maggieb

Double = penalty-oriented Pass = bad hand, not forcing 3M = competitive, not really a game try 3♦/3♥ = game (or slam) try

How about (i) reading his post before you (ii) ask for the obvious? :) :D

I think proposal 3 is ok, the others I really dislike. There is a subforum for suggestions to the software. What is it called again? :)

I don't think that there are more Kxx's than Kx's, I think there are an equal number, is that correct? I'm getting a little confused here, since we should subtract the K10x and K10 holdings. It just seems to me that the nuumber of Kx holdings with LHO is equal to the number of 10x holdings with RHO, is that a good way to think about this? I do agree with you that for psychological reasons it is better to play for the pin, and fortunately (as others have pointed out) it is also correct for technical reasons. So I'm pinning as well. I think that Stephen Tu is right that if LHO covers your queen, then you should play for K10 against good opponents who know to duck with Kx, but against most opponents it is probably better to finesse since so many cover an honor with an honor. Also, against most opponents, if they have to think about it then they don't have K10. :) Kfay, stiff king doesn't matter I think because you can't pick up 10xxx anymore.

I am American, but if I open 1C and partner bids 1S I have an easy 2D bid, this 15-count suddenly looks very good. :( If partner bids 1H and both opponents pass then I have a awkward rebid. Had I opened 1D then I would have had a clear 2C rebid, but while I wouldn't have a difficult decision, I would risk playing in a silly 4-2 fit. If partner bids 1D I have an easy 3D bid. If partner raises clubs then we are in an excellent position. If the opponents bid hearts I'm glad I opened my longest suit. Taking all these possibilities into account I would open 1C. Now let's talk about our rebid after 1C-1H, anybody else tempted by 1S? :)

That's a 7-count with 6 spades, not strange at all! :) Looking at both hands I'd like to defend 5H.

I would also win the queen and run the diamond 9, I think only a very strong RHO would know not to continue spades. Please don't yell at me now!! :) :(

Good question Josh, let's have a poll! :D :D I think that 3S, 4C and 4H are awm's top three choices. 3S because I like it best myself, 4H because there is a decent chance that it is the best contract (and some people actually like it!) and 4C because it is less weird than 4D, 3NT and pass. Pass is impossible, right? No expert would suggest 4D since 4C is so much better, and 3NT? I think that awm is pulling our legs, there is no fourth choice. :) Frances Hinden is of course right that 3NT is not the right spot if partner has AQx AKxxx x QJxx But at least we'll be in a game that looks quite solid, and likely outscores any other game which may be good (we still don't know the form of scoring do we?). If we bid 4C then partner will often raise to 5C with a common 2♠6♥2♦3♣ shape, where I'm afraid that 4H is more likely to make. I think that 3S gets us to a making game most often.

Doesn't the combination fit jumps in new suits and splinters in the opponent's suit duplicate some hand types? Do you mean that after 1H-1S, you could bid all of 3D, 3S and 4D with 4+ support, short spades and 5+ diamonds? I guess that's true but they show different things right? :) With x Kxxx AJ10xx xxx it is nice to make a 3D gametry. With x Kxxx Axxxx AJx you bid 3S, showing a gameforcing raise with short spades without stressing either side suit. With x Jxxxx KQxxx Kx you bid 4D showing a raise to 4H with diamonds on the side, to help partner in case they bid 4S. With x AQxx AQJxx Kxx you could bid 3D, planning to try for slam if partner signs off in 3H. Or you could splinter, I'll leave it to your expert judgement. :D

And then there are a few who can see the merits of agreeing that a new suit at a high level by a passed hand shows support without denying that it can hurt at times as well. I actually thought you were one of those Josh. :(

I would bid 3S and it seems a wtp. If JLOL were dead he would turn around in his grave reading the responses in this thread. :)

I think the auction certainly exists, but I would expect a hand that is a bit stronger (for the 2D bid) and has 7 diamonds (so that it is more likely that 4D is a cheap save against 3NT, or even makes).

Somehow my partner never gets dealt this hand, but she frequently has the semi-balanced 15-count where she wants to defend when I have a relatively balanced hand and play 5H when I have a freak like this. Oh, I just wanted to say how I love the 4D fit bid. I think the 4D fit bid when we have hearts must be my favorite fit bid of all time. :) :)

Wonderful thread, I'm going to add it to my favorites! :rolleyes: :D While I like Frances's post very much, I don't quite follow the distinction between direct and indirect consequences. If it goes 1C-p-p-p and it turns out you missed 4H, isn't that a direct consequence of your pass? In what sense is this less direct than if you respond 1H and partner later doubles the opponents because she thinks you have a better hand? And why is it useful anyway to distinguish between direct and indirect consequences? I agree with Frances that vulnerability matters a lot, and with JLOL that it is important that partner knows your style.

Again the 2, low from three.

I like the duck at trick 1 Phil, it keeps you in control. If the oppponents continue clubs you are ahead in tempo. If they don't then you can switch and go after hearts. :rolleyes: The hand is not easy but the basic technique is very important, good hand for the B/I forum. At my club you can rarely guess where the rest of the room plays the board. Making an overtrick on this hand can still make quite a difference in score.

Whoops, awm and lobowolf seem to type much faster than I! But at least we all agree. :rolleyes:

If you play with me then please lead the 2 at trick 1, unless you already showed support. If you lead the 8 I will think you have a doubleton. :rolleyes: Once you have played the 2 it doesn't matter much which card you play at trick 2, partner will usually know the situation in the suit. You could use it to give suit preference when playing with an advanced partner who expects this, this is something you might want to discuss. If you did support the suit in the auction and led the 8 at trick 1 then partner will immediately know your holding in the suit. Again you can give suit preference at trick 2.

Well, you didn't ask any questions but I'm pretty sure my answer would be no! :(

Nice thread, interesting hand and amusing psyche but I do not buy this comment: With such shape and at these colors, I think 3S is perfectly reasonable. I think that preempting with 3721 shape is more attractive than preempting with 4432 shape. The size of our combined fit is important, but it is not everything.

Just cash dummy's last club and play for a triple squeeze against west, which will operate anytime he has one spade honor. Nice endposition, I hope you did well in the collegiates!

I would cash the ♥A, then draw two rounds of trumps ending in dummy, and then play ♥K and another.

Gnasher recently represented England internationally, just so you know.

1) 6♣ seems clear to me, partner would never bid this way without first round control in one of the majors. 2) 3♠, not good enough to bid game.

I had a partner who always passed hands like north's--balanced, no fit, and reasonable defense. I never really became convinced, but it works out fine here, and over the times I played with him, it might have generated more IMPs than lost (and on a hand where East is a solid citizen!). Thoughts?