mich-b

[hv=pc=n&n=s42hq8632dcj98653&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=p1np]133|200|1NT = 15-17[/hv] Playing teams , would you transfer to ♥s or to ♣s (by bidding 2♠) ? I transferred to Hearts , hoping to bid game if partner breaks the transfer (showing 4 card support and maximum). And , ignoring for the moment game chances , which partscore is more likely to make , 2H or 3C?

NAY for me, any scoring , any vulnerability.

We have the agreement that in positions like this encouraging = "I have the Q". If I discourage the opening leader is on his own (on trick 2) in deciding if his best chance is to try to drop declarer's queen or switch. If he does decide to switch , I will be able to signal my count in the suit later , when following to some other suit, and hope it's not too late if we needed to cash.

We would like to experiment with a mini NT opening , perhaps 10-12. I would be happy to hear thoughts , especially from those who have played it, about the following issues: 1. Which range should we use? 10-12? 10-13? 9-11? anything else? 2. Which positions and vulnerabilities would you suggest to use it? (I saw a WC pair use them only as dealer favorable). 3. Should we be more or less strict about possible shapes compared to a 15-17 NT? (should we open a mini with 5 card majors, 6 card minors, 5422, singleton ♠ honors? 4. What is the recommended way to deal with the stronger NT ranges? rebid 1NT with 13-16, and 2NT with 17-19? Aren't those ranges too wide? 5. Do you think it is an overall winner (assuming you use it only in some positions and vulnerabilities as you prefer)? Do you think it works well in IMPS against good opps and/or in MP against mediocre opps?

I would surely have responded 1NT , and consider passing on the 1st round a poor choice. Now, 2♠ is forcing , and I would bid 3♦ if I don't have any special gadgets (and 2NT if that happens to fit the gadget we're playing). Even if I (wrongly) thought 2♠ is not forcing , I would still bid 3♦.

Opener is showing some GF , the most likely hand type is a very strong single suiter in ♦, but I think 18-19 balanced without a stopper is possible too. In both cases , 3NT looks right now.

What you are asking is equivalent to the suggestion that one should sometimes pass (as dealer) a 13 hcp hand, because otherwise if you do PASS as dealer , and later end up defending , the declarer may draw the inference from your Pass that you don't have an opening and place a critical honor in your partner's hand. I think we all agree that this will not produce very good results. We try to make our best choices during the bidding (and the lead) and if an inference from this works against us - we live with it.

On 1, I would expect a double of 2♠ to show a hand with ♣ and ♠ , 5-4 or perhaps 6-4 , while the double of 3♦ implies general takeout shape 3415, 4405, 4414 or perhaps even 4423 (with 18?) On 2 , Yes, I would consider converting the double.

I suggest using this opening only with 5-5 (and not 5-4), except perhaps in 3rd , when you can use it more freely. My experience is that 5-4 is very different from 5-5 in terms of playing strength , defensive strength , and your chances to locate your best fit. 2M opening is too high to sort out strain and level , if you cant be sure the minor suit is at least 5 cards.

CP, CP, CP, CP, HP, HH

3♠

The popular style is for double to show 4-4 majors (rarely 5-4 with a weak hand?) and bid 1M with 4+ cards. The reasoning is that if you double showing 4+ in either major , and the opps bid 2♦ or even worse 3♦ it may be difficult for your side to discover your fit. Having said that I played your style (1M=5) for several years , and while the unspecific double is a weakness, knowing at once that 1M is 5 cards is an advantage. I don't think your style is unplayable. Also , some modern players who use transfer responses to 1♣ , try to still keep them after 1♦ overcall and use : Dbl=4+♥ , 1♥ = 4+♠, etc...

I prefer the flexible (and popular) "partner, please find my suit" meaning for a double of a (constructively bid) 3NT. Sometimes you will be really anxious for partner to lead a ♠, or (rarely) a minor. Partner will use his judgement , and almost always will be able to "guess" your suit correctly. I think , that if you limit your suit to being ♥s , you will win on the very rare cases where pd is unable to guess what your suit is , but will lose when you actually have a different strong suit , and want it led. And yes , of course you have to alert it.

1. 2♠ - I don't see a good reason not to show my support. 2. Pass - I dont think we are likely to get a plus score if I open. 3. Pass - 2♥ can work , but more often it will get us too high. 4a. obvious 1NT. 4b. NF , but good hand.

53(32) min - we think any hand with 4 card support is good enough to bid 3♥. 3 card ♠ support (assuming you play Jacoby 2NT) , min or sub min GF (maybe 3226 10-11p) Good ♥ suit , min hand (just slightly too good to open 4♥)

small ♦, because leading from 5 card suit gives me best chance to establish enough tricks to beat the contract. It is true that sometimes this lead will give declarer his 7th trick, but much more often leading passively will just lose a tempo.

Once he decided to accept , he could bid 5♥ , over which you would bid 6♦ , which he would happily pass

I think a good start in 2/1 is : 1♠ - 2♦ 2♠ - 2NT 3♥! This 3♥ bid is not natural, since opener would rebid 2♥ with any hand with 4♥. So it can be used to show a 6 card ♠ (not solid suit , otherwise rebid 3♠) , with extra values (otherwise rebid 3♠ now), less than 3♦, usually with ♥ values. After this start responder can bid an invitational 4NT , or perhaps even explore slam in ♥.

♦K.

After 1♥ - 1NT (F) 2♣ Would you really rebid (as responder) 2♦ with (weakish) 3154? Opener will leave you in 2♦ with 3514.. Would ♦ be a better spot more often than ♣s?

East fell asleep. Over 3♦ he should probably bid 4♥. Even 3♥ seems to be an underbid.

In a 2/1 GF context where 1NT response to 1M can include : 1. 3 card support in M , Invite. 2. 3 card support in M , "mini-raise" (4-5 points) - though this is rare, raise on some of those. 3. Invitational hands with a minor suit , but not with ♥. (1♠ - 3♥ is nat , inv). 4. 10-11 "balanced" , or with short M , but never a GF hand. 5. All other "normal" 1NT response hands... Do you think it is a good agreement that opener can Pass 1NT with 5332 11-13 , or similar?

4M response is natural - not a cue bid. Playing the best game is more important than searching for Slam.

Considering the position in the ♥ suit and the bidding it is obvious that East was not "thinking" , was not "changing his mind", and was not trying to deceive. Since with x or Qx , he doesn't have any choice but to follow with the x. Actually this should have been obvious to South as well. What did he think was going on? What did he think East's "fingering" implies? that he started with Qxx? Really? If he intended to play for the drop why did he change his mind? I think it is obvious that East's fingering had no relevance to his holding in the suit, and if South thought otherwise he was either simply wrong (best case) or trying for a double shot (either the finesse works or I will get an adjustment). I have no sympathy for him.

Yes, this is surely acceptable for sequence D. IMO the important part is to agree that sequence D , unlike the others , confirms 5♠ , and is inv+. Using 2♥ as "general" invitation here has the advantage of being able to stop in 2♠ , and the disadvantage of making the invitation less specific. Both are reasonable imho.