Pict

But if partner fails to announce (as some of mine do) and RHO says 'how strong is the 1NT' - as they invariably do, now I am in the clear?

The only time I recall putting a ? against a club score is when the score and the contract and the vulnerability didn't match (ie incoherence). The rest of the judgments here are (IMO) just possibly relevant, more often self-congratulatory, but don't particularly match the OP. I would have thought the obvious next step from the OP would be to consult the players who conceded the 'unlikely' score. Consulting people who have once had a similar lucky experience seems to me completely pointless. Sitting around chewing the fat about your own (as TD) miraculous scores, seems insulting to the players who approached you.

So, the play period has irrevocably begun (because the lead is faced) and you, Campboy are Dummy. Declarer says (before you 'spread' your hand) - hold on a minute there Dummy. And you say/do?

Well that closes a number of threads, past and future, Campboy.

Not sure Dummy mostly exists in a legal sense, so Nigel's attempt to divide and rule properly failed. The question is, can Declarer delay showing dummy? Who knows or cares. Since tournaments have policies about speed etc, just call the TD.

I suppose the complainants (from the information given) complained that: a. The contract was unreachable in a normal auction b. If reached, was unmakeable by normal play It was the combination of two highly improbable events that attracted their attention and complaint. We have recently seen obsessive discussion on this general theme. So I don't understand the pretended mystification of posters so far.

I suppose then the interesting question is how much change or improvement the hand needs to move from NV opening to V opening. I guess it's a given that moving the AQ from diamonds to spades makes it 100% opening for everyone(?). Where is the border line for 50% of players.

Yes at MPs and I thought 50% would open. Rule of 19 hand. If I can legally open, I do.

I was thinking in a more everyday sense, where I will inevitably look frequently at the bids on the table. However this is, perhaps, not the point of the post - so I will desist, though there is a slight risk here of being blown on to BLML territory of reasoning so (over?)refined as to be impractical at the table.

I understand that. However, we know that UI exists to some tiny or small extent in many circumstances. From a common sense view point, the presence of my bid on the table seems so ovewhelming as to allow me to use that information.

'De minimis'. Once I look at my bid cards, the reason I looked should be disregarded. I have a very natural AI that outweighs the UI, and I live with my error in the remaining auction.

Perhaps 'I finessed the Queen and it lost'.

Interesting thread. My experience is that nowadays it is hard to preempt oppos at almost any level - everyone wants their bid in the Sun. It can be easier to preempt partner when 1st and it is your hand. So I still think 2 (if in range), maybe 1 (could be better) will work better than 3 in the real world.

I would double (why not?. I can play for +IMPs can't I.) but I would pass after the hesitation, because pass is a valid alternative for the reasons given by other posters.

I'd be worried after 3NT and 4H that I had hidden an important aspect of my hand. I woud rather bid 4C as good. good clubs.

I play 6-10 points so this is much too good for 2♠ Nigel What does a suitable ten count look like?

Looks like agreement and taste. I play 6-10 points so this is 2S. If I played n-m where m is less than ten, then 1S rather than 3S.

2S but ready to apologise because I don't think partner will make allowance for this hand when it matters.

Cash - 8 or 10, probably beats more opponents. But I'll never be a great MP player and would duck.

It's not a poll, but another vote for 4H.

Just said I saw the point without sympathy. Rule as you please. Someone commented on lack of TD calls on play rather than bidding. Careful what you wish for.

I see the point but without sympathy. OP can't be bothered when the opponents play a different set of agreements - commonplace and not complicated. Then much later he blah blah. If I had been OP I'd have taken my licks.

Who knows the answers, but the votes are clear.

3C - natural and values. I didn't bid first time, so I do now.

Pass, expecting (hoping) they make loads of tricks elsewhere.