[kenrexford]

First, a set up. All white. I'm in second seat. LHO is a solid 100-yr-old player who is VERY proper. She wondered whether playing the King under the Ace with KQJ in hand was allowed as a falsecard. RHO is a goofy savant who is capable of brilliance or insanity, as provoked. Every time I play against RHO, I provoke.

Anyway, their problem:

My RHO opens 2♣, strong. He does not have a 2♣ opening, but he does anyway:

♠Kxx ♥K ♦AKJxx ♣KQJx

The auction for him:

2♣-4♦-4♥-P-
???

If you want to give him a real hand, but with this same shape, do so. Maybe AKJx in clubs? Maybe AKQx? Maybe KQx in spades with AKJx in clubs?

Now for Responder's problem:

2♣-4♦-?

♠QJxxx ♥Q109xx ♦-- ♣xxx

In the end, RHO went into the stratosphere, launching out with an immediate 6NT!?!?! 2♣-4♦-4♥-P-6NT-P-P-X-all pass. That was insanity.

However, we discussed (at the next table) how this should actually be bid (asuming that RHO actually had his bid).

LHO of course found 6NT senseless, and at 100 years of age she has little tolerance for this sort of nonsense. She made this well known, with my strong endorsement, through tears, of her assessment. RHO thought she should bid 4♠, which happens to work (if he passes -- 7♠ fails fairly easily as well), but I think 4♥ is a decent call. My partner suggested 5♦, which is probably the right call, but LHO would never make that call (too proper for cuebids).

I had ♠x ♥Jxx ♦Q109xxxx ♣A10. Agree 4♦?

Lead against 6NTX? I opted a small heart, which worked as well as anything.

[dicklont]

RHO must feel something like this:

Well, when youre sitting there
In your silk upholstered chair
Talking to some rich folks that you know
Well I hope you won't see me
In my ragged company
You know I could never be alone

Take me down little (susie) kennie, take me down
I know you think you're the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers by the mail
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
And I won't forget to put roses on your grave

Can't argue with this hughe succes.
I think I would have bid 3♦ though, but I admire those who preempt higher and give the oppononts a real problem.