mtvesuvius

[hv=pc=n&s=s2hkq7542d5cakt32&n=sakq3ha6dkjt32cj4&d=s&v=b&b=7&a=1hp2dp3cp3sp4hp4np5sp6hppp]266|200[/hv] ATB for this auction -- All the bids seem fairly normal to me, I was given this hand by a friend, don't think it's a terrible spot, however as the cards were, it finished a couple down. Would you want to be there?

I raise. This would be a harder decision at MPs, where partner may be feeling matchpoint-greedy, however at IMPs, partner better have their R/W 4♣ bid... Which should not just be competing. Seems to me that partner is something like - Kx QJxx AKQxxxx or something similar. I will apologize to partner if he does not have his bid :)

2♦ wtp Don't see how anything else makes sense.

Very interesting simulation, Mike. I am a passer. This hand kind of reminds me of the hand from the Spingold this year that cost Berkowitz-Sontag and company the fatal IMPs. Once again it seems best to take my -100 or -150, I'm just thankful it hasn't gotten worse yet.

Whatever it is, I want some.

Easy pass, partner needs an awful lot.

This isn't E-Harmony, this is bridge. Which most consider to be the exact opposite in fact.

Seems to me that this is better played as forcing one round -- Partner can rebid 3♣ as a Catchall response, and I think with hands where we are competitive in Spades, double covers those. The biggest problem for me is what to do on hands like these, as well as: [hv=pc=n&s=saqj832h3dq92ck32&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1h2c2h]133|200[/hv] Now what? Making a fit jump here distorts the hand badly, and this is effectively a GF hand. I think this type of hand is much more likely than a NF 2♠ call that double won't cover. I prefer to play this forcing, although I doubt most people would agree :)

3♣ seems to be some sort of a heart raise. Bidding 3N now is out of the question... If this was the plan, we could have bid 3N before. I agree with 1♦, and will now double.

[hv=pc=n&s=sakqt8653hdat98ct]133|100[/hv] RHO passes, you are W/W and playing a Strong Club system and are not playing Namyats. What do you open? If you open 1♣: If you open 1♠: If you open 4♠:

2♠. A jump to 3♠ should show a suit that will usually play for no losers opposite a stiff. If you had a seventh spade, then 3♠ would be your rebid. There is also a style aspect here. If you play that rebidding 2 of your major only shows 5, then you may have a few problems later in the bidding. If 2M promises 6, then you will be fine. Over 3N by partner (especially when 2♠ could be 5), you have a close call whether to bid 4N though... Personally I would pass, but slam could easily be making.

The one thing that has always baffled me here is why they should be trump quality asks. If you don't have a void, you can Keycard, if you do have a void, you can bid exclusion... So it seems there is no need for them. I usually like to treat the 0, 2 or 3 unbid side suit ones as just a general quantitative invitation to slam, is this a logical treatment or retarded? lol Forums seem to have slowed down a bit :(

Definitely South. 2♦ is not GF, but showed a big hand... Partner has 3+♥ and they have to lead something. Not bidding game gives South 100% of the blame IMO (Post 2000 :D )

Kind of a style question I suppose, but I have had a lot of disagreement on this subject with a lot of partners who I consider to be very good players. Basically, in uncontested auctions such as: 1. 1H-2N 4H-5H 2. 1S-2C 2D-3S 4C-5S 3. 1D-1S 4C-4S 5S 4. 1S-2C 3S-5S 5. 1D-1S 3S-5S 6. 1S-2C 2D-3S 4H-5S How would you treat 5M in each of these auctions? Do you consider this type of thing to be fairly common knowledge? Also, these examples assume you are not playing Last Train and Lackwood. No poll here... Make yourselves known, anonymous voters! This is my first OP since my vacation... I miss the old days of WTP, LOL etc :)

5H for me... Not enough to encourage partner too much, partner should know what's right after this... With xxx x AQxxx KQxx I would think they would find a raise.

1) Agree with the First Pass -- Maybe it will go 2C-P-P back to me 2) I'll try 2♠ now, but not too happy about it. 3) No, two sticks and a King with 4 Spades... Definitely opening this. 4) I'll double now... DSIP, I am happy with whatever partner's decision may be... 4♦ seems to be committing on going past a possible 3N contract, and anything else seems hopeless.

Agree with X before, I'll bid 5D now... True we can go down a lot, but being NV, I would imagine LHO might mess around with a 4♦ bid on their way to saving in 4H. Although X is "securing" a positive score, I am greedy :)

I will bid 5S -- Partner rates to have a bit of Club wastage, and my 3 low hearts are quite a concern (anyone up for a 5H bid? :P )

Just an artificial GF for me -- This is how to begin a Slammish auction with Clubs/Spades or looking for a red suit fit etc...

3NT. I have KQJxx in my partner's singleton, pretty much the worst possible holding. I am slightly concerned about the heart suit, but if they are taking 4 or 5 heart tricks and a spade trick, 5m isn't going to be any better.

3♦ for sure. Passing is a suggestion to play, and I certainly hope partner can explain why he didn't bid the first two times. The only hand that comes to mind is something like xx Kxxx KQxxx Qx. It's only 50s...

I would give myself a 863683 Doubt we need to ask what 655321 would give himself =)

Definitely 2N. Not only is it a bad heart suit, but I have values in both my doubletons. For me, this is a very clear 2N.

For Bill: