skjaeran

The first one is just too weak for me, the rest I'd open. Of course provided that's my partnership style - I'd pass the 2nd hand with some.

3♥'s got to be the best bid here. It's right on values. I'm a trump short, but it's the only invite I can stomach. And my hand is invitational. The only other option to me is the underbid of 2♥, but that's just too little with this hand. Playing ULTRASOUND openings I'd force to game with 3♣.

I'd be inclined to rebid 2♠ as opener with a 3-5-4-1 minimum at matchpoints. That's why partner will rebid 3♠ with three of them over 2NT; he's got extras and will accept the invite. I, as "partner," will bid 2♠ at my second turn with three spades, rather than 2♦; not 3♠ at my third turn over 2NT on the given auction. So would I, with a minimum. With extras, I would rebid 2♦ and support spades next.

(p) 1♣ (p) 2♣ (GF) (2♠) 2NT (p) 3NT all pass Going down unless spades are divided Axxxxx-Jx (or east finds another suit to lead). I'd not find 5♣.

I'd be inclined to rebid 2♠ as opener with a 3-5-4-1 minimum at matchpoints. That's why partner will rebid 3♠ with three of them over 2NT; he's got extras and will accept the invite.

If opps have full values for their game bid, partner made a somewhat light opening in third seat, and will have a good suit. If opps haven't got full values, dummy often will come down with long clubs. I wan't pick among the two open major suits, any of them could be very costly, and it's a pure guess to hit the right one - if there is one. So I'm going for partner's suit.

Tough decision at MP, I might easily have chosen 5♥. At IMPs 5♥ is obvious, IMO.

I used to play: 1♣-2♣ = GF raise 1♣-2red = 2-way transfer, wjs/sts in M 1♣-2♠ = unbalanced/semibalanced raise (8+-11) 1♣-2NT = nat inv 1♣-3♣ = preemptive 1♦-2♣ = nat 2/1 1♦-2♦ = GF raise 1♦ - 2M = wjs 1♦-2NT = nat inv 1♦-3♣ = as 1♣-2♠ 1♦-3♦ = preemptive I've been thinkink of using the same responses to 1♦ as to 1♣, with 2♣ being either natural or a GF raise and 3♣ show some specific GF ♣ hands (split the GF ♣s in two according to diamond length (0-2 and 3+)).

Resulting is when you're influenced by knowing the hand and what is "right". I believe none of the 4♣ openers had any idea about the whole hand, and bid what they meant was the correct bid with this hand. I surely did.

Small diamond, no other option for me. Need to set up a trick (or cash two) fast, before they run away on dummy's clubs.

What to open with this hand is a style question. These days I play constructive weak twos with most partners (8-11), thus this is an obvious 2♠ to me.

2N was scrambling, not natural. For those unfamiliar with scrambling, it shows two places to play (here among the unbid suits). Partner bids his suits up the line until a fit is found.

Agree with 3♥ and 4♥. Now I'll try 6♣, hopefully partner can pass, if not we'll play in 6♥. I like my hand in context.

In ACBL I guess you'd rule 6♥ for both sides. Elsewhere you'd probably rule a weighted score 6♥=/4♥+2. Something like 75% weight for slam. JoAnne is absolutely correct about avg+/- being an illegal ruling.

3♦. I've found that when Josh and Han agree with me, it's because they've got it right this time. B)

Agree with 5NT. KISS

2♥=6+ spades I guess

I pass, since any other call would show values I don't remotely hold. If partner comes to life again, I migth make a call later in the auction.

I agree that 3♣ is obvious, but I think you are dreaming if you think that we are going to reach many games after this... I think he'll need to be 5=1=4=3 for this to happen... usually, we'll be a lot weaker than this maximum... in std bidding (including 2/1) we'd bid 3♣ on x xxx xxx KQJxxx I don't expect that to happen often, that's true.

The combination of double, 1NT and 2♥ is GF. That's obvious, IMO. To set trumps you support hearts, 2♠ isn't a cuebid agreeing hearts. I agree with Josh, it shows values, most probably HHx. 2NT should be natural, showing a balanced/semi-balanced hand. 3♦ is a mystery to me. It might be a week 5-bagger, something like KQx xx Txxxx KJx. Not that I can see why I'd introduce this suit instead of bidding 3NT.

4♣. 4m is probably the best preempt you've got in your arsenal for making it hard for opps. So use it when you can.

Add me to the LM chorus: 4♣

3♣ seems blindingly obvious to me. We might miss a game on occasion but rate to find the superior partscore. Still might get to game after 3♣ on some hands.

I pass and hope partner can make the contract (I expect him to). I'm not that excited about slam chances...

I play 5♠ as specifically asking for a 3rd round spade control. Lacking that, I sign off in 6♦.