mtvesuvius

The problem is that it's not possible to improve much unless you play some sort of transfers (causing problems for Balanced hands), or play 1♥-2♠ as weak, and 1♥-1♠-2x-2♠ as an Artificial GF. 1♥-1♠ auctions cannot be improved too much, and so it seems logical to not use them when possible.

You found a fit, what's the problem?

Damn Tuna, I know you have bad dummies, but... This is a bit much.

I'd have bid 4♠ the first round as well. West still needs to bid more than 2♠, I like the delayed Michaels suggestion, but I doubt partner would figure that one out. I'd bid 3♠ over the double.

Just bid 2♣ on those hands :) And if you're feeling Rexfordian, you can bid 2♣ over 1♠ with your 5-4-4-0s.

I have my "Sorry partner, I was just bidding my hand" card ready. Not opening this seems absurd to me, but perhaps I'm slightly influenced by playing a lot of strong club systems. Regardless, getting in there immediately is almost always better, and this hand won't get any easier to bid later in the auction.

I'd lead a trump from KJx on this auction... At least against Csaba I would :P

LOL

It's a purely competitive call, I think it should have at least one useful card.

"Standard" would be quantitative. Quantitative without a fit is better because either you can use 4♣ as 1430 Gerber, or use some form of Baze, where 3 of the other major is a forcing raise with Shortness, 4♣ is Quantitative with a fit, and 4♦ is Keycard (you can reverse the 4m calls if you wish, I prefer this method though).

I had it come up legitimately twice in the 5 years I played it -- I used it one other time as a psych, holding 10 clubs to the King and nothing else.

I used to play it as a specific ace ask, but now use it as some giant minor hand -- Never comes up, and I wouldn't try it undiscussed, anyway, the way I used to play it was: 4N - ? 5♣ - No Aces 5♦/♥/♠ - That Ace and no others 5N - Any 2 Aces 6♣ - ♣A After any response, all bids are signoffs including 5N.

I remember that one! :D

There are a number of reasons why 14-16 is better: It helps define the 1D-1M-1N auctions much better, 11-14 for those is a bit wide of a range, this could be fixed, but as I'm sure you know from playing 10-13 NTs... It's nice to open all 11 counts. Playing a 15-17 NT, you can't do that nearly as much, especially for balanced hands. It completes your NT ranges quite nicely, 1♦ then 1N is 11-13, 1N is 14-16, 1♣ then 1N is 17-19, 2N is 20-21, 1♣ then 2N is 22-23, 1♣ then 2♥ Kokish is 24-25 etc... It is more pre-emptive, and overall advocates a more aggressive style, which it sounds like you and your partner enjoy Holding balanced 8 counts, you no longer get too high. Holding 9 counts you may get too high though. 11/12s invite and 10s pass opposite 11-13, which is a big gain IMO

Yeah, this was where I was headed as well, although it seems a bit easy...

Yes, do not click or fill in information -- Read Rain's latest post. http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/44655-dns-problems-update/

Berkowitz-ed yet again! I don't think it's right to draw any inferences from the non-club lead. A good defender won't lead an AK (or AKQ) in these situations for this exact reason - It allows you to place way too many cards, and doesn't look likely to be going away, especially on an auction like this. Not leading an AK has an additional benefit, which is exactly this situation here. Declarer will place one of the honors with partner, and therefore will misplay the hand. I'd play the ♦Q from dummy, and lead a low club off, covering RHO's card. I think RHO is more likely to duck if you lead the 5 instead of the 8, similarly to the way that I've found playing the Jack off dummy with JT9 tends to induce a cover slightly more... It's a weird psychological thing, but I've found it holds true quite often. If RHO wins both clubs, I'll play for the spade to drop, otherwise I'll throw LHO in with the ♦K after stripping both round suits.

4 card disparity in the minors - 6-2 or 7-3

I'd 3N this too.

3N - I don't have a stopper. What else is there to bid? :o

This should be a clear pass - If partner couldn't take a call, I don't want anything to do with this hand

Clear 1N, if partner's suit was diamonds I'd be more inclined to try 1♥.

I'd certainly pass at IMPs, and I think I'd pass at MPs too. The same theory that we should bid aggressively also means the opponents may double aggressively, and I know that if we get to the 3 level, we're going for 300 minimum. I'm not particularly unhappy with any lead, and really don't want to discourage a possible spade lead by partner. I'd sooner overcall 2♥ than double.

Double post - doh

I usually play: 2N - Limit or better 4 card raise 3♣ - Limit or better 3 card raise 3♦/♥ - Fit jumps 3♠ - Mixed 2♠ - Anything else