effervesce

5m shows extra length in the minor. 4NT shows equal length, or extra length in the major if that's possible. This is what I had considered, but with all 5-5's I think we double. 6-6 is possible, but I think the best use is to show the extra major card as you state. How about # defensive tricks? Hands with A's, K's and less shape X, giving partner the opportunity to convert, while hands with lots of shape but KQJxxx - QJT9xx type suits for example bid 4NT. [edit] oops misread the posts. Perhaps 4NT being more slammy and 5m as being more sacrificial.

Pass. I'd be extremely worried if partner chose to convert, and I'd be worried that what he bids will be doubled off lots.

Pass. I'd be happy if even 5♦ makes.

instapass.

5 hearts against italian champions, five ♥ otherwise.

I play 5♠ to show a hand with 2(3) heart losers, something like ♠KQxx ♥xx ♦Ax ♣AKJ10x That hand is a bit too weak to bid 5♠, though I agree with you that it asks for a heart control.

Hell yes. Hand is worthless without hearts as trumps.

The 2005 version on Dan's site is a very brief intro with no detail, nowhere near enough to play the system. Yes, Moscito is significantly more difficult to learn than precision. But knowing precision doesn't make it all that much easier to learn moscito - going straight from natural to moscito isn't that much more difficult than from precision to moscito. There's a similar learning curve for both paths.

Don't forget about moscito. Couldn't find another website with it but this one has the moscito 2002 bidding system writeup (free signup to obtain the pdf file, or PM me) http://www.scribd.com/doc/7375134/Moscito-Notes If you want vanilla precision, then any of the C.C.Wei books will be an ok starting point. Although outdated, basically everyone who plays precision knows it and therefore is much easier to find someone who knows it.

2NT. I'd rather describe 10 cards than just 6, especially with a good 5 card heart suit. Bidding 2♣ will often miss the hearts if it goes (1♦)-2♣-(2♠)-p-(4♠).

Pass. Game is extremely remote.

a bit ambiguous-are you opening 1♥ or laughing at 1♥? If we have a specific A and K ask (we play 3NT as spec ace and then kings) then I'll open that, otherwise 6♥. The problem with opening 1♥ is the rebid problem. What will you rebid if partner bids 1♠, 1NT, 2♣, 2♦?

2♥.

West should double 2♠. East could balance 3♥ over 2♠, but passing is fine vulnerable.

Around AQJx AKJx KQJx x will do, agree with Andy that 3(54)1 for 3♦/3♥ shapes are typical

1NT WTP.

Remove a diamond: 1st choice 1♣, 2nd choice 2♣ and 3rd choice 1♥. The hand has too much playing power and controls for opening 2♣ or 1♥. Remove a club: 1♥ Remove a heart: 2♣ (especially if 2♣ promises 6). If we're worried about the opponents bidding spades, at least a 2♣ prevents them having a weak 2♠ overcall that would be available after a 1♥ opening.

4♥. Vul vs not partner should have a decent hand. 4 card support, all cards working.

Opposite ♠J2 ♥J10983 ♦J754 ♣K4 The first two hands you posted I don't think are worth a 2nd double, the double of 3♣, given partner could not bid. And even though 4♥ isn't good, both of them still have play for 4♥. Hand 3 you want to be in 4♥. Hand 4, give us the ten of diamonds and you want to be in 4♥. Hand 5, again give us the ten of diamonds (or 10 of spades) and you want to be in 4♥. And those hands are pessimistic hands, partner could (and probably does) have better hands than those for the double of 3♣.

Partner opened 2NT. Slam is possible, but not too likely and if you try for slam, its unlikely you can play in 4NT/5NT if slam is not on- 5m is usually terrible at MPs. The hand has 7 losers, and a typical 2NT opener has 5-6 cover cards. Thus over 2NT I bid 3♣, puppet, if partner has 5 spades then I'll try for slam, otherwise I'll settle for 3NT. [EDIT] Looking at it again, I think it may well be worth a slam try anyway - if partner accepts then I think slam is odds-on, if not then it won't be. 2NT-4♣ slam try in clubs - hopefully partner's 4NT bid is rejecting the slam try, anything else a cuebid.

Play lines in 6C - Only 4-2 and 3-3 layouts relevant, with a few 5-1 layouts which one could play for one loser. 1)Cash AK clubs, hoping for Hx either hand - loses on 12 3-3 and 4-2 layouts 2)Small to 9, small to J - loses to QT, QTx, and QTxx offside - loses 11 3-3 and 4-2 layouts 3)Cash A, run J, run 9 - loses to QTx and QTxx offside - loses 10 3-3 and 4-2 layouts, and actually can restrict club losers to one if clubs are Q - Txxxx or Txxxx - Q. 4) Run J, run 9 - loses to QT, QTx and QTxx offside (11 3-3 and 4-2 layouts), while picking up Qxxxx-T Line 3 looks best (unless there's a diamond lead in which case I think the difference in lines is so small that line 1 would be best to avoid a ruff). Have I missed something?

AQJxx x Axx AQxx or so, 5134/5044/6034 type shape.

What would you open instead? Everybody would hate a 2NT opening with this hand, but what would you choose as an alternative? Hmmm... looking at it 1m looks reasonable but looks slightly underbidding to me. I think I'd open 2NT.

2♠.