Initial thoughts.   I hate this set because, while I have an Initial thought, very few are firm.

A.  Pass.  Every choice is dangerous.  Pass, the opponents may make the contract.   3 and 3 might be right if partner has five or the right four.  And I even thought of a cue bid to get partner to bid the longer suit, but that might get us too high.  The auction has no guarantee of a fit, so that is why I am changing a pass.

B.  Double.  No fit, though there might be one in diamonds.  Is the 5-level the right place to explore?  I have some potential fast tricks, but my big fear is my third opponent - does he really have a 3-level overcall or a preempt  that was turned into an overcall.

C.  1 NT.  No matter what, I am wrong with these hands.  At least this shows my shape and values, while my club stop is more than suspect.  I  feel I have too much to pass, and I have little faith that partner will help find the right strain if I bid 1 .

D.  2 I  checked. 3 is a full splinter, and a bit rich for my taste.  A simple cue is also a bit rich, but not by much and therefore, becomes my best description/least lie bid.  3 .  Is this a mixed raise for MSC?  I would like it better if it was also a mini-splinter.  It is almost good enough with the void for simple cue.

E.  Double.  I think the negative double show where my points are better than the reasonable 2 NT.  If I was playing with a partner who does not shy away from Moysian fits, I would be fearful of a spade bid on three - I would not wish a 3-3 fit on partner.

F. 2 .  As Jock pointed out, I misread the problem. I hate responding 2 with xxx, but with no 5-card suit I  either bid that or the hearts.  Clubs are frequently abused to create a game force at a low level, so will follow tradition.  1 NT.  I hate overcalling with stoppers and no tricks, but I have too much to pass unless playing with a partner who balances with shape, not points.   And I am too square to double with the wrong 4-card suit.

G.  2 .  Do I emphasize the hearts or diamonds?  Slam is a real possibility.  In hearts, I need partner to have 4(+) really good hearts in addition to the presumed good diamond fit.  In diamonds, what works for hearts also works for diamonds, plus if partner is short in hearts with 1st or 2nd round control, the diamond slam is still possible.  We might find our was to hearts, but the best way to get to a slam is to start with a forcing raise.

H.  5.  Probably wrong, but I don't think I  am risking a trump trick that would not already be lost.  My other choices seem to be black aces, neither of which is enticing.  One thought I am playing with is two rounds of clubs, then when in with the  trump king, underlead the spade ace for a club ruff.

Don't count on more than one or two choices being retained on submission, but these are my early selections for what it is worth.

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---

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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 4♦10 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 with 3=4=3=3 and game values the panel would be unanimous:  "2 ".
   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
                                          ---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---


























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Scores are in.

Three 700s and one 690. Four IAC members making the Bridge World honor roll: Blu, CCR3, masse24, JCreech.

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PROBLEM A: Pass
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM E: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM G: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM H: Heart Queen