A big two suiter.

What's the biggest hand you've ever picked up? I've been unlucky in these stakes, the highest point count I've ever held was 26. Still worse there wasn't a makeable game. In terms of playing strength the hand I picked up last Thursday gets pretty close:

♠	A K Q T 7
♥	Q 7
♦	-
♣	A K Q T 8 5

I was glad to be fourth in hand. It gave me lots of time to take in the beauty of those black suits. Righto, what's everyone else been up to? (1♦) - Pass - (Pass), that's not exciting. Because I come from Christchurch I've agreed to play "Spade Michaels" which is the same as the Michaels convention the rest of the world plays but it guarantees the highest unbid suit. 2♦ - (Pass) - 2♥ - (Pass), interesting. Partners failure to bid 2♠ surely denies 3 spades which is excellent because it increases the chances of clubs, means I can ruff a spade and doesn't steal the contract.

An Italian black two suiter

It's worth pointing out here that I'm not playing with a regular partner and we haven't had enough discussion about competitive auctions. I do however know of one convention I can rely on, Blackwood. 4NT key card in hearts. If partner has none I can pass the 5♣ which gets me style points and with 1 I'll bid 6♣ and take my 2/3 chance it's not the A♦. Partner showed one, I bid 6♣ and everyone fell silent.

Vul: All Dealer: West	♠ 9 2 ♥ A T 5 4 3 2 ♦ 6 4 ♣ J 7 6
♠ J 8 6 ♥ J 6 ♦ A K Q J 8 3 ♣ 9 4		♠ 5 4 3 ♥ K 9 8 ♦ T 9 7 5 2 ♣ 3 2
	♠ A K Q T 7 ♥ Q 7 ♦ - ♣ A K Q T 8 5

6♣ plays itself. I saw one matchpoint "genius" in 6♥ which is cold but they couldn't untangle it and fell short.