jmcw

IMP scoring AND VUL against you, are you brave or (silly) enough to bid. [hv=d=w&v=n&s=skqxh9xxdjxcajxxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] The bidding goes 2D P P ? Are you willing to risk getting your head handed to you on this one?

South 2nd DBL is a bit of a stretch perhaps, but IMO its okay. Given the auction North has a clear 4♠ bid, so he's to blame 99%

1♦ 1♠ Cannot imagine anything else 2♠ Clear....Good trumps, ruffing value, bad♦ From here, it gets murky, a slam try would be made but if the ♥ shortness is revealed we would stop in ♠ game.

If you are opposed to "fast arrival", I believe you will face difficult bidding situations. The fast arrival is, AFAIK, also part of Jacoby 2NT. I think it is best to simply agree that whichever partner JUMPS to 4S after bidding has started 1M-2NT[GF raise] _that person_ is limiting their hand as minimum and no slam interest; the other person can still go on if it is warranted, given that there is a minimum non-slammish hand opposite. This is pretty much what I play.

Seems right to DBL with all 3. For me 2 & 3 would be pretty much auto. #1 is close to a 1NT overcall. I like the pre-emptive value, but the lack of intermediates argue against. I don't like passing any, since it would likely be far more difficult to act later.

Who can play in the Vanderbilt. Invitation? Qualification? Open? How is the seeding decided etc.

Could Upside Down cup signals could be the next rage. Latte discards? :lol:

Hi Jilly; In a city of 1/2 million we manage 1 ACBL game per week (often not well attended). However, bridge prospers in many relaxed games throughout the city. Having discussed this problem tirelessly, it seems clear that many find the the stiff and unfriendly atmosphere of a sanctioned game clearly intimitading. Many will tell you that the mere presence of a TD endangers their enjoyment of the game.

Very fair analogy. Obviously what everyone is suggesting is stopping play in the middle of the hand to take some calls. We used to manage without prenatal care and electricity too. Want to play bridge with the lights out, assuming you survive being born? Your story's ending sucks. Cleary, prenatal care has not been a total success

Oh, I'm not obsessive about it. It's just that I tend to find that minus 400 scores fewer match points on balance than plus 50. It's a bit of a fallacy to say that you should spend your life trying not to give away overtricks at matchpoints - if some of the field might not be in game, you should put some effort into trying to beat the contract even at the risk of blowing a trick. Would lead a major against one notrump for sure, but not three notrump. As to "surely RHO has clubs" - no, he does not. What would you respond to a 1♦ opening at matchpoints (or even at marbles) with such as ♠Kxx ♥Kxx ♦Qxxx ♣xxx? No doubt I will end up with a face covered in egg when the full deal is revealed by the original poster. But it's all right. That egg-covered face rests on a broad pair of shoulders. Save the eggs for breakfast. A ♣ LEAD holds declarer to 9 tricks, 10 on any other lead. Incredibly P holds ♣AQxx. P points out that he only needs the A or Q to make this a good lead Interestingly, if the 3Nt includes long ♦ then surely an attacking lead is called for. On the balance, I think the arguements for a ♣ lead have won the day, but I admit to having some strong reservations.

Maybe pitchers can have a time out and take a call on the mound. Tiger could call his wife while lining up his putt. How did we ever manage pre cell phones! If you need a phone 24/7 go play millionaire and call a friend. Sensible decision by the ACBL. End of story.

Using the same logic. Responder did not bid a major either. Surely he has ♣'s.

This seems like a flawed tautology. The "better" hands partner accept with will often have soft holdings in the black suits and work out less well. What about the imperfect minimum[hv=s=skxhjxxxdakxxcqxx]133|100|[/hv]

Yep. It gets even easier if P has only 3♥

Double for me. We may make something, or we may not, or the ops may guess wrong. 2 ways to win and maybe 1 to lose. It's not quite that simple, but it seems right to act.

If a M is to be led (I agree) then your point on which one lead is quite subtle, and something that I did not consider. I think it is a good point and I,m quite certain the inference could be applied in a number of so called toss up leads.

[hv=d=s&v=n&s=sxxxhxxxdqtxckjxx]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] P - 1♦ - P - 1NT P - 3NT (all pass) My P and I agree! This lead is easy. Problem is we disagree on what it should be!Any thoughts....Do you lead something else at IMPs.

As a newbie you will get free advice on everything. Here's mine Take it slow and don't try too much to begin with. Learn SAYC first, this will be what your peer group will play. later, improve with 2/1 and get a good book to guide you through :rolleyes:

Lets see. I can bid 2NT without a stopper, or I can Q 2♦ and hope P has a Major, or I can pass. So all are flawed but with a possible misfit Pass seems best. And, I may get a chance to bid later.

In 3rd seat you open 1♠, P, 2♣(Drury), 3♣ on your right. Now what?[hv=d=n&v=b&s=saxxxxhkjxdaxxcxx]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv]. What form should my action take from here? P = Crap?, DBL = Good Hand, 3♦,♥ = a game try?, 3♠ = Lets play here? etc! etc!. Would be interested to here some thoughts on this :(

[hv=d=n&v=b&s=sqxhxdakjtxxcjxxx]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] Partner Opens 1♠ which is overcalled 1NT (15/18). How do you proceed, what's the plan?. Must you take immediate action or can you back in? <_<

Here's my 2cents worth. South has heard nothing from North to get exited about. On the other hand North's hand is rich in controls, that precious ♥K, and great ♦suit would sure get me exited to the point of almost insisting on slam. So after 3NT North must make a strong move. Some possible actions. 4SP,4NT or possibly 5NT (pick a slam?) As for BLAME looks like 99% NORTH :P

Whatever you open a 1NT rebid is out of the question. So before deciding on what to open you should decide what to rebid after P responds 1H as expected. If your system allows for a 1D open, then you have no problem. If you open 1C then rebid 1S this clearly facilitates P continuation. For me its a 1D opening, but I agree this is not everyone's choice.

You would think so. I'm with you here. P then bid to show strength.

Sounds like a good idea. KEEP IN TOUCH