andy_h

Yup, 2♥ then 3♦ seems perfect.

So we're given first dbl is undiscussed and the 2nd dbl is also undiscussed and now we have to guess whether 3♦ is forcing or not? I'd say it's NF given everything is undiscussed as I don't want ambiguity. If our X of 2♥ was for penalties, of course it's not a joke. But partner's pull on our double is also not a joke, so when he pulls I respect that he's pulling. He's probably got a weak hand with both minors. We may hold something like 5-4-2-2 and a 10/11 count or something with a misfit. If we have enough values for 3NT then we bid it. If we have a strong hand with diamonds then we don't bid 3♦ to give partner a headache since this type of auction is undiscussed, we would bid 3♥. Don't make a living hell for partner!

Welcome to the forums Mike =)

I think it depends what level you're at. When you're BIL I think it's nice to say wdp to be more supportive and encouraging. You may not have broad enough knowledge to identify what went wrong or if the contract can actually be defeated. But as you gradually improve, you start to learn more and more, and the messages associated with wdp and gtp now have a side implication which could be interpreted wrongly. It's kinda weird because in all sports when you play as a partnership/team you generally constantly keep on supporting each other by high-fiving and not wanting to each other down because you want to stay focused, but in bridge it's just best to be silent.

I don't think we have time to take all the finesses, well, tricks that is. Say we played a club on the 2nd trick and RHO rises with the Ace. RHO may then switch to a trump and if they're 3-1 with AQx offside, we won't be able to ruff a spade.

I'd be pretty impressed in any standard method that would be able to reach a spade contract especially after a 2NT opening. Mine would just go 2NT-stayman--exclusion and rest in 6.

1♠ x 3. On the first two I plan to rebid 2♠, on the 3rd I plan to jump to 3♥ inviting. On the 3rd if we were NV I would just raise 2♥ noting I'm a maximum but 4333 and Jxx pushing to the 3lvl seems a bit much, but the QJTx and AKx gets me to invite at vul. On the auction provided, I guess it can be a NT probe or maybe it could be an advanced cue for hearts if say responder has a 3card limit raise with short clubs or maybe choice of games between 3NT and 4♥ if opener's heart suit is near-solid. I'm sure it's something I won't do at the table without prior discussion with my partner.

Pass. You don't want to end up in 3NT in a misfitting 21 combined count although admittedly being 6-5 in the majors there's a good chance we'll have a fit. But anyway, we have the majors and it should be easy to come back into the auction later. For the continuation, I pass. We've said our deed.

Low spade. 4th best from longest and strongest. The minor suits finesses could all be very well placed for declarer so I want to attack. Maybe I should lead a top spade instead in case the ♠9 can be a big card that needs to be unblocked if partner say has Qxxxx.

4♦. If partner is a firm believer in t/o x's then I'd say she either has extras for me or if a minimum a 3514 hand or possibly 3613 - I don't think other shapes should be permissable given a minimum. It seems like at once I need to show slam interest as well as setting spades in the mean time. I'm guessing partner will almost always bid 4♥ over our 4♦ and thus 4NT over that would be KC for hearts. Maybe that isn't such a bad plan after all, but no, if partner shows 2KC it could still just be 1 ace and the ♥K and we'd be off 2 cashing bullets. I think I will bid 4♦ then 5♠ over partner's 4♥ - presumably that would suggest a slam interest hand with a diamond control. I trust if partner has a remotely close of a decent hand such as Jxx AQJxx x AJTx or xxx AKTxxx x Axx she would raise me - pretty much requires her having 2 bullets if she has a singleton diamond, and if she has a doubleton diamond then I can pretty much be guaranteed her of having extras and not only can she raise us to slam but in the offchance she may still search for a grand. Not sure if I'd be able search accurately for 6NT.

Agree with helene

I'd open it 1NT and haven't had (m)any troubles with it. If I play in the 5-1 spade fit at least the singleton is the queen. If you made me open 1♦ then I would rebid 2♣ because everything else seems a much worser distortion.

1♠ then 3♠. The hand doesn't seem suited for a 2♣ or a 4♠ opening like gwnn suggests.

3NT the first time round. If we have game on, that is our most likely game.

Despite the other factors (RHO being random) that does not sway me to trap pass. Our trumps are soo bad. East could just have a normal 1♥ overcall. I'd bid 2♣.

The problem with 4NT is that partner will almost always bid 5♣ if our initial meaning of 4NT was 2 places to play because he may have 1/2♦-5♣ or maybe even 6♣. Regardless if we had a grand I would definitely want to be in diamonds rather than clubs. If partner's clubs are only headed by AQxxx then there's a chance he may have the ♥Q for a discard or if he has some "useless" ♠QJx and LHO ends up leading the ♠A. So I guess what i'm trying to say is if 7♣ makes then surely our 7♦ will make too, with the added chance if clubs are 4-0.

The Lavazza team also didn't qualify earlier this year in the 2009 Yeh Bros. Cup.

Cuebid. I'd think it would be more frequent than it is natural and definitely more beneficial if we were ever hunting for spade slam. Putting all the spade raises as 4♥ is putting the extra space a waste.

Agree with 655321

yeap. Will respect partner's signoff.

1♦-1♥; 1♠-2♦; 3♦-Pass. It's a maximum 1♠ for me, and change the Jack of clubs to Jack of spades and I would JS.

Pass, and very happy with it.

Assuming partner's double is probably just mild extras or better, I will now bid 5♠ indicating a void and inviting grand. This is cooperative bidding right? So at least 5♠ will give partner a chance to evaluate his hand and bid 5NT or something. If we have a grand try and have the 1st round control in spades (most likely void than stiff Ace), then surely we'd got to hold the ♥A if we're missing both minor Aces for a 5♠ bid. If we're unlucky enough to hit partner with ♠KQx and not so great of a hand, then I'm sure his judgement will tell him that we belong in a slam (I will correct 6♣ to 6♦). If he shows interest then I will bid 7♦.

3C FSF is perfect.

Don't like the singleton Ace either. Put me down for 3C.