skjaeran

I'm very much in agreement with Frances and Mike on this one. The whole auction should tell south off jumping to 4♦.

There's absolutely no reason to expect them to go down. Since I hate -670 or -870 at IMPs I'll just pass this.

Playing vs solid openers this is a clearcut pass. Vs light openers it's much closer, but I'd still be passing most of the time. EDIT: Of cource I'm talking about opponents above - that's why I used the plural form. :lol:

1. Playing standard methods I'll raise to 3♠. With my regular we're able to show a strong 2♠ rebid by 2♥ trf. Playing that I've got an easy pass here. 2. ♥A, going for the forcing defence. 3. ♥ 4. Clear pass.

In that context I'd say 4♥ should be some sort of last train - a strong raise to 5♣, not guaranteeing a control.

I agree with the auction this far. Now I've got an auto pass. If they make, they make. Just move on to the next board.

Hi Harald, would you elaborate on this, I haven't seen it before. For example, is 1C-1H-2C-2H non-forcing with 4-5 in the majors? Or is 2M an artificial GF and are the transfers only up to 2M-1? Or maybe different from both? After 1♣-1♦(♥)-2♣: 2♦=trf to 2♥, 6+♥, constructive+ (we use weak/strong transfer JS) 2♥=trf to ♠, 4-5 inv+ 2♠=bal inv+ 2NT=♣ support inv+ 3♣=5♥4+♦ GF

I prefer to overcall. But it's borderline. Don't think there's a problem with either action - it's just down to personal preferences.

3♣ for me. 4♣ slightly overstates our values IMO.

I didn't double, I bid 4NT. So you are halfway between Josh and Josh :) But that can't be good, can it? :)

Tough problem. 2♠ would be my 3rd bid with the north hand after the obvious first four bids in the auction.

In Norway it's standard that 1x - X - XX - p is no preference. Some play it as penalty - I have done so - but not many. Last time I looked, we were part of Europe (though not EU), so saying pass as penalty is standard in Europe isn't correct. It may be in parts of Europe for sure.

I think it's quite close between pass and 3NT. Not absolutely sure which is best. I'd probably bid 3NT at MP and pass at IMPs.

With my regular partner we play transfers after 1♣-1M-2♣. (We use transfer responses to 1♣ as well, so M in fact is M-1.) Before that we played 1♣-1♠-2♣-2♥ as NF, and 2♦ as conv. inv+. I still do in other partnerships. In the auction given I agree 4♣ shows a hand with a long suit, unsuited for 3NT and too weak to jump to 3♣ last round.

I'd pass this. If I was going to open, I'd bid 1♦.

Strongly prefer 1NT first, but then I play 1♣ as 2+. Now I bid 4NT, expecting to make that easily.

If you try this you should really go for the "Italian expert trick": Dbl = 4 / 5 ♠ 1♠ = Less than 4♠, either no stopper or too strong to bid 1NT 1NT = Constructive NF 2♥ = 6+♠, weak or strong 2♠ = 6+♠, invitational (8 - 11) Agree with Gerben on all counts. 1♠=5 used to be standard in Norway (probably is still). Many have changed to X denies, 1♠=4+. And some are moving to what Gerben describes above.

I use Pearson Points as a vague guideline on borderline hands. My experience is that on those hand I pass out I score 65%+ on average. I really don't know why.

100% agree.

I'm normally very agressive in these situations. But holding KJx in openers suit under him vs partners doubleton (or singleton) is bad. I'll bid 2♠ only. Switch the rounded suits and I'm more inclined to bid 3♠.

what he said (wow!) Ditto

4NT seems more or less automatic to me.

Natural, but wouldn't be shocked if it was intended otherwise by quite a few.

Many ways to play this, but I would never assume weak as Helene suggest. Either invitational or forcing. I like to play it as forcing but I wouldn't assume so without discussion (this is an auction I discuss when playing serious live bridge). It's played as sign off by a lot of Norwegians, me included. With my most regular partner I've switched. Now it's 55+ GF, with 2NT a puppet to 3♣.

Actually, if you don't mind me semi-changing the subject.... My methods over 1♥-1♠-1NT are not overly good, which perhaps is part of why I prefer 2♠. What would you recommend? I'd recomment xy-NT. It's easy and reasonably good. I did express myself badly above. What I really meant to say is that you'll have better control regarding fit and strength after rebidding 1NT, regardless of methods - as long as you play "something". :huh: