I have not liked this set, which is part of the reason why I have been reluctant to post my initial selections.
Problem A: 4
I suspect that partner is making a cue-bid in support of spades, but I don't feel secure enough at this point to cooperate and bid 4
. If this were with my favorite partner, I would cooperate, anyone else, run to the nearest 7+ fit.
Problem B: Pass Unless one of the red suits is producing five tricks, I find it hard to envision 3NT making. However, there are lots of ways that 3
will be going down. All we need is down two to beat game. I may be buying the team dinner, but I think this is the best plus position. even with several quacks.
Problem C: Pass Partner did not have anything worth overcalling or enough strength to make a takeout double. Although it is possible partner has a trap pass, it is highly unlikely staring at QTxx. I will apologize if this turns out to be an offensive 5-0 and a defensive 4-4.
Problem D: A3 | B1 On A, I dislike preempting with four in the other major, but that heart suit is too good not to bid, and I will not open one. On B, I am sorely tempted to bid, but the hand is too weak to make a direct bid as much as I would like to.
Problem E: 2
I expect partner to have 10 points or at least close to it, so I expect game somewhere. The spade bid should also show at least tolerance for hearts, just as I hope my cue-bid will suggest a willingness to be in spades. Maybe the cue-bid will get partner to clarify our direction.
Problem F: 3
Again, I feel stuck on direction. Right now, I expect to be in slam unless we can determine that we are missing the AK in diamonds, but partner has not supported my spades and I would like to know whether partner has five hearts or five clubs or a concentration of values in diamonds. The next bid may help.
Problem G: 2
If this were an 8-5, I would choose the 8, but with a 7-6, I want to see if partner has a preference. With three hearts, that will clearly be the pick, otherwise, I will rebid some high number of clubs - perhaps 7 counting on ruffing out the hearts.
Problem H:
Q As the unbid suit, hearts seem like the most likely place to set up tricks, the question is how best to proceed. It sounds like declarer may have the K, but is it K, Kx or Kxx. If it is a stiff K, then Peuco is right and you lay down the ace. If it is Kxx, it is better to try the Q, and hope declarer grabs the K right away. If it is Kx, it doesn't really matter as long as you get the AQ out of your hand in the first two tricks. Holding most of the partnership's high cards, partner probably does not have an outside entry, so you are trying to get there with partner's hoped for J.