rogerclee

To me, not playing penalty x's over a mini NT (or even 12-14 NT) is about the same as not playing takeout doubles over preempts.

I think that nobody on the face of the earth would substantially improve his game by playing one form of RKCB over the other. Is 1430 technically superior? I think in a majority of situations, yes. Does this matter? Absolutely not. I will admit that as a beginner, I adopted 1430 because it was easier for me to remember :).

4♦ then 5♥ for me.

If 1♦ usually denies holding a 4cM except for hands that want to GF, I could be convinced to bid some lead-averting spades before settling in 3NT. Not sure how silly this is though; I don't try this strategy routinely.

Playing 12-14 NT; if it matters, scoring is favorable MP. 1♦-(1♠)-P-(P) Dbl-(P)-2♥-(2♠) P-(P)-Dbl Does this last double exist? If it does, is it unilateral penalty, takeout, or cooperative (depending on whether partner has a strong NT)?

Opposite a normal 2/1 player, GFing seems clear.

What? You want partner to bid 5♦? WOW. You expect 4♠ to not get doubled?

1) I would open. I have no problem with opening this either 1♠ or 1♣, but I'd open 1♠. I want to get the suit in that I think we're most likely to be able to compete with. That said, I am very worried about getting tapped on this hand. 2) Passsssssssssssssssssssssssssss. Even favorable, bidding is crazy.

Unfavorable, IMPs ♠KJTx ♥KQTxxxxx ♦void ♣J 1♠-(2♣)-? What is your plan here? Continuations: If you bid 3♣, partner will bid 4♠. If you bid 2♥, partner will bid 3♦. If you bid 3♥ (FJ), partner will bid 3♠. Edit: Changed spade holding.

4♦

I open aggressively in 4th seat vs bad players. Still, without any spots (♦T doesn't count for much), balanced shape, and being two shy in Pearson, I think this is a clear pass. If you forced me to open, I would open 1N.

I think even if you made this a billion dollar question, I could not answer this. :)

Does not matter what system we play; if I found out that my opps did not play penalty x's vs weak NT, I would play 10-12.

I don't have any strong preference for 5♥ or x. I'd probably bid 5♥; would not be surprised if this is a good sacrifice :). If I double and partner bids 5♦, I would bid 5♥. This is funny, since my initial reaction was "X, wtp?"

2♥. Why wouldn't I bid?

To add to what others say, I cannot remember the last time I made a penalty double of 1NT in this situation and they did not go down (and I make these pretty aggressively). 300 seems to be about the mean, but every once in awhile you get (really) rich. I can remember one time in particular when the overcaller upgraded a 14-count; was not good news for him when we had all 26 outstanding HCP. A lot of people like to overcall 1NT, about as much as they love to open it. This is wrong. Overcalling 1NT is a very risky thing to do, and you will get doubled somewhat frequently.

This auction is wow.

I don't like a club that much. Spade for me...going with a small guy. Agree that either red suit lead is very poor.

This is a very, very clear pass. Partner is marked with short diamonds and didn't act. Thus, he has a bad hand, and this is definitely your best spot. Not only that, what would you bid? 2NT is an overbid, not only on points, but the fact that you have no source of tricks. I think you'll agree that any suit bid or a takeout double is even more insane.

Unfavorable, IMPs ♠Txx ♥Kxxxx ♦void ♣A98xx Partner opens 1NT (15-17) in third seat, passed to you.

3♠. Maybe experience will teach me not to overbid these hands, but I'm 6-5 with reasonableish suits.

Uncontested 1♦-2♣ 2♥ 2♣ = GF Did opener show extras or just shape? Both styles are playable, and both seem to be 'standard' among different communities. I'm just looking for who supports what, and with what arguments.

Omitted Variable Bias. If you want to perform a statistical study like this, you're going to need to factor "skill level" into this. This could be measured by considering the average IMPs/bd for each of the flannery bidders, then considering correlation again. I think you'd also need to consider the IMP losses from not opening 2♦ on weak hands. (FWIW, I think Flannery is okay :).)

You are opposing Italy II, with Dano de Falco on your right and Benito Garozzo on your left. IMPs, All Red ♠9 ♥QJ5432 ♦T63 ♣932 LHO Deals: (2♣)-P-(3♥)-P (7♠)-Dbl-(7NT)-P (P)-Dbl-AP 3♥ is some sort of artificial strong bid for the minors (not sure about this). You lead? Hidden:

I would not overcall 2♠ at any colors. Sorry if this wasn't clear; I meant that at these colors, it is obvious, not just obvious :P.