TGIF July 2011: Scores
| 1. IMPs. Both vul.
|
J 7
A 6 3
9 6 5 4 3
A 8 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
|
Pass
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
2
|
Pass
| |
|
3
|
4
|
4
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
6
| 6
| 100
|
|
5
| 5
| 90
|
|
5
| 3
| 50
|
|
5
| 2
| 40
|
|
4NT
| 1
| 30
|
|
Pass
| 1
| 10
|
|
Moderator: There was support for a variety of calls with this hand - most of them an attempt to tell partner that their 4 bid has us thinking about slam.
August Boehm: 5. Advance control bid implying diamond support: it can't be clubs, having passed twice, and spade support would have been shown a round earlier. If I thought partner would be confused, I'd try 6, but a grand is within reach.
Larry Cohen: 5. I suppose I could just blast to 6, but it can't hurt to try for seven on the way.
Jeff Meckstroth: 4NT. This should be a good 5 bid, not Blackwood. Having passed twice, it can't be Blackwood. I don't want to bid slam on my own because the A may be opposite a void and that's not that good.
Jill Meyers: 6. If I thought my 4NT bid would be interpreted as Blackwood for diamonds, that would be my bid. But I don't want to create confusion, so I am bidding a straightaway 6.
The Sutherlins: 5. . . walking the dog. If the opponents don't push us to 6 like we hope, plus 620 may be more than their minus 500 save in 6.
Mel Colchamiro: 5. I can't believe the conditions of this auction. Pass over 2? No way! My choice would have been 2 - Marshall Miles style. I have had good success with such tactics.
Stephen Vincent: 5. Hard to describe how big this hand has become.
Aidan Ballantyne: 5. The aces and fifth diamond are nice for slam but I don't have strength in our suits and finesses there would expect to lose. Pard was under pressure. Vul opps rate to have at least something.
Martin Henneberger: 5. Well at first glance I wanted to bid 6, but in my old age when forced to guess at a high level taking the low road and ensuring a plus take priority. I also must allow partner leeway to compete here with shape rather than controls.
Larry Meyer: 5. If pard can freely bid his diamonds at the 4-level, I can raise him to 5.
Eugene Chan: 5. Taking insurance. Might get a chance to double 5!
Andrew Krywaniuk: 5. This hand is just too perfect. Surely someone has prearranged it with a 5-0 spade break or some other nasty trap.
Mike Roberts: 6. Because it will make. If I cuebid, I'll bid 5.
Perry Khakhar: 6. Tough call! I will bid what I think will make. RKC will not help me locate the K or Q!
Paul Mcmullin: 5. With an imaginative partner, I might try 5.
Chris Diamond: 4NT. Considered cuebidding 5 then 5 over 5 hoping pard would bid 7 with A K and A K but he can ruin that plan with a 5 cuebid so I'll ask KC and hope I get the right answers for 7. I'm bidding a small slam regardless and will pay off if pard has no top spade.
Chris Buchanan: 6. Partner has a good 5-5 or better and I have aces.
Tim Francis-Wright: 5. At IMPs, I'm willing to risk being one level too high because the reward for being right is so great.
Amiram Millet: 5. Suggesting more than 5.
Kees Schaafsma: 4NT. If North has two keys, I'll bid 5.
John Gillespie: 6. Might miss the grand. Pard is often 6-5 for this big 4 bid.
Brian Zietman: 5. We may have 6 on but a double of 5 should rake in some IMPs too- just biding time.
Plarq Liu: 5. Simply bid what we have.
Nate Vestal: 5. 5 is a two-edged sword of taking a good chance at +600, while goading opps into bidding 5 for a good chance of +500 or +800.
Bob Todd: 5. Tempted to bid 6 but partner could have KQJxxx - KJ10xxx x
Beverley Candlish: 5. I would compete to 5. Bidding by partner indicates 5/5 and a stronger hand.
Kf Tung: 5. Game before slam.
|
| 2. IMPs. None vul.
| |
A 9 8 6 5
Q 8 4
K 7 2
Q 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
2
|
2NT
(1)
| ? |
| (1) Clubs and hearts.
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Dbl
| 12
| 100
|
|
3
| 3
| 60
|
|
3
| 1
| 40
|
|
3
| 1
| 30
|
|
4
| 1
| 20
|
|
3
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: An overwhelming majority of the panel favors doubling 2NT primarily as a way to solicit partner's involvement.
Betty Ann Kennedy: Dbl. I need to let my partner know that I have a good hand.
Mike Lawrence: 3. 3 is passable and 3 is competitive. I'm not doubling since they rate to have a good fit, perhaps nine cards in one of their two suits.
Kerri Sanborn: 3. It's a game try that shows the fifth spade. It also preempts the opponents a little.
The Joyces: 3. We have too much not to make a try, even though our values are soft in the opponent's suit.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. Seems most flexible. If LHO bids 3 or 3 and this comes back to me, I'll bid 3 which completes the picture.
Martin Henneberger: 3. A game try is certainly required, the question being which suit to bid as a try. Normally I like 3 as it allows the most room for partner to re-cooperate. However on this hand what I really need is heart help so I will bid 3 as a help suit game try.
Larry Meyer: 3. Counting on pard to have 4 spades, so we are safe at the 3-level. My 2 queens in their suits argue against bidding 4.
Ivy Pye: Pass. Partner and I will both have another opportunity to bid so I'll wait and see.
Eugene Chan: Dbl. Double first sets the stage for an invitational 3 later. An immediate 3 suggests a weaker hand and less defense against a minor suit contract.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Dbl. Double to show balance of power, then bid 3 unless partner doubles their run-out.
Mike Roberts: 3. I'm never doubling 3 of a round suit at IMPs, so I'll start with my normal game try.
Perry Khakhar: 3. Showing extras; looking for help with the decision from partner! 3NT is not yet out of the question. Remember that this is a belated call by them (bad suits!). Also our trumps might not break well.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. I'll pretend I've got defence but will pull pard's double of 3 to 3, showing extras in a NT setup.
Chris Buchanan: Dbl. Shows good values and willingness to defend. My cards are better for defense than offense.
Tim Francis-Wright: 3. It's tempting to cue bid, but we might not have game on power and I want to keep West out of this auction.
Amiram Millet: 3. Discounting the 2 queens.
John Gillespie: Dbl. Usually followed by 3 as a game invite.
Brian Zietman: 3. Very soft values in opps' suit. Have to tread carefully.
Plarq Liu: 3. Bid what we have.
Beverley Candlish: Dbl. I would double showing extra values. My partner can choose to either bid 3 or 4.
Kf Tung: Dbl. Invite game. Partner may seek penalty if cards are desirable.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. E-W vul.
| |
10 3
A 10 9 2
4
A Q 9 8 7 5
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
1NT
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3NT
| 11
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 3
| 70
|
|
3
| 2
| 40
|
|
2NT
| 1
| 30
|
|
2
| 1
| 20
|
|
Moderator: The club suit has a decided majority of the panel brimming over with optimism.
Barry Rigal: Pass. This may not be our best possible spot, but it rates to be our best spot possible. Game could be anywhere between laydown and no-play. At pairs, try to go plus, and in notrump when possible, not in the minors.
Steve Robinson: 3NT. If I could invite in clubs, I would. If the clubs come in, we could easily make 3NT. When in doubt, go for the brass ring.
Stephen Vincent: 2NT. 2 on the first round might have been a happier choice.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3NT. I'm surely not taking out to a suit so it's Pass, 2NT or 3NT. I'm the one looking at all the tricks. Inviting is somewhat pointless. I make this bid at any form of bridge.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. This is exactly the reason why 2-way new minor and XYZ were developed. Playing SAYC this is an unsolvable problem. Pass.
Larry Meyer: 2. Must tell pard about those clubs - will accept his decision on where we should play.
Ivy Pye: 2. If partner has anything in clubs there could be a game here.
Eugene Chan: 2. Specialized partnership agreements would be useful here but this is a bidding contest without agreements. I am prepared to play an eventual moysian heart contract.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. The right contract depends on how many spades partner has. If he has something like K x x (likely since no one has overcalled) then 1NT could make 2 while 3 (wrong-sided) makes only 3.
Mike Roberts: 3. With 5 hearts, I'd New Minor. I do think this is invitational.
Perry Khakhar: 3. If you are playing XYZ, 3 will show this invitational hand with long clubs. Without XYZ, this probably is to play. I may be a little rich for that but I want a plus at matchpoints.
Merv Adey: 2. Need clear methods. I believe 2 then 3 should be invitational with longer clubs.
Paul Mcmullin: 3NT. I have a source of tricks partner doesn't know about.
Chris Diamond: 3. Need to know the system, but should show long clubs and 4 hearts invitational.
Chris Buchanan: 2. Followed by 3.
Tim Francis-Wright: 3. I know we have a big club fit, but it's silly to blast to 3NT if spades aren't really stopped.
Amiram Millet: 3. Inviting 3NT. 2 is New Minor Forcing.
Kees Schaafsma: 3NT. I just can't resist the temptation.
John Gillespie: 3. A help suit 3NT try?
Brian Zietman: 3. I presume 2 would be checkback and hopefully this bid will convey my distribution.
Richmond Williams: Pass. . . and if they compete where are the tricks outside of spades? Even a 3 call may be safe over 2.
Beverley Candlish: 3. I would bid a non-forcing 3 showing a club suit. Bidding 2 would be NMF.
Kf Tung: 2. Pave way to safest part score before committing to game.
|
| 4. IMPs. N-S vul.
| |
A K 7 4 3
Q J 8 2
---
A 10 6 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2NT
| 8
| 100
|
|
2
| 6
| 70
|
|
1
| 2
| 60
|
|
4
| 2
| 50
|
|
Moderator: With so many good things to show partner and so many things to ask him, where do you start?
Larry Cohen: 1. There is no right or wrong answer: it's just a matter of what you're in the mood for today. If playing Soloway jump shifts, you could bid 2, then show shortness and heart support. Jacoby 2NT is also possible.
Allan Falk: 2NT. If I don't make a forcing heart raise now, I may not be able to clarify my hand later. Of course, I play that with a minimum, partner must rebid 3, not 4. In SAYC, a 4 rebid will be annoying, but I think I have five-level safety.
Karen Walker: 2. The strong jump shift is not dead! If partner rebids 2NT or 3, I'll follow with a club rebid (in the Soloway style) showing diamond shortness and hope he can Blackwood, which will allow me to show everything.
The Coopers: 4. . . splinter, followed by 5 and then followed by 5. We are not stopping short of slam.
Stephen Vincent: 2NT. Too good for an immediate splinter.
Aidan Ballantyne: 1. How much we make (6 or 7) seems contingent on partner's spade holding. I set the foundation for subsequent information exchange or judgment on that question. 2NT second choice. Splinter is ridiculous.
Martin Henneberger: 2NT. If you start with 1 and partner rebids 2 you will have to 4th suit force with 3 and still haven't told partner about the 4 card heart support. Make it easy on yourself by bidding Jacoby 2NT to begin.
Larry Meyer: 4. Splinter to tell pard about great fit, game force, with diamond shortness. If pard signs off in 4, will cue bid 4 to show slam interest.
Ivy Pye: 1. Lots of time on way to a possible slam in hearts.
Eugene Chan: 2. Modern preference seems to favour weak jump shifts but I like old fashioned strong.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2NT. It will be impossible to describe my hand to partner, so better to have partner describe his hand to me.
Mike Roberts: 2. I shouldn't splinter - partner can't cue back. There's much to show here; this will get us started.
Perry Khakhar: 2NT. Splinter may work, but it takes up too much space. Wouldn't it be spectacular if partner showed shortness in clubs!
Merv Adey: 2NT. Going to control this hand..first set trumps via Jacoby 2N. A stiff club opposite would be fabulous.
Ranjan Bhaduri: 1. Why waste space?
Chris Diamond: 2. If I start with 1 and pard bids 2 I have to bid 3, the ugliest sequence in bridge. So a strong jump shift and then support hearts hoping to get all my messages across that way.
Chris Buchanan: 4. Well since I can't use the perfectly good 3 for a splinter I will preempt the auction even more and bid 4.
Tim Francis-Wright: 1. I thought about 4, but over 4, I'm endplayed into bidding 5. I would rather bid 4 next round in case we make slam on a double fit.
Amiram Millet: 1. Am I missing something? Have time to show my big hand.
Joel Forssell: 5. Voidwood.
Kees Schaafsma: 2. Too strong to splinter here and Jacoby 2NT provokes a weak 4 more often than not.
John Gillespie: 2NT. Go looking for a black singleton before a splinter when you own all of pards cue-bids.
Brian Zietman: 1. Slowly . . . slowly . . .
Plarq Liu: 1. Begin our exploration of slam.
Bob Todd: 1. Definitely not Jacoby!!!
Beverley Candlish: 2NT. I would bid Jacoby 2NT showing 4 hearts and an opening bid or better. I would not bid a splinter as my hand is too strong.
Kf Tung: 1. Good controls, enough tricks, but we have to find the best trumps!
|
| 5. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
A 3
A Q 3 2
Q 6 3
A K 7 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
|
1
| |
|
3
|
3
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3NT
| 9
| 100
|
|
4
| 5
| 70
|
|
4NT
| 2
| 50
|
|
5
| 2
| 40
|
|
Moderator: The majority of panelists choose to underbid 3NT and they aren't happy about it. The minority go for the ambiguous 4 cuebid.
Don Stack: 3NT. Great hand, but what to bid? To cuebid without a diamond control and trump support does not appeal, so we will take the low road.
The Gordons: 4. We need to tell partner our hand has potential without getting to the five level. The only way to do this is 4: an ambiguous cuebid. If partner signs off, we'll give up. We are not concerned about spades: partner must have great strength there.
Aidan Ballantyne: 4. Only way to show my strength. If pard bids 4 I will be happy to pass. That's the theory. Then there's practice. I would settle for 3NT at the table.
Martin Henneberger: 4. A simple raise to 4 is a gross underbid. 3NT is also an underbid and a gamble. What I'm left with is a 4 forcing call. Where this will lead I'm unsure, but I'm just too good for any other action.
Larry Meyer: 4. Pard showed strength, denied club support, denied diamond stopper, denied heart suit, so trusting him to have good spades.
Eugene Chan: 4. I bid 4, the same as if I did not have the Q. In any event, 4 should suggest reverse values for opener (notwithstanding only 4-4 in opener's primary suits).
Andrew Krywaniuk: 4. There are no good options, but 3NT seems like an underbid (and probably riskier than 4 anyway).
Mike Roberts: 5. This pretty clearly asks for diamonds.
Perry Khakhar: 4. I am willing to pass 4 (last plus?). I must however make at least a mild try to reach 6NT.
Chris Diamond: 3NT. A natural 4NT would be about right, but it sounds like RKC. No way of finding out if slam's good if pard's bidding under pressure. It's MPs and he isn't necessarily finished yet.
Chris Buchanan: 4. Strong spade raise. Not the best hand for this but my choices have been truncated by the preempt.
Tim Francis-Wright: 4. Too strong for just 3NT.
Amiram Millet: 3NT. We might have a slam, but there is no space to check it now.
Kees Schaafsma: 4. Over 4 I'll bid 4: a mild slam try as 4NT is also available.
John Gillespie: 4. Tempting to bid 4 as our only slam try but 3NT is nowhere.
Brian Zietman: 3NT. At IMPs 4 is probably best, but at matchpoints. . .
Plarq Liu: 3NT. Bid what we have.
Bob Todd: 4. Every time I bid 3NT, they run the first 6 diamonds.
Beverley Candlish: 4. . . showing support in spades and a very good hand. My partner should have at least 6 spades. After my bid of 4, my partner can either cue bid or bid 4NT asking for controls.
Kf Tung: 4. Game hand. Spades better than No Trumps in MP.
|
|
