A. 2
. At the table or absent the special BWS bids, 5
would be my choice. Partner probably has both majors for his double of 1
, and likely 44. He could have 45xx but would have bid differently with 54xx (1
then 2
) or 55xx (2
). So 5
risks choosing a 73 minor fit over a 44/54 heart fit. Surely the panel won’t like that? It also rules out 4N (RKC) in the auction or a minor suit RKC – yes, with this hand I’m one excited puppy.
B. 3
(4
). I’m not giving partner any ruffs, so am only offering one trick in clubs. Still, 4
is a decent prospect. But with tail still wagging from Problem A - the majors look to be 5332, with our side having the 3s, and partner could well have stops in both. After all, only 5 of his 18+ HCP are in clubs. If I bid 3N, West will lead a heart through North which could be fatal. Can I make a bid to right-side 3N? How about 3
?
C. 3
. 4SF is GF in BWS but I’ll live with that. Partner’s shape offers various games 4
(3541), 4
(2641) or 3N (1543). Doubtless, he’ll be 2542 and we’ll end up in 3N hoping opponents will throw us a bone (clubs aren’t running - neither opponent overcalled 2
, white - and a couple of cards are well-placed).
D. 6N/4S. All North’s HCP are outside spades, and I’d expect him to have 14+, rather than a measly 12, say. So, we have 26+ HCP in his three suits. He’s probably 1444 – with 3c spade support East would have bid four spades. That looks close to 12 tricks to me. Among the silver linings, they could have a queen and two jacks, East could have the club king or West could have the heart king. With thick clouds, East may have a red suit ace/heart king to go with his two spades, but if I make a 4N bid and North has 14 – minimum for his bid - he’ll certainly pass. I'd bid 6N at the table, but that's likely to be a bit too blunt-instrument for pros. A 4S cuebid may well lead us to a decent 6m contract.
E. 2
. This looks suspiciously straightforward for the MSC bidding quiz. The diamond queen looks worthless. Do I really want to yap about anything other than spades?
F. x/4N. This problem seems to hinge on whether North’s pass is forcing and, if so, whether a double from me would then be for penalty. If so, I want to double and then slap down the king of hearts. Are we likely to make 5m with these my patchy suits? 4N would add to the picture: the original double promised 44/44+, not the 55 I have.
G. x. This looks like Problem E from last month. Assume the 3
is KQxxxxxx, hope for a useful card outside and bid 3N. Here the useful card doesn’t have to be so good – the jack of diamonds would be just fine. However, this looks like a good time to start biting - we can take 5 tricks (+) against 3Hx for 500 (+)
H. K
. East (35xx, 34xx, 25xx) may not be ruffing my diamond winners, and if he is, I’m not sure I can stop him. Neither will partner enjoy a heart lead from me. The king of clubs is an investment for the future too – reassuring partner that my two-level overcalls are solid and when the table is turned he can lead them safely (thus, the excited puppy transforms into Dr Pavlov).