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IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 MAY MSC
« Last post by blubayou on March 11, 2024, 10:59:00 PM »A:>> Like many of this month's problems, this answer would be given, "at the table" in about 5 seconds! (Onward to 4 Hearts).
Partner has accepted our game invite, and we have a rather small supply of extras, so what's the problem? But as the month goes on, my mere balanced 12-count is starting to look more and more like a push to the 5-level--such a PERFECT 12 1/2!
IF I bid five clubs that might:
(!) get partner to a 28-point slam...
(2) help him judge what to do if the opening side sacrifices over our four hearts... or...
(3) give us a self-inflicted -50 when otherwise everybody was going tolie down for our heart game-bid
B:>> Axx Ax AKzxx Axx, (1H) Double, (2H) 3C; pass, ___ What is this? My 19 primo + opps open and raise with...16?? This leaves partner with KQxxxxxx and hopefully a doubleton diamond or stiff in whatever major they lead! Hence, a pretty good grand slam. At the table, I bid 6 Clubs in 10 seconds or less. Cue bidding is pointless [pard can't possibly co-operate.]
C:>> AQxxxx, K, Kxx, Axx. (1H) 1S, (2H), pass; pass, ___? 6-1-3-3 and max overcaller's points? What is this--bridge-kindergarten? This is utterly what "Double" shows and there is no alternate answer lurking in my subconcience, id, or ego! Less than 5 seconds ..DOUBLE
On Tuesday 3/12, Jim reminded me that partner has advanced "1NT, not passing as I misread. This requires a rethink big-time--and makes this a much juicer problem.
,
D:>> KQTx, K97x, Qx, Jxx, Pass, (pass), ___? Our match would have to be on life-support if I didn't risk letting LHO find a passout-- vul at imps.
PASSING in tempo. IF I did bid, I think it would be One Spade. BWS plays a simple Drury (reverse, I assume--they didn't say so I can drop pard's 2 of a red suit.
E:>> AT8xx, Kxx, QTx, Qx, Pass, (pass), 1 Club, (2 Diamonds) opps vul, At last, a problem with more than 1 1/2 answers! I found 5 of 'em.
1> Bid 2
.. This will often propel us to 3NT with this ratty 11 facing a similar count in pard's hand 
2> Bid 2NT.. This operation may be a sucess, but the patient may die anyway
3 and 4> Neg Double, then show the 5th spade or neg double and bid notrump at whatever level.
5> Lurk in search of the elusive 200 at 2
doubled? How happy will we feel, if partner can't find any reopening call 
Definitely a worthwhile problem, and the one likely to make big swings in the final tally
Partner has accepted our game invite, and we have a rather small supply of extras, so what's the problem? But as the month goes on, my mere balanced 12-count is starting to look more and more like a push to the 5-level--such a PERFECT 12 1/2!
IF I bid five clubs that might:
(!) get partner to a 28-point slam...
(2) help him judge what to do if the opening side sacrifices over our four hearts... or...
(3) give us a self-inflicted -50 when otherwise everybody was going tolie down for our heart game-bid
B:>> Axx Ax AKzxx Axx, (1H) Double, (2H) 3C; pass, ___ What is this? My 19 primo + opps open and raise with...16?? This leaves partner with KQxxxxxx and hopefully a doubleton diamond or stiff in whatever major they lead! Hence, a pretty good grand slam. At the table, I bid 6 Clubs in 10 seconds or less. Cue bidding is pointless [pard can't possibly co-operate.]
C:>> AQxxxx, K, Kxx, Axx. (1H) 1S, (2H), pass; pass, ___? 6-1-3-3 and max overcaller's points?
On Tuesday 3/12, Jim reminded me that partner has advanced "1NT, not passing as I misread. This requires a rethink big-time--and makes this a much juicer problem.
,
D:>> KQTx, K97x, Qx, Jxx, Pass, (pass), ___? Our match would have to be on life-support if I didn't risk letting LHO find a passout-- vul at imps.
PASSING in tempo. IF I did bid, I think it would be One Spade. BWS plays a simple Drury (reverse, I assume--they didn't say so I can drop pard's 2 of a red suit.
E:>> AT8xx, Kxx, QTx, Qx, Pass, (pass), 1 Club, (2 Diamonds) opps vul, At last, a problem with more than 1 1/2 answers! I found 5 of 'em.
1> Bid 2
.. This will often propel us to 3NT with this ratty 11 facing a similar count in pard's hand 2> Bid 2NT.. This operation may be a sucess, but the patient may die anyway
3 and 4> Neg Double, then show the 5th spade or neg double and bid notrump at whatever level.
5> Lurk in search of the elusive 200 at 2
doubled? How happy will we feel, if partner can't find any reopening call Definitely a worthwhile problem, and the one likely to make big swings in the final tally
should do that. To play it as only a one-round force would be strange. 