TGIF September 2007: Scores
| 1. IMPs. N-S vul.
|
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K 8 7 6 4
Q 9 8 6 4 2
K 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
3
|
Pass
| |
|
4
|
4NT
(1)
|
Pass
| ? |
| (1) Two-suiter (any two suits).
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
5
| 10
| 100
|
|
5NT
| 2
| 70
|
|
5
| 5
| 60
|
|
6
| 1
| 40
|
|
5
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: Your partner has forced you to bid at the five level and you have a terrific supporting hand. The majority of the panel doesn't want to stop short of slam and so cuebids 5. Two panelists bid 5NT, but don't say why that call is better than 5.
Larry Cohen: 5. My initial reaction was 5NT (pick a slam), but why not bid 5 and show the first-round spade control? When partner bids the expected 6 and I correct to 6, he will know I have red suits and interest in seven.
Kai Zhou: 5. Cannot afford to lose a grand slam by bidding only 6.
Eugene Chan: 5. Enough for now. Much tougher decision had partner chosen to double.
Joel Martineau: 5. Bidding what I have -- the spade void -- might help partner later in the auction.
Adam Melzak: 5. Assuming it's clubs and a red suit. Can you risk more than this? I wouldn't. Wouldn't hate hearing more.
Peg Mcshane: 5. Scoring higher than 5.
David Walker: 5. Only way to settle on the best slam. Could go 6-6-6. With only one suit I would have bid it.
Aidan Ballantyne: 5. Go slow as 5 level red suit may pay more than defending 6 x. I doubt we make 7. We may go down in 6 - pard was under pressure. I may get pushed to 6-level if opps bid 5. Second choice is 5NT as best approach to small slam (5 helps the opps too much).
Susan Peters: 5. Will convert 6 to 6. Slam looks very hopeful.
Martin Henneberger: 5. I have what you need pard plus a void. Ball's in your court!
Bonny Lee: 5. Either one of my suits will fit partner's including clubs.
Larry Meyer: 6. Expecting pard to correct to 6 if he has clubs and hearts. This hand is much better than pard could reasonably expect.
Veronica Peacock: 6. I like my hand. Pard can pass with minors, or correct to 6 with clubs and hearts.
Dave Waterman: 5. When I bid 6 over 6, I describe this hand as well as it can be described.
Mike Roberts: 5. I think this promises 1st round spade control; when I convert 6 to 6, we might be able to get to 7 when it's right.
Perry Khakhar: 5. Sometimes preempts work! I will settle for a small slam in either red suit. Although it feels like we are getting robbed! However if partner has the 2 rounded suits, even 6 may be tough.
Bj Trelford: 5. I will correct any number of clubs to diamonds and pass any red suit.
Michael Roche: 5. Converting the expected 6 to 6 and showing 1st round Spade control.
Bob Todd: 5NT. I will convert 6 to 6 promising hearts.
Ross Jamieson: 5. Hopefully partner will know we have a choice, and bid their lower suit. We can correct clubs to diamonds, or pass anything else.
Paul Mcmullin: 5. Does partner have two aces and the K? I think we stay preempted.
Chris Diamond: 5. What else can you do but cue-bid with a huge hand on the auction?
Bill Treble: 6. I'm willing to bid a slam. No sense trying for seven: even if it's cold, the opps will save.
Brian Zietman: 5. No aces cannot risk 6 - west may be strong.
Phil Altus: 5. When you push to slam hoping for partner to have right hand, they never have it.
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| 2. IMPs. None vul.
| |
A Q 7 6 3
9
5 2
J 7 6 4 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
1
|
1
| |
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
Pass
| |
|
Pass
|
3NT
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 9
| 100
|
|
4
| 6
| 80
|
|
4
| 1
| 40
|
|
5
| 1
| 20
|
|
5
| 1
| 10
|
|
4NT
| 0
| 0
|
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4
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: Half of the panel pass, believing 3NT is an offer to play. The others take refuge in a minor.
Larry Cohen: Pass. My two low diamonds, club stopper and an ace are just what partner needs.
Jill Meyers: Pass. If partner has as little as A K Q 8 7 6 and the ace or king of hearts, we are on a finesse for 3NT and the finesse is through the overcaller.
Kai Zhou: Pass. I wonder why pard did not bid 2NT over 2, 1363 or 1372 shape will be good to make this one.
Eugene Chan: Pass. 3NT ends all auctions. You can say GLP with sincerity as you table dummy.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Certainly it's possible to construct hands where 5 is the correct contract but it would be very unilateral to override partner, who might well have running diamonds, the heart king and maybe a card outside.
Peg Mcshane: Pass. North is in charge.
David Walker: 5. Partner needs my clubs to make this one, so why not make them trumps.
Aidan Ballantyne: 4. Push them up one if I can; 2nd choice is pass and try for plus. 4 is too much as it will propel us to game.
Susan Peters: Pass. All I did was bid 1. Pard must have a very good diamond suit and hearts. I've got spades and clubs.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. I wasn't invited to this party was I?
Larry Meyer: Pass. Pard bids a non-forcing 3, and then bids 3NT unassisted? If this is an alarm-clock bid telling me to wake up and do something, I'm sleeping in.
Dave Waterman: Pass. There is no second choice.
Judi Carter: Pass. Trust your partner?
Mike Roberts: Pass. 2 K 10 3 A K Q x x x x 10 x? 3NT ends this auction, anyway. If partner is 6-4, get a new partner.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. I would hate to disturb partner's enterprising bidding! Clearly, he thinks we may have a chance at 9 tricks if I can supply 1 or 2 tricks. Well, I can!
Bj Trelford: 4. The 3NT is an inquiry... If I have a diamond card I should pass. If not, run. Partner could have bid 3NT over 2 if he thought it was cold.
Michael Roche: 5. Pard had an easy 3 available, not natural, so 3NT must show bad seconday clubs.
Bob Todd: 5. It sounds like pard is 74 or 64 with a decent playing hand. Diamonds may play better but I don't think that 4N would show 5 clubs.
Ross Jamieson: Pass. Partner almost certainly has a running diamond suit and a heart stopper. 3NT will be perfect.
Paul Mcmullin: Pass. We're not doubled yet.
Chris Diamond: 5. I tried 3NT for TO here once, didn't work. Why no 3NT last round? If at first you don't succeed....
Bill Treble: Pass. Best chance for game, although it might have no play. Partner shouldn't have 3 spades or even a good doubleton. IMPs and not vul, so why not?
Phil Altus: Pass. You have some extras here, but 9 tricks easier than 11.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
A K 9 5 2
10 5 4
K
10 7 4 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
1
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 7
| 100
|
|
2
| 4
| 80
|
|
Pass
| 6
| 70
|
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Dbl
| 1
| 60
|
|
1NT
| 0
| 10
|
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2
| 0
| 0
|
|
3
| 0
| 0
|
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Moderator: The panel is divided into two groups---those who raise and those who want to defend. The experts who raise are also divided. There are those who make a simple raise and others who choose a limit raise.
Larry Cohen: 2. I prefer to get my hand off my chest by showing the limit heart raise at once. The opponents are likely to be able to run to diamonds.
Kai Zhou: Pass. Wait to see if pard doubles.
Eugene Chan: 2NT. Good old fashioned invitational 2NT. Otherwise a greedy pass if I need a board.
Adam Melzak: 2. Pass and hope for penalties? Or go for game (or just a surer plus)? I wimp out.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Looks like we might do best for once by defending at the one level.
Peg Mcshane: 2. Heading for 3NT.
David Walker: 2. The best way to learn more.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2. Mastermind. If we have game, pard is likely to bid again and I will accept to 4. For now, lie in the weeds. Second choice is 2 limit or better, a slight overbid.
Martin Henneberger: 2. Always support 1st, then think about penalty. Hopefully this keeps them from bidding diamonds.
Bonny Lee: Pass. Waiting for partner's reopening double.
Larry Meyer: 1NT. More important to let pard know about spades stopped and 9-11 HCP than to tell him about my meagre trump support.
Dave Waterman: 2. The heart fit makes defending a poor idea.
Mike Roberts: 2. Not the best 10 count, but it's still a limit raise. I'm not going for blood with support.
Perry Khakhar: 2. I know that we have at least 8 tricks in hearts; may be more. Can't be sure we have 8 tricks in spades! Let's get the best available plus first! I will cooperate if partner thinks we belong higher.
Bj Trelford: 2. This hand must be down graded. It has serious wastage in spades and a stiff K. If partner makes a game try I will accept.
Michael Roche: 2. If I trap and they run, I wouldn't relish defending diamonds. 2 preemptive!
Bob Todd: 2. Close between 2 and 2. At MPs I'll go conservative.
Ross Jamieson: 2. I feel too strong for this bid, but 2 is an overstatement and we have a terrible hand for NT.
Paul Mcmullin: 2. This looks like 7-9 instead of 10-12; I'll accept if partner bids again.
Leo Weniger: Pass. Probably will pull pard's double. If pard bids a minor I'll make a heart limit raise.
Chris Diamond: 2. Even if 1 doubled is right they might have diamond fit. This fits somewhere between 2 and a limit raise.
Bill Treble: 2. Unless partner is 5-5 in the reds they have a better spot in diamonds. I would have made a 3-card limit raise if RHO had passed so why deviate?
Susan Julius: Pass. Awaiting developments...
Brian Zietman: Pass. Ambush.
|
| 4. IMPs. N-S vul.
| |
A 10 7 6 4
J 7 4 2
A 7
K 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
1
|
1
| |
|
2
|
3
|
3
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
4
| 7
| 100
|
|
5
| 3
| 40
|
|
3NT
| 3
| 30
|
|
6
| 2
| 20
|
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Dbl
| 1
| 20
|
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4
| 2
| 15
|
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3
| 0
| 0
|
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4NT
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: Is 3 competitive, or does it show extra values? This depends on the partnership style, and the answer determines how aggressive the South hand should be.
Larry Cohen: 4. I will take the high road, as I can envision slam opposite short hearts and a hand such as K 2 3 K Q 8 3 A Q J 10 6 5. The freely bid 3 shows something.
Jill Meyers: 4. I don't know partner's style to freely bid 3, but I think we have a slam. I have a ruffing value, the trump king and two aces. My heart length means partner has one or more.
Kai Zhou: 4. 6 has a shot, does pard have more than his 3 bid?
Eugene Chan: 5. 5 is the most likely game as partnered failed to make a support double over 2.
Joel Martineau: 4. 2 pointed kings and the AQ of clubs could make slam cold.
Adam Melzak: Dbl. What are the odds hearts block in 3NT or AKQ onside or West leads only honour? Pass, punt or double? Even at this vul I double.
Stephen Vincent: 5. With those nice key cards and heart length opposite partner's shortness it's tempting to make a cue bid of some sort, but partner's rebid doesn't promise the earth.
Peg Mcshane: 3NT. I have an outside Ace and a heart stopper.
David Walker: 5. Just settle for game. Partner can go on.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3NT. I'll hit 4 but for now will try for vul game - expect to make it.
Susan Peters: 4. Looks like all my cards are working either in clubs or spades (if pard has 3). Could even be a slam.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. It's our hand pard and I can't bid 3NT. Do something intelligent!
Bonny Lee: 4. Partner should have a self contained club suit so that my two trumps are enough to ruff his diamond losers.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. We have balance of power but no likely game. I expect to get in often, and exit with a trump every time.
Mike Roberts: 6. Similar to problem 2; it would be nice to assume that 3 shows extras.
Perry Khakhar: 4. Can partner be less than K x K Q x x A Q x x x x x? Well not my partners! Okay, I will punt for now and bid 4, unless I am playing with Ray Grace. In which case, 4 is keycard and that is exactly what I need to figure out whether 5, 6 or 7 is right.
Bj Trelford: 3. I think we can make 6. This is forcing. They are white so we will not get rich with a penalty double. If partner rebids clubs I will q-bid diamonds.
Michael Roche: 4. Setting clubs as trump and creating a GF. 3 is forcing in this auction.
Bob Todd: 3NT. They can't untangle hearts. I hope 6 isn't laydown.
Ross Jamieson: 5. Partner must have at most 2 spades and 1 heart, so they must have 6 clubs. You probably get 10 minor-suit tricks and the Ace of spades.
Paul Mcmullin: Dbl. We have controls, but where would we get tricks for a slam? Even 5 may be tough to make.
Leo Weniger: 4. Cue in support of Clubs.
Chris Diamond: 4. Seems odd to cue the only suit I don't control, but how else to agree clubs and show a big hand on the auction?
Bill Treble: 4. Double and 5 are also reasonable. I think a slam is possible here, so I'll show my A and get to 6 if partner raises my alleged suit.
Brian Zietman: 5. Partner must be void or single in hearts. I have 2 aces and the important K.
Phil Altus: 3NT. I've been down before. Close here between 3NT and 5.
|
| 5. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
A Q 7
6 5 4
A 10 9 5 4 3
10
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 11
| 100
|
|
3
| 4
| 60
|
|
2
| 3
| 40
|
|
3
| 0
| 10
|
|
1NT
| 0
| 0
|
|
Moderator: One of the rules of bidding, is not to raise partner's second suit with three-card support. The panel majority doesn't agree with this.
Larry Cohen: 2. This is a classic problem with no good answer. Since it is matchpoints, I'll go with 2. It's not IMPs, so I won't worry that I have extra values and that we might miss a decent game.
Jill Meyers: 2. It's close between 2 and 3, but I am going to lie and raise spades. If we don't have a game, I would rather play the major than the minor at matchpoints.
Kai Zhou: 3. May end up playing 4 on 4-3 fit, but this hand is too good.
Eugene Chan: 2. Fourth suit is game force, hence the spade raise. Partner can advance the auction with extras.
Adam Melzak: 2. At MP I like 2, at other scoring 2? 3? eeek. Tough one.
Stephen Vincent: 2. Very awkward. 2, although an underbid, will leave me well-positioned to describe my hand on the next round. If there is one.
Peg Mcshane: 2. It keeps it going if partner is stronger.
David Walker: 2. She'll expect 4 but it will slow her down on a bad fit.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2. Slight underbid on a possible misfit, often a winner at matchpoints. If pard makes a game try I'll attempt to set up a 3NT or 4 choice.
Susan Peters: 2. Too good for 2.
Martin Henneberger: 3. My gut says do something else. In my old age I've learned to describe not guess what's right....
Bonny Lee: 3. Partner can read me for 3 good trumps support as I did not respond 1 to his opening.
Larry Meyer: 3. Let pard know about my diamond length and my overall strength. If pard bids again, will support his spades.
Dave Waterman: 3. What the heck - it is a bidding contest!
Mike Roberts: 2. 3 seems misplaced. Very, very close to 3. Doug Hawkes would approve.
Perry Khakhar: 2. My only excuse for this bid is that it is matchpoints and NOT bridge. BTW, has there ever been a reasonable auction when the bidding starts 1 - P - 1?
Bj Trelford: 3. Invitational.
Michael Roche: 2. I've never done this before so I'll try it now. At the table probably 2.
Chris Diamond: 2. Same old problem. Underbid the Moysian at matchpoints especially.
Bill Treble: 2. 3-card raise has some appeal, a jump in my suit doesn't. With my red suit holdings this is either a misfit or we don't have the unbid suit well enough stopped. I'll play it safe for now and come to life if partner finds another bid.
Brian Zietman: 2. Fourth suit forcing.
Phil Altus: 3. Describes your hand: inv with long diamonds. If pard is 5-5 in blacks, they can bid 3.
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