jmcw

Nice explaination tx. My problem...why might partner not take 4♦ as a splinter. It's clear from your reply and others that 4♦ is natural and a bid to consider here, but to be honest I may have considered that call a splinter.

Partner's X will be based on general strength and the expectation of talking a trump trick or 2. He will expect a ♥ lead unless I have another safe attacking lead to offer. I lead the ♥ Ace after fingering the ♦ Jack. Now I can safely blame partner if it makes :rolleyes:

I like the theme of this post, I for one have barely ever touched on this topic, but I will to have a go. Firstly, you must agree what an immediate 2♣ or 2♠ would be, for me, both calls would be natural showing a pretty good suit and decent values (a Queen or so better than what you actually have or a longer suit). On the actual layout, I would expect a hand similar to what you have, though I admit it may not be the "standard" approach. IMO the suit quality is good enough and you can reasonably expect partner cards to boost you out suits. GOOD call, partner should pass.

You have full value for a 3♠ rebid, suit quality is fine. With proper strength, I would make a jump rebid with 6 to the QJ or better.

I can feel a headache coming on. First you X showing ♠, then you pull! seemingly denying ♠. Makes no sense to me. Try passing at your first turn and introduce ♣ if the auction permits.

Regardless of an agreed or implied Major fit, 3NT should be natural UNLESS you have specifically agreed otherwise. With a Major suit fit, I expect very few would play a cue in the opponents suit as an attempt to get to 3NT, far more useful is to play it as a cuebd will slam intentions.

Agree with MrAce, BUT what about that lead? The ♥9 is not normal and presents a curious problem On any other lead I have 12 or 13 tricks, 6♦, 3♣, and at least 3 Major suit tricks. So making 4 or 5 gets me the same bottom score. Therefore I play the ♥Q knowing its the only play to get me a decent score.

Given the auction I would expect partner to be leading from length, QJ9 or QJ97. I see no future in returning a ♣, and it may turn out badly if P has led from Qx. On the other hand, if partner has a stiff ♣Q (unlikely) he can ruff. Simple solution is to cash ♦ K and switch back to ♣ or ♥ at trick 3.

Great comments tx. Forget about what you like and don't like. Does anyone have data that supports one style is "more effective" than another...within a particular system?. I tried to gauge what was working better for me. Not very scientific, just looking at results where the 2♦ was opened or a weak 2♦ was not opened. Over a few years, Roman openings did produce larger swings and seemed to a significant plus for our side. When a weak 2♦ was not opened a slightly below average result has noticed. Depending on P and system I play. Roman showing 10/12 any shortness Roman 11/15 any shortness Roman 11/15 with 4♥ (for precision) Roman 11/15 with 4♠. Multi is not an option for me.

Very clear 2♣ bid. I would never consider passing since a ♣ fit is virtually guaranteed. Even better P may come in with a ♥ bid which I would happily raise to at least game. Trapping, hoping to defend a ♠ contract is quite unrealistic IMO. Doubling with only 3♥ and 0 ♦ is from another planet.

I'm considering leading a trump, but it doesn't quite feel right since I can over ruff declarer if he plays on ♠. Don't see much future in leading a ♠ or ♦,so that leaves ♣. I'm going to lead 4th best ♣, but could easily be talked into a low ♥.

Partner wants to defend. I see no reason to disagree. PASS

Texas to 4♥. Way too much to invite

I see 2 realistic possibilities. Splinter with 3 card ♠ support. Splinter agreeing ♥. Does it matter much to opener which it is? and should it show/promise a ♣ control? Is it a slam try? IMO North has taken control of the auction and is making a slam try. To me this means that ♣ should be covered (a control). South has to guess what partner's bid means, with a minimum or wasted values in ♦ he can sign off 4♥, with a good hand bid something else.

He has to bid something!. Whether 2NT is "natural", scrambling, or something else, I hardly think West should bid 3♣.

My plan is to ruff 3♥. I can get to dummy 3 times, once in trumps, once in ♣, and once by ruffing a ♦. No real danger getting over ruffed. To make I need ♦ to be no worse than 6-2, ♣ no worse than 5-1.

Full value for a 3♥ call. 3♥ = 10 4♥ = 4 Pass = 2 3NT = 1

Weak 2's are valuable bids played by beginners and experts alike. Essentially, pre-emptive in nature they often cause the opponents to misjudge the auction by "stealing bidding space. On occasion your partner will have a good hand and wish to explore for game (or slam), mostly this involves the use of 2NT as an artificial asking bid. It is important to agree with partner how to respond. Common conventions use 2NT as a "Feature" ask or as "Ogust" both are easy to use and can be quite effective. I suggest you discuss with partner and go from there.

West has chosen a series of bids that has confused his partner, (and me too). Presumably his first X showed ♥, the second X was takeout to the red suits. East's 2NT seems reasonable. West's 3♣ really muddies the waters, seemingly East thinks its natural and its all down hill from there. Throughout the entire sequence West never mentions his best suit and has overvalued his hand despite his partner's "discouraging" 2NT bid. West might have chosen to pass 1♥ and make a takeout X, once the transfer was completed, but given the his initial action, 3♦ over 2NT would have given a clearer picture of his hand. I blame West 80%, and give East 20% for the ♣ bids.

[hv=pc=n&s=sqj74hdj765caj832&n=sat96hq8654dk42c4&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1hp1nd3hdppp]266|200[/hv] SCORING is IMPS

I like that. Seemingly, you have a rule for when to break the rules. Does partner know?, or is that another rule.

I agree with this. It's likely the director is aware well of the flagrant abuse of the laws and has chosen to just "ignore" it. In some clubs I have played, merely calling the director gets disapproving looks from around the room...sounds like you've found one.

What layout produces only 1 trump trick?. I can't think of one. Reasonably, I expect to take 3 trump tricks Why would opener "often" run. His partner passed the double, can he reasonably expect to improve matters. I do agree the ops may have a 4/4 ♠ fit, but will they find it? will it improve their chances to make?. If they run to 1♠, and partner DBL's I would leave it in and expect to beat it.

Agree with this. If your not doubling then why bother playing negative DBL. I see no reason to give up on a ♥ fit. Looks invitational to me too. With 13 I would just go to 3NT. Presumably, the passers dont like the flattish shape and soft honors, I suppose 12 HCP becomes an invite.

A few choices come to mind. 1♦ your best suit, usually limited to about 8 or 9 points...with more strength you could jump to 2♦. 1NT usually about 8 to 10 points with a stop in ♣ Pass converting the Double. I think it's a close call. 1♦ seems safest, but rather consevative, 1NT gets the hand mostly off your chest but the shape is not ideal. Pass has some appeal especially if the scoring is matchpoints which I will assume. Pass = 10 1NT = 7 1♦ = 5 2♦ = 3