TGIF September 2011: Scores
| 1. IMPs. Both vul.
|
Q 10 4 2
A Q 7 5 3
10 5 3
6
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
1
|
Dbl
| |
|
2
|
3
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
3
| 12
| 100
|
|
3NT
| 3
| 40
|
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Pass
| 3
| 30
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|
Moderator: A solid majority makes the easy call of 3. It would be an easier call with better hearts, but in reality, North should have some heart tolerance or an alternate plan when he makes a 3-level reverse.
Jill Meyers: 3. Partner must be offering up hearts as a place to play with diamond support.
Steve Robinson: 3. If partner has three hearts, we belong in hearts. If partner has fewer than three hearts, he'll bid 3 and I'll bid 3NT.
The Coopers: Pass. My points aren't working unless partner has three hearts and we are too high to investigate that.
The Gordons: 3NT. Partner has a good and shapely hand here. He is most likely 5-6 or maybe 4-6 in the minors, so hearts is an unlikely strain for us. We have values and one and a half stoppers. If partner pulls, we happy to play in 5 or 6.
Stephen Vincent: 3NT. 3NT is so often the right contract.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. Pard has extras and we are pretty much forced to game. Pard more likely holds 5-4 or 6-4 in clubs-diamonds as with 6-5, tactics normally warrant a 1 opener even with a good hand. So pard has 2-3 hearts. I try 3, allowing a 4 raise or a 3 cue, over which I can bid 3NT.
Martin Henneberger: 3NT. My double is negative only promising hearts. Since it says nothing about diamonds, partner's bid is a reverse and I will bid 3NT now.
Craig T. Wilson: 3NT. Partner has reversed.
Larry Meyer: 3NT. Pard has enough to reverse, and I have spades stopped.
Eugene Chan: 3NT. If choosing amongst options and 3NT is one of them......Bob Hamman's Rule.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3NT. We could end up missing a nice 5-3 heart fit, but I want to avoid torturing partner with an ambiguous 3 bid.
Perry Khakhar: 3. With my negative double, I promised 2 places to play. Partner is aware of that as well. 1345 seems to be his shape, and therefore some extra values for the 1 opener instead of 1 prepared bid. But with wastage in spades, 3 should be plenty.
Merv Adey: Pass. No source of tricks in 3N: partner has a decent hand but doesn't need a monster to compete.
Chris Diamond: 3NT. Does 3 show extras? Guess I've seen too many Meckwell auctions. Doesn't seem that 9 tricks are there but sometimes they show up.
David Gordon: 3. I would prefer to have a 6th heart for the bid. Plan is to bid 3NT over partner's 3 bid or 4 over 4.
Tim Francis-Wright: 3NT. I guess we find out soon if partner was joking or not.
Amiram Millet: 3. Partner is strong. We may have at least 3NT.
John Gillespie: 3NT. I don't miss red games at IMPs. Don't make them all either.
Brian Zietman: 3. Partner may be void in spades and we have 4 otherwise we will play in 5.
Paul Hardy: 3. If pard bids 3 looking for a spade stopper, I will bid 3N.
Plarq Liu: 3NT. Bid the most possible contract.
Richmond Williams: 4. I think I have a very helpful hand in diamonds. Pard has to be at least 5-5 for the bid and have a good hand.
Beverley Candlish: 3NT. My partner is indicating he has clubs and diamonds. With my good 8 points, I would bid 3NT.
Kf Tung: Pass. Opponents may not know that you have bid too much. Protect your last chance for a small plus and expect to survive with a small minus. Do not rock the boat any more in choppy waters.
Syb Foster: 3NT. Keep it low.
Bob Todd: 3NT. Hopefully 3 shows extras.
|
| 2. Matchpoints. E-W vul.
| |
K Q 6 5 4
Q 9
A 7
K J 9 5
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| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
2
|
Pass
|
Pass
| |
|
3
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Dbl
| 10
| 100
|
|
3
| 5
| 50
|
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Pass
| 3
| 30
|
|
Moderator: Several panelists acknowledge that they have a maximum, some defense and a partner when they reopen with a double.
Jeff Meckstroth: 3. At pairs I need either to double or bid 3. I hate to double and risk a cold zero.
Kerri Sanborn: Dbl. Matchpoints. They are vulnerable. Enough said. This is not 100% penalty in front of the bidder. I still have a partner over there.
Karen Walker: Pass. Mediocre spades and slow side-suit tricks argue for defending.
Stephen Vincent: 3. Not too happy about 3 but defending 3 undoubled is unlikely to lead to a good matchpoint score.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. More flexible than 3 as I have a flattish hand with extras and don't mind defending.
Martin Henneberger: 3. Great matchpoint problem. Both contracts may be down 1, or 1 or both might be making. I am at a complete guess and I am not the random doubling gambling type, so I bid 1 more for the road.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Can't accept +100 when we were due for +110 or +140.
Eugene Chan: Dbl. Too late to make a 3 game try now. With substantive extras, I'll a matchpoint double to scare the magic +200.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Dbl. It seems clear to act. Since I am torn between 2 and double, I choose the less unilateral bid.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. For the same reason that you passed the 2 bid: flawed values. I want a plus score this hand and it seems to be 200 or 300. I don't want to be in 3 or defend against 3 if we stampede them or pard there with a double.
Merv Adey: Dbl. Flexible, maximal, whatever...
Chris Diamond: Dbl. Shows a willingness to compete without big shape. Maybe pard passes for +200.
David Gordon: Dbl. Giver a whippin'.
Tim Francis-Wright: Dbl. I was just short of making a game try last round. At MPs, I have to protect our +110.
Amiram Millet: Dbl. It's MP, I must protect our +110.
John Gillespie: Dbl. I'm over the trumps and limited. Pard can still save me.
Brian Zietman: 3. 2 down is not good enough or even 1 down doubled. The A gives us good prospects of making - just a couple of black aces from partner should be enough.
Paul Hardy: Dbl. I'll include partner in this decision to penalize or move to 3.
Plarq Liu: 3. Worth a shot.
Beverley Candlish: 3. I don't have enough points to double. With my 15 points, I would compete to 3 and if my partner is at the top of his range he can bid 4.
Kf Tung: Dbl. Get a shared top about 3 times out of 4. You have a bottom when they make, but partner may pull to 3 with an offensive hand and then you get an average for 9 tricks or below for one down. Occasionally you get a sure top with +500.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
K 7 2
K Q J 10 6
---
A 10 6 5 4
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| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
|
1
| |
|
2
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Dbl
| 15
| 100
|
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3
| 3
| 30
|
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2
| 0
| 0
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Moderator: Despite being 5-5 in the rounded suits, and despite the diamond void, nearly all of the experts like a reopening double with this hand.
Mike Lawrence: Dbl. 3 might be the better bid, but it will likely need North to have four of them to work out. I expect a heart lead against 2 doubled and that is just fine. I will have to apologize for not returning a trump when I get in.
The Sutherlins: 3. We're not reopening with a double when holding a diamond void and only three spades. We'll compete for the partial and not worry about going for a number.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. Wishing I had a singleton diamond in the event of a pass by partner.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. Problem with this call is if pard leaves it in and RHO runs to 2, I am not good enough for 3 and will have to pass. But I have to show support for both blacks. Pard could have long spades and not enough for a Neg Dbl.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. Some don't like to double with a void. I am not from that school. Doubling with shortness greatly increases partnership harmony, especially when so many players make disgusting 2-level overcalls on 5-card suits.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Protecting partner whose double would have been negative.
Eugene Chan: Dbl. Usually, I will avoid re-opening doubles with a void in the opponent's suit but this hand is an exception.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3. Not keen to convert partner's trap pass with a void. This hand has too much offensive potential.
Perry Khakhar: 3. Never reopen with a double in your void! Also partner showed no interest in spades. I have a very decent offensive hand, I will bid it naturally.
Merv Adey: Dbl. If all pass, I'll wish I had a trump to lead, but it may not matter.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. Not bidding a nothing 3 when we could have them nailed.
Tim Francis-Wright: 3. Partner almost surely has a passel of diamonds, but game or slam seems more likely than +800.
Amiram Millet: Dbl. Partner is going to turn it to punishment. I prefer a diamond in my hand but alas.
John Gillespie: Dbl. Heart length on my right = good defence. If pard bids we push them up and maybe around.
Brian Zietman: Dbl. Partner: Do you by any chance have a diamond stack?
Plarq Liu: Dbl. Reopening double (takeout). Let's see what partner's got.
Beverley Candlish: 3. My partner may be sitting with diamonds but my hand is not strong enough to double 2.
Kf Tung: Dbl. If the hand belongs to you, pard is drooling at the prospect of a big penalty. If the hand belongs to them, your chance to bail out is 2 or 2, not 3. As long as you stay on the 2 level they are more likely to bid 3 than apply the axe.
|
| 4. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
| |
A 10 2
A 9
A Q 6 2
A 10 9 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
2
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2NT
| 11
| 100
|
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Dbl
| 6
| 80
|
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Pass
| 1
| 10
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Moderator: With pass out of the question, the choices were limited. The majority choose 2NT - minors or natural? Who cares? Both bases are covered.
Barry Rigal: Dbl. I'm not worried about my heart holding. Partner is short in spades so rates to have five-plus cards in the suit. I'd like to play 2NT as two-suited here by partner, but in fact, I play it as Lebensohl.
Don Stack: 2NT. This points to the minors or two places to play. If partner passes from fright, that might work also. If the opponents take the push to 3, we will double.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. Perhaps those aces will compensate for the slight flaw in the heart suit.
Aidan Ballantyne: Pass. Maybe pard can balance and push them one more. 2NT for the minors is bad if pard has long hearts but not enough to overcall 1. I don't mind defending 2 anyway.
Martin Henneberger: 2NT. Well, I passed this hand 9 out of 10 times I looked at it, then my reasoning changed. Partner will never be able to balance, so taking action is crucial to not defend 2 here. 2NT should be 2 places to play, and unless partner is 2-5-3-3 we will land on our feet.
Larry Meyer: 2NT. Asking pard to choose a minor.
Eugene Chan: Pass. No safety at the 3 level. I am going to take a very passive approach at adverse vulnerability. Much more difficult problem at IMPs.
Stuart Carr: 2NT. I assume 2NT takeout for the minors.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2NT. Pre-balance for the minors. We might be cold for 3NT but there's no sensible way to get there.
Laurence Betts: 2NT. Unusual.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. Show some discipline and pass! We may come out with +50 or -110. If we bid (2NT?) we are looking at -200 or -300.
Merv Adey: Pass. My tempo has improved...partner might be able to act.
Chris Diamond: Pass. Could be getting jobbed by NV opps but we have no guarantee of a plus and a possibility of -200 or more. 2NT will probably get the call.
David Gordon: Dbl. Bid 3NT over partner's 3 bid.
Tim Francis-Wright: Pass. Ugh. Do we play 2NT here as unusual? (I could live with that here.) Or as 16-19? I can't double, because I don't want partner to play 3 on her 2=4=3-4 1-count.
Amiram Millet: Dbl. If partner calls 2NT (Good-bad) I'll bid 3 and await developments.
John Gillespie: 2NT. J x pard? Thank you. I don't make all my partscores either.
Brian Zietman: 2NT. If I double partner will surely bid hearts. This bid will let us compete in the minors and when they get to 4- bingo!
Plarq Liu: Dbl. Worth a shot, bid 3NT next round.
Richmond Williams: Pass. I think we can go plus defending.
Beverley Candlish: 3. I would bid 3 and pray for a fit. If I double, I am forcing partner to bid and I don't have tolerance for hearts. Partner may have no values.
Kf Tung: Pass. Get your possible +50 in defending 2, maybe 3. You have not enough substance in the minors to hope for a competitive auction.
|
| 5. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
4
A J 9 5
K 8 7 6 2
K 7 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
2
(1)
|
3
(2)
|
4
| |
|
4
|
Pass
|
Pass
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5
| |
|
5
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
| (1) Michaels cuebid: 8-11 or 17+ HCP.
| | (2) Less than invitational.
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 12
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 5
| 40
|
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6
| 1
| 10
|
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5NT
| 0
| 0
|
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Moderator: While everyone regrets having bid this hand so unimaginatively up to this point, the majority goes for the sensible pass.
August Boehm: Pass. 4NT at my second turn, implying a double fit, might have helped North if he holds extra shape.
Larry Cohen: Pass. Maybe we are already ahead of the game. Perhaps partner came in with a hand where most of the field passed. If everyone else is defending 4 and we can beat 5 a trick, there is no need to double. Also if we are beating them, why risk a sacrifice?
Betty Ann Kennedy: Dbl. It could be a double game swing, but I expect to set them.
Mel Colchamiro: Dbl. . . to show my 5 bid was for a make. But partner could have diamonds so I wouldn't be totally shocked if they made it. But they probably won't.
Brad Bart: Pass. Was there some sort of break in tempo?
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Not sure who can make what here. At least we've pushed them up a level.
Aidan Ballantyne: Pass. It's a tough life when they have spades. Pard keeps passing, a bad sign. They may certainly have a lot of playing tricks and make their contract.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. I have pushed them to no man's land at the 5 level, with no idea who can make what, perhaps including 6 of something. For me this a clear easy pass.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. It looks like they can't make 5, and it sounds like we can't make 6.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Five level belongs to the opponents! No guarantee we can beat 5.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. This is not a clear forcing pass situation. Having already pushed them to the 5 level, there is less incentive to double.
Perry Khakhar: Dbl. We created this monster by bidding 4! We are now looking at forcing pass sequences. No real choices.
Merv Adey: Pass. 5 could be cold, and if it isn't we've already beaten much of the field: double is way too greedy.
Chris Diamond: Pass. The right call is abstain. I could at least have bid 5 in case that's pard's minor. Now I have no clue. They could have a club/spade fit and be cold for 6.
David Gordon: Dbl. Partner has the 8-11.
Tim Francis-Wright: 6. I think they're making 5 but not slam. I wonder if a 5 call last round would have been better (to invite partner to sac in 6 with 5-5 in the reds).
Amiram Millet: Pass. Don't want to push them into a makeable slam.
Joel Forssell: Dbl. 5-level belongs to the opponents.
Kees Schaafsma: Pass. I've outgunned myself with the awful 5, why not give partner a clue with 5?
John Gillespie: Pass. I would have asked for pard's minor on the way to hearts. This is a blind guess.
Brian Zietman: Pass. I would have bid 5 rather than 5.
Plarq Liu: Dbl. Pass is forcing.
Richmond Williams: Pass. We could go plus but unless my kings are placed well we would go too minus.
Beverley Candlish: Pass. I cannot bid 6. With West's ferocious bidding of spades, it is likely that he has unusual distribution. I would pass.
Kf Tung: Pass. You have described your hand. West and North know that 5 is playable but not sure. You can get a good score if 5 goes down and still have an average if 5 makes. If you compete further the odds are against you: you get an above average or a bottom.
Bob Todd: Pass. We've down our damage! I hope.
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