avaron

I play up the line and this double as negative, so no problem. Playing anything else, pass smoothly and quickly. The hand will play a full trick weaker than its strength indicates. Normal expectations: Float - average minus 2NT - very bad when wrong, average-plus when right. When you can make exactly 2NT, partner might raise to 3. 3 Clubs - if you have to act alone, this might be the only way to get a plus score. 3 Hearts - if you need a top or bottom score, this is the bid to produce it. Better than 2NT, since, when it pays off, it pays off big. Pass and someone else bids - average-plus to very good One of the black arts of match points is making sure that your bad boards are average-minus, not zero.

When following suit with four small cards playing UDAC, which card do you play first?

This is a test post, my first one, but I'll try to stay on point. Ace of Diamonds, top spade, heart to dummy, top heart from dummy. If everyone follows, third heart, top spade. If everyone follows, no problem. If right defender plays a spade honor on the first round and shows out the second, ruffing finesse in spades. Otherwise, play diamonds, hoping for a miracle. If left defender holds four hearts, play two top spades and guess whether she holds a doubleton. If so, play diamonds. Otherwise, play the remaining top spade, hoping for 3-3 or four cards with the heart rail. If right defender has the hearts, play spades, since a diamond play can never work. Left defender can win and give a spade ruff. Playing low on the first diamond commits you too early. How many defenders would offer you a working diamond play that you can never make yourself? Besides, how else could they talk you out of playing for a singleton King of Diamonds? If diamonds are void on my left, I'll pay up.