[manudude03]

Scoring: MP

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First question: Do you open 1D or 2C?

2. When you open 1D, it goes:

1D-1H
4C (agree?)-4H

Do you push on (4NT?)

3. If you bid 4NT, partner replies 5D (1 key card), 5H or 6H?

[mtvesuvius]

I play 1430 here... also I play Kickback... Problem solved.

Technically I could abstain, but since I would be in this problem with a few of my partners, I'll try 6♥.

[Codo]

I open 1 ♦
I rebid 4♦
I try 4 NT (4130)

Beiing in your position, I would bid 5 Heart.

[Echognome]

I think your third question shows why 4NT is not a good way to go. I agree with the 1♦ opening and the 4♣ splinter. I will make another slam try with 4♠ and bid 5♦ if partner bids 5♣. I will respect a sign-off by partner in 5♥ over either of those.

[whereagles]

Both 5♥ (if asking for trump help) or 4NT + ask for queen (in Kantar RKCB style) should work fine.

[Codo]

Maybe partner should be alert enough to bid 6 Heart over 5 Heart anyway.

I know, this is a big no no to go on after partner signed off.

But: Partner made a game forcing splinter, I signed off. He insisted in KCs and I showed one. He signed off in 5 Heart.

I cannot think that he really expects me to have two key cards from me after the sign off.
So with a KC and the queen of hearts, partner should bid 6 Heart anyway, shouldn't he?

[kenrexford]

Open 1♦, because I cannot handle 2♣-2♦-3♦-3♠.

Then, 4♣ works.

I'd pass 4♥, though. Partner should bid 4♦ LTTC with hands that fit for slam, IMO.

FWIW, and as an aside. This is a hand pattern helped by a Swedish-type 2-way strong opening structure. If using a version of that which I worked up myself, I'd open 2♣, presumably hear a 2♦ positive, and bid 2♠ to show a heart-minor canape (probably). That way, finding the 4-4 heart fit is automatic, with partner able to bid 3♣+ as cues. Had we held no heart fit, 2NT asks for my minor, and I'd be able to bid 3♠ to show a spade fragment and diamonds, completing my emtire pattern. A spade fit is also found this way.

[jdonn]

1♦, then 4♣, then 4♠. Second choice on the third round is 5♥ but what if partner's hand is ace of clubs and queen of hearts? Also I wouldn't consider passing 4♥ insane since it could be our limit, but I think slam is too likely.

Over 4♥, please not keycard or 6♥!!! 6♥ is just insane, keycard keeps you from asking about the trump queen (although if playing 1430 it's more reasonable).

[manudude03]

If you cue 4S, you will hear 5C from partner.

[jdonn]

manudude03, on May 8 2009, 10:19 AM, said:

If you cue 4S, you will hear 5C from partner.

I bid 5♦ and he bids slam with the queen of hearts (if I needed the ace of clubs and king of hearts specifically I could have bid keycard.) True Qxxx isn't much of a slam, but he could have 5 hearts or the jack as well.

[mikeh]

I am with josh, altho I would hope that partner will not bid the slam with Qxxx in hearts... I would expect QJxx....or Kxxx or almost any 5 card suit.

BTW, for those thinking keycard: consider this: if keycard is correct over 4♥, why wasn't it correct over 1♥? I consider keycard to be a huge mistake, altho less so if you play either 1430 or kickback (where 4♠ is keycard and 4N becomes a spade cue).

Note that even playing 1430, you get to slam opposite Qxxx: now, josh is ok with that (as a worst case scenario) while I am not... but who knows? We both choose the same bid, with slightly different expectations of partner... probably because my partners are, I suspect, older than his, on average.

[jdonn]

mikeh, on May 8 2009, 10:35 AM, said:

I am with josh, altho I would hope that partner will not bid the slam with Qxxx in hearts... I would expect QJxx....or Kxxx or almost any 5 card suit.

BTW, for those thinking keycard: consider this: if keycard is correct over 4♥, why wasn't it correct over 1♥? I consider keycard to be a huge mistake, altho less so if you play either 1430 or kickback (where 4♠ is keycard and 4N becomes a spade cue).

Note that even playing 1430, you get to slam opposite Qxxx: now, josh is ok with that (as a worst case scenario) while I am not... but who knows? We both choose the same bid, with slightly different expectations of partner... probably because my partners are, I suspect, older than his, on average.

I think my partner this weekend is 80. I win.

[mikeh]

jdonn, on May 8 2009, 10:40 AM, said:

mikeh, on May 8 2009, 10:35 AM, said:

I am with josh, altho I would hope that partner will not bid the slam with Qxxx in hearts... I would expect QJxx....or Kxxx or almost any 5 card suit.

BTW, for those thinking keycard: consider this: if keycard is correct over 4♥, why wasn't it correct over 1♥? I consider keycard to be a huge mistake, altho less so if you play either 1430 or kickback (where 4♠ is keycard and 4N becomes a spade cue).

Note that even playing 1430, you get to slam opposite Qxxx: now, josh is ok with that (as a worst case scenario) while I am not... but who knows? We both choose the same bid, with slightly different expectations of partner... probably because my partners are, I suspect, older than his, on average.

I think my partner this weekend is 80. I win.

Ha! Where I live, 80 year olds keep themselves busy by volunteering to help the old folks! In between driving their parents to medical appointments.

80! You're almost a cradle robber in my town

[Phil]

No kidding. I'm around senior citizens all the time (a lot less from now on after this week, thank god), and 80 is nothing. If you try reasonably hard to take care of yourself, and have a little luck, you'll make it into your 90's. I do notice however, that even with the spriest seniors, that once things start to go downhill for them health-wise, that they are near the end.

There are "young" octogenarians and "old octogenarians just like there are young and old 40 year olds.

[whereagles]

The great philsopher Immanuel Kant died at 80, with the brain of a 40 year-old. Just so you know

[andy_h]

mikeh, on May 9 2009, 02:35 AM, said:

I am with josh, altho I would hope that partner will not bid the slam with Qxxx in hearts... I would expect QJxx....or Kxxx or almost any 5 card suit.

With ♥Kxxx ♣A, shouldn't partner bid 4♦ last train with that?

[manudude03]

Thanks for the replies

Scoring: MPs

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I dont remember the opps hands, but East had ♦Txxxx and ♥Jx. There were a few debates after about whether or not it should be made (it does make)

[xcurt]

kenrexford, on May 8 2009, 07:26 AM, said:

Open 1♦, because I cannot handle 2♣-2♦-3♦-3♠.

Surely you of all people would be playing 2♣-2♦; 3♥ shows diamond canape.

[mike777]

manudude03, on May 7 2009, 06:02 PM, said:

Scoring: MP

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First question: Do you open 1D or 2C?

2. When you open 1D, it goes:

1D-1H
4C (agree?)-4H

Do you push on (4NT?)

3. If you bid 4NT, partner replies 5D (1 key card), 5H or 6H?

over 4h I bid 4s 0314 kickback...
If that is banned then I bid 5h over 4h.

[kenrexford]

xcurt, on May 10 2009, 10:04 PM, said:

kenrexford, on May 8 2009, 07:26 AM, said:

Open 1♦, because I cannot handle 2♣-2♦-3♦-3♠.

Surely you of all people would be playing 2♣-2♦; 3♥ shows diamond canape.

True, if that was on the card. I suppose 4351/4360 is more problematic in that event.