lmilne

Not sure if it counts as psyching or just bidding tactically (maybe falls under Free's definition of a 'maxi psyche'?) but if the situation is such where you are expected to be overbidding/psyching, then creating this impression with a strong hand can have a good effect. E.g. at favourable, after the auction (1♣)-1♠-(X)-? with a 4333 18-count (and a strong suspicion that partner was having a laugh, as per usual), I just bid 4♠, expecting that slam would be very unlikely and that this might look like a sacrifice. Opps had seen similar tricks before and doubled. There was unfortunately no overtrick. Another one is after something like 3♦-(X)-? with a decent hand with diamond support (but not enough to be confident of 5♦ or 3NT), psyching 3M with the intention of ripping whatever to 4♦ may create the impression of having a bad hand with diamonds, and you might get doubled in your likely making diamond contract (as making an outright psyche of 3M with some diamonds and not much else is well known here).

ITT: Flannery fanboys!

Did it make? ;)

RKC for spades, and sometimes you don't need all that space... No need to crime responder just yet for asking for keycards!

4333, sure sit it. 4432, run.

The OP is in the context of a 4-card major system, so it's theoretically possible (I think?) for partner to be 44 in the reds. Also, your hand has only 12 cards.

I find that very hard to believe! Although that's not for want of looking for the chance :) Agree with all those saying 3NT is horrible. The goal is not to describe your hand to partner, who won't play a part in the decision most of the time anyway. The goal is to a] take space away from the opponents, who have a heart game/slam on, b] deceive them as to the true nature of your hand, so they make a mistake later. I would much rather open 4♦, giving LHO one chance to bid instead of X followed by something, than 3NT, which gives LHO multiple chances to bid, as well as telling him what I have. Much prefer opening 3NT at favourable 3rd on something crazy like [hv=s=sxhakjxxxxdxxxcxx]133|100|[/hv]

I voted 4 hearts because of my three small diamonds. I'm a simple soul. At least it was born out by the results.

It might be out of place for me to suggest that players who make doubles like this and describe it as "takeout" are beyond education, so I won't. Agree that it would be frustrating if declarer had no recourse - then again, the methods will catch up with the opponents, no doubt.

Yes, agree it would solve things if declarer had asked better questions, but surely no one is going to punish declarer for asking, e.g., "just a takeout double?" and getting an affirmative answer.

inspired by a comment in a different thread: Hypothetically, I open 1♦, LHO doubles, and I end up declaring a contract after no further opposition bidding. For some reason, either my partner or I asks what the double is, and we receive the answer "takeout double". Seeing that between dummy and I, we have 28 HCP, I reach the conclusion that LHO must have the "short in diamonds, long in other suits" variety of takeout double, rather than one of the strong options. I then proceed to make some assumptions after the shape of the hand and adopt an unsuccessful line, as LHO shows up with a 2344 12 count. Personally, I wouldn't (not even hypothetically!) seek redress from this sort of situation, but would redress be available under the laws, as most players would agree that 2344 shape with 12HCP doesn't fulfil the requirement for a "takeout double"? Or is the onus upon me to find out what "takeout double" means, or something else?

what is everyone smoking? pass is pass.

4♦ is indeed a good heart raise.

[hv=d=w&v=b&s=sakxxhxxdxxxcakxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] (3♦)-3♥-(P)-?

run forrest run

Yeah, I've never psyched 2NT as an opening before, but it really seems ideal here - if partner raises you might make it, and your major suit lengths means that partner will likely either bid 3♦ or 4♦ (xfer/texas respectively) which we can happily pass and let LHO work out.

yeah, i think the counterintuitive thing is that it's hard to imagine LHO ducking, despite it being an easy play to make.

You are down to KQT98 after ruffing the 2nd round of diamonds, and LHO has AJxx. After playing King, ducked, it's QT98 vs. AJx. Now queen, he wins ace, T98 vs. Jx. He leads another diamond, you ruff, T9 vs Jx. Now ten, he wins jack and forces your last trump leaving himself with trump control.

lol yeah, duck, i don't want to go minus and it's simply playing the favourite. i bet the booklet says to try for the maximum number of tricks or something dumb...

as much as I like bidding 2♣/1♦, i'd double

I'd pass, and wouldn't feel too bad with any of those auctions really.

Try the King again, vuroth.

4♥; X. No guarantee of beating it, but seems like a good value bet.

I don't know about all these numbers, but it really comes down to: ♣Qxx/Qxxx onside (with 0-3 hearts with the club length, and no JT9♥) vs. ♣Qx (and any other shape) + Qxx (with 4+ hearts, and no JT9♥ with his partner) offside. All the other cases, clubs are 5-0 (where you are either laydown or forced to take the squeeze), 4-1 offside (forced into squeeze), 4-1 queen dropping (laydown) or club length onside with heart length (both lines work). And of the two situations where it matters, the second is clearly more likely. What is all this talk about risking the contract and going all-out for the overtrick? My line is perfect! ;)

pass? or do i need to do something outrageous in order to come dead last?