rfedrick

Imps (KO teams), love all. Dealer on your right opens 4♥. [Edit - before anyone asks: double is take-out of course]. [hv=pc=n&e=sk5hkdk652cakq753&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=4h]133|200[/hv] Double? Keeps 4♥ doubled in the picture, but obviously risks a silly result (though partner will not pull without real shape - there's little danger of playing 4♠ in a 4-2) 5C? A little committal? Pass? Interested in opinions (my choice turned out to be sub-optimal).

No

Thanks for the comments. Like the majority here, I bid 5D, with some misgivings.This went for 1100 (against 650) when LHO turned up with a strong NT (including Qxx of diamonds) and partner contributed a distinctly unhelpful Qx Q9xx xx xxxxx.

4S is normal, something like a 4-8 count with lots of shape (this is from a strong teams match, it's not BBO).

[hv=pc=n&s=s32hj2dakj9432ck2&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=1s(4-card%20Major)p4s]133|200[/hv] xx Jx AKJ9xxx Kx, 4th in hand at teams, NV vs V. (Opps are 4cd M / weak NT).

So RHO didn't have ♥9xx then.

Good hand for the weak NT in our match. 1NT-(P)-2H-(P) 2S-(P)-P-(3C) AP ATB.

Well, 3NT would have shown two spades and five hearts, and anything else would super-accept spades. Which of those is better than a 3♠ bid? Obviously 2NT has huge flaws (as does everything else), but once you've chosen it you can't start doublecrossing partner by unilaterally inventing system on the hoof.

I'm interested in how people check on Aces in no-fit auctions (i.e. with no keycard available). This weekend i co-perpetrated this disaster NORTH (DEALER): ♠AQJxx♥AQxx♦x♣AKx SOUTH:♠Kx♥xxx♦AKQJ10♣xxx Our auction is unimportant (it was partly artificial so not particularly illuminating) but a point was reached where North had shown precisely 5413 20-21. South loved his source of tricks but had no way of checking if we were off an ace and so settled for 6NT. I'm interested in how people (playing essentially standard methods) would bid this after starting 1♠-2♦; 2♥-? (or 3♥ if you prefer). Thanks.

Part 1 2nd in hand, you hold ♠-♥AKxx♦K9xx♣AK10xx RHO opens 2♦ (weak); what's your choice? [you are at red, playing pairs, if it matters] Part 2 Having chosen 2NT in part 1 (if you find that morally repugnant, please just follow the usual formula, i.e. you have been called in to fill in for someone who has left the table mid-auction for some sort of emergency), the auction continues (no interference) (2♦)-2NT-3♥ 3♠-4♥ ??? Partner's sequence is defined as 5-5, non-forcing but with slam interest (he can show three tiers of major 5-5: game only, this one, and slam-force) What is your choice now?

[hv=d=w&v=n&n=sk10xxhj10xxxdkxxcx&s=saqxxxhaxdaqxxxca]133|200|Scoring: IMP (3♣)-P-(4♣)-X; (P)-4♥-(P)-4♠; AP[/hv]

[hv=d=e&v=n&n=skxxxhajxdxxxcxxx&w=sqxxhqxdkqj10xcqjx&e=sajh9xxxdaxxck10xx&s=s109xxhk10xxdxxcaxx]399|300|Scoring: IMP 1NT-3NT-AP ♠10-x-2-J (2 = UD Att) club to J club to K and Ace spade...[/hv]

♥Q, not close.

7-board swiss teams, game all, team-mates are +680 so your choice will swing 26 imps. Two affable gentlemen bid 1♦-1♥; 1♠-6♠ and you have to lead from xxx xxx J QJ10xxx.

true, but your construction requires a very precise hand for declarer (he needs the spade 10, and exactly ♦Q9). Moreover, unless he also has the ♠2 (and remembers not to burn it on the first two rounds), he has to choose between the end-play and the simple heart finesse, a choice i would expect him to get wrong.