IAC Forums
Chew the Fat! => IAC & Master Solvers Club => Topic started by: Masse24 on October 11, 2019, 03:13:33 PM
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DECEMBER MSC
Deadline: November 10 at 9:00 a.m. (ET)
Submit your November responses here: The Bridge World - MASTER SOLVERS CLUB (https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/msc/mastersolversmainpage.html)
BWS 2017 System: BWS 2017 (https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/readingroom/bws/bwscompletesystem.html)
BWS 2017 POLLS, CHANGES AND ADDITIONS: BWS 2017 - Polls, Changes, and Additions (https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/readingroom/bws/bwspolls2017.html)
- 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.
PROBLEM A: Matchpoints
East-West Vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S 643 !H Q72 !D K64 !C KQ95
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| — | — | — | Pass |
| Pass | Pass | 1 !D | 1 !S |
| ?? |
What call do you make?
PROBLEM B: Matchpoints
Neither Side Vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S 6 !H KQ !D Q8742 !C K9763
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| — | 2 !H | Dbl | 3 !H |
| ?* | | | |
*BWS: 4NT = Takeout
What call do you make?
PROBLEM C: IMPs
Neither side vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S T2 !H AT64 !D K7 !C AKT94
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| — | 1 !D | Pass | Pass |
| ? | | | |
What call do you make?
PROBLEM D: IMPs
East-West Vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S AKQ943 !H KQ95 !D 9 !C J5
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| 1 !S | 3 !D | Pass | Pass |
| ? | | | |
What call do you make?
PROBLEM E: IMPs
North-South Vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S T82 !H AKQ7 !D J87 !C Q82
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| — | — | 1 !C | Pass |
| 1 !H | Pass | 1 !S | Pass |
What call do you make?
PROBLEM F: Board-a-Match
Both sides vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S QJ !H KT84 !D 2 !C QJT543
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| — | — | 1 !S | 2 !H |
| Pass | Pass | Dbl | Pass |
What call do you make?
PROBLEM G: IMPs
East-West Vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S K !H AQJ97 !D A85 !C KJ42
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| 1 !H | Pass | 1 !S | Pass |
| 2 !C | Pass | 2 !S | Pass |
What call do you make?
PROBLEM H: IMPs
Both sides vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S A2 !H QT92 !D AQ7 !C JT94
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| 1 !C | 2 !S | Pass | 3NT |
| Pass | Pass | Pass | |
What is your opening lead?
Good luck everyone!
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a>> 2Clubs
b>> 4Clubs <added: if X is actually responsive, then this problem
is a no-brainer and that will be my vote, naturally!
c>> 1NT
d>> double
e>> 2Diamonds
f>> 2NT
g>> 3Diamonds this is the only one this
month that doesn't give me the creeps!
h>> heart 10 ( or nine, if that is standard BWS)
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Initial Guesses:
PROBLEM A: 2 !D . Several choices are possible.
• 1NT with a flat 10 is right on values but lacking the (usually) promised stopper is flawed.
• A double is flexible, and although rare, a negative double, even with only three hearts, should include this shape as possible when no better response is possible.
• 2 !C is also possible. As a passed hand I’m limited to 12 at most but show a minimum of 10. I have 10, but the hand is so flat it’s more like 9—plus, it’s my belief that a 2 !C bid should show 5+ card suit.
• That leaves 2 !D (support with support) which is only mildly flawed. I would prefer a fourth !D but you can’t have everything.
PROBLEM B: Dbl . Every time I pay heed to the little *BWS blurbs I regret it. I don’t quite get the 4NT = “takeout” choice of terminology. It feels like more of an “Unusual” 4NT to me. Looking at both minors, “Unusual” 4NT looks like a good description, at least shape-wise. Regardless, at Matchpoints 4NT is a bit rich for me.
No, I can’t make myself bid 3NT.
Additional thoughts: Over 2 !H partner had the opportunity to bid 3 !H to show a two-suited hand with !S and a minor. (Yes, it’s Michaels-See Aug. 2018 MSC.) With a strong single-suited !S hand partner could have overcalled 3 !S or 4 !S (both strong) so he does not have that hand. Therefore, partner almost surely has the classic three-suited takeout. Also, with LHO showing six !H and RHO showing three, the location of two hearts is unknown. Does partner have them?
Finally, WHERE ARE THE SPADES? I have a hard time believing they are 4-4-4 around the table. I fully understand partner not overcalling with 2 !S with only five spades, especially if the suit has gaps. So I think that to be most likely. Partner’s layout is possibly/probably 5=1 (43).
Bidding either of my minors at 4-level is the weakest move I can make. At the moment that’s where I’m leaning.
[Added]: Changed my mind on this one. I'm still worried that 4NT is too much. And I feel strongly that partner probably has five spades. So 4-3 in the minors is also likely. To convey the message that either minor is fine, I double (responsive), then pull partner's 3 !S to 4 !C , asking partner to pass or correct. With appropriate extras partner can bid game. This one "feels" right.
PROBLEM C: 2 !C . Coin flip with 1NT. While 1NT narrows my point range, 2 !C shows a suit and good lead director. If partner invites with 2NT I’ll bid game.
PROBLEM D: 3 !H . Shows nine of my cards, rather than just six. I hate this call and may change this one.
[Added]: I'll stick with 3 !H (for the reason stated above) which is what I would bid at the table. It's descriptive, so should not fare poorly. But I fear that double may be the winning call here.
PROBLEM E: 2NT. [Added]: Jack-third is a stopper in 2019, yes? Changed my mind here. Going low. Admittedly timid when vulnerable at IMPs.
2 !D . Flexible. 1 !S could be up to 17 or a bad 18. Queen-third in !C is nice help for what presumably (hopefully?) is a five-card !C suit.
PROBLEM F: Pass. [Added] This was a coin flip to begin with. It landed on tails.
2 !S . BAM scoring. Who knows? Anything could be right, even Pass, which is my second choice.
PROBLEM G: 3 !S . Although a stiff, the !S K is a great filler for partner’s suit. While tempting to bid game, partner could have as little as ATxxxx or AJxxxx. Partner has already shown his range, so this invite should request he bid game if at the top of that range.
[Added]: I keep contemplating some level of NoTrump (Prefer 2NT), but worry about entries. So I think I'll stick with the mildly esoteric raise with a stiff.
PROBLEM H: !H T. Alternatively, the !C Jack. No strong feelings. I could be convinced otherwise.
A couple of these I have zero confidence in, so may change one or two after I look again.
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My initial thoughts:
A. Dbl – torn between negative double with 3 hearts, raise with 3 diamonds, or 1NT with no stopper. I like the negative double best because partner might bid clubs.
B. 4NT – I think that while the note says takeout, I am certain that it emphasizes the minors because why would you bypass 4 !S.
C. 1NT – really a bit too good in the balancing seat, but it is the best description – semi-balanced with 14 HCP. If partner had a decent major, then they would have likely overcalled, so I’ll take a chance on scattered values opposite me.
D. 3 !H – shows that I am unbalanced or I probably would have doubled. Partnere may still have four, but without enough strength to make the negative double.
E. 2 !D – 4th suit forcing – I have the values, but with a weak diamond stop and only the !C Q to be led into, I want to right side this hand and try to get partner to bid the NT.
F. 3 !C – I really want to pass, but with a long club suit with no quick tricks and soft values in partner’s suit, I am afraid of finding 2 !H making. 2 !S is my 2nd choice at this time, but may be elevated before I submit. It is BAM, and any of these three choices could be right.
G. 3 !D – my stiff king is now carrying full weight. I would love to bid the nine trick NT game, so I am giving partner a chance to do so. If partner bids hearts, now 3 !S should show a stiff honor and complete my picture. 3 !S is my problem response – do I carry on to game like I should?
H. !H 2 – There are a number of possible correct leads – clubs may not well stopped, a number of heart cards would be useful, and partner could have a nice diamond holding opposite my AQx. The !S A should give me a 2nd chance to hit something really good, but I think the hearts is the best opening – now the question is whether to start small or top of the interior sequence. Partner has at best about 3 HCPs, so a small heart would cater to partner holding either the J or K
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thanks for showing up, moderators!
glad you both have doubts too though not so many ias i have!
(by the way, booss "4NT Takeout" MEANS minors in OB-Speak:)
your semi-support for my opening guesses gives me hope to get above 550 this month, but of course i would leader-board in my first two trys, and a pair of ZEROS put paid to that guess.
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G. 3 !D – my stiff king is now carrying full weight. I would love to bid the nine trick NT game, so I am giving partner a chance to do so. If partner bids hearts, now 3 !S should show a stiff honor and complete my picture. 3 !S is my problem response – do I carry on to game like I should?
This is an interesting choice, and one I had not considered. I'll have to give this one some thought before pulling the trigger.
And I was feeling so smug about my first choice. Darn you, Jim! ;)
Something that occurs to me, however, is that since 2 !C was not forcing, neither is 3 !D. Clearly it shows extras, but it's short of the values for a jump-shift. If opener had a minimum he simply passes 2 !S. But if opener had a 0=5=4=4 16 or 17 count he might bid it this way, yes? And that is nearly what we have! But what does responder do with a 6=1=4=2 five count? Pass? And we play our 4-3 "fit"at the 3-level?
Scary!
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[[quote from jim :]]
G. 3 !D – my stiff king is now carrying full weight. I would love to bid the nine trick NT game, so I am giving partner a chance to do so. If partner bids hearts, now 3 !S should show a stiff honor and complete my picture.
Something that occurs to me, however, is that since 2 !C was not forcing, neither is 3 !D . Clearly it shows extras, but it's short of the values for a jump-shift.
regarding non-forcing nature of 3!D: I will never forget getting an 80 [90?] for rebidding 2!S in a mid-nineties MSC with AJ976, x, QXXXX, xx. on this very auction. Passing 3 diamonds would now take about .5 seconds :) P.S. 0-5-4-4 is usually bid H, then D, then Clubs if at all.[/quote]
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Submitted. A couple of changes from my initial thoughts. Explained above.
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes
Glen Ellyn IL
U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: Double
PROBLEM C: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM F: Pass
PROBLEM G: 3 Spades
PROBLEM H: Heart 10
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This is what I am going to submit tomorrow unless I change my mind.
PROBLEM A:
1NT
If partner is balanced 12-14 that is where we want to be. If unbalanced I expect partner to bid again.
PROBLEM B:
Double
This hand is not strong enough to bid 4NT, so I will make a responsive double showing support for the minors. I think it most likely that partner has 4♠, 2♥ and 4-3 in the minors. If partner bids 4♣ or 4♦ I will pass. If 3NT, I face a very tough choice.
PROBLEM C:
1NT
What else? Not pass, 1♥ or 2♣. That’s for sure.
PROBLEM D:
3♥
I do not want to ignore the ♥ suit by bidding 2♠.
PROBLEM E:
2♦
Partner is showing an unbalanced hand in my book. However, I assume (without looking) that in BWS this could also show a balanced hand with 4 spades. Either way I am strong enough to try 4th suit forcing 2♦ who will bid 2NT with a ♦ guard. Then I bid 3N. If partner bids 3♣ I will bid a temporising 3♠ showing a 3 card ♠ suit.
PROBLEM F:
Pass
My first reaction is to pass for penalties. Is it possible that we have 5♣ on and 2♥x goes 2 off? Or we can make 3NT? No, I stick with pass. ________________________________________
PROBLEM G:
3♠
BWS: A two-spade response to one heart is strong and indicates a hand stronger than ordinary game-going values Does this mean that partner could have ♠Axxxxx and nothing else? Even so my K♠ could bring in the spades with only one loser. So I will invite with 3♠.
PROBLEM H:
J !C
My opening lead guesses are notoriously bad and so I am giving this a lot of thought. J♣ safe? Or ♥ and which one? Partner should have zero points at worst and 3 points at best. I have to assume that declarer cannot set up his spades and therefore has 2. Let could be J♠♥ or ♦. I can count declarer having 1♠+3♣ =4 tricks and so must make 5 in ♥ and ♦. If I lead a ♥ and declare has the Jack, then all declarer needs to do is to make 2 tricks in ♦s. So I can see great danger in leading a heart. Perhaps declarer can end play me anyway. Nevertheless J♣ it must be.
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SOLUTIONS FOR:
James Creech
Fredericksburg VA
U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: Double
PROBLEM B: Double
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM F: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM G: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM H: Club Jack
In the end, I shifted from some of my original thoughts.
B. Finally went with the responsive double, indicating at least two places to play and under the circumstances de-emphasizes spades because I would bend over to bid that suit
F. I still don't feel right with passing with essentially only two defensive tricks, but in NT, those same two tricks work toward the nine for a game. The !S QJ fill out partner's suit and depending on fit with partner, the clubs may be a genuine source of tricks.
H. I still want to lead a heart, but think the panel will go for the safer club lead - this is a contest vs. table decision for me.
I still identify Ken Berg as a partner for this contest.
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P.S. 0-5-4-4 is usually bid H, then D, then Clubs if at all.
Blu, I disagree. It's pretty standard to bid four card suits up-the-line, even at the two-level.
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"I still identify Ken Berg as a partner for this contest." ---jcreech
So far ken has been lazy or, to put it more kindly, a bit slow. We have a book club meeting Saturday and I am working my way through Michael Chabon's Moonglow. It's one of these books that hops around in time and location, hops a lot, and so it's a bit of a challenge. Ultimately it is well worth it, although it took me maybe 150 pages before I came to believe that. Anyway, I am hoping to get to work on the MSC problems tomorrow.
Sorry to have not connected with you at the recent DARE, and I missed almost all of poco's stuff the other day. A lot of interesting stuff going on with IAC.
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PROBLEM H: IMPs
Both sides vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S A2 !H QT92 !D AQ7 !C JT94
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| 1 !C | 2 !S | Pass | 3NT |
| Pass | Pass | Pass | |
What is your opening lead?
Looking again at the lead problem.
Assume dummy has an entry. Assume it’s the !D King. If doubleton, it would be key to knock it out early before the spades could be set up. To do so I would lead the !D Ace and follow up low. My !S Ace then prevents the suit from running. If after leading the !D Ace the King does not appear in dummy, then it’s probably on my right and I’ve lost nothing. I simply stay away from the !D suit.
This stab in the dark is admittedly a long shot, but I like it far better than the !C Jack.
I’ve made my choice and have submitted, so no changes at this point. But I thought it was an interesting possibility and one that should be considered.
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SOLUTIONS FOR:
Jack Goody
Guildford
England
PROBLEM A: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM B: Double
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM F: Pass
PROBLEM G: 3 Spades
PROBLEM H: Club Jack
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Your solutions have been received. This copy is for your records.
SOLVER: Babs Giesbrecht
Qualicum Beach BC
Canada
Your Solutions for the December 2019 Contest
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PROBLEM A: Double
PROBLEM B: Double
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM F: 2 Spades
PROBLEM G: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM H: Heart 2
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Finaly I did not get to be too late this month :)
A) Pass
B) X
C) 2C
D) 3H
E) 2D
F) 3C
G) 3S
H) h2
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PROBLEM H: IMPs
Both sides vulnerable
You, South, hold:
!S A2 !H QT92 !D AQ7 !C JT94
| SOUTH | WEST | NORTH | EAST |
| 1 !C | 2 !S | Pass | 3NT |
| Pass | Pass | Pass | |
What is your opening lead?
Looking again at the lead problem.
Assume dummy has an entry. Assume it’s the !D King. If doubleton, it would be key to knock it out early before the spades could be set up. To do so I would lead the !D Ace and follow up low. My !S Ace then prevents the suit from running. If after leading the !D Ace the King does not appear in dummy, then it’s probably on my right and I’ve lost nothing. I simply stay away from the !D suit.
This stab in the dark is admittedly a long shot, but I like it far better than the !C Jack.
I find this possibility intriguing. Even if dummy has Kxx, as the side entry, you can attack this entry successfully by following up with the Q (turning it into a Merrimac Coup), and x if necessary.
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PROBLEM A: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 4 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds (4sf) if we are in notrump I want pard to declare)
PROBLEM F: 3 Clubs
PROBLEM G: 3 Spades
PROBLEM H: Club Jack
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I find this possibility intriguing. Even if dummy has Kxx, as the side entry, you can attack this entry successfully by following up with the Q (turning it into a Merrimac Coup), and x if necessary.
Yup. A nice reward for only a teensy bit of bravery.
Too late for me, but I would chose this now if I could. Maybe some other brave soul?
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,,,
PROBLEM A:2 Clubs loosing out to diamond raise on three - fine. but 100 versus FOURTY is ridiculous! (40)
PROBLEM B: 4 Clubs moderator dug out an obsure but correct agreement that double in this bidding is responsive i hate it (30)
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump whoopie- almost a no brainer but not quite (100)
PROBLEM D: Double !! the iac hated this but i THOuGHT i knew my ACBL champs would go with me and for once...:)(100)
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds clown bidding by our betters -- Jxx is a stopper FOOIE-- bu accepting the 90 (90)
PROBLEM F: 2 Notrump ok i can't play BAM, but i love it accepting my wimpy ---->> (30)
PROBLEM G: 3 Di 3 diams is correct but requres pard to be totally focused. will take my lumps vs the simple raise (60)
PROBLEM H: Heart 10 ! REALLY suprised to beat out diamond ace lead for a top i never thought of diam ideas! (100)
After painful searching, i found NO BWS decision that " [2x] double [3x] double" 550 550
is responsive -- SO IT IS NOT. So problem B remains the bloody mess i thought it was 3 weeks ago <pay me.boss>
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prob A x
prob B x
prob C 1nt
prob D 4S
prob E 2D
prob F 3S
prob G 3D
prob H 2H
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SOLVER: Carol Smith
Aldeburgh
U.K.
Your Solutions for the December 2019 Contest
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PROBLEM A: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM B: 4 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM D: Double
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM F: 4 Spades
PROBLEM G: 4 Spades
PROBLEM H: Club Jack
Thank you for participating in the Master Solvers Club.
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SOLVER: Ken Berg
Eldersburg MD
U.S.A.
Your Solutions for the December 2019 Contest
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PROBLEM A: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM B: Double
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM F: Pass
PROBLEM G: 3 Spades
PROBLEM H: Heart 10
As always, I have no idea how this will score. Just a couple of thoughts. On A, I would bid 2 D if I were not a passed hand since a 2C call would then be forcing. As a passed hand I think 2 C is a bit safer.
On B, there was some doubt about the X being responsive and I understand that but I did find this in the add-ons:
System change: In a competitive sequence, when a pass would be nonforcing and no special agreement applies, a double is penalty if the doubler is limited, cooperative-takeout if the doubler is unlimited.
So "cooperative-take-out" might not be exactly the same as "responsive", but close enough I am thinking maybe.
I see the value of these as being that we will find out!
Maybe more later.
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ToasterLN
A. 2 C I think this is one of the hardest problems .. You have 10 hcp but such a flat hand.... but this gives partner a lead if he happens to be leading + you can certainly return to Diamonds
B. Double You have tolerance for either minor suit and you have to let Partner know that you do NOT have Spades. If you had Spades you would bid them. ....a responsive double here seems right.
C. Double ...Balancing doubles are not always perfect. If partner bids Spades , you can bid Clubs and he should know you were under pressure and have Hearts but not Spades.
D. 3 H You have a good hand and two suits....let partner know.
E. 2 D 4th suit forcing seems perfect
F. ....Board a match: oh, how I hate that event!! Seems to me the only way to win BAM is to bid 3 N and that is my bid .
G. 3 D bidding out the pattern of my strong hand.
H. A Diamonds...... just in case Declarer made this 3 N bid with a singleton K Diamonds. My partner rates to hold Diamonds here... Declarer is ready for a H, S , or Club lead for sure.
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SOLVER: Wladislaus Dragulya
Castrum Sex
Romania
Your Solutions for the December 2019 Contest
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PROBLEM A: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM B: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: Double
PROBLEM E: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM G: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM H: Club Jack
cheers,
Vlad (DrAculea on BBO)
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SOLVER: Annabel Barnett
Brackley
England
Your Solutions for the December 2019 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM B: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM F: Pass
PROBLEM G: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM H: Club Jack
Phew managed to get this accepted by a whisker. And did it quickly, probably too quickly. Good luck everyone.
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-------------------
PROBLEM A: 2 Clubs 40
PROBLEM B: Double 100
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump 100
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts 40
PROBLEM E: 2 Notrump 100
PROBLEM F: Pass 100
PROBLEM G: 3 Spades 100
PROBLEM H: Heart 10 100
680
Uh huh. They were tough on scoring, with the second choice getting 40. It was problem H, the lead problem, that I most expected to score badly.
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They were tough on scoring, with the second choice getting 40.
BRUTAL TOUGH on scoring! Lots of second choice 40's. You either get it right or go home. >:( We'll need to wait until the magazine arrives to find out who the director was, but in the past the most brutal scorer has been Kleinman.
Kicking myself on "D." I could smell the double scoring best.
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SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes
Glen Ellyn IL
U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: 2 Diamonds 100
PROBLEM B: Double 100
PROBLEM C: 2 Clubs 60
PROBLEM D: 3 Hearts 40
PROBLEM E: 2 Notrump 100
PROBLEM F: Pass 100
PROBLEM G: 3 Spades 100
PROBLEM H: Heart 10 100
700
Like Ken said, tough scoring this month.
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Brutal set. Thank you all for participating.
| NAME | BW-SCORE | RANK | MPs |
| Masse24 | 700 | 1 | 30 |
| KenBerg | 680 | 2 | 25 |
| WackoJack | 610 | 3 | 10 |
| EddyHaskel | 580 | 4 | 1 |
| BluBayou | 550 | 5 | 1 |
| ToasterLn | 530 | 6 | 1 |
| Jcreech | 520 | 7 | 1 |
| Curls77 | 510 | 8 | 1 |
| DrAculea | 490 | 9 | 1 |
| BabsG | 480 | 10 | 1 |
| MsPhola | 480 | 10 | 1 |
| Isabelle10 | 430 | 12 | 1 |
| Southuist | 400 | 13 | 1 |
| . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . | . . . . |
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Todd and Ken also received bonuses for making the Bridge World Honor Roll - Congratulations!
Note: An error in BluBayou's score has been corrected (11/13).
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Congratulations Todd and Ken!
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Congratulations Todd and Ken!
Thanks, definitely thanks, but I also want to say something about the "contest". I sometimes score decently, sometimes not, my reason for participating is that I think it is interesting and perhaps even useful. I'll illustrate:
On 1, I thought it was a close call between 2 !C and 2 !D. I mentioned in an earlier post that if I were not a passed hand I woiul probably choose 2 !D but as a passed hand I decided on 2 !C. So I thought it was close. They apparently don't think so, the 2 !C scored 40, the 2 !D scored 100, i'll be interested in their thoughts. As of now, I still like 2 !C.
On 2, there was some discussion of whether the X would be responsive. With a little effort, I am pretty sure I could find well-regarded authors who say that 2 !H - X - 3 !H - X is not included in responsive doubles. Maybe that view is out of date, but it was once a view held by many high level players. Well, apparently it is responsive in BWS.
In H, leading the !H T scores 100, leading the !H 9 scores 0. Obviously BWS does not play coded 9s and Ts.
Back to B for a moment. 17 of the panelists voted for X, 6 voted for 4NT. This suggests a question or maybe a couple of questions. After the responsive X, the auction might continue Pass-4m (by the doubler)-Pass but also it might not. Presumably the 4NT bidders are thinking that going on to 5m is right and so might as well do it now, but what are the X people thinking (and I was one of them)? Suppose, after X, it goes Pass-4m - 4 !H. I have no idea who can make what, but I pass 4 !H and hope partner has a better idea than I do as to what to do next.
Anyway, my point is that it is always nice to get a good score, thanks again but, for me, that's not the principal attraction. I like hearing what others think about interesting problems.
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Anyway, my point is that it is always nice to get a good score, thanks again but, for me, that's not the principal attraction. I like hearing what others think about interesting problems.
I agree, Ken. I most enjoy taking the time to think through what are obviously difficult problems, coming up with my own rationale, and discussing it with others. Then comparing my (our) rationale with the panel. It helps to crystallize my own thought process, with the intention that I'll be able to remember and implement it in the future. Even if I do not change my view about an action, the depth of analysis required hopefully stretches my abilities.
Case in point, Problem D this month. I went for the "bid what you see" 3 !H . It is absolutely what I would bid at the table. But the overwhelming majority chose the double. Why? I want to know. I want to incorporate the panel's thinking with my own so that I, too, will make that choice next time. But I'll have to wait for the panel's summary when I receive the magazine for that.
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Congratulations Todd and Ken!
Ditto !!
It's so nice see many more joined this month :)
Note to self: find time to review pannel discussion & learn, duh!
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It was gratifying to see so many participate this month. I have participated, off and on, in these types of contests. I admit that this is the longest I have ever participated, and I think it is in part the nature of the IAC community that has added to the contest.
In the past, it was always, fill it out, then try to remember that you filled it out and what answers you gave etc. This is different, there is discussion, anticipation, follow-up and kudos. Much different that the solo effort.
Although I enjoy doing well, the kudos I like to see are the ones being given to others who do well.
I also participate in the partnership aspect - not because I think I will do well there - the partnership Ken and I have is largely based in the Dare practice sessions which is primarily declarer play, and the only partnership element is defense - not exactly geared to honing bidding skills. I make the declaration to encourage others in IAC to make a similar declaration and become eligible for those bonus points.
There are only two sources of bonus points - making the Bridge World honor roll (which is difficult) - and making picks extremely similar to your declared partner. That is also not an easy task because the problems are designed to have several bidding choices, any of which may be the best.
This brings me to my last point, I don't particularly like it when the moderator views the answers as being so black and white. Bidding is a nuanced art, and several answers may be good, but fewer may be regarded as being among the best. I like to use the phrase, "least lie" because sometimes there is no good answer, just the one that is closest to not bad, or even not horrible. When a moderator scores like this month's did, it shows a complete inability to see other opinions, and despite, I am certain, great skills as a player, is not a good choice for moderating this panel imo. It is not so much that I cannot see the value in their selection, it is that they cannot see value in selections that do not match theirs..
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PROBLEM A:2 Clubs loosing out to diamond raise on three - fine. but 100 versus FOURTY is ridiculous!
PROBLEM B: this sucks! i disagree responsive double here, but moderator found a valid MSC-standard support for the idea for my 4-minor-- (30)
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump whoopie- almost a no brainer but not quite (100)
PROBLEM D: Double !! the iac hated this but i THOuGHT i knew my ACBL champs would go with me and for once...(100)
PROBLEM E: 2 Diamonds clown bidding by our betters -- Jxx is a stopper FOOIE-- bu accepting the 90 for 4SF without a net (90)
PROBLEM F: 2NT (30)
PROBLEM G: I will bid the 'fancy' 3 diamonds until i die but requres pard to be totally focused.
will take my lumps vs the simple raise (60)
PROBLEM H: Heart 10 ! REALLY suprised to beat out diamond ace lead for a top i never thought of diam ideas! (100)
After painful searching, i found NO BWS decision that " [2x] double [3x] double" 550 550 is responsive -- SO IT IS NOT. So problem B remains the bloody mess i thought it was 3 weeks ago <pay me.boss>
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This brings me to my last point, I don't particularly like it when the moderator views the answers as being so black and white. Bidding is a nuanced art, and several answers may be good, but fewer may be regarded as being among the best. I like to use the phrase, "least lie" because sometimes there is no good answer, just the one that is closest to not bad, or even not horrible. When a moderator scores like this month's did, it shows a complete inability to see other opinions, and despite, I am certain, great skills as a player, is not a good choice for moderating this panel imo. It is not so much that I cannot see the value in their selection, it is that they cannot see value in selections that do not match theirs..
Questions: Who is the "moderator"? I am almost totally ignorant of how marks are given. The only thing that I am aware of is that there is a panel of experts who give their choice. I do not know who they are and whether or not they are representative of world bridge rather than biased towards a USA experts. What then does the moderator do? Does the moderator change each week? I recently become aware of BWS, and tried to use it as reference to some of the problems and then regretted it. A case in point is problem B. Is double responsive or not? For me it is and so that is what I voted for. From now on I will not delve into BWS for help. Can I get access to the views without subscribing to the magazine? I recall that last month Todd took the trouble to relay some of the views to the forum.
Nevertheless, I believe that participating in MSC will help in my decision making. A case in point is a lead of A !D for problem H did not occur to me. However, I would dearly like to know why the lead of 10 !H gets top marks.
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Back to B for a moment. 17 of the panelists voted for X, 6 voted for 4NT. This suggests a question or maybe a couple of questions. After the responsive X, the auction might continue Pass-4m (by the doubler)-Pass but also it might not. Presumably the 4NT bidders are thinking that going on to 5m is right and so might as well do it now, but what are the X people thinking (and I was one of them)? Suppose, after X, it goes Pass-4m - 4 !H. I have no idea who can make what, but I pass 4 !H and hope partner has a better idea than I do as to what to do next.
I am firmly of the belief that if you have a bid that shows your hand then make that bid. Do not try and mastermind the situation and make a bid that less accurately shows your hand (or worse still tell a lie) in order to forestall an awkward situation developing. In short bid what you have got and trust partner.
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Questions: Who is the "moderator"? I am almost totally ignorant of how marks are given. The only thing that I am aware of is that there is a panel of experts who give their choice. I do not know who they are and whether or not they are representative of world bridge rather than biased towards a USA experts. What then does the moderator do? Does the moderator change each week? I recently become aware of BWS, and tried to use it as reference to some of the problems and then regretted it. A case in point is problem B. Is double responsive or not? For me it is and so that is what I voted for. From now on I will not delve into BWS for help. Can I get access to the views without subscribing to the magazine? I recall that last month Todd took the trouble to relay some of the views to the forum.
Nevertheless, I believe that participating in MSC will help in my decision making. A case in point is a lead of A !D for problem H did not occur to me. However, I would dearly like to know why the lead of 10 !H gets top marks.
The moderator changes from month to month, but are drawn from top ACBL players. For the most part, they seem to rotate, with occasional replacements. They are responsible for assigning scores and summarizing the opinions of the panel for the magazine's article.
You get hints to how the panel thinks through the results posting - telling you the number of panelists and readers that voted for each possibility. You can only get the more nuanced reasoning from panelist comments by subscribing to the magazine, finding it in a library or getting a friend who subscribes to let you look you look at their copy. Todd subscribes, and when he receives it will likely continue to provide an abbreviated version to the IAC group (ty again, Todd for last month's summary).
Other publications have different rules. One of my favorites is the Washington Bridge League. Steve Robinson is the permanent moderator, but each winner is invited to be on the next panel, and there is a secondary winner - anyone who matches Steve's answers is invited to play free with Steve at a WBL unit game.
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Questions: Who is the "moderator"? I am almost totally ignorant of how marks are given. The only thing that I am aware of is that there is a panel of experts who give their choice. I do not know who they are and whether or not they are representative of world bridge rather than biased towards a USA experts. What then does the moderator do? Does the moderator change each week? I recently become aware of BWS, and tried to use it as reference to some of the problems and then regretted it. A case in point is problem B. Is double responsive or not? For me it is and so that is what I voted for. From now on I will not delve into BWS for help. Can I get access to the views without subscribing to the magazine? I recall that last month Todd took the trouble to relay some of the views to the forum.
Nevertheless, I believe that participating in MSC will help in my decision making. A case in point is a lead of A !D for problem H did not occur to me. However, I would dearly like to know why the lead of 10 !H gets top marks.
Attempting to find every answer to every bidding problem within BWS2017 will not end well. No system will have every answer.
This is what Bridge World Standard is according to the website:
Bridge World Standard is the standard system developed by The Bridge World magazine based on the preferred methods of leading American experts. The system is ideal for use by impromptu or casual partnerships and as a basis for discussion by those who wish to formulate their own system. It is also used as a framework for problems in the magazine's monthly Master Solvers' Club contest.
So is the system "biased toward USA experts"? I don't even know what that means. Since it is a USA publication, and since the panelists are from North America (both U.S. and Canada), then it has an American bent to it I suppose. But most of the problems are quite simply a test of bridge logic, the system being immaterial. More importantly the nationality of the panelists (there are usually 28) being at best a side note. Bridge logic is the same, regardless of geography or national origin.
Once in a while they'll give us a BWS system specific question. Most of the time, in doing so, they provide us with an asterisked explanation below the problem. That's all you need to give it your best guess.
The contest is the longest running contest of its kind, having been running continuously for almost a century. That's a pretty impressive run!
There is a six-director rotation; Bart Bramley and Danny Kleinman are the two permanent directors. The other four are "visiting" directors who are asked to sit in for a month or two. The MSC answers, published in The Bridge World, are a huge task. They are usually around 15 pages of commentary gathered from the panelists.
As far as "how the marks are given," there is an explanation on the website.
Jack, I will message you privately about "gaining access to the views without subscribing to the magazine."
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I take a pretty relaxed view of the scoring.
On A, I figured that had partner been the dealer then, after 1 !D - (1 !S) - ? a bid of 2 !C would be forcing (neither I nor BWS plays negative free bids) and so 2 !C seemed a bit risky. But since I am a passed hand in this problem, partner will contain his enthusiasm and, for that matter, might even pass my 2 !C, I doubt that it is forcing. At any rate, he will not get too excited. So that was my thinking, I'll be interested in hearing why they still prefer 2 !D. Maybe they think in exactly the reverse way, that since my call is non-forcing I had really better have five cards.
There can be practical issues at the table that don't show up in bidding contests. I was playing with the bots in the free practice session for the nationals. I got dealt a decent had with 5=1=5=2 shape and the uncontested auction began 1 !S - 2 !C - 2 !D - 2 !S - 4 NT - 5 !D showing one key, I had the other four. I decided to check for the Q by bidding 5 !H and partner said yes, he had it by bidding 6 !C, showing the !C K as well. Well, that's nice but I chickened out and bid 6 !S. This would not score well in a bidding contest because I made 13 tricks. But it scored fine in mps at the table because quite a few people did not take 13 tricks. I beat them whether they bid 7 or signed off in 6.
That's the way I think of my 2 !C call. It might lack class, but it also might well work out fine. If we have a 4-3 fit in both minors, I might well be happier in clubs since the spade ruffs, if there are some, will be taken in the hand with the shorter trumps. One of those things where the contract is not so great looking but we land on our feet anyway. Such things do not usually score well in contests.
The panelists are experts, they choose how to score it, sometimes this will be pretty gruesome. If they give me a good score I will be pleased, if they give me a bad score I will not shoot myself. Or them.
One value of BWS, and it is so intended, is as a basis for discussion. This could be useful. No matter who I read, there will be times when I say "No, I don't think I want to do it that way". But having it written down gets the discussion going.
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The panelists comments were interesting, as always. On B, where it begins with W and goes 2 !H - X - 3 !H by E, the first comment is from Frank Stewart. He hids 4 !C, and asks if a call of X would have been for penalty. Danny Kleinman notes that BWs does not say, but observes that almost everyone treats 2 !H - X - 3 !H - X as responsive. An exception is Nick L'Ecuyer who thinks of it not as penalty but as showing two places too play, so either spades and a minor or both minors. Actually he says 2 or 0 places to play, prompting the discussion as to how N can know if it is 2 or 0.
But really, for the contest, we need to know what BWS plays it as. I noted in an earlier post that BWS says, if you go to the "Polls, Changes and Additions":
"System change: In a competitive sequence, when a pass would be nonforcing and no special agreement applies, a double is penalty if the doubler is limited, cooperative-takeout if the doubler is unlimited."
That's not the same as saying that it shows the minors.
I looked in the bridge encyclopedia. It says that partners should agree on whether or not 2 !H - X - 3 !H - X is responsive. Yes, good advice!
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My Bridge World arrived so I've added some panel opinions below.
The director for November was Danny Kleinman.
A few snippets from the panel:
PROBLEM A: 2 !D was the runaway winner on the first problem, garnering 17 of the 28 votes.
There were two panelists who chose 2 !C ; Kleinman summarizing that choice with, “Two clubs by a passed hand scares me. Because it’s non-forcing, the sine qua non of a two-over-one by a passed hand is a good suit, playable opposite a low doubleton or a good singleton honor.” Yup.
Six others chose the “flexible” double. Woolsey, Levitina, and Hudecek, all doublers were very concerned about partner having four hearts—either hoping to get away with playing in a 4-3 fit or planning to correct to diamonds. Kleinman echoed one of my concerns with, “What scares me as much as anything is that partner has four hearts and more than a minimum. Do you plan to correct three or even four hearts to diamonds?
Finally, Bramley stated the views of the majority best stating, “Two diamonds. Being short a diamond is less misdescriptive than doubling short a heart or one-notrump short a stopper, as partner will seldom compete further without a fifth diamond.
Zia, the master of brevity said, “That’s been my bid for 20 years, and I’m not changing now.”
PROBLEM B: Double. Again, a runaway majority.
Frank Stewart was the lone 4 !C bidder and also the lone who asked, “Would double be for penalty?” Kleinman responded, “I’m glad also that you asked the meaning of a double. I don’t know. Do “responsive” (why not just call them advancive?) doubles apply against preempts raised below game? BWS doesn’t specify, but everyone seems to think they do . . . .”
But there were lots of doublers, both on the panel and the IAC. Only a couple of the panelists used the word “responsive,” leaving the name of it somewhat unresolved. But not the intent. As discussed on our forum, it’s a way to convey values, but certainly less than a jump to 4NT would show. It ain’t penalty.
Kokish: “Double. Both strain and level are live issues. Over partner’s three spades, four-clubs (not a torture laden four hearts or four no-trump).” This was my thinking as well.
Plenty of room for additional discussion here. Feel free to weigh in!
PROBLEM C: 1NT. Another majority with 18 panelists choosing 1NT.
Jim Creech, who also chose 1NT said it was “a bit too good in the balancing seat.” Several panelists (who also chose 1NT) agreed. The standard range for a balancing notrump being 11-14.
Bramley, who doubled, stated that it was “worth at least 16 HCP, thus too strong for 1 notrump.” BTW, I ran it through the KnR which said it was worth 18. A bit more than I would have estimated, but still--more than 14. I must say that with all of the 1-notrump bidders who said it was “heavy” or “out of range,” that I’m surprised more of them did not double. They say one thing but bid another.
I did find a kernel of wisdom in Kokish’s description of his 1NT: “If at all reasonable in the passout seat, one notrump is my default.” A reasonable tip to file away for future use.
PROBLEM D: Double. A huge majority. 21 of 28 panelists. Most of the doublers wanted to keep open the “possibility of a juicy penalty.”
My thinking for my 3 !H rebid was, “Shows nine of my cards, rather than just six.” Bramley said, “Shows nine of the card; 3 spades would show only six.” Unfortunately, most of our IAC forum used similar logic.
Bummer!
PROBLEM E: 2NT. Without going into great detail, this was a close vote, with the top two (2 !D a close second) getting 14 and 13 respectively.
I, too, changed my mind at the last moment, initially thinking the “aggressive” 4sF 2 !D was best, but then changing to the invitational 2NT.
Jacobus, for the 2 !D bidders: “In the long run, it pays to bid aggressively when vulnerable at IMPs.”
Bragin countering: “2NT. This eight loser hand doesn’t warrant anything stronger. . . . Partner sees the vulnerability and will strain for game.”
A close choice which resulted in a close result in points awarded: 100 vs. 90.
PROBLEM F: Pass. Finally a classic MSC problem with many, many answers. There were 8 different answers.
With a combination of both offensive and defensive characteristics, this hand could go either direction. The Board-a-Match scoring made this a very close decision. Although the winning vote-getter was Pass, it did not garner a majority, merely a plurality.
Kit Woolsey summarized with, “Pass. We probably don’t have a game, and they probably aren’t going to make. Go for the magic 200.”
PROBLEM G: 3 !S . The majority choice.
The following three panelists summed up the wide range of partner’s hand, but most importantly the possibility that partner’s bidding could include the “very weak” hand.
• Kit Woolsey: “Three spades. We probably belong in spades. I’m willing to give partner a chance to get out if he has a very weak hand.
• Kevin Bathurst: “Three spades. Maybe it’s worth four spades, but I’d rather involve partner in the game decision.”
• David Berkowitz: “Three spades. Partner has a wide range, so I will give him a chance to decide whether to bid game.
PROBLEM H: !H Ten.
Although there were 14 who chose a !D lead, 10 chose the Ace. In differentiating between the !D Q and !D Ace, Kleinman chimed in with, “The only thing crazy is to lead the queen instead of the ace. Nobody who prefers it says why. Not so the multitude of ace-leaders.”
The summary is close to 20 pages. If you have specific questions about a specific problem, ask.
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Another nice summary! Thank you Todd.