[Cyberyeti]

BunnyGo, on 2012-February-12, 19:00, said:

I think we all assumed that everyone does (at least on this auction they do...what else could 4♥ mean?)

wyman, on 2012-February-12, 19:02, said:

well, it could mean that you have a heart control...

Yup, on this auction, both are useful for different hands and IMO equally viable, if I held AKJxxxx, xxx, x, Ax I'd be very grateful if 4♥ showed a heart control.

[whereagles]

In theory north was right. 6 losers opposite 4 expected cover cards. Still, some final effort from his side was due, as a 3rd spade from opener would be an unexpected cover card.

[han]

wyman, on 2012-February-12, 18:55, said:

Does it matter if the pair is playing LTTC?

Not for south, who has a clear 4S bid.

I don't mind the splinter but then you have to bid 5H over 4S. And don't do this with a partner who might bid a very slow 4S.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

aguahombre, on 2012-February-12, 23:52, said:

We could probably make up a silly meaning. But, I believe it is a confusion of LTC and LOTT, two tools not really related to each other.

That is what went thru my mind at the time... until it struck me this morning ( driving in the car ) that it is "Last Train to Clarksville "

[aguahombre]

TWO4BRIDGE, on 2012-February-13, 08:20, said:

That is what went thru my mind at the time... until it struck me this morning ( driving in the car ) that it is "Last Train to Clarksville "

yeh, Probably. I have seen it as "LT", and just plain Last Train. Don't recall anyone other than when explaining the source of the term, actually using Clarksville.

[wyman]

this is where I hoped this discussion would go

[Phil]

At the table I'd probably give up on 7 and bid a direct 6♠ over 1N.

[bigbenvic]

If you play 4♥ after the splinter as a cue then you have to find another bid, IMO possible instead of 4♦ but if you do bid 4♦ then you have to kick with the North hand. Maybe just

Pretty sure I'd use a gadget to ask partners shape*, upon hearing 3343 I'd bid 3♠ to set trumps which invite cues hear the ♣A and roll out RCKB find 2 aces and 1 king & no Q♠and bid 6♠.

*The gadget is a transfer to ♥ followed by 2♠ to ask shape, pards bids 2nt with 4333 - 3c asks which suit, or the lowest of suits with 44 - again next suit up asks, if he has 5♣ or 5♦ then he bids 3♠ or 3nt.

It means you don't open 5-Majors 1nt which is a little drawback and with a maximum and good ♥ you superaccept the transfer as if you are responding to 2♠. It has downsides but I like it as it can find a pushy minor slam and allows 3nt as a spot to play when you are mirrored, which though rare does make you smile when it happens for a good score.

[Fluffy]

MrAce, on 2012-February-12, 18:13, said:

N % 100

1NT-4♥
4♠-4NT (rkcb in ♠)

Phil, on 2012-February-13, 16:45, said:

At the table I'd probably give up on 7 and bid a direct 6♠ over 1N.

I think splinter is definetelly needed on thishand, since that´s the way you can find a good grand. I don´t understand the urge to blast

[Cyberyeti]

Fluffy, on 2012-February-14, 03:06, said:

I think splinter is definetelly needed on thishand, since that´s the way you can find a good grand. I don´t understand the urge to blast

The reason to blast is that if you do happen to catch partner with Qxx, Kxx, AKQJ, xxx you may stand a much better chance of making 13 tricks rather than 11 in 6♠ than if you've bid it scientifically.