dake50

If partner chose to use space with his 3D, he expects 4C from this hand. He had 2H,2S,2N to try even a slight deviation to save that space -- see what I had. He's prepared for likely rebids.

My experience with this type hand (near opener with good H) is partner takes me for real and too high. First into the auction when our H-fit verses their S-fit seems to get LHO eager to 1S overcall -- outbid anyway. I've put this type into reopening. No problem responding to partner: 2H>1C(5xH-good, 4-fit), 1H>1D, 2H>1S, H-xfer then 3NT to 1NT.

I try SA now. Run diamonds. Hope 4xS East has 3+D so S10 gets overruffed. Win 4xD +SQ +SA +SJ>S10 +S9 H-ruff +CA. EDIT afterthought: Doesn't missing D-fit undermine confidence on other hands even if this time 140>130?

Curiously, this is easy if we are VUL or n/n. I got 2DT(slow yes) X. At favorable, my partner could have garbage, now I'll leave it to him to X if he has 2+DT. They may escape undoubled when we have 4-5DT.

I think this is close enough to a "Hearts are trumps" hand. 4H. I hate this choice if 6H fails on 7-(1,2,3+) but 6S on S:4-4+.

You've nailed it! There must be a difference. Which hands would X when P forces? I like this X to show such distribution that I won't allow penalties below 3S(eg.) Thus pass strongly asks partner's input. A partition based on unilateral holding/cooperative hand.

As I play X over 2C for most good hands, no game likely so is 2S better than 2N? Yup, I think so. Opposite partner's min shapely MM, all my minor honors wasted. Where are tricks? Partner's min has 5-solid spades? 5-solid hearts? 5-sure tricks total with entry?

I bid 2C->D, then 2S over 2H is just about right: 2 noises Diamond suit and some Spade stuff, no likey Hearts.

My partner's 3D didn't mean "One suited diamonds. No interest in especially a Major." He meant let's start here. What do we have? Spades? Hearts? Clubs? 3S natural as invite is silly. Advance Q-bid or fit-bid yes. 4S is wildly hoping opponents won't handle that. Mine are sane with honors in front of them. I play xfers here, but would not think to 3H->3S except as lead direct. Is this hand that desperate -- only to S:KQ sets them????

I have 2H xfer to spades. I try that and I'm done unless partner gets going with S-fit or his own monster hand. Partner expects this xfer to be weak to just under invite.

Always Criss-Cross! If it wins, great in post-martem. And CxC is rare, you want to catch one when you can. I know, not much help to the technical decision at the point you must decide. Nor much Best% info as this is so unreliable. Except if opponents play give away -- did they? I assume you were there. Facetious! Obvious composed.

Thanks for a question that belongs in A & E. I play a 1m forces system. After 1m force pass on <2S, >3S, best guess between. To 1M,1N,2m(natural), I use transfers in competition (F1), so rebid forces ON/OFF. Lowest xfer is ON, highest xfer is ON -- because they are defined strong. Transfer Q-bid (xfer into their suit) is ON. Transfer, then Q-bid is defined strong: ON. Rest is best guess: OFF.

As others suggest, winning SJ not SQ in dummy, what lesser play from here? Hope H:3+3, repeat SQ finesse for overtrick.

Not 3S, but XX: I have stuff to talk about. You interested on a Max/2-suited primes? If 3S chosen instead of XX to suggest other stuff, must play 4S on 3-4. East brakes into 4H on his minimum only TOP-x support.

Can I bid 4C as fit bid?

" I think 5♣ is clever, since from North's point of view 6♥ doubled might be cheaper than 5♣ passed out or doubled. (It is!) Top priority must be to avoid a ♥ sacrifice." -- Rainer Herrmann Your point applies to 7H sac. After 6H sac is cheap, 7C/7D has more to gain comparatively. Should be bid.

My partner means S+D upwards (not competing) on this auction. I like 6D unless missing 2xA.

How much worse can the 1N, then 2S be? East goes 4S: 6-suit, primes, void! How can West not accept? SQ +H-ruff. How much can partner need? Invert the 2S immediate and 1N, then 2S. 2S immediate has Qx+ and some near 2 tricks. 1NT then 2S has Qx+ and some near 3+ tricks -- hoping opener's response helps evaluate the 9-10.

Clear 6C. Of course, my partner doesn't 5C>4H with 2+H-losers. That's a Double. 5C must be very distributional. I have DA+CQ. They are magic. Partner knows I'm not slamming without SA+.

My opponents 3D too eagerly. So I double. Partner judges well. My partner negX for 3-level is likable 10. I encourage 3S if 7-ish. Double. Yup, can be trapped by 3D's partner. Still double. My take here is PASS if partner loses discipline and gets overboard on these auctions. PASS if negX would have been made on much less. Little to gain if partner has 5. PASS if partner defends with an offensive hand. Close decisions can go wrong, not clear ones.

Yup, 5C. My hand is monster if partner likes a C-top.

None, I'm punting 6S now.

Any bid must be very offensive. 2S on 4-5 if willing to play S:4-3 Partner did not negX, so if his hand is useful it doesn't have 4+S. And willing to play 3D(we will be chased that high) on D5-2:Qx. I hate these auctions. Any push I make spotlights missing honors/shape for their 4H play. I might win a fraction of hands yet, but I pass nearly all.

I've done this 5C jump often. Close to making; as low as sure 4S makes sacrifice. Often even 3+DT fail to double.

After thrump double, isn't the bidding even more vexing? Now 4H could be a new suit esp. as thrump didn't promise clubs source of tricks. A&E have discussed this? What are thrump follow-ups? 4H is suit? or Q? 4C forces Q's? 4D key-ask? 4M Q-bids? Natural suits? Relay 4C if no stop and not 5+Clubs? I'm hoping some "why's for your pair's follow-ups.