jdaming

I don't see how declarer makes if E ruffs with the ♠6 as you cannot avoid losers 1♦, 2 natural ♠ and the ♠ruff. [hv=n=sj2&w=sqt5&e=sk&s=sa98743]399|300|Ways of playing this: 1)small towards K and A and west gets 2 tricks when his Q smothers the J. 2) 9 (or small) towards the J as long as west plays low K wins and either Q or T wins when it smothers the J.[/hv]

Call me a scardy cat, but I would defend (I think this is always going down and I don't expect all of the field to be there):

I completely disagree. I think he has no right to ask the question unless he needs information that could be learned from the question. I am all for asking questions but when you ask a question that you know the answer to it is no longer a legitimate question. To me this is nearly the exact same thing as stalling an "extra" long time when you have no decision just to give the declarer the impression that you are thinking. It really just comes down to are you allowed to do something at the bridge table (other than normal play of the cards) intending to deceive your opponents and everything I have encountered so far says no. I have no law to specifically back me up on this but it is my feeling.

I think the passing player is trying to offload all responsibility here. If directors routinely rule in favor of the "damaged" side here he has absolutely no reason to double and in case it works out badly he can just scream foul. I would be curious to see how many of the passout bidders peers would have doubled had no tempo break occurred, although I don't think this would affect my decision. If the player was thinking just to interfere (ie none of the players polled would have raised) then you have redress but this seems like a case of one player believing the opponents a little to much and getting burnt.

EDIT: Sorry need to read and yes 2♣ is obv

Bidding has gone: 1♥ - DBL- RDBL- Pass 2♣ - Pass - ??? Playing with a brand new partner (ADV level) what would you expect the meaning of 2♦, 2♥, and 3♥ to be? Forcing or not? Feel free to comment on any other interesting/non-natural bids here! What is your favorite system with regular partnership?

Seems like especially with the long hesitation on the first board that bidding a practical 4♥ will give you the most protection against the long pause. In most cases I think I would probably be calling the director if LHO (unpassed hand) bid over it. Agree on 2

works excellent way to go!!!!!!!!!

As long as you still play this as takeout then I will also be a passer then a 3nt bidder. I like the ♦ spots

How about when in doubt double a junior for penalty?

I like the idea of being able to identify other juniors. If everyone could do it though they would know to double for penalty more often...on second thought I am not sure I like this as much :D

So we were all on skype playing a friendly game and N/E were beginners. He asked a question as to how to bid this which...swayed my judgement to bid 4♣ here which afterwards I agree is a touch pushy. In this case I was slightly biased so we after the 4♣ we bid fairly easily to 6♠ and then I got a Qxxx/K♠ break. FML. I guess it serves me right for being over-agressive with UI.

If you bid 3♠ I think you are masterminding the hand sure YOU want to play the hand in ♠ but this is a bad description of your hand to your partner who may actually be the one ending up deciding where to play this.

[hv=d=n&v=b&n=sajt654hak7dkq2c5&w=shdc&e=shdc&s=s97hq54da76cat632]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] N dealer all vul. If you get to slam how? We had an interesting result :blink:

wow I took totally the wrong approach initially... I see it now. The defenders can be passive as long as they: 1) lead a ♦ from east 2) DO NOT cash both their club tricks 3) if played from south west MUST underlead A east has to get in wether on the lead or with a ♣ and do 1. Declarer cannot avoid either losing 3♣ and a ♠ or 1♦ 2♣ and a ♠ the thing is he has huge entry problems. To get back to hand he can rough a ♦ but that is the only way safely without getting overruffed or using a much needed ♠. So as long as the lead is either low♣ or ♥ from west or ♥/♦ from east they are fine. can't believe I got this so horribly wrong initially... :D

Looks like K then Q of clubs then east comes out a ♠. If South goes up assumes he will he will then play 3♥ like you describe but in order to ruff the club he must use the 10♠ then west's Q8 is above dummy's J7. If it is played from the other side W doesn't have to underlead his ace so long as he crosses to east and then east leads a ♠.

[hv=d=s&v=n&s=skq4hjt52d6ckqt43]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] bidding goes P - P - 1♠ - 2♣ P - P - 2NT - PO BTW the 1♠ 2nt is GIB if that changes things :ph34r:

Perhaps easy was unfair at the table I got the ♠ pitches and hate myself for not making this ;) . Although I don't think this line is as "bad" as you are giving it credit. I think pitching from Qxx is a...risky play and probably would not be found at the table especially when ♣/♠ pitches look "harmless." I agree that some of these plays are "double dummy."

Time to spill the beans: [hv=d=e&v=e&n=s1086542hq102dcaj52&w=saqhaj8dkq8632ck8&e=s973hk654da75c743&s=skjh973dj1094cq1096]399|300|Scoring: MP[/hv] Hanoi gets the prize for being the closest to what I was going for. However incorrect about the opponent messing up. Everyone is forgetting what N has to pitch here. ♠ lead goes to the K. (from KJ) Now declarer pulls 3 rounds of ♦ ending in either hand. To those of you that say this cannot make what would you have north pitch? If you pitch ♥ I will pick up all 4 ♥ tricks. If you pitch ♠ I will take my tricks then exit the 9 of ♠ into you endplaying you in ♣ as you have no ♥ left nor ♦. If you pitch 2 ♣ then dec will play a ♦ into south and when he runs a♣ the ♣ will block in N. how so? 1♣3♦3♥2♠

Sorry for the double but a nice hint there:

Okay some good discussion so far. If you finesse the the ♥ you find the Q is with north but good news they do break 3-3 however this is only 3♥, 3♦, 2♠ Everyone is still off though you can make with: 1) A♣N 2) H finesse off (but breaking 3-3) 3) 4 ♦ south

[hv=d=e&v=e&n=s5hdc&w=saqhaj8dkq8632ck8&e=s973hk654da75c743&s=shdc]399|300|[/hv] Bidding goes: P - P - 1♦ - P 1♥ - P - 3NT - PO Lead 5♠ Easy play (that I screwed up) but, how do you do it? (not that easy ♦ are 4-0 with S)

The reason for this "rule" is partner will generally make an assumption that your points lie out side the splinter and that you will be able to develop a side suit for extra tricks. IE. Axxx x is a lot more valuable to p then xxxx A because he has a chance with some honors in his hand of developing the suit.

Not offended in the least by the "crap" that we double on because I believe that a large part of the bridge population (wrongly) feels this way and I will continue to collect good boards for competing. I agree with josh lets show our shape and I can't imagine a case where 2♦ is passed out.

I am guessing that partner has a good hand I raise. I could be convinced to do somthing differently if I knew if the prempter was sound/shady or if partners overcalls were generally leaning either way. It is close.