Tramticket

For some of us it is a simple bidding sequence. :) In my methods 3♣ is 100% game forcing and shows at least 5-5. We use 2♣ as a Crowhurst/Checkback type bid (including all invitational strength hands) and 2NT as a relay to 3♣, which includes (amongst other things) hands that want to sign off in clubs.

Really? 2353, 3253, 3352, 2344, 3244 all look possible. Depending upon methods, 4342, 4243, 2245, 2254, 2362, 3262, 2263, 4144 may also be possible (have I missed any?).

What strength is your NT? But assuming that 3♣ is forcing for you, it seems the obvious continuation.

Ok, I don't get it. From LHO's point of view, this is only failing if RHO has both the KQ♥. He knows that RHO has the K and he assumes that RHO has the Q. Nige1 states: "If LHO knows that South's ♥s are 9 high, then it seems that ♥T is a compulsory false-card." But Nige1 also concludes the best strategy is: "When ♥J loses to an honour, and, on the next round, you finesse ♥9" So it seems that the compulsory false card is not deflecting declarer at all. What am I missing?

Does west play the 10 with all of those? I'm not convinced. But I still think that finessing twice has the edge.

Yes, good examples as always. On No.2, it would be just my luck to find that my enterprising partner had opened 3♥ on:

I'm sure that the EBU would have a similar response. I'm not particularly a fan of Master Points (they reward longevity rather than skill). But if they are to have any value, the integrity of the competitions should be maintained. Players make adjustments to their bidding and play when they know that the hands are constructed. This is fine from a teaching point of view - but it is not real bridge.

Double - expecting partner to pass unless (s)he has genuine prospect of making a contract.

I'm not totally against splintering with a singleton ace, but I won't do it if I have better options. A 2NT response is one option. Also, a simple 1♠ change-of-suit response may help you judge whether you should be considering a slam. It would be easy to construct hands where 6♠ (or 6♦) are making but 6♥ is failing.

Presumably partner had various ways of showing spades (Lebensohl?) and this is the weakest? At these colour, I would not expect my partner's bid to promise very much - a five-card spade suit and little else would be my expectation! This is an easy pass.

There is a pretty exhaustive book by Sally Horton (now Sally Brock): Double Trouble. It is probably 20 years old now though.

Thanks - my reply crossed with your more complete reply.

In England the regulation is (Blue Book): 4.b.2 (a) suit bids that show the suit bid: Alert, unless the double is for take-out.

This hand arose in a club duplicate in England. The result would not be greatly affected and the players are content to let the result stand, but I would interested to know how you would rule if more depended upon the ruling. [hv=pc=n&s=sk987hkq9753dtc95&w=s2hajt62d7ckqj843&n=st43h84daqj9654ct&e=saqj65hdk832ca762&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=1s3hd4hppdppp]399|300[/hv] Three hearts is a weak jump overcall. There was no alert of the double of the three heart bid and no questions were asked. After the second double, North asked whether the first double had been for penalties and East replied that she didn’t know. Playing in 4H doubled, South made 5 tricks. The (playing) director was called at the end of the hand, west confirmed that the double was intended as penalties. East / West did not have convention cards and it was not possible to ascertain their actual agreement (if any?). The ruling was deferred as play was already late. How would you rule? Please also consider: • Does east’s failure to alert constitute a mis-explanation? • Should south have protected himself by asking about the first double before he raised hearts? If so, what is the effect on the ruling? • Do you consider the four heart bid to be speculative? Does this affect the ruling? • If you consider an assigned score appropriate, what results would you consider? (4D-4, 4Dx-4, 3Hx-4, 4D-3, 4Dx-3?).

I guess I open, but very marginal. Playing with my favourite partner, this is an easy (Lucas Two) 2 spade opening.

Yes, I play that a jump is pre-emptive (4/5-card suit and depending upon vulnerability), 2NT is maximum without a feature to show and a new suit shows a feature (with one partner I do play the new suit shows a "useless doubleton"). We don't bother to re-transfer in a weak NT context.

I presume that you mean double to show a three-suited hand? In which case, I agree that this is a reasonable alternative. I don't think the hand is quite strong enough to double and then bid hearts. I don't like Michaels on 5-4 hands.

Thanks, all who responded. At the table I bid 4♥ - for the reasons articulated by Nige1, Mr Ace, rmnka447 and others. On this occassion, partner was full value for her overcall: [hv=pc=n&s=saqj8hqt9652d6cj4&w=skt975hdkq942ckt9&n=s3hak873da53caq86&e=s642hj4djt87c7532]399|300[/hv] Although I received criticism from team-mates, it is interesting that in a competent field of 12 teams, no one bid the slam: - 10 X 510 - 1 X 480 - 1 X 800 (5♠x)

2♠ would be a transfer to clubs for us (weak or strong). Our equivalent bid would be 3♦.

[hv=pc=n&s=saqj8hqt9652d6cj4&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1s2hp]133|200[/hv] Your system includes: 4♥ = To play 3♦ = Transfer to hearts - i.e. invitational or better heart support 4♦ = Splinter Partner's overcalls are wide-ranging and can be aggressive. Edit: Multiple Teams of 4

For players in the UK, Acol is usually considered as being a system based on weak NT and four-card majors. Yes, historically Acol players used different NT ranges (often a variable NT, with 12-14 non-vulnerable and 16-18 vulnerable). But Acol has come to mean a weak NT system. I don't think that five-card majors have ever featured as part of the Acol system in Britain. But I am aware that players outside the UK describe their five-card major systems as Acol. Acol traditionally featured a strong-two openings (Acol Twos), but few would now play strong twos.

Fair enough - as long as you and your partner are on the same wavelength. Helene also mentioned a pudding raise - which I still play with one partner. The key Pete, is that you and your partner need to have agreements. And opponents should stick to discussing their own system, not yours!

In standard Acol, 3♣ is considerably stronger than this. A good 16+ HCP and either: - A good quality six-card suit. - A a five-card suit and support for opener. This hand is not even worth 14 points with the two red suit queen doubletons.

It depends on your methods. Even most Acol players use a 2NT response these days to show spade support and game going values. Without this bid you are forced to bid 2 clubs, then bid 4 spades at your next turn (a delayed game raise). Given the quality of your clubs, this isn't a bad option even if you do have 2NT available as showing spade support.

Hand 1. Hand 2. Hand 3. Hand 4. Hand 5.