sartaj1

Could someone please provide me with the names (hopefully real names) of all the players involved in the Swatting the Moscitos match.

If i pass now, i will pass partner's reopening double. Passing and bidding 4H is a partnership double-cross (Never give partner a way out in 3M if he competes on distribution). I dont like to double right now (showing values) because partner will hardly ever be inspired to pass it with x or xx in diamonds. 3H seems too unilateral and could easily force us to go minus when the hand belongs to us. tough problem. I guess i pass . At IMPS, its easier because one must act to get to the vulnerable game. I'd choose a double.

when i chatted to him about the hand his attitude seemed to be that this is the price one has to pay once in a while for our style. The psychic relay seemed to catch his fancy too....

I like to play that that 4NT is always RKC with 1430 ( or vice-cersa) responses. If we have agreed no suit, we still respond in RKC steps. So, if there is ambiguity about whether or not a suit has been agreed, we end up stumbling on our feet a very high percentage of the time. That agreement would be useful here.

Lets say we play 2 over 1 game force 1H - pass- 2C - 4S ? Pass here is forcing and is used as a tool to compete with both the strong hands and the distributional hands. With, say x AKxxx xxx Axxx One would bid 5C. But with x AQxxx AKx AJxx we would pass 4S , wait for partner to double and then bid 5C as a slam try. This is the "pass and pull principle". Of course if partner does not double and bids a suit, we will raise to slam. Thus the forcing pass lets us compete on both hand types and sends the right message across to partner about our strength. About the auction in the post 1S - 5D - ? It is far from clear that pass should be forcing; but if it is, then again the idea should be that 6C = some distribution, intention of playing here pass and 6C = very good hand,looking for partnership cooperation for higher endeavours.

Thanks Richard. Moscito won the matchpoint event at the Far East but we finished fourth in the teams. On the hand i posted from the teams, this is what happened AK10xxx xx xx Axx 98x Jxx Kxxx Jxx 1H - pass - 2S - double 3S - dbl - all pass Spades were 4-0 offside, diamond ace was offside, the defense didnt punch dummy twice for the possible trump coup. And i was - 1100 against measly 420. While Paul (Marston) was sympathetic towards my choice, in retrospect i feel that the adverse vulnerability, the lack of shape and the lack of values all shreak for a 1NT bid. We are less likely to get into trouble after that and there will be more room to maneuver if we do.

If pass were forcing, this is not the hand for it. If you pass and then bid 6C, it shows a grand slam trial in most expert partnerships

Playing Moscito in an IMP match , i held 98x Jxx Kxxx Jxx We are vulnerable, they are not Partner opens 1H showing 4+ Spades ( 9-14) Pass on your right. Your choices : pass = any 1S = psychic relay, 11+ 1NT = nat, NF , denying support 2S = 6-9, 3 card spade raise Or any other imaginative call

The flaw with the 4NT plan is that RHO might bid 5S over partner's 5 of a minor call. I'd rather bid 5 hearts now . The singleton in the opponent's suit is a bad omen.

Paul and i are playing in the team "The misfits". I've post a time of our next match if we are playing in it (unsure right now if we will play).

Tony Nunn and i play the comic no-trump and we play 1NT = 15-18 or weak single suited or weak two suited. The overcaller is hereon termed the "Comedian" 2C = non forcing stayman Comedian may pass with Cs. Else Cue of their suit = 15-16,has major,then nat Others = natural, one or two suited 2NT = 15-16, no major 3C = 17-18, no major 3D = 17-18, both majors 3M = 17-18 , that major 2D/H = non forcing transfers Comedian may pass if his suit 2S = forcing relay. Then 2NT = two suited (Now 3C ask, CRO resp) 3X = natural 3 of their suit = 15-18 ( they psyched ??) But the two most important things to discuss are a) What to do if they double 1NT :) How to compete if they make a bid and distinguish between the weak and strong hands a)We play everything as natural although i am sure there is a better treatment. If advancer passes the double, we play comedian's redouble as two suited. B) If they bid. for example (1D) - 1NT - (2H) - ? Here , double acts as an enquiry and the comedian will bid 2NT to show strong hand else natural We played the comic notrump in Australia's best and toughest event, the NOT in January. I must admit that it worked far more effectively against the weaker players. Once we start playing the tougher opponents, it is no longer a nuclear bomb. But its fun, and so we use it.

"Bad habits" havent stopped me winning national events and they are not going to stop my flight next week to an international tournament either. Sorry, dont have enough time to spare to clean out your local money game. 8)

Kxxx Kxxx xx Qxx i meant we are odds on to make our contract. (need spade ace onside) And if you advocate a 4432 8 count to act again at the 3 level, dream on ! As for the delusional comments about playing against players who bid 3H in a money game, i'd love to take you on. The only problem being that bridge matches are often decided by skill rather than philosphy. A team of better players playing a less effective style/system will routinely beat a team a weaker team that lives on the cutting edge. Another comment about raising to game (if partner freely bids 3H) on the same hand sounds like hara-kiri to me. First you make a negative double to show some values and interest in competing in the majors. Now with the same values and same shape , you raise yourself to game .

Would not even dream of bidding only 2S on my 19 count. I am vulnerable at imps and i dont want to miss game. What if partner has a balanced 7 count. Any call which will lead to a 26 point 3NT/4S being missed surely has something wrong with it. Second problem. Partner makes a takeout double. I bid my longest suit and since i have values i bid 3C.

3 Hearts. Because of competitive auction, i am permitted to stretch one level. And the hand is not as bad as some of the commentators have made it out to be. Opposite a perfect minimum, we are odds on to make game. Kxxx Kxxx xx Qxx Partner may have more than that and pass out 3 diamonds. say, above hand with the spade Ace instead of the king.

1. 3H. Good hand wants to get to game in least complicated fashion. 2a) Agree with 1S. Could have easy slam. The tactical advantages of preempting do not exist at this vulnerability. ;) 3S was criminal. Now we have to pass. Have a nice asset, HA for partner. 3. a) The vulnerability shrieks for a 4 heart bid. Maybe even 5 hearts. B)I will lose my partner if i dont pass on this hand 4. 3S. Very , very conservative. Perhaps i am growing old. I would much rather have overcalled 1S than have to make a decision now. 5. Pass. We must encourage partner to bid in these situations. Next choice 6S.

Double. I have support for all suits. And my club suit isnt attractive enough for a self-expression mission. I'd rather partner introduce a suit than pass 1S dbled as my lack of aces may hurt. If i had called 2C, i would pass partner's 2NT as club support is not promised in such a sequence. He may have just a spade stack and be cheesed off at our choice in the balancing seat.