robl

:-))) Andrew Robson's column in the Times (UK) is really worth reading. /Robert

[hv=n=sa5h643daq4caj963&w=st97hakj9d953cq72&e=sk864ht52dt876ct8&s=sqj32hq87dkj2ck54]399|300|[/hv] This was the full hand. Declarer at our table ran the ♣J in trick two and went one off for a score of 8% to NS. A result of playing too much IMPs perhaps... /Robert

N-S played acol, I held the east hand... /Robert

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=sa5h643daq4caj963&s=sqj32hq87dkj2ck54]133|200|Scoring: MP[/hv] Greetings! South became the declarer after 1♠-2♣; 2NT-3NT (opps silent). How would you play the contract after the lead of ♥A and a discouraging ♥T from east and then ♦9 (attitude). Opps leads 1-3-5 (no A/K = asks for count/unblock available). /Robert

This is a common 2NT-structure in Sweden: 3♣ minimum (no void) 3♦ max, no shortness 3♥ max, singleton/void ♣ 3♠ max, singleton/void ♦ 3NT max, singleton/void other major 4X void X with min or supermax 1M - 2NT; 3♣ - 3♦ slaminterest, asking for shortness 3M no shortness but and some interest 3OM singleton 3NT no shortness, interest of playing 3NT 4m singleton m 4M bad cards 1M - 2NT; 3♦ - 3M start cuebidding pd 3OM singleton in OM 3NT interest of playing 3NT 4m singleton m 4M bad cards

On that matter I agree with you Gonzalo B) It would be very strange to play 5♣ = pass or correct. What would then the meaning of 4NT be, 4-ace blackwood? btw I think 2♠ is OK with your hand. /Robert

Oops, silly me. I still raise with the Ace and continue ♣ maybe I mess up declarers entries. /R

Hi Robert! In such case you don't play anymore Multi, but brown sticker convention, permitted rare in tournaments. To play Multi you need to have at least 1 strong variant included in it, so pass is unlikeabe. This is the reason why most of top pairs in the world play vs Multi similar to Ron's version - they assume opening with ♠ suit. By the way this is also method vs any alternative bids like Suction - assume one variant and play on it, in case of suction is one suit. Misho Hi Misho, Right, I keep forgetting myself, the Swedish rules are very liberal compered to other nations when it comes to restricting systems and conventions. What are the BBO regulations btw? Are we suppose to follow the WBF guidelines when playing a tournament? /Robert

I assume declarer played low club from the table. Pd would have lead ♦ from K-x-x or A-x-x so there is no future in that colour. I take ♣A and play more ♣ hoping partner started with KJTxx(x) and have an entry in a major. /Robert

Hi Ron, Interesting methods, be careful though looking up opps opening methods. Against 2♦ unambiguous weak major (like I play myself) you have to show your hand immediatly because they might pass 2♦. /Robert

Hi all, I think this convention is most used in North America, correct me if I'm wrong. I've seen it in bulletins from the big tournaments and always wondered about it. A sudden jump to 5NT asking pd to "pick a slam" don't seem like a precision instrument. I suspect there are a lot of conditions that must apply when to use this convention. When can it be used? Do you always answer with a bid in your longest suit and at the six-level? /Robert

Hi Robert, its an interesting convention, you apply some kind of it against 4♠ as well? It maybe has a couple of small problems: you give too much info when opponents end in 3♠. And partner its half-blind when his RHO bids 3♠ before you discover what is going on. Hi Fluffy, That's right, one downside is that you don't know if pd has a two-suiter or a takeout and that's a problem when opps bids again. But anyway you have succeded with balancing them up at the 3-level. /Robert

Just out of interest, using this method where do you end up if partner has 3=3=3=4 shape? In 3♣ in a 6 card fit when you have an 8 card ♥ fit? Possibly a risk worth taking, even so, but just wanted to be sure. The balancer will correct to the 5+ suit, of course you may end up playing a 5-2 instead of a 2-6 suit if you're unlucky. I learned this convention from a former player in the Swedish national team. /R

When *balancing* against 2Sp I play like this: X is a classic takeout or a two-suiter with hearts and minor (2NT both minors) Partner knowing this will bid 2NT everytime with longer dimonds than clubs and thus giving partner a chance to show 4+H and 5+C. This gives you more opportunities to catch opponents in 2Sp X. /Robert

Sorry if wasn't clear enough: x KJxx K62 AJTxx AKQT9xx -- AJ983 x 6Sp, uncontested bidding, lead small trump (breaks 3-2) /Robert

Greetings! I kibbitzed a strong? team match a couple of weeks ago. Stars and experts at both tables. One board was a push. Both tables bid the same small slam. The contract is cold if you get four tricks in a side suit (entrances is not a problem): AJ982 - K63 Both declarers played the 2 to the K and went one off when the suit split 4-1 and QTxx in the "wrong" position. Were they playing for a overtrick because of short match (8-boards) thinking that every imp counts or what? /Robert

Well, North doesn't play the 9 from an original Q-T-9-x so it's only a safty play when South has four trumps. In MP's you should play low, declarer will try to drop a Q-x. Playing IMP's is a different matter, play the Q. /Robert

Hi, I would like a mechanism to sort players logged on to BBO in other ways than alphabetically. E.g. sort players after their nationality, it's funny to see (for me anyway) which Swedes are logged on to BBO when I arrive. Robert Larsson, Sweden