[mikeh]

1. 2♣: the only bid that is not a lie. Yes, it is both maximum in hcp and minimum in length, but neither holding is inconsistent with the meaning of the bid. This hand has gone down in value and is a good lesson hand for those who form their impression of hand strength at trick one and never think of it again. It may improve again, but for now, it ain't worth its apparent hcp.

2. 3♠. This is intended to get partner to own to a ♠ stopper: he might have Jx x AQxxxxx KJx or the like and 5♦ is the limit. If he refuses to bid 3N, I sign off in 5♦. If he bids 3N, I bid 4♦ and now he absolutely has to show me the nature of his ♠ control: 4♠ with the Ace, 4N with the King and (probably) with the Qxx or QJx. Over 4♠ I will bid 7♦. Over 4N I will bid 5♦: a very strong slam move.

3. 5♣ in a long match, pass in a short match: I wrote my answers down before scanning the posts and I agree entirely with Frances and Jeffrey in terms of when to pass, but I like my hand too much to settle for 4♣ red at imps if I am going to pull. Sure, I may hate the outcome, especially if partner is 1=5=4=3 or so, but 4♣ is not getting me to 4♥ then anyway.

4. 4♠. I admit, this is an error. The correct bid is either the Bluhmer (I think that is the correct term) of 4♦ showing almost exactly this hand or 3♦ as a non-committal force. However, I did not think of either until I had written down my actual bid . I expect partner to hold a chunky 3=5=1=4, and I liked my 10 of ♠. However, either ♦ bid is better, since it includes partner in the discussion while my bid does not.