MarkDean

OK, true, it does not always show a balanced hand. If people were arguing that we would then find out about unstopped majors after 2NT, I could get on board. But it seems people are suggesting partner will either pass or bid 3NT. In my experience, I have not seen many people bid 2NT with a balanced 19 on this auction, so I am rather surprised to see so many people saying that is standard bridge.

I'll let you answer your own question. If you open 1♦ holding KJx AJ10x KQJx Ax, and partner responds 1♠, what would you rebid? I fail to see how that is the same question. In one case, we know partner has 6-10 balanced, and that 3Nt is the best contract a very high percentage of the time. It seems to me that many are saying that 1NT shows 6-10, and partner will accept on 7-10. That just does not make sense to me. In the other case, we know that partner has 4+ spades, any strength, and we are uncertain to both strain and level. Leaving room to sort those things out seems like a good idea to me. (sorry, my partial threadjack seems to have become a complete one...)

Sorry for the thread hijack, but I have a question for those who say 3NT shows a different hand type. Would you really just bid 2NT with a decent balanced 19, say: KJx AJTx KQJx Ax?

So, a constructive 2♠ was not available, otherwise I would have gladly bid it. To me, some of the temptation of 3♣ is that I do want to take a stronger call then 2♠, but perhaps not as high/inviational as 3♠. At the table, I bid 3♠, due to my pretty good intermediates and my increased hope for club help. Partner bid 4♠ with x Axx AKQxx Jxxx, which was not a good contract. My counterpart at the other table bid 3♣.

Usually, with a balanced hand, one needs 22+ HCP to open 2♣ - the south hand is not close. This may not be standard advice, but I would have passed 1♦ with the north hand. It is true that it has six HCP, but it is all in queens and jacks, and it has bad shape. Responding 1NT is probably the normal action though. South has a close decision in my opinion. I would bid 2NT, but I know many players would bid 3NT. I would guess that 2NT down and 3NT down would be common on these hands.

I remember when people opening 1NT with a five card major was rare. Now it seems that many players open all (5332) hands in range with 1NT. Do y'all open 1NT with all (5332) 15-17 counts? If not, what do you take into account? Personally, I only do it if I have 3 cards in the other major, and then not with a decent 17, or if the hand looks particularly suit-oriented. Do you have an idea of why this transition happened? Or was it just that my peers when I was learning were not doing it, and the experts have been doing it the whole time?

When I learned takeout doubles, they showed shortness in the opponents suit and a reasonable hand (one you would open). Neither of these seem to be a requirement anymore (but you usually have at least one). When did this happen? Would y'all double, white vs white, IMPs with the following hands? 1. Kxx KQxx Axx Qxx / 1♣ 2. KJTx AQxx xxx Kx / 1♦ 3. AJxx x KTxx QTxx / 1♥ Do you think these hands would have usually doubled ten years ago? If things have changed, do you think it is in response to other parts of the game, or just that people found this to be winning bridge?

I think it shows interest in two place to play, which in this auction seem likely to be hearts and clubs. I admit I might be off on what is standard/biased by having the perfect hand for it.

I would try 2♦, which would hopefully check if partner has 4.

My elite 8 guess: 1. Nickell 2. Cayne 3. (19) Onstott 4. Welland 5. (12) Diamond 6. (22) Deutsch 7. (10) Gromov 8. (25) Rosenthal with final 4: Nickell Cayne Onstott Diamond Finals: Nickell over Onstott

[hv=d=n&v=b&s=saqt875hq6d2ct876]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Partner deals, opps silent: 1♦-1♠ 2♣-?

I don't really have anything meaningful to contribute, I just wanted to say that this thread is the first time I have seen a truly appropriate use of the ???? option in the dealer field.

I would bid 2♦. I would not try to play in spades, but hearts, no trump, and clubs all seem possible. Would definitely want to know diamond spots and partner's style before deciding if I will let him/her out below game.

I think hands like this depend greatly on partner. Opposite some of my partners, 3♣ would be plenty. Opposite one partner, I would force game.

I would have doubled, and would bid 5NT now. Hopefully if partner bids 6NT and does not have the spade king, RHO will not be willing to lead a spade on the auction. In most of my partnerships opening the bidding shows something though, perhaps I am biased.

What would you do other than pass? I guess you could bit 3NT, but that seems really rich, espeically opposite a passed hand.

I would lead a diamond. Second chocie spade. If partner had not had a chance to double 2♠, I would consider it close, so this tipped the scale for me. In the last two years, I have lead from a four card suit headed by the ace, against no trump, exactly thrice. For the most part, this has worked well for me.

Wow, I figured I would be in the minority, but not to this exent. Here are my thoughts: If partner has 3 hearts, 3NT may play better: there are potential ruffs lurking, and it is unlikely to need too many ruffs in partner hand. Of course, this could be bad if partner is 1354. Furthermore, I feel that after a 2♥ call I could be in a weird spot next round. Do I bid game over 3♥? What do I do over 3♣? If I double, I can still reach 4♥ opposite 4 (and possibly rightside it if a ruff is coming), and can hopefully bid 2NT next round. Crazy? As to opening, I think I am the more aggressive player in this partnership. Partner passed KQJT T98xx Kx Kx earlier in the set, in first seat.

I would bid 2♥. I find 3♥ to be a pretty huge overbid.

Undiscussed, I assume splinter. When I discuss it with partners, I like to play it showing a void.

[hv=d=e&v=e&s=sqj96hajt53dt86ck]133|100|Scoring: XIMP[/hv] You pass in second seat - feel free to comment. Partner opens 1♦ in fourth, RHO overcalls 1♠. What is your call?

[hv=d=w&v=n&s=sq872hj94dt95c743]133|100|Scoring: XIMP (P) 1♦ (3♣) P (P) x (P) ?[/hv]

I think these hands fit very well, and it would be quite difficult to have a convincing auction to slam in a natural system. I blame 0% blame to both North and South.

I would bid 4♥, sucker for long suits and aces.

Funny I should see this thread - this just came up bidding in the partnership bidding practice this week. I had a strong hand and bid 3♠ over 1NT because I thought 2♠ was NF. Partner thought 2♠ would have been forcing, but agreed my treatment made sense afterward.