mtvesuvius

I voted lol, but I believe that West is to blame. Given that W has two aces, they are already getting an extremely good board as long as they beat 6N. I don't care what level club game it is, most people know how to sign off when missing two aces. Anyway, there is NO reason for West to double here, especially since it's just for the extra 100. Without the double, a red suit lead looks fairly normal (or at least very likely). With the double, partner rates to be leading a spade... There really is not any reason to double here. Doubling 5♦ is also not out of the question, just in case. East listened to his partner, who should have something like KJxxx xx xxx Axx perhaps.

I've also seen 5th suit forcing used in auctions where you have a WJS available, and therefore things like this cannot exist: 1♦ - 1♠ 2♣ - 2♠ Where 2♠ is a GF, and 2♥ is a relay to 2♠ for an Invitational hand, or a hand that forgot to make a WJS (or was slightly too strong). In addition, another term used is "Two-Way New Minor Forcing"... This seems to be a better description IMO.

I double. Partner does NOT have to have anything decent in trumps at this Vul, and therefore I am willing to give up on a possible +980 (or 1210) for the mundane +500 or so.

Actually I'd rather be in 5♣, but I would double with the South hand, the least of all evils IMO In 5♣, we need 3-2 trump with the ♣K onside. After ruffing 3 spades in hand, in the endgame you can give up two red-suit losers. In 4♥, you still need the ♣K onside usually, and also need a reasonable ♥ split. Also, without the ♥8, there are some added problems.

The general purpose of Puppet in these auctions is to disclose as little information as possible, and reach 3N/4M as fast as possible giving the least information. Therefore I don't like having to describe my minor-suit holdings when we will usually be playing 3N anyway.

[hv=pc=n&s=saq73hk942dakt52c&n=s92hdqj973ck87653&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=1cd1s3dp4c4h5cp5dppp]266|200|ATB for missing 6♦... And would you want to be there?[/hv]

Definitely a good tool to have, however using HCP to evaluate is wrong. A simple "min" and "max" will work much better. With shortness and a 12 count, I want to be able to treat it as a maximum, or at least have some way to show a non-minimum. Bids above 3♠ should be splinters, and with a true Maximum and shortness, you can splinter as well.

Sorry, had VUL backwards, fixed now.

True, and 2♦ can be used as pick a major - Perhaps this should just be value-showing. I don't think it's right to have a penalty double here though...

LOL

[hv=pc=n&s=sat765hkjdjt532cj&d=w&v=n&b=16&a=p2cp2d(Artificial%20GF)4cpp]133|200|2♣ was Strong, no agreements on partner's pass. Partner is an expert, but you haven't discussed much. Your call?[/hv]

1, 2, 4 - Takeout. 3 - Penalty

2♥ for me. I'm happy to have longer spades since now I can bid them easily over some number of hearts. While Mike's reasoning is good, I think that AKxxxx is not a kind of suit we want to insist on as trumps -- I'd much rather give us a better chance to show a strong two suiter. After double, we will almost always lose diamonds, and won't be able to really show the hand.

Pass in tempo. If we can make 3N, and partner cannot reopen, we rate to be collecting 200 or 300 here, not the end of the world. If partner can reopen, we'll begin drooling.

I would Double. Your side has the Balance of Power, and then some. Partner should be leading a trump on this auction regardless of their holding. We can expect 2 - 2 1/2 tricks in our own hand, and partner opened 1N. It's important to punish opponents who bid too much, and as an added bonus, we don't have any other clear-cut call: 3N is out, and 4m is fishing for a perfecto.

[hv=pc=n&s=s54haqj632d9ca874&n=saj963hkdakckqt62]133|200|Another hand from the Cayne match, how would you bid these two hands? South is the Dealer, and W will overcall 1♠ if S opens on the 1 level, otherwise will pass. You can relay and do whatever you'd like, but if possible, I'd like a 2/1 auction as well :) All Vulnerable at IMPs.[/hv]

[hv=pc=n&s=saj6hak96dcaj7542&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=2s]133|200|Here's a hand I had (and got horribly wrong for other reasons), in tonight's Cayne match... Felt like it was a pretty miserable bidding problem, but perhaps it's wtp... Your call over 2♠? RHO is Allan Falk, LHO is Steve Beatty.[/hv]

2♥, I'd need a better suit/strength for 3♥...

Good point, perhaps X should be more co-operative (or Value-Showing)... Or perhaps pure penalty.

I would open 1N if 1444 probably, however I'd open this 1♣ for sure... Agree with Phil and Mike.

I would have Doubled 2♦ for Takeout, this Double should be takeout as well, IMO.

*puke*

Yuck, 2♠, or 3♠ - Whichever is the lowest legal denomination. Possibly 1♠.

I'd love to play... Going to be travelling, leaving Christmas day I think and won't be back until the beginning of the new year, so the earlier dates are much better for me. After a bit of thought, it seems a 16 (or 20) board match each day (or two days, allowing for scheduling problems) would be best... Not too much, but still enough to be a legitimate match. Most of my regular partners don't post on BBF, but I could certainly arrange a team (and I put us over the post limit for the team :D)

I believe finding 7♦ will be the top spot at both MPs and IMPs hopefully. Relay auction to get there: 1♣ - 2♣ [16+ Any/5+♦; 12+ HCP (7+ AKQ points)] 2♦ - 2♥ [Relay/4+♣] 2♠ - 3♦ [Relay/Equal Shortness] 3♥ - 3♠ [Relay/Maximum; 2254] 4♦ - 4♥ [Asking how Responder likes hand for a ♠ slam/Good Hand for ♠ slam (or just general max)] 4N - 5♠ [RKC - ♦/2 ♦KC, ♦Q] 5N - 6♣ [King Ask/♣K] 7♦ - P [Let's play here!/*groans*, fine...] 2/1 auction to get there: 1♥ - 2♦ 2♠ - 2N 3♦ - 3♥ 4♦ (RKC) - ... Same after this, getting to grand without much trouble.