joshs

Coming from the east coast the system "2/1" means: a. 2/1 bid game forcing over a 1M opening bid. Any exceptions to game forcing must be designated. b. 2C over 1D is standard. 10+ Unbal, 11+ Bal. To play 2C/1D as game forcing requires two extra NON-Standard agreements: 3C/1D INV (Alertable) 2N/1D INV (yes boys and girls, the standard meaning of this bid is balanced game forcing. INV 2N is actually an ALERT in the ACBL.) The issue of 2C promising a rebid, or what exactly to rebid with a 12-13 HCP balanced hand is not satisfactorily dealt with in standard 2/1 agreements. In washington standard, we play 2D waiting over 2C and the sequence: 1D-2C-2D-2N as the only non-game forcing sequence (playing 1D-3C as INV). Its a tricky issue. Anyway, with this hand I usually play at the 2 level: x no direction, extra values I would probably raise with this hand but even if I passed it would go: 1D-P-2C-2H P-P-x-P 3C-P-3S-P 3N-All Pass Or 1D-P-2C-2H P-P-x-P 3D-P-3S-P 3N -All Pass or.... If I raised it might go: 1D-P-2C-2H 3C-P-3S-P 3N-All Pass

I have multiple comments here. 1. Its very, very unusual to play serious 3N after 1M-2M. Serious 3N applies when both players strength is wide-ranging (and usually only when trumps are first set at the 3 level, but its not rediculous in some other auctions if you have special agreements). In the given auction 3N is, has and will always be natural for me in your given auction. 2. Usually, an unusual jump to the 5 level is exclusion (I want to take charge). For instance 1S-2S-5C would be exclusion. If you have another way of showing shortage initially, you might want to play 1S-2S-3D-3H-5C as exclusion, although that interpretation is far from obvious (I would expect that its exclusion). Supposing that 1S-2S-4C was a splinter (its 5-5 slammish for me, but might be a splinter in other partnerships), if you next bid 5C you are shoing a void but NOT asking keycards. You have made a slam try with a void, and asking partner to evaluate his hand. In the auction you present, 1S-2S-3D-3H-3N(Serious 3N, which is an unusual treatment)-4D 5C would just be a cue bid, showing doubt about level (and possibly denying a heart control). Its pretty unusualy for a non-jump bid to ever be exclusion, unless you have specific agreements about that auction (like maybe texas x-fer then a new suit) Note: in your auction: a. 3H did not show a heart control, he just said he is still interested in game b. in many partnerships, 3H didn't even definiteively show hearts, it just says he is still interested in game (what else can you bid with KJx xxx xx Axxxx over 3D?)

To quote or paraphrase Hegel, "The idea, within itself, lies the seeds of its own distruction." (Anyone know the exact quote, or its engish translation?)

One of my favorite all time philosophy articles was by Alasdair MacIntyre where he discusses Hamlet and Emma. In Hamlet, he claims, Hamlet starts with a flawed view of the world, faces an epistomological crisis when he finds out the truth about his fathers death, and slowly emerges with a more complete sopisticated world view that includes an understanding of how he came to his crisis and what he understood before and, most importantly an understanding of the limitations of his knowledge. In Emma, she has her crisis, and then has a new rosey world view at the end, oblivious that she once again may just have a partial understanding of the world. It was MacIntyre's view, that science works best when it not only adjusts following a scientific revolution, but is able to retain an understanding of why people felt a different idea was true before and why our current understanding might be wrong or incomplete. So to with bidding theory and political philosophy... :P How's that Richard?

1. This one isn't close. Clear Pass. 2. This one is close. I would certainly open 2S white. Red its very close. The issue is not the 4 small hearts on the side, the issue is the spades are kind of weak for a vul 2S bid. I guess I would bid 2S if playing with a partner that tolerates these kind of bids.... 3. Well the opps have the majors covered. At IMPS this is a clear diamond lead (partner didn't x 2C). At mps, I have no idea what to lead. Against a good declarer I think I would lead the diamond Q anyway and gamble (but I can be convinced that this is wrong). Against a bad declarer I would just lead a completely passive heart or a club. With the minors reversed (98x of diamonds and Qx of clubs) it would be an obvious diamond lead.

There are two main versions: Traditional Walsh: You bypass 1D unless the hand is game forcing INV Walsh: You bypass 1D unless the hand is INV+ (about 10+ HCP) Without discussion, if you are playing walsh its the GFing version, especially if your partner is from the west coast. On the east coast, INV walsh has some popularity, but BWS style is more common (you are allowed to bypass 1D to bid a major on 4-4 hands but the 1D bid doesn't "deny" a major so opener usually shows one even with a balanced hand). Finally, if you are going to play Walsh style, you don't bid 1D over 1C very often. Consequently, it becomes more efficient to play transfer walsh: Over 1C, have 1D show Hearts, 1H show Spades, and 1S show a 1D response. This creates more sequences for the common auctions where responder shows a major over 1C since you have an extra bid available (complete the x-fer at the 1 level). This has gotten popular over the last 3 years (I have been playing this for about 6 years and quite like it). But this treatment is still very non-standard. Note: What I like about walsh is not the fact that you quickly find major suit fits. That part has pluses and minuses. The minus occurs when you have to bid 1H over 1C with xx xxxx AKQxx xx and partner raises you on Axx Qxx xx AQxxx (which many walsh players don't do) or Axx Qxx x AQxxxx which walsh player do raise you on. The plus is that opener can rebid 1N immedialtely to show a balanced hand. That makes the rest of the auction, and hand evaluation easier, since you know you are facing at least 2 cards in every suit. Have you ever had the auction: AQxx xxx Kx Kxxx Kx xxx AQxxx AQx 1C-1D-1S-2H(4'th suit forcing)-? What exactly is opener suppossed to rebid now??? And how do you get to 3N? Its so much easier if opener rebids 1N over 1D...

I wouldn't quite say that. If you hold xxx xx KQJxx Kxx its normal to bid 1D over 1C and let partner declarer NT. I am also not positive if the 1C-1N as 8-10 is std walsh or not. I think its just an optional add on that can be played with walsh or std.

Playing TOSR: Hand 1 (Easy): 1C(15+)-3D(3154, 9+)-3H(Relay)-4C(13+, 4 controls)-7N (has to have a black Q) Note this auction assumes that responder would downgrade KJx K Jxxx AJxx as they should. Hand 2: (Hard) 1H(4+S, 0-3 H, 10-14ish)-1S(12+ ART)-2D(5+D, 4+C, 12-14ish, 3+ controls)-2H(GFing relay)-3D(5314)-3H(relay)-3N(4 controls)-5D(slam try)-5S(accepts slam try, shows 1 keycard. The acceptance is in deference to having the maximum 14 count)-6D. Its arguable if the relayer should be making a slam try here.... Alternative auction after 3N: 4C(relay)-4H(A/K of spades, AK of clubs or neither)-Guess what to do...

Is Walsh really part of BWS? I might have missed that change. I am pretty sure BWS style is: 1M over 1C with 4D and 4 in M and less than a game invite. With longer diamonds, or 9+/10+ points you bid 1D. Opener, consequently, does not normally bypass majors to rebid 1N (except maybe on a 4333 hand?).

With 1 more point I would pass and then bid 2S. This hand is right on the cusp for that sequence. I have no strong opinion about negative x then pass (underbid) vs pass then Qbid (overbid). I voted for negative x then pass but its really close. Its partially my style to be "very agressive with a stiff in the opps suit, very conservative with length in the opps suit."

Yeah, but if we had the agreement that we do this kind of thing frequently, and that you will never raise me on three cards, and have some kind of "asking drury" in place where the first-step response shows this garbage... then it's not a psych (and should be alerted). If I recall, you did raise me to the three level on three cards when I made this bid, and somehow it still worked out. :) Yup :) I can't take a joke...

In Sunday's regional swiss, playing with a partner with which I have few agreements I held: xxx Jxx KQx xxxx White / White partner opens 2S, RHO xes and I bid 3D. I had no idea if 3D was a suit or a lead direct, but I figured LHO would bid hearts and I wanted a diamond lead... Is it a psych? I don't know, most bids showing length or values are considered natural, so the question is if having less cards in the suit than expected constitutes as a psych....

Opening 1S on AJx xx xxxxx xxx in 3'rd seat, is probably a psych :) Oh, hi adam! :)

Personally, Pass and 1N seem close for me with that hand. I really hate passing over a 1 level opening with 18+ points. Even though you hope that by passing you will be able to describe your hand better by passing first, you will only rarely get a second chance to bid. Having said that, when the auction goes all pass you really might be better off defending 1S (at all red) then playing in whatever contract you reached by bidding. With a weaker hand like AKxx x Axxx AJxx I think pass is clear! I know one top player (Hi Stevie), who runs a bidding contest, who gives 0 to any takeout x with a stiff in an unbid major. He is a bit extreme for most of us, but x then NT with a stiff in an unbid major is really begging to end up in a 5-1 fit....

And 1N, I left out 1N...

Bidding problem: You Hold: AKxx x AKxx AJxx Equal Red. RHO opens 1S What do you bid??? I am sure in a MSC club you will have votes for: a. x b. 3N c. 2D d. 2C e. Pass Personally, assuming you belong in game, i think you will rarely ever get to the correct game after x.

No I don't agree that north is limited in any way. Yes he probably doesn't have a 22 count. But thats not the point. In the standard auction: 1H-1S-3C 3C is unconditionally forcing depite the fact that that player was "limited by not opening 2C". It was easier in the initial days of approach forcing to explain the concept. Back then: opposite a player who has shown values, new suits by an unpassed hand were forcing. This got watered down with the following exceptions: 1X-1Y-1Z (limited by failure to jump, hence non-forcing) 1X-1Y-2lower (limited by failure to jump or reverse, hence non-forcing) now there is the equal level conversion auctions which : some play: 1S-x-1N-2C(freebid, hence some values)-P-2D or 1S-x-P-3C(Value Showing)-P-3D as non-forcing but this is by conventional agreement. In standard these are forcing bids. So despite the fact that you think you have shown your hand, partner needs to be able to set up forcing auctions, so he can show his hand whenever he is not limited to values that couldn't possibly make game oppiste your hand. When he cue-bids here he says "I know you are a passed hand, but I still think we have game, lets try to find the correct spot"

Thats a tricky hand: After P-1H-P-P-x- with the opps silent: 2H-2S-3C-3D-? Do you raise or bid 3H? I think with no help in hearts (jxx is the borderline case) you need to raise to 4D which partner would happily bid 5 over. Is 3clubs really forcing here? I am a passed hand and I have x'd and bid 2s....it seems I can pass 3clubs now? Is 2h showing a 2 suited minor suit hand or one suited in clubs....that could not overcall 1h? This is a very tough hand I can see at the table a lot of room for misunderstandings. Well done to those that get to 5D. You are not a passed hand. Someone who passes before the opps have bid is a passed hand. Someone who passes after the opps bid can still have as much as a 17 count, and is not considered a passed hand. Sorry, I meant the cue-bidder is not a passed hand. His cue-bid sets up a force until suit agreement. Since you are a passed hand, he can pass any of your suit bids, but his new suits are forcing after a cue-bid. e.g. 2H was forcing (Qbid) 2S was not (since you are a passed hand, but its pretty wierd to pass this) 3C was forcing (new suit by "unlimited hand" after a cue-bid occured) 3D was not (since you are a passed hand) 4D was not (suit agreement)

Thats a tricky hand: After P-1H-P-P-x- with the opps silent: 2H-2S-3C-3D-? Do you raise or bid 3H? I think with no help in hearts (jxx is the borderline case) you need to raise to 4D which partner would happily bid 5 over. Is 3clubs really forcing here? I am a passed hand and I have x'd and bid 2s....it seems I can pass 3clubs now? Is 2h showing a 2 suited minor suit hand or one suited in clubs....that could not overcall 1h? This is a very tough hand I can see at the table a lot of room for misunderstandings. Well done to those that get to 5D. You are not a passed hand. Someone who passes before the opps have bid is a passed hand. Someone who passes after the opps bid can still have as much as a 17 count, and is not considered a passed hand.

If you think you have more offense than was expressed by 3C, you should have bid 4C initially (personally I think 3 is more than enough). In any case, after picking an number of clubs to bid the first time, you pass and leave partner in charge. If all partner does is raise your pre-empt (e.g. he didn't show another suit, or make some conventional bid that invites you to bid on) you are not invited to the party anymore. The one possible exception is if you under pre-empt on a 6-5 type hand, you might want to show your second suit to partner if convienyant. Thats a "might." The other day I held Q9xxxx Jxxxx JT - and bid 2S over RHO's strong club, LHO bid 3D, partner bid 4S, RHO bid 4N and I passed letting them sort out what this auction means and where they belong... There is no way I was taking another call with this crap, unless partner showed hearts.... BTW, I play 3N by partner in this type of auction as a 4.5 club bid, thus inviting you back in.

Thats a tricky hand: After P-1H-P-P-x- with the opps silent: 2H-2S-3C-3D-? Do you raise or bid 3H? I think with no help in hearts (jxx is the borderline case) you need to raise to 4D which partner would happily bid 5 over.

Over 2S I would pass and wait. I am not sure if I want to defend or declare, and I don't want to suggest NT with only 1 point "wasted" in their suits. After partner pulls your penalty x of 3S to 4C, even after not bidding 4C directly you have a huge hand. Opposite - Axx Axxx AKxxxx and a red Q you have play for 7. Having passed before I don't expect both red queens, or 1 red Q and a 7'th club, so I think bidding 6C here is enough.

I would pass opposite with a 4144 12-14 count without thinking, since I don't have enough to make, and don't have offensive shape. A 4153 12-14 count is closer....

As to the bid, I would underbid slightly with 2S (good shape, bad heart K) to protect the heart K, and keep you low if partner doesn't have 4 spades. By an unpassed hand, the Cue bid would be forcing until suit agreement, or game is reached. So, 2H-3C-3D would be forcing (but 2H-2S-3S would not be forcing). By a passed hand, responder can't pass any of opener's new suits after cuebidding, but opener can pass responder's new suits, since he is limited.

Well this is a style thing in how takeouty are high level x's. I pass on this auction with xxx KQx Axxx xxx and prey partner has enough to x's again. I just like to go plus....