Apollo81

Even if they take the push to 5♥, they'll almost certainly make it. If they double, I think you're going for more than 500 -- and all this is assuming that you had a good way to show this hand, which you don't.

A quick review of these threads seems to indicate that pass > double > 2♥, and that pass and double are both a lot better than 2♥.

If I'm going to bid 4♦ then I might as well bid 5♦. I'm not thrilled with my probably useless spade "tricks".

Since it's IMPs and I don't see great things from any other suit, I'll lead partner's spades. No way I would do this at MPs though, too likely to blow a trick and not set them.

I would open 3♦ in 1st seat, favorable with Qx x AJT987 T8xx

Unanimous always means -whereagles in these forums.

In general, transfers work best when the last bid was clubs. For example, transfers work well after (1♦)-2♣ and after 1♦-(2♣). When the last bid was made by an opponent, this also allows you to retain the valuable negative double and use the diamond bid as a transfer. For example, if you otherwise play transfer advances, you can easily play transfers on in auctions like (1♣)-1♠-(2♣) (double = negative, diamonds/hearts = transfer), but transfers don't work well in (1♦)-1♥-(2♦). I've also heard that some people play transfers effectively after 1♠-(3♣).

Any call other than ____ is ridiculous.

Double.

This hand sucks for offense, but is great for defense. Pass, without qualms.

4♥, what I should have bid on the previous round.

Can't find every game that makes.

I'd still pass, although I am less scared of double/2♥ than you probably are.

Here's a shocking idea: play it as 15-17 balanced when vulnerable. This will help you in a few ways. 1. 1♦-1M-1NT now has a more narrow range, which will result in fewer missed games / down 2NTs. 2. You won't have to open 1♣/♦ on 15-17 balanced when the opponents are at favorable, and can screw with you at will. Believe it or not, this makes a big difference.

If you're determined to do something along these lines, here's what I'd suggest: Option 1, but expand the 1NT opening range to 12-15. Invert the meanings of the 1NT and 2♣ responses so that 1NT is the game forcing relay and 2♣ is pass or correct. Seems like you have some flexibility in your further bidding, as you may not need a natural 1NT rebid. You could try playing Keri instead of Stayman after 1NT openings to better handle the wider range. However, I don't think something like this will be superior to normal methods.

3♥. Among other things, it takes away LHO's ability to make descriptive game tries.

Double or 4♣. The other options are not as good.

Option 2. It's possible you want neither switch.

West said a spade lead had no chance to defeat 4NT because partner is known to have only 4-5 hcp, so a diamond is the only chance. I don't know what NS or E were thinking. I was not at the table.

DONT: double = 1-suiter CAPP: double = penalty

[hv=d=s&v=a&n=skxhkqxxdqxckqjxx&w=sxxhxxdajtxxxxcxx&e=sj98xxhxxxdkxctxx&s=saqtxhajtxdxxcaxx]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] 1NT (Dbl)* 2♣ (2♠) pass (pass) 4NT (all pass) * intended as DONT, alerted as CAPP, partnership had agreed to play CAPP W leads ♦J Result: EW +400 Director called and ruled that West had to lead a spade, result changed to NS +720 EW appeal, arguing that West knew from the 4NT bid that a spade had no chance to defeat 4NT, so had to lead a diamond.

You're right, nothing could possibly go wrong in 3NT.

Partner shouldn't be expecting you to have a good hand, and certainly not this good a hand. With three clubs, partner should reopen with a double or other bid if you have a game. If he can't reopen, you probably don't belong in the auction. After the continuation given, I would bid 5♥ (asking for club control) and bid 7♥ if partner cuebids 6♣. Opposite an unreliable partner I would just bid RKC.

5NT, pick-a-slam

Another key component in suit slam bidding is revealing side-suit shortness in one/both hands. With holdings like xxx opposite a singleton/void, you will need less high-card strength to make slam. With wasted holdings like KJxx opposite the shortness, you may need the full 32-33 points in high cards.