D**N!! Jock,
Good sleuthing. What I see as being the principal differences between the two hands are as follows:
April 2020 My initial comment:Problem C: 4
– Without the note, I would bid 3
without much thought. With the note, do I lie, taking a chance that partner does not have a 3NT conversion? Do I pass, leaving the auction wide open for the opponents to enter cheaply? Or do I jump to 4
and lie about my club length? At this vulnerability, I feel like the least lie is to bid 4
, plus it difficult for the opponents to find the right strain and level.
My final comment:Uncharacteristically, I made a change to my choice, but failed to say why. I think it had to do with 4
just seemed too high with only five-card support.
New commentaryAs for the hand, it contained four HCPs all in quacks - which made the pass more attractive. Nonetheless, I hate to make any auction too easy for the opponents, so my inclination is to preempt. The hint suggests 4 or pass, but the hand suggests lie or pass. I finally decided to lie and hope that partner would pass - 3
.
April 2022My initial comment:Problem F: 4
Too weak for either 2 or 3
, so I will go to the max without committing to game. At the table, I would be sorely tempted to bid a major in the attempt to steal their suit; question is, which is their suit?
My final comment:TBD - but I am giving strong consideration to 3
, but for different reasons. See below.
New commentaryThe hand contains only 3 HCPs, but what a difference this time. It is a K, which translates into a reasonable chance of a trick. Given that partner is highly likely to hold four diamonds for the opening bid, that gives the partnership a minimum of nine, while also likely to have ten diamonds - now I can almost count seven tricks in my own hand, and if partner is strong, then 3NT may easily be a laydown.
So in sum, in 2020, my hand is probably at best only able to contribute five tricks with slow side tricks, so the bid can only be meant preemptively. The bid is clearly a lie, but the panel decided it was worth the mild risk. While in 2022, my hand is likely to contribute seven tricks, so if partner has a strong hand, there is likely to be a reasonable play for game. Technically, the bid is again a lie, but the intent is to get the partnership to 3NT opposite a strong hand.