no

lol

problem is you can play in hearts, so a spade preempt loses value

Congrats on 1k.

Here's my stab at it:


Ok, looks like I had the same read as atakdog

agree with the others, heck no. I like the rule of don't open a weak 2 with a side 4 card major.

Decent chance I'll be bidding next round, though. 6-5s are just too good.

No. Your spade suit is kinda meh at these colors, and you're hiding a five card major and a void.

BTW I don't think we've seen so much unanimity on any given hand.

I open this only when I have Ekren in my system (a 2/2/2 opening that shows (among others) 5-10 HCP and at least 4-4 in the majors).

Strangely, years ago in ACBL-land, I had a friend with whom I played
Ekren until we were informed "our version" wasn't allowed.

I suppose it's small comfort to you that nobody else's version is allowed either here

In other news.... if any of you aren't getting enough of a bridge fix from this thread and your other homes, you may be interested in http://freefinesse.aimoo.com , latest in a series of homes for ex-MSN-bridge-club folks, but open to all. A low-traffic forum, but includes a few high quality posters.

AQTxxx / Jx / Axx / Ax

w/w, imps
P - (1S) - P* - (2S)
P - (P) - ??

*do you agree with pass, or are you in the 1N category (I am bidding 1N here, fwiw, but this is actually how the auction went at the table)

I like passing twice. If I had only AQTx in spades, sure I'd bid 1NT... but if I have six and RHO has five, that means I cannot take those two guaranteed-to-work finesses since partner isn't likely to have two spades.

Opener has psyched, apparently, which is odd in 2nd seat, but I don't have anywhere sensible to run now.

I like pass. Alas for you, partner did not takeout.

Double now should show your hand, right? You can probably defeat the contract all by yourself if you don't get endplayed.

Never mind, I'm an idiot. Double would be balancing. Pass and hope for the best.

seems like an interesting lead problem.

also, I imagine rather than a psyche the opener has 4 spades?

On this hand, if you pass, you are -5 IMPs, since your +250 doesn't compete with your spade game.

But I passed too, not wanting to risk partner bidding 5D over 4S

Yes, opener psyched, probably frustrated as opps were the victims of a red 4DX= on the last hand.

I don't encounter too many psyches, but I would guess that psyching second position is a bit risky long term. Third makes more sense.

Pass the first time - 10. 1NT - 3. Anything else - 1.

Pass the second time, unless you play two-way-doubles (meaning early doubles are either definitely takeout, or definitely penalty; partner can work out which, usually.)

Most likely scenario is that spades are 5-2, with LHO holding Kx and no better bid -- but 4-3 is possible too. Check their card.

With two spades and four hearts, LHO would prefer a forcing notrump (if they play it nonforcing this all makes more sense). RHO could be 5-5 with no much extra, I suppose. But even this seems wrong.

How about 5=4 opposite 2=4 in the majors. That might help explain partner's failure to reopen: he has only three hearts. remember, he has a probable spade void yet did not make would would have been a very safe passed-hand double. He has a bad hand for you in some way.

You either have no fit, far fewer than half the high cards, or both. Making any call other than pass is asking for a minus. One of your opponents has taken a position; that position is wrong. Unfortunately, you can only punish them 50 points at a time -- this time.

If you take offensive action, you may get to your likely eight-card diamond fit (I think partner is 0=3=5=5), but if so, do you seriously believe you can find nine tricks?

---------------

If it is a psyche (as I gather it was), then you still aren't missing a game most of the time. This time, I guess you were.

Yeah I would pass twice. You can't really do anything about this, but it's a losing gamble from your opponents. You're out 5 imps this time but you're winning imps on average versus that psyche.

You can so easily be up against J9xxx AK9x Kx Qx opposite Kx Txxx QJx J9xx, meaning partner holds -- Qxx T9xxx KTxxx. If you get involved, you play clubs. If you don't, they play spades. Easy choice.

Yeah sure I think it's 100% pass after 2S. I definitely am not taking a bid there. Just thought it was an interesting spot.

The 1N I'm less convinced is a bad bid, but I like pass too. At r/w, I'm more inclined to bid there, actually. Partner is unpassed, and we've identified the HCP (assuming no psyche). I define my hand moderately well in 1 bid and give us the opportunity to reach 3N.

Unless the spade spots are quite good, I think you're pretty light for 1NT. I believe only the best 15 counts should overcall 1NT (the usual range should be 16-18). You are not terribly happy if you're passed, and the most likely auctions involve a transfer to hearts. If you switch the red suits, maybe -- but that doubleton heart is the flaw that settles it. If partner is 1=5 or 1=6 in the majors, you are playing in hearts,a and almost regardless how strong he is, the contract will be too high. If partner has two hearts youmay suffer spade ruffs; if he zero you are going to be stuck for tricks.

I just don't see any good coming from a 1NT overcall unless partner has a miracle fit for you.

Is this hand too weak to go for slam in IMPs?

r/r, partner deals and opens 1 (playing 2/1)

K Q 3 2
A Q T 9 4
K 9 5
8

RHO overcalls 2. I know we have game, but is it prudent to search for vulnerable slam?

In my system, 4 is still a splinter, showing a singleton club, 4 spades and 12-15 HCP, which is exactly what I have.
If partner can't find a 4 cue bid over that, I stop in 4. Over 4 I'll bid 4, and will go to slam.

Rule of thump re trying for slam: If a perfect minimum would make it cold, it is worth looking for.

AJxxx
x
AQJx
xxx

Splinter in clubs, as fab said.

If 4C is ambiguous or undiscussed, play it safe and bid 3H here. Over 3S, you can cuebid 4C, looking for the diamond ace. Over a cuebid, obviously you'll keep cuebidding, and over 4S partner has more than a minimum, so I'd bid 4N here.

RHO made a vulnerable heart overcall, and you have AQTxx in hearts; he must have values somewhere, so even when partner shows up with the wrong keycards, partner will know how to play it, and your DK looks to be well-positioned. Unless we're off two keys, this is probably being played in 6. (or on the sequence 3H-3S-4C-4S, blech)