rogerclee

Okay, I am not really proud of it, but I 3♠'d at the table -- long tank by LHO, then all pass. 3♠-4 was win 7 when our partners were kicking themselves for not bidding the obvious slam.

This auction: 1♦ - (P) - 1♥ - (1♠) 3♥ - (4♠) - 5♦* Is 5♦ here a cuebid or a suggestion to play 5♦?

Easy double.

IMPs, All White, Third Seat ♠8x ♥xxx ♦9xxxx ♣xxx 2♠-(P)-? If it matters to you, you are playing an open swiss against total beginners (will blitz them 53-0 in 6 boards).

In this case, I have limited my hand already, and it is also limited to something far weaker than anything like a redouble would establish. I wasn't arguing that it was impossible to have forcing passes at this level, just that it would be silly to play that here. Partners knows it is w/w MPs and that we have a reasonable hand. I don't see why we need a systemically forcing pass here when partner will usually do the right thing anyway. "dumbest thing I have ever heard" was definitely too much, so I apologize about that.

Getting into arguments with online BBO kibs = no-win line.

IMPs, All White, Fourth Seat ♠Jx ♥QJT8x ♦AJ8xx ♣x (1♥)-Dbl-(P)-?

1) Obviously either is playable, and I think "stop" is better. 2) Forcing pass at the 2-level is the darndest (edit for language :)) thing I have ever heard, and I have read foo's posts.

You are playing against two good players (actually pclayton on your right) in a very non-serious evening swiss. IMPs, Fourth Seat, Red vs White ♠A ♥AQJTxx ♦Axx ♣xxx (P)-1♠-(5♦)-? I thought this decision was auto, but there was some discussion about it.

I think my suit is way too horrible to bid it.

So this was in a late evening swiss. I agree the 4♥ bid was poor; I wasn't thinking all that clearly, since this was basically my 70th board of the day. 6♥ is the winner here. Dummy isn't fantastic: ♠x ♥KJxx ♦Kxxx ♣KJTx (5♥ a little weird). Anyway, 2-2 trumps sees it home.

It has always been my style to open these hands 4♠, regardless of the forum majority, but maybe I should reconsider. Maybe I've seen a weird sample, but I have never seen one of these hands in real life or in a big tournament where we are somehow able to bid 6M by starting low. This hand is no exception, but isn't really a strong case. I opened this 4♠ in first and it got swished out for +650. At the other table, the player in my seat (actually a pretty good player) opened 1♠ and it got competitive quickly. He failed to pull a double of 5♦, which made, but 6♦ is a good sacrifice which is impossible to find after opening 4♠.

I think it is too strong but don't have any real problem with opening 1NT. KJx is not a great holding. Edit: Oh, I was reading this without glasses on and didn't see the spade spots (thought it was AKxxx). Yes, this is very clearly too good to open 1NT. Would you ever open AKxxx AQx Jx KJx 1NT? Isn't this hand better?

That.

IMPs, Red vs White, First Seat ♠Axx ♥A98xx ♦QJTxx ♣void 1♥-(2♣)-3♣-(3♠) 4♥-(4♠)-5♥-(Pass) ? Regardless of whether you like your 4♥ bid (if you had bid 4♦, the auction would be the same), you now have a decision: go to slam? If not, how close do you think it is; what additional heart honor would you need to bid it?

I agree mostly with the first, not at all with the second; I'd open 2♦ without the ♣Q or pass.

You are playing a 24-board KO against a pretty good team. IMPs, All Red, First Seat ♠KQJ9xxx ♥KJxxx ♦void ♣x Your call.

I like all the articles by Karen. I have read a lot of them and though I do not always agree with the material, I think they've improved my game.

Agree with everyone else that West is really nuts.

For the resulters, partner has ♠Jx ♥Q ♦9xxx ♣AKQJTx. 4♠ has no play, 3NT is ice cold, and x will get a 4♣ from partner, which regardless of whether it makes, goes down less than 4♠. I am convinced that 3♠ is better, just not on this one. Tough though; I'll give it around to some really good players and see what they say.

1. 5♥-5♣, could be more, 1NT is usually 4♥-5♣ if you use it as takeout. 2. Yes, takeout, at least 4-4 in the others. 3. No, though 18-19 does x and then rebid NT. It shows the same two suiter as above, except not really limited. 4. Takeout, same minimum strength, unlimited maximum strength.

Matchpoints, All White, Fourth Seat ♠AKxxx ♥Kx ♦Kxx ♣xxx (1♥)-2♣-(3♥)-? 1♥ is 11-15 HCP, 3♥ is preemptive and could be total junk.

Passers win this one. 3♣-1 gets you +100, while bidding 3♠ will get a raise from partner and a prompt double from your LHO, who has nothing except ♠AQJx and some other stray high card; 4♠ will go down either 2 or 3 depending on how it is played/defended. If you doubled, congratulations. You get +200 for being completely ridiculous.

I can't decide between 3NT and 4♠. Good problem.

4NT is very obvious.