andy_h

I agree with nige1 that there are clear benefits to bid 1S or to make a GF raise and that I am also slightly more inclined to to make the 4 card GF raise for a few reasons. It notifies partner that we have 4 card support whilst creating a forcing pass auction. Not only does this benefit against a preemption from 4th seat (as it happened) but they could just as easily bid 2x/3x with their partner preempting further to create more problems. Even a simple 2D overcall could make our auction weird if (and assuming) partner makes a support X and we want to be able to set hearts without pushing the auction too high (say we cuebid 3D partner bids 3NT). Another (slight) downside is that if we have a constructive auction to ourselves, partner may bid 2D or 2H and it could be very hard to catch up and it seems like I might struggle into telling partner about my fourth heart. I may not be able to find that magical grand, but I can still probably try after a GF raise with partner showing extras/shortage and after keycarding I might be able to ask for 3rd round spade control etc. Basically after a constructive auction, starting off with 2NT good things can still happen but after a competitive auction it seems like I'm more well placed.

1D and pass.

Agree with this, especially when both hands seem to be unlimited, it's a very useful gadget to have.

Sounds like you might want 2M+1 as some form of ogust-type asking bid?

3♥. Would have preferred 3♦ the previous round.

+1

Congratulations Fred! A brilliant year indeed!

Definitely not pass. We may hit a 6-2 fit or we might be able to ruff a diamond or maybe our LHO will over compete and we nail them.

Don't know how to show this hand...guess I'll start off with 2♣. Maybe the ideal auction would be to pass and given the suggested continuation, I can bid 2NT over 2♠ suggesting 2 places to play and if partner bids 3♦ I can bid 3/4♥ and if he bids 3♣ I can remove that to 3♥ implying a good hand with hearts and clubs.

I'd pass.

1NT.

Pass. 3D was a huge overbid.

A forcing 2C then a non-forcing 3C. 1NT seems a bit weird with a good suit and a 6-4 shape.

Would overcall 2♥ over 1♠. After this auction I balance with 3♥.

Easy double

I wouldn't mind being in a 5-1 fit if partner has 3145 since my hearts are so good. But otherwise these hearts may never take tricks in NT so definitely bidding 2♥.

4H

Sorry but I hate 3NT (Edit, I mean 3NT). Our hand is full of controls, support for partner's diamonds and there is absolutely no rush to get to 3NT when we can take the slower route. Lots of hands can make slam so that's what I bid.

Pass now. Don't understand why I didn't bid my KQ10xx.

I prefer 1H

I don't mind weaker overcalls when NV but this one cuts it too short with no supporting honours. I would overcall if the honour location was different. It'd be more attractive if we're favourable since a sacrifice then is more profitable but I still wouldn't, so I pass.

Either major, but I have a slight preference for hearts

5♣.

1NT all day long. I would love to hear partner bid 2NT in which we can transfer to hearts and bid game.

I'd pass with both hands.