bucky

No, by design, the main goal of the "weak" 3m ovecall is a preemptive strike before LHO finds out about RHO's real major suit. Granovetters gave an example of overcalling with KQJxxx of clubs and out, bought the contract (and making), while opponents missed their game in 11-card major fit. Not really. A direct 3M overcall is still natural and strong. But yes, I agree there can be problems when you hold a fairly strong hand with 5-card major suit.

Before the invention of RKC, you indeed need a bit to ask trump quality. Nowadays the need is not as pressing.

And the only time a diamond lead causes problem, is when the leader cleverly underleads from the ace.

The contract is virtually cold on 3-2 trump break.

Well I think the problem lies with selecting a "random expert" partner, and assuming BBO-expert = expert.

If you cannot decide after partner told you detailed keycard information, you must've bid wrong in earlier rounds. Actually it took me a while to realize 4♣ was keycard asking, which I would never have thought of...

BTW, getting to 4♦ down 1 is surely a disaster, it costs same imps as missing a non-vulnerable game. Same is true if we get to 5♦ going down.

Pass. This one is really easy. My hand is not strong enough to want to contract for 11 tricks in diamonds. 3NT is a possibility, but even if it is right, I have no way to find out (and get partner to declare) below 3NT.

Then maybe partner does have good hand and shape. In any case, X is not penalty, and it should imply secondary club suit (and at least 6 spades).

I would say that double certainly brings clubs into picture, the doubler should have at least 11 cards in black suits. What system does opponents play? Does 2♦ set up a game force?

If you are ever going to get a positive response, isn't it much more likely in a major than in ♣? And if you do get positive ♣ response (which typically shows 6+ in addition to top honors), isn't slam in clubs usually better than in diamonds?

Is the panel supposed to make a call or make a blame?

Do you remember vulnerability though?

The standard meaning of 2♠ here would be spades. I suppose 2m followed by 2NT could show 4-6/6-4 shape in minors. 2N would be 5-5 or better in the minors. I don't have 2♥ defined, maybe it can be used to show spades + minor.

1) With only 2 cards in the majors, "preempting opponents" comes to my mind. I would bid 3♣ and then pass throughout with clear conscience. 2) Tough guess. I'm guessing 5♦ but won't be surprised if it is wrong.

Do not trust bidding or play from any of self-described experts without a star. The guideline says an expert is "someone who has enjoyed success in major national tournaments", and if his level fits the definition, don't you think he would have already earned a star status? If one cannot even be honest with his level, what else can be trusted?

I am fairly new, so just curious: what is new on the public poll in this new forum, compared with the poll in old forum?

I don't know where the notion of responding to take-out double up-the-line comes from, I can only guess this is due to confusion with responding to an opening bid. The difference is that, when you have 4-4 in majors and respond 1♥, opener can still bid 1♠ with a minimum hand, but this is not true for the doubler to bid a new suit.

FWIW, I think pass here would be penalty, showing a hand that would have passed partner's double, had RHO not rewinded.

I don't think partner cares for clubs, or he would have doubled right after 1NT. 3♦ seems quite clear. I would want to have longer and stronger clubs to bid 2NT here.

Clearly 3NT. Why would I assume that partner doesn't have good stoppers in hearts?

What about 5-5 in majors and weak hand? You don't start with garbage stayman?

For pairs that play forcing pass in this sequence (I don't), you can pass then pull to 5♠.

As usual, a really bad result comes from imperfect bidding by both. I wouldn't have passed 4♥ with south hand, and I wouldn't have doubled with north hand after the forcing pass.

Does partner's double promise at least 3 spades? What would he do with 2425 shape?