skjaeran

Then HE should be drawn, quartered, and hanged by the neck. ;)

Or even playing with Gerben... ;)

Looks like they play 1♠=4+ and x=those hands that can't bid 1NT (lack of stopper) and hasn't got the values for 2♣ nor fit for 2♦. I regularly play the same, except we switch the meanings; x=4+♠, 1♠ denies 4c. Basically, the X (1♠ for me) promise 4+♣s. The actual hand is close to, or just at the border to, a 2♣ bid - depending on methods. The 2♣ rebid is strange to me, wonder what a 1♠ rebid would show. The main problem in the sequence is the last double. If that's pure penalty (or close to that), I don't fancy it. If it's just showing a maximum it's probably OK. Then south's pass is wrong. I guess the problem here is lack of agreement regarding the meaning of the last double.

Can't imagine not trying 3♥ here. Sure, we could go down, but still.

Nice instructive problem where the safety play cannot lose a trick, thus being the correct play at any scoring.

Agree with Han again.

Three possible calls for me; pass, 2♦ (garbage Multi) and 3♥. The hand isn't close to a 2♥ for me. Normally I'd open 2♦ playing garbage Multi. If not, I'd pass more often than opening 3♥ - who my partner is would affect my decision, also opps and state of the match.

Partner could very well have something like Axxx x AQJxx QJx. Thus, plasting slam isn't an issue to me. A club lead stands out on the auction. I'll just cuebid 5♦, and toss the ball to partner. If partner rebids 5♠ I'll pass.

This hand is just a little too good offensively to overcall 2♠. We might still have game. But this is a minor flaw compared with: The hand is far too good defensively. With 2.5 (or even more) defensive tricks, making a wjo will far too often induce partner to make the wrong decision over 4♥, making a phantom save. So this is a clear 1♠ to me.

So do I - I've played that in my last two longstanding partnerships.

No fielding for sure. Would anyone around the table (or elsewhere) expect much of a heart suit with a player pulling this stunt? Seems improbable to me. After having made a free bid on 4 hcp with a 4-card suit there can be no reason at all to repeat the suit after partner pulled 2♥x. How naive are we supposed to be?

The void splinter is a nice tool here, one that I also like. I'm not convinced whether that is the best or not, considering the weird shape, but it certainly is calculated to find out about the diamond control. The risk seems to be if Opener blasts immediately. You win when Opener bids 4♦ or 4♥, but you have some difficulty after 4NT. What difficulty? Either you show your number of aces and await partners continuation, or you just jump to the grand at once. If partner can bid RKCB over your voidshowing splinter you can be 100% sure that 7♠ is a very good contract (normally absolutely laydown).

I agree with you, besides, it looks a LITTLE strange? Looks very strange to me. I didn't really think I had to add a smiley there. :rolleyes:

Not worth a flame of course, but 9 out of 10 seems like a real exageration to me (I know you would have a better idea than I would.) Also a hand with xx in the doubleton and AQJ in the long suit is not 'routine' for the shape. For example I would double easily if the diamond queen was in clubs instead. yeah 9 out of 10 was a definite overbid, I retract that to 6.8 out of 10. BTW I didn't notice you bid 2D! Sorry for the unintentional insult, though I am surprised. Lol. sorry for the insult, or sorry it was unintentional? :P Stupid question Josh! Surely Justin is sorry it was unintentional..... :rolleyes:

If we're supposed to forget the question, why ever ask?? :rolleyes:

vs a natural invitational 2NT I can see now reason not to raise to 3NT. This rates to be our best game, whereas 5♦ can be off 3 top tricks.

4♠. Not close to pass or double IMO.

1♠ - 4♣ (void) 4♦ - 4NT (EKCB) 5♣ - 5♦ (Q ask) 5♥ - 7♠ (Q+♥K is enough)

If someone actually bid like this, this sequence exist - for this person. ;) For myself, no, I can't imagine bidding like this, maybe I could prepetrate this in an extreme situation, although I doubt that.

♦2. Obvious lead, anyone in doubt can ask my partner. ;)

I'm also very strongly in the open 1♣ camp here. 4♠ was OK and pass now seem obvious to me. Partner's sequence looks a little strange.

I also like 5♥. Partner would expect a very good suit for this bid, probably solid. He'll thus look at his own suit and side controls (aces). Pretty good chance he's able to evaluate his hand correctly.

I disagree with 2♥, this is a negX to me. I'd have bid 4♥ most probably.

1. Pass. We're most probably not making any game here. 2. 4♦, 5♦ is just too much. 3. 3.49♥, NOT splinter. (I'd rebid either 3 or 4♥, probably 3 a little more often than 4.)

I'd overcall 2♣ here. Frankly, I think it's very close to double. But playing in Norway double just isn't an issue on hands like this.