Apollo81

1. Lack of focus. For whatever reason this seems to happen way less in IMP events than at MPs. 2. Slow double dummy analysis, which has been a result of playing less since the end of 2004. The effect of this is that I declare complex hands much more slowly, and sometimes worse (see 1) than I used to.

Really? What hands is partner bidding with if we pass that pass if we double? I don't think that exists. Mind you, I don't expect him to bid very often over our X but I would expect him to bid even less over a pass, and I think all hands that bid over a pass should bid over a X. There are three possible meanings for the double: (1) We're usually beating this, and I don't promise my values will work well on offense. Please don't pull without an exceptional hand. (2) We're usually beating this, and my values should convert reasonably well on offense. Pull if you'd like, but my intention is to defend. (3) I think we can make something. If you deign to pass, I will contribute enough high cards to the defense to expect a plus score. I would assume that an undiscussed double in this position is by default (2), and I assume the doublers think it is (3). That's the best explanation I can offer.

First choice at previous call 2♦, second choice 3♣. On the continuation you gave, I would bid 5♣ (or a NF 4♣ if available) since partner would have bid 2N with a diamond stop.

Agree/2NT. A good partner will then bid 3♠.

Pass. 100% clear at MPs, close to that at IMPs.

Tough hand. Pass, double or 5NT pick-a-slam could all be right. I think it's easy to fall into the potential trap of doubling because we have something and all suit bids are so unappetizing. The problem IMO is that partner is going to sit on virtually all hands -- those with club length because he has club length and those without because he will figure us to have it. Even if we beat 5♣, I strongly doubt we're beating it more than 1. I'd pass because I feel that partner will be better placed to make the final decision after this than if I had doubled. The worst case is probably that we pass it out, making when we could make 5 of something, but at least it won't be doubled. The most common case is probably down 1 undoubled. However I feel a significant pct of the time partner will be able to bid something only if we don't double in front of him. I don't feel strongly about this.

Pass. I don't think this is a better than minimum hand for spades. I definitely would have overcalled 1♦ instead of double. I *might* double with KQx AQx xxxxxx x, but I can't remember ever having doubled on a minimum with this shape.

If I'm playing Lebensohl here I'd bid 3♣ to show a max for my lack of previous bidding (jn fact if playing this I'd give it a WTP since I could have xx xxxx xxx xxxx for a 2♠ bid). Otherwise I'd bid 2♠.

I'd pass, and I don't see what the previous hands have to do with anything, nor do I see what's so strange about the actions taken (except maybe 3♦)

Agree; I would never pass 1♠ on 0346 if NV

My favorite instance of this was playing at the local unit game (50ish tables) where an old guy's phone rang loudly and he answered it. The conversation (heard by everyone in the room) went like this: old guy: HELLO? WHAT? I can't talk, I'm playing bridge. <further conversation I can't remember> At least the director slapped him with a penalty for this.

open 1♥ since it's the best way to get to spades when it's right

So none of them look like 4♥ openers? Not really, there's one that's close: x KQJ98xx xx Kxx or some such. At favorable several of these would be 4♥ openers but it's all white.

Obviously there is no agreement, East is just inexperienced. Since everyone was fooled there is no adjustment.

Why is this an interesting hand? This is the field auction and contract, and no other contract is better.

I'd open 3♥ on all of the hands with 7♥s except "J974","AKJT742","4","4" (too good) "KQ93","KT76532","2","Q", (don't want to miss spades) "K97","AJ98432","87","Q" (too much defense, not enough offense, spades may play better) "J5","AT98643","7","K62" (too much defense, not enough offense) I would not open 3♥ on any of the other hands except "75","KQJ643","3","KT85" (offensive value is more characteristic of 3 than 2) I don't think I would pass any of these; if I'm not opening 3 I would either open 1 or 2.

The weakest hand is a yarb and the strongest hand is one that doesn't want to force game right now. Obviously the weaker the hand the more often it will be passed instead of forcing NTd. At fav I would bid 1N with very weak 31(45) hands for instance, we want to make heart bids less appealing for the opps.

Also agree with Arend, that example is ridiculous

This sums the situation up nicely.

The 2♥ bid was really bad. If it was our hand, then partner would have taken a call over 2♦, and if it was not, there's no point to bidding and thus making partner think we had something. Anyway the double is penalty but I would pull it. Partner's hand is VERY limited by the 3♥ bid, and I have at best half a defensive trick. If I was CHO and thought that I had 3.5-4 defensive tricks I would double expecting at least half a trick from the 2♥ bid, so I'll bet this is what's going on and that 4♦ is making 10 tricks.

3♦, which is both the best description of your hand and the bid that allows partner the most room to describe his.

1. X 2. takeout 3. X Given 2 IMO it's pretty obvious to double on 1 (and therefore also on 3)

I think you're crazy =)

I'll bid 3♠, if he has a penalty double he'll just bid 3NT and we're fine, if not then we certainly don't want to defend. I think trying to guess what partner has for the double is irrelevant, but FWIW when people bid over 2N they tend to have their bids so I would guess takeout despite our short hearts.

Is there any hand with diamonds and spades that would pass in first chair and not pass 5♣ now? What about Qxxxx x KQJ109xxx ---