TGIF October 2011: Scores
| 1. IMPs. N-S vul.
|
A
J 3
K 10 6 4 2
Q J 8 7 6
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
2
|
2
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2NT
| 6
| 100
|
|
3
| 4
| 80
|
|
Pass
| 4
| 70
|
|
3
| 3
| 50
|
|
3NT
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: With a spade misfit and a questionable notrump stopper - but maybe two places to play and maybe enough values for the vulnerable game, this hand splintered the panelists into four factions. If only one could responsive dbl partner's bid!
Larry Cohen: Pass. Very wimpy and very dangerous to miss a vulnerable game at IMPs. However, my heart holding is very bad and the only alternative (3) feels like it will usually lead to a minus score.
Allan Falk: 3. The economy of 3 allows partner room to bid 3, raise clubs, bid notrump or do something else that might lead to me place the contract. Of course 3 is forcing.
Mike Lawrence: 2NT. Right on values, wrong on shape. Other bids are an even bigger lie.
The Sutherlins: 3. We plan to continue with 4 unless partner bids 3NT. It's IMPs and we are vulnerable, so we can't afford to miss game.
Adam Melzak: 3. Ouch - least of evils? How about a negative double?
Stephen Vincent: Pass. The points to bid but where can we go? 3NT is a possibility but hands where you have a stiff ace opposite a long suit don't play well. Even if partner has a heart stopper.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3. Too good to pass. The advantage of bidding clubs instead of diamonds is partner might introduce diamonds next (even a fragment) to progress the auction. Other alternatives (3, 3) are unappealing. 2NT has something going for it so it's my second choice.
Martin Henneberger: 3. I would rather guess to bid than mastermind a pass. With values I will try 3 and proceed depending on partner's next action.
Larry Meyer: 3. Want to cheaply bid diamonds, then clubs.
Eugene Chan: 2NT. 3NT is to play. 2NT is pick a minor.
Ronald Kuiper: 3. Don't think we have game, but think playing in a minor is a better place than spades. Intend to pass pard's next bid, hopefully 3.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3. I am not prepared to reverse at the 4-level, so I must bid diamonds first.
Mike Roberts: 3. When all else fails, bid your suit. I'll bid 4 over 3.
Perry Khakhar: 3. It's IMPs and Hot! Partner is marked with heart cards (no competition). Hopefully, he bids 3NT. If he rebids spades, I am done.
Ranjan Bhaduri: 3. Western cue bid.
Chris Diamond: 3. There's no answer to this. Pard could have a good hand so vul at IMPs I'll try to use as much of the 3-level as possible to find out. Can't see any point in 3 since I'm not bidding 4.
David Gordon: 3. Bid naturally. I'll pass 3NT or bid 4 over anything else.
Amiram Millet: 3. Probing for the best game.
John Gillespie: 3. I doubt if I'm going to like pard's next call.
Brian Zietman: 3. Have to investigate if we have a minor suit fit.
Plarq Liu: Pass. If that doesn't buy it, I will try bidding one of my minors.
Beverley Candlish: 3. I would bid 3 which is forcing and see how partner responds.
Kf Tung: Pass. 2N will win when pard has 5=3=1/4 and then you find your minor suit part score. More often you will find partner with 63 or 64 in the majors and he will scramble 8 tricks with 2. Pass is the best protection for the plus score.
|
| 2. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
9
A K Q 10 9 8
Q J 8 3
6 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
1
| 7
| 100
|
|
3
| 5
| 80
|
|
2
| 4
| 70
|
|
4
| 1
| 30
|
|
Pass
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: The easy answer is 'Bid hearts!' The question is 'How many?'
Jeff Meckstroth: 1. I would open 1 in any other seat, so I see no reason to do differently here.
Steve Robinson: 4. Partner has nine points and sometimes his points are in diamonds. By starting lower, I might allow the opponents to find a spade fit.
Kerri Sanborn: 3. . . should be constructive in fourth seat. I count my hand as seven winners, and I want to make the spade speculation expensive.
The Sutherlins: 2. This allows partner to get involved in an intelligent way.
Stephen Vincent: 1. Seems just a touch too good for 2, even in 4th position.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2. Probably the majority vote as popular theory has it that a 4th suit weak two can be an opening bid. I would bid 1 at the table.
Martin Henneberger: 4. I think opening 1 leaves the door wide open for the opponents. 2 and 3 are possible, but plenty of working 7 counts will make game and partner won't be able to raise. 4 allows many good results to happen via making or shutting the door.
Anssi Rantamaa: 2. Pass is tempting.
Larry Meyer: 2. 4th seat 2-bid should show an opener with a good 6-card suit.
Eugene Chan: 1. Panelists will probably vote for 2, but 2 in the passout seat traditionally shows a better hand.
Ronald Kuiper: 4. Shuts out opppnents from finding their spade fit. If pard has A K, 4 is pretty cold. Since both opps passed pard should have 8-10 HCP and 4 should have play.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. It's very tempting to pass, but mastermind bids don't usually win the contest.
Mike Roberts: 3. I'd hate this at IMPs. But at pairs, the plus of shutting them out (I hope) is greater than the odds of missing game, or overbidding.
Perry Khakhar: 2. It feels like we should open this hand high enough to make it somewhat more difficult for the opponents to get involved. Playing tricks wise it seems to be an intermediate hand as well.
David Gordon: 2. Seems standard here.
Amiram Millet: 2. Showing an opening with a sound suit in 4th seat.
John Gillespie: 3. Upgrading 1 level on the shape and suit quality.
Brian Zietman: Pass. In 4th position this shows an intermediate hand. If the opponents make a partial or even game in spades I will regret not passing (as per the law of 15).
Plarq Liu: 4. If you're gonna bid this anyway, do it earlier.
Beverley Candlish: 2. Bidding at the 2-level in fourth seat shows an opener, so therefore I would open with 2.
Kf Tung: 1. You should have a plus score and a game is possible. Bid 1 to keep all paths open.
|
| 3. IMPs. Both vul.
| |
A 9 8 2
K J 7 6 5 4 3
---
A J
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
|
1
| |
|
2
|
2
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 13
| 100
|
|
2
| 2
| 40
|
|
3
| 2
| 30
|
|
4
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: Although it is unclear whether the 2 rebid is forcing in this sequence, a clear majority choose that option.
Betty Ann Kennedy: 2. Is there any reason not to rebid my suit?
Jill Meyers: 2. . . to set up the game force. Then I'll bid some more hearts.
Karen Walker: 3. I can't bid a passable 2 with a five-loser hand.
Stephen Vincent: 2. A little early to be thinking about a nasty misfit but the potential is definitely there.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2. Not good enough for anything else.
Martin Henneberger: 2. 2 is forcing to 2NT or 3 of a suit. For that reason I can bid 2 without fear of being passed as pard promises another bid over 2.
Craig T. Wilson: 3. Partner does not have four spades otherwise would have doubled 2.
Larry Meyer: 2. Tell pard about my extra length.
Eugene Chan: 2. Saving space in case partner has 4 spades.
Ronald Kuiper: 2. I'm liking this hand less with every bid: clubs are over me, pard bids my void. Making minimum bid showing my long hearts.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. In light of the bidding, this is still a minimum hand.
Mike Roberts: 2. I don't get it.
Perry Khakhar: 2. We had a weak opener that just lost some more of its luster. I am going to minimize my hand and see what develops.
Ranjan Bhaduri: 4. Partner probably would have done a negative double if he had four spades.
Chris Diamond: 2. Is pard just competing or does he have a good hand? Slow it down and find out.
David Gordon: 2. Pard did not dbl. Could be a misfit. Go slow.
Amiram Millet: 2. Best description of my hand.
John Gillespie: 2. Downgrading 1 level on the shape and suit quality?
Brian Zietman: 2. Partner did not double so I don't believe we have a fit in spades.
Plarq Liu: 2. Reverse, game forcing, this hand deserves this.
Beverley Candlish: 3. I would compete to 3 as I don't know where my partner's values are located. My partner may be void in hearts!
Kf Tung: 2. You are not going to play in spades or clubs. 2 is safe if pard passes, and you will go to 3N or 4 if pard makes one more bid.
Bob Todd: 2. I think 2 forcing is the correct answer but I'm not sure partner agrees!
|
| 4. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
---
Q 10 7 5 2
A 10 9 8 3
A K Q
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
1
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 7
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 7
| 100
|
|
2
| 2
| 30
|
|
Pass
| 1
| 20
|
|
2
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: If you were hoping to find out whether a double or a Michaels 2 bid was the experts' choice, you are going to be disappointed.
Barry Rigal: 2. I don't like the Michaels action with all those tricks on the side. If this goes pass-pass-double, I will remove to 3. Nothing is close to perfect, but this looks as good as anything.
The Gordons: Dbl. The hearts are too weak for Michaels, even if you upgrade the hand. 2 will often buy the wrong strain.
The Joyces: 2. 2 is wrong on suit quality, and a double might bury a 5-3 heart fit.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. Too much in the short suit for Michaels.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. They have the master suit so we are likely to be outbid, even if we have hearts. Showing interest in all the other suits is the safest way to compete.
Martin Henneberger: 2. This hand is good enough to take a second call. I will Michaels now and follow up with a double or another bid later.
Larry Meyer: 2. Showing hearts and a minor, my next bid will show my extra strength.
Eugene Chan: Dbl. Heart suit is too anemic to overcall. Have no preference for a heart lead if we end up defending.
Ronald Kuiper: 2. 3 choices: 2, 2 or double. Michaels no good, red suits weak with too much defence in short suit. Double might put you in 4-3 club fit, missing 5-3 heart or diamond fit. Bid 2 and second round bid diamonds.
Stuart Carr: 2. Over 2, I plan to bid 3.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. Even if you play mini-maxi Michaels, surely this is worth a strong bid.
Mike Roberts: 2. I'll show a powerful 2-suiter; I'm just not sure if that's what I have.
Perry Khakhar: 2. I am going to treat this 4 LTC hand as a strong Michaels.
Chris Diamond: 2. A horrible Michaels but everything else leads to more complications.
David Gordon: 2. Follow up with a diamond bid over any interference.
John Gillespie: 2. Cue bid may lose a club fit and double doesn't appeal with the need to bid a crummy red suit after a club response.
Brian Zietman: Dbl. With a void this is strong enough for a double and then a bid of hearts.
Plarq Liu: Dbl. I can support any suit.
Beverley Candlish: 2. Bidding 2 would best describe my shape and is also forcing for one round. If I double showing tolerance for all unbid suits, it doesn't show my shape.
Kf Tung: Dbl. You can play in all 3 suits and your hand is strong.
Bob Todd: 2. This hand is not strong enough to Michaels and bid again.
|
| 5. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
| |
K Q 9
6
A K Q J 8 5 4
K 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
2
|
Dbl
| |
|
3
|
3NT
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
4
| 7
| 100
|
|
4NT
| 4
| 70
|
|
4
| 1
| 60
|
|
5
| 1
| 60
|
|
Pass
| 4
| 50
|
|
5
| 0
| 10
|
|
6
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: 13 of the panelists chose to explore for slam, however, while there is a strong desire among the panelists to inquire about aces, some don't feel they have the tools.
August Boehm: 4NT. Invitational, of course! 5 (super Gerber) is a possibility, but two aces may not be enough for slam.
Jeff Meckstroth: Pass. Even if I should catch both major suit aces, we may still have only 11 tricks. 3NT at matchpoints should be okay.
Don Stack: 4. I must make a move toward slam even though partner's hand might contain only one ace. If partner bids 5, we will subside in 5 and wish we had passed 3NT.
Adam Melzak: 4. K and a so-so hand? or A K - A ? I don't think you can give up yet.
Aidan Ballantyne: 6. What I think I can make. Hard to imagine we'd be off two aces. 4 cue or 4NT quantitative would not solve that particular problem.
Martin Henneberger: 4. 4 natural and forcing comes to mind. If partner signs off with 4NT, the way I like 4NT to be played in this sequence, then I will pass and hope to collect a good matchpoint result. Any other move by pard other than 4NT will get us to 6 or 6NT.
Craig T. Wilson: 4. Gerber, explore slam.
Larry Meyer: 4NT. Looks like it's all about how many aces pard has.
Eugene Chan: 5NT. If partner can figure out to bid 7NT with 3 bare aces, he/she is a genius!!
Ronald Kuiper: 4NT. Want to try for slam. Blackwood or cuebid? If pard has 3 aces 7NT is cold, so I go with the simple ace asking.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 4. All I really want to do is ask for aces. Since it is not clear how to do that, I'll settle for a forcing bid.
Perry Khakhar: 4. Should be slammish to pull 3NT. If we hear any cue bids, we will be in 6NT. Partner's 3NT pretty much guarantees a reasonable club suit.
Ranjan Bhaduri: 4NT. Partner will most likely have at least one ace. If only one, pass 5, otherwise go to 6 (and if by chance, partner has 3 aces (unlikely), then bid 7NT).
Chris Diamond: 4. Stupid question. If 4 is ace asking it's easy: find 2 bid 6 otherwise play 4NT. But if there is no systemic way to ask for aces there's no real answer.
David Gordon: 4. If pard bids 4 or 4 then keycard with 4NT. If pard bids 4NT then pass.
Amiram Millet: Pass. We might have more but . . .
John Gillespie: 4. Followed by 4NT natural but if pard has only the A and shows it, I'm doomed.
Brian Zietman: 4NT. We are getting to 5, 6 or 7 depending on how many aces partner has.
Paul Hardy: 4. I know I won't get a good score for this... because this for us is RKB for diamonds.
Plarq Liu: 6. Hope for the best.
Beverley Candlish: 4NT. I would bid 4NT rather than 4 as my partner may think my bid of clubs is my suit and not ace asking.
Kf Tung: 4NT. Usually pard holds one Ace and he will pass. When he happens to have AAQ or AAK, he bids 5 to search for a slam and you bid 6. Occasionally he has AAA and he bids 6 and you bid 7N.
Bob Todd: Pass. Duh...nobody can really be thinking about bidding more can they?
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