Halo

My answer was that the disadvantage of bidding 3D (potentially wrongsiding 6NT) is more than counterbalanced by the advantages (more space for investigating strain and level). If partner bid 3NT, I'd raise to 4NT. Thanks Gnasher. I'll tell you what I really think. People looking at problems without ownership of a hand are much more likely to not notice protecting a King in a slam auction. People owning the hand with Kx(x..) do think about it. Notice that noone (including me or you or even the Giants) mentioned protecting the King of spades.

That would be a problem only if partner couldn't bid 3H, so we'd have to have 12 fast tricks without needing the heart suit, eg xx x KQJxx(x) KQJx(x) or a hand with a choice of routes to 12 tricks, like xx Q KQxxxx KQJx. Bidding notrumps has two downsides: we'd have to bid four of them in order to express our values, making it harder to find the right contract if we belong in a suit or if we have a grand slam on, and 4NT is a slight underbid. I realise that this last part isn't quite consistent with my earlier statement that I'd bid 3D and then a natural 4NT over most replies. After 3♦-3♥, I think I'd bid 4♣, planning in due course to bid Keycard for hearts, so that I can make a grand slam try opposite ♠A and ♥Q. I may have misunderstood, but you don't seem to have answered the point made. If a heart fit does not materialise all contracts are potentially wrongsided after 3D -3NT. You may have twelve top tricks only after two, three or four spade losers. What would you bid to progress things after 3D - 3NT?

Now and until the rivers run dry, it is penalty.

While I wait for partner to lead, I will mull over the missed opportunities to play the hand.

I like a quantitative 4NT. I'm not convinced that I will gain much information from a slow auction, and I may just lose a good opportunity to describe my strong balanced hand.

At the table I'd play for favourable breaks in clubs and diamonds. Win the heart, discard the Jack of hearts on the third club, ruff a heart, diamond, ruff a heart etc. Makes with clubs 43, diamonds 32 and hearts no singleton.

3NT When double is better, I miss out.

This is an interesting example, but personally I would open it, so it tends to confirm me in believing I would never raise 5H to 6H.

Pass Absolutely no way I am bidding slam from here.

Pass. My partners don't always have pure 16+ hands for the double.

Cue. I'd much rather discuss with partner how he could pass and bid 5D to play, rather than discuss how we missed the slam.

See above

Since I have to assume hearts 32, I'd play for diamonds 22 or [Edit] favourable 31 . If I think about matchpoints, this line is reasonable versus the 7D players, if you think a lot of your field play grands, and the level of defence is very good.

I'll bid my longest major. I don't know what partner has in mind. He get's another bid.

3S For me pass and correct is weak ( I like to pass weak hands). So 2S is a good hand. So 3S is a good hand - with (logic suggests) < 4 hearts, < 5 diamonds, certainly >= 6 spades. Down to partner to justify his redouble and progress the bidding. 3C is OK, but says (IMO) it is my responsibility (maybe 54 majors), but that is not what I have.

I'll take the chance that these are joke threads. Pass.

2H I've got a good hand and good hearts. This bid doesn't take us very high and isn't confusing. Passing an nf 2D doesn't look like IMPs to me.

If double is majors, then double. I don't expect to prempt them out of anything on this round.

You need some help, from Lady Luck or opponents. I think playing the club is technical and puts all your hopes on luck. The heart finesse and spade is no better, but just imagine the position of the defender when he wins the spade.

Pass. Once partner and I have preempted each other, it's too late for investigation.

If that's the case, why didn't he pass 2♠X? Third stooge?

I guess: QJTxx - KQJxxxxx - is an extreme possibility.

I differ from the majority. I would definitely win the diamond King and finesse hearts immediately. If it wins then spade ten. If it's covered, duck and take it from there. It feels to me that the immediate heart finesse outweighs the creation of a diamond tenace - but as Nige1 says, who knows.

1 Double. 2. Clear pass. I just wont allow oppos a free ride on hand one. I'll pay off when it happens and take our plus 800 otherwise.

Irony? Lot of rule of 19 hands make slams. Why is +500 such a great target.