Walddk

Come to think of it a little deeper, I agree with jdonn. I like 4♣ better than 4♥. - 1. Partner could have 5 hearts and 4+ clubs. - 2. Partner could have 5 hearts and 4+ diamonds. - 3. If he rebids hearts, I am happy too. Roland

I think a problem hand like this should have vulnerability and scoring format. Vulnerable at IMPs I think 4♥ is clear; I am not sure what I will do at MP (pass is now an option), or non-vul at IMPs. In the latter instance I would likely also raise to 4♥, first of all because it's unlikely that we will have exactly 9 tricks available. Roland

Spot on, and that does not only apply to a weak NT. An escape method that will not allow you to play 1NT doubled is not worth playing in my opinion. Personally I prefer Meckwell, but other methods are also playable. Roland

Playing for the drop is a legitimate chance, hoping that LHO follows small from Qxx or longer if you lead a low card is a psychological chance. How can you ever compare the two? It's like asking how far there is from Budapest on horseback compared to the distance between Budapest and Vienna. It makes no sense. Sorry if this sounds rude, but cashing AK is the only percentage action. You can't put percentages on psychology. Roland

Nine losers, moth-eaten suit, 2nd seat vul against not: clear pass. Those who open 2♥ only remember the first part they were taught. 6 cards, 6-10 hcp. Don't forget to look at vulnerability, suit quality and position. Roland

3NT which can be anything when you know partner must pass on his first turn. It would be much harder if I had a 17 count. Roland

This may seem strange, but I pass although I'm confident that we can make 6♥. I think LHO will take another call, and then I come back with 6♥. If I raise immediately, I fear that they will save. They are unlikely to do that if I walk the dog first. 7mi must be extremely cheap against our slam. I want them to bid 6 but not 7, so I think my best approach is to pass now. Yes, it's a gamble, but even if LHO passes, it may turn out to be profitable. 6mi might only be 1 down, and on a good day it makes! Roland

This is basically how it works as far as vugraph commentators are concerned. Most people are invited, but we also leave the door open for applicants. Some are accepted, some are not. It's not always an easy task to judge, but when in doubt we give most applicants a chance or two. That procedure has been working quite well (imo) for about 7 years. Roland

I share that view. Generally speaking I wouldn't mind if there is a sub-forum for experts, but my biggest concern is that you are going to hurt some people's feelings. Who is going to determine who is qualified to post and who is not? And on what grounds? It's an impossible task really, and there is no doubt in my mind that you will include some who should not be there and exclude others who should. Just like the *Star* you see or don't see in user profiles. Roland

Why is Swiss not fair when there is not enough time to play against all other 45 teams? Roland

3♥ is normal (although some would open 1 or 4♥), 3NT is normal, pass is normal and down 3 is normal. Your partner found the winning call. I congratulate her. She would likely have made 6♦ too if she had been in it. Roland

I don't think so. Over 2♠ pass pass, East will surely balance with 2NT. I don't think it's so sure. He is vul against not, and with Qx of spades. Common logic is it doesn't matter that his hand is good since it usually means his partner is broke. He also has the wrong shape in the minors. I could easily imagine someone passing it out. I mean other than a 15 count it's nothing but negative factors. (Of course having 15 is a very positive factor when partner has 13, but he can't know that!) You may well be right that it's not that obvious for East to balance at these colours. However, that doesn't take anything away from the psychic 2♣ (game-forcing!). It's poetry in motion ... when it works! Roland

Curious. With one point, white vs. red, and partner opening 2♠, I would have guessed that 3♠ was automatic. Maybe even 4♠. True, but this is opposite 1♠ where opener most of the time has five cards. If you volunteer to jump to the 3-level, you want to be sure that you have at least nine trumps between you. Roland

I don't think so. Over 2♠ pass pass, East will surely balance with 2NT. Whether that will lead to game or not, I don't know, but West must be tempted with a good hand and fit for both minors. And no-one would bid 3♠ with a weak hand and only three spades. Roland

http://tinyurl.com/d9jd3r Only 4 of the 16 players in the North seat opened, so you may call that a psyche too if you like (it's obviously not!). Roland

In another thread it is debated whether a 2NT call by responder over a weak two is a pysche or not (I don't think it is). From an expert game on BBO the other day, Peter Bertheau of Sweden showed what a psyche is. [hv=d=n&v=e&n=saj943ha103dq5c932&w=sk82h5dak92cqj1087&e=sq7hkqdj10864cak64&s=s1065hj987642d73c5]399|300|Scoring: XIMP[/hv] 1♠ pass 2♣! pass 2♠ pass 4♠! all pass 'he he, thx' was what he got from partner Marion Michielsen when he tabled his cards. No comment from E-W. Next case. Just as well that Marion and Peter were not playing in certain BBO tourneys. They would have been barred for life. Inspiration, imagination, luck (you name it). They got lucky, but as far as I know, there is nothing in the bridge laws that prevents you from being lucky. Roland

I can envisage the danger of playing on 5-3 in spades: the hearts are dead, and then it takes a lot of strength in partner's hand to make a high spade contract. In hearts, however, your hand is alive regardless of the 'support' you find. Roland

Easy 4♥ for me. 3♥ is not enough at these colours although it may be the textbook bid. Roland

Who jumped? You can't bid fewer NT's than 3 over 3♥. 3NT can be most any hand (wide-ranging), so I pass. Roland

Hamdi, you get a yellow card for ... 1. Playing Capp. 2. Ignoring 1. 3. Bidding 2♣ with that hand. Roland P.S. OleBerg forgot to add æøåäö&%¤¤¤!, which translates to "Among the silly bids I have encountered since 1954, this has got to win first prize". ;)

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=s85hj954d1096cq1072&s=s9hak87dakqj52ca4]133|200|Scoring: IMP S: 5D Lead: SK[/hv] From the Hungarian Teams Championships on vugraph yesterday. As South you are in a delicate 5♦ on this auction: 2♣ 2♠ double* 4♠ 5♦ all pass * 0-1 control. West leads ♠K and continues with a spade to East's ace. If you ruff high and cash one top diamond, both opponents follow. Plan the play. Roland

I blame West for not reading the chapter in the textbook where it's stated that you do not lead low from an ace against a suit contract. Since East did read it, you can't blame her for inserting the 9. Roland

Are you sure? I have looked it up now, and I see it as a second seat 2♠ bid, NV against Vul. You were in first seat and passed. Roland

No, it's your view. If you had been interested in their specific range, you could have asked. It has nothing to do with Multi, and it is not a psyche. Roland

Til lykke med fødselsdagen! The online vugraph spectators miss your brilliant commentary. Perhaps you can find some time before your next birthday :) Roland