dkham

Very often when you reverse you're bidding a suit partner can't have four of; the point is to show your strengh and shape isn't it?

Partner "usually has exactly three spades" - could he also have an 11 count with clubs that he didn't want to bid again on?

I think we should have reversed into 2♠, don't want to play 2♣+3. We can still find a club fit after 2♠ - if partner bids [3 clubs] we raise or if he bids 2NT we bid 3♣. In the actual auction I like the idea of a 4♦ splinter next.

I would bid 5♥. It's a funny auction. East did not want to pass out 1♠, so must be expecting to make - it's not a pre-emptive 5♦. I want to bid as we have 6-5 shape and can show both suits and let partner pass or correct. But wouldn't be surprised if West bid now.

4♥ looks good if the heart jack is onside.

I don't know how preemptive the 5♦ bid is, and does it play us for having some diamonds (at least 3 say)? The spade king is probably offside, and possibly partner is short in spades for his bid. This devalues the ♠AQJx. It's a poor 18 count. I'm guessing to pass.

Yes, I thought it was an opening 3NT that says "I have most suits stopped, pass if you have a solid eight card minor".

Perhaps in e.g. England with a history of four card majors a (1m) opening bid is likely to be a proper suit, so you don't have any use for (1m)-3m as natural, hence using it as a stopper ask.

1. Agree with 2♠ on the second round - partner just has to work out it can't possibly be an unassuming cue bid in support of his hearts. 2. I would bid 4♠ if I wasn't sure, I think 4♥ is dangerous. Even if you've agreed 4♥ is a splinter, think I'd still bid 4♠ here. 3. Pass. 4. Two options: draw trumps (from top or with finesse?) then club finesse, or ruff three hearts in dummy (cashing clubs first?). Don't know.

You were lucky that hearts and clubs split evently. But then if they don't, then opponents can often make 4♠, so bidding 4♥ directly still works well.

In the situation described, where the opponents now bid 4♠. Given that partner made a negative double showing hearts, I'm fairly confident in bidding 6♦.

Good point.

In response to the continuation above, I'll now bid 5♦.

I like bidding 3♣ for a club stop - if partner has a club stop I'll play 3NT, else insist on diamonds.

Perhaps I've been egged on by the other comments, but I think we can bid 4♥ here. Hopefully partner agrees it doesn't have the same meaning as it would without the takeout double.

If you play RKCB 1430 North can bid 4NT instead of jumping to 6♣: South replies 5♣ - 1/4 keycards, must be 1 so North passes and plays 5♣ South replies 5♦ - 0/3 keycards, must be 3 keycards for South's bidding so far (he's shown ace of hearts already), so North bids 6♣ South replies 5♥ - 2 keycards no queen, North bids 6♣

I agree Gib's hand is great after your splinter (was already a maximum). Thought it might be signficant he bid and didn't pass over the double of 4♦, but the description is the same as for his 2♠ bid.

In the given auction, can North bid 4♣ instead of 5♣? Assuming it's forcing (maybe it's not). He's got a maximum for clubs.

Pass

Can we see the whole hand? I know it's basically irrelevant but always fun to see!

Start with a 2♠ overcall

I'm not an expert - but at the table I'd play the spade Jack, and if it wins finesse clubs. If it loses doesn't look good.

Is the implicit reason you want to go with the field on bidding then because you believe you are a better card player?

I'm bidding 4♠. As a general Matchpoints query, what's the advantage of going with the field, apart from a lack of stress? (that's a genuine question, I'm not very experienced and don't know the answer)

Agree with comment above, I'll bid 4♠ and hope to ruff diamonds in dummy. Partner's 2♥ over 1NT I think must be based mostly on shape.