Dear Ed & Peter,

While watching a team event, one of the kibitzers mentioned that more and more players were using an opening 2♦ bid showing 18-19 HCP and a balanced hand. Could not find any info on this. What would the responses be?

Tx, Dorothy Flood

Dear Ed & Peter,

I have read that sometimes it can be wrong to overruff, but when I am at the table, I find it hard to recognise these situations and am afraid of being reproached for discarding instead of ruffing.
Could you clarify the right situations in which not to ruff or overruff?

Thanks very much, I enjoy the site
Alan

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Dear Ed & Peter,

What do I show when I double the opponents' 15-17 1NT opening?
I thought the message of the double is: 'I have a 1NT opening as well', but others tell me the double shows a normal opening. Which of the two explanations is the right one?

Regards,
Els

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Dear Ed & Peter,

Declarer orders a small trump to be played from South. West has the trump jack and one small trump.
In my opinion West should play that small trump ('second hand low'!).
My partner disagrees; he thinks West should play the jack.

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Dear Ed & Peter,

My partner refuses to accept that asking for kings with 5NT, after it has turned out that an ace is missing, is a bad move.
My point of view is that a player who is asking for kings is showing interest in a grand slam. And a grand slam is not possible when the partnership has only three aces between them.
Your opinion, please.

Martin Theuwen

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Dear Ed & Peter,

Why am I not allowed to underlead an ace against a trump contract?

Marlène de Haas

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Hi Ed and Peter,

My right hand opponent opens 1♠.
This is my hand:

What is the best bid in your opinion? In practice I overcalled 2SA (Ghestem, in this case equivalent to the Unusual NT: minor twosuiter).
My partner and I have agreed to do so with 5-4 as well, provided the four-card suit is headed by at least two top honours.
Let the oracle speak.

Regards,
Hilbrand Uiterwijk

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Dear Ed and Peter,

My partner and I disagree about this situation:

In my opinion there is no such thing as a pre-emptive opening fourth in hand (e.g. Multi, Muiderberg*, etc.).
To open in the fourth position, opening strength is required. Without that strength one should pass.

Best regards,

Bob Schweig

* Muiderberg is a Tartan-variety: an opening of two in major shows exactly a five-card suit in that major plus a minor suit (four-card or longer) and 6-9 HCP.

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Dear Ed and Peter,

I'm looking for a system to bid 4-4, 5-4 and 5-5 hands in the majors after partner has opened 1NT, using Stayman and Jacoby.
Thank you in advance.

Paul van de Putte

'The most interesting questions from visitors to the Dutch sister site (Bridgevaria.nl)'. 

Dear Ed and Peter,

Please give me some tips on how to bid:
A After their 4♥/♠-opening?

B What is the meaning of South's double in:

¹ 2⁺ clubs

C And what is the meaning of South's double in:

¹ 2⁺ clubs

More specifically about South's double in B and C:
- Is it for penalties?
- Or does it show four spades?
- Or is it both (partner is to choose what to do)?
- Or does it show the other three suits?

What is the common approach here?

M. Smeets- Groen