andy_h

North should bid a quantitative 4NT over 3D. If however you were unsure whether 4NT was quantitative or RKC then I think North should bid either bid 3NT or 4D depending on your style of opening at 1st NV. On 2nd thoughts I think North should just set diamonds with 4D because there are lots of minimum hands which make slam decent with a few chances. Say Kx xx KQxxxx Kxx and that requires diamonds 3-2 and the DA not with the 2H bidder, or maybe Kxx x AKxxxx Jxx and it also requires diamonds 3-2 with possible simple/double squeeze available. These were just minimum hands - with some average ones say Kxx x AQ10xxx Kxx or KQx xx AK10xxx Jx then they start to become even better slams. Seems like I'm talking myself into just bidding keycard!

I play 1/1 is forcing, 2/1 is NF but constructive, 2/2 etc are forcing. Although I'm starting to like 3/1 as forcing when 3rd hand has passed since it's very useful when it comes up and doesn't create awkward auctions if I have to start with a cue-bid with LHO bidding again. It just means I'm giving up FSJ when I can just put those hands in one of my raises.

I guess to cash two spades. If E-W have no extended methods over 1NT I will assume they have 4C gerber available. Based on that assumption West might have bid 4C with say x Kx KQJ-8th Kx and also West might not consider punting with that Ace-less hand too. So I guess I will play him for xx Kx KQJ-8th A. I have no experience in leading against these type of auctions, so if I was sitting in partner's chair I think I might've considered the Ace of clubs lead if I had it in case there are two clubs to cash.

100% South. North has a decent hand and should cue over 3H however that wasn't the problem which propelled the auction up to 6H. When North doesn't make any noise over 3H, South with only 1 keycard has an easy pass. North didn't need to have 5-5, say he has 5422 and a min 12 count AQxxx A10xx Qx xx and the five level is in jeopardy. As a side random question, why did South cue 5C as opposed to 4S?

I would have bid 2D on the previous round. There are two ways in which you can play the double of your suit (2C) is. First meaning is "I would have rebid 2C" and the second meaning is takeout of spades (pretending the auction was like 1C-(1S)-P-(2S)-X). I much prefer the latter.

1C, no second choice.

Just a pedestrian low club for me.

If you play 2C-2D-3H as 4H6+D then 2C has a lot going for it although I'm not sure if we're able to show a fifth heart after say 2C-2D-3H-3NT-4H? Otherwise if that's not available then I choose 1D. We "only" have 19 highs so once we get by this round we are in a perfect situation in describing our hand.

You can certainly devise a few gadgets over this sequence. Possible ways might be to do the same as what you bid say over a 4M preempt (like 4S-5C), or maybe say 1M-4M-5x. Of course you now have the additional 4NT to be something too. Not sure what I'd do with this current hand but I agree with Roger that passing is out of the question.

It was definitely an interesting read, so well done and a very fine effort indeed!

A possible standard 2/1 auction might be: 1S-2C 2H-2NT 3C-3D 4C-4D Where 2C=GF, nat or bal 3D="waiting bid, as partner might be 6412 or 5503 etc" 4C=5404 4D=The only artificial bid to set clubs.

I would always bid 4D to show a good raise to 4S (more than a standard limit raise that would jump 4S directly). It would be perfect if partner has a 4H last train available but if that's not the case I am still bidding 4D because even though partner is lacking a few Aces, he could have a distributional hand and may be able to commit to the five level. I mean, if he's looking at non-Ace cards with say a diamond shortage then it's pretty likely that we'll be in possession of a few of those Aces if we are showing a good raise. 3NT may be our last making spot (since our three little trumps is horrible) but with this effective 15 count and three card support I think I am totally mis-describing our hand by not telling partner about our good hand with spade support.

1H wtp too

Maybe not so popular but I think a good treatment to have is 4m (opener's opened minor) by responder is (game) forcing in these type of auctions. With a weak hand responder could have raised the minor on the first round, with an invitational hand responder can jump to game and so you're left with slam interest hands.

Forcing pass is crazy

Without any gadgets I would bid 3H.

Trump for me too.

Agree with gnasher.

Don't really understand why this hand is posted. Don't know why we would ever consider doubling here when we don't even have a certain defensive trick. Partner has opened 1NT sure, and he can see his own hand too. I would have bid 2D however over the penalty double.

I strongly prefer 2NT than 2S. But otherwise, 3C over 1NT is a huge overbid and definitely prefer 3H over 2NT.

I like pass. The hcp might be evenly spread so there's a chance that we might buy the contract. I will of course compete to 3H if necessary.

1. I think I prefer either 3H or 3S on the first round. But of course the 2nd double was the worst action when you supress QJxx support (especially that a lot of the times 2m overcalls will be 6 card suits). 2. Both are to blame but more to South. From South's perspective, the singleton spade, fifth trump and the Ace of diamonds seems to be screaming out for slam really. Opener has bid which sounds a lot like a 5-6 (but evidently with 5-5's too) but it justifies some sort of move at least. They pay bonuses for games! North should bid 5C over 3NT since the 3D bid by responder looks well-fitting with opener's hand. Responder made a delayed 3NT bid which suggests one stopper with possibly even five diamonds say xx Kx AJxxx xxxx. But on the actual hand I actually don't understand responder's 3NT bid if opener has suggested at least a 5-5 shape with only one stopper and a singleton spade. So big blame to South.

After the suggested auction the 3460 must double 3C which was the plan all along (I would double 1C if my shape was 3451, but it feels wrong not mentioning my 6 card suit and a good hand as I can double for takeout later which typically should show a 3361 shape). After the double then your partner has a clear 4S bid.

Agree with Jilly.

4C