Apollo81

I am 99% sure that it will not go 3♣ all pass, so I'll bid 3♣ planning to bid spades next. It could go double all pass.

I don't think 3♣ is forcing.

When you PREEMPT your bid does not have PURELY preemptive value either. Lets not get into a ridiculous semantics argument. When you open a 15-17 NT youre thinking "I hope this gets us to the best contract" When you open 1NT with 7-11 or 8-11 or 9-11 or 10-12 at fav, you are not thinking, "I hope this will get us to a good game" You're thinking "I hope this F's the opps!" Anyone who thinks or states otherwise is wrong. End of discussion.

dbl is a support double

read the poll

I bet this would be more effective at fav than 9-11

I don't feel anything before seeing the dummy. Obviously we'd prefer to have more hearts and/or working HCP. Why must this be a bad contract? We only promised 4♥s and never showed extras, if I'm reading the auction right.

As others have pointed out, the whole point of this range is to preempt the opponents, not constructively reach game. In fact id say theres no point to playing a 3 point range for a purely preemptive NT opening, might as well play 8-11. I dont think this argument extends to other ranges (even 10-12 vs 10-13) because a lot of those will be "constructive" hands whereas a lot fewer of the 8-11s will be our hand. If I were to play 8-11 fav I would open any balanced 8 count and would upgrade some 11s (field openers) into 1-suit.

I'd bid 2♣ and then raise a preference to 3♦. Closer to immediate JS (which I assume is forcing) then 2♣/pass a preference.

This would be an auto 3♠ at MPs since -1 or -2 could win the board. Likewise an auto 3♠ if partner were not a PH - somebody has to act. I would even bid 3♠ if LHO were a PH because the chance we go for a number is way reduced in that case. As the given conditions are not the above, I'd pass.

I think what you did was reasonable, though a bit conservative. I'd prefer a direct 5♥ or psych (I like 2♠ as a psych, though here I'd choose 5♥). I wouldn't take two bids here in any case. At least with the 4♥ bid you know you aren't going for too much no matter what. Change your majors and I'd bid just 4♠.

If we are playing Wolff over 1x-1y-2NT, what is "standard" for all of responder's second bids and followups by both players?

My point is that if we give partner a normal hand where grand would have decent play then we should at least attempt to bid a small slam.

x Axx Kxxx AKQxx looks normal for the double and grand is nearly 50%, so I'd cue 4♠.

I would pass. For all we know they're getting into 3NT and partner needs to make a club lead. Since pard is a PH I don't think theres much hope to buy this contract. I can always balance if it goes 2♥pp.

Why is preemptor running from 3♥ undoubled? If he's going to psych he should at least be smart about it.

I echo these sentiments.

I'd bid 2♠ here too since I don't expect P to reopen with honor doubleton clubs. I wonder if I posted anything in that thread, and if it matches my answer here =) They are both pretty close IMO. Change the clubs to two small and the hearts to Qxx and it's not as close.

It's sick but I'd probably bid 2♥. Since we didn't preempt, the hearts are better than expected even though the hand is worse. Obv wouldnt do this as an uph, and am only doing it now because I think partner will have a tough time reopening since we have a stiff club.

Just one.

I'd assume responder had an invitational or a bit worse hand with 5+♠. He was trying to compete over 3♣ and didn't mind defending doubled, so he has some values and there are some hands opener can have that would raise.

1. ♣A, hoping to give partner a ruff. May not cost anyway even if this isn't happening. 2. Pass, I really don't see how this can go badly, I prefer to defend NT than declare at all red. I will bid 2♠ if they xfer to ♥. Would bid 2♠ directly if either side was NV. 3. Pass.

I'd go with Double and pass. On the first one it seems like there is only one sequence that causes us trouble, whereas we can get to either red suit or 3NT if P doesnt have the crap hand with clubs. To me this makes Dbl higher pct to work out than overcalling. If pard cant reopen the second one we probably don't have game, maybe I reopen more aggressively than most people.

I would not bid 2NT on any hand with ♦xxx

I'd draw one round of trumps (assuming they both follow) and lead the ♣8, ducking if it's not covered.