MarkDean

Uh ok? I told you what it looked to me like you meant, but then said I'm sure that's not what you meant and offered you the chance to clarify. Sorry for showing such bad form! Just to clarify, you expect partner to bid 3NT with either a single or double spade stopper, but you only want to play 3NT if he has a double spade stopper since otherwise slam is too likely, so you will judge what to do after the next round on which a very likely bid by him is 3NT. Ok I won't make any more assumptions about what that means! Bridgewise, you are trying way too hard, I would say, to find hands for partner that don't make slam, and even your examples have a lot better than awful chances to make slam. I mean, no 9 of diamonds? Always A of diamonds never KQ? Never 2146 where hearts will usually set up with no problems? Are we still talking about x AQxxxx JTx Jxx? How will hearts usually set up with no problems opposite 2146 hands? Even if we set them up, how are we going to enjoy them?

Parnter held : Axx void AKxx AKxxxx (Do not rememer if he had T/9 of clubs, or 9 of diamonds).

Thanks for the responses. I found this hand instructive: I am probably too stubborn to be convinced that I should make a slam try with this hand, but have come around to seeing I should GF. Already knew I preempt less than most, so no surprise there really.

Hi Josh, I don't understand this comment, could you please clarify? ...... Anyway, I agree with your point that this hand is huge uhhhhhh YES! Think of hands partner is likely to have. Better than minimum with 4-6 in the minors, and likely spade length (silent opponents) and therefore short hearts? Sign me up! Ax x KQxx Axxxxx would be slam, and that's not enough for his bid so a grand is certainly in the picture with that. Points shmoints... I agree that slam is likely opposite that hand, and that if I had to pick the contract with my next call, I would pick 6C, but wouldn't you want to involve partner to stop when it is not there? KQx void KQxx AQJxxx? Does 3C necessarily show 46 what does partner do with Jxx x AKQx AKQxx?

I am pretty surprised by the 4S votes. Would you just bid slam/make a grand try with x Axxxx JTx Kxxx?

[hv=d=s&v=b&s=s8haq8643djt6cj63]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] Opps silent, decided not to preempt due to bad heart spots: P 1C 1H 2D 2H 3C ? 2H was 5+, forcing one round 3C is NF. What is your call?

It is MPs! Also, please ignore the UI of the title of the thread.

[hv=d=w&v=n&n=shdc&w=shdc&e=s84hajt8753dq5c72&s=saq9752hd82ckqt83]399|300|Scoring: MP[/hv] 1NT P 2D 2H (1NT = 15-17), 2D=transfer 3H 3S 4H 4S 5H AP LHO is a bit of a wild bidder, but a solid player, RHO is a newer player (LHO's wife). Partner leads the 3 of spades, 3/5 You play the ace, and LHO the ten. What now?

1. 2♠ 2. 2♦ followed by 4♦. Clearly could fail badly if partner is 42 in the majors, but I think this is the most likely way to get him to bid on with the right hands. 3. 2♣. I would like a more flexible hand for x followed by clubs. 4. Diamond.

Is everybody really bidding 2S red on white with this? Do we really want to try to outbid the boss suit at these colors? I would pass. I will guess Zia bid 3C.

I need the "what the heck are you doing to me partner" option in the poll. Could have doubled for takeout on round 1, for penalty on round 2. I would guess light takeout.

Thanks all for your responses. I passed at the table. Partner had xx Axxx x AKTxxx So slam is very good. 3H probably would have been a better call over 2C, assuming partner played it for shortness. We did have the agreement that we do not make weird calls partner will not understand, not sure how that affects anything.

With the opps silent, what hand type do y'all think this shows? 1S 1NT 2H 2NT 3C ?

[hv=d=n&v=b&s=sak83htdaj862cj98]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Opps silent, partner opens 1C 1D 1H 1S 2C 3C 3NT ? We play walsh, so 1H showed an unbalanced hand. We have the further agreement that 1S was both natural and game forcing. Should 3NT end this auction?

I would pass in either case.

I assume you mean 7♠x?

one thing I wondered when faced with this problem at the table, is what hand types are likely to have bid 2S over 1S with the 3154 hand type. I also agree with those who say that 2S over 2H does not promise three spades. A prompt 2S shows that (yes, I am joking).

[hv=d=n&v=b&s=saj9642hkj92da83c]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Opps silent: 1D-1S 2C-2H(art, GF) 3S What does this show? What is your plan?

I would pass. I have learned through (bad) experiences to give partner a lot of room in auctions like this. This hand in not hugely above average.

[hv=d=w&n=sahakj964dj965cj7&s=s752hq832dk7cak85]133|200|Scoring: MP[/hv] West opens, opponents silent afterward: (1S) 2H 2S 4H 5C 6H Not a good slam with the opening bidder over the king of diamonds. Assign the blame.

4♠ for me. I hope opps are playing inv minors and 1NT was on support.

edited my post. Meant definitely not 1NT.

Definitely not 1NT for me, not even close with 4333.

Always bid 5♥. I can't help you with 3 over 3. Funny you say that. Today I had such a decision (well ok it was pass 5♦ or bid 5♥), I bid 5♥, got doubled and partner played it well to go down 1, with 5♦ off 3. Too bad I had not read your post yet, or I could have blamed you.

Two areas I suck at are opening leads and competitve decision: should I bid 3 over 3, should I double 5C or bid 5H? Why do I suck at those things? Not really sure, but I do.