I usually delay until the last minute, but had a lot of free time this weekend, so pulled the trigger.
SOLVER: Todd Holes
Glen Ellyn IL
U.S.A.
Your Solutions for the November 2018 Contest
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PROBLEM A: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a2)
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM F: 5 Clubs
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Spade 5
Trenchant commentary to follow.
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PROBLEM A: 2
--- The values are correct for 1NT, but the void is a gaping hole. Pass could be right, taking a wait and see approach. I think Pass will be the popular solver choice (and it is my second choice). Heart suit is too threadbare to bid--and I absolutely hate it. But it’s the least bad choice.
PROBLEM B: 1 NT --- Pass was my initial gut instinct. Partner would need a perfecto for game to be on. Both 1NT and 1
have appeal. My 1NT is a bit of a punt as I think the hand too strong to pass.
PROBLEM C: 1 NT --- Passed hand, so this is red suits. This one seems almost too simple. I have a feeling there will be some (many?) votes for 1
– a lead director.
PROBLEM D: (a2) --- Not providing us with a hand is irritating. Second choice, B3.
PROBLEM E: 3
--- All calls are flawed. 3
is tempting as a “waiting” bid, indicating an inability to bid 2NT or support spades. But 3
, while generally implying four pieces, at least conveys some heart support. 3
would make that almost impossible. Flawed.
PROBLEM F: 5
--- 4NT, an “Unusual” type call, is tempting. It would not be RKC in this auction. A much safer 5
—likely the plurality choice--will score well.
PROBLEM G: 4
--- Even at MP, 3NT seems wimpy. 2
is wide-ranging, partner has some shape, let’s push.
PROBLEM H: 5 --- East’s failure to make a
control bid, instead bidding 4
, implies no
control. West has at least the
Ace for the subsequent 5
. If my partner has the
King, it is not going away, and the slam will not make. A
lead will certainly be the popular and safe solver choice. Since the modern honor lead from AK(xxx) is the Ace, the King becomes the standard at the 5-level or higher (asking for count). Here, however, if I lead a
I choose the
Ace since I do not wish to advertise the honor placement to declarer.
The bidding indicates
shortness in dummy, and declarer could also be short in
. I can smell the ruffs, so I am choosing a trump lead. When I get in with
to my Ace—I continue with trump. This cuts down on ruffs, hopefully foiling the slam.