TGIF August 2013: Scores
| 1. Matchpoints. Both vul.
|
Q 6
A Q 7 5 3
Q 10 2
K J 5
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
Pass
|
1
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 10
| 100
|
|
Dbl
| 7
| 90
|
|
Pass
| 3
| 70
|
|
1NT
| 0
| 30
|
|
Moderator: Opposite a passed partner, 10 panelists find a vulnerable 2 overcall with this hand and, predictably, blame it on matchpoints.
Steve Weinstein: Dbl. If partner was an unpassed hand, we might have game and I would be more likely to bid 2. Double gets all suits in play and makes it more likely that partner will be right when he competes. If I bid 2, partner could easily raise, for -200 undoubled.
Mike Lawrence: Pass. It is nothing like a 2 bid and it is even less like a double. Anyone who bids with the hand is playing with fire. It is a style conducive to winning at matchpoints, but it is not bridge. If I bid 2 and partner passes, I am officially terrified.
The Sutherlins: 2. It is safer to compete now rather than later, and our most likely fit is in hearts, making 2 better than a double.
The Joyces: 2. We'd never dream of being at the two level at IMPs on such a poor suit and porous hand, but matchpoint scoring dictates playing in the major.
Dan Jacob: Dbl. The heart suit is not suitable for a 2-level overcall.
Stephen Vincent: Dbl. An ugly double: just trying to get in at matchpoints.
Martin Henneberger: 2. Even though I am greatly opposed to 2-level overcalls on a broken 5-card suit and flat hand, this appears to be one of those times. The risk of passing or doubling to find a 3-3 minor fit vs a 5-3 heart fit are equally dangerous.
Chris Diamond: 2. Theoretically pass but when a pre-emptive 3 comes back are you balancing? Times change.
David Waterman: 2. We can't risk losing the 5-2 or 5-3 fit. Double is very poor.
Larry Meyer: 2. Not really sure why this is a problem - I don't see a good second choice.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Dbl. With a defense-oriented hand, I'm torn between getting in now or balancing later.
Bob Kuz: Dbl. This won't be popular but with those spots I'd rather put 3 suits in play.
Mike Roberts: Dbl. I know, I'm supposed to bid 2. But I get to make my Q on defence this way.
Perry Khakhar: 2. I am not enamoured with my hand, but it meets the criteria for an overcall (barely).
Brian Zietman: 2. At IMPs I could consider a double but no way at matchpoints.
Timothy Wright: Dbl. With a better suit, 2 would be a better call.
Nader Hanna: Dbl. I know that we may miss a 5-3 heart fit but the hearts are so anemic to overcall.
David Gordon: Dbl. I prefer 6 card suits when overcalling at the 2 level.
Amiram Millet: Dbl. 1NT by partner can be the par score here.
John Gillespie: 2. Double can lose a 5-3 heart fit and a lot of 5-2 fits score well at matchpoints too.
Plarq Liu: 2. It looks so natural to overcall.
Beverley Candlish: 2. I have 14 HCP's and 5 hearts. I don't see any other bid than 2.
Kf Tung: Pass. You have not enough offensive tricks for a takeout or overcall. There is a better chance to get a plus score if you pass and wait for the auction to develop.
Bob Todd: 2. Yuch!
|
| 2. IMPs. N-S vul.
| |
Q 4
A K 8
A K 10 7 6
9 6 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1
|
Pass
|
2
| |
|
Pass
|
3
|
Pass
|
3
| |
|
Pass
|
3
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
4
| 10
| 100
|
|
4
| 4
| 80
|
|
4
| 6
| 80
|
|
5
| 0
| 50
|
|
Moderator: The panelists apply the rule 'game before slam'.
Betty Ann Kennedy: 4. If partner's 3 bid shows extra values, I am willing to explore for slam in diamonds. The bidding does not sound like we should be in 3NT.
Steve Robinson: 4. . . to learn if the partnership has a club control. I don't think we do. If partner bids 5, I'll pass. Over 5, I'll bid 6. I hope partner doesn't think I have six diamonds and 5 hearts.
Don Stack: 4. Partner's 3 probably indicates a good 5-card suit, so we can raise with the excellent 2-card support. If partner is cuebidding for diamonds and follows up with 5, then we have the values to bid a slam in diamonds.
Dan Jacob: 4. We could be off 3 quick club tricks so 4 could be the game. Partner should not expect much better than honour-doubleton.
Stephen Vincent: 4. . . pinpointing the club weakness for the opponents' benefit.
Martin Henneberger: 4. Partner's 3 is probably a probe to get me to bid 3NT. Being wide open in clubs rules out that possibility. I can't see going any higher than game and 10 tricks in spades looks like my best chance. Anyone want to be in 5 when pard has A K J x x 2 Q J x x J x x?
Chris Diamond: 4. A little heavy, but that's allowed. Not muddying everything with 4.
David Waterman: 5. When I bid this, he will know 3 was a slam try, not a NT probe. He can bid 6 with a perfect hand.
Larry Meyer: 4. I can't bid 3NT with clubs open - hopefully my extra strength will offset my lack of 3-card trump support.
Stuart Carr: 5. Ask for club control.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 4. Game before slam. Partner is leaving room to bid 3NT, suggesting that he doesn't have a singleton club.
Bob Kuz: 4. Showing my doubleton and no club card.
Mike Roberts: 4. Auction is going well - this should fixate on the club suit.
Perry Khakhar: 4. Games before slams and all that! It should be obvious to partner with club shortness that the hands may fit well for a diamond slam, with my last bid. Over to you pard.
Norm Tucker: 4. Hope partner has club stopped. We can't miss game with 3/4 of the HCP.
Brian Zietman: 4. How can I find out if we are missing the A K (and maybe even the Q)? Maybe a bid of 4 will put the opponents off the scent.
Bill Treble: 4. Think I have to repeat cue in hearts to advertise the slam interest. 4 at this point would sound like a choice of games.
Gerard Laquerriere: 4. It would help to know if 3 promises 4 or extras.
David Gordon: 4. Deny club control.
Amiram Millet: 4. Without a club control I let partner pick the final contract.
John Gillespie: 4. 3NT is out. Now pard can pick a game, cue clubs or just bid slam.
Plarq Liu: 3NT. I think this is a serious 3NT showing slam interest.
Beverley Candlish: 4. I take it that partner has a stopper in clubs and is asking for a stopper in spades to bid 3NT. I don't, so 4 is the bid.
Kf Tung: 4. 4 is more likely than 6 because pard has not bid 4.
|
| 3. Matchpoints. Both vul.
| |
A Q J
A J 6
A K 8 6 5 4
7
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
1
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
2
| 15
| 100
|
|
2NT
| 0
| 60
|
|
3
| 2
| 60
|
|
1
| 1
| 50
|
|
3
| 1
| 50
|
|
3
| 1
| 50
|
|
4
| 0
| 40
|
|
4
| 0
| 40
|
|
3NT
| 0
| 30
|
|
Moderator: A convincing majority on this problem - a common bidding contest problem.
Mike Lawrence: 2. How about a one-year abstention from this hand?
Dan Jacob: 2. Not perfect but if partner bids 2NT or 3 I can show the heart support.
Stephen Vincent: 2. A 4-3 spade fit will be likely playable if partner gets too literal-minded.
Martin Henneberger: 1. These hand types are a classic bidding contest problem playing SAYC with no real right answer. Let's try 1. If partner passes it might not be a bad result. Any other call should allow us to land better.
Chris Diamond: 2. Could bid 1 but I may never be able to talk my way out of that suit. 2 may be accepted as an arranged force.
Joel Martineau: 2. Nasty problem! 5 bids come to mind, all with major flaws.
David Waterman: 3. This will work out fine, trust me.
Larry Meyer: 3. Show my extra strength and my extra length.
Stuart Carr: 2. A slight distortion.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2NT. This is truly the hand from hell. 2NT is a distortion, but it leaves us room for checkback or Wolff sign-off.
Bob Kuz: 2. This is an age old problem with no clear cut solution. I've picked my poison.
Mike Roberts: 3. Too weak for 3, and I can't recover from either spade bid (1 or 2) if partner has 4. I'll lie this way.
Perry Khakhar: 1. It is forcing! No need for me to commit this hand to a strain or a level just yet!
Norm Tucker: 4. Keep it simple.
Brian Zietman: 2. Showing 19-21 points. Even though partner is a passed hand, we could still have a slam in hearts.
Timothy Wright: 2. Ah, the Bridge World Death Hand. Who knows what to do?
David Gordon: 2. Next bid is 3.
Amiram Millet: 2. Forcing one more bid to check for 4.
John Gillespie: 2. Works well in my partnership methods. Bidding contest???
Plarq Liu: 3. Solid 18.
Beverley Candlish: 2. It is a reverse and I need to find out what partner bids next. Perhaps a slam in hearts.
Kf Tung: 2. 2 will pave the way to the best contract. It does not matter if someone cannot figure out your shape.
|
| 4. IMPs. None vul.
| |
A Q 4
A J
K Q 10 7
K Q 7 3
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
3
|
Pass
|
4
|
Dbl
| |
|
Pass
|
5
|
Dbl
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
5NT
| 9
| 100
|
|
Rdbl
| 9
| 100
|
|
6
| 0
| 50
|
|
6
| 1
| 50
|
|
Pass
| 1
| 50
|
|
6
| 0
| 40
|
|
6NT
| 0
| 20
|
|
Moderator: Most of the panel are quite surprised to hear a cue-bid from a passed partner and hold this good a hand.
Geoff Hampson: Rdbl. This problem is from the Twilight Zone. What does partner have that he couldn't bid now? No idea, but I suppose I will follow 5 with 5NT and raise six of a minor to seven.
Dan Jacob: Rdbl. Should show a first round control and high aspirations; I cannot see playing anything bellow 6; over 5, 5NT should ask for another suit, otherwise bid 6.
Stephen Vincent: Rdbl. Thank you East for letting me show the A.
Craig T. Wilson: 5NT. Minors.
Martin Henneberger: Rdbl. I really don't want to dismiss a grand, but what hand could pard have to pass over 3 and now bid 5? 5NT might shut us out directly as I don't know their intentions. Rdbl leaves room to hear why they bid 5.
Chris Diamond: Rdbl. Thanks opps, I wasn't sure what I was bidding.
David Waterman: 5NT. I will raise 6 of a minor to 7. He could have just bid 4NT, so surely he has the 3 key cards.
Larry Meyer: 6. Now is the time for someone in this partnership to make a natural bid.
Stuart Carr: Rdbl. I think partner has both aces, but may need spade finesse for 7.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 5NT. It's tempting to blast our way to a grand, but partner didn't act over 3 with a void, so let's settle for 6 of something.
Bob Kuz: Rdbl. I believe I have extras and need to confirm A. A fit will come later.
Mike Roberts: Rdbl. I can show cheap 1st round control? Thanks, East!!!
Perry Khakhar: Rdbl. Probably one of the minors is the correct small slam. Partner must show values and probably 2 places to play with his cue bid. I plan on bidding 6 over the 5 rebid by partner.
Norm Tucker: 6. Just guessing Michaels.
Brian Zietman: Pass. Back to you partner.
Timothy Wright: Rdbl. I wasn't expecting partner's 5, but the double solves the problem of how to show my cheapest control.
Bill Treble: Rdbl. . . and then 5NT to show both minors if partner bids 5.
Nader Hanna: 5NT. Denies four spades (otherwise I would pass). I'll pass any bid by partner as I don't think that partner has short hearts, both minor suit aces and the K and passed 3. Partner is likely to have something like J10xxx - AJxxx Axx.
David Gordon: Rdbl. First round control in hearts.
Amiram Millet: 6. Even 7NT is possible here.
John Gillespie: 5NT. Pard has a weakish freak (2-suiter) with poor suit quality so 6 is enough. Let her pick.
Plarq Liu: 5NT. Pick a minor.
Beverley Candlish: 6. Partner must have a good hand to cue bid hearts. I have 19 points and would rather bid the slam than miss it. I would bid 6.
Kf Tung: Rdbl. Tell pard you have A. He will choose the contract accordingly.
Bob Todd: 5NT. This should be pick a minor. I will raise. 6 focuses too much on spades.
|
| 5. IMPs. Both vul.
| |
J 10 4
Q J 4
K 10 7 3
J 8 7
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
1
|
4
|
Pass
| |
|
Pass
|
Dbl
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
| Bid | Votes | Award
|
|
Pass
| 12
| 100
|
|
5
| 5
| 70
|
|
4NT
| 3
| 50
|
|
Moderator: Where does the panel go at such a lofty level?
August Boehm: Pass. Partner isn't doubling on spade tricks, but my hand is too flat to bid, and bad splits are likely. Partner could have balanced with 4NT if he couldn't tolerate defending.
Allan Falk: 4NT. Defending 4 doubled is a good way to end up with a double, doubled game swing.
Jeff Meckstroth: 5. I don't think I should sit with a fit and no spade tricks.
Dan Jacob: 5. Pass could be right but I suspect that partner is very short in spades and my values are not wasted.
Chris Diamond: Pass. Law of Total Tricks.
David Waterman: 5. There is no second choice.
Larry Meyer: Pass. 4333 is the wrong distribution to have when bidding at the 5-level.
Stuart Carr: 4NT. I'll bid 5 over 5.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 5. This seems clear cut. We might make 5 and they might make 4.
Bob Kuz: 4NT. Another unpopular choice. Shows 2 places to play. If pard bids clubs, I bid diamonds showing only 4 and 3 hearts. We might beat 4 only 1 or 2.
Mike Roberts: 4NT. No points. But when I pull 5 of a minor to 5, this should show a good 5 bid, as opposed to running from weakness.
Perry Khakhar: 5. Assuming 5 tricks on defence (+500), it still isn't as good as +650. 6 may be possible but 6 is very unlikely. I will take the odds on bet.
Brian Zietman: Pass. Good defensive values and no guarantee of making 5.
Timothy Wright: Pass. . . and lead a trump.
Bill Treble: Pass. . . without any great conviction. I'll lead trumps and hope declarer won't have ten off the top.
David Gordon: Pass. I'm too flat for action.
Amiram Millet: Pass. Too flat to bid 5.
John Gillespie: Pass. . . the most likely plus. If they make it we were going for a medium to large number anyway.
Plarq Liu: Pass. With a flat hand I don't think I can pull.
Beverley Candlish: Pass. Partner must have a great hand to double. I would treat it as a penalty double.
Kf Tung: Pass. You have a balanced hand. 4 must go down two, may be three. 5/5 may or may not make.
Bob Todd: 5. This hand could easily be a make for both sides.
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