My first stab at August follows:
A: 4
. 5
is tempting, but for now 4
. The suit disparity leads me to believe that a two-suited overcall is not best. Plus, in this auction, Leaping Michaels should apply, so that “two-suited” bid would be 4
to show the red suits, which is a bit of a fib with this 7-5. This auction is not over.
Second choice: 5
. Third: 4
B: 4
. I am missing something. Where are the
? If partner is 5-5 in the reds, and East is not showing a five-card
suit with either 3
or a UvU 3
(instead opting to penalize
), then partner likely has three
. Which would give opener 5
and a 6 card
suit (or similar). Partner is very short in
, either stiff or void. If this assessment is correct, is an immediate 5
better?
C: 3
. I can't force game with this, can I?
Second choice: Double. Third: 3
D: 4
. Partner is still groping for strain. He knows of my six
, should he know I have seven? Best to keep it low and tell partner of my delayed
support. Since I bypassed
(presumably denying four), partner's 3
may only have been a grope for 3NT. If partner continues over 4
, I'll know he wanted more.
Second choice: 4
. Third: 4
(not fond of this, it's murky)
E: Pass. They are already headed to game. The double only gives them another bid (redouble) along the way to communicate.
Second choice: 4
.
F: 2
. I am usually loathe to open these types of hands 2
. 4NT, if it is a specific Ace ask, has some appeal. I’ll have to look it up. Not sure if it’s BWS.
Second choice: 4NT. Third: 1
G: 3
. Where I live. Though at MPs, the double (to get the
in), and 3NT both have merit.
Second choice: 3NT. Third: Double
H: 6. Standout lead. Majority choice? Leading from “Ace-empty” is not appealing. What am I missing?
Second choice: Same as the first.
This will go through two or three "edits" before I pull the trigger in July. In a week I'll revisit these choices and think to myself, "What on earth was I thinking?"