So many things were happening last month, I missed the deadline. My guess of what I might have done was very good, but I have second guessed myself out of good decisions before.

Here are my initial thoughts for this month.

A.  Pass.  Partner has pre-empted a sensible auction to a grand, so I will sell out to his choice. I get the post-mortem point here.

B.  1NT. I will take the charge if the downgrade costs us. I also hate doubling with AQ-tight in spades. I haven't checked but I suspect KnR will not rate this as a full 15.  (KnR  = 14.65)

C.  2 . I wanted to make a responsive double but RHO did not cooperate.  The cue will tell partner I have strength and I hope Jx will suffice for fit.

D.  2NT.  I hate this bid, but I have to treat this hand as balanced and it's red at IMPs, so I  need to try for game.

E. Double.  What else?  I have length in the unbids, opening values, and four in the other major. I could overcall my five-bagger, but emphasis on the major is important.

F.  4 .  Torn between game and  slam.  Partner's negative double should put us in or close to slam,  but do I really have my full values? I think not, so I will take the low road and bid the heart game rather than cue and possibly lose the ability to show the suit at a makeable level.

G.  4 .  Splinter. Hopefully, partner will know what to do with a heart  void and club ace.

H.  Q.  The safest lead. A diamond might strike gold, but I just want the contract to go down, and anything else gives the contract a chance, albeit small.  I truly believe that declarer is looking at long spades and, at worst, one outside loser (with the hope of a pseudo squeeze).  I want to avoid a miracle result.

FEBRUARY 2024 MSC
Deadline: DECEMBER 31 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Submit your FEBRUARY MSC responses here: The Bridge World - MASTER SOLVERS CLUB

BWS 2017 System: BWS 2017
BWS 2017 POLLS, CHANGES AND ADDITIONS: BWS 2017 - Polls, Changes, and Additions

• 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.

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IAC Forum MSC Scores

If you post to The Bridge World you will receive a confirmation immediately and by email. It is preferred that you copy/paste that confirmation as it is easy to read due to the formatting. (Thanks!)

Also, if you post to The Bridge World those will be your official bids. If you make a mistake (try not to as it has happened), you must live with it.

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HELP!   My early thinking for problems D and E  seem to have been logged as the official  guesses.  At the last minute changes of mind earn a whopping 170 points to the good--unlike most every other month

Your Solutions for the January 2024 Contest 
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PROBLEM A: Double
PROBLEM B: 4 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM D: (c1)
PROBLEM E: 3 Spades
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: Pass
PROBLEM H: Heart 10

Only E and G the same as Jock.

PROBLEM A: Pass, sure an underbid but other options lack appeal.
PROBLEM B: 4 Hearts, considered 3NT but both options give up on slam.
PROBLEM C: 3 Diamonds, can always bid 4H next time.
PROBLEM D: (c1), nothing looks particularly savoury.
PROBLEM E: 3 Spades, would accept 3D at IMPs.
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds, at least this is forcing, preparatory for settling for 3NT.
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs, middle of the road action?
PROBLEM H: Spade 9, the unbid suit but a gambling club might strike gold.

Anyone know who's running the IAC club now that Sanja seems to be full-time
employed by BBO? Can't do a session next week because of undergoing cataract
surgery - and didn't run a play & discuss session last month because of being
out of town. (Email: hoki@orcon.net.nz .)