effervesce

The whole point is that it is matchpoints. If it was IMPs or anything else, pass is obvious, but at MPs bidding for the lead is an important strategy. Who cares if the opps have no game of any kind? If they make 2♠ + 1 because partner chose to lead a diamond (for example), instead of 2♠ =, then that is a bad MP score. Are you aware that at favorable vul partner won't (shouldnt) take your 1♣ opening too seriously? That the opponents may play you for all the points, and thus misguess? Yes, we know the potential downsides you are mentioning. But nobody wins a pairs event by going for averages.

I blame the method used. Given the method used, I don't blame either player (unless north should not have opened such hands given the partnership style). Give north the ten of spades as well, and slam is pretty much on a hook.

I GF with 2♦. The hand is damn good with AK-A. If partner bids 2NT/3♣, then I bid game in partner's minor.

I RKCB now. Your hand is an absolute monster for the bidding so far, and partner may pass 4♥ thinking he's already shown a good hand and already cooperated with a slam try.

I pass. If I had to bid, I'd prefer 1♥ to 2♦. The main problem I have with 2♦ is the fact that you have no A/K/Q honor in diamonds. LHO is very likely to be declarer, and if partner leads a diamond from honor empty or even QJxxx or AKxxx for example the lead will quite often cost a trick. Make the hand xxx QTxxx Kxx xx then I'd raise 2♦. Making life easier for partner on lead is worth alot of matchpoints in my opinion.

At MPs 1♣ for me. Don't want partner to blow a trick on the lead.

Pass. Bidding on could be right, but most likely wrong. Partner could have bid 4♦ with a decentish hand.

He played for hearts 3-3 rather than playing on diamonds. He therefore lost 2 hearts, 4 clubs and 2 diamonds.

Out of interest-how is Dwururka a BLUE system? I thought systems with transfer openings are categorized as RED.

If you pass, the opponents play in 1♠. On a diamond lead, 1♠ makes. On best defense (trump lead), 1♠ can be taken two off. If you respond 2♦, you'll end up in at least 5♦, which makes. The whole hand: [hv=d=e&v=e&n=st98732hj9dq732c6&w=skqj54hqt7d65caq3&e=sa6h86543dtct8742&s=shak2dakj984ckj95]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] An interesting hand in that it requires trump leads to essentially be able to force declarer later in the hand.

That's what I thought too. I really hated having to bid 3♥, but on the same reasoning I bid anyway. Partner responded 3NT, and we got smashed for 1100. The whole hand: [hv=d=e&v=n&n=skt7hkdkt9843c872&w=s93hqt86daqcqj643&e=sqj842hj7dj65ck95&s=sa65ha95432d72cat]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Anyway-I'm passing these hands in the future (I know I know, what kind of Aussie player passes :) )

Your partner is second to speak and opens a strong 1♣ (15+ any shape), and west overcalls 1♠, natural. You pass, and partner reopens with a takeout double. Do you pass or bid with the following hand? If pass, what is your lead. [hv=d=e&v=e&s=st98732hj9dq732c6]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

East opens 2♠, a 5 card 8-11HCP hand. Do you overcall 3♥ with [hv=d=e&v=b&s=sa65ha95432d72cat]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

1NT opener for me. The shape isn't great for 1♣ then 3♣, and at MPs you don't aim for 5♣ unless you absolutely have to.

The scoring at yahoo is rubber bridge. The bidding systems used at rubber bridge do deviate significantly from duplicate bridge. From what I've learned of 'rubber bridge standard' is that- 1) People do NOT use weak twos at rubber bridge 2) ALL jumps are FORCING 3) There are alot more low level penalty doubles-so don't assume that your double is takeout or responsive So on these points, in fact it is not what is wrong with yahoo, but is what's wrong with you, in that you assumed Standard American is used in rubber bridge. No, it is NOT. Also, indeed, rubber bridge players in general play hands alot quicker. While at duplicates you may get 7-8 mins per hand, at rubber bridge players generally play 2-4 times faster (even when playing for real money).

IMO for a SJS you either need a self-sufficient suit or good support for partner as otherwise the SJS removes space necessary to find the right strain. So, after 1♣-1♦ if partner rebids 1M (I prefer 1M rebids with unbalanced hands) he/she is likely to have a 5m-4M type hand-bid the fourth suit game forcing (ie the other major - if 1♣-1♦-1♥-1♠ is fourth suit or 2♠ is fourth suit forcing)-then after partner's next bid, support clubs and setting trump. E.g.: 1♣-1♦ 1♥-2♠ (fourth suit forcing) 3♣-4♣ 4♦-4NT (4♦ shows A/K/Q in diamonds) 4NT RKCB for clubs 5♣-7NT (5♣ 0 or 3, obviously 3) will reach the grand when partner has xx Axxx Qx AKxxx If partner rebids 1NT, then you can either bash 6NT, or bid more slowly if you play two-way checkback. Eg 1♣-1♦ 1NT-2♦ (2♦ game-forcing checkback) If partner now bids 2x, you bid 3♦, if partner bids 3♣ showing 5 clubs, bid 4♣. Eg with xxx Axx Qxx AKxx the bidding will go 1♣-1♦ 1NT-2♦ 2NT-3♦ 4♣-4NT (4♣ cue in own suit should show two of the top 3 honors) 5♠-7NT (5♠ two key cards + Q diamonds)

This one is my all-time favorite illusion Checkershadow illusion

6♦.

Exiting with a spade gives up the chance of 3 overtricks (3 IMP if they make 3NT at the other table) which is not insubstantial. Exiting with a spade may not gain either. Thus I will cash two top hearts, then hook RHO for the club queen.

I prefer overcalling 1♠ with that hand. It's takeout for me - too weak for an initial takeout double, but wants to compete. Eg QJxx Qxxx x Kxxx will do.

3♥ or 4♣ look reasonable. I'd probably bid 4♣ (though I'd guess most BBOers will pick 3♥).

I always thought a forcing pass then bid showed a stronger hand than an immediate bid... so I voted the first sequence. Guess I'm wrong.

Opener should bid 4♦ over 4♣. 6♣ is simply too unilateral with the void.

X, converting diamonds to hearts.

I'm bidding 2NT (2nd choice 3NT). Assuming the opps is sane, you won't get too rich from 2♦X. KJxxx xxx xx Kxx from pard looks like a reasonable shot at 3NT - yes, partner may reopen with a X on that hand, but he may not too.