TGIF May 2011: Scores
1. IMPs. Both vul.
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K 10 5
A 9 7
A 9
A K 10 7 6
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West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
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|
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1
| |
1
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Pass
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2
| ? |
Your call?
Bid | Votes | Award
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2NT
| 7
| 100
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Pass
| 7
| 90
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3
| 2
| 30
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Dbl
| 2
| 30
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Moderator: South has a nice hand, but it sounds like North doesn't have much. Nevertheless, 11 experts choose to take action and 2NT was the most popular choice.
Mike Lawrence: 3 . Defending against 2 feels very wrong - there's a good chance they can make it. Bidding 2NT is possible, but that promises a different hand type that includes a spade stopper and running club suit. I'm just trying for a small plus score.
Jill Meyers: Pass. I don't think we have a game, and I have too much in spades - with the king poorly placed - to compete to the 3-level on my own. If I pass, maybe partner can bid if she has a long suit.
Steve Robinson: Dbl. The opponents have an eight-card fit, so I have to push them up.
Kerri Sanborn: 2NT. Even if I can only scramble seven tricks in 2NT, it is better than allowing E/W to score 110. Some partnerships would play 2NT as either a good / bad bid or as a minor-suit takeout with emphasis on clubs.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Partner, with short spades, was unable to muster a bid of any kind over 1 , severely restricting the hand types he could have that would make game even playable. Meanwhile you have nice defensive prospects and the auction isn't over.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2NT. Double would show a different hand type and I'm too good to pass. Not enough playing strength to jump to 3NT though I love my controls.
Martin Henneberger: 2NT. Even though I don't play this as natural but as a version of good / bad 2NT, I believe that it is natural in sayc and that the panel will vote for this bid.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Vul, so not anxious for an adventure at the 3-level.
Eugene Chan: Pass. This is not our hand. They might even be cold for 4 !
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2NT. I can tolerate any follow up bid from partner.
Julien Levesque: Pass. Partner rates to have nothing, and the hand has 4 1/2 tricks on defence vs a likely 6 1/2 tricks for our side and no help from partner, unless partner is playing possum.
Mike Roberts: 2NT. This won't be the expert choice, but at least I get it off my chest.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. We clearly don't have a game! Minus 200 feels likely if I compete. Maybe they will bid up to a level that gets us a plus if I stay out.
Merv Adey: Pass. Tough choice, but if partner has a little something we will go plus.
Chris Diamond: Dbl. No negative dbl from a pard with short spades. Hope I'm playing in a 6-2 diamond fit or 5-3 clubs.
Chris Buchanan: Dbl. I am not a big fan of this action but I think I have too much to go quitely.
Amiram Millet: Pass. No need to act heroically here.
Kees Schaafsma: Pass. My guess this is the panel's choice; with Lebensohl in the bag I would double.
John Gillespie: 2NT. A red king and a black queen opposite could be enough. Could be ugly though.
Plarq Liu: 2NT. Show my values. Partner might have 0-5 HCP and we can make 2NT or 3 .
Bob Todd: Pass. Any action including pass is dangerous.
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2. IMPs. Both vul.
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5 3
K 9
8 7 3
K J 8 4 3 2
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West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
5
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Pass
|
Pass
| |
5
|
Pass
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
Bid | Votes | Award
|
Pass
| 17
| 100
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6
| 1
| 40
|
6
| 0
| 20
|
5NT
| 0
| 10
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Dbl
| 0
| 10
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Moderator: Even though 6 might be a good save, South can't be sure that he can defeat a slam contract.
Allan Falk: 6 . Partner has at least 8 diamonds, maybe 9 or 10, so 5 rates to be cold. I'm bidding 6 and hope it confuses the opponents enough to keep them from continuing to 6 .
The Coopers: Pass. The way we decide what to do on hands like this is ask how I would feel if I bid 6 and E/W bid 6 . If the answer is 'not happy', as here, we don't push them.
Stephen Vincent: Pass. Am I suppose to consider 6 ? Surely you jest.
Aidan Ballantyne: 6 . Up the ante. If they bid more also, I will pass and try to beat them. Passing out 5 would win Wimp of the Year award (probably the panel majority; fear of them bidding slam).
Martin Henneberger: Pass. Since I have no answer for 6 , I will sell out to the 5 level as we have arrived in no man's land.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Pard has made them guess - don't undo his good work.
Eugene Chan: Pass. Another fast pass. I'm hoping they missed a slam!
Yue Su: Pass. Good thing west did not bid 6 .
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. Down 3 is not good bridge.
Julien Levesque: Dbl. We may not rate to make a slam, but partner has bid 5 vul. Let's show some values and see what comes.
Mike Roberts: Pass. What can go right if I bid? I make 6 (no) or it's a profitable sac (win 3 or 8). If I'm wrong, it's lose 7 or 12. At IMPs, let them play it.
Perry Khakhar: Pass. I hate the fielder's choice: -1400 or -1430 when I can get out for -650 or -680.
Merv Adey: Pass. Sorry everyone, thinking about the previous hand.
Chris Diamond: Pass. 6 is likely to be cheap, but I'll probably have to bid 7 over 6 so what's the point?
Chris Buchanan: Pass. 6 is tempting but why push them into a possibly making 6 ?
Amiram Millet: Pass. They might even have a slam.
Kees Schaafsma: Pass. Who says it won't go 6 -(forcing pass from West)-pass-(6 ).
John Gillespie: Pass. No reason to think I can beat 7 .
Plarq Liu: 6 . Never sell out to craziness.
Bob Todd: Pass. I hope partner's 5 did the job.
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3. Matchpoints. E-W vul.
|
J 10
6 5 3
K 7 5
A K Q 9 4
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
1
| |
Pass
|
1
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
Bid | Votes | Award
|
1NT
| 9
| 100
|
2
| 6
| 80
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2
| 3
| 40
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Pass
| 0
| 20
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1
| 0
| 10
|
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Moderator: Half the panel sees a balanced hand and bids 1NT. This may wrong-side the contract, but it may make it harder for the opponents to find their major-suit fit, if they have one.
Karen Walker: 2 . I have too much to pass, which leaves it close between 1NT and 2 . If partner can't bid over 2 , that's probably the best spot.
Don Stack: 2 . I will not rebid 1NT with no semblance of a major-suit stopper. Raising diamonds is a possibility, but with such a great club suit, I think that's the most descriptive.
The Joyces: 1NT. 1NT scores more if you make it than 1 and may keep the opponents out.
Stephen Vincent: 1NT. Just bid 1NT without straining the brain too much. The opponents have yet to find a fit and bidding 2 will make them more inclined to balance. Also partner may misjudge your diamond length in a balancing auction if you raise.
Gilbert Lambert: 2 . I don't want to let them come in easily at the one level.
Aidan Ballantyne: 1NT. Balanced hand, running tricks, keep them out. The way I play I could be 4-4 in majors so opps will have risk in competing.
Martin Henneberger: 1NT. I have a flat balanced hand. As such I have a 1NT rebid. In modern bidding this doesn't deny 1 or both majors and will make it risky for the opps to look for one. Bidding 2 or supporting diamonds distorts my hand and invites competition.
Larry Meyer: 1NT. Make the bid that most accurately describes and limits my hand.
Eugene Chan: 1NT. I love 1NT. My favourite contract!
Andrew Krywaniuk: 1NT. Yes, we could be off a couple of stoppers, but no reason to panic yet. The fact that no one has overcalled or preempted is reassuring.
Julien Levesque: 1NT. Matchpoints value rebidding NT making it worth more than 2 and 1 less trick to chase. This may take a dive on a major suit lead, but making would rate to be 8 tricks.
Mike Roberts: 2 . Not a huge fan of this, but it feels right.
Perry Khakhar: 2 . Who bids diamonds without a substantial reason? I don't much care for the NTs, and they are about to find their major fit. Maybe we can play in a minor.
Chris Diamond: 2 . Once upon a time it'd go 1NT by you all pass. Nowadays they'll find their major suit fit so I might as well show my fit for competitive purposes and let pard bid NT if it's right.
Chris Buchanan: 2 . 1NT shows your values and strength better however it tends to wrong side it. Better to treat this suit as a 6-bagger.
Amiram Millet: 2 . Preparing a sacrifice over 2 of a major.
Kees Schaafsma: 1NT. True to style.
John Gillespie: 2 . A transfer to notrump?
Plarq Liu: 2 . I prefer a suit contract.
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4. Matchpoints. E-W vul.
|
K 6 5 4 3
K
A J
Q 10 9 6 3
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1
|
Pass
|
1
| |
Pass
|
2
|
Pass
|
3
| |
Pass
|
3
|
Pass
| ? |
Your call?
Bid | Votes | Award
|
3
| 6
| 100
|
3NT
| 4
| 80
|
4
| 3
| 60
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Pass
| 3
| 50
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5
| 2
| 40
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4
| 0
| 20
|
3
| 0
| 10
|
4
| 0
| 10
|
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Moderator: This problem generated a diverse set of answers. Do you try for 3NT? Try to play diamonds? Or pass a probable misfit?
Jeff Meckstroth: 3NT. Partner frequently has something like J 5 3.
Jill Meyers: 4 . . . and I hope I didn't just waltz by the last makeable contract of 3NT.
Barry Rigal: Pass. I recognize this deal from a pairs game in an NABC a year or so ago. At the time, I didn't have enough nerve to pass, though I knew it was right. I apologize to partner again, and this time I'll be a good boy and pass.
The Sutherlins: Pass. Even when partner has a heart stopper, we may be going down in 3NT. Bidding skinny games at matchpoints is unnecessary.
Mel Colchamiro: 5 . If I bid 4 and partner cuebids 4 or 4 , then 5 by me sounds like a slam try, and this hand isn't worth that. In my youth, I might have tried 3NT. If I needed a good board, I still might do that.
Bob Giragosian: 3 . It looks like we are headed for 3NT, but I want to make sure we have hearts stopped.
Stephen Vincent: 3 . One more try for 3NT.
Aidan Ballantyne: 3 . Pard should bid 3NT with anything in hearts (even J x x) having avoided NT so far. 3 may wrong side the contract, but so might bidding 3NT myself (it's a guess who should play 3NT). 3 has more partnership and keeps options open. 4 splinter is an overbid.
Martin Henneberger: 3 . Well 3 didn't promise clubs: it was checkback. Now I will probe for the right game with a 3 call. Who knows where this should be played? 3NT, 4 and 5 or 6 of a minor are all possibilities. Let's involve partner.
Larry Meyer: Pass. Not enough to consider playing at the 5-level.
Eugene Chan: Pass. No game appears likely. Not going to try for iffy game.
Andrew Krywaniuk: Pass. 3NT could have decent chances (partner has outside points somewhere), but it seems unlikely to be a 50% proposition.
Julien Levesque: 3NT. Pard must have some values in hearts, and if any game makes it rates to be in 3NT.
Mike Roberts: 3NT. Practical. Stupid, but practical. Realistically, it's probably right to play it from my side.
Perry Khakhar: 3 . Q x might be enough for 3NT! Gotta try it. Ready with an apology if it doesn't work.
Merv Adey: 4 . I thought about a leap to 5 , but this is worth 1 slam suggestion on the way.
Chris Diamond: 3NT. Good chance of running 9 tricks.
Chris Buchanan: 3 . Asking bid for hearts, looking for NT.
Amiram Millet: 3 . Looking for 3NT.
Kees Schaafsma: 4 . 3NT looks out. 5 could be right though and I'm allowed to pass over 4 .
John Gillespie: 3NT. Hands where 5 of a minor is correct should be barred from matchpoints.
Plarq Liu: 3NT. Stiff K might win, if diamond is 2-2, we're good.
Bob Todd: 3 . Does partner have a heart card?
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5. Matchpoints. N-S vul.
|
J 6 4 2
5
K J
A J 10 9 4 3
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
1
|
Pass
|
1
| ? |
Your call?
Bid | Votes | Award
|
2
| 13
| 100
|
Dbl
| 4
| 60
|
Pass
| 1
| 20
|
3
| 0
| 10
|
|
Moderator: The majority chooses the 2 overcall, abandoning the spades.
Larry Cohen: Dbl. This looks like a lot of junk, but I have found it a good idea to stick my neck out a little early to get in. Maybe partner can push them around a little if he has either black suit. I could choose to bid 2 to get the lead, but our future is more likely in a 4-4 spade fit.
The Sutherlins: Pass. We are going to get another chance and will have a better idea as to the opponents' strength. We think an action here should show a better hand.
The Gordons: 2 . The suit quality dictates bidding our six-card suit. We can introduce spades later if the opportunity presents itself at a reasonable level.
Stephen Vincent: 2 . I suppose I have to make some kind of noise at pairs.
Aidan Ballantyne: 2 . I think pass is much smarter (intending to balance if they stay low) and dbl allows us to find spades. But I'm trying to score in the contest, so I make a purposeless bid that will accomplish little else but tell them how to play the heart suit.
Martin Henneberger: Dbl. If I bid 2 I may never get a chance to show 4 spades. Doubling at the 1 level allows for partner to compete holding spade length, which may lead to a light game or good sac. I think it's a winning action to double at the 1 level light with shape.
Larry Meyer: Dbl. With 10 cards in other 2 suits, we need to compete.
Eugene Chan: 2 . For a variety of reasons, treating spades as a non suit.
Andrew Krywaniuk: 2 . I have strong reservations about bidding here. It gives away information, it doesn't hinder the opponents (and in fact it allows them to support double), and it appears that I will be on lead. However, I expect the panel will not see it that way.
Julien Levesque: Dbl. I am not my cousin Louis who would bid 2 : I've got both blacks with longer clubs as a runout.
Mike Roberts: 2 . Double is ok, but I think this hand will play better in clubs.
Perry Khakhar: 2 . I don't really mind the double, but with this significant a disparity in the suit quality I can't make myself do it!
Janet Dunbar: 2 . Showing both black suits with longer clubs.
Chris Diamond: 2 . Show the good suit then double later to get spades in.
Chris Buchanan: 2 . Good suit if a little short on values.
Amiram Millet: 2 . A typical MP bid.
John Gillespie: Pass. If some cheap rebid gets passed back to me I'll balance.
Plarq Liu: 2 . Bid my good suit, also lead directing.
Bob Todd: 2 . If we buy the hand it will play better from my side and I want clubs led.
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