Contest deadline change: The deadline for the JULY MSC contest is May 31 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
JULY 2021 MSC
Deadline: May 31 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
Submit your JULY MSC responses here: The Bridge World - MASTER SOLVERS CLUB (https://www.bridgeworld.com/pages/msc/mscentercontest.html)
BWS 2017 System: BWS 2017 (https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/readingroom/bws/bwscompletesystem.html)
BWS 2017 POLLS, CHANGES AND ADDITIONS: BWS 2017 - Polls, Changes, and Additions (https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/readingroom/bws/bwspolls2017.html)
- Bridge World Standard 2017 (BWS or BWS2017) is effective beginning with the January 2017 Master Solvers' Club problems. This page shows (1) the results of the panelist polls that were used to adjust the system; and (2) the changes in and the additions to Bridge World Standard 2001 (BWS2001) that were made.
In the listings of the questions and answers, an asterisk indicates the BWS2001 agreement; the proportion of the expert votes for each item, rounded to the nearest percent, is shown in brackets.
IAC Forum MSC Scores (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1whamPj4_SDF3cbYUdGL9dpMX23tpwzUJzUvNoVmip_w/edit?usp=sharing)
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My guess is that we are at least 10 days from seeing anything more of substance for June, so these are my initial thoughts for July (and there are several that may change before I submit my Final Answers:
Spoiler Alert! This may be the first true test of how much Todd hates lead problems. Let us see how he responds to Problem H this month!
Problem A: 2 !S I'm not afraid of the Moysian when taking the tap in the short hand. For the negative double partner should definitely have at least four spades when the opponents have hearts.
Problem B: 1 NT I am torn between letting this go, and upgrading to a balancing NT. I prefer to make this call at the table, and see what my feel is. Blind as we are, I think I will trust that we have the balance of power and bid.
Problem C: 3 !D I have limited my hand, now I will let partner know I have diamonds with him and not completely broke.
Problem D: 2 !S Nice lead directing diamond raise.
Problem E: 3 !S I am giving this bad boy a full upgrade. I have five spades and five clubs with partner. If partner cannot support spades, we can revert to clubs.
Problem F: 3 !D I have a really good hand, and am willing to bid 3NT with my Jxxx stopper, but partner is unlimited, so I am interested in where he might be headed.
Problem G: 5 !D May as well put in my lead director on the way to 5 !H. My calculation is that we will be down 1 in 5 !H. I do not want to make it too easy for the opponents to be in slam, if that is right, make 5 !S if that is right, or be certain of doubling if that is right.
Problem H: Pass| !D 3 Putting my trust in partner. He preempted and then doubled them in slam. I will try to hit partner's void, and advertise that I have a top club. I almost pulled to 7 !C so I would not have the lead problem.
Spoiler Alert! This may be the first true test of how much Todd hates lead problems. Let us see how he responds to Problem H this month!
Hey, I'm on a roll! Three straight months with the top lead guess. ;) Anyone for four?
I think the lead is the easy part here. Clearly, partner is asking for a !D. But it sure feels like lefty is void in clubs. If so, and 6 !H doubled is making, that's 1,660. If I pull partner's double to 7 !C (doubled of course), we're down what? 4? 5? 6?
One question I have is, would partner double with seven clubs? Does the likelihood of a void (holding seven) influence partner's willingness to double for the lead with the diamond void? I dunno. Seems like partner knows all this and must have another trick somewhere. Maybe !S K?
[Added] I'm missing something here. I'm never confident about a lead problem, but this one seems clear. What, what, what am I missing?
Glad there's a month remaining! :o
By the way . . .
Did I mention I hate lead problems?
Spoiler Alert! This may be the first true test of how much Todd hates lead problems. Let us see how he responds to Problem H this month!
I'm currently stuck on the sac in 7 !C, which technically converts this from a lead problem to a bidding problem. I'm only choosing this route to avoid the angst I feel in choosing leads.
Thanks, Jim for pointing this convenient escape clause out to me! :)