jmcw

I consider the N hand way to good for a non forcing opening, so its 2♣ for me. Assuming East still bids ♥, South will immediately recognize that slam needs to be reached. Depending on methods, N/S need to drive to 7NT at BAM, but 7♠ may get a 1/2.

On 11, I would sup X over 1♠, however, I think the ops can always outbid your side. On 12, I balance with 2♠ all day any vul. Decent chance to make unless ops find their ♦ tricks early.

Playing 4th best!, you lead your 5th...any particular reason?. I lead the ♥8, but wonder if the J could be right.

Don't invite p to bid a game you should. 4♥

Don't care for your choices. The hand is too good for 1♠, and 1NT is, well, creative perhaps. I would start with X, raise either Major to 3, or show ♠ over a ♦ response at my 2nd turn.

♠KQxx ♥KTx ♦xx ♣AKxxx I wonder if there are others who consider fast arrival one of the most abused bidding principles. IMO FA should not be used when you have an outside control (more like this). ♠AT82 ♥AJ95 ♦Q2 ♣J92

Suppose you open 1NT ♠Kx ♥AKJxx ♦Qxx ♣Qxx (Surprisingly) It goes 1N P 2♥ X ? I XX, partner took this to mean 1 had 3♠ with a maximum, ofcourse my intention was to show good ♥ :) Similar "problems" have occured when a Stayman bid gets X. Does XX show good ♣ or something else?

Odds seems fair that P may be trap passing. So if I X with zilch we may be onto a good score. OTOH if P pulls the X we could be in for a poor score unless my ♦ are A or better. At MP's I X regardless, but at IMPs I need the ♦A.

In the context of the auction I have about an average holding. Distribution may not be friendly and lefty could have a decent hand! Game figures to have a shot, but a bit of caution seems best. If I had another ♠ I would feel a whole lot better. 4♠ = 9 3♠ = 6 4♥ = 3 5♣ = 2

2♥

♦

With the boss suit and 1/2 the deck I have no qualms about opening any V. 1♠ all day.

Hmmm....I would just bid 2♠ with that. IMO a double jump should show longer ♠ and fewer points, K at most outside. KQTxxx(x) xx xx(x) Kx, but more likely QJTxxxx xx Qx xx.

Well done. Congratulations to you and Ishmael,

I think it reasonable to go passive when the opponents have bid a close game, with no indication of a long side suit to pitch losers. Generally, you don't want to give the game away by giving up a cheap trick on opening lead. With the strong hand on your right you may take 3 tricks in your own hand, and if partners can contribute 1 or (2) the contract is down. It's easy to eliminated a ♦ An aggressive ♣ is not indicated on this auction. So your left to choose btw a trump and a ♠. Thems the breaks They make against me too. PS. In this month's ACBL bulletin Mike Lawrence discusses a lead from KJxx against a suit contract. The auction is different, but it's worth the read.

Is it possible 1NT is down?....yes, but I think it equally likely it makes, possibly with an overtrick(s). They may even have a solid part score available in ♥. A double here would be for penalties, so thats out for me. 2♣ is possible, maybe even attractive, but I think I'll pass and see if partner can do something, heck if he can X, I'd be happy to pass. Pass = 10 2♣ = 7 X = 2 Might be a decent hand for the sim guys!

Close btw 1♦ and 1NT. If I call 1♦, I can reverse into 2♥ over the expected 1♠. With my values concentrated in the reds that would be my preferred start, the ♦6 made me do it :)

Pretty much clueless opponents, infer at your own peril.

Same embarrassment, if 3NT is laydown.

Bid 2♠

The responses have surprised me too. With all respect...none more than the suggestion to bid 1m - 1♥ - 2♥. Seems to me that this is doubly flawed. On its own I don't object to a 3 card raise, but when combined with 16 HCP a simple raise doesn't do justice to the overall potential of the hand.

[hv=pc=n&s=s5hq742djckqj6542&d=n&v=b&b=13&a=1np2cp2dp3c3spp4cp5cppp]133|200[/hv] 15/17NT, 3♣GF Got a decent score, but not too happy about the bidding! what ya think?

[hv=pc=n&n=sqhaqjdkt65ca9853]133|100[/hv] Matchpoints white vs red. 2/1, 15-17NT Your call?. If you open a minor what do you rebid over a Major response?

Me too

[hv=pc=n&s=saqjt962hkjda2cat&n=sk5ht54dt64ckq752]133|200[/hv] Playing MATCHPOINTS in 4♠, opponents silent throughout. Lefty leads the♣9 and the ♣J! appears on your right. The opponents are not the best pair in the field! Do you cash a 2nd ♣ and play for 2-2 ♠ to make 13 tricks?