dake50

Double should be the 15-17 NT or equivalent. --mfa1010 *** Agree. But 15's must be excellent. And responder has many 'try to quit low' bids. Get the little hands to a reasonable spot. Even making game-on hands harder to show. (those are rare in a competing auction.)

I prefer it so. Let no game chances pass in 2M. Some chance accepts 3M as quits, maybe a level too high in exchange for a gooder 4M decision.

You are playing a system where you open all 10 counts at nonvul in 1st & 2nd seats. ..1H-1S- ..3S-4C- ..4H-4S- *** What other strong options besides 3S? What shows solid 6xH? No Spade top? Only 1x Ace? Shapely game force/no slammy? ... I have a take control slam try over 1S. So by the 4-level I know S-tops + Aces missing or held. Easy decision with that underpinning. I didn't use that so surely partner is only Q-bidding because HE has a slammy hand. I have D-single, so yes 5C to imply it. (Also 1'd have Q-bid 4D, not 4H in case that's the control partner misses)

Would LHO lead high from xxx since he has raised the suit? *** I still keep my count lead, so never! On balance, I would play the queen I think. -- cherdano *** Didn't we already decide that by bidding 3NT instead of suggesting penalties? I will make 3NT and not accept 2H-X-2.

What would Redouble instead of 3NT mean for these opponents? Or 3D,3H,3S forcing? Maybe wrench into the gears? 3NT maybe wrench into our gears? Any answer gets passed to partner. Just so I know what they're doing I ask just as if I were intending to bid. (Always asking is my ethics plan. Give nothing away by the ask is intended)

Where's the fit bid? Diamond suit with SQxx?

I'm bidding 3S on the first hand. Partner did make a VUL overcall. Don't have to like it, just do it. Cue bid 4D on the second. With 2xA +SK +D-single, encourage partner now.

Would try a diamond. Friday night SJ. -- mfa1010 SJ just might mess up entries for a S-D squeeze. Hope partner has some trick.

Untangle these 3xM in competition. What besides ambiguity do you pin your hopes on?

Develop two avenues. First, because 1NT(I like 10-12) has little Major suit interest (only 5+M need explore M-fit), jump to 3C,3D (~0-10 with 6-suit or M:2-2 and a 5-suit) eagerly and takeout to 2C,2D(~0-10, 4+suit even as a pre-scramble) responding to 1NT. Jump their Majors. Second, put minor 1-suiters (little Major interest) into 2C,2D (10-16, 5+suit) openers. Take away the 1-level when we won't need Major exploring. Minors shouldn't play below 3-level against anyone asking "where are the Majors?", so get there quick. Leave opponents little room to decide their Major game is/not on. Esp as minor takeouts could be 0-10 with or without defense tricks. Leave them 'find their fit' AND 'how high?' starting over 3C,3D. How else do you hope to win in those 'we have a minor' against 'they have a Major' hands?

West transfers to spades after X, then 2NT rebid. Much improving the 4S play. Which of HAJ, DAQ, CA won't be North for his opener?

Maybe down if either minor does not split (likely), but then 4S might make. -- rhm *** To paraphrase Fluffy, it depends on how agressively you double 4S, over a good controls + tricks double north tries slam, over a 'some not-12-minimum' double, north must sit on his balanced 10, and over a not-so-well defined double, nobody knows anything. The same bug-a-boo call: not well-discussed, not clear on offense tricks suggested; nor clear on 'we can set them' and 'no slam' = so let's defend clarity. Nor also on what pass-this-to-partner means. Which call by South suggests a double fit so 12 tricks? But needing negX to have an A + K? What call suggests 6+ controls? "Partner, don't worry about controls, just shape out to find our fit"? How slammy is double? Or 4Nt? Or pass then 4Nt when North doubles? In isolation - just this hand, 5m is not unreasonable. But isn't it resulting when you present no 'slam/not slam' definition of your suggested auction. What less could be held? What more would try slam? If these are middling hands? Are they?

Find partner with D:KJx or some near. Get back in with a heart through declarer's HK to cash Diamonds.

How sure are you? *** How interesting if so. A story to tell, not some drab hand.

Partner did not 2M - posted as NF. Did not negX. Did not 2NT. What does he have? What contract is good for us? Might a reopening alert opponents to their 4-4, 4-5 4H game? 5C game? I TOO, DO NOT LIKE THIS HAND But it IS a little hand (no game for US). I quit. Pass.

I'd lead a trump without a lot of thought. After giving it more thought, I would still lead a trump. :) -- awm *** Don't you fear 3S jump suggests double fit with long/good spade suit? They pull trumps and cash diamonds on that passive lead whether we could take 3 or even 4 tricks in C+H.

What is your 2♣ opener ? can't you handle some of the club hands via that and if you want a big bid use 2♦ (possibly as some form of all strong multi)? -- Cyberyeti *** And how far up? Only 1m openers? Or change higher opening bids? Eg as suggested 2C or 2D, even 1Nt?

can we get to know what 3 spades means? - Fluffy *** And what 1H overcall would have been that didn't get chosen as a lead-director? Little confidence CK leads to setting this 4S. Nor does any other. That leaves an expectable lead for partner to read. Likely he expects a lead from KQxx with no clue.

1C - 1H 1S - 2D 2N - 3D 3H - 3N 4N how do you interpret 4N? *** What would 4C,4D,4H,4S have meant? I assume those cases are out. Of course in a new (lightly discussed) partnership, don't throw a nuanced 4-level bid into this auction. I'd play it as agreeing diamonds, RKCB.

2) For the mathematicians: What is the percentage of success of the grand slam? . *** Why didn't you induce a heart lead? That way increases your chances.

Post the entire board. If hearts don't split 5-1, doesn't hearts make 11 tricks? --- jogs *** Yes please do. I want to see this coup in 4S.

On general principles bidding over a weak 2: Is E too good for 2H? *** No, especially granted a chance to start at 2H instead of 3H/X. Is W good enough for 3C? *** Just with HKx and good clubs. Is 4C forcing? and what would 3S show? *** No, showing a fit. Hoping to encourage 4H try. *** I like all forces to go through 3S. Q-bid stop ask, but may start a slam try. How would you bid the hand ? -- Cyberyeti *** Just as you. Well reasoned at each choice.

I was wondering the meaning of double here, anyway, I bid 4C, agree? 4♥ from LHO comes back. What next? -- Fluffy *** Yaeh 4C. Too shapely to quit yet. Now Double. I have 3xA, and partner heard the S+C 2-suiter. If he really fears 4H-X, he can 5C. Should be close across any 3C volunteered. He could have 3xH +S-single +DK to set this at least one.

Not much blame. 6S isn't much. Like wanoff's line A BUT now you have to rely on a 5th Club + HK onside.

Appears opponents didn't lead a heart. Too bad you told them not to. Edit/add: I like 1D-2Nt start. Of course my 2Nt is 11-12 OR 19+ by rebid chosen. We'll find a 4-4M if one of us looks.