Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - Masse24

Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 50
31
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 OCTOBER MSC
« on: August 30, 2023, 11:07:53 PM »
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes


PROBLEM A: 3 Notrump
I was all over the place on this one. Still am. I started with what will be the popular solver choice of 4 !C, but that seemed the tiniest bit rich with no heart honor. (Do I really want to express slam interest if partner has the right "fit?" So I switched to the invitational 3 !S. The "hint" 3NT felt wrong, primarily because I do not use this bid. But after thinking about it I settled on 3NT because it is in between the invite and the splinter.

PROBLEM B: 3 Clubs
Bidding either major implies four, and since partner has not denied having a major, I don't want to steer him toward what he thinks is a major fit. The only option that makes sense to me is 4NT now. But that can wait. For now I'll keep the bidding low and continue to describe my hand.
 
PROBLEM C: 5 Diamonds
Showing my first round control. Pass also strongly considered.

PROBLEM D: 2 Notrump
The value bid.

PROBLEM E: 3 Spades
Okay, partner has less than an opening hand and wishes to stop. But I don't! Although flat, these values are worth another try at game.

PROBLEM F: Double
Maybe Pass is right? I don't know. The panel often uses the flexible Pass in strange situations. Hopefully this is one of them.

PROBLEM G: Pass
Tough problem! (I hate this.)

PROBLEM H: Heart 5
I am not fond of lead problems . . . they're tough.

32
Yes, transfer to spades then bidding hearts at the lowest level is traditionally used for 5-5 majors and GF. Transfer to hearts then bidding two spades is 5-5 invite. Some people will play variations of this, but I would consider this to be fairly standard.

With 45 or 54 bid Stayman then Smolen (if necessary).

33
IAC & Master Solvers Club / 2023 OCTOBER MSC
« on: August 03, 2023, 12:42:50 AM »
OCTOBER 2023 MSC
Deadline: AUGUST 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Submit your OCTOBER 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.


*     *     *


34
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 September MSC
« on: August 01, 2023, 09:30:44 PM »
September Results

Masse24 led the IAC solvers with 670. JCreech came in second with 660, while CCR3 came in third with 650.

The Bridge World honor roll this month required a minimum of 690. It was a tough month!

NAMEBW-SCORE
Masse24     670   
JCreech     660 
CCR3     650   
        

Also participating this month were:  VeredK, BluBayou, WackoJack, YleeXotee.

Congratulations to all!

35
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 September MSC
« on: August 01, 2023, 02:44:49 PM »
OUCH!  :o
Brutal month!!!

36
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 September MSC
« on: July 29, 2023, 01:15:15 AM »
Best Guesses -- September:

SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes


PROBLEM A: 3 Notrump
Hamman.

PROBLEM B: 2 Diamonds
Unanimous?

PROBLEM C: 4 Clubs
3 Clubs is pusillanimous. Is 4 Clubs enough?

PROBLEM D: Double
Not quite the right shape, but must keep spades in the picture.

PROBLEM E: 3 Clubs
Lead director. If given the chance, 3 !S later.

PROBLEM F: 4 Diamonds
Forward going. 3 Diamonds would not be enough.

PROBLEM G: Double
This is automatic for me, but there must be some issue since it's an MSC problem.

PROBLEM H: Heart 3
This or the spade 4. I hate lead problems!

37
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 September MSC
« on: July 28, 2023, 04:28:01 PM »
I am becoming more convinced by Jock's construction. If partner were 2=5=2=4 with 16 or so, wouldn't he be very likely to open 1NT? Not always, but often?

So if 0=5=4=4 with 16-17, does partner pull 3NT knowing I have diamonds? Probably not. So it's now or never on whether to support diamonds or risk the spade onslaught.

Tough one!  ???

38
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 September MSC
« on: July 27, 2023, 04:58:00 PM »
Problem A: 3NT

I've got a totally different take on this one, Blu. No jump-shift, so limited to about 17 or so. But partner is probing with 3 !D, presumably for 3NT? He should have about 16-17 HCP and a potential problem in diamonds.

I am max and have diamonds controlled. So it's 3NT.

I'm having a hard time coming up with another reasonable call. On second thought, I suppose a 0=5=4=4 hand is possible.

39
IAC & Master Solvers Club / 2023 September MSC
« on: July 02, 2023, 07:15:27 PM »
SEPTEMBER 2023 MSC
Deadline: JULY 31 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Submit your SEPTEMBER 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.


*     *     *


40
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 AUGUST MSC
« on: June 29, 2023, 08:05:56 PM »
August 2023 Contest


SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes


PROBLEM A: 4 Notrump
A safe inquiry since I hold the queen, therefore no response (except 2 keys and a void) gets me too high.


PROBLEM B: 3 Notrump
Not sure what partner is up to, but I’ about as flat as can be. If he is groping for a diamond slam let’s hope he is strong enough to continue.


PROBLEM C: 4 Hearts
I haven’t pulled a “Woop-de-woop” bid in some time. Here is a good example. This will either score 40 or 100 with the former more likely. This should (I would think) deny four spades, but still keep 4 !S in the picture should partner have !S AKxx. Does it imply three? I hope so.


PROBLEM D: Double
Not selling out to the 2-level.


PROBLEM E: 4 Spades
Is 4 !C better? It forces.


PROBLEM F: (f)



PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts
Partner is almost guaranteed to have four hearts, so I’ll choose the one-level-lower contract as opposed to the 5-level minor. It’s IMPs --- so it’s a close call.


PROBLEM H: Spade 9
I’m not going to buck the time-worn suggestion of leading trump against a grand. It should score decently at worst. But I worry the Diamond deuce might be the lead that defeats this. There is not enough information to direct me to do otherwise.





41
IAC & Master Solvers Club / 2023 AUGUST MSC
« on: June 03, 2023, 10:45:15 AM »
AUGUST 2023 MSC
Deadline: JUNE 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Submit your AUGUST 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.


*     *     *


42
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 JULY MSC
« on: June 01, 2023, 12:24:45 AM »
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes


PROBLEM A: 4 Spades
Partner may simply have a choice of games for his 4 !D call. I've already shown extras by doubling at the three level. While I do have a bit more, I'm going to allow partner to make the slam move.

PROBLEM B: 3 Clubs
Somewhat of a system agreement question. I believe that over 1 !D a 2 !C response shows 5+. A 2 !D rebid in this auction absolutely shows 5+, so that is out. And although my shape is right for 2NT, my "stoppers" are lacking. So . . . support with support.

PROBLEM C: 3 Spades
Showing something, but not enough to bid 3NT.

PROBLEM D: 3 Clubs
Partner has some sort of 0=4=5=4 opening hand or close. Not going to punish him for the prebalance.

PROBLEM E: 3 Clubs
Clearly showing extras. The quality of the club suit is such that I prefer to show it rather than double.

PROBLEM F: 3 Notrump
I've shown values with my initial pass. This is sort of an interesting call since it conveys the nature of my hand. Partner is clearly short in diamonds, so will likely make another call. But if he passes, that's okay.

PROBLEM G: 3 Hearts
Too strong to pass. Not right to double. That leaves this ambiguous cuebid. Hopefully, we can agree on a suit.

PROBLEM H: Club 6
I'm not imaginative enough to come up with something better.




43
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 JUNE MSC
« on: May 18, 2023, 02:13:53 AM »
Blu, at the table I would pass 1 !S and would not give it a second thought.


44
IAC & Master Solvers Club / Re: 2023 JUNE MSC
« on: May 15, 2023, 04:21:22 PM »
June MSC SUMMARY (Part 2) – Danny Kleinman, Director

Problem D  2 !S  (YleeXotee, JCreech, Hoki)

Matchpoints  Neither side vulnerable
You, South, hold:

♠ J 9 3    A K J    A K Q 10 4   ♣ J 7

SOUTH   WEST   NORTH   EAST
  ——       1 ♠       Pass      Pass
Double*   Pass     2        Pass
   ?         
*BWS: 2 NT would have shown 18-19 HCP

What call do you make?

2 ♠   100   BWP 52%   BWS 45% IAC 43%
An interesting new rule emerged.  Joel Wooldridge

This matches a rule of mine: a takeout double followed by a cue-bid most often shows three-card support for advancer's suit and about 18 high-card points.  Other hand-types are possible, but this is what partner should assume, as it's the most common." 

Clearly other subscribe to this rule.  For example, Brian Platnick describes the bid:  "The most-likely hand for cue-bidding here is extras with three-card support."  Similarly, Phillip Alder writes: "Surely this cue-bi, which typically shows a strong hand with three-card support for partner's major, will win in a landslide."  Zia:  "Two spades implies fewer than four hearts, most likely three."  Others are less certain.  JCreech is awaiting further developments:  "A nebulous cue-bid.  I want to show support, but leave room for more description.  This cue takes up the least space, and maybe I will hear something I like."  As are Hoki: "in the hope of coping with any continuation (3D over 3C should show heart support)" and Jeff Alexander "I hope partner will know what to do."


Agree, Jim. I had not heard this before. If "expert standard," I'll want to add it to my arsenal. It seems like a good use for it since there is no other way to express that hand.

45
IAC & Master Solvers Club / 2023 JULY MSC
« on: May 02, 2023, 12:01:20 PM »
JULY 2023 MSC
Deadline: MAY 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Submit your JULY 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 will have to live with it.


*     *     *


Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 50