Just my pre-selection musings:
Problem A. Leaning towards 2
. Pass is my second choice.
Problem B. 2
-- 3
? I’ll have to think on this one a bit more.
Suit is too sparse to jump, and 3
, while focusing my values fairly well, gives up on the
suit. If partner passes 2
, then we probably do not have game anyway. Though the 2
rebid could be 12 HCP, it can also be 17-18. It is "wide-ranging," and is the most flexible.
Problem C. Yikes! A tough one. A probable misfit. But could we still make slam on sheer strength? My initial rebid of 2
should limit my hand to 17 or a “bad” 18, which is what I have. But I have not come anywhere near showing my strength. The lack of a source of tricks concerns me, but at IMPs, this is worth a stab at slam. So I’ll try 4
to show the shape of my hand, 3=5=1=4 (I denied four
earlier), narrowly focus my values (basically a quantitative slam try, but shape-showing) to the aforementioned range, and bring partner into the decision. If partner subsequently bids 4NT, it should be, in my opinion, regressive and not RKCB.
Problem D. Although 3
will likely be the majority choice, the quality of the suit is questionable. I sorta like 3
as a possibility. It’s a card short, and I’ll never catch up on the
suit if partner has help, so it’s a gamble.
Problem E. 3
seems best. This will be very popular, I think. Second choice, an exploratory 2
?
Problem F. 1
. Second choice, 1NT. I contemplated double, intending to rebid, but just because I have 17 is not an “auto double and correct” for me.
Problem G. I would bid 4
without the
Ace. Not sure which direction I will go here. 4
would be interesting, as well as a double intending a later
bid. But I am leaning toward a simple 4NT. I usually hate the red herrings the MSC throws out, but it seems it may work on me this time.
Problem H. Partner has nothing. A “safe” lead (probably
T) will be popular. But I’m seriously contemplating the
Ace. They Wooded, so there should not be a void. Can partner have the stiff
? [Added]: I also contemplated an extremely brave
K, attempting to hit partner's
Q. But I'm not that brave.
Must pull the trigger this weekend, so will look once more before submitting my guesses.