[thepossum]

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Matchpoints - this was with robots 2/1 but not specific to system
Slam looks a good chance but which one
The route I went was 2C-2D-3NT(???)-6NT-?

Opps pass all the way

In this sequence the 6NT could be up to 11 HCPs so Grand was theroetically possible if you could check?
You don't need many cards to mke up 11 pts and Grand. Although maybe with 11 partner would bid 7

And in this tourney there was nothing at all riding on the score

[akwoo]

This is a hand where you want to show your 25 balanced and let partner take over. Unfortunately the robots are not very good at taking over.

With my preferred system this is going 2C-2D-2H-2S-2N, which is a sequence that shows 24-25 balanced. (2H here is Kokish/Birthright, which shows either hearts or a 24+ balanced hand; 2S is almost forced.) Now responder has a little more room to show their hand and ask for stuff, which might lead to a more sensible exploration for grand. (The strong club system I play starts with 1C-1D-1H-1S-2N, which also shows 24-25 balanced. Actually, with 11, responder has a positive response, which gives other chances to probe for grand.)

[thepossum]

Thanks, I figured later I should have bid something other than 3NT
Sometimes I feel it is trying to mastermind a situation
It felt better than 2NT but it gives more options like you say
I did not really have any other options
I think there is a chance North may have bid 7 with 10 or 11 but can't be sure
Given the lack of stakes me and another person went to 7x-1 - obviously a silly gamble but you never know
I need to find myself a real partner who I can talk to about systems

[pescetom]

If you don't play Birthright, there is nothing so terrible about using the ladder
2NT
2C .. 2NT
3NT
2C .. 3NT

But it still requires agreement with a partner who can talk, as you wisely realise.

[thepossum]

It was very sad
I thought, everyone will be in 6NT, chance of a hugh score in a tourney that doesn't matter
I wasn't alone either

[bluenikki]

thepossum, on 2025-July-15, 19:27, said:

It was very sad
I thought, everyone will be in 6NT, chance of a hugh score in a tourney that doesn't matter
I wasn't alone either

Over 3NT, 5NT used to be forcing to at least 6NT, with interest in 7. Is it still?

[thepossum]

bluenikki, on 2025-July-15, 19:56, said:

Over 3NT, 5NT used to be forcing to at least 6NT, with interest in 7. Is it still?

There is a GSF option. Not sure how I would have been able to use it
I really needed to ask about the missing Ace and Kings

If I had used 2NT rather than 3NT I could have used GSF and get the right contract - I could not specicifcally get to ask for Aces but at least ask North how many points they had