The auction to you:
(P) - 1 - (1 ) - ??

Your hand:
954
KQT743
J62
9

This was a recent hand discussed in the IAC. The discussion centered primarily around the subsequent auction. The choice here, after brief discussion, seemed to get widespread agreement.

I was surprised.

I probably just nudge it up a level. 5

By the way, the panel choices (and the attached rationale), are submitted a full 18 months in advance. The director's choices (if there is no majority) as well his commentary are added between the date panel choices are in and the press date. So, logically, only the panel choices and comments are considered. Solver's choices, while interesting to compare with the cognoscenti, are not considered.

Yup, Jack.

The scores are not always what we might think they should be. For example, on problem "G," there were more panel votes for 4 than for any other. Should score 100, right? (Works for me since it was my choice!) Not necessarily. Ken and I had this discussion a year ago on this same topic. Unless the top vote-getter is a majority, the director is given wide latitude in assigning scores.

The conditions of contest read as follows:

Directors and Scoring

Each contest is directed by a member of the Bridge World editorial staff. After the contest deadline, the contest's director assigns scores to answers on each problem, giving a highest score of 100 and lower scores generally in multiples of 10. The director does the scoring according to a personal view of the merits of different possibilities but is guided by the votes and comments of a panel of experts. However, the director must award 100 to an action receiving a majority panel vote, at least 10 to any action receiving at least one panel vote, and some score (even if zero) to every legal action.

So, according to the rules, only an action receiving a "majority of panel votes" must receive a score of 100. If not, the highest vote-getter (the one receiving a plurality of votes) usually . . . almost always . . . just about every time receives a score of 100. In those cases--as we see with "G" this month--the director is given wide latitude in choosing which action scores 100. Also lesser scores.

It is what it is . . .

I am always anxious to read the panel's thoughts when the magazine arrives. For me, this is the point of the whole exercise! I enjoy the slow deliberate thought process for each problem and, since we've started this discussion, the back and forth between IAC'ers. After reading the panel's thoughts, I try to incorporate those principles into my own thought process. While I would never take the time it takes for these problems at the table, I am hopeful that these problems can influence my thinking when it counts.

My own personal choice for "WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?" for this month goes to problem "C." I chose a game-force 2 . A clear choice for me. I was more confident on that problem than any other. I thought it out carefully. I eliminated the bad choices. I thought about it some more. Then, I chose wisely . . . or so I thought. But I scored a fourth best 60.

OCTOBER MSC

Deadline: September 10 at 9:00 a.m. (ET)

Submit your October responses here: https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/msc/mastersolversmainpage.html

BWS 2017 System: https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/readingroom/bws/bwscompletesystem.html

BWS 2017 POLLS, CHANGES AND ADDITIONS: https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/readingroom/bws/bwspolls2017.html 

• (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.)

Good Luck!

P.S. Panel answers and scores are usually published the same day as the deadline.

Bang! Trigger pulled.

SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes
Glen Ellyn IL
U.S.A.

PROBLEM A: 3 Spades       100
PROBLEM B: 4 Spades       100
PROBLEM C: 2 Diamonds     60
PROBLEM D: 4 Hearts         70
PROBLEM E: 6 Clubs           80
PROBLEM F: 2 Notrump      100
PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts          70
PROBLEM H: Spade Jack      70
                                         650

Good job Ken and Jim ------ Honor Roll this month! https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/msc/mschonorrollforlastmonth.html

I also changed my mind on a couple . . . PROBLEM D and PROBLEM G. My rationale for the changes has been added in blue to my original "guesses."

My understanding is that Woolsey and Multi-Landy are identical, as a defence to a strong 1 no trump.  BWS does not seem to recognise that opps may inconveniently open this with a 12-14 or even 10-12.  Surely BWS would recognise a penalty double of a weak no trump?
   

Not quite identical (but extremely similar). The double is different.

Whereas with Multi Landy the double is penalty, with Woolsey it show a four-card major and longer minor.

The poll numbers is how The Bridge World came to its current methods. As we see, the previous "agreed" method, espoused in BWS 2001, was Cappelletti. Sometimes the poll results reflect a majority. Sometimes the decisions are less clear, like here, where only a plurality swayed The Bridge World to make the change.