August Guesses:A. 4
. Change from 5
. Partner knows I have three spades, so I hate to waste a level by ostensibly telling the same story twice. This one really confuses me. I do not want to be left there,
unless it is where we belong. 4
would be interesting, putting the onus on partner to better communicate his intentions. But if partner does have loftier intentions in a possible spade slam, I fear 4
could convey more strength (or possibly a non-existent control) that I do not have.
I think Blu may be right. Partner may well have only four spades and six clubs with a hand that just wishes to compete. But I’m not going to start making up new meta-rules in the middle of an auction. The last time I checked: New suit by unpassed responder is forcing.
If partner does have one of the four-spade six-club hands possible, I hope he corrects.
B. 3
. Vul 3
is probably more than
KQJxxxx. If so, 3NT sucks. If partner has a hand suitable for double, he probably has only five hearts, so in hearts a bad trump split is on the horizon. This makes 3
a timid but best choice.
C. 1NT. While 1
is possible, these hearts spell 1NT.
D. A3 | B1. I do not mind preempting with four card major.
E. 2
. If I had more than I do, I would double rather than overcall. I think this conveys a max for my overcall. Also, if partner had five spades wouldn’t he have overcalled in direct seat? I think partner might have four spades and no heart support. 4=1=4=4? Hopefully with 9 or 10 HCP. I dunno, I’m guessing, but this cuebid should get another descriptive bid out of him.
F. 3
. Although 2
did not promise six spades, I prefer 3
now because it leaves room. Partner can show me two spades (hopefully Qx if he does), a sixth heart, fifth club (unlikely), 3NT with a diamond honor. The 4NT “helpful hint” is a red herring as it would be an underbid by a Queen or King. I recall a hand a year or more ago (not this strong) where the major was bid three times to show six, so my not choosing 3
now may be a mistake.
G. 2
. This is definitely a hero call. I want to declare and this has a decent chance of ensuring that. Hopefully, it will not be two-level contract!
Most solvers will probably go with 2
, planning to keycard in hearts if partner bids hearts to find that pesky lady. Or, if partner does not bid hearts (or more likely, is not given the opportunity) then a huge jump in clubs next. How high? That question was not asked, so it’s somewhat immaterial. But it’s an interesting hand with difficult tactical considerations. I’ve contemplated an immediate 7
. I
really like 2
. A lot! If I could be assured that “the auction won’t stop here” (I’m almost there), then I would do it. The goal of this hand is simple. Declare. Starting with a Michaels 2
only begins to draw the opps the roadmap necessary to sacrifice, in which case we defend.
H.
A. Declarer bid No Trump, so looking at the
AQx, it's a fair bet declarer has the King, so this is safe. I want to see partner's attitude and also the dummy. This gives me a free look before I decide on my trick two action. The
T is boring and will probably the popular solver choice.
PROBLEM A: 4 Spades
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a3) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM H: Heart Ace