TGIF September 2010: Scores
| 1. Matchpoints. Both vul.
|
K 6
J 8 5 4
K Q 10 9 6 5 3
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|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 9
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 6
| 80
|
|
1
| 1
| 30
|
|
4
| 2
| 20
|
|
2
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: South has a great playing hand, but not much defense. A 3 preempt may buy the contract.
Don Stack: Pass. Why open up a can of worms? I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the opponents can make 3 or more.
Larry Cohen: 3. I give up on the chance that we can make 4 in exchange for the likelihood of buying the contract in 3.
Steve Robinson: 1. With a full opening bid, make the normal opening.
Kerri Sanborn: 4. This should show about eight tricks at this vulnerability. The higher you bid, the more chance the opponents get it wrong. Don't worry about a four-card heart suit with a freak hand- just play your long suit.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. We will make 3 most of the time, but too often the opps will compete and find a makeable part-score. I would consider bidding 3 if I knew the opponents to be timid.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Fails the rule of 15. Opening 2 or 3 shows a much better hand in pass out seat.
Stephen Vincent: 3. Not ideal since preempts in 4th position have semi-constructive overtones, but the chance of snatching the partscore makes it worthwhile to bid.
Larry Meyer: 3. In passout seat, this should show a strong pre-empt.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. Looks like better than 50% to get a plus so need to open. Bidding 2 is possible but I will make it tougher on opponents to find a fit. In my theory 4th seat preempts should look like other seat preempts (i.e. nothing extra).
Martin Henneberger: Pass. I believe this hand will go minus more often then plus as the auction will not die at a low level. That plus the fact I'm missing the spade suit makes me a matchpoint passer.
David Breton: 3. I feel this hand may be passed out at other tables so any plus should score well. I'm going to fully use my only advantage on this partscore deal: I know of a good place to play.
Mike Hamilton: 2. The purpose of a 2-level opening bid in 4th seat is to earn a plus score by bidding what I expect to make. I promise only a good suit in a hand of near opening-bid strength. Partner’s aces and diamond honours determine how high we’ll compete.
Mike Roberts: 3. Given that the points are all equal, I'm a favourite to make this, and it will be hard for the opponents.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. I hate getting into a gun fight with only a knife. No Spades - No bid!
Kees Schaafsma: 2. At fourth position this is highly constructive, equally 3 requires solid diamonds. Other tables may not be so quiet, somehow I must try to match those ones.
Bob Todd: Pass. If I bid 3 partner will almost for sure bid 3NT because he has values.
Chris Buchanan: Pass. This is going to be a partscore battle and they most likely have the spade suit.
David Gordon: Pass. Not enough spades.
Chris Diamond: Pass. I open light in 2nd seat with spades to stop this misery. Would probably open if spades and hearts were reversed.
Tim Francis-Wright: Pass. Maybe partner has A x x x Q x A x x 9 x x x, but I'm not banking on that.
Brian Zietman: 3. Where are all the clubs and spades?
Amiram Millet: Pass. Too short in spades to open.
|
| 2. IMPs. Both vul.
| |
10 9 2
8 4
2
K 10 9 7 6 5 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
4
|
Pass
| |
|
Pass
|
Dbl
|
Pass
|
4
| |
|
5
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 9
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 5
| 60
|
|
5
| 4
| 30
|
|
Moderator: Is North's pass forcing? Half of the panel don't think so and pass, content to try to set E/W.
The Joyces: Pass. It's too close to double. Bidding five over five is not attractive with this collection.
Barry Rigal: Dbl. . . and lead a diamond. I think this is a forcing pass, like it or not.
Steve Robinson: Dbl. If I expected to beat them only one trick, I would pass, but I can lead my singleton diamond and possibly beat them a lot.
August Boehm: 5. It's IMPs and this could be a double game swing with the likely big club fit. It's a closer decision at matchpoints.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. With a possible surprise defensive trick there is no reason to take the push here. I would double for penalty at MPs.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Partner's pass is not forcing. I will be happy to go plus.
Anssi Rantamaa: Dbl. Warning partner.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. Without enthusiasm, but partner doubtless intends pass as forcing.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Pard has pushed the opponents to the 5-level - don't hang him.
Aidan Ballantyne: Pass. I already showed my hand. This is not a forcing pass. Will try to beat them.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. I'm done. There is no forcing auction here and everyone is guessing at this point. Pard could have spades and diamonds waiting to correct a club bid by me. Looks like our partnership reached our objective of not defending 4.
David Breton: Pass. By passing 5 partner is saying he's satisfied with having pushed them to the 5 level. I better not try 5 which may be too costly on repeated trump leads.
Mike Hamilton: 5. Partner’s pass is forcing and shows at least 2nd-round heart control. If I double, he can pass (and risk a double game swing) or pull to show slam interest. I’ll bid to show more offense than defense and to suggest we could lose 2 tricks.
Mike Roberts: Pass. Partner did his job, and I don't think pass is forcing. I think we're going to beat this, but won't double.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. It is clear to me that we are not in a forcing pass auction. Any possible plus score would be welcome!
Kees Schaafsma: 5. North's pass is forcing, doubling seems wrong.
Bob Todd: Pass. Partner may have been protecting the first time and I showed not much.
Chris Buchanan: 5. Tough decision but 5 is likely a good spot. Partner will be short in hearts.
David Gordon: Dbl. I would have bid 5 initially in anticipation of either bidding 5 over 5 or happy to correct to 5 if partner pulls to 5.
Chris Diamond: Pass. Don't punish pard for pushing them to the 5 level. Can beat it if he holds the A and a trick. Not enough spades for the 5 level.
Tim Francis-Wright: Dbl. Partner's pass is forcing. The better problem is what to lead--do we try for ruffs or do we lead trumps?
Brian Zietman: 5. Partner made a forcing pass which I must respect.
Amiram Millet: Pass. No other (sane) bid to my opinion.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
J 6
10 4
J 5 2
A K 10 8 6 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
2
(1)
| ? |
| (1) Weak.
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 13
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 4
| 30
|
|
3
| 1
| 10
|
|
3
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: Most experts play that 3 would be game forcing. South's hand is not strong enough for that, so the majority choose to pass.
Betty Ann Kennedy: Pass. My hand is too awkward for a negative double. Perhaps I'll have another opportunity to bid.
Steve Robinson: Dbl. With a doubleton spade, you have to act right away. I will bid 3 if partner rebids 3.
Karen Walker: 3. Yes, this is pushy, but the strong suit and the potential problems after passing are good arguments for bidding now.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. Only 7 working HCP and not quite enough shape to compete at the 3 level.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Same as the previous problem. I am in a passive mode.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Too much of a distortion to bid 3 or double.
Larry Meyer: 3. This suit deserves to be bid.
Aidan Ballantyne: Pass. Passing never gets any score in these contests but there is no other call.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. Pass doesn't mean I have nothing. It says I don't have a bid to describe my hand properly, and I certainly don't here.
David Breton: Pass. My lack of shape and HCP make 3 unattractive. At MP partner will often act again so I'm likely to have another chance to bid.
Stuart Carr: Dbl. A negative double is not too great a distortion of my hand.
Mike Hamilton: 3. I should double first, but at this vulnerability, I’ll stretch to show my good suit before I get shut out of the bidding.
Mike Roberts: Dbl. Hate this, but hate passing as well, and 3 is too much. 3, maybe?
Perry Khakhar: 3. Better to overstate your values a little with this kind of hand than pass now and decide later over the inevitable re-opening double.
Kees Schaafsma: Pass. Too bad! No Rubensohl on the card.
Bob Todd: Pass. Pure torture - guess right or wrong.
Merv Adey: 3. Dbl's attractive but accident prone if a quick 4 comes next on my left.
Chris Buchanan: 3. A little short on values however the suit quality makes up for it.
David Gordon: Dbl. You are a diamond light for this but you need to stretch to act as you are short in hearts.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. 3 non-forcing would be good, as would be a transfer. Can't do either so negative double.
Tim Francis-Wright: Dbl. I'm not wild about this, but pulling 3 to 3 sounds like a better plan than overbidding with 3 or passing here.
Brian Zietman: 3. Showing my suit at the first opportunity.
Amiram Millet: Pass. I might bid later.
|
| 4. IMPs. Both vul.
| |
A Q 9 8
A 6 5
J
K Q J 10 7
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
1
|
Dbl
| |
|
Pass
|
2
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 7
| 100
|
|
3
| 6
| 90
|
|
2
| 4
| 50
|
|
4
| 1
| 10
|
|
Moderator: After a cuebid by a takeout doubler's partner, the doubler is generally expected to bid his lower four-card major. Because this hand contains extra values, it is an exception.
Jeff Meckstroth: 2. Partner must bid again over my 2.
Jill Meyers: 3. My partner's 2 promised another bid. If partner bids 3 after my 3 bid, I'll try 3 next.
Barry Rigal: 3. For slam purposes, clubs might be much better than spades. The 2 call is forcing to a suit agreement, so we are effectively in a game force. If partner bids 3, I'll cuebid. If he rebids 3, I'll bid 3.
The Sutherlins: 3. This creates a game force. When we continue with 3 in response to partner's expected 3 bid, we will be suggesting that slam is possible.
Allan Falk: 4. I want to splinter. After that, I can correct partner's 4 to 4, and North will know I also have clubs and a slammish hand. I could bid 3, but I want to send a definite slam signal, yet give partner leeway if 2 was a pushy bid.
The Coopers: 3. Let's set a game force with this hand and proceed from there. Slam is a serious possibility although a 3NT rebid by North would slow us down.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. No need to jump around without extreme distribution when 2 is forcing.
Eugene Chan: 3. Planning to bid spades next to pattern out and to show extra values.
Anssi Rantamaa: 3. Partner will bid again after which I can show my four card spade suit.
Stephen Vincent: 2. Partner promises another bid in this sequence.
Larry Meyer: 2. Pard's cue bid as an unpassed hand means that he will bid again.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. Need to show my points and my major. 3 could endplay pard into 3NT with a diamond stopper and a 4-card spade suit and I would have to pass. Pard promises another bid so 3 is possible, but I would also have to pass 3NT with a possible 4-4 spade fit.
Martin Henneberger: 4. This is not your contest winner, but a winner nonetheless. Can correct partner's 4 to 4 to show spades and clubs with enough for game and diamond shortage: 3 messages in 1 bid!
David Breton: 4. 3 doesn't seem right, and the continuations over 3 or 4 are very likely to lead to confusion. I should probably just bid 4 and make a note to talk about this sequence with pard after the game.
Stuart Carr: 3. If pard bids 3, I bid 3. Maybe I should bid 4 now as the best path to find slam.
Mike Hamilton: 3. Partner’s cue-bid is forcing to a limit and shows 4-4 majors or better. My cue-bid sets up a game force, giving us the time we need to find our best game and to see if we have the values for slam.
Mike Roberts: 3. Partner promises another bid, and there will be time to get to spades if needed. Slam is a possibility, and I need to bid naturally.
Perry Khakhar: 3. Re-Q should set the GF in place. I would love to set the suit and find out about the A before the inevitable 4NT neverland! All I need for 6 is K and A!
Kees Schaafsma: 3. Forcing until suit agreement. Normally this denies a major but I'm strong enough to reverse. Partner may also lack a sensible rebid over 2.
Bob Todd: 3. Doesn't promise extras yet but when I bid spades it should show more.
Chris Buchanan: 3. Show our best suit first. No rush to get to game as partner has promised a re-bid.
David Gordon: 3. You know game is a must. Slam might even be possible. This should be forcing to 3NT.
Chris Diamond: 3. 3 over 3, 4 over 3NT and pull 4 to 4. Hoping to find the A and K.
Tim Francis-Wright: 2. 3 would be cute but I really have a preference here.
Brian Zietman: 3. Good slam chances here. I think this is the best way to show my strength.
Amiram Millet: 3. Too strong for a simple call.
|
| 5. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
| |
6 4
A Q J 4
J 10 7 5 4
7 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
1
|
1
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 6
| 100
|
|
2
| 4
| 80
|
|
Dbl
| 4
| 60
|
|
2
| 2
| 40
|
|
2
| 1
| 20
|
|
3
| 1
| 10
|
|
2
| 0
| 0
|
|
4
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: Most of the panel choose the mixed raise.
Mel Colchamiro: Dbl. I'm doubling and if partner bids hearts with only three of them, that'll be just fine. I'll compete as high as 4 if I have to.
The Joyces: 3. This is the poster child for a mixed raise.
The Gordons: 2. We don't see snapdragon doubles on our BBS tool belt, so we will make the cuebid that expresses our diamond length.
August Boehm: 2. To search for a heart fit is a mirage. If we fit hearts, they rate to fit spades and can outbid us. I play that the cheaper cuebid (2) shows a limit raise, and the higher cuebid (2) shows an opening bid.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. When you can't outbid them, you might as well try to disguise your holding. A 1NT psyche might also prove entertaining.
Eugene Chan: 2. Aggressive raise will surely stampede opps to save in spades (against which we might have no defence!)
Stephen Vincent: 2. Much as I'd like to bid 3 to help prevent opponents finding a spade fit, the hand's too strong.
Larry Meyer: 3. Wrong vulnerability and shape for jump to 4, but want to take 2-level away from opponents.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. Presuming this shows hearts. When I raise diamonds next I will have shown about these values. Showing hearts now also has lead directing value vs. LHO's club or notrump contract.
Martin Henneberger: 2. I personally like 2NT as a mixed raise with no shortness as 2NT natural would be a silly treatment between 2 bidding opponents. That's far from standard however, so I will bid a boring 2. Preempting distorts values and loses the heart suit.
David Breton: 2. Hearts and diamonds are equally powerful as a competitive tool over the spade suit. So I'll just hide my heart suit and tell partner I have a decent support hand for him.
Stuart Carr: Dbl. Shows hearts, I hope!
Mike Hamilton: Dbl. With no values in the opponents’ suits, my cards are working. My hand type – 4 cards in the unbid major and support for partner – is one covered by the principles of the negative double.
Mike Roberts: 2. I think this evaluates as a limit raise of diamonds, and I'll show it, then be quiet. Double would deny diamond support.
Perry Khakhar: 2. Too good for some kind of a jump! Let's get partner into the picture before we are forced to the 5 level.
Kees Schaafsma: 3. If opps have a spade fit nothing - including double- works, if not 3 could buy the contract.
Bob Todd: 2. This poll could get you to quit.
Chris Buchanan: Dbl. Classic snap-dragon or amputation double here. Keeps the heart suit alive.
David Gordon: Dbl. Show your hearts on the way to making a diamond raise.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. Should probably read the system, but double here should show the other major. Will bid or raise diamonds next.
Tim Francis-Wright: 3. It's not a classic fit-showing jump, but I'm more than happy to play in 4.
Brian Zietman: Dbl. Aiming for a sacrifice of 5 doubled making.
Amiram Millet: 2. I'll go on until 4.
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