Hanoi5

Opening light has always been a trend in bridge. In the '50s people used 1-lvl to show 13-21 HCP but experts always upgrade and now we're opening on Zar points or Rule of 20, etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for upgrading and entering quickly to the bidding but it sure brings some problems. There are many people (I've fallen in that trap, too) who open light and then keep on signing off and underbidding for they are afraid of the fur after killing the tiger (that's a saying in my country). After a light opening it is very likely that responder will push certain hands to the limit (especially true on misfit hands). So, how light do you open? How do you stop or continue when neccessary? Do you have rules or just go with your intuition?

I am the other. And I also hate 2NT, such a stupid contract.

Lemme see if I get this straight: I overcalled 1♥ with: ♠6 ♥J9842 ♦98 ♣K9652 And partner doubled 3NT after supporting my hearts? (with a 'support double'). I should lead a heart and hope partner won't mind 750.

I voted for x-4s but South should double only if it is take-out oriented. North should then bid 4♠ and I think 10 tricks will be fairly easy. I could understand South not doubling (3 aces and 2 Jacks?) but I would hardly inderstand North passing the double. 4♠ by South is an individual/bad bridge decision in my opinion.

1♠. I have 'only' 17 but this sort of smells like mis-fit.

I don't like 6♥ or 5♥. I don't think double is correct either, but I'm not sure. If partner doubled 4♠ I think I would pass.

I think you need a very artificial system or someone who will support clubs with KQ stiff. There are 31 HCP between the 2 hands, so going slow might have done the trick, too (West bidding hearts again after 3♣)

I like using double as penalty here but I know that's not good at imp's.

I pass as I can't be sure they are down.

Exactly what I was aiming at. Does this hand need to be dummy or is it better to play in our suit? Let's see. Partner opened in a pre-emptive shopwing 7 cards. S/he's vulnerable so s/he should have a nice suit. However, they're also Vulnerable and the opening was made in first seat (not second where partner has to be more 'careful'). We have a two-suited hand with a void and only 2 cards supporting partner's suit. Can partner cope with having to ruff a diamond lead, and then losing either a trump or the spade finesse? I think I can if I play in spades... Well, made a simulation 400 hands (enough?). If partner is serious (s/he has 7 good cards in hearts) hearts rate to play better than spades. If partner has only 6 hearts (not serious or opened with a weak 2) spades will fare better. My conclusion: I won't open 3 with only 6 ugly cards and a doubleton in the other Major.

You hold: ♠AQJT52 ♥A7 ♦--- ♣AK876 Partner opens: 3♥ 3♠ 3NT 4♣ 4♠ 4NT 5♦X??? You also play multi. All red, partner opened the bidding dealt. 5♦ (0 or 3 KC in spades) was doubled. (don't ask why you bid this way, just answer what you'd bid and whether this hand is best played in ♥ or ♠).

I see I really overlooked the fact they were juniors. And the commentator called 6♥ 'hardly unreasonable'.

Did this really happen? Lately I've been seeing some stuff that makes me think that some people have some way to see opponents hands. I was thinking along the lines of a program that let's you see through opponents cards when they should be hidden. I'm not even sure such a program is even possible, but who knows.

It's horrible to get to this contract. Vomitive we call it in Spanish.

Yeah, I bid 6♥. There are 4 important things in partner's hand here: - A spade void (or Ace). - REALLY good hearts. - ♦K. - ♣A. I think the jump to 4♥ and taking out my penalty double should show at least 3 of this (I hope).

Neither side Vulnerable.

3♣, though I probably should have bid clubs before.

Yes.

Vote for bridge.

Say you passed this 11-count: ♠ATx ♥T8xx ♦AQ8x ♣J8 Pa Pa 1♥ 2♣ Pa ??? 2♥, 2NT, Pass, 3♣, what's your choice?

1♠ 2♥ 3♣ 3♦ 4♣ 4NT 5♠ 6♥ ??? What is 6♥? Say you have: ♠Jxxxx ♥Kx ♦x ♣AKQTx or ♠Jxxxx ♥--- ♦JTx ♣AKQTx What would you bid in each case? What's the meaning of 6♥? On other note, don't you sometimes feel it'll be great to open black 5-5's with 1♣ (and headed like this...)?

Well, then: I'll tell the full story now. Opener thought for some time before bidding 4♠ and Responder continued with 5♣. I said this was a breach in ethics and that I'll just prove it (by posting here). Point has been proven. Thanks for clearing about the negative double, I thought I was going crazy...

C'mon, man don't TheHoguize yourself. Just think bridge, your partner bid game and you showed a good hand with support but is that enough? If Pass is such a wtp? why are you thinking of something else? I might not even be asking this for the reasons you think, just say that you Pass and that you need at least x else in order to move. Also, why would you look for a minor suit fit when you have a sure fit in spade? Is it really normal to use negative double with support and then 'support' after partner mentioned another suit?

Partner deals and opens 1♠, 3♥ (WJO) on your right and you hold: ♠QJx ♥- - - ♦K98xx ♣ATxxx So you bid 4♥ and it comes back to you again: 1♠ 3♥ 4♥ Pa 4♠ Pa ??? What do you bid and why? How do you consider other possibilities?

The problem I see with the VP's format is that a team could win in VP's and not IMP's, they just need 'that' luck. When only two teams are matching (like in a final or semifinal) only imp's are taking into account. If there are only two teams for the trial that should be the unit measuring the win: imp's. However, I do think that there should be segments in this 128-board match (though I'm sure that'll be taken care of).