Submitted answers--with a few comments . . .
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes
Glen Ellyn IL
U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: 2 SpadesLead directing (possibly), yet competing for the partscore. I intend to take the push to 4
. Double, though, intrigues me--showing four spades and a place to retreat to—obviously diamonds. I’m not totally sure of that, so opt for the crystal clear 2
. My second choice is 3
.
PROBLEM B: 3 NotrumpI like this gadget. Used properly, in conjunction with picture bids and last train, it makes sorting out extras and slam viability more precise. This one feels like a “what else?” choice to me.
PROBLEM C: 2 ClubsThe least lie. One spade looks interesting, but last month’s “cutesy” bid of a three card major has used up my supply of “cutesy” bids for a while. I’m sure there will be a few panelists who choose one spade, but two clubs should receive more votes, and it’s certainly what I would bid at the table. One Notrump also possible, and is my second choice.
PROBLEM D: 2 ClubsA binary choice again? A bit strong for 1NT, and the single spade stopper is whispering, “something else—not no trump.” So 2
it is.
PROBLEM E: 1 NotrumpA binary choice (although I suppose double is also viable). For me, it’s either 1!S or 1NT. While 1NT immediately limits our hand to a specific range, it fails to tell partner of our holding in the spade suit. One spade has the obvious flaw of a less than robust suit (do I want a
lead?).
This was very, very close for me. I wonder if the panel will have similar difficulty?
PROBLEM F: 4 Notrump4NT. I’d like another King. It’s Matchpoints, so who knows. Pass could be right.
4
in a Moysian is possible, and I’m sure there will be a few panel votes for game a level lower. But a 3-3 “fit,” while not likely, is a possibility. And 3-3 play poorly at the four level.
PROBLEM G: (b6)My first instinct was the “bid what I have” 1
, followed by a descriptive jump to 3NT (long solid diamonds). Were this MPs, a prosaic 2NT open would be fine. But it’s IMPs. I want to find the slam—in whatever strain—
if it’s there. The descriptive jump to 3NT will help partner assess our chances. It’s risky: Marilyn nailed it when she commented that it screams for a club lead. Crossing my fingers for some luck. Basically, the upside of this risk outweighs the downside.
I think a couple of the alternatives are interesting:
Opening 1
then tossing in a “fake suit” jump shift of 3
may steer the opponents away from a club lead. Or not.
A fake jump-shift into a three card major, 1
– 1
– 2
, attempting to right-side 3NT (if partner had a club stop) is also interesting. This is actually my second choice.
Tough problem.
PROBLEM H: Diamond 10Partner has very little. With the opps playing Reverse Smolen, partner has either one or, very rarely, two hearts. If I lead a heart, I need partner to have the A, K, or T. Is there a reason to give a rule-of-eleven count on my heart suit by leading the six? No, so I would opt for the deuce.
But today I’m leading something else. I worry the heart lead gives away the suit, so I’m hoping to hit gold with a diamond lead. I choose the ten—beginning the unblock—and hope I am finding partner’s five card minor. The diamond King is also a possibility.
(I hate lead problems!)