PhantomSac

100 % this. Just for the record since I find myself agreeing with almost everything you post lately I was surprised you said this: I know euros jump more aggressively than americans in this spot, but I would have thought that range is aggressive even for a euro even when it's not a free bid of 1S. That range seems way off to me for a free bid, you imply you will jump with an average 8 count and 4 spades. I can see this view when it's not a free bid and the 1S bid can be 0-whatever (I would still be a point heavier but w/e) but it seems really unnecessary when you are making a free bid.

With a reverse in diamonds you can...reverse in diamonds.

They gave you an (almost) free t/o X, take it! Obviously doubling a normal 3D opener for takeout carries more risk, when LHO has a strong hand you might just get buried. But when they open 3C and you double for takeout of diamonds, you are not in danger (unless they play pass shows clubs and LHO has both a very strong hand and very strong clubs, but in that case it sounds like you have a major suit fit). I understand you didn't have any agreements but by far the most important default agreement is that X=t/o. For instance, 2S p 2N asking, X=takeout of spades, that is normal obv. But 2H p 2S (asking), undiscussed, X=t/o of hearts, default rule. etc etc.

4S is 100 % imo. Being in a forcing pass is ridiculous. I would pass. These kind of decisions have high volatility/can be somewhat random. That freaks people out, but the point of bidding 4S is to make them have to make a more random/hard decision. If they do choose to bid that can leave you having a more random decision but that doesn't mean your initial bid was wrong; your big upside is when they pass out 4S when they would have otherwise been able to bid.

Case in point: I definitely watched the republican debates religiously for some WWE type entertainment, while I missed many of the dem debates. Still think there is a reasonable shot we get to see a BROKERED CONVENTION which should be great entertainment! And then some third party stuff! Oops, forgot this is actually to elect the leader of the most powerful *****in millitary in the world. Scary stuff.

Looking forward to being a laughing stock while travelling to other countries as an american again lol. Was so bad with "How did you guys re-elect Bush?" but if TRUMP can actually win a nomination it might be even worse haha. Go...Rubio!

That's what I call charity!

Yeah it is definitely not a bad agreement. A lot of people I know who tried the X=4/5 spades experiment have switched back to X=4 spades for this reason (like Greco-Hampson). In standard I would definitely play X=4 spades, in a system with a nebulous club or nebulous diamond I think it's debatable (I currently play X=4/5 spades in precision but go back and fourth mentally on if it is correct).

there is no way that disallowing 22 m in the majors is worth it for anything else imo zel

Yeah that is my preference

If my partner is under 40 and I have that meta agreement, t/o. If partner is over 40 and I have that meta agreement, penalty. If no meta agreement I would need partner to be under 25 or under 30 and european to assume takeout :P In all seriousness this is just one you need to discuss with a new partner (as well as 1S p p X 2S X).

good try boys

I think passing white/red would be insane

Discourage

1H 1S 2N 3D 3H seems like a good/normal start to the auction. North should like his potential a lot in that case, south often has some club weakness for the 3H bid (probably 3N with clubs double stopped).

Only 10 HCP!

Don't understand not using your bid to show 5-5 in the majors. Like, what's the plan over 2D from partner?

4d. simple bridge I rebid my 7 solid suit

his arguments were made about a hand with a bad 5 card suit and 12 points. this hand has a good 17 points and a bad 5 card suit. they are such different hands it's hard for me to imagine even discussing them on the same breath. the better your hand is the more likely you should be willing to bid even with a bad suit, this should be obvious, the biggest upside esp r/w at imps is getting to a game. if you start with a pass it is very hard to get to game later unless you bid at least twice which forces you quite high and is inconsistent. living in fear of over calling at the 2 level with a hand this strong is just crazy. I live in fear of passing with such a great hand and letting them have make the first two bids at favorable vul. no I wouldn't overcall this hand minus an ace but that is a completely different discussion!!!

Passing against white red opps seems sweet. What could go wrong? If I pass lho will pass if we have game since he needs 6 points to respond. after his expected pass partner will balance so it's all good. if lho responds I'm well placed knowing they have 12+ opp 6+. I can just make a takeout double of hearts and play in 3 of a minor without fear of missing game.

YOU UNDID MY GOOD WORK SIR

Have no understanding of pass or 1N. 1N with the worst spade holding (Axx) and a stiff in the other major makes no sense to me. Passing with 17 HCP and not length in their suit makes no sense to me. I will bid my long suit.

We should have a thread about the vaccination controversy. Also the moon landing and holocaust controversies.

AFAIK the NFL teams make huge money from the TV deals (and the salary cap goes up as the TV deals go up). They all split this revenue equally. They also split merchandise revenues with the exception of THE COWBOYS (jerry jones elite businessman!) I am not sure how game tickets work but I believe they are split somehow also. Of course hosting a playoff game/superbowl can be very good for a cities economy I'm sure since you get a lot of out of town people coming in and spending money locally, but I don't think teams directly make money from hosting playoff games.

If they were cheating east wouldn't pass since 3N is cold and 2D X is not down 4.