[mycroft]

Boards 1 and 2 from last night were uncomfortable for me. Maybe I'm just missing something obvious, but I don't know a reasonable way to handle them. Better than just blasting, I mean.

You're playing a pretty standard 2/1 with all the usual gadgets in a decent club matchpoint game.

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I can't figure out a way to bid this hand and keep all of spades, 6♦ and 3NT in the picture.

Spoiler

I don't really care about the result - it's more about letting partner in on the choices - but on this hand, partner is 3=4=6=0. 3NT and 5♦ come in, even with the club void/wastage.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

When partner opens in a minor and the other-minor is overcalled, most require a Neg-DBL to be no worse than 4-3 in the majors while others require at least 4-4 ......

One alternative, which definitely not mainstream is:
DBL = guarantees 4 cards ♠ and says nothing about ♥
2H = 4+ ♥
2S = 5+ ♠

So here using that treatment you could bid a Neg-DBL.

[inquiry]

If you can pass -- in tempo -- you have an additional option, 2♣x. Doubt I want to play 2♣ doubled with this hand however. I take from your uncertainty of how to continue, passing in tempo is not possible. I would start with a takeout double. If partner bids 2♥, I would settle for 3NT. If partner jumps to 3♥, our work will but cut out for us, 3NT risk missing slam, and bidding on will be somewhat problematic unless 4♦ is forcing. If partner jumps to 4♥, we will play 6♦.

[billw55]

I don't think slam is very likely on this auction. I will choose the immediate 3NT. At matchpoints, I like the potential benefit of giving less information, which might get us a wrong lead, which might get us an overtrick, which might get us a near top anyway. Or maybe I just lack imagination.

[mikeh]

Looks simple to me, tbh.

I negative double.

If partner bids some number of hearts below game, I bid 3N.

I would not expect to have missed slam if all he can do is bid 2♥, and my 3N then announces some confidence, so he shouldn't worry about clubs too much.

Holding this sort of hand is fairly common and I think it usual to double provided that you can handle all reasonably forseeable auctions.

In a serious partnership, my partner is not permitted to jump to 4♥ without shape. My double doesn't promise both majors, but it does promise that I can handle a jump to game in my non-major, which implies a fit for diamonds. Thus when he jumps to 4♥, I can always correct to diamonds, natural non forcing. I would not bid slam because I hold no Aces.

With a gf hand lacking shape or a really good gf with shape, I expect him to cuebid 3♣ if available.

If he bids 3♥, invitational, I still give up on slam via 3N. I really don't like soft 4441 hands with wasted values and no Aces.

Btw, to me these sequences to 3N imply 4 spades.

[ArtK78]

In a non-practiced partnership, the practical bid is 3NT, especially at matchpoints.

Otherwise, you have to take some sort of position immediately.

Passing and hoping for a reopening double could work if you can take 8 tricks. But that is a lot to hope for.

An immediate 3♣ call is the best way to explore for slam. It would clue partner in on the fact that you have game forcing values and a diamond fit. But you might lose a spade fit in the process and you might pass by 3NT looking for slam.

Mike's advocacy of a negative double makes a lot of sense, but it could be dangerous in a non-practiced partnership when you have a singleton in one of the majors.

All in all, 3NT seems like the practical bid.

[Codo]

X is fine, IF you have the latter understanding with your partner, that you may really prefer anything to a heart contract. I would strongly recommend to make up the bids over 1♦ 2 ♣.
This is a horrible sequence, so better be prepared. Mikes idea- double shows (at least) two places to play, not just the majors has a lot merrits, so you should consider it.

[silvr bull]

The south hand looks picture perfect for playing inverted minor raises, so that the raise to 2♦ shows the ♦ fit and a strong hand. After partner responds with the expected 2♥ or 2♦, I can bid my ♠ suit at the 2 level. My later 3NT call should give partner a very good view of my hand pattern and strength. If north does not move toward a ♦ slam, I would not worry about missing one.

[the hog]

X and 3NT over Heart bids from partner.

[gszes]

silvr bull, on 2012-November-22, 00:55, said:

The south hand looks picture perfect for playing inverted minor raises, so that the raise to 2♦ shows the ♦ fit and a strong hand. After partner responds with the expected 2♥ or 2♦, I can bid my ♠ suit at the 2 level. My later 3NT call should give partner a very good view of my hand pattern and strength. If north does not move toward a ♦ slam, I would not worry about missing one.

I agree that playing 2d inverted is better than playing it weak and forcing us to bid 3c
to show a limit + in dia (takes up too much space). We still have the benefit of searching
for a 44 major suit fit, slam exploration, 3n and we do not have to gimmick with neg x
which i think should promise at least 44 not 43 (why the 3 sheesh) in the majors.

The one downside of the "practical" 3n is that it is far too easy for 5d to be the right place
vs 3n since the opps have 8 hearts at a minimum and can easily hold more. It also seems
a shame we never let p in on our dia support which allows them to immediately reevaluate
the potential of their hand for dia contracts.