dbsboy

As an intermediate player and as I play in an intermediate field, I found this 1-2-3 stop quite useful (but I agree that it is more useful in hearts), because opponents may not be able to balance at 3 level, and sometimes opps even have game and miss it. Moreover, when I am playing sayc with a few partners, I also like a style that partner can raise to 4 if he has extra trumps and some distribution. I don't raise to 3 with random 6322 though. I'm not sure about the effectiveness of 1-2-3 stop in a better field, and would like to hear more opinions.

Tough hand. If gazzili is not your choice, Kaplan inversion would have worked well in this hand. ;)

[hv=d=n&v=e&n=sj2hjt3d84cajt532&w=s94hk7652da52c986&e=saq763hq984dqj93c&s=skt85hadkt76ckq74]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] I was South. At our table, the bidding went RHO Me LHO My P 1♠ Pass 1N (F1) Pass 2♥ X 3♥ 5♣ All Pass 5♣ went -1. At the other table, the bidding was a different as South overcalled 1NT RHO Opps LHO Opps 1♠ 1N Pass 3N All Pass The opening lead was ♠9. And declarer easily scooped 9 tricks. I am not sure if I should overcall 1NT, and do you agree with the 3NT bid over partner's 1NT? Of course, a H lead may have defeated the contract. Any opinion?

Does that mean this problem is more difficult if partner is an unpassed hand? (since I reckon people on the forums play 3♦ as forcing to game) imho I will bid 3♦ (help suit hopefully!) but bid 3♥ if I am an unpassed hand (a light 5+card invite in my system)

I play 1NT - 4♠ as quantitative+, so opener bid 4N with no slam interest, or bid a suit on the 4 level something like Baron responses. Anywayz responder can still bid a suit on the 5 level even if opener has a minimum. I think it is very important to be able to play in 6 minor when there is a fit, but since I dont have any relay bids following up stayman, I am quite comfortable with this 1N-4♠ ask. I actually want to use your thread to ask a question about a gadget I am playing now. I play 2N-4♠ as an invite with 4+ controls, and 4NT as an invite with less than 4 controls. Actually I do not know if its useful, but I often open 2NT with 19 pts and a 6 card minor. I wonder if this gadget can help me reach more 28-hcp minor slam.

I like jdonn's idea, but I think there is a disadvantage too: If responder is weak and have say 4-4-3-2, he would bid 2N leb and try to signoff in 3♥, but in this case, playing 3♥ or 3♠ is usually worse than the 6-2 fit 3♣ (where he would pass 1♣-1♠-3♣). I think I would bid 3♣ at the table, for the reasons: 1) It is already a jump, a very encouraging bid given my 14 HCP 2) Rebidding 3♣ does not stop us in playing ♠ 3) My ♣ are really strong 4) I am not used to reversing with 3 card suits when I have an alternative.

Thank you for all the kind responses. I am weak at bidding (especially competitive), must learn from this since it seems to be a unanimous wtp. I have a few follow up questions: 1) Assume we have the same auction, should opener bid 3♠ whenever he has 4 card ♠ support? 2) Is it in competition, one can stretch a bit more when a fit is found? (e.g. normal 2♠ in unobstructed bidding can bid 3♠, and 3♠ hand can bid 4♠ in compeition?) 3) If the bidding is uninterrupted, is my hand (XXXXX QX QXXX QX) good enough to bid game over 1♦-1♠-3♠? Feel free to answer, I am so eager to play better bridge!

[hv=d=n&n=sajxxhxxdat9xckjx&w=sxhkxxxdjxxcatxxx&e=skqxhajtxxdkxcxxx&s=st9xxxhqxdqxxxcqx]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Hi all, here is a problem that my partner and I had an argument on. We play 2/1. The auction went with North as dealer: 1♦ - (1♥) - 1♠ - (2♠) - 3♠ - (4♥) - 4♠ - (P) - P - (X) which got down 3, a disastrous result. In the post-mortem analysis, I think that 1) North was not strong enough to bid 3♠, and should double 2♠, but my partner thinks that X was unclear (supportive? strength?) Extra Q: what should the double be? He thinks that 2) I should pass 4♥ since I was not sure whether 4♥ makes or not, and since I did not have stuff more than I had promised, I should not commit suicide and bid 4♠. I then suggests 3) AKXX X AKXXX XXX is a perfect example hand for 3♠ (which he agrees with me) but then I should pass with my given hand. He then added that given the failure of me doubling 4♥, he would bid 4♠ over 4♥ Pls assign the blame and feel free to comment on the auction. Thank you

[hv=s=skqxhakqt9xdxxxca]133|100|[/hv] I have learnt from this forum that when we have a GF hand and no 4 card side suit, I should make a fake reverse or jump shift in a new 3 card suit. And I like this agreement, but I wonder how I should bid this hand. The real auction actually went like this. My partner passed, I opened 1♥, my partner bid 1♠, I bid 3♦, and then my partner bid 3NT. I wonder: 1) Should I bid 3♦ with a crappy suit like this? 2) Should I pass, bid 4♥, or 4♠ over 3NT? 3) If I bid 4♥ over 3NT, is responder allowed to make a preference bid of 5♦? 4) If partner was not a passed hand, would that affect your decision? Thank you.

My friend and I discussed a hand just now. It was ♠ATXXXX ♥KJT9X ♦X ♣X Playing 2/1, would you open 1♠? if yes, what seat and vulnerability? if no, would you open 1♠ switching the small ♦singleton to ♦ Queen?

Thx for all the replies. Yes you are right, Codo. We hadn't had any agreements beforehand but I assumed he played ELC since he doubled in this case. I also do not mean reaching 6♠, but actually reaching 6♦. Firstly he said he would have Xed (which was supposed to be responsive) with my hand and 4♥ should be left for hands of other types (he suggested a two suiter hand afterwards). What is the common interpretation of the 4♥ cuebid in expert circle? Secondly he asked why I didn't bid after his 5♦, since 4♥ should promise a rebid. Or his 5♦ promised extra? I was not so sure...I was afraid of him holding ♠QXX ♥X ♦AKQXX ♣QXX, so I passed. My question here is if our first two bids cannot be changed (the double and the 4♥), who should be the one to try slam? I am looking forward to seeing your opinions.

[hv=d=w&v=n&n=sq763hakqdat8654c&s=sak92h2dj972ca653]133|200|Given the favourite vulnerability, West opened 2♥[/hv] My partner doubled, RHO bid 3♥, I chose 4♥ at last. And partner decided to bid 5♦. Thinking that I had already shown my hand, I passed 5♦. Whose fault? p.s. Dealer is west

pass 2♦. over X, I bid 3♣. over 2♥, I pass. over 2♠, I pass. over 3♣, I bid 3♦, which should be a good raise.

[hv=d=s&s=saxxhxdakxxcaxxxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] I am a strong believer in opening 1♣ with 5 Clubs and 4 Diamonds. However, I found a really difficult rebid problem no matter partner responds in any Major. It seems that I cannot show my strength and shape effectively. If I open 1♦, will the bidding go much smoother?

1♠. If ♣A and ♥6 switched suits I'd bid 2♣. I always like my honours going together in one suit.

[hv=s=satxhajxxdaqxxxcx]133|100|[/hv] Holding this hand, you opened 1D. I'm sure a 3H jump raise is unanimous if partner responds in Hearts. What about if partner responds 1S?

ok thx for all the responses. I will change the response structure to 2D-2H as pass or correct.

Partner opens 2D, showing a 11-15 3415 / 4315 / 4414 / 4405 Holding [hv=s=saq2hq64dqjt7c963]133|100|[/hv] What will your respond? I realize there may be game, but i dont know what to bid. 2H / 2S / 3C = Signoff while 2NT = Min-Max relay (answer: 3C=min, 3D=4405, 3H/3S=Max 4 Card Major, 3N=Max 4414) 3D=invite with 44Majors, 3M=Light Invite Partner indeed has [hv=s=saq2hq64dqjt7c963]133|100|[/hv] so game looks good Second Question: This is the response structure i am currently playing. Simple enough, but i am not sure if it is a nice one.

I am learning Precision and has become really fond of it. But people love to interfere and I still have problems in this part. To all Big Club experts: What is the best scheme (or your recommended scheme) after partner opens 1C and opponents interfere? I do not mind complicated methods as long as they are effective and useful. Thanks all.

no, Gerben. I dont think 3H is FG... a rebid 2H should be around 7-10, 3H is invite, and FG starts by bidding a new suit i think.

I'm not an expert but I think sometimes 2D helps more in bidding slams, or even games. (Not so fond of 3 card raises...especially with very good diamonds) I think this hand is too good for a 2H raise. But 2H closes the auction just as often as 2D, not? 2D also helps partner to upgrade his Diamonds if he has 3 cards or 2 card with an Honour. If the auction goes 1D-1H-2D-2H, i will be happy to raise to 3H. In this case, 1D - 1H 2D - 2S 3H / 3S / 4C (dunno whats 3S / 4C in std).... If there is any way to know about Good Ds + Singleton C, the Slam could be bid.

2♦

I believe Picture Jump has become the popular choice among the forum. 1 Question: Do we still have Picture Jump after 1M-2m-2NT? if 2NT shows 12-14 or 18-19? especially if the 'm' is Clubs, which can be based on a 3-card suit?

Ekrens is just a suggestion Definitely Flannery, or Muiderberg, are all okay. Am I focusing the wrong suit for my strong bids? oh...I dont completely understand this. How about 2D=Weak or Strong H, 2C=Strong without H? is that what you mean? Despite all the negative?? comments i think this scheme is pretty useful. According to my scheme, 2C-2D=Wait, 2H/2S/3C=Honours, 2N=D Honours Then after 2H/2S<=3M sets suit, or 3C then 3D sets Clubs, or 2N then 3C=nat and 3D=sets suits... and after 2C-2D-3D=FG PrimaryC+Secondary D, it works well

How about... 2H=Ekrens 2S=Weak 2 Spades 2D=Weak 2 Hearts or FG DIAMONDS 2C=FG without DIAMONDS rightsiding the contract + able to show your FG hands better