dake50

I'm really surprised at all the doublers. We have a poor ten count, with the K hearts devalued as under the pre-emptor, no aces, Only one tenace over rho's likely values. What are we expecting to happen on a layout like *** I'm really surprised at these T/O Dbls. First has a poor shape 12. Even 4144 is minimal swayed by prime cards. Second has only S:Qxx in the featured other Major. Of course if these types are direct action, not left to a reopen decision later, partner's double is too aggressive. Let (2H) P (3H) P be defended. Act directly when game is on with partner's 9-10.

What hands bid pass / double? What is 2NT and what is 3♠? *** Dbl is akin to negX: other suits, but tell me more. 2NT has S-stop to stay within 3NT unless partner is slammy. 3S is controls rich H-support. Pass is no suggestion in front of partner in this GF auction. I'm choosing Pass. I hope partner can suggest something. Dream he might even Dbl on this apparent misfit.

I want opponents to kick in their 1NT defenses as often as I can. Don't even care that my partner won't cater for my 5cM in our counters.

Playing limited 1M, our 1M-4M is 'to play'. May be weak preempt, may be poor controls near opener, may be wild guess against few tricks verses their 4H. I'm not releived of my duty to avoid a private understanding by saying "to play".

Also would have found Spades missing KJ and a D-3rd ruff. 1C(force) - C-positive -, next S-ask, H-ask, short asking.

I don't like 1S as a nothing-to-show bid. How about 2D as the I'm present bid. Seems to only lose when they have a D-stack AND we have no 2M scramble. Essentially, useful shapely shows at 1-level, garbage is 2D.

Other. I have a 7-10 xfer to 2D. Only bidding again if partner shows big.

6NT. I think I am on DJ or H10 finesse at worst.

DISALLOWED - ACBL 2008 1. Conventions and/or agreements whose primary purpose is to destroy the opponents’ methods. 3. Psychic controls (Includes ANY partnership agreement which, if used in conjunction with a psychic call, makes allowance for that psych.) *** How can 1S as 'present at the table' NOT be "primary to destroy opponents methods"? *** Then how can responses NOT make "allowance for that psych"? *** Is this a sanctioning-body(I'm in ACBL)-too-restrictive posting?

Mirrors my thinking. With Hearts there is some value to putting their likely Spades to a guess. In contrast, Spades can just keep overbidding at the same level as opponents fit. Much more tactical chance to score well - thus to deviate when opponents may have Spades. How high into slam-maybe hands SHOULD you go? If partner could have the perfect two cards? 3 cards? Perfect 2 of 3? Perfect fitting short? Pay your entry fee. Take your chance. If this is allowed 4H, doesn't partner have to move with AK+A? Any 2 aces?

2H over 1S in their forcing, unlimited auction just gives them a fielder's choice: X or show offensive hand. Let alone blabbing where stuff is when they stretch to 4S. After 2S comes back, now it looks a partial hand. 3H to try for its ours. Because of VUL, partner downgrades S:Kx, but 4H is on. Unfortunate. Put that K anywhere else then 4S. Besides 4H must find HK, CQ, not S-ruff and trump promote. I'd want to be in it but not crushed to miss.

Double being penalty of clubs seems bizarre? What do you do with takeout of clubs? Conversely, with penalty of clubs, LHO will have diamonds so you could pass or bid 5C *** Then what are next round meanings?

Some are so redundant that psych is more wrenching - more payoff.

Most of this hinges on why 5C bidder did not wait for opponents to correct to diamonds if he has clubs. Second why no double of 4C to show clubs? And no 4D if they have diamonds? I take this as Michaels-like for MM.

Into 1C and a Gazilli-like 2C(even 2D) rebid to get partner to show his stuff or have no stuff.

This is a major problem with playing 2-way bids or wide ranging transfers in competition. It sounds nice because you have a bid for everything, but if there is more bidding than partner doesn't know what you have. *** Do you mean partner won't be able to continue with a good D-fit? Nor will I announce a H-fit after showing Diamonds? Aren't we well out of this auction having no fit for above 4S?

Are you asking the percents? Or enough to decide best play?

3D to 2H reopen: certainly long diamonds with no suggestion in hearts. What chance of game when partner did not choose a strong reopen? This is a partial fight where 3D might make or be cheap. 3D after 1H opener: help suit on the way to 3H - maybe. Try this. Transfers in both auctions. Now transfer then fit gets a Fit-bid shown. Transfer then quits gets long diamonds in. Transfer then quits gets a lead-director in. Transfer then NT has a stop, needs a fitting honor for long suit tricks. Transfer into partner's suit is a good defensive tricks raise. That frees direct raises for purely how many high preempt or make.

Look at Ultimate Club. Should give some ideas on what is 'not 2C-GF' when 2/1 is 2D,2H,2oM. I have a pair in our club playing this as 2/1-GF, but they mean only 2C is GF. Depending on what is in other 2/1's, may not have too much unwinding.

-We were debating with a friend if after reopening double N should bid 5H or 4N followed by 5H (showing stronger hand) and if this hand qualifies for this bidding (assuming the agreement) or if it is too weak. *** 4N, then 5H has an Ace plus 'cards'. *** Immediate has no Ace, maybe 'cards'.

Would much have preferred 4D over 4C. Partner can infer (or 4D defined) that I have a C-control and looking up or I wouldn't blab a D-fit. Pass and hope this time partner was not misled so we miss a slam.

Did partner have fit bids? He didn't use one. I strongly suspect D-waste. Would partner 2NT with S:AQ? Even holding H:Axx - intending H-raise next? I'm going pale 4H.

Can X be just "they ain't making"? It must suggest an up contract for us. 5S is my best guess. Even consider 6C - pick a M-slam. I expect good Diamonds already bid 5D.

This much into a 30 point slam at best. If I'm trying after min, I'm going now.

If I think about this auction I picture AQxx KQxxx xx xx, or KJxx AQJxx xx xx, perhaps with a side queen or jack somewhere. I do not picture AKxxxx, where a small doubleton is perfect to set up the suit. So, to my mind, south does not have a picture bid. *** Agree an agreement is needed but to my mind AQxx KQxxx xx xx or KJxx AQJxx xx xx starts Jacoby 2NT. 2H, rebid jump 4S shows Axx with a good 6xH - just as bid.