pooltuna

I'm not a big fan nor heavy user of IM so with that caveat I would expect any call to be preemptive I would not use 3♦ unless 1♦ promised 4+ settling instead for 3♣. I would not expect to keep opps out of game so my objective has to be to get them to misjudge the correct strain. Cramping their bidding space is the best way to effect that.

since 2♦ is a reverse IMO 3♦ would be the splinter and 4♦ would be exclusion

WHAT!!! no raise to 6♣? :D :)

3NT>X>>>>>>3♥

does that mean you won't pass? all it can mean is he is refusing to play the hand :)

cardplay and it's not even close. but of course they are not really separable :)

The last word is sanity :lol:

The problem I see is that if you remove both your K and replace them with 2s you would bid the same way. For better results it is imperative that you find calls that help partner discriminate between those two possible holdings.

DSIP (oh BTW partner I have a penalty X of 1♥)

Typo? You don't think we are in a force? Thanks for the out by the way. I play 2♣ is an unconditional force through 2N, 3M or 4m, regardless of whats happening around the table, but I don't know if thats standard, or that a TO double is standard as well. I think the point is "we are in a force" would generally lead to a conclusion that doubles are penalty. They got at least 3 other forcing calls available so why do so many need a TOX. Use it as GOD intended, PENALTY!!!! :(

Normal action to partner who ignorred the question asked (i.e. "Hey stupid do you have a first or second round ♣ control?") in order of occurence 1) excoriation 2) tarring and feathering 3) drawing and quartering

IMO the only feasible alternative to 3♠ is X. Note that feasible does not mean that X is equal or superior to 3♠. I would personally choose 3♠ as a WTP

basically I would think suit preference would kick in when the side suits clearly signal impending and immediate disaster

move over and let me on turnip truck :ph34r:

lead the ♥Q and take you undertricks in the 50s. At worst they are playing a 4-3 split as normally 3♥ in this auction is stayman

Your pants! Try to imagine what was going through my pants!!! First, I basically psych a 1NT balance because I think we need a swing (and playing "state of the match" is something I strongly tend not to do when Hampson and Greco are at the other table). Second, the tray comes back instantly and I see that Sontag has jumped to 3H. For all I know the opponents might be about to bid a laydown vulnerable grand slam. Nice balance Fred! Third, the next time the tray comes back it takes forever. I don't know who is thinking, but whoever it is it can only be bad news from my point of view. Fourth, when the tray does come back it is obvious that my partner was the one who was thinking. Brad probably DBLs for penalties more aggressively than any other top player so it is a very bad sign that apparently he was not DBLing confidently. Fifth, Brad leads away from the King of diamonds. Sixth, the spot card Brad leads makes it clear that Sontag had a club void - my only possible defensive assets, the AK of clubs, appeared to be worthless. I think I must have aged at least a year during that hand :) Thanks all for the congrats! Fred Gitelman Bridge Base Inc. www.bridgebase.com I thought the latest version of the screens had a Port-a-potty attached :)

aren't you kind of stepping in "it" here? 2NT has to be one of the more common psyches and 3♠ strikes me too much like a preempt/preempt situation so pass is forced IMV Iwill reopen over 3♥. not sure what I will do over 4♥.

6♦

if you decide not to pass 2NT then you probably need to make up your miind to play 4♥ or 4♠, with 3NT the fallback. Getting to 5♣ seems very unlikely.

1) 4♣=second suit probably with extra ♦ length or no ♥ stopper 2) 4♥=second suit 3) 4NT=to play held a hand yesterday that seems to fall in this mode void KQxx AKx AKQJxx our auction without interference(the opponents must have been asleep) was ... 2♣-2♦; 3♣-3♦;3♥-3♠;4♦-5♣; 6♣ which winged home when dummy fell as follows after a ♠ lead... xxxx J9x QJT9 xx

I think the idea BBO has is to try to make you think and self edit a little before you post. That of course didn't work with me as I display my humanity frequently :lol:

I have no problem with doubling except you didn't make the first one at the right time....immediately after 2NT

I agree Mike. 2♦ looks right and we are not dead yet as I suspect many auctions will go ...(1♦) X (P) 1♥ ; (P) 2♦ (P) 2♥; does 2♠ at this point really mean I got a big ♠ only hand? I would think NOT as at your second call you did not choose 2,3,or 4 ♠ but I expect it to show a monster. BTW Mike trying for relief into the wind can often be ....moist? :)

Is 2NT for the 2 lowest (♦/♥) or the minors(♣/♦) assuming the former wouldn't 3♥ be a possible call?

This is a borderline call so I have no problem with either 2♣ followed with a 2NT rebid or with a direct 2NT opening