skjaeran

(Willies) Is there an implicit suggestion that 4♥ would be to play? Yes, I consider 4♥ to be passable here.

Make it a great one!

4♠. Partner can't stand several round of diamonds in 4♥, and 3NT looks wrong to me.

If you mostly play IMPs, I strongly agree. If you play more MP-events, your priorities will differ by a lot.

Well, that really depends on where you start out! :) In Norway 4cM was the norm in the olden days (that's before I started playing). And unlike in UK, the norm was up-the-line bidding, opening the lowest of two 4-card suits. Thus 4-3-3-3 was the only hand with 4-card spades that was opened 1♠. In the 70s, a standard system evolved, where 1♠ promised 5 and you opened 1♣ with 4-3-3-3. This was the norm (and still is in fact for most players) up to the early 90s, when some (juniors mostly) started playing 1♥ showing 5, unless 44M. Thus 4-3-3-3 and 3-4-3-3 opened 1♣ and 1♦ promised 4 (as before). This is very easy to play (for those coming from 4c♥, probably harder for 5cM players). Not raising partners spades always promice 5c♥. Only in competitive sequences you might be unable to sort out wheather opener has 44M or 5c♥, and only occasionally - mostly you're able to sort this out.

I doubt that after taking one finesse, someone would then finesse into the only other missing card in the suit. Don't be too sure about that. I've experienced a declarer playing the trump queen from hand, finessing when my partner showed out, and losing to my bare king! :rolleyes:

I'm cooperating by signing off in 4♠. Obviously, a slam is odds against, the 5-level would often be too high, and we might on occasion go down in game.

I'd bid: 1♣ - 1♦ 1♥ - 1NT 2NT - 3♣ 3♦ - 3NT 4♥ - pass 1♣=2+, 1♦=trf, 1♥=3c+, 1NT=nat, 2NT=18-19 3c♥, 3♣=trf, 3♦=fit, 3NT=suggestion to play (2452), 4♥=suggestion to play (alternative contract is 5♦)

I'd go for the top diamond here.

I agree with Frances and Justin. This hand is close between 3♥ and pass. Being a bidder, I'm pretty sure I'd chose 3♥ at the table. Not confident that it's the correct longtime choise though.

So with 2047 you expect the diamonds to be 3-3-3 with the other three players? I'd be surprised if this hand would score much more than 2.5 tricks on defence on average.

Or something is wrong with the rest of the club? It might be weird for you, but you should consider that possibility... B)

Clearcut pass. 4NT is quant.

Diamond.

Obvious pass.

Most probably none.

Actually, I didn't care at all what signal were in use. My partner would lead back the jack from Jx and a low from Jxx (if he was awake) whatever signal we used and whatever spot cards he had played to the first trick. This is pure logic and partnership trust.

Why?

4♠

IMO 6♣=10, 4N=9, 5♣=5, 3N=4, 4♠=3 :) My simulations prove that slam is playable opposite as little as ♠ AKQ8 ♥ Ax ♦ xx ♣ Axxxx (Seriously, I do understand your point, Ken) Don't you think that the spade Queen is overkill, though? :blink: That's why he said 'as little as'... :P

I'm understanding of this. But just to clarify, if it goes: (1♠) - P - (P) - Dbl (P) - 2♥ - (P) - ? Are you still bidding 2NT? Suppose instead that partner bids 2m. Why not 2♥? Doesn't this show the flexible hand with hearts too strong for a 2♥ balance? We won't worry anymore about right-siding NT as partner won't be bidding it. Or does this show something like x AKQxxx Kxx Axx? Even with a fit, your chances for making 3NT seems greater than 4♥.

Agree!

He MIGHT have that holding, but what would you have him do with x Kxx AKxxxx AJx? Pass 2♠? I can't see how that can be good bridge. Partner's rarely have magic cards, so I bid 3♦. I agree with you on the magic card part, of course. Actually, I'd bid 2NT if that was natural. But having the agreement that 2NT is never natural, unless it IS, I doubt that's possible.

What do you expect partner to bid with xx Kx AKQxxx AJx? That's more in line with what I'd expect partner to hold for this bidding - a strong overcall. I'm bidding 3NT.

One of the few times I agree with skaeran. *****! Does that mean I got this one wrong? :P