lrussell

6♣ is my call which will make more often than 6♠

Unlikely but I might beat 5D when partner has KQJ10xxx xxx 10 xx or be unable to beat 6D when partner has KQJ10xxxx xxx - xx Partner has forced them to guess at the 5 level. I'm not going to rescue them or push them to a making slam. -600 or -620 won't score all that badly compared with -500 in 5S doubled. (minus 3 imps - no big deal)

5♣ lead directing and taking up space.

Well I'm just saying we should at least be alive to the possibility of a psyche.

I smell a rodent. LH0=15-17 Partner 15-18 I have 8. They have a bunch of cards in the minors but RHO didn't run. What gives? Regardless if everyone is honest RHO has nothing and I expect to make 4S about 80-90% of the time. To better that score I'm going to have to beat 1NT 4 tricks. Partner is unlikely to lead spades so might easily give up a trick on the go so +300 or +500 in 1NT-X would not be unexpected. What if LHO with a legit 1NT runs to 2D with 5 of them and hits his partner with 5 diamonds as well. My partner with xx diamonds passes and RHO ups the ante with 5D. They found their sacrifice. A 4S bid would prevent this from happening. To my way of thinking the safe conservative bid here at Imps is 4S. I might be passing up 800 or 1100 for 620. Que sera sera. If something is rotten (which can't be ruled out), and LHO has psyched 1NT and I pass the double LHO might bid 4NT (pick a minor) or 5D. Where am I now if I pass?

And when he does I guess it's his fault!

1. I bid 2♦ instead of 1NT 2. After bidding 1NT I compete with 2♠ not 3♦. If I am going to play in a 4-3 I'd rather do so at the 2 level in spades and take the heart tap in the hand with 3 trumps. Also it is more tempting for the opponents to compete with 3♥ over 2♠ than over 3♦ 3. After bidding 1NT and 3♦ I double 3♥. This is MP, they are vul and on a 8 card fit, we probably have the majority of the HCP. +200 will be a top. I ran a DealMaster simulation and 3♥ is going down about 70% of the time. I'll trade 7 tops for 3 bottoms any day.

Playing the ♥Q from dummy at trick 1 would be a mistake when West has ♠x ♥10xxxxx ♦K109x ♣Jx Good hand.