While idly preparing for a cricket trip tomorrow, some thoughts (not necessarily helpful):

A.  Pass.  After I’ve invited and partner has shown a maximum opening hand, aren’t we in a GF situation?  If so, a forcing pass from me allows partner to bid 3N with a heart stop or bid clubs without one.  Supposing we are GF, would a x of 3 show a partial stop (3N showing a full one)? 

B.  3 (x?).  2N is not available, so presumably a re-raise to 3 is no longer pre-emptive.  What does a double of 3 show – shortage and a GI kind of hand?  OK, I’m just making that up ‘cos it fits.

C.  Pass.  Am I likely to improve the situation by bidding?  I have three tricks for partner and he might find the club 9 useful.  I could speculate in spades but partner’s Hxx (supposing he’s that good) is going to be under East.  Shame there’s not a negative x available – can we change the rules?

D.  4 .  Suppose N is 40(54) and 13 HCP, that leaves E with 13.  If he has AQ in one black suit, A in the other, QJT in diamonds and three hearts, 3N will make.  Should I be bidding 4 as a sacrifice, white v red?  Of course, folks don’t always have what they bid …

E.  2 /3 .  BWS: a one-notrump response [to a 1m opening] shows 6-10 points.  In response to one diamond: two clubs is forcing to game; three clubs is invitational.  Will the MSC panel really stick to this scheme and bid 3 ?  If I would have opened this hand, I should bid 2 .  I’m a sucker for paired jack-tens, so probably would have opened white v red.

F.  3 .  At the table I’d bid 3 without much hesitation.  A more measured approach (2 – 3 /2N) is probably going to involve a 3 bid from me next, so why give information away?

G.  Pass.  Partner is a passed hand, looks short in hearts and probably has a club trick.  Defending for a penalty seems more likely to produce a positive score than declaring in hearts.  I’m not sure about partner’s double tho’ – could it show spades and diamonds?  Does it matter: if it’s a 20/20 (ish) hand – looking for a penalty still seems best.

H.  Spade Q.  I’d play this at the table pretty briskly (Kantar’s happy to lead that from a near-perfect sequence).  Will a diamond really help partner more?  Showing my suit ought to help the defence and might convince declarer that the club king is with N.

JUNE 2024 MSC
Deadline: APRIL 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Submit your JUNE MSC responses here: The Bridge World - MASTER SOLVERS CLUB

BWS 2017 System: BWS 2017
BWS 2017 POLLS, CHANGES AND ADDITIONS: BWS 2017 - Polls, Changes, and Additions

• Bridge World Standard 2017 (BWS or BWS2017) is effective beginning with the January 2017 Master Solvers' Club problems. This page shows (1) the results of the panelist polls that were used to adjust the system; and (2) the changes in and the additions to Bridge World Standard 2001 (BWS2001) that were made.
  In the listings of the questions and answers, an asterisk indicates the BWS2001 agreement; the proportion of the expert votes for each item, rounded to the nearest percent, is shown in brackets.

---

IAC Forum MSC Scores

If you post to The Bridge World you will receive a confirmation immediately and by email. It is preferred that you copy/paste that confirmation as it is easy to read due to the formatting. (Thanks!)

Also, if you post to The Bridge World those will be your official bids. If you make a mistake (try not to as it has happened), you must live with it.

---

---

PROBLEM A: Pass
PROBLEM B: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM C: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM D: Pass
PROBLEM E: 2 Spades
PROBLEM F: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM G: 5 Diamonds
PROBLEM H: Spade Ace

SOLUTIONS FOR:thomas McQuade3180 NW Division, #106Hobbiton OR 97030U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: 4 Hearts    C'mon--partner just has a good 2-level overcall
PROBLEM B: 6 Clubs     Partner can only have KQxxxxx and zippo''--The other 16 HCP  must be with the opponents.
PROBLEM C: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM D: Pass
PROBLEM E: Double
PROBLEM F: 4 Diamonds--  Too close to  game-in-hand  for "4 " and no reason do deny partner from turning up with three hearts (OR EVEN JUST TWO IF THE CLUBS ARE RUNNING)
PROBLEM G: 5 Diamonds    At Matchpoints,  my simulation champ , "4 " is a winner--  but the wins are smallish. On the rarer occasions where everybody makes a bunch are game-swings when they come up, and the penalty for overbidding par is usually not double-digit
PROBLEM H: Spade Ace--GOING FOR the tap-out defense, since neither minor lead appeals to me at all

To keep a record of your solution

CONFIRMATION# 240520859HOLE

SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes


PROBLEM A: Pass
50/50 between this (forcing) pass and 5 . I don’t know partner’s heart length, so would prefer if he bid RKCB if still available. If he gets the answer of three keys he can better place the contract. I see partner bidding this way with as little as Axx QJTxxx – KQxx.

---

PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
After partner’s free-bid 3 Clubs, this should be forcing (there may be dissension among the panel on this), showing a big hand. Although 3 asks partner to bid again, this is at least more informative than 3 .

---

PROBLEM C: 2 Notrump
I see no reason to rebid the spades—something I would do with 8 HCP. Partner has, at most, two. And the suit quality is poor. While I initially discounted the value of the K, it is now worth something. I assume 8-10(11) or so for partner’s 1NT—this range is systemic--and rebidding 3NT is tempting. But 2NT should suffice. As long as we’re on the same page partner should accept (possibly even showing me Hx along the way) with a maximum.
[Added]: One thing that concerns me in notrump is, with a six-card unsupported spade suit, where is our source of tricks?

---

PROBLEM D: Pass
It’s not my habit to open flat 11s, even in third seat. The only possible option I see is 1 . But not for me.

---

PROBLEM E: 2 Spades
Right on values. Shows 5. I’d like to have a third club, but you can’t have everything. If my spades were better I might double and pull 2 to 2 .

---

PROBLEM F: 4 Clubs
Showing primary Clubs (so 6-5?). I do not believe this to be forcing, but it surely shows a massive hand.

---

PROBLEM G: 5 Diamonds
Though 2 is tempting as a lead director, partner will know to lead it if a ruff is needed against a high-level spade contract. 4 as preempt Blackwood is mildly interesting—even fun—but would fool no one.

---

PROBLEM H: Club 3
Difficult. Not fond of lead problems.

---