OMG - no time to do anything this month. Last month, I wold have tied for 1st overall in Honor Roll if I stuck with (and accurately recorded) my initial thoughts, so maybe that is a lesson for me.
Here are my initial thoughts:
Problem A: 4
. I suspect a 10 card or better trump fit, so the four level should be safe. I know partner is limited, but with the perfect 9 or the perfect 8 with a well placed trump K, seven could roll, and game on a lot less, but too much to find out and no good way to explore.
Problem B: 3 NT. No great known fit, but we ought to be close on HCPs. The preemptor is on my left, so hopefully if I need a club hook to make this contract, the missing honors will be on my right.
Problem C: 3
. Taking the hint again. 3
should be safe to play, and hopefully partner will have the right sort of hand if s(he) tries 3NT. My biggest fear is that we will belong in spades, and that my bypassing the suit has lost us that chance.
Problem D: d5. I have points, no spades to speak of, and no heart stop. I will try double, and when partner bids spades, cue-bid to try to find a partial stop in partner's hand for 3NT.
Problem E. Pass. I have my bid, in fact I have a max for my bid, and a bit more for my stop, so I see no reason to not convert the cooperative double to penalty.
Problem F: 2
. I think I will take the hint to make the most descriptive of my choices. With a 3
bid next to complete my description. I hope this is right.
Problem G: Pass. I still don't know which of partner's suits to prefer. Maybe I will get lucky on the next round of bids.
Problem H:
5, RHO has a minimum opener with no real distribution (i.e., good long suit or shortness), so I'm not sure I want to commit any of my tenace positions to the opening lead. Even though I am not necessarily looking for a ruff, it is probably the monkey lead.