dake50

Would the 1N instead of X have gotten the as-if-opened H-xfer? Now this hand hides 5xD and 1xC --defense easy error!

Think the split X vs 1N should revolve on the other major. X invites the other major; 1N not.

Open 1S. BUT I play a light Majors opening scheme just for these type opportunities..

Having puttered about with a couple of hand-generating stats collecting programs, I now intend to validate my surveys. Hope to maximize my efficiency with most user-friendly/powerful program to generate hands for opening X + responses Y. Any similar? Any suggestion?

Even playing 1C unlimited force, I like aquahombre's reasoning: 2D as strong but where? Now 3C as disappointed quits --3D, 4C for the nuts.

Most assemblages of combination plays --Ency of Bridge, Roudi, I'm thinking -- have starred what-if defense does holdup, false, duck. Start there.

To kenrexford, Then are all pros and cons relative? Or could there be absolute advantage? I happen to have seen advantage in those 2M bids 40 years ago and never been disabused of that advantage. [edit] Although ROMAN forbidden by ACBL. [for over a decade]

Partner came in with 3H to play right there! NOPE. 4H --his suggestion is well-agreed with this hand.

Do I expect partner has 3 tricks against their 4H? I do not. Do I expect 4H is right for them to bid? Yup. Does 1S, then 2S, "walking the dog" look to win? Nope. 4S.

Whaa-at??! Roman 2M reviewed 50+ years later! Wasn't these bids advantages/disadvantages resolved three generations ago??

This is one I've discussed with partner. Double shows up-going values BUT two losers in their suit. So X --the no-slam double. Bid on then promises a control in their suit --whatever else may be this given hand's problem. The intent is to give sure information. This leaves many problems for reopening: bid other than double has their control, but by-guess, by-golly what partner may have; and what continue taking out no-slam double makes sense. Here overbid may bounce them into phantom sacrifice --so less cost than auctions with more space.

Did someone miss a STING 4C Q-bid or BEEGEEs 4C splinter?

Don't want to miss a spade fit, but won't commit to 2S, so X. Hope we don't land in the minor(s) 1NT bidder has.

My take is double shows heavy defense tricks. Call it penalty if you wish. Whereas pass has typical/expectable DT, no obvious bid to suggest or I'd bid that suit/NT.

Are you intending 1NT overcall to bind other bids not to be bal 15-17? Then get on your NT response scheme --save memory with same responses. Or to show stops and little interest in the unbid major? This clarifies T/O dbl --that's worthwhile. Either choice begs 'what is left for reopening'? Another critical partition: immediate act vs delayed act. Which hands which way.

Like hrothgar, except I like a BeeGees void-D splinter.

Good hand for 3-seat/4-seat 1C forcing. Even if not liking 1C force in other seats. eg. 1C-1D(neg)-, now go tame. But partner may show stuff --now look up.

I got Majors. RHOs 1NT skipped over both. Double.! Partner's 2D has no Major. I'm left with 2S --low level shot at Major contract missed, so lie here THIS TIME. Eminently reasonable, pity no Major fit.

I look at likely entries to this hand. a,c,d,e have ~1 expectable entry so 1NT plays one-handed. Yuck.! Bid 2H. b has 2 likely in H but HK offside duck lets opponents crow about entry-killing when 2H plays well. 2H. f has Partner's DK + CA looks to play well for partner. Pass 1NT.

Looks to lose HA +DAK +CA at most. Takes CK + partner's trick in defense. I try 6C to put partner in DT picture --his C:Axxx is likely no DT.

Try 3NT = solid spades. m-void, H-void to be shown if asked. 4m = solid hearts, m-void. 4H = H-preempt, but all A are in play. 4S similar. In general, lower suit(hearts here) shows immediately as in zoom; higher (spades here) waits to be asked/allowed.

Another bid that blabs nothing =3NT --bid what you want to try. This time loses grand. Does it then follow that no-blab 3NT was wrong? I would always 4C with North --unusual enough (solid 6xC +SA in 4126) to risk 4NT instead of 3NT just to get slam try in.

An expectable 1H opener. Have 5xH, 2-2 DT, no S-trick. Won't partner expect this hand? Could have S:Kxx +CAK +DA --that suggests defend =X. Or 6-7xH +4xC +S-void --that goes 5H.

Are we edging on "Roudi's rules"? How about 6-suit RHO, how about NT overcall LHO? Either of these sway "best" play --not just on this combo? This combo must need very strong evidence to sway off to Q, then to A.

Do you mean eg. playing Drury, I could psych 1M 3-seat intending to pass 2m? The consensus on that was the system was as it was --so using it as a psych control was ok. Relay 2C as GF, frees other bids, can I psych them: 2D on 5xD 3hcp? 4-support so psych other Major? Isn't the suggestion you make is that limiting 1-bids forbids psych responses? Stated baldly. Bad enough my sanctioning organization (ACBL) won't let me prove my 8hcp distributional hand is above an average hand --thus not a psych!?