FEBRUARY GUESSES:
PROBLEM A: 3
. Too much to pass and wait. I prefer 3
because it communicates that I have extras, shows nine of my cards rather than the six a spade rebid accomplishes, and denies four hearts. A pretty fair description of my hand.
PROBLEM B: 1
. This hand is big. Far too strong to make a non-forcing 3
rebid, where I may languish should partner choose to pass. The only forcing rebid, 3
, feels wrong with only three cards. With a long, strong major to retreat to I would feel more comfortable with a “fake-suit” jump-shift. Not here. So I am left with an esoteric but temporizing 1
. It has a huge problem;
it’s not forcing! I see this as a transfer of sorts, delaying the pain of a decision until next round of bidding. I hope there is a next round of bidding.
PROBLEM C: (a3) 1
| 2
. As distasteful as the
suit is for a hand I intend to reverse with, the other choices do not appeal to me. Generally, for marginal reverses, I prefer that my strength be in my long suits, which is a better description of the hand. So this is a mild distortion (one lie). However, it's a good description of my general strength, it conveys my shape accurately, and gives us the best chance of finding the right strain.
My second choice would be to open 1
and rebid 2NT (two lies).
PROBLEM D: 2
. Bid what I have. Not treating this as a two-suiter. With a
void the auction is not over, so I should get another opportunity to introduce my
suit, if appropriate.
PROBLEM E: 2
. Yes, I’m short a heart. I’m open to suggestions.
Second choice is Pass (yuck!).
PROBLEM F: 2NT. Really just a guess. East has few values and is short in diamonds. Partner and East have a minimum of eight hearts between them, maybe more, so partner hopefully has hearts stopped.
[Added] Because opener must have at least four diamonds (he did not support responder), East probably has at most a stiff diamond. East probably also has almost no values. Maybe 5 HCP or so? Something like xxx KQxxx x xxxx ? Do we have game?
I think Pass will be a popular solver choice as well as a viable choice for the BWS panel. But I think I stick with my 2NT.Hardest of the set so far. This one may change . . .
PROBLEM G: 3
. Partner has very little, only a few HCP. For this reason a double, while seemingly flexible, is not on my radar. I’ll bid what I have, more clubs.
Second choice (I think it’s close) is pass.
PROBLEM H:
T. [Added] See my comments downthread. I'm now set on a spade lead. I like the ten best. Small (the 4) is also okay. But I like the ten.
Second choice:
7. No particular reason. This looks quite normal, standard, and boring.
Second Third choice is the
J.
Still some time before I must commit. I feel good enough about most of these to just go with it, but a couple (like the lead problem) are a complete guess and I may change my mind.