Grommet1

I remember a MSC problem that explored when to begin with a takeout double versus a simple overcall. One of the panelists said that you should begin with the overcall "whenever you can get away with it." The worst thing that happens if you overcall 1♥ here is that you play 1 ♥making four, take your minus 5 or 6 IMPS and move on to the next hand. There are a number of ways that beginning with a double can go wrong, including this nightmare. I think East's 4♠bid and subsequent behavior are good reasons to use the enemy button.

Your partner's bid was a lie that he thought was the best way to deal with a system hole, which is inherently dangerous. In a regular partnership, you would have a discussion of how to handle this hole in the future and move on. To go off in a huff with a pickup partner because your bid worked out poorly is just rude.

[hv=pc=n&e=saj5hkt654d54c932&d=s&v=n&b=15&a=1s2hp4h4spp]133|200[/hv] Teams, White on Red. Should I take further action?

This is the beginner forum, right?

We play that 1NT shows a 4 card major and 5 card minor. What would you do with this hand after a 1♠ opening on your right?[hv=d=e&v=n&s=st963h6dakqjcakt6]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

First seat.

[hv=d=s&v=n&s=sa74haj9653dc6432]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

[hv=d=w&v=e&s=sqthaj65dkqtck943]133|100|Scoring: Chicago With an unfamiliar partner, West opened an all-purpose precision ♦. Partner overcalled 1♥ and E passed. I bid 2♦, then raised partner's 2♥ to three, all pass. A very strong player at the table felt that I had to get us to game with this hand. I felt that this would be true if we were red, but that some of my points would be useless on this bidding, and I did not want to get there if partner had a dead minimum. Was I being too pessimistic?[/hv]

Anybody out there, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, want to learn and play a Polish club system? Let me know. Martin

[hv=d=n&v=n&n=sjt94haq862dt2cat&s=s65hj9dakq965ckj6]133|200|Scoring: IMP How do we get to 3NT after North opens 1♥, 1♠ overcall? If 2♦ is not forcing, and 2♠ promises support, how do you force or ask for a stopper in this situation? Thanks everyone.[/hv]

[hv=n=sakj3hk2d4cat9862&s=sq6haqjt963da3cq7]133|200|13 top tricks at ♥ or NT. How do we get there?[/hv] 1C 1H 1S 2D* 3C 3H 3NT P *FSF Both the 2D and 3NT bids are funky, I think.

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sj5haqt43dj6ckq96]133|100|Scoring: MP Some defense, lots of losers, lots of Hearts.[/hv]

I think 2♣ gets us to the right place more often, so that's my MP bid. At IMPS, I'll go for the swing, which is less likely, but could win the match. Of course, at either form of scoring, you will have to watch your partner (try to) resist the urge to huff and puff if you bid 2♣ and it's wrong.

I'm looking for a structure after: 1♣/1♦ - P - 1M - P 2♣/2♦ - p - ? and 1♣/1♦ - P - 1M - P 3♣/3♦ - P - ? Any good ideas?

Sorry 1♣/1♦ - P - 1M - P 2♣/2♦ - p - ? and 1♣/1♦ - P - 1M - P 3♣/3♦ - P - ?

I am looking for a good structure after: 1♣/1♦ - P - 1M - P 2♣/2♦ - ? and 1♣/1♦ - P - 1M - P 3♣/3♦ - ? Thanks.