TGIF January 2012: Scores
| 1. IMPs. N-S vul.
|
A 10 5 2
9 8
A J 7
A 8 6 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
1
|
Pass
| |
|
2
|
Dbl
|
Pass
|
2NT
| |
|
Pass
|
3
|
3
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 9
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 6
| 80
|
|
3NT
| 2
| 50
|
|
4
| 1
| 50
|
|
5
| 1
| 20
|
|
Moderator: The choice between pass and double seems to be about partnership style. The passers seem to be allowing for the possibility that an aggressive partner is stretching, while the doublers are counting on him to have a near opener.
August Boehm: Pass. The opponents are probably down one, so I'd double at matchpoints, but at IMPs it's risky - maybe at the end of a tight Swiss match.
Larry Cohen: Dbl. Breaking all my normal rules: I don't like to punish partner for pre-balancing, and I don't like to double partscores at IMPs. However, partner was vul vs non - he cannot be totally broke. I plan to lead the 9 and expect to set them several tricks.
Allan Falk: 5. Give partner something like K J 10 x Q 10 x x x x K J x. 3NT will be quite iffy, while 5 requires only the K or Q onside.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. If you never double them into game, you're not doubling often enough.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. Do I think I'm beating this? Yes. Should I do anything except pass? No. Thank you partner for being a passed hand and pre-balancing with shortness. I will not ruin our rapport by taking drastic measures. Pass.
Craig T. Wilson: 5. Partner should have a strong hand and I have three aces.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Pard pushed them one level higher - don't undo his good work.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Trump spots not good enough for a penalty double.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Dbl. Does partner have a red two-suiter? There may be chances for 3NT if the spade position is favourable, but I'd rather take our sure plus.
Larry Pocock: Pass. It's not that hard to construct a hand where 3 makes. Double is probably more popular.
Aidan Ballantyne: 4. Can't hurt to cue bid on the way to 5. Pard could be 6-4 or even 7-4 in diamonds and hearts.
Perry Khakhar: 3NT. Any bets that partner is 3 A x x x K Q x x x x 4 x? Could be that I am on some fine drugs, but that is the minimum that I am betting partner has.
Mike Roberts: Dbl. Ok, ok. My NY resolution was to never to go -530. This lasted longer than the others.
Chris Diamond: Pass. Tempting to double, but pard rates to be light and spade void and they just might make it. A might be worthless on offence.
David Gordon: Pass. Dbl at matchpoints for sure. Pard is probably 1-4-5-3 or 0-4-5-4 and could be prebalancing on shape.
Amiram Millet: 3NT. What I think we can make. Partner has almost an opening with hearts and long diamonds.
John Gillespie: 3NT. +600 beats -530 and with a likely spade void opposite, longer running diamonds are in play.
Brian Zietman: Pass. At IMPs I am not bidding anymore. There is no guarantee that we have 4 so let them go down quietly.
Beverley Candlish: 4. My partner passed first time round, which indicates she doesn’t have a strong hand and by her 3 bid after my 2NT bid, she doesn’t have hearts but rather a long diamond suit. If I double, I may not get a trick in diamonds.
Kf Tung: Dbl. If you pass, the opponents will bully you again and again. Double will give you 2, 5 or 8 IMPs more for about 3 in 4 hands. You will lose 10 IMPs when they make 3-X, and that will keep them doing the same thing again.
|
| 2. IMPs. N-S vul.
| |
10 3 2
A K Q 10 2
Q 10 5 2
8
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
2
|
Pass
|
2
| |
|
Pass
|
2
|
Pass
|
3
| |
|
Pass
|
3NT
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
4
| 10
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 4
| 70
|
|
4
| 4
| 60
|
|
5
| 1
| 50
|
|
Moderator: The majority of the panel chooses 4, to show belatedly the diamond fit that many insist they would have shown earlier in the auction.
Steve Weinstein: 4. I expect to make 4 or 5 with a shot at 6. Partner might have a hand like: A K x x 3 A K x x x Q 10 x. I cuebid clubs since that is what partner might need to hear.
Karen Walker: Pass. Partner knows he's getting a club lead. I don't have enough undisclosed values to overrule him.
The Coopers: 4. On this auction, partner has some concern about clubs. We do too. Why didn't we raise diamonds or splinter over 2? We do not understand the 2 bid.
Mark Eddy: 5. Why didn't south raise diamonds immediately? Silly 2 rebid.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. I shall be writing to my MP over the conditions of the problem: why the failure to bid 3 on the first round? Meanwhile, you haven't implied a club stopper so maybe just leave things in 3NT.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. I have shown a desire to play a suit contract and partner chose 3NT. I will honour that decision by passing.
Anssi Rantamaa: 4. Safer and possibly an extra trick from ruff despite Moysian fit.
Larry Meyer: Pass. I have already told my story.
Eugene Chan: 6. An immediate raise of 3 over 2 would be my choice. Now we are relegated to bidding by guess or by golly. By golly I am going to try 6!
Andrew Krywaniuk: 4. Having failed to bid 3 originally, should I make a conservative pass or attempt to catch up with a risky 4 bid? Playing 2/1 I would surely pass, but in BBS I don't think partner has denied 3 keycards for his 3NT bid.
Larry Pocock: Pass. 5 could be right but you have to pass.
Aidan Ballantyne: 4. Cooperate towards 6. Pard has extras. Tempted to cue 4 but that might be Gerber as 4NT would be quantitatve.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. Other than opening a crappy hand Hot in 1st, there don't appear to be any issues.
Paul Mcmullin: Pass. Why didn't I bid 3 directly?
Mike Roberts: 4. This feels right - partner's bid it slowly enough that I have doubts about 3NT. Why no 3 the first time?
Chris Diamond: Pass. No real idea of pard's shape other than short hearts and I've pretty much shown my hand.
David Gordon: Pass. If pard has slow black suit values and A K then 3NT is the spot. If pard is missing the A or K and has quick black suit values then you want to be in 5.
Amiram Millet: Pass. Can't see a better contract.
John Gillespie: 5. I've jobbed us out of slam tries by not raising diamonds immediately, the fit that gives me a + strength opening.
Brian Zietman: Pass. Not going anywhere with this minmum.
Beverley Candlish: 4. With my light opening and singleton club, NT may be a disaster, but I could pass the NT and take a leap of faith.
Kf Tung: Pass. Pard has a good hand and wants to play 3NT after you show your bikini. Pass and get ready for a big win when 3NT is the only game to make, from North.
Bob Todd: 4. Pretty good hand but 4 won't help partner evaluate.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
A 8 5 3
7
J 6 5 3 2
A 4 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
|
Pass
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
Dbl
| |
|
Rdbl
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 14
| 100
|
|
2
| 3
| 40
|
|
1
| 2
| 30
|
|
Moderator: An overwhelming majority of the panel chooses to make what they believe to be the second and final penalty pass of the opponent's 1 opening.
Betty Ann Kennedy: 2. Partner's failure to bid 1 leads me to believe that he not only has hearts, but he does not hold four spades.
Mike Lawrence: Pass. Either you have an agreement that your partner's pass is penalty or you don't. Most players do have it, so they pass. South has nothing to be afraid of with his two aces. Two sure defensive winners is as much as a passed hand rates to contribute.
Stephen Vincent: 1. While we'll probably end up in 2, it costs little to keep alternatives open.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. Hasn't everyone discussed this auction? I have, and come up with the conclussion that the pass is the same as if it had gone 1 - P - P - X - P - P - P. How else to sit for a hand that was passing a back in double?
Larry Meyer: Pass. My double was to protect pard - if he didn't have good hearts, he would have bid a suit at his second turn.
Eugene Chan: Pass. I could have worse hands for this sequence. If partner is happy defending 1-XX, so be it.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. Looks like a high stakes game of chicken. If partner thinks we can beat this then I have no reason to disagree.
Larry Pocock: Pass. Assuming partner HAS to bid unless he is willing to sit, you pass with your 2 aces.
Aidan Ballantyne: Pass. I have some defense and presumably pard is making a penalty pass.
Perry Khakhar: 1. Uh oh! Most likely partner is 3-4-3-3 or some such garbage. Let's start here and end in 2!
Mike Roberts: Pass. Many players have this rule: that a pass of a redouble says I would have passed the double. I think that applies here.
Chris Diamond: 1. Can still try 2 if there's a double.
David Gordon: Pass. Partner knows I am a passed hand so partner's pass is for business.
Amiram Millet: 2. Have to hide some place.
John Gillespie: Pass. Last (only) time I pulled 1 of these pard ended up in 3 making.
Brian Zietman: 2. There is no re-redouble is there? So just have to try to escape with 2.
Beverley Candlish: 2. The mere fact my partner could not bid 1 over 1, indicates we don’t have a fit in spades and she may have quite a few hearts. Leaving the double in for penalty at the 1-level is out of the question.
Kf Tung: Pass. Pard has passed to defend 1-XX for a top. Do not bid and then chicken.
Bob Todd: 1. The pass was not for penalties.
|
| 4. IMPs. E-W vul.
| |
K 9 7
K
Q J 8 7
A K J 8 6
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
3
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Dbl
| 12
| 100
|
|
3NT
| 7
| 60
|
|
Moderator: This problem split the panel into two camps.
Jeff Meckstroth: Dbl. Sigh. I should probably bid 3NT instead.
Barry Rigal: 3NT. I could double and decide what to do over a 3 response or gamble that they won't lead the A against me. Not that we'll make the game when I win the K at once, but if I can't make 3NT after that start, no contract was any better.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. 3NT might work on a good day.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. Looks like a takeout double to me. Don't see any alternatives. Needing 4 spades to double here is so 1970's. Double describes your hand and gives you so many options to go right.
Anssi Rantamaa: Dbl. Pretend one of the clubs is a spade.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. Leaving 3NT open as a possible contract.
Eugene Chan: Dbl. Whilst 3NT is tempting, takeout double is more mainstream.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3NT. The stopperless 3NT meme went viral sometime last year. (Partner usually has a half stopper anyway, or the suit will block.)
Larry Pocock: Dbl. You reluctantly bid because you have shortness.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. The heroic 3NT is antipercentage without a second ace. RHO might be able to lead to RHO for a heart through and even if I get a heart lead and score the K, I may be short of 9 tricks with 4 cold.
Perry Khakhar: Dbl. I don't much care for my hand, but this is a reasonable minimum action in balancing seat.
Mike Roberts: Dbl. Fortunately, I have 5 clubs, one of which I can slip into my spades as I put dummy down.
Chris Diamond: 3NT. I've got to do something, might as well try for a good score.
David Gordon: Dbl. Ugly but I prefer double to 4.
Amiram Millet: Pass. If I double, we might be in deep trouble.
John Gillespie: Dbl. West doesn't have nothing at these colours but east might.
Brian Zietman: Dbl. Partner, up to you.
Beverley Candlish: Pass. My partner could not say anything and my hand is not strong enough to play at the 4 level in any suit. It is unlikely that West will make 3 and with the vulnerability, I hope we can set her down two for 200.
Kf Tung: Dbl. You have 14 points and 12 cards outside hearts. The K probably does not play a role for this hand.
|
| 5. IMPs. N-S vul.
| |
A J 8 4 2
K
Q 6 5 2
K 10 7
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
Dbl
|
Rdbl
| |
|
3
|
3
|
Pass
| ? |
Do you agree with the redouble?
| | Votes | Award
|
|
Yes
| 11
| 50
|
|
No
| 8
| 45
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
4
| 17
| 50
|
|
3
| 1
| 20
|
|
4
| 1
| 20
|
|
Moderator: The panel was almost split on whether to redouble - surprising given the unfavorable colours and the tendency to bid long majors naturally at the 1-level. Regardless, the vast majority bid 4 on their second turn.
Martin Henneberger: 4. I don't care for redouble at first strike when I can't penalize at least 2 places to play. I would prefer to ignore doubles with this type of hand and bid a forcing 1. Now I have to chose between 3 hoping that's forcing or 4.
Larry Meyer: 3. No, would prefer to show my decent 5-card spade suit / 3, I need to tell pard about my spades.
Eugene Chan: 3. New suit after a redouble is forcing. Partner has shown extra length, time to show your extra strength.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 4. West must have a good suit for his aggressive bid over redouble. 3NT could be down 2 off the top.
Aidan Ballantyne: 4. Keeping it simple. 3NT and 3 are also choices given pard can always pull to 4.
Perry Khakhar: 4. Partner's bid shows extreme distribution (1-7-1-4?) and weakness. If the hearts and clubs are each headed by A-Q, I am going to have to apologize to partner. But most likely, one of those cards is missing for partner's bid.
Paul Mcmullin: 4. When partner refuses to leave 3 for me to double, he has a distributional hand without much defense. Hopefully he has the fillers for the heart suit.
Mike Roberts: 3. If redouble is the right call with this hand, then this is natural and forcing.
Chris Diamond: 4. I usually prefer descriptive forcing bids rather than trying to hit them low, especially at this vulnerability.
David Gordon: 4. My Q x x x opposite an expected singleton or void does not look good for 3NT.
Amiram Millet: 4. I prefer 1 to XX.
John Gillespie: 4. Redouble sucks. 4 is probably where we land but 1 would help with the clues.
Brian Zietman: 4. I only have one heart but it is a perfect complement to partner's long suit. I imagine that even if I would bid 3NT, partner would takeout to 4. The redouble is classic - showing 10+ points and implying no fit.
Beverley Candlish: 4. I am not sure I would redouble in South’s position. I would likely bid 1 which is forcing. I would bid 4. Yes I have 4 diamonds to the Q but it is unlikely my partner has more than one or two. I may lose 5 or 6 tricks in Diamonds before I get started.
Kf Tung: 3. Now you can be comfortable with 4, 4 or 3NT from North.
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