Chew the Fat! > IAC & Master Solvers Club
2023 December MSC
hoki:
Afraid none of my answers match Dick's, but two agree with Jock: A and G.
That likely means Dick will score higher than I do because the panel is
essentially an optimistic bunch whereas I generally prefer to take the low
road.
For instance, on A I agree with Jock that for slam to be in the picture pard
will need enough extras to bid again. In the meantime I am showing a
balanced hand with stoppers in the black suits as well as just four hearts.
On B (3NT) partner will also need something more for slam to be in the
picture. Also, I'm not convinced that showing preference for my first suit
puts us in a game-forcing situation.
On C I'm currently favouring 2♦, believing I need more points for 2♠;
yes, a negative double might work.
D: c2, the only "systemic" option.
E: Dble, sandbagging doesn't appeal to me and there is the risk that it goes
all-pass and we miss a game.
F: 1S
H: fourth down from the longest and strongest, imvho still the best way to avoid
team mates' wrath.
Cheers, Oliver
jcreech:
Initial thoughts:
A. 3 !D I go with the hint. 3NT gives up on the slam too easily. 2 !S would be my bid with regular partners, similar to Dick.
B. 3 !H I don't like 3 NT with Ax in clubs - let partner bid the NT if possible. Also starts control bidding if partner is inclined to cooperate.
C. 2 !S I thought about 2 !D, but the match points made me do it.
D. 1 NT I wanted to bid 1 !C to maximize chance of finding major fit, but not an option. AKQ9 looks like five, but not enough small cards for ruffing if a Moysian. J109xx has reversing as the problem with only 15. 4-5-2-2 can be an ugly NT, but I think the least lie.
E. 2 NT With a stiff in partner's suit and 10 HCPs, I feel like I can only show my stop or suggest only four hearts. I think the NT game is more likely. I certainly do not have the values for 3 !H.
F. 2 !D With 9 HCPs and RHO showing spades, I'm not inclined to show J10xx. 2 !D shows my suit and my values, so I am taking the hint.
G. 4 !C Goldilocks time! Despite the hint,3 !C seems too low; too easy for the opponents to enter safely. On the other hand, 5! C felt too risky and high. I don't think they can find the right game at the four-level easily, and they have few enough trump to feel confident about doubling, so I think this should be just right.
H. !D 8 This is the blind lead from hell. LHO could have the minors or could a shapeless 4 by 3s. No telling from this auction. I chose to go with slightly deceptive, yet completely honest 4th best lead. Slightly deceptive because the 8 doesn't look low. To me, this is the least of the evils and could hit paydirt. It may not be the safest lead, but tell me, what is?
No changes for final submission.
Masse24:
SOLUTIONS FOR:
todd holes
PROBLEM A: 3 Notrump
2 !S should be construed as a game try. it would be nice if partner bid 2nt in response to 2 !S as 3nt is likely better from his side. but i worry that partner accepts by bidding 4 !H and i would lose the opportunity to describe the nature of my hand. but maybe that is unwise. blasting to 4 !H may be the best route, keeping the opps in the dark.
PROBLEM B: 4 Clubs
although i would like to bid 3 !H to show my control, hoping to hear partner show his spade control, i worry that partner may rebid 3nt or something else to make my slam aspirations unclear. this 4 !C makes it clear we are slamming in diamonds.
PROBLEM C: Double
at first glance i thought it an auto-double. then i upgraded due to the club bid on my right--and i upgraded the club king. but the suit quality of the spades brought me back to reality. partner expects better than this for a 2 !S bid.
PROBLEM D: (a)
the book bid is 1 !H then 2 !C if partner responds 1nt. but if i do so i will be bidding TWO suits with a combined total of ONE HCP. i've never opened 1nt with a 4=5=2=2. today is the day.
PROBLEM E: Pass
not enough for 2nt--though it's close. not enough or good enough hearts for 3 !H. so pass and await developments. if partner doubles then it becomes more difficult.
PROBLEM F: 2 Diamonds
the best description of my hand. it's a one bid hand.
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
one bid hand. this is pretty descriptive. and disruptive.
PROBLEM H: Spade 8
the most passive. also considered both red 8's.
veredk:
PROBLEM A: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM C: Double
PROBLEM D: (c4)
PROBLEM E: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Spade 8
blubayou:
Jock McQuade
PROBLEM A: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM B: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM C: Double
PROBLEM D: (c4) BULLETIN: DICKH'S COMMENT SEEM TO SHOW HE MEANT TO CHOOSE C4 ALSO (reversing to 2 !S )
PROBLEM E: Pass
PROBLEM F: Pass
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Heart Queen
A copy of
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