andy_h

3C feels so right.

x for takeout.

I think East is living in a dream world if he is not allowed to bid 1NT with AJx Kx Jxx Qxxxx or Kxxx Qx Jx Axxxx (if partnership disallows 1♠). There are lots of times where they have no other bid but 1NT.

The opponent's may be endplayed on trick 1, but I'm sure at some point we'll be endplayed from our KJ's. Like other's have said, this is a pretty horrible 4333 14 count. Easy 1C.

Grattis!

I play it as a mixed raise of 7-9 too, except when favourable I play it as preemptive like 4-7.

Agree with 655321

When I first learnt bridge as well as reading textbooks, I learnt that negative doubles when both or neither majors have been bid shows the other 2 suits (so 1H-1S-X, 1S-2H-X, 1C-1D-X and 1D-2C-X). And that when only one major has been bid, the negative double promised the unbid major and nothing about any other suits. This was because, say, the 1S overcall of 1m-1S has denied us the space to respond 1H so we have to get into the auction with hearts, and also that 1m-1H-X/1S showed 4S/5+S respectively. I never found any problems with them at all and thought that was pretty easy to understand. And when the time comes, through experience, you soon realise the 1D-2C-X auction is an exception.

That's correct, because there is no rush to punt the final contract. It may seem like the 'best' contract from your point of view, but certainly not partner's if partner has 5-5, 6-4 etc. 2♣ keeps all options open and allows a smooth auction to find the best strain (could even be 5m) and allows the leeway for cue-bidding. Imagine what 1M-3NT does.

I don't like 1♥-1♠ auctions. Actually, I think it's partner who will hate it more. Especially those awkward hands that are 6♥ 17+ counts and what not, or if the auction goes 1♥-1♠; 2♦-3♣. I think 2♣ will simplify many auctions. If I can bid 2♣ over 1♥ with 2344 GF values, I don't see why I shouldn't bid 2♣ here.

With a bit more texture in the pointed suits then I'd bid 2NT, but with this I pass. I'm now torn between 3 or 4S. A lot of 9 counts can produce game but it really depends on what partner's pointed suits are. I wonder if 2NT by me now then 3S shows better than 3S jump or 4S 5D (two places - as we are prepared say had LHO bid 3H over our 2NT and then we bid 3S over that).

Would have responded on the previous round. Because of that, I wonder if partner can still play me for this good of a hand. If I had 4D-6C I would definitely have responded right? Well in that case, I now make the 2H/2S/2NT call, whichever one shows 3D-6+C :) That sorta does make sense doesn't it, I mean, what else can I have, having passed on the first round.

A couple of reasons. Balancer more often will not have good Majors (no DBL) and since partner never O/called at 1 level will likely not have a good suit. You could also use the same logic that if you don't play system on here, partner can't have a decent suit since he did not bid over 1♣. I would definitely play system on here because may be there are times where partner has a weak major suit and allow you to declare leaving the opener on lead. I really believe you need 2♣ as system on (some form of stayman) because not all 8-10 counts with 4-4 in the majors can partner double 1♣. I wouldn't exactly stress this out too much, keep it nice and simple. If you really do believe lots of changes should be made, then there is a case that different cases apply depending on what LHO had opened.

I usually also prefer overcalling 5cM to doubling as well, but this hand seems like a double for me. My Q9-5th suit isn't so great and RHO has opened a constructive 2H. It may now be my best chance to get all three suits in for partner to compete if lefty decides to up the ante.

4S

Agree with Josh. 2♠ should be a hand that has some offence for 3♣ (like better intermediates or a purer hand) given that partner passed our 2♣. lol at rest of the auction. The double got what it deserved, and no way in hell should you pull the double. You're even holding ♥Q!

I think Josh's point was that by rebidding 2♥ you can miss some games or better partials than had you rebid 2♦. His example hand was based on how (extreme) rebidding 2♥ may cause partner to pass when there's a better spot elsewhere (I mean, if we rebid 2♦ obviously responder is bidding 2♠ lol). On your example hands Phil, hand B is worth a 2♠ imo with 2 red bullets. I think opener has a clear pass over 3♦ with an aceless hand given that partner has bypassed 2♠. Kx KJxxxx KQxx x and Ax KQxxxx KQxx x seems very different as the latter one seems like a way better hand given the A and KQ combos and would accept the invite. I don't see how 2♦ is shooting for a (narrow?) target of 5♦ and how it can't get us to a good 4♥ on a 6-2 still. It lets responder judge his diamond fillers whereas if we had rebid 2♥, responder can't really know what random honours are good. So I think 2♦ has a huge target in finding better partials as well as the games that a rebid of 2♥ can also do.

2H is forcing, so I'm not passing. Not 3D with this rotten suit, not 3C as that's an overbid so I think I will bite with 2NT.

With ♥Kxxx ♣A, shouldn't partner bid 4♦ last train with that?

Pass for me.

I personally wouldn't like 2NT as extras. You can probably assign a meaning to 3NT like maybe 15-17 which is the extras but even still there are some 15-17 hands that should not bid 3NT. For example if I have a weak hand I would still personally like to find the best game and go slowly with 2NT. Partner might be able to bid a low 3D to agree suit, or maybe we can diagnose that our SQTx isn't a sufficient stopper opposite partner's shortage etc. Oh, I am assuming that 2S is GF...I don't understand how it can not be GF as invitational hands can just raise partner to 3D. Anyway, same goes with 15-17 range. I don't particularly like to be obliged to blast 3NT with a minimum or with extras since we could have a better spot to be in. Overall, 2NT just seems to be like awaiting further developments bid so 3NT should probably be a strong desire to play in 3NT.

If w/r 3S, if w/w or r/r, 2S, if r/w I pass.

I think partner has slam interest with something like 6/7-x-x-3 and not solid spades (but near solid-ish that we can probably rest in 4S). If I had 0-4-5-4 or 1-3-5-4 (no H stopper) or possibly a few 1-2-6-4's, I won't be rebidding 2NT so that means it's still possible for me to hold only 4 clubs. I think we should still be able to rest in 4S or 4NT contracts. I have some really good cards (including 5 clubs this time) and will now cooperate with 4D. Imagine ideal hands of AQJT9x xx Kx KQJ or AKT9xxx x Kx KJx or AKJTxx xx Kx QJx.

I'm up for 2NT.

Very broad topic this, I suggest you get good agreements with your partner. The primary reason for leading x from xxx is to tell partner your length in the suit (count). Playing MUD partner will never know if your holding was from xx or xxx until the 2nd round has been played. And for me yes, it differs if we are in a suit contract or a NT contract. I also have different agreements if we are switching in mid-game, and also if the switch was through declarer.