[jillybean]

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IMP Pairs

[DavidKok]

I'll upgrade to 24-25 balanced because of the good club suit, which I show with 2♣-2♦; 2♥-2♠; 2NT. I don't mind 1♣ in Dutch Doubleton but am worried about rebid issues, I don't love reversing into 2♦ with this.
Other systems might play other continuations over a strong 2♣, which might have a sufficiently severe impact that a different opening bid is the percentage call. With Kokish I think this hand is fine.
As an aside, I think it is better to show this hand as 24-25 than as 22-23. This is an above-average 23 count. This far in the tail of the HCP distribution partner will almost always assume the minimum within our range - it is simply far more common than the higher value (for reference: 22HCP balanced ~0.12%, 23HCP 0.08%, 24HCP 0.04%, 25HCP 0.01%). I feel more comfortable showing this as a 24-count than as a 'partner-will-assume-22'-count.

[pescetom]

The diagram shows East in doubt, but I imagine the question is how to open South.

I would settle for 2 clubs and then whatever sequence shows 2NT with 24.

[Cyberyeti]

This is a huge hand. A flat hand with ♥A and ♦K is at least 12 tricks in clubs, ♥ AJ10xx and a doubleton club makes 6♥ with a finesse for 7 unless they lead a spade, ♦KJxxx and a doubleton club makes 6♦ most of the time, I can't make my mind up whether this is 25 or 26 balanced equivalent, K&R says 25.

I don't have strong views whether this should be shown as balanced or clubs. Showing clubs at least means partner realises his xxxx is gold.

[jillybean]

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(I'll post the full hand shortly)

[DavidKok]

I don't play the double negative over 2♣. It completely ruins Kokish, and often I don't really care about partner's ace or king anyway opposite my strong 2♣ hands. If partner insists on bidding something it would need to be a long suit - shape is much more important than strength or key cards. This bean counting has no place in the modern game.

[jillybean]

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[DavidKok]

2♣-2♦; 2♥-2♠; 2NT-3♣; 3NT-P and best of luck partner.

[jillybean]

DavidKok, on 2023-March-09, 11:08, said:

2♣-2♦; 2♥-2♠; 2NT-3♣; 3NT-P and best of luck partner.

What is 3♣?

[DavidKok]

Puppet Stayman.

[Cyberyeti]

DavidKok, on 2023-March-09, 11:19, said:

Puppet Stayman.

I would probably duplicate your auction but 3N would show 2 spades and 2-3 hearts. If I decided this was a 26 count rather than 25 there would be a less informative 2♣-2♦-3N and I might well get an unfortunate diamond lead.

[nullve]

1♣(1)-1♦(2)
2N(3)-3N(4)
P

(1) "10+, NATish unBAL OR 11-13/17-19/23+ BAL"
(2) "0+, 4+ H"
(3) "GF, either 5+C4+S or one-suited with 6+ C"
(4) strong suggestion