jules101

I was asked this question yesterday, and I didn't know the answer. Can you point to Law which says yeah or neah! Declarer is in a NT contract, and has established dummy's long Diamond suit. Declarer asks dummy to "play diamonds from the top". After a couple of tricks she decides to change her plan. Is she allowed to ask dummy to stop playing the diamonds (as long as dummy hasn't picked up the next)? Or is she obliged to play out all the diamonds as per earlier instruction? My feeling is that she's allowed to change her plan, but I can't find where it says this in Law. Can you refer me to the relevant section? Thanks

So after [3♠] and 2 passes you bid 4♥ with a) xx AKQT9 KQJ9 xx b) void AJTxxx KJ KT8xx and also with the GOSH? c) x AKQJTxx KQJ Kx Latter seems much better hand, but maybe your pard will have fewer useful cards if you have this much?

[hv=pc=n&n=s92hakqt9d94ckqj9&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=3spp]133|200[/hv] Too much to pass, if you double you fear partner will bid ♦, so what are you going to do this time?

The poster (and her pard!) would play 1N is 4th seat there to be 18-19ish balanced, and 2N shows the other 2-suits. So getting back to the question asked..... :unsure:

I was thinking about these two auctions. (a) [1♣] 2N (showing lower 2 unbid suits) and (b) [1♣] P [1♠] 2N (showing the other 2 suits) (a) With the first auction I'm happy to wade in with a shapely minimum. (b) Where both of your oppo have bid, so one has opening+ hand, and the other has 6+ hcp (but is unlimited) then should one have a much better hand to enter the auction in 4th seat? Or would you just bid 2N there with the same minimum as you would in auction (a)? What would you recommend as a minimum for 2N in auction (b)?

[hv=pc=n&e=sqj97643hkqt86dca&d=s&v=b&b=7&a=p1d3c]133|200[/hv] Grrr - North has stolen lots of your space. What is your plan?

Ah well. Your partner did pass elegantly in tempo, as she always does, but was willing you with all her (insufficient) telepathic powers to reopen with the double. She was hoping her partner might wonder "WHO HAS ALL SPADES?!". [hv=pc=n&s=shajt762dkjckt863&w=sqj87643h9d9864ca&n=sakt92hkdaq75cj97&e=s5hq8543dt32cq542&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=3spp4hppp]399|300[/hv]

4♥ perhaps looks rather obvious, but I did wonder if it was rather unilateral. DISCUSS!

[hv=pc=n&s=shajt762dkjckt863&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=3spp]133|200[/hv]

[hv=pc=n&s=skhj76daqj8652cqt&w=saqjt43hakt852d7c&n=s9872h3dkt3caj952&e=s65hq94d94ck87643&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=1d4d(super%20michaels%3F)5d(overbid%3F%21%21)pp6d(oh%20well%21)p6hppdppp]399|300[/hv] My plan was in invite by bidding 5M over pard's 4M, but plan went awry. I decided 5M over 5♦ would be passed. 4M could well be too high let alone 5M, but decided would risk making pard bid 6 and I got lucky! Quite liked the auction where trumps are only mentioned once at the 6-level!

If they open 1N then our 1st X is for pens, 2nd X is take out (which pard can convert), 3rd and all subsequent X are penalties. I did wonder whether that meant 3rd X here was penalties here, but we don't have that agreement in this different and rather unusual sequence. I suspect few others would have discussed it either. Given that: pard X for take out of clubs; pard hadn't rebid 2N (difficult over 1N rebid!); and West had rebid their clubs (and I have only one), so could have say AKQxxx♣, so I decided not to chance a pass!

I considered bidding 3♣ to get pard to pick a suit, but wondered if that'd be too high, so decided to bid 2♥ - my best suit - and struggled home (should be one off). Missed a 4-4 ♠ fit. Pard South knew West couldn't have 18-19 given she has a 23 count! She didn't bid on over 2♥ because can envisage West has every missing honour card sitting over hers. Deep finesse says: South can make 3♠, 2♥ and 1N; North can make 2♠, and 1♥; and East/West can make 1♣ or 1♦. Our west team mate opened 15-17 1N (so west at our table was telling fibs) and got doubled. Minus 3 was -800! Nightmare hand! [hv=pc=n&s=sakq2hkj9dkjcaq83&w=st4haqtdaqtck7652&n=s8753h8765d8642ct&e=sj96h432d9753cj94&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1cppd1n(18-19%20%5Bfib%5D)ppd2cppdp2hppp]399|300[/hv] I hear some South's doubled 1♣ and rebid 2N over their partner's bid cos West didn't bid again at most tables. This should be one off, but a few made it. Difficult for West to get any useful signals from East!

[hv=pc=n&n=s8764h8765d8642ct&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1c(4+)ppd1n(18-19)ppd2cppXp]133|200[/hv] What now? :(

[hv=pc=n&w=saqjt43hakt852d7c&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=1d(Natural%2C%204+D)]133|200[/hv] You make a 2-suited overcall at some level or another (2D or 4D etc) Partner makes a forced preference. How many of that suit are you now bidding? Do you just cross your fingers and bid 6M, or do you try inviting pardner with 5M and risk them passing? It's seems to me there is little science to such hands. Do you just need to "take a view"? [i hate that expression!]

NS play some sort of precision club. 1♦ is 11-15, denies a 5-card major, could be short in diamonds. It is often - but not always - a weak NTish sort of hand. 1N for NS is 13-15 balanced. [hv=pc=n&n=skthqt9732dt4cj43&d=s&v=n&b=15&a=1d(Precison%20as%20above)1sp2sp(Significant%20hesitation)p3hp(*%20See%20below%20%26%20calls%20director)p3sppp]133|200[/hv] * East asked North if he noticed his partner's significant hesitation. North "No, I didn't notice and anyway I've got my bid." West "There was a long hestitation." North "I didn't notice." South "Yes, I did hesitate - I was thinking of bidding." [!!!] North "I didn't notice and anyway I've got my bid. My partner opened the bidding." East "I would expect you to have your bid, but I'd like to call director to reserve our rights." Director comes, notes auction and what was said, and offers to return at end if EW feel inclined once the hand is concluded. RESULT 3♠-1. EW ask to see North's hand - see diagram above. They say they aren't convinced North has a 3♥ vulnerable after his partner after his partner's hesitation. Director is recalled. MORE CONTEXT (just in case relevant) *This is Club match pointed pairs event. * Most director calls are for LOOT, insufficient bids, and the like. Very director calls, if any, are called for this type of scenario. * NS are a husband and wife partnership in their seventies how have probably been playing bridge together for 30-40 or maybe more years. One suspects they don't really notice one another's hesitations, so North may indeed not have noticed his partner's long pause. HOW DO YOU RULE?

If you X partner will lead a ♥ - her shorter major - but as you say with a bust she'd already decided on that action in hope of "finding partner". At the table partner decided not to double with length in both majors cos couldn't be sure which I would lead, but if she had then I would still lead my singleton ♥. [Our opp decided to duck the ♥ lead tho and then went 3 off! We got lucky, but in reality better declarers would anticipate a ♠ switch at trick 2 if the ♥ is wrong, so I'm not sure they'd take the chance.] 3NX tick on a ♥ lead and I suspect oppo would hope up with the Ace? If double specifically asks for a ♠ you are quids in, otherwise 4♠-1 would be better than 3NX tick if a ♥ is led. I like the idea of 4♣ for majors. We play Multi Landy over 1N, ie 2♣ = majors, 2♦ = a 6+ card major, 2M = 5M & 4+ minor. We also employ similar over Gambling 3N openers. Would it make sense to adopt the same methods over 1N - 3N auctions? Less taxing n grey cells I suppose if we keep it the same. We may, however, wait a long time for another suitable hand to come up! Here is the full deal [hv=pc=n&s=sakq864hkjt73dqc6&w=sj7hq965da72cakt5&n=st93h2d986543c742&e=s52ha84dkjtcqj983&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=1n(14-16)p3nppp]399|300[/hv]

What are your methods here? [hv=pc=n&s=sakq864hkjt73dqc6&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=1n(14-16)p3n]133|200[/hv]

Thanks all for comments. I'm interested in Frances's suggestion that we could use double as take out rather than penalties. What are people's preferred methods here? Yes Phil - you outed me - it's a hand from Monday at the Melville, and it only seems fare to share the full hand with all given you have seen it. I suspect most East's aren't making a take out double (would you have?), so I doubt our auction will have been replicated at many tables. [hv=pc=n&s=s2hkqt74d94ckj832&w=sqjt97hj985dk72c6&n=sak8643h6daj6ca97&e=s5ha32dqt853cqt54&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=p1sdrp]399|300[/hv]

OK - you passed 1♠XX - next decision......... [hv=pc=n&n=sak8643h6daj6ca97&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=p1sdrpp2dpp]133|200[/hv] So - pard doesn't have a good raise to 2♠ (this is a shame), and he can't apply a penalty double to 2♦, so it looks like his values (and cards?) are in ♥ and ♣. Our agreement is that we don't let them play at 2-level undoubled, so partner's pass is forcing. You are obliged to either double or bid. What's your call now, and why?

[hv=pc=n&n=sak8643h6daj6ca97&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=p1sdrp]133|200[/hv] XX tends to shows max of 2 cards in pard's suit, and 10+ hcp OR it might be a good raise to 2 of pard's suit over the double (rather than a stretch raise to 2). What's your bid? Please explain why you made you choice. Thank you!

Alternate use of STOP card that I've noticed.... 1) Place STOP card on table 2) Wait 10 secs or so before deciding on your bid, and/or forewarning opps that you are going to make jump bid (usually the former I recokon!) 3) Make bid, and pick up STOP card IMMEDIATELY! Difficult to explain to oppos perhaps this isn't the correct procedure. :(

QUESTION - Who is permitted to say "insufficient"? Some people tell me that only the LHO of the bidder may say this (cos it's their turn to call). Others say anyone may say, including RHO and pard of the "insufficient bidder". Which para in the rule book clarifies? Many thanks!

1N 2N ?? 3♣ = denies Hxx in diamonds 3♦ = shows Hxx in ♦, although sometimes opener may complete with Ax, AK bare, or maybe even with xxxx. Responder will pass 3♦ with weak hand, but may try 3N with a 10 hcp as per hand shown. 3♥/♠ have no assigned meaning! Given transfer might be made with zero points, it would seem "a bit previous" for the 12-14 NT hand to bid above 3♦. With stronger GF hand responder will bid on after 3♣/♦ hand, and this is FTG or more. This isn't relevant here though.

[hv=pc=n&w=sa98h54dqj8642ck9&d=w&v=n&b=12&a=pp1n(12-14)p2n(trans%20to%20diamonds)p(asks*%20see%20below)3s(brain%20fart)p3n]133|200[/hv] North asked the meaning of 2N, and East had a momentary brain fart, and said transfer to ♠ (rather than ♦), and then proceeded to bid 3♠. EW system has the ability to show "liking for ♦", usually Hxx, or not. And West has a hand where she'll bid a thin 3N if partner "likes ♦", and will probably pass if partner denies Hxx in their suit. After East describes the transfer as ♠, and bids 3♠ is West not constrained in her next action? ie Should West pass 3♠? Or can she try 3N in hope this might be a better spot in case their partner just has a doubleton or 3 card ♠. How do you rule if NS call you?

[hv=pc=n&s=sqt54hj742dt964c2&w=sk7hqt5dqj8732cq3&n=sj8632had5cakj876&e=sa9hk9863dakct954&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=1n(12-14)p2n(trans%20to%20D)3cp(denies%203%20diamonds)pp(long%20stare%2C%20eventually%20passes)]399|300[/hv] Lucky that 3♣ makes I suppose, but not as good as 4♠X tick! Amazing that shape and partner's 3 hcp is enough to make game! Interestingly EW can make 3♦, 3♥, and 3N!