TGIF May 2011: Scores
| 1. IMPs. Both vul.
|
K 10 5
A 9 7
A 9
A K 10 7 6
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
|
1
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
2
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2NT
| 7
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 7
| 90
|
|
3
| 2
| 30
|
|
Dbl
| 2
| 30
|
|
Moderator: South has a nice hand, but it sounds like North doesn't have much. Nevertheless, 11 experts choose to take action and 2NT was the most popular choice.
Mike Lawrence: 3. Defending against 2 feels very wrong - there's a good chance they can make it. Bidding 2NT is possible, but that promises a different hand type that includes a spade stopper and running club suit. I'm just trying for a small plus score.
Jill Meyers: Pass. I don't think we have a game, and I have too much in spades - with the king poorly placed - to compete to the 3-level on my own. If I pass, maybe partner can bid if she has a long suit.
Steve Robinson: Dbl. The opponents have an eight-card fit, so I have to push them up.
Kerri Sanborn: 2NT. Even if I can only scramble seven tricks in 2NT, it is better than allowing E/W to score 110. Some partnerships would play 2NT as either a good / bad bid or as a minor-suit takeout with emphasis on clubs.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Partner, with short spades, was unable to muster a bid of any kind over 1, severely restricting the hand types he could have that would make game even playable. Meanwhile you have nice defensive prospects and the auction isn't over.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2NT. Double would show a different hand type and I'm too good to pass. Not enough playing strength to jump to 3NT though I love my controls.
Martin Henneberger: 2NT. Even though I don't play this as natural but as a version of good / bad 2NT, I believe that it is natural in sayc and that the panel will vote for this bid.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Vul, so not anxious for an adventure at the 3-level.
Eugene Chan: Pass. This is not our hand. They might even be cold for 4!
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2NT. I can tolerate any follow up bid from partner.
Julien Levesque: Pass. Partner rates to have nothing, and the hand has 4 1/2 tricks on defence vs a likely 6 1/2 tricks for our side and no help from partner, unless partner is playing possum.
Mike Roberts: 2NT. This won't be the expert choice, but at least I get it off my chest.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. We clearly don't have a game! Minus 200 feels likely if I compete. Maybe they will bid up to a level that gets us a plus if I stay out.
Merv Adey: Pass. Tough choice, but if partner has a little something we will go plus.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. No negative dbl from a pard with short spades. Hope I'm playing in a 6-2 diamond fit or 5-3 clubs.
Chris Buchanan: Dbl. I am not a big fan of this action but I think I have too much to go quitely.
Amiram Millet: Pass. No need to act heroically here.
Kees Schaafsma: Pass. My guess this is the panel's choice; with Lebensohl in the bag I would double.
John Gillespie: 2NT. A red king and a black queen opposite could be enough. Could be ugly though.
Plarq Liu: 2NT. Show my values. Partner might have 0-5 HCP and we can make 2NT or 3.
Bob Todd: Pass. Any action including pass is dangerous.
|
| 2. IMPs. Both vul.
| |
5 3
K 9
8 7 3
K J 8 4 3 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
5
|
Pass
|
Pass
| |
|
5
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 17
| 100
|
|
6
| 1
| 40
|
|
6
| 0
| 20
|
|
5NT
| 0
| 10
|
|
Dbl
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: Even though 6 might be a good save, South can't be sure that he can defeat a slam contract.
Allan Falk: 6. Partner has at least 8 diamonds, maybe 9 or 10, so 5 rates to be cold. I'm bidding 6 and hope it confuses the opponents enough to keep them from continuing to 6.
The Coopers: Pass. The way we decide what to do on hands like this is ask how I would feel if I bid 6 and E/W bid 6. If the answer is 'not happy', as here, we don't push them.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Am I suppose to consider 6? Surely you jest.
Aidan Ballantyne: 6. Up the ante. If they bid more also, I will pass and try to beat them. Passing out 5 would win Wimp of the Year award (probably the panel majority; fear of them bidding slam).
Martin Henneberger: Pass. Since I have no answer for 6, I will sell out to the 5 level as we have arrived in no man's land.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Pard has made them guess - don't undo his good work.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Another fast pass. I'm hoping they missed a slam!
Yue Su: Pass. Good thing west did not bid 6.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. Down 3 is not good bridge.
Julien Levesque: Dbl. We may not rate to make a slam, but partner has bid 5 vul. Let's show some values and see what comes.
Mike Roberts: Pass. What can go right if I bid? I make 6 (no) or it's a profitable sac (win 3 or 8). If I'm wrong, it's lose 7 or 12. At IMPs, let them play it.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. I hate the fielder's choice: -1400 or -1430 when I can get out for -650 or -680.
Merv Adey: Pass. Sorry everyone, thinking about the previous hand.
Chris Diamond: Pass. 6 is likely to be cheap, but I'll probably have to bid 7 over 6 so what's the point?
Chris Buchanan: Pass. 6 is tempting but why push them into a possibly making 6?
Amiram Millet: Pass. They might even have a slam.
Kees Schaafsma: Pass. Who says it won't go 6 -(forcing pass from West)-pass-(6).
John Gillespie: Pass. No reason to think I can beat 7.
Plarq Liu: 6. Never sell out to craziness.
Bob Todd: Pass. I hope partner's 5 did the job.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. E-W vul.
| |
J 10
6 5 3
K 7 5
A K Q 9 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
1NT
| 9
| 100
|
|
2
| 6
| 80
|
|
2
| 3
| 40
|
|
Pass
| 0
| 20
|
|
1
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: Half the panel sees a balanced hand and bids 1NT. This may wrong-side the contract, but it may make it harder for the opponents to find their major-suit fit, if they have one.
Karen Walker: 2. I have too much to pass, which leaves it close between 1NT and 2. If partner can't bid over 2, that's probably the best spot.
Don Stack: 2. I will not rebid 1NT with no semblance of a major-suit stopper. Raising diamonds is a possibility, but with such a great club suit, I think that's the most descriptive.
The Joyces: 1NT. 1NT scores more if you make it than 1 and may keep the opponents out.
Stephen Vincent: 1NT. Just bid 1NT without straining the brain too much. The opponents have yet to find a fit and bidding 2 will make them more inclined to balance. Also partner may misjudge your diamond length in a balancing auction if you raise.
Gilbert Lambert: 2. I don't want to let them come in easily at the one level.
Aidan Ballantyne: 1NT. Balanced hand, running tricks, keep them out. The way I play I could be 4-4 in majors so opps will have risk in competing.
Martin Henneberger: 1NT. I have a flat balanced hand. As such I have a 1NT rebid. In modern bidding this doesn't deny 1 or both majors and will make it risky for the opps to look for one. Bidding 2 or supporting diamonds distorts my hand and invites competition.
Larry Meyer: 1NT. Make the bid that most accurately describes and limits my hand.
Eugene Chan: 1NT. I love 1NT. My favourite contract!
Andrew Krywaniuk: 1NT. Yes, we could be off a couple of stoppers, but no reason to panic yet. The fact that no one has overcalled or preempted is reassuring.
Julien Levesque: 1NT. Matchpoints value rebidding NT making it worth more than 2 and 1 less trick to chase. This may take a dive on a major suit lead, but making would rate to be 8 tricks.
Mike Roberts: 2. Not a huge fan of this, but it feels right.
Perry Khakhar: 2. Who bids diamonds without a substantial reason? I don't much care for the NTs, and they are about to find their major fit. Maybe we can play in a minor.
Chris Diamond: 2. Once upon a time it'd go 1NT by you all pass. Nowadays they'll find their major suit fit so I might as well show my fit for competitive purposes and let pard bid NT if it's right.
Chris Buchanan: 2. 1NT shows your values and strength better however it tends to wrong side it. Better to treat this suit as a 6-bagger.
Amiram Millet: 2. Preparing a sacrifice over 2 of a major.
Kees Schaafsma: 1NT. True to style.
John Gillespie: 2. A transfer to notrump?
Plarq Liu: 2. I prefer a suit contract.
|
| 4. Matchpoints. E-W vul.
| |
K 6 5 4 3
K
A J
Q 10 9 6 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
2
|
Pass
|
3
| |
|
Pass
|
3
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 6
| 100
|
|
3NT
| 4
| 80
|
|
4
| 3
| 60
|
|
Pass
| 3
| 50
|
|
5
| 2
| 40
|
|
4
| 0
| 20
|
|
3
| 0
| 10
|
|
4
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: This problem generated a diverse set of answers. Do you try for 3NT? Try to play diamonds? Or pass a probable misfit?
Jeff Meckstroth: 3NT. Partner frequently has something like J 5 3.
Jill Meyers: 4. . . and I hope I didn't just waltz by the last makeable contract of 3NT.
Barry Rigal: Pass. I recognize this deal from a pairs game in an NABC a year or so ago. At the time, I didn't have enough nerve to pass, though I knew it was right. I apologize to partner again, and this time I'll be a good boy and pass.
The Sutherlins: Pass. Even when partner has a heart stopper, we may be going down in 3NT. Bidding skinny games at matchpoints is unnecessary.
Mel Colchamiro: 5. If I bid 4 and partner cuebids 4 or 4, then 5 by me sounds like a slam try, and this hand isn't worth that. In my youth, I might have tried 3NT. If I needed a good board, I still might do that.
Bob Giragosian: 3. It looks like we are headed for 3NT, but I want to make sure we have hearts stopped.
Stephen Vincent: 3. One more try for 3NT.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. Pard should bid 3NT with anything in hearts (even J x x) having avoided NT so far. 3 may wrong side the contract, but so might bidding 3NT myself (it's a guess who should play 3NT). 3 has more partnership and keeps options open. 4 splinter is an overbid.
Martin Henneberger: 3. Well 3 didn't promise clubs: it was checkback. Now I will probe for the right game with a 3 call. Who knows where this should be played? 3NT, 4 and 5 or 6 of a minor are all possibilities. Let's involve partner.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Not enough to consider playing at the 5-level.
Eugene Chan: Pass. No game appears likely. Not going to try for iffy game.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. 3NT could have decent chances (partner has outside points somewhere), but it seems unlikely to be a 50% proposition.
Julien Levesque: 3NT. Pard must have some values in hearts, and if any game makes it rates to be in 3NT.
Mike Roberts: 3NT. Practical. Stupid, but practical. Realistically, it's probably right to play it from my side.
Perry Khakhar: 3. Q x might be enough for 3NT! Gotta try it. Ready with an apology if it doesn't work.
Merv Adey: 4. I thought about a leap to 5, but this is worth 1 slam suggestion on the way.
Chris Diamond: 3NT. Good chance of running 9 tricks.
Chris Buchanan: 3. Asking bid for hearts, looking for NT.
Amiram Millet: 3. Looking for 3NT.
Kees Schaafsma: 4. 3NT looks out. 5 could be right though and I'm allowed to pass over 4.
John Gillespie: 3NT. Hands where 5 of a minor is correct should be barred from matchpoints.
Plarq Liu: 3NT. Stiff K might win, if diamond is 2-2, we're good.
Bob Todd: 3. Does partner have a heart card?
|
| 5. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
| |
J 6 4 2
5
K J
A J 10 9 4 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 13
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 4
| 60
|
|
Pass
| 1
| 20
|
|
3
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: The majority chooses the 2 overcall, abandoning the spades.
Larry Cohen: Dbl. This looks like a lot of junk, but I have found it a good idea to stick my neck out a little early to get in. Maybe partner can push them around a little if he has either black suit. I could choose to bid 2 to get the lead, but our future is more likely in a 4-4 spade fit.
The Sutherlins: Pass. We are going to get another chance and will have a better idea as to the opponents' strength. We think an action here should show a better hand.
The Gordons: 2. The suit quality dictates bidding our six-card suit. We can introduce spades later if the opportunity presents itself at a reasonable level.
Stephen Vincent: 2. I suppose I have to make some kind of noise at pairs.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2. I think pass is much smarter (intending to balance if they stay low) and dbl allows us to find spades. But I'm trying to score in the contest, so I make a purposeless bid that will accomplish little else but tell them how to play the heart suit.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. If I bid 2 I may never get a chance to show 4 spades. Doubling at the 1 level allows for partner to compete holding spade length, which may lead to a light game or good sac. I think it's a winning action to double at the 1 level light with shape.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. With 10 cards in other 2 suits, we need to compete.
Eugene Chan: 2. For a variety of reasons, treating spades as a non suit.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. I have strong reservations about bidding here. It gives away information, it doesn't hinder the opponents (and in fact it allows them to support double), and it appears that I will be on lead. However, I expect the panel will not see it that way.
Julien Levesque: Dbl. I am not my cousin Louis who would bid 2: I've got both blacks with longer clubs as a runout.
Mike Roberts: 2. Double is ok, but I think this hand will play better in clubs.
Perry Khakhar: 2. I don't really mind the double, but with this significant a disparity in the suit quality I can't make myself do it!
Janet Dunbar: 2. Showing both black suits with longer clubs.
Chris Diamond: 2. Show the good suit then double later to get spades in.
Chris Buchanan: 2. Good suit if a little short on values.
Amiram Millet: 2. A typical MP bid.
John Gillespie: Pass. If some cheap rebid gets passed back to me I'll balance.
Plarq Liu: 2. Bid my good suit, also lead directing.
Bob Todd: 2. If we buy the hand it will play better from my side and I want clubs led.
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