MarkDean

I think three instances is not a large enough sample size. I have been playing natural for years, and it does sometimes go bad. I like more of a 16-19 range for the sandwich nt, not only because it is reasonably dangerous without as much upside with 15, but because it is also is pretty tough when you have 19 if you have to double then bid 2NT next round. But it is well established that I play bridge like an old man (no offense to the old men on the forums).

I think "excellent players" and "playing support doubles" (over a natural 1NT) are not likely to go together. I agree bidding 1NT could be the only way to get to our game, but I think odds are against it with a 4333 15 count. I would pass.

Playing 2/1, how would you take this double without discussion? 1♥ (P) 1NT (P) 2♣ (P) 2♥ (2♠) x

1. Pass 2. Double I cannot imagine bidding 3♦ on 1. Partner is a passed hand who could not double 2♠, and we are red at IMPs.

Because the title of the thread is "Unusual 2N," do I have to overcall 2NT with the north hand in the bonus question? I would pass. I would tend to play that 3♠ creates a game force, but I also think 4m directly over 2NT is more constructive than most people.

I agree about making the prestigous events as strong as possible. I feel this way even as a player who has no chance to win the Reisinger or the Blue Ribbons. Even at the regional level, I much prefer A/X and B/C/D events to having straitified or stratiflighted or whatever events. I used to not care about masterpoints, but the introduction of the platinum pairs has changed things. As a player who does not get to play too many national events and enjoys playing in the tough ones, I do feel the rewards are not equitable. In San Francisco, we made it to the last day of the blue ribbons and the second day of the reisinger and got essentially zero platinum points: those certainly felt like accomplishments which should count toward being able to play in the platinum pairs.

I guess this might be a really bad lead from nobody else even mentioning it, but I would lead a heart. I really hate leading from any four card holding which includes the ace, particularly on this auction, and I think there is a decent chance I will cut down on declarer's communication. Obviously, this may cost a trick in hearts, and yes it is the only suit where we know partner has fewer than 4 cards, but for some reason it appeals to me.

I would try 4♦. If partner 3136, diamonds could be the place to play. I think 4NT is also reasonable: partner is going to have a hard time imaging this much club and spade help after 4♦.

I the suit breaks 4-3 there are 35 holdings for the person with four cards to have. 5 with neither the 2 or 3 (basically the three card holding can pick one of the five non-2,3 cards to have) 10 with the 2 and not the 3 (pick 3 of the five non-2,3 cards) 10 with the 3 and not the 2 10 with both the 2 and 3 (pick 2 of the five non-2,3 cards) If the 2 and 3 are in the opposite hands, you know it is one of the two middle cases, and it is a wash. If the 2 and 3 are in the same hane, you know it is the first or fourth case, so there is a 2/3 chance the hand with the 2 and 3 have the last card.

I got the biggest hand of my life recently on BBO. [hv=d=n&v=n&s=sakqj62hakdakq62c]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Can anyone beat that?

I would bid 5♣ the first time. If partner is 4243 I still want to play clubs, and I cannot imagine passing (although I know I play an old-fashioned style of takeout doubles where they deliver shortness in the suit doubled).

I find this hand to be very unattractive for the preempt - they likely already found their fit, LHO can show it at the 3 level, we have enough outside partner might misjudge saccing. On the plus side, they might misguess queens if they do declare. I would certainly bid white/red, and not red. At none it is close, but would probably bid.

My opponent bid 2♣ as South, majors. We ended up in 3!D with the other cards. I thought things were going ok with the what looked like a third best club lead, but things went downhill when North ruffed the second club. It was not a happy ending.

As East, I think the right play depends on knowing partner. There are partners with whom I would play the nine, and those with whom I would play the queen. I underlead aces more than most, and agree with the lead: I would also hope most of my partners would work it out.

[hv=s=sxhxxdxxxckqxxxxx]133|100|2N-3♣-P[/hv] I was just curious if partner had all the aces, director. Nope, he just had AKQ AKQxxxx AKQ void.

5♥. Pass with the companion hand (although I would not have responded 1♠ with it). Preempts work.

I would pass - pretty small target of hands for partner where she did not bid game and game is good opposite this hand.

Thanks all. I passed without much consideration otherwise, and partner had KTxxxxx Ax AJ9 x. Luckily other table had no opposition bidding and bid 1♠ 1NT 2♠, so no vul game swing.

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=saht765dkq653ct74]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] (P) P (1♥) 1♠ (2♥) P (P) 2♠ (P) - ? Do you move?

I would be insulted if someone said they could not recognize my posts in half dozen or so: implying they are run of the mill, adding nothing to the discussion. I would guess I could recognize almost all regular posters within six posts.

[hv=d=s&v=n&s=skqjt64hk854dcjt5]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] 1♠ - (3♣) - 3♥ - (4♣) ?

If you bid 4♣, pd bids 4♦. If over that you bid 4♥ (not last train), partner bids 4♠.

1. 4NT. I think this is very tough, might pass another day. 2. I would not double here. If they are not stopping, we might either get clobbered in something, be defending 2♥x making, or tip declarer on the play. If they are stopping here, things might be better, but we might not have any fit, and defense is not great. 3. Really clear pass.

[hv=d=w&v=n&s=sa9ha7d97653cat76]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] (P) 1♠ (P) 1NT (P) 3♠ (P) ? 1. Do you agree with 1NT = semi-forcing? 2. What now?

1. No, not particularly close for me. 2. 3H 3. What gnasher said.