[John Carew]

Since Santa lives at the North Pole then he would have woke up on 21st March (approx), the Spring Equinox.

Also because it’s the North Pole he would have walked in a circle returning home after his third turn.

[John Carew]

I have just read your continuation Stephen and you are correct and therefore answered your own question and would have got E-W to Grand Slam.

[John Carew]

West’s 3 spades bid shows 5-4 in the majors with 16 points. With 3 card support in partners first suit, 15 points and a singleton

I would suggest a raise to 6 hearts.

[John Carew]

In this sequence 1c 1d, a bid of 1M shows 4 cards, however this is a special case. In any other overcall, ie: 1C 1H 1S shows a 5 card suit, to be able to show a 4 card suit then double. This is known as a negative double ( a kind of takeout double). With 1C 1S then double to show 4H like a normal response to openers 1c/d and requires 6+ points. At the 2 level 9 points are required.

[John Carew]

Brian, it seems to me that you’ve answered the question yourself. You are too weak to splinter with only 13 points, Bernard recommends

15+. With no control in clubs you are wide open to loosing the first 3 tricks with only big ifs on the distribution of the rest of all hands.

Bid 3 spades and await partner’s response.

[John Carew]

With the hands shown I would also bid 3nt showing a balanced hand with 15+ points. A rebid in spades with a stronger balanced hand would show extra length in spades. Because a 3nt bid does not guarantee stoppers in all suits with a minimum hand North should rebid 4s.

[John Carew]

The sequence 1nt-2d-2h-2s is forcing for one round showing at least 11+ points and at least 5-4 shape in hearts and spades. It allows opener to choose the best contract.

Now that opener has a good picture of responder’s hand any of the following bids are possible: 2nt,3h,3s,3nt,4h,4s.

If responder’s hand is stronger she will bid to game if opener bids 3h,3s or 2nt.

However if the first suit is spades and the second hearts, then with only invitational points use Stayman first since a new suit at the three level is forcing to game.

With 13 points plus use the transfer route.

 

[John Carew]

I agree Brian that 1NT-2D-2H-2S is forcing for one round. With a weak hand 0-10 then
I would contemplate bidding Stayman and either pass or bid 2H to any reply.
I’m only an Improver with 18 months experience but play RKCB 1430 so I suggest that the bidding on this hand would be:
1NT-2D-2H-2S-3S-4NT-5S-6S

[John Carew]

That should read 1H-4C-4NT-5C-5H
So hearts are trumps and 5C does not show KH Keycard

[John Carew]

Bernard
Later in the Q plus you considered a Splinter bid over 1H opening
1H-4NT-5C-5H
Hearts are trumps so 5C does not show the KH (Keycard)

[John Carew]

Bernard, when you considered the play in hearts you bid Blackwood over the splinter and West showed 5C (0 keycards) but with the KH surely the reply should have been 5D
(1 keycard)?

[John Carew]

I would suggest the following:
2C (1)- 2D (2)
3D (3)- 3H
3S (4)- 4NT (5)
5S (6)- 6S

1. Benji (9 playing tricks in D)
2. Relay (obediently)
3. Showing longest suit
4. Showing 2nd suit
5. RKCB (agreeing Spades)
6. 2 Key cards plus the Q spades

[Author]

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