peachy

2NT-3D 3H - 4H Having Texas transfer available, 4H above is a slam invite.

If you trust your opponents and trust your team mates, 7C was making. Then it just becomes a math problem, how many down will 7D be. If this 7 card suit can manage 6 tricks, then it is a win. If it can manage 7 tricks, then it is a bigger gain. I must say that I would probably not have the presence of mind to figure this out at a table, red v red.

Pass over 2D was 100% correct. Bidding 3C would not only be poor, it would be wrong.

Cat. If you are lucky enough to have a smart, active cat (there aren't many, I have had many cats and only one was clever), it is endless joy to have him/her around. Now, I have no pets and surprisingly enough I am happy about the freedom that a "no pets" life can offer. However, all cats and dog approach me like I am their long-lost mother or something, wherever I go. Well, I knew there was something wrong with me, LOL.

I like Dbl, followed by 2NT. This is only because we are red versus white, otherwise I pass. If they are red, I have no prob defending 1S, should the auction stop at 1S.

I can't help but wonder if you even read my post. Reading comprehension is tough, I know. If you do not use HCP for Michaels evaluation then why elaborate on the use of HCP. This is what you wrote about a lesson that a friend gave: " That is, white vs red, partner should expect at least 7 HCP in the two long suits to make a Michaels bid. At equal vul, partner should expect a minimum of 9 HCP, and at unfavorable, partner expects at least 11 HCP in the two suits. I think this is a pretty reasonable agreement to have. " Let's try to keep things on topic and not get into sarcastic insult slinging. If I have misunderstood what you wrote, I apologize.

I like the style where Michaels is either aiming at a game or a sacrifice. Normal strength just overcall naturally. I don't like jjbrr's suggestion to count HCP, that is more or less a futile exercise with 5-5 hands, count tricks/losers/general appearance whatever, not HCP. As to what you would expect from partner on BBO - any 5-4/4-5/5-5 and any strength. Never know what to do because the Michaels bidder could make another call with a weak hand (although he shouldn't), etc. Agreements among experienced players vary. And there is a definite difference between 'experienced player' and 'expert player'. Many juniors who have played maybe 5 years, for example, are experts while majority of those who have played 20+ years, are just that = played 20+ years with no marked improvement from their 3rd year.

2S. We are in gameforce, let's proceed to see what our strain and level should be. I would not bid 3S because it will bury the possible club fit.

The 8 was played and as such, cannot be changed. The excuse about a hearing problem, well, I won't say what I think.

I heard this about 20 years ago and was made to believe it is expert standard (a reliable expert said it). It rarely comes up, but "something" agreed for the X is better than "nothing", IMO.

I am not surprised.

Phantomsac said it ALL. And well, too.

The Pearson points/ Rule of 15 is meant for borderline opening hands. This is not borderline: has adequate QT, adequate HCP, 5-card suit. Even if you thought this was borderline, it still fulfills Pearson requirements.

3H completely clear. It does not promise extras, just 4-card hearts. Even vulnerability does not matter.

Keep reading the book you mentioned, it is a good one [Winning Declarer Play]. Also, keep reading the forums and maybe see how others post problems here. Yours are impossible to read.

Dbl. I would not like it much to defend with a void in trumps in case partner left it in. Pass has more downside if we miss our vul game.

Passing with one spade trick is unreasonable.

Some sort of recorder system might help here. If NS have made a habit of bidding 2H with either a weak two in H, 5-4/4-5 majors, or H+another suit, instead of using 2H as system says, then the pattern of such should be established. As it is, this is a misbid, lacking evidence of anything else. Score stands. I don't really buy EW arguments...

Passing would show extreme lack of judgment. 1H is automatic.

None of the vote options. Partner showed a better than NT opening and I have 10 pretty HCP. Neither 3D nor 2NT is forcing, right?

I would not open 2S. Take away some of the minor suit honors, then better for 2S, provided that partner is not expecting the "traditional". In close competitive decisions, opening this with 2S will likely mislead partner in the auction to make a bad choice, either counting me for "something" in spades or not counting me for so much defense. I might open 1S or Pass.

Splinter can be an unlimited hand, but before you splinter, be sure to know whether you will Pass or go on after partner signs off. If you don't know whether to go on or to accept sign-off, you might use another auction sequence instead and not use so much room. Some play split-level splinters, either game only, or direct slam prospects. The weaker your hand, the more important to have 4 or more card trump support (9 total).

Some play that in a blind auction, Dbl asks for a heart lead. That agreement mildly helps partner find a spade lead when there is no double, better than nothing. If no agreements for the Dbl, then I would expect partner to lead his shorter major; again, likely that it is spades. Ar IMP scoring the Dbl could cost a little but the upside is worth the risk. Keep them guessing and test their nerves a little:)

This quote is from a thread where opener's GF bid was discussed. The OP hand here is not a GF hand so any comments or principles pertaining to opener's GF bids are irrelevant.

East has no role in this defense and nothing to signal at this point but he should have given correct count signal on the AK clubs. West himself (if he has paid attention) must know that there are no more hearts elsewhere and he has no other suit to play so if he takes the HQ, he is then forced to play into doublevoid. In some cases playing into doublevoid does not cost, though usually does. Here, West would be forced to play into doublevoid twice, first allowing declarer a sluff-sluff [club from one hand, spade from other] and in the next trick a sluff-ruff and the contract. West must be alert and not automatically take a trick offered without thinking of the possible consequences. Beautiful hand.