[pescetom]

It's not all Litmus, but the Dealer machine keeps shooting out interesting boards and the Friday night tournament is always lively.

MP

---

Your call and agreements here?

[DavidKok]

My somewhat simple methods:

• Pass: any weak hand.
  
• Double: values, no fit, no good bid.
  
• 2NT: Invitational(+) heart raise.
  
• 3♣: GF, 5(+)♣, no heart fit.
  
• 3♦: GF, 5(+)♦, no heart fit.
  
• 3♥: Competitive heart raise (approx 6-9 HCP).
  
• 3♠: Spade splinter for hearts.
  
• 3NT: To play.
  
• 4♣: Fitbid (decent 5(+)♣, 4(+)♥, enough offence to force to game).
  
• 4♦: Fitbid (decent 5(+)♦, 4(+)♥, enough offence to force to game).
  
• 4♥: Weak, to play.

Here I would bid 3♠, though I know some would prefer 2NT. It depends on how you value the singleton ace of spades in anticipation of their raise to 4 - is it offensive because it is a singleton, or defensive because it is the trump ace? Either way I think this is less likely than normal as East is a passed hand.

I have previously also played Rubensohl here, but for now the above is plenty.

[mike777]

4 Spades kickback for hearts.
First thought was 3S but worried east will bid 4S.

I would add this hand is a rock crusher. 6 loser but adjust .5 for controls, adjust 1.0 for 10 card h fit=adjusted 4.5 loser hand.

[mike777]

Hmm positions changed
Worried East will bid 4S.
😊

[thepossum]

3 spades
either than or double or 4 hearts

Is 3 hearts forcing?

[pescetom]

 thepossum, on 2024-October-27, 04:33, said:

Is 3 hearts forcing?

Your choice of methods.
Mine are identical to Davidkok (except for the fitbids) and 3 hearts is the only non forcing raise.

[pescetom]

---

[mike777]

South hand is huge if pard has short spades, I don't know yet.

Easy 4C now
If North cues 4D
South will rebid 4H giving up captaincy.

[DavidKok]

South is definitely worth a slam try. All suits are controlled, the hearts are amazing, the king of clubs is working. The main question is whether South should try forcing to slam (with some asking for controls and key cards) or merely show enthusiasm but leave the decision to North. Either way let's start with 4♣, a serious slam try showing a club control.

[pescetom]

 DavidKok, on 2024-October-27, 11:25, said:

South is definitely worth a slam try. All suits are controlled, the hearts are amazing, the king of clubs is working. The main question is whether South should try forcing to slam (with some asking for controls and key cards) or merely show enthusiasm but leave the decision to North. Either way let's start with 4♣, a serious slam try showing a club control.

I too would bid 4♣ although for me it shows at least mild slam interest rather than promising strong interest (how do we distinguish?).
Is there someone who would not bid 4♣clubs here? I can well imagine yes.

[mike777]

Fair enough comment.
I would ask those who do not try for slam with the South hand

"Why do you believe the South hand is not worth a serious slam
try?"

First let's discuss the basis of belief..
😊

[pescetom]

 mike777, on 2024-October-27, 15:07, said:

Fair enough comment.
I would ask those who do not try for slam with the South hand

"Why do you believe the South hand is not worth a serious slam
try?"

First let's discuss the basis of belief..
��

My question is what do you mean by a serious slam try (does it exclude mild slam interest and if so what was the alternative call for that)?

[mike777]

I posted long answer but forum gave me error message...sigh

will try again.

[mike777]

Fair comment. If you prefer calling it just a slam try, fine. I dont play serious or nonserious 3nt so all slam try are serious for me. smile

Point being why are people not believing this hand is worth a slam try?

They dont know how or what to cue?
they dont know what 3 spades means compared to 3h or 4h?
etc..again what is their belief here?

[thepossum]

I'm thinking slam but thought immmediate Blackwood was risky - my methods are very basic

[thepossum]

Am I the first to notice that I (North) have too many cards - that extra loser could be a problem

[DavidKok]

Oops, haha. I completely failed to notice that, in my mind North was 1=5=4=3.

[pescetom]

thepossum, on 2024-October-27, 20:04, said:

Am I the first to notice that I (North) have too many cards - that extra loser could be a problem

You are South now.
Not sure where that extra club cropped up: fixed, thanks - although you shouldn't be peeking the North hand at this point

[Cyberyeti]

2N inv+ 4 card raise

[mw64ahw]

10:37 in England?