April guesses:
PROBLEM A: Pass. Crapshoot. I see three perfectly viable choices. I am usually a strong advocate for Hamman's Rule, so this Pass is extremely uncomfortable.
PROBLEM B: 4
. Support partner.
Change from my initial 4
. Partner has all sorts of ways to support hearts. Attempting to do so with 2
would be rare. I think the popular solver choice will be the "bid what you have" 4
. But in an attempt to "see" into partner's hand--I'm thinking he has a one-suiter in diamonds. So although a pass allows him more room to tell me that, and 4
is certainly "showing" my suit, 4
is telling partner that indeed I do have support.
PROBLEM C: Pass. Difficult problem, but Pass will be popular.
PROBLEM D: 2
. Suit development of the minors will be slow in
. As others have mentioned, I can mention my doubleton
later if given the opportunity. That this is IMPs is an important factor in "bidding something." At MP, I pass.
PROBLEM E: 5
. This hand—“got their suit controlled?”
PROBLEM F: Yes / 5
. Rationale above.
PROBLEM G: 2
. Just shy of a jump-shift. The choices are, I think, 3
(what I would have done three years ago), 3
, 3
, and I suppose a jump-shift. I think the suit quality to be too poor for 3
, a sentiment I hope the panel agrees with. I can see the allure of 2
due to the suit quality, but 2
is where I'm hoping the panel goes.
PROBLEM H:
7. This was my out-of-the-box first instinct, and what I believe will be the popular solver choice. Which is why I initially changed to the
T. The
7 is the "safe" lead. I still hate lead problems.
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes
460 Raintree CT Unit # 1R
Glen Ellyn IL 60137
U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: Pass
PROBLEM B: 4 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: Pass
PROBLEM D: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM E: 5 Hearts
PROBLEM F: Yes | 5 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Spade 7