September Guesses:PROBLEM A: 4
. I want grand. If partner has the right hand, I can see a path via 4
. 5
at once to show the void could create later problems. Although I would like it to be EKCB in this auction, I do not believe that it is. The panel should clear this up for us. As mentioned elsewhere, I do not have the cue-bidding tools (via 5
now) to find the grand.
PROBLEM B: 2
. Conservation of space principle. 2NT with those nondescript spades is not a viable choice. Although 2
in BWS does not promise six, it does have the potential to waste a level. By staying below 2
, I allow partner to show delayed support at the two level, potentially saving an entire level of bidding.
I have more confidence in this choice than any other this month. A bad omen.
PROBLEM C: 2
. Hate this. The hand is better than 2
, not good enough for 3
, and double with a void scares me. Might flip-flop on this one.
PROBLEM D: 4
. Lots of clubs, so I show them. 3
also intrigues me, but I will shy away from it this time since it accomplishes little other than to force. By the way—WHERE ARE THE
? I think LHO has a mittful of
. So while I think 3
now is the sexy choice, it wll be immediately swallowed up by some level of red suit rebid by the opps.
However, 4
now followed by 4
(if room permits) over their 4 red should draw a good picture of my hand. If partner doubles 4 red, I leave it.
PROBLEM E: 2
. Go low. Some will bid 3
to force game and elicit more information from partner. It is, after all, a hand we would all open in first seat.
Another option is 3
. Certainly the value bid. And descriptive. But the heart void is screaming misfit. Time to get out low. Surely one or two of these MSC panelists has written something along these lines in one of his books about bridge?
PROBLEM F: 4NT. Both minors, presumably showing primary clubs.
PROBLEM G: 2
. Too early to commit to a strain or a level. This is the best way to get more information from partner. That spade suit is close to just bidding game, but not quite.
PROBLEM H:
T. MSC lead problems generally have quite a few possible answers. Will this be the first unanimous lead problem? No, probably not. I did consider the mildly sneaky
9.
FINAL PICKS:
PROBLEM A: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM B: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM D: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM E: 2 Spades
PROBLEM F: 4 Notrump
PROBLEM G: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM H: Spade 10