masse24

Q1. Pass Q2. Pass

3♠ for me too. Though I don't hate 4♦. It's close.

FYP

1♥

Assuming a 15-17 No-Trump: 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ - 3♥ clearly 8-9 points and a 4-4 ♥ fit 1NT - 2♣ - 2♠ - 3♠ clearly 8-9 points and a 4-4 ♠ fit 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ - 2♠ clearly 8-9 points and 4 spades (remember, opener could have both hearts and spades...) 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ - 2NT clearly 8-9 points and no 4-card major (Alert!) 1NT - 2♣ - 2♠ - 2NT clearly 8-9 points and may not have a 4-card major (Alert!) 1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT clearly 8-9 points and may not have a 4-card major (Alert!) Note that the latter three sequences need to be Alerted, because a Stayman sequence (in other treatments) always promises a four-card major, and these sequences do not. All sequences in which responder rebids 3NT are not Alertable and still promise a 4-card major. The only time that Stayman does not promise a four-card major is when responder's rebid is 2NT. This assumes, of course, that responder rebids 2♠ (with 4 ♠ and no ♥ fit) when opener responds 2♥ after Stayman.

I think Helene meant that 5♦ is a control bid. Therefore, even though North did not cooperate in slam investigation by bidding 5♣ (a mistake in my opinion), after the 5♦ control bid, he has another opportunity obligation to cooperate by showing the ♥ control.

3♥ -- which should be a GF. Except for a few outliers (my favorite is below) I would expect my partners to play it as a GF.

♦T Requesting a ♠. I'm hoping partner has the ♠A and I want to put declarer to the test at once. I'm usually terrible in these situations, so this probably blows the defense. :)

I Disagree. A negative double, in this auction, promises one (or both) majors and 8+ HCP. If only one major then it also includes a safe landing spot. In other words . . . Two places to play. I would expect this to be fairly standard and understood--undiscussed--with an advanced player. You suggested actually reading Lawrence, Bergen, Kantar, et al. Bergen states, in this exact auction: "1♣ - (2♦) - X" that "Responder shows at least one of the majors and at least 8 HCP." As you stated, "Basic bridge as taught by world class players." I do agree that West's initial pass is strange. However, I am with Mr. Ace, I would double every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

1♠ does not deny support. Instead, it says, "We belong in game (or more), please further describe your hand. My next bid will tell you why I used an artificial GF."

Must we vote for only one? Can I choose both? Please?

What a shame that you have given up on learning new things. Apparently your progress as a bridge player has come to a halt. Based on some of the drivel you spout, e.g. "Negative Doubles are the worst convention ever invented," you stopped short of even a beginner's understanding of the game. Personally, one of the reasons I come here is to learn new ideas, hopefully better ideas, about the game. At the very least, alternative ways of thinking. And when I read the opinions of better players, and those ideas are diametrically opposed to my current way of thinking, I wonder why. And it challenges me to rethink and hopefully improve. Since you are "too long in the tooth and set in your ways" to accept advice from better players--some of them world class--then why do you come here? Unless your goal is to troll . . . ? My "Laugh of the day" used to be to check this forum for my daily fix of "What did PhilG007 post today?" But your constant blather, your combative nature, and the once humorous nature of your posts has become tiresome. It is time to ignore the troll.

It's a splinter, Phil, supporting ♥.

I agree. I think 4!C could certainly be natural and preemptive.

Pard knows what I have, and stills sniffs at slam. And even though my shortness is in partner's suit, I'll move. It sounds like some sort of 4=3=0=6 or 4=3=1=5 with 16-17. I assume we'll get a trump lead. But what the heck, 6♥.

I play it Penalty.

Assuming "modern ways in slam investigation," regular old Blackwood is standard here and shows a more advanced understanding of when RKCB applies and equally as important . . . when it does not apply.

Then why mention it? You only confuse the issue.

So . . . you're saying you believe the finesse to be the best route to all 13 tricks?

Pam, did you look at the tournament results yourself? What tournament was it?

I like 2♦ but could not pull the trigger and chose 1NT. I think it's close.

1. Pass 2. Pass 3. ~ 4. ~ 5. Pass 6. 1NT 7. Open 1D 8. ♦Q

This.

Pass

Take a closer look, Phil. Your location deceives you. http://i67.tinypic.com/es70g3.jpg