pooltuna

agreed and since Josh is hooked into sematics on the issue it is not "well placed" per se but the significance of "well placed" has been substantially reduced or eliminated in relevance. And it could serve as an entry to our hand in a spade contract

It ain't sitting in front of the AQ like a dead duck...i.e. it's not worthless

who said the auction was dead here

Really? My partners don't overcall 1NT on just any 15-count, so I am more aggressive over a 1NT overcall than after a 1NT opening. It looks like both of my kings are well placed and I expect partner to be able to play the hand almost double dummy. I should at least invite, and if partner doesn't have spade support I have no reason to think 3S plays better than 3NT. If partner does have spade support I'm happy to be in game. Well clearly this spotless balanced hand with two random stray jacks and a bad main suit is a very bad 8 count. Anyway if I can invite I will, but if I can't I will certainly sign off. In fact this strikes me as the type of hand that can have 26 points but no game. Also, in what way is the diamond king well placed? Well when my partner overcalls 1NT I really, really think they have a ♦ stopper and given that I am ready to play 2♥X the ♦K was my opening lead

Well looks like the choices are X,2♠, 3♠. looks like my game chances are a tad anti%age so that makes X my preference of course I play it sanely as PENALTY (if you want insurance on success go to Lloyd's of London). 2♠ is the call for those who suffer from ulcers. 3♠ is your best shot for those who think they want to try for game.

Well since you don't play it that means it must be good otherwise you would have said "I love when my opponents play this." So that being said how much of a drubbing have you taken when facing this? :unsure:

1) make them guess now 5♥ 2) 4♥ 3) 3♣

Quite often? works for me especially when partner opens a 15-17 NT

I am going to try to survive the first round of bidding and open 1♥

WTP? Did I run out of red cards? ;)

Exactly! If you have that partner, bid 2♣. But if you have the partner that frequently does have crap ... The partner with the crap rebids 2♠ over 2♣ and passes your 2NT call

so we are moving endplays to B/I forum?

This is a constructive raise make the bid that describes that in my case that would be 2♥

You didn't open 2♣ :)

So!! It was a canape opening :)

3NT

consider making all your tourneys Swiss style in spite of the inconvenience of having to wait each round for everyone to finish. This really deflects the shooters in the relatively short tourneys

1) Not a big 2/1er but my gut reaction is most won't[in some cases violently opposed]. I probably wouldn't open it in SAYC 2) 3♥ 3) 2NT denies 4♥ first and foremost, 3♣ probably means I would accept but my help is in a good ♣ suit, 3♦ says I have control help in ♦

my gut reaction is to set a squeeze by winning the lead in dummy and finessing the 9 of ♦

Well since your body is mostly water.... :angry:

to pass you are playing with too many players who do not respect the colors. I suggest you construct an acceptable second seat 3♠ bid for yourself and then compare it opposite your (the OP's) holding

definitely stick it to him because he shouldn't be twistin' in the wind at these colors 4♠

This is a close decision if the Q♦ were the K I would probably, I didn't look so assume IMPS, bid 2♠ to goad partner to a close game.

if XX was support I would pass if it shows xtras I think you are obligated to X

It depends on my opinion of partner (is he a pickup,etc?) and the opponents (how much respect have they shown for V vs NV?). Against Jush and Jostin I would bid 5♣ unless I really, really trust partner [J & J can plead temporary insanity :rolleyes: ]. I find the inability to hit 3♥ but Xing 3♠ is very suggestive of strong minor suit holdings. I leave it to Jush and Jostin to post sane hands for EW given the colors.