bid_em_up

This is at odds with my understanding, which is that each result is IMP'd in full against each other result, the the net total of all these results divided by the number of comparisons. (But I could be wrong) No, you are right. The way I thought it was done is (evidently) the Butler method.

The same way you do now. Remove the top and bottom score, then calculate the average result, then IMP all results (including the removed ones) against this average. Currently, I believe that all results are averaged then the IMP's calculated from that average. This allows a big score in one direction or another skew the imp results from what should be a "normal" result. (But I could be wrong).

You only need one joker. And partner can't have 13 hcp as a passed hand, but If he has 10 or 11, somebody is a joker. And 3NT is the only way to tell me. And it will take all of the Kings horses and most of his men to take 3NT = Natural away from me. And what would 2N show? I choose a low heart. I think partner is ruffing and I want him to feel safe about underleading the club A.

While 2♥ may be the correct call, given the context of the question, you absolutely must bid 3♥, as it is the call partner would make if he held this hand.

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LOL; Match up four of the top 10 posters (number, not ability) against four random stars in a 12 board team game. I would spot the random stars 1 IMP per board. My wallet would be quite fat after awhile. Given that you would be in the top 10 (under pclayton), of course it would. You would select yourself and toss IMP's by the bucket. :P

I would initially respond 2D inverted (however, 1D openings in my partnerships are 4+, so I know there is at least a 4-4 fit already). A leap to 3N just about kills any possibility of finding 6D.

When in doubt, pass and let partner decide. At least you get to fuss at him when he makes the final (wrong) decision.

Option 1: N deals and opens, opps. silent. 1♥-2♣ 2♥-2♠ 4♥-4N.... Option 2: N deals and opens, opps. silent. It went: 1♥-2♣ 2♥-4♦ 4♥-? South shd realize that North is missing both black suit controls, so can't do anything other than bid 4H, and take one more call. 4S or 4N will suffice.

Agree

I didn't say the hand looks like NT. Anyway, I will pull a slow 3NT bid. Was this also a joke? What happened to not taking actions based on partners "hesitations" when pass is a logical alternative? (I think I would bid a heavy 3D also, fwiw, but wouldn't disagree with X or 3H asking for stop either).

Abstain. I would have bid 5H the first time. (ok, lets call it do something else).

In general, the US Flag Code addresses the fact that during both the singing of the National Anthem and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance that a person should: NATIONAL ANTHEM Conduct During Playing.- During a rendition of the national anthem- (1) when the flag is displayed- (A ) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; (B ) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and (c ) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and (2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE .....should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. This does not apply to the singing of God Bless America as it is not a "national" song. So like others, it is during the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance for me also, which was not a poll option.

If West has Kxxx♦, you don't need the spade finesse (or drop), as your 3rd spade will go on the 5th diamond.

Partner's hand: [hv=s=saxxxhaxxxdaqxxcq]133|100|[/hv] And everyone is worried about how many 4C may go down. :P For the record, I chose 4♣. Tyler simply raised to 5 with this hand (what is your choice?). With the stiff K♣ onside, it makes 7. Tyler felt the hand was too heavy for 4♣. I think its a little more discretional, given that it occured at a table in the main bridge club (or maybe an ACBL tournament) and not in any "serious" play.

1♥. Am I the only one who treats pass as a desire to defend 1D xx'd?

[hv=d=w&v=n&s=saq1052hjxdcak10853]133|100|Scoring: IMP RHO opens 3♦ in first seat. Your call?[/hv] I started to include 4♣ as non-leaping michaels in the poll, but it wasn't an option at the table. Feel free to call it "something else". However, I'm really more interested in what you do when NLM is not available.

I think its 100% that ken will bid 3N in this sequence. To the rest of the world, it looks more like a pass, wtp?

1) I don't think East's hand qualifies for a 2/1 response either. 2) I dont think that West's hand should ever be bidding RKC after a 2/1 response. 3) If you are worrying about bidding 27% slams (and then, only when partner holds perfect cards), you need to rethink your approach. jmoo.

I happen to think 3H is just fine. It is a self-sufficient trump suit and partner should know that he could cue even when holding a stiff or void. The blame (imo) goes to North for failing to cue 4D. Now South will probably just bid 4H, and North can continue on with 5C (this, should assure at least 2nd round control in spades since South has denied a spade control). South bids 5D, and North bids 6H. btw, I dislike the methodology of 2D promising an ace or king. Using 2H as a "denying" bid is better served to be a totally bust hand (0-3 hcp), and 2D is simply waiting, imo.

Mark me down for 5♦.

Pass. Frankly, I don't understand the point of this. 1H is silly. If the hand "belongs" to us, its going to require partner making another call. Why can't we find our spot (assuming we have one) after hearing what LHO has to say, when we are better placed, and what, if anything, partner has to say after LHO has bid? If the hand belongs to us in diamonds or clubs or NT, it is going to require another bid from partner, so passing now is unlikely to hurt us, if this is the case. If the hand belongs to them in spades (or clubs or NT), bidding one heart does absolutely nothing to prevent it, plus it has the detrimental factor of likely getting partner off to a terrible lead. Additionally, by bidding hearts now, we prevent them from ending in their 4-3 or 4-4 heart fit which was another one of our places to possibly go plus. At least 1N has some "preemptive" merits, but they are not enough to convince me to bid it. jmoo.

Maybe you would....

North 100%. He knows he has a first round spade loser AND probably a second round club loser as well. (South cannot hold two kings, so 4C must be the A) Why wouldn't he show where his control is located?

No. xxx AKJxx KQx xx would not reopen with a double (either intially or the 2nd time around), would it? Neither would xx AQxxx AKxx xx (or similar).