pooltuna

definitely looks like a high variance hand to me anything from pass to 4♥ could work out. Anything less than 3♥ has the potential to cost big(i.e. a game) and 3♥ isn't all that safe.

I think the tank projects that hitting partner's long suit lead probably won't work otherwise he wouldn't have a reason to tank ergo a ♠ lead is suggested or a passive ♣ lead.

gnasher knows the law well enough so even if you did not understand, you can trust that what he said is true. I am not questioning his knowledge of the law in fact I would defer in most if not all situations but I disagree with his assessment of what the UI suggests.

So if I understand you correctly if you make a lead and it successfully defeats the contract, the opponents scream to the director for score rectification and you are SCREWED because no matter what lead you choose the opponents can scream if it is successful. This is also known as a lose/lose (aka double shot) situation. This strikes me as most unfair so maybe I should just shuffle my cards and blindly pick one but this doesn't strike me as bridge. But I repeat (you said this worked right) IMO there is no lead suggested by the UI.

You're supposed to - Decide whether you have UI - If you have, decide what the logical alternatives are - Decide whether the UI demonstrably suggests one logical alternative over another - If it does, choose a logical alternative which wasn't suggested over any another Really? So what could partner have been thinking about, other than a lead-directing double? And if he was thinking of doubling for a particular lead, which suit is it most likely that he wanted? 1] KQJ9x Axxx Axx x he wanted a ♠ lead 2] Axx KQJTx xx Ax he wanted a ♥ lead 3] Axx Axxs KQJT9 x he wanted a ♦ lead 4] maybe he didn't care what you led but thought he could set it anyway 5] maybe he didn't realize it was his bid for 30 seconds The point is, if you have no lead agreements, to assume a double after a hesitation means lead ♥s is IMO absurd.

The trance might be irrelevant to your opinion of what the right lead is, but it's very relevant for determining what the rules allow you to do. If partner's trance suggests a heart lead over a club lead, it is illegal for you to lead a heart. That applies regardless of whether you already knew what you planned to lead. This is a point that many miss. They feel that a ruling against a call or play they 'would have made without the UI' is a finding that they acted unethically. The ruling is made without ANY imputation of improper motive. It can be difficult to accept that as an individual but it is central to the application of the laws. so what are you supposed to do? Maybe turn your cards face down and shuffle them up so you have no clue which card is which and then blindly pick one for a lead? IMO if you have no lead agreements for a double then the trance conveys no useful UI so track the 9♥. If however you have an agreement do not lead that suit and lead the J♣ instead. If partner by hesitating has constrained your play you need to alter your tactics to something that makes sense and a passive ♣ lead makes the most sense.

why should they go down when we can? :)

gut reaction is to put up the Q

I can certain testify to this. I was riding down a street that should have only had one lane each way with a parking lane instead of the actual 2 lanes plus the parking lane whan I ran into the bicyclist's nightmare. Just as I rode up to a parked pickup, the driver (I didn't see him) opened his door and I apparently chose to try and go around where an SUV did not have room to avoid me (this was video taped from a small convenience grocery store). I say "apparently" because one of the consequences besides the 3 broken ribs, broken scapula, and skull fracture was brain trauma amnesia. Translated that means I have no memory of the accident or the following week spent in the ICU. I did eventually escape the hospital after a 2 month stay. I didn't used to wear a helmet. I now encourage anyone riding a bike to wear one. Bottom line you may be tough but you ain't as tough as a car :(

Double If you are dealer I pass.

since I have to guess I guess as cheap as I can 4♠...oh wait the opponents transferred :(

The strategy ought to be to release the first double stopper(we have 3 at this point) in a suit we have the least amount of worry about...♥ that way we get to the board and lead a ♣ to the K and return another covering LHO's card. Now if ♥s are 5-1 RHO will probably be out and unable to continue.

win the ♣, A♦, ruff a ♣, draw trumps, A♥, finally low ♥ to the T looks to provide the maximum chance to make.

This is usually a suit quality issue. J65432 vs Q7 I wouldn't like my chances but AKT432 opposite Q5 rates to only require 3 side suit tricks.

given the strength of your hand a XX to play is a possiblity.

aha!!! PROOF! Now I know who gave me this hole in my fin when I used to live in a barrel :)

4♠ is auto provided "normal weak 2" means a partner who respects the colors and the scoring method

not sure what the meta agreements should be for this. Looks like partner has a ♠ or ♥ problem but he still made a slam try. I will risk trusting the opps to have a 10 card fit and assume partner has 2 low ♠s -- 6♦

I think this joke has gone over my head. me too! I thought partner had at min, distribution 4xy5 not that 3xy6 is ruled out 100% but is stepping lightly if so.

p = I have a side 6+ card ♦ suit with real good spots xx = I have a side 4+ card ♦ suit and I like playing hands with a 5-1 trump break 3S = I found an xtra A and should have really called 2NT at my first opportunity 3NT = I found an xtra A mixed in with my ♥, the other was a small ♦ so I only have 2♥ 4C = I am a Bedlam Bridge Club regular 4D = see 4C or I found an xtra ♥ mixed in with my ♦ 4H = The ♦ call improved my hand to GF others 3♥ = this is where we belong IMO 4NT = I found both my ♦ were actually ♥ so respond exclusion :)

I agree, underlining is waaaaaaaaaaaay better! almost as good as using color

sorry but I try to save my suicidal urges for better hands :)

Yeah..me too...we do have 7 of them. It's not that we have 7 of them that counts but that with a modicum of fit we have a good shot of producing 7 tricks in 3NT when partner goes what for us will feel like overboard

The hand is the right strength. I guess it is just a general anathema to call 1NT with a 6 card minor if you can avoid it.

I didn't know you were a regular at the Bedlam Bridge Club :lol: