jmcw

E/W might have done better by finding their ♠ fit. I hold East blameless for this, West may have rebid 3♠ over 3♥, but 3NT is arguably the more practicle choice. North's X is rather speculative, cleary E/W have sufficient values for game! Perhaps, he thought your V 2♦ bid would be more robust. To me it just looks like a bad bid. Presumably you led a ♥ because P X'd, a common treatment when the ops bid freely to 3NT?. However your ♥ holding suggests that P does not have the "expected" ♥ stack. I would have led a ♦ which fairs no better. ATB NORTH 100%

According to your pick-up agreement, seems save to assume. 3♦ is NMF 3♥ shows 4.

Agree. What about X of 3♦?

South started the problem by overstating his values. On the given auction he shows a good 18+ IMO. I like a 1NT call with the S hand, maximum for sure, but with so much in the short suits it feels about right. My auction starts: 1NT 2NT(♦) 3♦ 3♥(short) ? probably a conservative 3NT.

Pass = 10 1NT = 7 X = 4 Director = 2 North = -3 Not my style to act immediately with this hand, but I'm open to suggestions. I can see that NT may work out quite well as it did in your post, even X may hit the jackpot, but I'm not convinced that starting with a pass would not lead to a similar result.

I wouldn't make any of the bids E/W made. The 2♦ call is pretty bad, and I don't much care for substituting 3♦. On the given auction. I would pass 6♠.

2♥ to start. Good trumps, ruffing value, and a pretty good side suit.

3NT, no 2nd choice. I'm quite comfortable with the lead coming into my partner's nice ♥, but that may happen less than 1/2 time.

Agree with Aqua. I'm just bidding ♦ to start.

1♣ or 2♣ close second. 2NT is sick

I'd bid 2NT hope he has ♣J or Q♠.

[hv=pc=n&s=sk742hakq53d9cjt3&d=w&v=n&b=12&a=1cp1s]133|200[/hv] Expecting a few wtp comments. Nevertheless I would very much like to read the arguments. Scoring is IMPS, near the end of what feels like a close match. Your opponents are a very good pair if that makes a difference

4♠

1. 1♠ without reservation. This collection of junk needs to bid 2. Pass. probably not the popular choice. 3 2♠, expecting this to be duplicated. Strong NT?

The poll suggests otherwise

I dunno what 2Nt is here, so I'm not bidding it. If its t/o to a minor then it seems reasonable, but risky. If its a good ♥ raise then I don't have it. If its natural then I don't have that either. I'll try 3♥, but not real happy about it.

From last nights game. [hv=pc=n&e=sa73ht986543dk76c&d=n&v=b&b=13&a=1c]133|200[/hv] A couple of pretty decent players argued that pass is best. Basically their view is, with 3 ♠ and a terrible ♥ suit, there is no need to pre-emp an unpassed hand, etc, etc. My choice was 2♥, but with no great conviction.

I have no problem raising with 3 card support. But, I usually have 3 "good" trumps and a roughing value and if it's close a weakish 3rd suit. This hand only meets 1 of my criteria for a 3 card raise, so its a pretty clear 1NT rebid 1NT = 10 2♥ = 6 2♣ = 2

I only have 1 toy for this hand! 4♥

Very clear X IMO. 4♥ is way too unilateral with this hand, (I think you need a 6th ♥). X is negative and caters to a possible pass and 3NT, both of which I would be content to play. If partner rebids ♦ or ♣ after the X, I would try 4♥ and go from there.

Under what circumstances does P not X here?, he's likely short in ♣...but no X. Rainer's post makes perfect sense to me!, partner has 10+ Major cards. Bid 2♠, take a +.

I've never had this auction come up, as far as I can remember. If opening bidder has a near minimum, then P is likely to have only 4 ♠ and maybe a 10 count. If opener has another bid then P could have 5 ♠ and just a few points. In either case I would forego the X and just bid 1NT at my first turn. I don't understand the X and pulling unless you have some agreement that it shows a specific takeout to the minors.

Seems closest to a 2♦ call. Less explaining to do if it works out badly. Never pass, since I would have little chance to show this later.

2NT, All pass. East has insufficient values to bid and little reason to believe a 3 level contract might make.

I would like to share an experience with you all about drinking and driving. On Friday night the local club had a bridge party. After the game I sat down with a few friends and had a couple of beers and some rather nice Merlot. Knowing full well I might have been slightly over the limit, I decided to do the responsible thing, something I've never done before -- I took a bus home. Shortly after, I arrived home safely and without incident. I was quite relieved and surprised since I've never driven a bus before and not sure where I got this one.. :D HNY