Miron

[hv=d=w&v=n&s=s1072hk1087653dk94c]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] p - p - 1D - ? Opps play SAYC, your side plays Precision.

I sometimes open 1♥♠ on third seat with just four card (usually 8-14). I think it has some sense. 1) But I clearly do not see the reason that the oppening on 3th seat is always fourcard (if you have not openned 1♥♠ either you have 5-4 or you don't have major). Could someone explain? 2) Why would you open on just fourcard major in fourth-suit? There is no opp with point bidding after you, seams to me as misleading (misbidding) for partner. But if there are reasons, please post'em. As to question: I would bid 1♦. And I would (probably) end at 4♥.

Slightly off-topic Would it be possible to play for money in four players (no GIBs)?

If not passed by partner then game forsing. (it can be passed with unsuitable bellow respons hands - minimalizing damage)

I also think the convention section could be larger (is there any reason to have it small?).

Application developer. We develop (software & hardware) security products. The basic idea comes from checking that the guards are patroling. But it can be used anywhere you need to check people in time and place (posts are big customers, now we made an offer for bus inspectors...). If you are interrested write me PM :blink: (I will not make that big advertising to write here the web site). We are small company so I sometimes take part also at exhibitions around the world. BTW: exists some bridge club database? F.e. if I'm at Birmingham (Will be at May) is there any chance to play bridge (and when etc.).

Would you alert 1♠-2♠? This thread is mainly for online bridge. Where are alerted bids above 3NT (except 4♣♦ opennings and ACBL delayed alerts)?

I Agree, what's the problem? :)

I play 3♠ as 4-card fit and minimum. If this is not possible, just 2♠ (I don't like it that much, invite will be accepted).

I rewrite the bidding: 1♥ - p - 2♣ - x 3♣ - 3♠ - 5♥ - 5♠ ? It really depends on agreement. I play it sometimes as question for control of opps color (♠ here), pass none, their color (5♠) as first rount, 6♥ second round. But with no agreement... I assume one ♠ in partners hand (if opps are not crazy they'll have 10 spades for this defence) and I'll bid 6♥ or maybe cuebid (cherdano's idea). I think that partner could bid 4/5♠ with spade void (reason for 6♥), but he can have it. I'll say 6♥.

I also don't see any reason for alerting 4♠. You want to play 4♠. The range of hands you want to play 4♠ can be very wide, especially in strong club systems. If this should be alerted then also 1♠-2♠ (can be also weaker or stronger or just medium).

I usually play 11-14 all seats. The third seat is the most interresting: You take a lot of bidding space You'll get doubled by LHO very often I open 12+ - 14+ with no fear, and 11- - 12- with good escape (two good 4 cards, 5 card). It is a bit adrenalin sport, but big minus is rare (and I like the angry look from LHO with 5♥ and 14 points :D ). For the strong NT (this is the topic, I assume :) ): I don't move the range on third seat (I don't bid NT 15-17 with 14 - of cource some exceptions, but these are really rare). Usually (In my experience) is NT on third seat played stronger (1&2nd 12-14, 3th 15-17) or with the same strength (12-14 or 15-17 all the time). I haven't met pair playing NT on 3th seat weaker then on 1st or 2nd (ok, same play in NV 12-14, in V 15-17, but this is a bit different problem).

Close decision (every post contains this, my as well). 1♦. I have better chance to find 4-4 ♥ fit. Also this hand is not THAT strong (one more Q and clear 2♣). After 2♣ it will be more difficult to find hearts: 2♣-2♦-3♦-3NT-4♥? Or would partner say 3♥ after 3♦ with hearts? (BTW: would you say? I play a bit different structure after 2♣, so I'm not sure here).

1x-1/2y-p (1♣-1♠-p) A lot of players play pass as weak or penalty (it often doesn't depend how they play double). A player should know this. Therefore it should not be alerted. I'm not sure as in other countries, but in Czech we alert bids, that cannot be awaited by opponents (actually it doesn't depend if they are natural). IMHO no alert.

Tak jsem to zkusil. epsilon: impas do 10, kdyz nesedi impas do 9. epsilon: dva zdvihy:aijknqr (zadny)jeden zdvih:zcdefghop Spatne: 38,2% Poznamky: e) Mala k 10, impas na krale, neprizna A, impas na jack n) Mala k 10, K, sezhora (jinak bych mohl tratit u 3-2) Predpokladam, ze to souper nezkazi (kdyby to vzdycky zkazil tak to ma 28%, to je zhruba stejne jako Impas damou, kdyz nesedi, impas na J, kde nikdo nic nekazi). Az me to prekvapilo (nemam tam nekde chybu?). Zatim se to radi k tem horsim zahranim.

You're right. But IMHO there are also other important things. I'm seeking for a convention which will: minimalize the risk of bad result (doubled) minimalize the information for opponents maximalize the destruction of opponents bidding (every overcall is good, but some are better) The strategy with wide range is good. But if you simply overcall 1♠ when you have spades, you woun't have bad results, but you send a lot of information to opps and you also don't make much problems to opps (it is better then pass, but not for much). They know what you have. I created this thread to find out what are the possibilities of overcalls over 1♣. I am glad for every info. So far I think that the best is to overcall as unclear as possible. With some shape so you woun't suffer playing doubled. The best is to overcall 1♠-2♦(2♥) as often as possible, with not completly clear distribution. Preserve x, 1♦♥ for weaker hands (very unclear hands for opps) and (2♥)2♠+ for hands, you don't mind playing doubled (rather 1-suiter, then 2-suiter; you send opps a lot of info, but they are on 3rd level). I'll go thru all posts again, but my idea so far is: (2♥)2♠+ = 1-suiter 2NT = some good 2-suiter 1♠-2♦(2♥) = 2-suiters x, 1♦♥ = 3-suiters (4-4-3-2 etc) maybe shortness or length pass = weak (afraid to bid) or strong (will bid/double later) Please feel free to comment this idea of overcalls agains 1♣.

1♥ - p - 1♠ - 2♠ 3♥ - p - p - ? Opener = 12+(15) HCP, (6)7 ♥, (1)2♠ Responder = 5 HCP, 4♠ I = 19 HCP, 5♠ & 3♥ Partner = -4(1) HCP, 2(3)♠, 1.5♥ 3♠: I'll make ♥A and ♥ ruff (a bit optimistic), ♦AK, maybe some ♣, I can count only 3♠ (I was already optimistic at ♥, cannot be twice). 7+ tricks. That's about 2 down for 500 (maybe just 1 for 200). 3♥x: max 1♠, 1♥, 2♦, maybe one more ♣ or ♦. 3 tricks, probably 4. No double :) I'll pass (and expect opps to fulfil), too risky to bid.

And one from my friend: "Tutti Frutti" x = 4♥ & 4♠ 1♦ = 4♠ & 5+ minor OR 5+♥ 1♥ = 4♥ & 5+ minor OR 5+♠ 1♠ = 5+minor 1NT = 5-4 minors 2♣ = 5♥ & 5♠ 2♦ and further has the same meaning as on first level but it is longer (f.e. 2♥ = 5♥ & 5+ minor or 6+♥).

I add few more defences I know: "Shortness" x = (3+ card) support for all except ♣ 1♦♥♠ = (3+ card) support for all except bid suit 1/2NT = 5+5+ any 2♣♦♥♠ = natural or 2♣ = ♥♠ 2♦ = 6+ major (multi) 2♥♠ = 5♥♠ & 4 minor If you have 5422 you can bid this one of these dubletons as "shortness" or you can bid as 55. "Shortness or length" This is a variant of previous: x = (3+ card) support for all except ♣ OR ♣ 1♦♥♠ = (3+ card) support for all except bid suit OR bid suit Other same.

1: pass 2: pass (have bad experiences with 2♠ with 4♥ on first or second seat) 3: ♦Q Spades are probably(2-4-4-3), hearts (6-1-2-4), so partner has 9 cards in minors, the ♦Q might help him)

Just few questions to delayed alarts (I am a bit curious): Does it go this way? The bidding ends (last pass). Now declarer's side makes all delayed alerts (btw, still cross table or self alerts? In case of bad alerts/explanations it is often usefull to know who was what thinking during bidding). Defender prepares his card (bidding still on table). (What if the defender leads directly?) Defenders makes all delayed alerts. Bidding is removed from table. Dummy is shown.

I'll try 3NT and I woudn't run.

p - 1♥ - x - p 2♠ I would bid 2♠. I play it as 8-10, 4+♠. That's what I have (I don't like the ♥Kx, but 5-4 and 7(10) HCP).

No offence, but you don't appear to know what you're talking about. The whole idea of playing 2/1 is that when you make a 2/1 it is FORCING TO GAME. 1S P 2D is a 2/1, and as such is forcing to game. Therefore, new suits after a 2/1 has been made are also forcing. 1S 2D 2H = 5+ spades 4+ hearts, GAME FORCING. This can be made on a 5413 11 count (if you open these hands) or a 19 count (with the intention of catching up later) 1S 2D 3H Mike Lawrence says that there are two different alternatives. You can either play it as 5-5 with 2 good suits and most of your points in your suits, or you can play it as a splinter. Either is workable, as long as you've discussed it in advance. 1S 2D 4H This is definitely a splinter, and it suggests a hand that doesn't have any interest at all in playing in 3NT (as compared with bidding 3H). For me this would show a void. Fred and Mike Lawrence have released some good software on the 2 over 1 system, which I recommend. You're right. Was one of my bad moments (I didn't realize, that 2♦ was GF, even there was written it is 2/1, I treate it as SAYC). Sorry. BTW: Agree with your comment. I prefer 3♥ as splinter, but could be played as 5-5.

4♥, and I'll hope they woun't say 5♣.