Apollo81

The methods seem poor.

Partner didn't want to play 2♥x, why should I bid 3♥?

http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?showtopic=23354&hl=

he had some spades in with his clubs until his third call this actually happened to me once during a midnight when i was tired, i had 5 small hearts and thought i had 3325 shape but I was really 3505 and was able to rectify the situation at my second call

I love that kind of justification. "Yes I know I made a bad call but if I had made the right call then we would have lost IMPs for sure so it's your fault". well it is BAM sometimes you have to do weird things doesnt seem 100% clearcut to me, offline i did get one "auto double, auto pass" response from a good player

Diamond. Opener probably doesn't have four if he is honest. I don't agree that a spade is asking partner to have too much; we could easily hit Axxx or a 5 card suit. In fact, there are some people aganist whom I'd lead a spade (people that i know open weaker minor and who arent up to double crossing me)

I'd accept the transfer as well. I've seen Dbl with this sort of hand work out badly too many times. I still think it's close between these two calls, with pass a distant 3rd.

partner's hand was K10x Kxx Kxx J98x, looks a little silly but it was necessary to double 4♥ in order to tie the board, the other table opened 1♠ with the OP and it went 4♥ X all pass, i did pull the double, so no biscuit this time

yeah

Perhaps the question you should ask yourself is where are our 8 tricks coming from? Qx K10xxx xx QJxx Jx AK10xx xx Jxxx Want to defend? and I didn't even give partner a stiff diamond

Yes, I agree with this.

1. 2♥, doesn't seem close to passing. 2. 3♣, tough call. With major suit cards offside and a D void I am not wanting to defend unless partner has significant extras beyond a normal penalty pass.

I don't hate 1♠ like everyone else does, and I would pass now and dont think it's that close

Yes. Yes

I think 2♠ should show 5-6 in spades and a minor.

Contrast this auction with one like (1♠)-X-(p)-2♦-(p)-2♥. Now I think it is clearly better to play 3♣ as NF since you could bid 2♠ to GF.

2♣ then double

If I had to guess what Standard is I would guess that forcing is Standard. If discussed I usually play that suit non-reverse bids are NF in these situations. No idea which is theoretically superior.

1. 3♣ 2. 4♦ 3. 4♥ #1 is the toughest call. Looks like a pass but 3♣ has more ways to win. I'm OK with playing this in 3NT if we don't catch a spade fit, it might make.

If I had straight Blackwood available, then I would bid that. I expect this hand to normally make 11 or 12 tricks, though 10 or 13 are possible too. Given this, I suppose the bid with the highest expected value is 5♥. We may not get to slam all the time it is right, nor will we stop short all the time that is right, but on % we will probably do better by making this call than by making any other call.

Even if partner had bid only 3♣ I would bid 5♣ here.

I'll double, happy if playing ELC, willing to live with the consequences if not.

Same to lighter NV since partner cant hang you and going down is only 50 a trick. Same to sounder Vul. Opening light red opposite a passed hand = high risk of -X00.

I'd advise not to play 10-12 NT when vulnerable. Down 2 or down 1 doubled isn't too uncommon, and is a HUGE MP difference when vulnerable. Drury is still worthwhile IMO. For instance you might have Axx AJxxx x xxxx opposite a 3rd/4th seat spade opener.

2♠, I dont see any alternative -- double should mean we want to defend and pass should mean that we would not be unhappy if partner also passed