bid_em_up

Of course he would. I suspect he means doubles such as negative doubles and responsive doubles which imply one or two other (usually known) suits, and not doubles that show 1 unspecific suit.

I'm ashamed to admit that I opened 4H for one of our few zero's. Sorry Tyler.

With the results currently standing at 33% for passing 1N and 66% for doubling 1N and then passing 2H, I'll go ahead and reveal what happened. Partner holds: [hv=s=sxxh108xxxdxxxcxxx]133|100|[/hv] (my usual...) Partner raised two hearts to three :) for what I was positive was destined to be a bad board. Amazingly enough, three hearts down 2 (and I should only be -1 after some help from the defense) was worth 5 1/2 out of 8 matchpoints. B) I felt this hand would be a good instructive hand for the up & coming players who suffer from "Big Hand Syndrome" and insist on making another call over 2H. Evidently, most people in our direction were getting into trouble and going for larger numbers than -200.

A better bid. :)

er, I wish Tyler hadn't posted this hand. :) Lets just say the 4♦ bid is less than ideal, but it was the last board of the session and I felt like we were in contention for all the marbles. 4D is a bad bid, but I knew that when I bid it and did so anyway. Luckily, the gamble paid off.

Imo, big hands with no clear direction and tolerance for the other suits should always start with double. Get thru this round of bidding first and then worry about it later after seeing what partner does over the double. (Wayne, I think your extra strength more than compensates for "only having 3 card support for either minor"). jmoo.

[hv=s=sak107haq3dq52ca54]133|100|Nobody vul. LHO opens 1N (15-17) followed by 2 passes. If you double 1N, opps will pass, and partner will bid 2♥ (natural). Your Choice?[/hv] Another interesting hand from the Sectional this weekend. (Matchpoints)

[hv=s=skjhaq96543d53c104]133|100|Both vul. RHO deals and passes. Your bid?[/hv] Tylere and I played yesterday in a local sectional. While we had a good (and enjoyable) game in both sessions, there were several problem hands that I'd like to present. This is one of them. (If it matters, you are playing a 2/1 system with normally sound openings in 1st/2nd seats)

I think this hand is worth one more try, and that 5♦ will best say "if you have anything at all, we have a play for 6. So 5♦ it is for me.

I don't think partner is going to enjoy playing 4♦ :) :P

So we are -1 in 5M when 4M was making? Brilliant!!

I think the author already has #5 in mind, but likely ran out of space in the bulletin to present it in this months article. At the closing of the article, she makes a statement such as "What do you think #5 should be, write and let me know". I was going to send her the link to this thread so that she may see the ideas of others. :(

I guess I should have said elaborated and said, what is the 5th artificial convention you would choose? (1st post edited to reflect this). Takeout doubles (to me) are just part of the standard bidding system. Weak twos could be considered an artificial convention as well, but again, to me, that is a part of the "standard" SAYC or 2/1 structure and would not apply here.

There is an article in this months Bridge Bulletin that is written for beginning students. In it, the writer suggests (and I agree) that to start off with beginning students of the game only need to know about 5 (edit) artificial conventions. Stayman Blackwood Jacoby Transfers are the first three. She goes on to add that negative doubles would be her fourth choice (feel free to disagree, but I think it is appropriate), and then asks for suggestions for what the fifth convention should be. After giving it some thought, I have not been able to decide on one "must have", so far. There are many worth considering, and so, I would like to see the ideas of others. Please list the convention name, along with your reasoning behind why you think it belongs in the "Top Five" of must have conventions for a beginning/novice player. This convention should fit well in a SAYC or 2/1 structure (imo), as that is likely what beginners are being taught. I put this in the ADV/EXP forum as I want the ideas of those players. Feel free to elaborate if you disagree with the first 4 given and what you think they should be also. Thanks.

I usually play a sound opening 2/1 system. I always pass this in 1st/2nd seats, and would always open it in 3rd/4th.

deleted, misread problem.

South has to take most all of the blame.

Sad and not funny. The sad part is that it is probably a true story. It's not funny, because the man has been screwed royally and there isnt a dang thing he can do about it. Not even after he goes to court, and spends thousands of dollars in attorneys fees to clear his name are the courts likely to assist him in any way, shape, form or fashion in recovering his possession's or press any charges against the g/f.

Umm, no. By partner, who stated that 1N should show a full stop. The same one that forgot he had a singleton spade and 5 card diamond support? That partner? Yup. One and the same. :P

Umm, no. By partner, who stated that 1N should show a full stop.

The funny part to this story (at least to me) is that the auction then proceeded: 1♦-(1♠)-X-(p) 1N-(p)-2♠*-(p) 3♥**-(p)-3N***-(p) p-(X)****- *Stop ask ** Denies real stop, better hearts than clubs ***Insane, imo ****Sheer Idiocy At this point, the opponent holding AKQxx(x) of spades and the Ace of diamonds as an entry, doubles. I'm not sure if he had 5 spades or 6. The auction now continues: 5♦-(p) p-(X)***** *****Why did I double 3N? Partners hand: [hv=s=sxhkj9xdjxxxxcakx]133|100|[/hv] Making 5.

If you get a spade back then you have two spade winners, so...well done? ;) Wasn't I always going to have 2 spade winners? I think what he is saying is there is no need to rise with the spade A. You will have 4 clubs 3 hearts and 2 spades for your 9 tricks simply by ducking. (One diamond lead from RHO can't hurt you.)

I pass expecting to beat 4H, although I would consider double an alternative. Bidding 5D when partner couldnt raise to 3D (or bid 5D himself over 4H) is sheer lunacy. I would have bid 3D over 3C, however.

Oh, I had no problem rebidding 1N....for which I was promptly criticized. ;)

No.