TGIF March 2011: Scores
| 1. Matchpoints. E-W vul.
|
Q
A J 10 5 4 2
J
K Q 10 7 6
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
2
(1)
|
Pass
| ? |
| (1) Michaels cuebid: weakish hand or strong.
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 7
| 100
|
|
2
| 5
| 80
|
|
2NT
| 4
| 60
|
|
3
| 1
| 40
|
|
3NT
| 1
| 10
|
|
3
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: Partner shows spades and a minor: guess which minor. Do you stay low? And if you do, do you pass or bid 2?
Allan Falk: 2. Pass is like poker, not bridge, and will end the partnership. Why can't North have a 6-6 hand with 12 winners? So, I'll honor our agreement and bid 2.
Mike Lawrence: Pass. West, on sequences like this one, is usually so happy that he passes thinking I have forgotten the system. Perhaps we can scramble enough tricks to survive.
Jill Meyers: 3NT. I'm torn between 3NT and 2. The advantage of 2 is that we stay low, but partner could have a hand where we are playing 2 and be cold for game in notrump. I think at the table I would bid 3NT.
The Joyces: 3. We hate this dilemma, but we hope partner is 5-0-5-3.
Kerri Sanborn: 2NT. Just in case we have a fit. I'll follow with 3NT over the expected 3.
Karen Walker: Pass. Seems like our best chance for a plus score.
Eugene Chan: 2NT. You never know. Partner might have clubs....and opponents might bid 3!
Anssi Rantamaa: 2NT. If partner is weak maybe the least harm?
Stephen Vincent: 2NT. Partner may have clubs. Stranger things have happened.
Richmond Williams: 2NT. Partner still might have clubs.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2. Play as low as possible, either bid 2 or pass 2. Advantage of 2 is it may play quite well, and RHO doubles I may run to 2NT which is the only way to get to that contract. Stiff Q is as good as a doubleton.
Martin Henneberger: 2. My partners asked me to pick, and I will. 2 didn't say I had spades - it is the cheapest spot to get out. Some cowboys will pass 2. That will make an interesting dinner conversation.
Craig T. Wilson: 2NT. Find which minor; if diamonds bid 3NT.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. Playing the percentages, it is obvious what partner has.
Larry Meyer: 3. Answer pard's question and preserve partnership harmony.
Perry Khakhar: 2. If partner has clubs and a strong hand we are probably cold for 7. But it is highly unlikely after a vul opener by West. So I want out as early as possible.
Kees Schaafsma: 2. Pass is too committal and 2 may also work out okay when North is weak.
Rex Tu: 2NT. Give partner one more chance to bid.
John Gillespie: 3. Pard will pass this or should have 6 if they pull.
Bob Todd: 2NT. 2 is too scary - maybe West will bid 3!!
Brian Zietman: 2NT. Won't it be nice if partner responds 3. Unfortunately all my partners bid 3 and then what?
Chris Diamond: 2NT. Think I've seen this before: North had clubs but disbelief led to some silly contracts with 5 (or 6) on. If he bids 3 I'll hope 3NT makes.
Tim Francis-Wright: 2. Yes, partner could have clubs, and, yes, Santa might still bring me that pony for Christmas this year.
Amiram Millet: Pass. Probably our best contract.
|
| 2. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
A K 9 3 2
J 9 8
A 10 7 2
5
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
1NT
|
2
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 14
| 100
|
|
3
| 2
| 50
|
|
3NT
| 1
| 10
|
|
Dbl
| 1
| 10
|
|
Moderator: The panel are emphatic about its choice - a 3 cuebid sets a force and asks partner to further describe their hand.
Larry Cohen: 3. I was going to check back for a spade fit anyway, so now I have to do it by bidding 3.
Betty Ann Kennedy: Dbl. This is a value-showing call. Nearly all low-level doubles are for takeout. I'll try to raise diamonds later.
Jeff Meckstroth: 3. I'm a little heavy for this, but it gives us a chance to get out below game.
Eugene Chan: 3. Was going to New Minor anyways.
Stephen Vincent: 3. East's delayed overcall is puzzling, but on the whole the hand is good enough to insist on game. 4 is most likely, but 3NT, 5, and even 4 are possibilities.
David Walker: 3. Waiting for the action.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. Seems to cover all bases.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. Those who play double here as penalty live in the 19th century. I considered 3 forcing but that leaves me endplayed when pard bids 3. If partner passes my modern takeout double we will collect a nice plus when game isn't a certainty our way.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3. Double should be penalty, not stolen bid. Nothing else is forcing.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Showing extras, asking pard for his opinion on where to go.
Perry Khakhar: 3. Which game? Hearts, spades or NT? That is the question. Let's find out with this cue bid.
Kees Schaafsma: 3. North with J x A Q x x K x x x K x x will bid 3NT over an overagressive 3.
Rex Tu: 3. We can make 5.
John Gillespie: 3. We belong in spades, diamonds, NT, maybe even hearts. I don't know, maybe partner does.
Brian Zietman: 3. Looks like we are on the way to a slam spades or diamonds.
Chris Diamond: 3. I'm kind of hoping he'll bid 3 so we can get to the possible moysian but 3NT seems more likely.
Tim Francis-Wright: 3. Thanks for the cue bid!
Amiram Millet: 2. Fighting for partscore.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
| |
4 3
J
3 2
K J 10 9 7 6 4 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 11
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 7
| 80
|
|
4
| 0
| 20
|
|
Moderator: South is at unfavorable vulnerability and this hand has many losers. Nevertheless, the majority chooses 3. Why?
The Gordons: Pass. Our partners have no sense of humor at these colors.
Don Stack: 3. 4 seems too much, but 3 seems about right.
Eugene Chan: 4. Textbook 4 pre-empt, unless you play Namyats.
Anssi Rantamaa: Pass. Too many losers at this vulnerability.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. If pard bids 3NT I would expect to make with A x opposite. Pard should not risk 3NT with stiff A or stiff Q. I have a play for 3NT if pard bids that with Q x.
Martin Henneberger: 3. He who guesses last loses. I'm bidding first. 3 ways to win. 1st is a 2/1 favourite that the opps have a good hand vs partner. 2nd is 3NT might make our way. 3rd he who guesses last loses.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3. 4 at any other vulnerability.
Larry Meyer: 4. Not enough defense to open 1.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. I would like to try a 1NT psyche. But I don't think that is part of standard. :-) No satisfactory bids, so pass; at least for now.
Kees Schaafsma: 4. No wasted values in other suits. Perfect!
Rex Tu: Pass. Let it go.
John Gillespie: 3. . . and pick up all my green cards.
Brian Zietman: Pass. At this vulnerability and in first position I think pass is the most prudent bid here.
Chris Diamond: 3. If I don't bid 3 now, Drury may stop us from reaching our best spot.
Tim Francis-Wright: 4. At IMPs, I would be afraid of this bid because I could go for a number or keep us out of 3NT, but here the preemption is more vital.
Amiram Millet: 4. It's MP. I don't pass even with red Vul.
|
| 4. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
6
A J 10
K Q 10 9 4 3
A Q 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
|
2
| |
|
2
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Dbl
| 16
| 100
|
|
3
| 1
| 40
|
|
Pass
| 1
| 10
|
|
Moderator: The panel is almost unanimous. Double shows support for the other suits and a good hand - perfect!
Mel Colchamiro: 3. At first I thought dbl was automatic, but what would I do over partner's 3? Let him play in a 4-3 fit instead of a 6-2 diamond fit? And if partner bids 3, now what? Perhaps over my 3, they will compete to 3 and I can consider doubling then.
The Coopers: Dbl. We have extras, so why let them play 2? If partner passes, we will be delighted.
Eugene Chan: Dbl. Matchpoint double. Pass if you are up against aggressive doublers. Partner doesn't have much. In any event, won't get rich defending 2.
Anssi Rantamaa: Dbl. Partner may have a spade stack.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. Diamonds are not good enough or long enough to bid 3 first and then double 3. I want them to bid 3 over 3 after which I will defend. Maybe I'll double them in 3 in that auction.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. Crystal clear in my mind. My 2 level overcalls in between 2 bidding opps show good 6 card suits and good hands. Now I will continue to compete with double. All good partnerships know how to scramble from here.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Dbl. Balance, but hope that partner can convert the double for penalty.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Showing extras, asking pard for his opinion on where to go.
Perry Khakhar: 3. Double may work out better (partner may have long hearts), but I can't stand putting this hand down as dummy with those clubs!
Kees Schaafsma: 3. Double should show 4 hearts.
Rex Tu: Pass. Play for a positive score.
John Gillespie: Pass. This is only the club queen better than my usual 2 bid. Pard has spoken (not).
Brian Zietman: 3. Maybe parttner will be able to double 3.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. Diamonds, extras heart tolerance...what else?
Tim Francis-Wright: Dbl. Partner might sit for this, but with a bad 4=3=3=3 hand, she can always bid 3.
Amiram Millet: 3. Don't let them play a cozy contract.
|
| 5. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
K Q 9 8 5
Q J 6 5 4
Q 8
8
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
1
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 12
| 100
|
|
2
| 2
| 70
|
|
Dbl
| 3
| 50
|
|
1NT
| 1
| 30
|
|
Moderator: Twelve of the expert panel chose to pass. They hope partner will reopen with a double so they can pass for penalties.
Don Stack: 1NT. Trying to penalize non-vul opponents at the one level is usually a losing proposition. Bidding 1NT shows my values. A negative double will lead to problems if partner bids 2 or 2. This is a tough problem.
Larry Cohen: Dbl. I'd rather gently suggest hearts with a double than start towards the stratosphere by bidding 2.
Jeff Meckstroth: Pass. I want to collect a penalty with my juicy spade stack.
Barry Rigal: Pass. . . and reassess on the next round, if there is one. The other choice is a negative double. I'd do that with my major suits reversed.
The Coopers: 2. This works well when partner has a fit, but probably gets us too high otherwise.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Quite happy to await re-opening double.
Anssi Rantamaa: Pass. Maybe partner will reopen with a double.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. Not quite the classic hand for this, but the alternatives are worse.
David Walker: 2. Don't want 3 to get passed out.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. If I pass and pard reopens with double, what will I do? Would rather show my hearts now and see what develops.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. This hand is a non working 10 count. I need to downgrade obviously and I will do so by starting with a negative double. Bidding 2 here is gross and passing is laughable.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. No need to gamble on a trap pass when there is a constructive bid available.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Want to tell pard about hearts, but not at the 2-level.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. I am not certain that this ever works! Partners always seem to re-open with 2.
Kees Schaafsma: Dbl. Does North double on 3 2 K x x K x A Q x x x x if I pass now? I would simply pass and then we'll lose the heart suit. I just hate to bet on one horse.
John Gillespie: 2. Pard has a lot of cards that are not spades.
Brian Zietman: 2. This is a natural non-forcing free bid in my system- works well as a double is a strong negative.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. If I bid 2 we spin up. If I pass and pard doubles 3 might work, but what if he doesn't double? So double and find a 9 card fit, or then 2NT and we might still back into an 8 card heart fit.
Tim Francis-Wright: Dbl. I think 2 overstates the hand here.
Amiram Millet: 2. I'm not hiding. Though, it might play better by North.
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