skjaeran

Anyone watching Helgemo-Helness on this hand - it was against Bocchi-Duboin? Helgemo passed the west hand, Duboin opened 1♠, Helness overcalled 4NT!!, Bocchi passed and Helgemo jumped to 6♣!!. Duboin doubled and Bocchi bid 6♦. Thus they ended in 6♠x-1.

I often favour light raises, but this isn't even close. Pass. After partner's reopening double nothing happened to my hand. I'm good enough for 3♥ now (playing lebensohl here).

This depends on your level. But I'd say discussing hands with top players, including of course regular partner(s) and play more bridge hands are most important for developing after you've reached a certain level. When you're at expert level discussing with expert and world class players become more important, and you don't need to play a huge amount of boards. You still need to play enough to not become rusty (how much this is is individual) and preferrably against strong opponents.

If you bid 2D and partner raises you won't go? You have a slam opposite Kxxx Axx Kxx xxx, why is partner supposed to bid more than 3D with this hand (I know you could have a balaned 11 count with 5 diamonds easily on this auction). This just seems crazy. You're right Justin, passing 3♦ is indeed crazy. Any hand partner raises with should make 5♦ a reasonable contract. So I'd better bid 5♣, showing the void. Having limited the hand with 2♦ partner will raise to slam only with a hand like the one you suggest. I still disagree with jumping to 3♦. That IMO overstates the strenght of the hand and I'd not be very comfortable with passing 3NT from partner, nor my chances if partner should raise to 5♦ (I'm more comfortable with 5♦ than 3NT though).

I'd pass since then I expect to go plus 90+% of the time, whereas bidding in my experience lead to a negative score 70+% of the time. And bidding and making game IME is such low percentage that passing is a clear long time IMP winner.

Not one person has suggested bidding 2♥ over the X. So you just missed the 4-3 heart fit. Ehh. She responded to your post (she didn't quote though):

I'd routinely lead a club. I'd never even think about calling for TD here. If I were called as TD I'd rule result stand any day of the week and have a few words with your opponents.

Over 3♠? I'd not try that if I were you - partner wouldn't know if this was natural, splinter - or help us all - Exclusion Blackwood....

I rebid 2♦. If partner bid 2NT over this I'll try 3♣. If partner's got a double club stopper I rate his chances in 3NT as good, so I'll pass 3NT. If partner rebids 3♦ I'll pass, since I don't rate my chances in 5♦ good enough. If partner rebid 2M I'll raise him to game.

I'm passing. After all, I'll be defending it.. lol.

Why on earth are you coming up whith this? And why pester (yoy're not alone) Ken for giving an easy to understand and accurate explanation of his 1♣ opening. This is really ridiulous. I understand that Americans aren't used to anything outside SA, SAYC and 2/1 variations, but there's no reason to behave like this is exotic....or maybe it is in ACBL-land. :P

No, because 1♣ is artificial in Precision. Is Ken's 1♣ opening artificial? I didn't understand it to be so. Sure it's artificial. What else could it be???

I don't care much what 1NT show in balancing seat. I'll pass this anyway.

I'd invite here both at IMP's and MP.

How come south passed out 4♠ - surely that's impossible on this auction?

Double, no 2nd choice. Partner will pass most of the time, and I'm happy with that.

Add me in for 3♠. I'm confident partner knows what he's doing, and also that he expects me to know what he's doing.

4♠ is OK. I'll pass now. In the last scenario I think it's close, but I'm gonna take the push to 5♠.

Even the fact that my two suits are identical won't persuade me to make another bid. :D Pass - hope to beat them.

This is a clear opening IMO. I don't LOVE my hand, but every card is working. So I'll just barely make a forcing pass now.

I replied to part 3 before part 2... Have to admit I'd be unable to find any other call than 4♥ on this.

Clear pass, partner should know what (s)he's doing.

3NT. Can't bypass the most likely game (by bidding 4♣). Double seems very odd to me, and I can't contemplate passing here.

The trumps you mean?

That's how I played, ♦Q dropped 2nd round from LHO. LHO held ♥QTx too. Those taking both red suit finesses (half the field) went down. Since I wasn't playing against Helgemo or the like I played ♥K, ♥ finesse after the two diamonds. Vs a world star I'd not have taken the trump finesse, since it would be possible for a player of that caliber to drop the ♦Q from ♥Qx ♦Qxx. RHO was KJxxxx xx xxx xx.