pooltuna

This looks like a near dummy reversal line is called for which comes down to hope ♦ split and set up spades

less courage after you've seen it or done it a few times but like you I agree with gnasher.

Partner is protecting you. Don't punish him for doing it. Bid 2♠. Passing is catering to -180 or -380.

agree on the ♥ finesse even if it loses you still have chances with the ♦

At the table I would probably pass altho X is a possiblilty depending on agreements. Looking at all 4 hands I bid 4♣ but I need rose colored glasses to see the other 3 hands. :)

I stole my call out of everybody else's bidding box so they were forced to bid over 2♣ while I could pass :)

IMO it is best to start with a pass and let partner balance if he has values.

You found the second foundation? Isaac who?

declarer has to discard 2♠ on 2 minor suit winners ["OH MY! I thought I was playing NT"] :)

would you bid 3♥ if the auction had been P (P) 1♦ (P); 1♥ (P) ? I thought not, so 4♥

but I peeked and mel gibson was holding ♥KQJT9 :)

Confirmed???? He was in the room! as a key signatory? :lol:

IMO you made the correct choice but I would not be too hard on your partner who had to contend with your possible holding of [hv=s=sxhkqxdjxxxcxxxxx]133|100|[/hv] Mostly a hand that hits the system cracks and as a consequence falls thru

While this technically meets my requirements for a suit play inverted minor 2♣ bid, it does not for play in NT so I would just call 3♣.

hmmm....Time to conjure up a conspiracy theory I play AK♠, hope LHO is 2533 and the ♦T was to make me feel good about taking the ♦ finesse so I lead a ♥ hopefully endplaying LHO

Disagree with that :lol: Apologies :). Clear social faux pas. Your opposition are Helene + partner :) Your opps have done their job (making your life hard :) ) pass and hope you can set it.

synonyms can do that :lol:

what happened to the "don't trap pass with big hands at the 1 level" principle? I'll take the alternative, 1NT tyvm. :)

my choice is to make life easy for me and my partner. 1NT

It is IMO fairly simple nevertheless you will see advocates for 2,3, & 4♥. You have essentially a 9 loser hand (I refuse to count more than 1♥ loser) so using the losing trick count method of evaluation you see that partner needs a 5 loser hand to make game a reasonable value so I am inclined to just bid 2♥ and leave the decision to partner. I am also ready to sell out to any number of ♠ as 5♥x does not rate to be a winning decision.

Where do I pitch my tent 'cause I am in your camp on this hand :)

Well yes but that is a different auction where instead of a TOX 4th hand chose to overcall 1♠ and his partner could easily have 3♠ for his raise or do you require 4 which IMO would put you in a distinct minority.

It was a 1♠ response after X and 1♥ Without the 1♥ bid partner would be forced to bid, after 1♥ he could pass. That's why it is called a free bid. Presumably partner has more than 3 spades for his FREELY bid 1S. Where do you see in my post that I am suggesting he has less? In fact I think 3♠ is probably correct by the TOXer.

Yeah me too, BTW did you scratch him behind the ears as a reward? :)

It was a 1♠ response after X and 1♥