rd6789

I would play 3D = splinter, say Axxx/AKxxx/x/Kxx - so 2D here

Having opened 1D I think 3D now is best as jump-raising on 3-card support is always dodgy and it looks too strong for 2C To open 1NT instead of 1D has appeal,

ditto Having been originally for a pass I have come to admit this is very pessimistic, perhaps overly so, but as on the actual hand (and many others I suspect) it is ok so I do no think it is fair to say it is from another planet! but I must agree 3S is bad evalaution because often partner will have no choice but to raise on Hx, where he has 5hearts and no D stop - say Kx,AKxxx,xx,Axxx and to raise hearts with onyl 2 small and a D stop risks us gettign to 4H in only a 5-2 fit when 3NT was the spot so for me 3NT is the bid - as rho hasn't raised D we expect p to have 2 or 3 so we can isolate the preemter by ducking a round - and now we only have to make 9 tricks not 10 and may manage 9 tricks when 4H is hopeless on a bad break - that is the logic for not raising hearts

1♠ - X and we probably miss a 5-3 spade fit - I know we risk missing a 4-4 heart fit but that might come to light later if p is good

Can you list a couple of sample hands that are a clear 3S bid? I would say a hand with a good 5 card spade suit (as partner may have to support on Hx) , no diamond stop (with that bid 3NT), no primary heart support and 10 or so points, so KQxxx/Jx/xx/Axxx or even Kxxxxx/Jx/xx/Axx if that is too weak for a 2S opener in your style

I would play D to K, then Club (high to avoid blockage) - if E wins this then I am back to the D finesse for 9 tricks - if W wins and leads another D I win with the A and play a H.

at least those of us that passed aren't feeling too embarrassed yes good problem

Should be t/o - if p wants to play in 2HX he'll have to hope you'll reopen - possible shapes would be 6133, or 5044 5134 with good spades If there is no heart raise I will wonder what is going on

XX - rho has loads of spades to pass at the 1 level

If your minimum for 3♠ is 4 or fewer HCP then you have 3♠ and 4♠ (and 4♥) I suppose to cover all ranges. I think this will cause inefficiencies. Yes I agree. That's why opps bid :) Now I'll bid 4S on a lot of hands where before I'd have bid a bergen. But my priority in competeive bidding is to show the fit With a good raise to 4S I bid 4H

yes me too as I have said - I expect p to have say AQx/AQxxxx/xx/xx At love all there is less need to big thin games - if rho X's 4H and it goes 3 off I turn -100 into -500 whereas if I bring back 170 to -420 that is less bad say p has AQx/AQxxxx/xx/xx then rho has KJx/KJxx/xx/Axxx will X 4H I expect Is the full hand out there somewhere?

my point exactly the KD probable useless and AQJ clubs only 2 tricks - more like a 14 count

I play this as showing good 4 card support of partners major and 5 good diamonds or good 3 card support of partner;s major and 6 good diamonds. 3C from partner asks which hand I have, 3D=3/6 3M=4/5

I think that's for agreement - personally my priority here is to tell p I have 4 spades - if he/she has 6 then I expect a 4S bid - I don't know whose hand it is or what the result will be but with a 10-card fit I want to be in 4S. With a better hand with only 5 spades p will know I am under pressure

X...5C - any reason p cant have a boring 3343 12 count

Yep, that sums it up

3nt or 4S only sensible choices and I see you have right sided it for 4S (well done) - but 3NT for me - hope for 9 qucik tricks - 4S might be horrible if they break badly

I don't like this hand - the spades are so weak and if we play in H and they lead a D I don't have many entries left so my clubs may not be that useful. rho reckons to have spade and heart honours over my partner. If p had a good hand with a good H suit she/he could have bid 4S. pass.

I think N and W have bid their hands impeccibly - I am right that E passed 3H - and didn't X - LOL - but then S bid 4H which is awful overbid.

Well as east I am always bidding 3S -we have a 9-card fit so I want to play at the 3-level As west I am always bidding 4S if partner passes - you are 6-5, not a hand to defend with! So assign the blame - both , roughly equal

pass can't be forcing as we've only shown values for the 3 level. I would say the X showed a hand with good defensive potential, not much in hearts and probably short spades - say xx/xxxx/Axxx/AKx - but this isn't a bid I woudl make at teams very often! So east's bid is nuts with the hand he/she had. West has a tough choice - I can't say I blame the pass - AH and KD look good and QC

me too - I have 6 tricks (all being well) and its unlikely lho will X for penalties as he/she won't have great hearts and doesn't know what partner's other suit is - and very unlikely partner will be X'ing for t/o :)

imho the best time to pysche is early in a teams match (esp v opps you dont know that well). The gains at teams are greater, eg if you talk them out of a vul game/slam that may win you the match, and even if it backfires you may unsettle opps who won't be certain about your bids for the rest of the match. In the long run in your local area you want a reputation that you pysche without actually psyching that much if at all. And remembr, if you psyche too much you'll lose partners.

ridiculous hand - all my gadgets only work on 8-5's ;) - so I'll try 6H

3NT - all those points in the black suits...