skjaeran

In the B/I forum I agree. (I'd not GF with my regular partner with this hand, since 1♣ could be a balanced 11-count with a doubleton ♣.)

I'd be expecting partner to hold something like AKxxxx KJxxx V xx. I've got good trumps and a ♣ control, so I'll raise to 6♥. If partner held a ♣ void, he'd made a splinter bid, and with no void he could just BW. My hand indicates that he 5♥ is not just asking for a ♣ control (a method I guess not a single norwegian play).

I think this is a good hand for 4♦ leaping Michaels, provided it's GF (IMO it can't be passed). If partner bids 4♠ or 5♦ I won't pass but instead rebid 5♠. We might get too high this way, but that's be best way to invite slam and at the same time paint a good picture of my hand.

It's another of all these internet societies where you can be a member, put your personal information (or not?), find friends, make a blog, put pictures etc., etc. Like Facebook, which has grown immencely in Norway the last year - and probably over the world. I've got several invitations to Facebook lately - all from bridge players. So far I've rejected all, I haven't got the time or interest to get involved (maybe I spend to much time here at BBF <_< ).

Philon of Bysants defined the 7 wonders of the world some 2,200 years ago. The only remaining of these wonders are the Giza pyramids - a true wonder I must say, I was there in 1988. Now there's an election for the new wonders of the world, which will be announced on 7th July. Anyone can cast their votes - visit the website http://www.new7wonder.com.

Looks to me that when it comes to medical health care it's far better to live in most european countries than in the US, but that's something I knew... In Norway all vaccinations for children are for free, and are routinely given at various ages after a predetermined schedule. Some don't let their children receive these vaccines due to religious or other beliefs.

Put me down for ♦A too.

I haven't got too much against the 2NT opening. Switching the minors I'd probably open 2♣ myself (2♣-2x-2NT=20-21, opening 2NT=22-24 in my methods). This hand I'd open 1♣. Mostly because I play a T-Walsh variation. Our bidding would start 1♣ - 1NT (=10-12). After a 2♥ GF reverse it would be very easy to get to 7♣. In the actual sequence I don't like the 1-suited slam try with a perfectly balanced hand, but that's a matter for agreements.

Normal, yes. Necessary, no. Brogeland-Sælensminde play 2/1 GF and 1M-1NT as NF in a 4cM system. I play 5cM and 2/1 myself, but still use 1M-1NT as NF, and I know several others doing the same.

Huh? That seems strange to me. A 2/1 in Acol doesn't promise a rebid - it's 9+ and forces opener to rebid. 1♠-2♣-2x may be passed.

That's spot on - good analysis! Neither the player in the semi final of the open teams in Antalya, nor any commentator spotted this defence. Partner's hand: ♠Q64 ♥QT842 ♦83 ♣A73

The war against Spain was in 1628-29.

=Really=? was the "sin" their disagreeing with the other commentators or something more interesting than that? "Taking fun as simply fun, and earnestness in earnest shows how thoroughly thou none, of the two discernest." (Piet Hein, Danish scientist and poet, 1905-1996) Great translation!

[hv=d=w&e=s98732h93dj42ck98&s=sat5hkj76dk965cj5]266|200|Scoring: IMP 1NT p 2♥ p 2♠ p p p[/hv] Partner leads the ♦8 (standard leads) to the J, 5 and 7. You probably ducked to give declarer the impression that the lead was from K98x. Declarer playes a small trump off dummy, finessing the jack losing to partners queen. Back comes ♦3 to 2, K and A. The ♠K follows to your A. How do you set out to beat this?

I don't get this. Don't you trust you partner will raise 4♦ to 5 with three Aces in hand? What I would like to avoid in the unlikely case when partner has three Aces is to be raised from 5♦ to 6. Huh? Partner haven't forgotten that you passed over 3♣. He won't raise you to 6♦ unless having something seriously good. 3 aces won't be enough.. I'm somewhere between 4 and 5♦'s. I'd probably just hog the hand and bid 5♦ at the table.

Helgemo knew that 7♥'s probably was odds against when he bid it. But he knew they had already won the match. How aften do you think you can bid and make a grand on a 4-2 fit? :blink:

So was I, and I agree with Frances that 4NT natural would be a good bid if I had a 2nd ♠ stopper. As it is, I'd have doubled with this hand.

If partner is about to lead a ♦ there's absolutely no reason to tell him to lead ♥'s. A black suit lead from partner won't happen, so it's clearly best to sit back and await partner's lead without any kind of information from me.

Declarer won't succed if he sets up the clubs, thus he's got to set ut hearts. West is forced to take the first heart, else declarer with one trick in the bag can abandon the suit and play on clubs. After winning the 1st ♥ west clears the ♦'s. Declarer cashes his ♥'s. East is forced to keep ♠QJ9 and ♣KQ, and thus has to part with a ♦. If he unblocked twice earlier and now discards his last high ♦, keeping his ♦4, there's an entry to west after east wins a ♣ or ♠. West can then score the 5th ♥ as the setting trick (2♥'s, 2♦'s and a black trick).

What circles? Wait, I'd rather not know...

That's not true (or you will be surprised). :) Here in Norway you don't have to alert a 1NT opening which promises an average+ hand which is balanced or semibalanced (semibalanced defined as 2 doubletons or 1 singleton and no doubleton). Thus we can systemically open 1NT on 4441, 5431, 6331, 6322 and 5422 without alerting it. However, if the lower limit for opening 1NT is 8 or 9 hcp, it's alertable whatever distribution is allowed.

On the first hand I'd have bid 5♥ over the 2nd double, expecting to make. If your partner for example had the ♦A instead of the queen, he'd had his double (only just), and 5♥ would have play. Of course your partner had a clear pass over 4♠. On the 2nd hand your partners actions was ridiculous. He's shown a strong 55+ in the minors. 5♣ was a nice bid.

3♣ is to play, no question about that. IMO west has an easy raise to 3NT. 3♠ should show this handtype, but a little stronger I think. Just too weak for a GF 2♥ jump reverse.

In most of my partnership a lead of an honour ask for attitude. The exception being that one always unblock the card below the lead card (not ace). Thus we lead Q from KQT9(x) and K from AKJT(x).

Seeing LHO have lead from ♠Jxx, holding (it looks like) ♥AQ?? and a singleton ♣, it seems obvious to me that he's got the ♦A (unless that's impossible according to the bidding). Most people would prefer a ♦ lead from the Q or T over a ♠ from Jxx. So I'll play west for the ♦A.