A: Pass
We need 6 tricks if I pass for penalties.  Give partner only 11 points say ♠Kxx, ♥Axx ♦x ♣Axxxxx and I can see 3 tricks in ♦s (2+ruff) + 2 likely ♠+ 1♥ +1♣ and we get +200. I think we would have to be very unlucky for 2♣ to make. 

B: 3
Give partner ♠ Axx, ♥ 10xxx, ♦ Kxx, ♣QJx, then game in ♠ is likely.  So if our agreement is that 2♠ is the weakest action, then we must find an alternative. So lets try 3♦ and see if partner can help us there.   

C: 3
I must show support immediately. So a forcing 3♥? 4♦ splinter?  Or even 5♦ splinter? I think the most economical bid allowing partner to express her hand more.
3

D: 1NT
I just bid my hand. 1NT

E: 4
Cheapest bid with likely misfit.  4

F: 6
Since I have a void in spades, I imagine that partner likely has a balanced 12-14 with 3 hearts.  Say ♠Axxx, ♥Qxx, ♦ KJxx, ♣ Kx where 6 looks good.  Shall I try 5 or 6 ? OK lets go the whole hog and bid 6 .

G: 3
How can I know if partner has useless high spades or very useful high diamonds? Best try 3♣ and see if partner bids 3♦.  If so then we are slamming.

H: 2
Speculative 2

 
What I would do at the table 

A: Double

Too good for 4♥.  Not sure what 5♥ would mean.  Safest to double and then bid 5♥ over partner’s expected 4♠.  Problem:  If partner instead bids 4NT which I assume would be natural then I would like to bid 6♣ to show the void.  However, partner might well bid 7♠ with a hole when 7♥ was a laydown.  So over 4NT I would be conservative and bid 6♥.

B:  3♥

Say partner has ♠ AKxxx, ♥ KQJx, ♦ KJx, ♣ x.  Then 4♥ looks good.  Would partner make a re-opening double with less?  Maybe?  Also it is match points so go with the field 3♥.

c: 3NT

What is partner telling me? Most likely a balanced 12-14 with no spade stop. If so  with my semi balanced hand and the A♠ I must bid 3NT.  Could partner have an unbalanced hand with ♦ support say ♠ x, ♥ Qxxx, ♦ AQx, ♣ AJ10xx when we would want to be in 6♦?  Or even the same with ♣AKxxx when 7♦ is a laydown?  Then partner should take out my 3NT into 4♦ to tell me this news.

D: 2

Not playing Gazzilli partner could have 18-19.  So I must not pass.   I think a preference bid of 2♠ is about right.

Further thought and rant:  In my book 2 will deny a 3 card suit otherwise I would raise immediately.  I pity those poor souls who have to respond 1NT when they have a weak 3 card raise.   

E: 2NT

I have a balanced 13.  So I will bid a forcing 2NT.

F:  3

With a minimum unbalanced 1♦ opener, partner would pass.  So 3♦ shows extras.  But is it forcing?  I am not promising any more than a 4 card suit with 5HCP.  So it is not forcing.  I have about 2 tricks more than promised so I want to be in game and slam is not out of the question.  What would 3♥ mean?  Normally when there is still an unbid suit (clubs) a bid of the opponents’ suit would be telling partner “I have a ♥ stop so you can bid 3N in safety if you have ♣s stopped” However, there is something wrong with this generalisation when you can only bid the 4th suit above the level of 3NT.  Therefore 3♥ cannot be telling partner of a ♥ stop.  It must be a “tell me more” asking bid.  Nevertheless, I am hesitant to do so because say partner has something like ♠ xx, ♥ Ax, ♦ AKJxxx,  ♣ KQx.  Then he will bid 3NTand we have missed 6♦.  I am too good to bid 3♥.  I will keep things going by bidding 3♠ which will be showing a control and not extra length and will not promise a ♥ stop. 

G: 1

I don’t think there is much risk in 1♥ being passed out when a game is on our way.  1♥. The odds are that West will help us by rebidding 2♦ and now I show my good 4 card spade suit

H: 10

What does a raise of the 4th suit show here?  East cannot have a 4 card ♥ suit here unless 5413 distribution.  Could West be showing a 1-3-5-4 distribution with no ♥ stop?  Perhaps.    Maybe the “beginner’s” lead of the 10♦ is best finding partner with a 5 card ♦ suit and more importantly not giving a trick. 

Thanks Jim for all the work.  It is very interesting seeing ones own comments mixed in with the world class and fellow iac players.   

I am interested that Todd says he is inclined to vote strategically to get the best score, thinking what would the moderator favour.  Personally I vote what I would do against a field of world class players as does the panel.   However in real life, if you want to win an event with the field roughly equal in ability you must go anti field.  In that way you either win or come way down the field. 

I have tried to construct hands based on the bidding.  Here is what I have come up with:

                    2
                    Q987x
                    Kxxxxx
                    x

AJx                               KQxx
AKJxx                           x
xx                                QJ10
xxx                              KQ9xx

                   98654
                   103
                   A2
                   AJ106

Certainly 3N is off on any lead except a club.  Give declarer the Q instead of the J, then 3NT will make on any lead.  Maybe someone can construct a hand where 10 defeats the contract when a  lead does not.

I will enter a 7NT team again.
Me + Veeree
and CCR3 + ?

I do not know yet if Todd is available for the 4th or perhaps Ken. 

Now confirmed

Later slot: 1900 UTC
CAPTAIN: Wackojack
 TEAM: 7NT
Players:
Todd (Masse24) +Pat CCR3)
Wackojack + Vee


Both pairs playing 2/1

OK Sanya I will get in early hoping that I can get a team together from myself, Ken, Joe, Pat and Vee with preferences in no particular order.  So if any of these redoubtable players would like to volunteer it would be on a 1st come first served basis. 

Later slot: 1900 UTC
CAPTAIN: Wackojack
 TEAM: 7NT
Players ?


 

Thanks all for your thoughts.  OK forget the actual hands. 

Question:
1 - (1 ) - 3 - (pass)
pass - (?)
What type of hand bids 3 ?
What type of hand doubles?  I assume all believe it to be a take-out double.