[jillybean]

Double dummy, along with the Bridgemates showing past results on the board in play can create friction in partnerships and unpleasantness at the table.
You should have made xxx! I often get queries from players, 4S can make here, how do we bid it and if we do get to 4S, how do I play it?

This board was one of those, double dummy says EW can make 5 in the black suits, or 5NT. Over to you, this is how the auction started.

---

[pescetom]

Doesn't everyone in ACBLand play Michaels?

Without any fancy defence I wouldn't be surprised by:
1S (2S) 3C
3H 3NT
P

Which begs for a diamonds lead, but once in control it's plain sailing with the clubs behaving.

[fred]

Both 4S and 5C are absurd contracts.

Don't use GIB for this purpose. It will make you a worse player.

This will make you a better player: look at just two hands and figure out what contract you want to play in

Being at least reasonably good at doing this is absolutely critical to becoming an effective bidder. If you don't understand why, please speak up and I will explain.

Speculating as to how the bidding *should* go is a worthwhile exercise, but what GIB thinks doesn't matter as far as this is concerned. It is fine to speculate along the lines of "can we get to the contract we want to get to?", but understand that the answer will frequently be "no" regardless of how good you are or what system you play.

If you want to use GIB to improve your game, you can do this: use your brain to figure out how, against any defense, to make the contracts that GIB says are makable.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would not be surprised, if it goes all pass after 2H, = or +1.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2025-June-26, 09:36, said:

Doesn't everyone in ACBLand play Michaels?

Apparently not, or not yet.

fred, on 2025-June-26, 09:50, said:

Both 4S and 5C are absurd contracts.

Don't use GIB for this purpose. It will make you a worse player.

This will make you a better player: look at just two hands and figure out what contract you want to play in

Being at least reasonably good at doing this is absolutely critical to becoming an effective bidder. If you don't understand why, please speak up and I will explain.

Speculating as to how the bidding *should* go is a worthwhile exercise, but what GIB thinks doesn't matter as far as this is concerned. It is fine to speculate along the lines of "can we get to the contract we want to get to?", but understand that the answer will frequently be "no" regardless of how good you are or what system you play.

If you want to use GIB to improve your game, you can do this: use your brain to figure out how, against any defense, to make the contracts that GIB says are makable.

My reply to this query started with "Board 20 is a mirage! 4S is a terrible contract and you have to be clairvoyant to make it but it is good exercise to see how you could, double dummy.
I keep repeating that double dummy should not be used this way and I am tempted to turn off 'results' on the bridge mates.

But, how do you make 5S here?

[WasWinM]

jillybean, on 2025-June-26, 10:59, said:

Apparently not, or not yet.



My reply to this query started with "Board 20 is a mirage! 4S is a terrible contract and you have to be clairvoyant to make it but it is good exercise to see how you could, double dummy.
I keep repeating that double dummy should not be used this way and I am tempted turn off 'results' on the bridge mates.

But, how do you make 5S here?

Draw trumps by finessing the 9. Unblock the clubs by leading the 10 and following with the 9 the next time.

[Cyberyeti]

WasWinM, on 2025-June-26, 11:10, said:

Draw trumps by finessing the 9. Unblock the clubs by leading the 10 and following with the 9 the next time.

Exactly, but that assumes they've cashed the 2 diamonds or you make 12

If they Michaelsed, it's easy 5-5 reds, you need ♣Kx so only one spade

[pescetom]

P_Marlowe, on 2025-June-26, 10:43, said:

I would not be surprised, if it goes all pass after 2H

I would shoot my partner and then myself (if sufficiently lucid not to attempt the inverse)

[jillybean]

WasWinM, on 2025-June-26, 11:10, said:

Draw trumps by finessing the 9. Unblock the clubs by leading the 10 and following with the 9 the next time.

Ah, that's the play I missed

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2025-June-26, 12:40, said:

I would shoot my partner and then myself (if sufficiently lucid not to attempt the inverse)

There's blood on the floor at 2 tables, perhaps more.

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2025-June-26, 10:59, said:

Apparently not, or not yet.

It wouldn't make much difference with the actual hands if North only showed hearts.

An enterprising West might upgrade into 1NT 15-17, over which North will bid 2H showing hearts or perhaps hearts plus a minor: EW should have some Lebensohl or Rubensohl act that still leads to a nervous 3NT, although maybe with a hearts lead.

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2025-June-26, 14:39, said:

It wouldn't make much difference with the actual hands if North only showed hearts.

An enterprising West might upgrade into 1NT 15-17, over which North will bid 2H showing hearts or perhaps hearts plus a minor: EW should have some Lebensohl or Rubensohl act that still leads to a nervous 3NT, although maybe with a hearts lead.

I doubt that, without Michael's on the card you will find EW playing Leb or Rubensohl. I think getting to game is pushy.

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2025-June-26, 15:03, said:

I doubt that, without Michael's on the card you will find EW playing Leb or Rubensohl. I think getting to game is pushy.

I agree that a direct 3C by East is pushy, although I think I would bid it (I like to show my suit, and I don't expect the K in South).
I can't see West passing out 2H, even opposite me.

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2025-June-26, 15:13, said:

I agree that a direct 3C by East is pushy, although I think I would bid it (I like to show my suit, and I don't expect the K in South).
I can't see West passing out 2H, even opposite me.

West won't pass

we should be playing NFB's

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2025-June-26, 13:04, said:

Ah, that's the play I missed

The finesse of 9S is (only) suggested by Michaels, which is why I tried to introduce it. Without knowing about North's diamonds this would just be another of those clairvoyant plays suggested by double dummy.

[jillybean]

Thanks, I have so much to learn.

[blackshoe]

Too many pairs have Michaels on their card, but they don't really play it -- they have no idea what to do with it. You'll get some who are wise enough not to have it on their card. You'll get some (good) players who have something else in place of it, like Top and Bottom (see Max Hardy's Competitive Bidding With Two Suited Hands.)