TGIF March 2013: Scores
| 1. IMPs. N-S vul.
|
A K 8 6 5 4
A K 9 7
---
A K 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
5
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Dbl
| 12
| 100
|
|
5NT
| 3
| 70
|
|
6
| 3
| 70
|
|
5
| 1
| 60
|
|
6
| 0
| 30
|
|
7NT
| 1
| 0
|
|
Moderator: The panelists uniformly despise this problem. The vast majority enter the proceedings with a double.
Steve Weinstein: 5NT. . . intending to pull 6 to 6. This should emphasize spades, since we would bid 6 directly with equal length in the majors, or pull to 6 to emphasize hearts. This problem gave me a headache.
Larry Cohen: Dbl. Unfortunately, partner rates to leave this double in. He removes only with good shape. It's tempting to take a shot, but I'd probably have to insist on spades, with bad breaks likely looming.
Betty Ann Kennedy: 6. 5 could easily be correct, but that would not disclose the full value of my hand. A double is more likely to be left in at the five level.
Stephen Vincent: 5NT. Followed by 6 over the likely 6, hopefully describing a major 2 suitor with longer spades.
Martin Henneberger: 5NT. Doubling for down 2 or 3 seems like I'm getting robbed blind. Guessing what else to do is just that; a pure guess. 5NT pick a slam gives our side the greatest chance to land on our feet. I am willing to pass 6 by pard or glad to hear 6 pick a major.
Chris Diamond: 5NT. The master plan..convert 6 to 6 then 6 to 6 showng, I hope, massive hand with a diamond void and emphasizing spades. All perfectly clear to me, probably as clear as mud to pard.
Anssi Rantamaa: 6. Who could stay away from slam with this hand?
Larry Meyer: 6. Bidding what I think I can make opposite an average hand.
Eugene Chan: Dbl. I don't like it, but a plus is a plus. Of course, raise any bid by partner to slam. Congratulate opponents on their timely pre-empt.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Dbl. Bid 5NT if you need a swing, but double is the percentage play (5 is the worst of both worlds). RHO didn't open 3NT, so partner could even have a trump trick.
Aidan Ballantyne: 6. All bad choices. Pard will think majors and may bid hearts with 3-3 in majors. I will pass and hope. 5NT is a 2-suiter. Avoid playing in clubs as a diamond lead may dummy lock and prevent drawing trumps. Dbl likely ends the bidding which may lose many IMPs.
Judi Carter: 5NT. Unusual!!!
Perry Khakhar: Dbl. Glass half full or glass half empty? I am hoping 6 (or 6) makes and 5 doesn't. 30 point deck and only 9 to split between Pard and the opps. Hope Pard has a round queen and 5+ hearts or 6+ clubs.
Brian Zietman: 6. I could try a 6 cue bid but this would rule out the possibility of a small slam in clubs. But what if partner passes a double? Yuck, I have changed my mind and will bid 6 after all.
David Gordon: Dbl. 6 quick tricks. Start with a hack and see what happens.
Tim Francis-Wright: 5. Stay fixed. If North has a raise, she'll raise. The other South has the same problem.
Amiram Millet: 6. No space for science.
John Gillespie: 6. Only my first guess, next one is just nasty.
Plarq Liu: 5. Just right.
Beverley Candlish: 6. 6NT is looking like the bid, however, I would bid 6, simply because I don't know the strength of the diamond suit and/or I may not be able to get to North's hand to play the diamonds.
Kf Tung: 5. Spades are your best strain. You will not pass with 9+ tricks and pard will give you 6 with 2+ tricks.
|
| 2. IMPs. E-W vul.
| |
6 5
Q J 8 7
Q
A Q 10 8 5 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
4
|
5
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 13
| 100
|
|
5
| 5
| 80
|
|
Dbl
| 1
| 60
|
|
6
| 0
| 20
|
|
7NT
| 1
| 0
|
|
Moderator: Another guessing game, also with the opponents bidding up to 5.
Barry Rigal: Dbl. Passing can hardly be right. I'll gamble that we can find a way to three tricks.
The Coopers: Pass. Our hand is pretty defensively oriented. Partner made the enemy guess, and they may have guessed wrong.
Geoff Hampson: 5. When it could be anyone's hand, I tend to continue bidding.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. The 5 level belongs to the opponents.
Norm Tucker: 5. 10 hcp will help; don't want to bid another suit.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. I am not sure who can make what. What I am sure of is that the opps are well placed since they opened the bidding. I will pass and hope to set it. Phantom sacks are a hard post-mortem to win.
Chris Diamond: 5. They might make it, we might make it. Nobody might make it.
Larry Meyer: 5. My values outside of diamonds should be helpful to partner.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Partner did not invite me to bid. Hope I have enough to set 5.
Yue Su: Pass. Partner is preempting, and they did not bid slam. No reason for me to take action.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 5. There is a good case for bidding 5 over 5 here. We may escape for 300 or even push them into a marginal slam.
Aidan Ballantyne: 5. Not enough room for anything else. Expect this will be nearly unanimous.
Bob Kuz: Pass. If I knew partner had A, I would chance a dbl.
Perry Khakhar: 5. -500 or at worst -800. Against that we may push them into an unmanageable slam. Split honours in hearts or well placed K will beat that slam. I don't see us beating this contract.
Paul Mcmullin: 5. THEY don't know whose hand it is either.
Brian Zietman: Dbl. How can they make when I have the hearts and clubs covered? At IMPs I will be happy with 2 down.
David Gordon: Pass. I see no reason to bid here.
Tim Francis-Wright: 5. Normally, the five level belongs to the opponents, but not today.
Amiram Millet: 5. Aiming at our best.
John Gillespie: 5. I'm not liking east so far.
Plarq Liu: Pass. No suggestion in defense.
Beverley Candlish: 5. With E/W going straight to game being vulnerable, they must either be sure they can make game or believe that N/S has a slam. With N/S not being vulnerable, I would bid 5 and leave it up to my partner.
Kf Tung: Pass. They want to try 5 instead of doubling 4. Defend, and do not spoil pard's brilliance.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
Q J 8 6
K J 5 2
K 8 4 3
4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
1
|
Pass
| |
|
2
|
3
|
3
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
4
| 13
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 3
| 70
|
|
5
| 2
| 60
|
|
Dbl
| 2
| 60
|
|
3NT
| 0
| 20
|
|
Moderator: This time we have an excellent fit with partner AND an excellent fit with the opponents.
Steve Weinstein: Dbl. 3NT could be going down on club problems and it seems like I'll be doing well to go plus 200 (or more). They didn't make a game try, and I've got a tap suit, some stuff on the side and reasonable trumps. It won't be the last time I go minus 1130.
Jill Meyers: 5. It's close between 4 and 5. My fourth diamond and ruffing value are too much to bid only 4.
Don Stack: 4. We must raise our partner with four trumps. Let's hope the opponents will press on with 4, in which case we will spring our trap with a double.
Mel Colchamiro: Pass. Partner has pre-balanced on who knows what. Repeated diamond plays against 3 should produce a plus, and it is no lock that we can make 10 tricks in diamonds.
Martin Henneberger: 4. Partner is clearly acting with shortness. This could very well be a pre-balance and as such I will not undo what appears to be a partscore battle.
Chris Diamond: 4. Trying to eke out a plus. Not sure we're beating 3 but will hit 4.
Anssi Rantamaa: 4. Waiting to double 4.
Larry Meyer: Pass. No reason to tell East about the split in trumps.
Eugene Chan: 3NT. Despite our heart stack, we might not be able to beat 3. Take a gamble on 3NT game.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 3NT. I've got my 2 tricks. If partner can provide 7 more then we're golden.
Aidan Ballantyne: 5. Take my chances for vul game. Certainly not doubling 3 with my diamond fit. A slight bit too much for 4 and this is not a hand for NT.
Bob Kuz: 4. Placing the bidding card with a straight face and hoping for a momentum auction.
Perry Khakhar: 3NT. Should have some play.
Paul Mcmullin: 3NT. Partner would have started with double if my hand was enough for slam.
Brian Zietman: Pass. Despite my heart holding, I am afraid that the opponents have a double fit in clubs and hearts and with no diamond losers they may make 4.
David Gordon: Dbl. Start by showing the spades then support diamonds if no spade fit.
Tim Francis-Wright: 3NT. At IMPs, I'd be worried but I expect (1) a heart lead and (2) club cards in dummy.
Amiram Millet: 5. I'll punish if they go on.
Joel Forssell: 4. Planning to double 4.
John Gillespie: 4. Pard is obliged to come in with short hearts lighter than usual. I won't hang her at matchpoints.
Plarq Liu: 4. Let them bid 4, and double.
Beverley Candlish: Dbl. My partner didn't double the 2 bid, so can't have a big hand.
Kf Tung: Dbl. West has the weakest hand. Lead club, and you can get 5 tricks more often than not.
|
| 4. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
K J 8 6
A Q
10 9 8 7 4
Q 4
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
|
1NT
(1)
|
Pass
| |
|
2
(2)
|
Pass
|
2
|
Pass
| |
|
Pass
|
2
|
3
|
3
| |
|
4
|
Pass
|
4
| ? |
| (1) 15-17.
| | (2) Transfer to hearts.
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 12
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 8
| 90
|
|
4
| 0
| 60
|
|
Moderator: We've pushed them up! So now what?
August Boehm: Pass. It seems that 4 may be a lucky make, so I won't double and bar partner. Maybe he can sniff a double fit for our side and bid a lucky 4.
Jeff Meckstroth: Dbl. It will probably be a lousy board if they are making this.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Try and avoid the reflex double when they bid game after your side has balanced.
Norm Tucker: Dbl. Opps will have difficulty making game with half the hcp.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. Once again partner has only balanced, and I am unsure who can make what. The broken record of phantom sacks resonates in my head. I will pass and hope to set it.
Chris Diamond: Pass. You pushed them to 3 then 4. If you don't think you have a shot at a plus here you should have shut up a long time ago. At the same time there might not be a lot to gain by doubling.
Anssi Rantamaa: 4. I don't think 4 can be beat.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Seems like they are too high, so accept the plus.
Eugene Chan: Pass. I try not to guess on these auctions. We balanced them to game. We hope that will prove profitable. No need to double.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Dbl. Maybe they make it; maybe +100 was already a top. It doesn't matter. Anyone who takes two pushes at my table is getting doubled.
Aidan Ballantyne: Dbl. The essential point is we likely make 3 and in a sense have done the right thing. I have to double to beat the 140s in 3. If they make it, we had a bad board anyway. Passing 4 around to pard will not help as he does not know that we probably make 3.
Bob Kuz: Pass. Opponents are both minimums but a plus should be good. Don't punish partner for balancing.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. Hope to beat it! Partner couldn't do anything but balance and we already pushed the action once. Enough already!
Paul Mcmullin: Dbl. If they can make 4 after settling for 2, we probably have zero already.
Brian Zietman: 4. No heart losers as partner surely has a singleton.
David Gordon: Pass. They felt they could not proceed over 2 then bid to 4. Good job pard getting them to 4. Let's see if we can beat it.
Tim Francis-Wright: 4. I've found that when we balance and they then bid game, it's bad for us if we defend.
Amiram Millet: 4. To make or push them overboard.
John Gillespie: Dbl. Turning 10% into a zero isn't tragic and I don't trust the field to bid this.
Plarq Liu: Dbl. 4 tricks are easier than 10.
Beverley Candlish: Pass. I don't know where the K is located or if my partner has the A. I don't have much to offer in the other suits and it might be suicide to go on.
Kf Tung: Pass. 4 is likely to go down but this is not a field contract. There is not much to gain by double.
|
| 5. Matchpoints. None vul.
| |
A Q J 9 3
10 8
Q 8 3
K 8 2
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1NT
(1)
|
Pass
|
2
(2)
| ? |
| (1) 15-17.
| | (2) Transfer to hearts.
|
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 10
| 100
|
|
Pass
| 10
| 100
|
|
Moderator: A good bridge player anticipates partner's opening lead dilemma. Here's a chance to suggest a safe lead. Is it wise to do so? Is it safe? The panel is split right down the middle.
Allan Falk: Pass. Chiming in with 2 on a flat hand is just an insult to partner. If it goes 2-Pass-Pass, I can balance with 2.
The Joyces: 2. We have a good lead director and it may be our hand.
Stephen Vincent: 2. Get in there at matchpoints.
Norm Tucker: 2. Love to interfere with transfer.
Martin Henneberger: Pass. To enter a live auction with 5-2-3-3 shape is asking for trouble. It provides the opps with fielders' choice. If the transfer gets passed around to me I will balance with 2, but wouldn't ever consider acting directly.
Chris Diamond: Pass. It's live. Can bid 2 next round if it dies.
Larry Meyer: Pass. If 2 gets passed around to me, then I will bid 2.
Eugene Chan: 2. I would have overcalled 2 in direct seat. So no reason not to bid 2 in 4th seat.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2. There are lots of good arguments for bidding vs. keeping silent here. When in doubt, just bid it.
Aidan Ballantyne: Pass. Too many losers to bid. Too risky, especially vs good opps. If RHO next bids 3NT I may wish I had overcalled but pard may find spade lead and I can stand other leads too.
Bob Kuz: 2. Sooner better than later.
Perry Khakhar: 2. I will bid this but it is without any conviction of being the correct action. I must show this hand and suit right away, just in case! See the example above!
Paul Mcmullin: Pass. I will venture 2 if 2 passes back to me.
Brian Zietman: Pass. Too dangerous to bid 2 at this stage, but if the bidding continues 2, pass, pass then I can bid 2.
David Gordon: Pass. Not enough for a 2 level overcall. I will balance with 2 in passout.
Tim Francis-Wright: Pass. Sitting in front of 15-17? Check. Lots of finessable honors? Check. Want to avoid -300? Check.
Amiram Millet: 2. To protect if East is weak.
John Gillespie: 2. Pressure LHO if they have some hearts and avoid a blind lead from pard against 2 or 3 notrump.
Plarq Liu: 2. Try to find a spade save.
Beverley Candlish: 2. I have a nice 12 count. I would bid 2 for a lead and see what happens. It is a bit risky as partner can't have too much in the way of points.
Kf Tung: Pass. Prepare to bid 2 on the next round if possible. If they move on to other contracts, let them guess the missing cards.
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