effervesce

That sounds like an argument for 1♣ being 0-7 or 15+ HCP being better than 1♣ showing 12(11)+HCP, or 1♥ 0-2 or 6+ hearts better than 5+ hearts...

1NT. Let's shut the opps majors out! 1♦ at IMPs though.

Agree with the bidding so far. Partner can raise to slam himself we don't exactly have anything near a slam force hand....

Strongly prefer 2NT as limit+ with 4 card support, after which opener's 3♣ bid shows a minimum.

4♥ for me. 2nd choice 3♥, third 1♥.

Ditto andy.

Agree 3♠ cuebid - no wasted values at all, great hand with stacks of controls. We won't be playing in 3NT that's for sure =)

I would have thought it's common to play 5♠ on this auction to ask for a heart control.

Does anybody play cuebid in own suit shows two of the top three honors (my own preferred style)? In such a case failure to cuebid 4C would not deny the A or K of clubs (but denies AK). Though you could make a case that since we have shown a singleton in the club suit, failure to cuebid 4C specifically denies the A of clubs.

I really hate the ghestem convention - there are oh-so-many horror stories about it (especially the original ghestem) that any theoretical gains are quickly wiped out by the times where you forget the convention and think the call is natural and end up playing in a ridiculous fit. Maybe others have gotten much better experiences with it however.

Agree that a 2♠ michaels cuebid should be constructive (not a weak hand), unlike 1m-2m or 1H-2H; 1S-2S forces to the three level where you need extra values to play and also to help partner evaluate when to bid game (over 1m-2m and 1H-2H there is more room to explore game).

The hand is too good for a LR imo. I'm happily bidding 4♠ playing limited openings, and also a standard opening. The problem is that partner will expect more high card values for 2NT or a splinter, yet the hand is worth bidding game rather than a LR imo. So I'm bidding 4♠ as least of all evils - [EDIT] - 3NT has an outside A/K - could use that I suppose instead.

Agree with fluffy - a slam needs a minor fit and maximum, fitting hand. If I had a way of determining a minor suit fit, and a mild slam try, I'd bid that. Without such methods, I think 3NT is much better than 4NT - there's not that many hands you want to be in slam.

1♠ for me, barely. The pips convince me that a contract in 2NT/3NT won't be totally unplayable.

All the choices aren't too pretty... 3♥, least of all evils for me. X 2nd choice; pass never even entered my mind.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. That's what makes the intermediate preempts so effective. Mind you, it also makes their constructive bidding harder.

Agree with Free - RHO is trying to avoid a diamond lead. Mind you, this is a whole game of bluff and double-bluff...

a) Pass, showing interest in bidding more b ) I'm tempted just to bid 6♥ hoping the opps will save, but given partner's bid could be not that great if unreliable, and partner's play will likely not be optimal in a close contract, I'll just pass again (hmmm or unless partner is so bad he'd never X, then I'd X).

1♥ for me too. Don't like doubling with a 5 card major, or with such few points.

I'm still waiting for the "Most Accurate Movie Physics" award.

The correct choice is the seventh card from the left. Wascally Wabbit.

Why can't we have AQx Qx Kxxx Jxxx opposite x KJTxxx Axx xxx? Obviously this is contrived as we don't have a single card wasted and partner wouldn't raise it anyway. But there is plenty of room for him to have more and opponents have less. It may well be better to use 2NT as a heart invite but a natural 2NT is not illogical. Change that to _much_ better as either heart invite or scramble or something artificial other than a natural 2NT. Given this is an adv/exp bridge forum, I suppose it makes it illogical to play 2NT there as natural.

lol @ south pass over 4♠.

Agree auto 7♥ bid (on the previous round). Can't understand X - you want to at least show grand slam interest and pass would show that.

Your partner should have bid 4♥ on the first round with that hand? I just can't understand a 2♥ overcall, then rebalancing 3♥...