 2= 4D-4H-4NT ----------------------- 4C-4D-4H-4S-4NT * 3= 4C-4D-4S ----------------------- 4H-4S-4NT -1* responder got the Q and X aces (asker got the K and the rest of the aces minus one) Q 0=4D-4H-4NT --------------- 4C-4D-4S +1 1=4C-4D-4S ----------------- 4D-4H-4Nt -1 3=4D-4H-4NT ----------------- 4C-4D-4S +1 responder got the K and X amount of ace (asker got the Q and the rest of the aces minus one) K 0=4C-4H-4S ------------- 4C-4D-4S * 1=4H-4S-4NT ------------- 4S +1* 2=4D-4S-4NT ------------- 4D-4H-4NT * 3=4C-4H-4S ---------------- 4C-4D-4S * Responder got only aces. Asker got both the K&Q. 0=4D-4S-4NT ----------------- 4D-4H-4S *** +1 1=4C-4H-4S ----------------- 4C-4H-4S 2=4H-4S-4NT ---------------- 4H-4S-4NT 3= 4D-4S-4NT ---------------- 4D-4S-4NT * asker will know that the missing keycard is an ace and not the K of trumps. ** asker is not forced to ask for parity but the holdings will be various. AAQ or AKQ or AAK My method got the upper hand here, knowing than an ace is missing and not the K of trumps is nice.

I did work a lot on this idea today. What i get is quite surprising. Ive changed the method to 14,30,25(even),25(odd noK), 25(odd+side kings) Also the point of comparaison is when responder denied side kings (or denied a specific K) Our side got all the keycards and the Q of trumps. There is 4 cases asker responder nothing KQ even K Q odd Q K odd KQ nothing even responder got KQ and some aces. 3NT is RKC... Left is standard right is my suggested method KQ and the number of aces ... 0= 3NT-4C-4D-4S (Q+noK) ---------------- 3NT-4H-4S-4NT =2even no K -1 1= 3Nt-4S (2+QnoK) ---------------- 3NT-4D-4S-4NT (3no K) -1 2= 3NT-4D-4H-4NT --------------- 3NT-4C-4H-4S (noK) +1 3= 3NT-4C-4D-4S ------------------- 3NT-4H-4S-4NT (5 even noK) -1 4=3Nt-4S ---------------------- 3NT-4D (6!)**-4H-4S even responder got the Q and X aces (asker the K and the rest of the aces) Q and ... 0= 3NT-4D-4H-4NT -------------------- 3NT-4C-4H-4S +1 1= 3NT-4C-4D-4S ------------------ 3NT-4S 2= 3NT-4S (2+Q) ------------------- 3NT-4D (3)-4S-4NT -1 3= 3NT-4D-4H-4NT ------------------- 3NT-4C (4)-4H-4S +1 4= 3NT-4C-4D-4S ------------------- 3NT-4S responder got the K and X aces (asker got the Q and the rest of the aces) K and... 0= 3NT-4C-4H-4S ------------------ 3NT-4C-4H-4S 1= 3NT-4H-4S-4NT ------------------ 3NT-4S +1 2= 3NT-4D-4S-4NT ------------------ 3NT-4D-4S-4NT 3= 3NT-4C-4H-4S ----------------- 3NT-4C-4H-4S 4= 3NT-4H-4S-4Nt ------------------ 3NT-4S +1 Responder got no trump K/Q but X aces. Only aces 0= 3NT-4D-4S-4NT ---------------- 3NT-4D-4H-4S ** +1 1= 3NT-4C-4H-4S ---------------- 3NT-4C-4H-4S 2= 3NT-4H-4S-4NT ----------------- 3NT-4H-4S-4NT 3= 3NT-4D-4S-4NT --------------------- 3NT-4D-4S-4Nt 4= 3NT-4C-4H-4S ---------------------- 3NT-4C-4H-4S ** when responder showed 0 or 6 keycards there is no need for parity. In short when you have all the 6 keys counting the Q as a keycard is slightly better. This is expected because when you often dont need to ask for parity.

Good catch.

"The danger of cashing the second spade is that declarer may have ♦AKx" he made 5D+1H+2S+1C ? basically if the D run and the clubs are AKQ or KQJ cashing the S change nothing. So its only when opener got AQ or AK in clubs just one stopper in H and AKx of D and only 1S. Not that a big target imo. If i knew my opps will always have a stiff in S than i wouldnt cash my 2nd spades otherwise cashing look safe enough. I expect partner to have the little spade and ill switch low H and hope for the best. I like my odds.

The partnership is missing no keycards and got the Q of trumps. There 4 cases asker___________responder nothing_________KQ even K_______________Q odd Q_______________K odd KQ______________nothing even responder got KQ and X amount of aces...3NT is RKC... 0= 3NT-4S =2even_______________vs____________3NT-4C-4D-4S 1= 3NT-4C-4D-4H________________vs____________3Nt-4S 2= 3NT-4C-4D-4S________________vs____________3NT-4D-4H-4NT 3= 3NT-4S (5even)_______________vs____________3NT-4C-4D-4S 4= 3NT-4D (6!)__________________vs____________3Nt-4S (unlikely but not impossible) responder got the Q and X aces (opener the K) 0= 3NT-4C_____________________vs____________3NT-4D-4H-4NT 1= 3NT-4H (2odd)_______________ vs____________3NT-4C-4D-4S 2= 3NT-4D_____________________ vs____________3NT-4S (2+Q) 3= 3NT-4C (4)-4D-4H (odd)________ vs____________3NT-4D-4H-4NT 4= 3NT-4H (5odd)_______________ vs____________3NT-4C-4D-4S responder got the K and X aces (opener the Q) 0= 3NT-4C_____________________vs_______3NT-4C 1= 3NT-4H (2odd)_______________vs_______3NT-4C-4D-4S 2= 3NT-4D (3)__________________vs_______3NT-4S (2+Q) 3= 3NT-4C (4) 4D-4H (odd)_______vs_______3NT-4D-4H-4NT 4= 3NT-4H (5odd)_______________vs_______3NT-4C-4D-4S Responder got no trump K/Q but X aces. 0= 3NT-4D________________vs____3NT-4D 1= 3NT-4C________________vs____3NT-4C 2= 3NT-4S__2even_________vs____3NT-4H (2noQ) 3= 3NT-4D________________vs____3NT-4D 4= 3NT-4C________________vs____3NT-4C In short when your side have all the keycards and the Q counting the Q as a keycard save space wich is not surprising. Note that you have to be careful when you are comparing the endings if you play a scanning method. 4C vs 4H(2nQ) is only one step gain, because after 4C 4D is parity ask so 4H is the first K ask. After for the 2+Q of higher responses you can show or deny the next king right away. reponder got AA+Q+side king number 2 std 3NT-4S-4NT is the asking for sideking 2. 3NT-4D-4H-4S-4NT (4S is even denies side king 1 and 4NT is asking K2)

If 1C-1M is nf and 1C-1D is GF then how do they handle the GI hands? Opener wont pass if hes max. so responder will have a 2nd shot.

-------------------- a case where you are missing no keycards. AKxxx xxx KQx AKx QJxx Axx AJxxx x 3D by N is rkc in S 3D---3S (30) (no need to do parity you have the 6 keycards) vs 3D---4C (2+Q) 3D by south... 3D--3S (30) (no need to do parity you have the 6 keycards) vs 3D--3S (30) --------------------------- a case where you are missing the Q of trumps. Kxxx AKx KQx AKx AJxx xxx AJxxx x 3D by north is rkc in S... 3D--4C (2 even, so 2aces), vs 3NT (2noq) -- so lose one space. 3D by south asking for rkc. 3D--3S 3Nt--4C (3 odd so we know we are lacking K or Qs but do not know wich one) vs 3D--3S 3Nt--4C (3 no Q) -------------same hand but swithc A&Ks + Ad+Kd. Axxx Kxx AQx AKx KJxx Axxx KJxxx x 3D by N... 3D--3Nt (2 odd so A+ one trump honnor) vs 3D--3NT (2+no Q) 3D by south 3D--3S (30) 3NT--4D (even) so 3A in standard 3D--3S (30) 3NT--4C (no Q) -------------same hand but switch Ks for Qs Axxx Kxx KQx AKx QJxx Axxx AJxxx x 3d by north....3S (30) 3NT---4C (so 2A+K or Qs) vs 3NT--4C (2+Q but you dont know if the Ks is missing or is it an ace). 3D by south...4C (2 even so 2 aces) vs 3D----3NT (2 no Q but dont know if you are missing an ace or the Ks)

This is designed for people who can keycard at a low level and know they DONT have a 10 cards fit or better. My idea is to count the Q of trumps as a keycard (6 keycards) but do a parity check for the K&Q of trumps (turbo) instead of using a step to ask for the Q. For the post opener is asking the keycards and spades is trumps. 4 & odd would be 3aces + K or Q of trumps, 4 and even would be AAAA or AAKQ 3 and odd would be AA+K or Q of trumps and 3+even would be AAA or A & KQ of trumps 2and odd would be A+K or Q of trumps and 2+even would be AA or KQ of trumps ETC... By adding one keycards you are using more of the higher numbers in the keycards responses wich I thikn are undersused. Especially the 5. 1(4), (3)0 , 2(5) I also think that after responder response you will be able to bid the cheapest step more often. It seem that asking for parity will be more frequent than asking for trumps Q. Im keeping the 14,30,25(odd),25 even but its possible that there is a better order. I see 5 cases. You hold both the KQ of trumps. Both are the same you RKC and skip the Q ask. You hold the K of S. In standard you RKC and do a Q ask. My method is RKC followed by a parity ask. Its the same result except in my methods hes got one more keycards (hes going to have 3keycards instead of 2 etc..) so going from 1 to 2 or 4 to 5 is costing 2 spaces but 0 to 1, 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 is gaining one space. You hold the QofS RCK and you skip the Q of trumps, in my method ask for aces and you may ask for the parity so you will know if the 3 keycards is 2A+K or 3A. You could also not care and skip the parity ask. You hold none & partner hold both of them. RKC and ask for Q of trumps vs RKC and ask for parity. This scheme is based on an hypothesis that the values of the K of trumps is closer to the value of the Q of trumps than to an ace. Im also assuming that you are more likely to be in a spot where you are missing an ace or the K of trumps (and would like to know wich one is missing) than missing the K or Q of trumps (and would like to know wich one). It really something that Im not sure about. Also sometimes the side who is missing both the K and Q of trumps may try to temporizing and hope that its partner that ask for keycards, doing the same thing lacking the K of trumps is also possible but less likely. I believe knowing exactly how many aces partner got but sometimes not knowing if hes got the K or the Q of trumps is better than not knowing if hes got the K of trumps or an ace. Another way to look at it. The partnership got all the keycards and the Q of trumps = my methods should save a step when responder got the Qs except when 2/5 EVEN. The partnership is missing an ace. If opener got the K of S its the same, if responder got the K of trumps opener can know if hes missing an ace and not the K of trumps. The partneship is missing the K of trumps, if opener got the Q of trumps he will know that you have all the aces and that you are missing the K of trumps. If responder hold the Q of S opener will know the aces but not know if hes lacking the K or Q of trumps. You are missing missing the Q of trumps. If opener got the K of S its the same, if responder got the Kofs opener can know if hes missing an ace and not the K of trumps. Your missing the K of trumps if opener got the Q of trumps he will know that you have all the aces and that you are missing the K of trumps. If responder hold the Q of S opener will know the aces but not know if hes lacking the K or Q of trumps.

IMO its clear enough that the 8 is SP or a stiff. Both you and your partner have a quasi count of the S here. Declarer is going to have 2S under 20% imo. So partner would need to be asleep to not give a Sp here. If declarer make the standard encourage in H falsecard and the contract is not cold its because partner got enough in D to stop dummy from getting in so i dont think there is any risk to cash the 2nd S.

Because of the 2H bid I took 2D as a weak preempt but if they used 2M as something like 5M+5m and 2D could be a decent preempt, than i agree ill make at least a game try.

I think a DD sim here is wrong by at least 10%. It will pull the right amount of trumps and will establish the right round suit. I did forget RHO having KQ of clubs.

Also It would help if East bid 2S or even 3S instead of 2H.

My view is that opponents vul is highly important in these matters. If they are NV its probably a no brainer to open 4S. If they are vul the odds of them bidding to the 5 level is greatly reduced. I also find that having 2 singleton is tricky for the defensive potential POV. It look like a borderline call to me and I would be surprised if one call is significantly better than the other on the long run.

This forced you to play 1Nt wich i dont like also the jump to 3NT done with prime values is a notorious slam killer imo. However if you do play 1NT forcing you have to find meanings for the delayed jump to 3NT and its not obvious what is best to put there and the hands type you picked are reasonnable choices.

Even Axxx,x,xxx,xxxxx and game will make if C are 2-1 and you will even be able to deal with 5-1 hearts by playing one round of trumps.So Its a 78% game.

please play Kaplan inversion you will not regret it. Both version, 1NT showing 5S or 4+S are fine. I would even recommend playing 1H-1S-2Y-2S as art GF. so when you make 1H-2C its always real clubs.

IIRC it was 1S-1NT (F) 2C-3C 5C! opener had 11 pts 2A+K Axxxx ?? ? ?xxxx

There is a hand almost exactly like this bid by Meckwell in "Playing With the Bridge Legends" by Barnet Shenkin (95% sure about the book). The reasoning was this 2C was limited and could be 3. Responder will prefer to give a 2H preference or bid 2NT unless hes 5C+stiff H. So game is good vs Axxx x xxx xxxxx So North should bid 5C (not 4C!) I guess that if north already promised 4C than maybe he can invite rather than blast to game.