TGIF October 2008: Scores
| 1. Matchpoints. None vul.
|
A K 6 5
4
5
K 8 7 6 5 4 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
3
|
3NT
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
4
| 10
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 6
| 80
|
|
4
| 0
| 50
|
|
5
| 1
| 50
|
|
4NT
| 0
| 40
|
|
6
| 1
| 30
|
|
Moderator: The majority of the panel bid 4, but had different ideas about its meaning.
Barry Rigal: 6. It's a sheer guess. We might play 3NT and go down or make slam. All I can do is close my eyes and pick a number.
Allan Falk: 4. Playing Bulletin Standard, this must be natural and forcing. Partner can have hands that make slam, and so I have to try. With most experts, 4 would be an ask for North to describe what sort of 3NT hand is held.
Richard Freeman: 4. .. unless that is a transfer. I almost never take out 3NT on auctions like this, but this is an extreme hand.
Jeff Meckstroth: Pass. We could easily have slam, but there is no guarantee, so I will take the plus score.
Steve Robinson: 4. This is Stayman. I'll guess at my next turn.
Stuart Carr: 4. 7 is a possibility, so start a slammish auction, and bail in 6 if necessary.
June Pocock: 4. Has to be ace asking but if partner thinks it's Stayman..I'll ask for aces with my next bid.
Stephen Vincent: 4. This should be forcing and I have to make some sort of noise.
John Hurdle: 4. Gerber. If off 2 aces we should be safe in 4NT, even when partner is all diamonds. Otherwise I like 6.
David Breton: 4. I do have space to explore for a club slam, I'm not wasting any. Whatever happens we'll never land in 5.
Aidan Ballantyne: 4. In the absence of clear agreement this should be natural and slam seeking. If partner rebids 4 I will have to think my 4 was taken as Stayman or possibly Gerber.
Martin Henneberger: 6. I can't create a scientific auction to find out all I need to know so I will punt 6.
Bonny Lee: 6NT. I have 3 tricks for partner on top of his solid diamond suit.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 5. Invitational. Partner should bid slam with 2.5+ quick tricks.
Larry Meyer: Pass. 3NT usually means let's end the auction here.
Mike Roberts: 4. Should be natural, and forcing. I know there are some systems to take care of this kind of problem.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. Partner probably has long running diamond suit. No need to move from a good contract.
Bob Todd: 4. 4 asking about what kind of 3N is handy here.
Janet Dunbar: 5. Ace asking.
David Gordon: 4. I will take one try at a slam.
Chris Buchanan: 4. Yes, natural. Partner is allowed to have a myriad of hand types for 3NT including something like Q x x A A K Q x x x x J x, however, if they have some sort of strong NT, 6 could be a fantastic spot.
Brian Zietman: 6. The preempt has made it tough. 3NT may be the best spot but so may be 4, 6, 7, 5, 6 or 7. I take a stab at 6.
Chris Diamond: 4. Gerber, natural or BW? Good case for 4 Gerber, 4 BW. Even if pard bids 4 here I will bid 6.
Paul Hardy: 4. Best forcing bid I can think of....while showing my suit.
|
| 2. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
| |
10 5 2
K 5
A Q J 10
K Q J 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
1NT
| 12
| 100
|
|
2
| 0
| 60
|
|
2
| 1
| 60
|
|
Dbl
| 4
| 60
|
|
Pass
| 1
| 40
|
|
2NT
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: A balancing 1NT bid is often played as 11-14 HCP. Even though this hand is stronger than that, it's the majority choice. 2NT is defined as 19-21 in the Bulletin Standard system, and was scored as a 0.
Bridge Buff: Pass. These humans are too eager to bid, and they usually get into trouble. My simulations tell me that the conservative pass will work out 78.3% of the time.
The Coopers: 1NT. The lie about our points cancels the lie about our spade stopper. Everything else is worse.
Stuart Carr: 2NT. I think this is for minors. Otherwise, would start with double.
Stephen Vincent: 1NT. The extra values compensate for the slight flaw in the spade holding.
John Hurdle: 1NT. We play this up to 16 over 1 of a major passed. The only flaw is a shaky stopper. Alternative calls have greater downside.
David Breton: 1NT. The surplus in HCP is enough to compensate for the spade weakness.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. Many experts believe that after 1, a balancing 1NT can be as much as 16 HCP so this fits the bill. However, double has a better chance to elicit partner's minor which would leave us well placed for a cue bid. Will have to guess what to do over 2.
Martin Henneberger: 1NT. The lead comming through partner is irrelevant. 1NT is right on values that this hand contains. Any other call including double will lead to big problems later.
Bonny Lee: 2. For lead purposes.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 1NT. A practical underbid. Game looks unlikely, so go for your best partscore. Partner will get the message that you don't have heart support.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Protect pard in case he has good spades.
Mike Roberts: 1NT. Clearly better than double. 2 a very close second choice, but the lure of +120 is too great.
Perry Khakhar: 2. Best of all terrible choices.
David Gordon: Dbl. It's an imperfect world.
Roelof Van Lopik: 2NT. Unusual. And after 3/3 I bid 3.
Chris Buchanan: Dbl. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I really hope partner can take a joke when I table this hand in 2 on the 4-2 fit.
Brian Zietman: Dbl. What do I do when partner bids hearts? I suppose I have no choice but to cue bid spades to find out if he has a stopper for 3NT.
Chris Diamond: Pass. Considered 1NT, but even if right opps might find hearts. The vulnerability is wrong for a 2 level 4 card overcall. Hate passing, but everything else is worse.
Paul Hardy: Dbl. If partner jumps to 4 with a 4 card suit, well he gets to play there for making a unilateral decision.
|
| 3. IMPs. E-W vul.
| |
K Q 8 3
J 8 3 2
5
A K 10 7
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
Pass
|
1
|
Pass
| |
|
Pass
|
Dbl
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 7
| 100
|
|
2
| 7
| 80
|
|
1NT
| 0
| 60
|
|
3
| 3
| 60
|
|
2
| 0
| 50
|
|
2NT
| 0
| 50
|
|
2
| 0
| 40
|
|
3NT
| 0
| 40
|
|
4
| 1
| 40
|
|
3
| 0
| 20
|
|
Moderator: Finally, a problem that's really hard to get 0 on. 7 panelists advance with the cue-bid, while 7 panelists leave in yet another takeout double. The balance bid hearts directly in an attempt to get to game.
Steve Robinson: 2. I plan to bid 3 at my next turn to show a good hand, but with only four hearts.
Kerri Sanborn: Pass. There's a good chance for down two, and no guarantee of a game our way.
The Sutherlins: 3. .. the simple invitational bid. Partner should not expect a good five-card suit because we didn't overcall 2, but are inviting game.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. It is questionable if we have a game and I can see a lot of tricks in defense here. -160 isn't the end of the world anyway.
John Hurdle: Pass. Partner didn't open so our game prospects are marginal. Minus 160 is possible, no IMP disaster, but plus 200 or 500 more likely.
David Breton: 3. If partner wasn't a passed hand I'd just bid game.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2. Not pushing for a non vul game opp passed hand. Perhaps they will bid more spades or try clubs in which case I will double. 2 cue gets us too high too quickly.
Martin Henneberger: 2. .. followed by 3 over any minor pard may bid. Hope this shows a strong invitation with 4 only hearts.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. 1 x -1 scores the same as 3 making, but the upside is better if we can manage to set them 2.
Larry Meyer: 2. Pard is a passed hand, so game is unlikely, so no need to show extra values.
Mike Roberts: Pass. Oh man....the colours....(are too attractive, and I'll pass)
Perry Khakhar: 2. Q-bid followed by 3 should get the value of my hand across!
David Gordon: 2. I will start by showing my trap pass.
Chris Buchanan: 2. Even if we give pard 2 quick tricks (3 they would have opened) we still aren't beating 1 and I hate writing down -160. The K Q are the wrong cards for game so I will play it light for now.
Brian Zietman: Pass. Partner is a passed hand so game is unlikely. 200 or even 500 looks a better prospect.
Chris Diamond: 2. Pass is a possibility, 3 is the value bid, but I hope if I cue bid and pull 3 to 3 I am suggesting clubs and NT as possible contracts.
Paul Hardy: Pass. Yum....wish I had one more spade, but this will do.
|
| 4. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
| |
A 8 6
J 10 9 5
K 8
Q J 10 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
1
|
3
(1)
| ? |
| (1) Weak.
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 13
| 100
|
|
3
| 4
| 70
|
|
4
| 0
| 50
|
|
Dbl
| 0
| 50
|
|
3NT
| 1
| 40
|
|
4
| 0
| 40
|
|
Pass
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: In spite of the questionable minor-suit holdings, the majority of the panel vote for 3 to show a limit raise.
August Boehm: 3. Barely worth a game try because my minors appear devalued. On the other hand, if we need a heart finesse, we're a favorite.
Grant Baze: 3. I would bid 3 at IMPs, but take the low road at matchpoints.
Stephen Vincent: 3. Many of my values, particularly the K, are questionable. So I'm not bidding 3.
John Hurdle: 3. I must support partner with 4 good trumps and 11 hcp, but 3 is enough to bid with such poor honour orientation.
David Breton: 3. My HCP are badly placed for a leap to game but I still want to tell partner I have a good heart raise. Perhaps that's what double means, I'm not sure.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. Show values. Don't automatically discount the K. Will bid 3NT over pard's 3 (last train).
Bonny Lee: Dbl. Will bid heart game next round.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3NT. If clubs are ruffing, 4 may be a dangerous place to be. Hope partner can provide a 2nd diamond stopper.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Choosing a likely set instead of bidding on to a thin game.
Mike Roberts: 3. It's on the way. I don't think this is worth 4; K x x A Q x x x 9 x x 4 x gives little play.
Perry Khakhar: 3. I don't see the problem! Can't imagine a hand where partner can't make 3, where as I can imagine a lot of hands where game is cold.
Chris Buchanan: 3. See above :-)
Brian Zietman: 4. Don't want to miss game here and partner may pass if I bid just 3.
Chris Diamond: 3. A lot of wasted stuff, but I need to show my hearts. Not even close.
Paul Hardy: 3NT. Even on a 9 card heart fit, this will be easier.
|
| 5. IMPs. None vul.
| |
4
Q J 3
K J 6 4
A K Q J 5
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
1NT
|
Dbl
| |
|
2
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Do you agree with South's double?
| | Votes | Award
|
|
Yes
| 11
| 50
|
|
No
| 7
| 40
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 6
| 50
|
|
Dbl
| 10
| 45
|
|
Pass
| 1
| 25
|
|
2NT
| 1
| 15
|
|
Moderator: I thought this problem was going to be much harder to score, but it wasn't. The scorer in the Bulletin gave independent scores for the first problem and the second, which is pretty close to what I asked in this version of the contest. Part (b) scores followed the majority opinion when Dbl was the first call.
Larry Cohen: Dbl. The first double is automatic and a waste of ink. The second double is less automatic.
The Colchamiros: Dbl. It's close, but we bid 2 and then double. Double the first time works out if partner has a long heart suit and backfires if she has 10 8 6 4.
Allan Falk: Dbl. Knowing what is going to happen, it's easy. In real life, I might double and double again.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. It's IMPs: shouldn't get too aggressive competing for the part score.
John Hurdle: 3. I would have started with 2 followed by double because most strength is in clubs, and heart support is minimal.
David Breton: Pass. Bidding again is betting that partner has a fitting shapely rubbish rather than the normal kind.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2NT. I like the first double as I would have been happy if partner left it in. At this stage, I will emphasize my minors. Too strong to give up over 2. Too much in clubs and too few hearts for a second takeout double. 3 second choice.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. I doubled the first time as a takeout of spades. My second double is still takeout with extra values. I wouldn't dare of giving up on penalty here by bidding rather than doubling. I predict a 100% vote for double.
Bonny Lee: 3. As I did not double the second time partner will not play me for 4-card heart suit but he knew I had a good Club suit so a moysian fit is still playable.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2NT. The double is fine since it may allow partner to make an opportune penalty double later. I hope partner will read my 2NT as unusual.
Larry Meyer: 3. 5a - yes, double to show values. 5b - natural, showing that dbl meant 16+.
Mike Roberts: 2NT. 2 would have worked out better on this hand, but double is clearly ok. If I bid 3, partner could (should?) pass with 4342. Partner will bid 3 if he has equal length, so I'm happy.
Perry Khakhar: 3. Could be going down 2 but might be tougher for them to double!
Janet Dunbar: 2NT. Pick a minor.
Chris Buchanan: Dbl. Extra values and no clear action so dbl is flexable.
Brian Zietman: 2NT. I hope partner will understand that I want a minor now.
Leo Weniger: Dbl. In the ACBL Bulletin, the 1st question of this hand was different. In that, I would have bid 2, so a X now would make sense. X 1st and then bidding 3 would show a better hand. Problem is that the scoring will be based on the Bulletin's Problem.
Chris Diamond: 3. Dbl again is possible, but 3 will get us to the right spot unless pard is really short, in which case he may pull.
Paul Hardy: Pass. I would have overcalled 2 first then over 2, I can double showing diamonds and tolerance for hearts.
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