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Messages - blubayou

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1
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 MAY MSC
« on: March 22, 2024, 08:21:44 PM »
Problem G! :>> It's been more than a year since I RAN A SIMULATION, and this problem is a dream setup for one.  Just define Nort as holding 6 diamonds and 7 to 11   points and type this hand into the South position:
                           "X , AQxxxx, 7654, KJT   
...and voila!  We got 115 out of 128 deals with an acceptable weak two appearing in the North and 70% of these gave East a hand that would pass that 2 !D opening.  This is what the 4 candidate bids by us  would produce:
     Five Diamonds: Most of the time, this bid was needless overkill as opps' 4 !S  would not have made and neither would our game bid.  However 14 times either 5 Diamonds or E-W 4 Spades WOULD be making, so "5D"  is not a total loss especially at IMPS as the bill for 5D being phantom sacrifice is only 5 imps and the game bid when it's winning would be in the double digits.
        Two Hearts:  Usually the outcome of this bid is to just about guarantee that the opps will get their Spade fit into the hunt AND bid gently rather than optimistically when it seems to them that South's lead-call is bad news for them.   On the plus side--on 2 deals getting a heart lead was crucial to defeating E-W  4 Spades.
       Three Hearts:   "Jump to 3 of a suit asks about that suit"  means CONTROL-asks ( I looked it up)  presumably by shortness OR aces/kings.  So the hint bid of three Hearts is pretty useless this time, in my opinion. 
       Two Notrump:   So far, I haven't studied my acceptable collections of deals with me bidding the feature-ask, since I don't see bidding 5 Diamonds or 3 Notrump whatever partner might have for a reply ( IF HE GETS TO MAKE HIS REPLY ANYWAY).........
      Four Diamonds:  The simulation gave "Warm fuzzies", indicating that four Diamonds was PAR 70% of the time in that opps THREE spades would make,  or four Diamonds would, if not both.  It also occasionally bluffed e-w out of a making 4 spades  or into a non making 4 spades.
   The Law" works (even though the total number of trumps is liable to be 20 which would suggest otherwise.
                                         ---Four Diamonds -- hands down
                                                 

2
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 MAY MSC
« on: March 11, 2024, 10:59:00 PM »
A:>>  Like many of this month's problems, this answer would be given, "at the table" in about 5 seconds!  (Onward to 4 Hearts).
  Partner has accepted our game invite, and we have a rather small supply of extras, so what's the problem?  But as the month goes on, my mere balanced 12-count is starting to look more and more like a push to the 5-level--such a PERFECT 12 1/2! 
   IF I bid five clubs that might:
        (!) get partner to a 28-point slam...
        (2)  help him judge what to do if the opening side sacrifices over our four hearts...  or...
        (3)  give us a self-inflicted -50 when otherwise everybody was going tolie down for our heart game-bid
::)


B:>>  Axx Ax AKzxx Axx,  (1H) Double, (2H) 3C; pass, ___ What is this?  My 19 primo + opps open and raise with...16??  This leaves partner with KQxxxxxx and hopefully a doubleton diamond or stiff in whatever major they lead!   Hence, a pretty good grand slam. At the table, I bid 6 Clubs in 10 seconds or less.  Cue bidding is pointless [pard can't possibly co-operate.] 

C:>>  AQxxxx, K, Kxx, Axx.  (1H) 1S, (2H), pass; pass, ___?  6-1-3-3 and max overcaller's points? What is this--bridge-kindergarten?  This is utterly what "Double" shows and there is no alternate answer lurking in my subconcience, id, or ego!  Less than 5 seconds ..DOUBLE
  On Tuesday 3/12,  Jim reminded me that partner has advanced "1NT, not passing as I misread.  This requires a rethink big-time--and makes this a much juicer problem.
,
D:>>  KQTx, K97x, Qx, Jxx,   Pass, (pass), ___?  Our match would have to be on life-support if  I didn't risk letting LHO find a passout-- vul at imps.
                    PASSING in tempo.  IF I did bid, I think it would be One Spade.  BWS  plays a simple Drury (reverse, I assume--they didn't say so I can drop pard's 2 of a red suit.

E:>>    AT8xx, Kxx, QTx, Qx,  Pass, (pass), 1 Club, (2 Diamonds) opps vul,  At last, a problem  with more than  1 1/2  answers!  I found 5 of 'em.
                   1>  Bid 2 !S .. This will often propel us to 3NT with this ratty 11 facing a similar count in pard's hand :-[
             2> Bid 2NT..  This operation may be a sucess, but the patient may die anyway :P
             3 and 4>  Neg Double,  then show the 5th spade  or neg double and bid notrump at whatever level.
             5>  Lurk in search of the elusive 200 at 2 !D  doubled?  How happy will we feel,  if partner can't find any reopening call ???
     Definitely a worthwhile problem, and the one likely to make big swings in the final tally

3
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 APRIL MSC
« on: February 29, 2024, 11:13:57 PM »
.CONFIRMATION#24047156MCQU[]
[SOLUTIONS FOR:Jock McQuade 3 Bag End Hobbiton OR 97030 U.S.A

PROBLEM A: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 5 Hearts
PROBLEM C: Double
]PROBLEM D: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM F: 6 Notrump
PROBLEM G: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM H: Diamond 4

Thank you for participating in the 11th hour!

4
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 APRIL MSC
« on: February 04, 2024, 12:08:04 AM »
Eight quick and wild views:


A:  get in with my spade or his diamond ..then run 6 clubs + a,k of hearts.  --3NT--
Problem A:>> There are tonnes of legitimate double-and bid-in-clubs hands that don't run that suit facing a singleton--or show up with a 2nd spade stopper.  So, discretion may be the better part of valor.  On a really bad day, pard's 3C may not even com in---on a REALLY bad day it might go down while 3NT DOES come in (xx, AQ, AKx, AJxxxx)?
   Anyway  I am  switching to the cowardly pass           ---Pass---

B:  part 1--bid 5H; part 2-- complain to the system-builders about that 4NT NOT being "red suits"(Unusual NT)!
Problem B:>>   what I wrote above still stands --every word in it.     ---Five Hearts---

C:  Lightner at the 5-level?? -- of COURSE!       --Double--
Problem C:>> " Jxxx, Axx, --, Qxxxxx" is a pretty bizarre four-raise, and certainly going to 5 !Snow is ridiculous whatever our reasoning may be. So that leaves no options except "Pass" and "Double".  I don't get this problem frankly; maybe partner thinks his pass is forcing and is about to unleash a "pass-and-pull" after this double?  Now THERE's a juicy problem IF it happened, and IF forcing pass is agreed which I doubt.
                                      ---Double---
D: 3NT; sometimes it goes down no worse than 3 !D  does.      --3NT--h
Problem D:>>  Qxx, AT8x, 9xx, AQx...Expecting good play for 3NT opposite a measly 1D overcall is almost fantastical.  The only reason I talked myself into bidding 3NT earlier is that giving a comp 3-level raise with 12 GUNS instead is so undignified.  Better than 3NT would be to make a responsive double in case pard can bid hearts (and HOPE he is showing four of them?).  Despite my good hand, I keep seeing layouts where neither side can even make 3 of a minor :o .
                                    ---Three Diamonds---

E:  two spades shows 2 or 3 good spades and at least jump-rebid values. next rebid of 3 !H then shows "this hand".   God has spoken / we have had more   than enough of "Bridge World Horror Hand Number Two" to quit insisting this "jump-shift" is entirely natural!!                                                   --Two Spades--
PROBLEM E:>>  The MSC always gives me about a "20" for the jump-shift equals just a reverse" treatment mentioned above, so to try for a better score, we're settling for the immediate jump-raise :'( .
                                      ---Three Hearts---
   P.S.  votes will be all over the place, like "1 !S ", "2 !H ", ""3 !D ""[gaag], and "FOUR  !H "

F:  I will probably STAY with this choice even after UPS delivers my meds--seriously.  --6NT--
PROBLEM F:>>  Yes  i am staying with the NT slam idea.  IF the clubs do not run, then possibly partner will come through with
                                    AQJxx, AQxx, xx, xx, which is 8 top tricks to go with my four.  [Kx, Kx, Kxx, AKQxxx
p.s.  "Real men don't need blackwood on responding hands like this!"

G:  A negative double commits me to a 2 !H rebid, doesn't it?  a free 1NT doesn't commit me to any.  --1NT--
Problem G:>>  I don't mind "lurking" when sitting over an opp's overcall--and that would be my second choice, but this time, we stay witn the
                                                      ---1 Notrump---

H:  After being unable to decide what is my "longest and strongest" red suit I have decided to just hit partner instead! -- !S J--

Hopefully, no more that 3 of these will make the final cut...but hwho knows :D

5
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 MARCH MSC
« on: February 02, 2024, 04:26:00 PM »
A curiosity this month:
    NO IAC guess but one  [undeserved 40?]   was given less than 70!  No wonder those 70s we all got seemed like death-strokes. 
     The way it was going I didn't even expect  730 to squeek onto this month's honor roll!

6
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 MARCH MSC
« on: January 31, 2024, 12:25:36 PM »
SOLUTIONS RECEIVEDYour MSC Solutions have been received for theMarch 2024 Contest
]SOLUTIONS FOR:thomas McQuade3180 NW Division, #106Hobbiton OR 97030U.S.A.
[/size]PROBLEM A: Pass
[/size]PROBLEM B: Double
[/size]PROBLEM C: 1 Heart
[/size]PROBLEM D: 2 Hearts
[/size]PROBLEM E: Pass
[/size]PROBLEM F: 2 Hearts
[/size]PROBLEM G: 2 Diamonds
[/size]PROBLEM H: Club Ace
[/size]
[/size]Your confirmation number for this contest entry is: 24037156MCQU

7
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 MARCH MSC
« on: January 21, 2024, 11:59:20 AM »
Problem H:>>      AJTxx, Kxx, Jxx. Ax;  1 !S , (dbl), 2 !S , (3 !H ); p, 4 !H , p,(p),  ___?

   Clearing our club doubleton, to get a ruff now or soon looks good to me!  On top of that, after taking the club ace, a rethink to plan B may be seen to be needful?
                             ---Club Ace---

8
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 MARCH MSC
« on: January 05, 2024, 09:27:33 AM »
Problem A:>>  A98, QTx, K9x, T9xx;    (2H) p (3C) p; p, Dbl, p, ___?
  This may make, but I am not betting the ranch on hitting pard's 5 card suit [ if he even has one]. Poll question:  Might partner have as little as 11 pts?  If so,  color me frightened
                                   ---Pass---

Problem B:>>  x, x, AKJxxx, JT9xx;  (3H), 3S, (4H), ___?  After mulling over "5D" and [briefly] 4NT I choose defending, I double more to get partner to assume a misfit for his spades than because I have real confidence in setting them.
                                   ---Double---

Problem C:>>  KQ9x, ATxx, 9x, 9xx;  (1C), 1D, (p), ___? Not so many years ago, this is a one-answer problem--PASS!  Now I am sadly convinced that "4-card majors up the line" works better.  sigh
                                  --- One Heart---                              ---One Heart---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Problem D:>>  Axx, --, Qxxxx, Qxxxx;  1C, (1H), ___?  All I lack to make a jump-cue THE perfect bid is another queen (king??).  Here on Jan 11, I am voting for it anyway.  Just bidding what I have can lead to a major disaster here; Bidding what I WISH I had should just throw another 50 on the campfire when partner doesn't bring the extra we need.
                                      ---Three Hearts---
                                   

Problem D:>>  Axx, ---, Qxxxx, Qxxxx;  1C, [p], ___?  Cue-advance is all right but short sighted.  I am going ta award myself an extra queen  and make what would then be the perfect bid...  ta-da:
                                     ---Three Hearts---
                                 
Problem E:>> A 4 2, 8 410 7 6 5, A Q 9 7; 1H, (2D), ___?  I have always lurked with this sort of holding, and I have a bucket of +100s on file to prove it (for some sadly below average MP scores--sigh).   I'm continuing stubbornly to make the book call of pass despite the above (and leave in the reopening double, too)
                                       ---Pass--- 
   P.S.  None of my partners fail to reopen with appropriate [or nearly appropriate SHAPE despite no extras, or they are banished to te "funzies" tables!


Problem F:>>  I wanted to interact with Jim's thoughts on this one but... one of us has misread the auction, and it is now Jan. 21, so:  If the bridge world asked what the response, is to 1 !S with 3=4=3=3 and game values the panel would be unanimous:  "2 !C ".
   With this 16 count though, I am feeling the urge to drive up to the five-level so will start and continue to bid where my cards are.  Yes--I see tis is an (adjusted) 7-looser and, see may be bucking some stiff headwinds for that reason alone :P
                                          ---Two Hearts---

Problem G:>> Like JCreech says--sure.  won't somebody research whether 1m, "3 spades"  is a splinter or not? (Not saying that would be a good bid,  but in the running if so).
                                         ---Two Diamonds---


























--













--

9
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 FEBRUARY MSC
« on: December 31, 2023, 09:34:38 PM »
SOLUTIONS FOR: Jock McQuade3 Bag End, Hobbiton OR
.A.PROBLEM A: Pass   ALL my meagre extras are in the WRONG PLACES. wouldn't even redouble if six gets smacked
PROBLEM B: Double  improper doubles are part of the unavoidable misery of balancing auctions
PROBLEM C: 2 Spades THE CUE-INVITE ALTERNATIVE either leads to the same 2 !S  spot, or starts us spiraling down some rabbit-hole.
PROBLEM D: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM E: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs --  If the single raise on problem C doesnt get me a zero,  maybe this four club bid will, but I         definitely have chickened out of my earlier 3NT choice
PROBLEM H: Diamond Jack

10
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 FEBRUARY MSC
« on: December 29, 2023, 03:38:29 AM »
what happened to my early  problem  A, B, C  guesses??  Well there wasnt much juicy insights in those  ...or any other until the "ahahh!" that finally gelled  for the lead problem :)

11
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 FEBRUARY MSC
« on: December 27, 2023, 04:46:13 PM »

Problem D:>After pulling out the 4 Spade card, I am asking for a do-over and bidding just..]                                            ---Two Notrump---


Problem E:>>  I expect to be envious soon of the north-souths scoring minus 80, but...                                               ---One Notrump---

problem F                             ---Four Hearts---

problem G:  might chicken out on this tomorrow, but for now
                                    ---Three Notrump---

Problem H:>>  Hang on to your seat, folks!  Opener MUST HAVE 8 running spades (even all nine of them)  and the other 4 or 5  are all aces and king(s).  Hence,  he has the SINGLETON diamond ace.   Leading either QJ10  is liable to let him excape for down one, but underleading the diamond king will at least build us a 2nd setting trick, and may put him down five, if partner has !D Q9xxx.
                                     ---Diamond Jack---

12
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 JANUARY MSC
« on: December 04, 2023, 08:24:50 AM »
No long wait to jump someone into the breach THIS month....




Problem B:>> hmmmm.......

Problem c:>>  Since BWS plays our change to 2-minor as nonforcing,  there's nothing left for us but a single raise on jack-doubleton. 
                                                    ---Two Spades---

13
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 JANUARY MSC
« on: December 01, 2023, 09:18:51 PM »
HELP!   My early thinking for problems D and E  seem to have been logged as the official  guesses.  At the last minute changes of mind earn a whopping 170 points to the good--unlike most every other month

14
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 JANUARY MSC
« on: November 29, 2023, 10:34:11 AM »
As for Problem F...What number of key cards (plus off-suit kings) can inspire a grand slam here?  It's more likely that 11 tricks are our limit than that 13 of them is a no-brainer.  If 4NT is a raise, here,  then delete this reply  :D 


SOLUTIONS FOR:Jock McQuade3 Bag EndHobbiton OR
[/size].A.PROBLEM A: Double
[/size]PROBLEM B: 5 Hearts
[/size]PROBLEM C: 4 Diamonds
[/size]PROBLEM D: (a)
[/size]PROBLEM E: 3 Spades
[/size]PROBLEM F: 6 Hearts
[/size]PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
[/size]PROBLEM H: Heart 10
[/size]
[/size]A copy of these solutions will be e-mailed to you for y

15
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2024 JANUARY MSC
« on: November 27, 2023, 04:33:16 PM »
problem G:>>   Bidding  unusual notrump, when it means  "any two of the 3 lower suits"  seldom works out for me so  I am relieved that my cub suit  is really good  (and I may get the chance to correct somebody's diamond bid  to hearts in a moment anyway,  or bid 4NT  over opps'  four spade noise).  for today We'll avoid the confusing 3NT, but  maybe not by the time N?ov. 30 rolls around
                                    ---Four Clubs---

problem H:>>  We must pierce dummy's  major--a suit that declarer seldom has more than a singleton on this bidding.  Too bad if this is killing pard's entry(s) to get some tricks in spades eventually, but I see  "hearts across,  clubs coming back" as the way to go.
                                 ---Heart Ten--- [ or should I lead the low one?]

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