Author Topic: Master Solvers Club, posts up to June 2019  (Read 76713 times)

drac

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #45 on: September 10, 2018, 06:02:41 AM »
SOLVER: Wladislaus Dragwlya
        Castrum Sex
        Romania

Your Solutions for the October 2018 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM B: Pass
PROBLEM C: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM D: Double
PROBLEM E: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades
PROBLEM H: Spade 7

kenberg

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #46 on: September 10, 2018, 01:05:53 PM »
So I am not the only weirdo bidding 3NT on A!  It's one of those "Well, it might work" things.

I would be interested in people's thoughts about G. Pass - Pass - 1H - 1S - ?

Without the spade call I would bid 2C (a heart raise, could be on 2 or 4 trump in BWS, or so I believe) and then, even if partner bid 2H showing a very minimal or light opening, I would raise to 3H. That seems like a fine description. It's likely we can make 4, but I want to allow for partner to be joking  bit with the third hand opening.

Bidding 2S, as I did, doesn't allow me this flexibility. Partner must now choose 3H or 4H and, if he chooses 3H I should do what? I far prefer being able to bid 2C and then, if he bids 2H, raising to 3H. But as near as I can see, in BWS, 2C is no longer Drury after the spade overcall.

I again congratulate Todd on starting this thread. I enjoy discussing bridge hands. I particularly enjoy discussing play, but bidding is also interesting and these BWS hands are a fine challenge.
Ken

bAbsG

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #47 on: September 10, 2018, 05:07:01 PM »

What the hell.  I may as well embarrass myself.

SOLVER: Babs Giesbrecht
       Qualicum Beach BC
       Canada

Your Solutions for the October 2018 Contest 
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM B: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM D: Pass
PROBLEM E: 5 Diamonds
PROBLEM F: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades
PROBLEM H: Diamond 10

kenberg

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #48 on: September 10, 2018, 07:14:23 PM »
SOLVER: Ken Berg
        Eldersburg MD
        U.S.A.

Your Solutions for the October 2018 Contest 



[I have edited the Sep 9 post to include scores. I was worried about A, it scored better than I feared. I thought H would score better than it did, but I guess I can see why. I still wonder if a Drury 2C was available on G. On to November. Btw, this is still September is it not? Or have I done a Rip Van Winkle? And welcome aboard bAbsG. A little frustration now and then is good for us. ]


-------------------
PROBLEM A: 3 Notrump       70
PROBLEM B: 2 Notrump       100
PROBLEM C: Double             80
PROBLEM D: Double             100
PROBLEM E: 3 Notrump        80
PROBLEM F: 2 Diamonds      100
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades          100
PROBLEM H: Spade 7            60
Adds up to                          690

 

One thing, from the earlier post: On problem G I went looking at the MSC website to see if Drury was on and I could not decide. Partner opens a third hand 1H, I plan to bid Drury with that hand but then there is a 1S on my right. I sometimes play Drury is on as long as 2C is available, sometimes I play it is on over a double but not over an overcall, sometimes I play that Drury is off unless my rho passes. I could not figure out what BWS does.  If 2C would be Drury, that's my choice.



« Last Edit: September 11, 2018, 08:00:30 PM by kenberg »
Ken

drac

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #49 on: September 11, 2018, 12:27:30 PM »
SOLVER: Wladislaus Dragwlya
        Castrum Sex
        Romania

Your Solutions for the October 2018 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 3 Notrump         70
PROBLEM B: Pass                   70
PROBLEM C: 3 Diamonds     60
PROBLEM D: Double           100
PROBLEM E: 3 Notrump        80
PROBLEM F: 2 Notrump        70
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades       100
PROBLEM H: Spade 7            60
                                                  610

jcreech

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #50 on: September 18, 2018, 02:27:47 PM »
These are my entries for the November 2018 contest:


PROBLEM A: Double
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (b2) 
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM F: 5 Clubs
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Club Ace

A stairway to nowhere is better than no stairway at all.  -Kehlog Albran

Masse24

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #51 on: October 05, 2018, 02:31:51 AM »
New problems attached.
Deadline is October 10.

Link to MSC Problems here:

[https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/msc/mastersolversmainpage.html
“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.” Abraham Lincoln

kenberg

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #52 on: October 05, 2018, 02:09:55 PM »
I am off in Oregon hoping to be a good grandfather to a newborn but I will try to get to these before the Wednesday deadline.
Ken

Masse24

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #53 on: October 06, 2018, 05:31:23 PM »
I am off in Oregon hoping to be a good grandfather to a newborn but I will try to get to these before the Wednesday deadline.
Grampa stuff more important, Ken!  :)
“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.” Abraham Lincoln

Masse24

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #54 on: October 06, 2018, 05:35:35 PM »
I usually delay until the last minute, but had a lot of free time this weekend, so pulled the trigger.

SOLVER: Todd Holes
        Glen Ellyn IL
        U.S.A.
 
Your Solutions for the November 2018 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a2)
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM F: 5 Clubs
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Spade 5

Trenchant commentary to follow.  ;)

 :) . . .  :) . . .  :) . . .  :) . . .  :)

PROBLEM A:!H --- The values are correct for 1NT, but the void is a gaping hole. Pass could be right, taking a wait and see approach. I think Pass will be the popular solver choice (and it is my second choice). Heart suit is too threadbare to bid--and I absolutely hate it. But it’s the least bad choice. 

PROBLEM B: 1 NT --- Pass was my initial gut instinct. Partner would need a perfecto for game to be on. Both 1NT and 1 !S have appeal. My 1NT is a bit of a punt as I think the hand too strong to pass.

PROBLEM C: 1 NT --- Passed hand, so this is red suits. This one seems almost too simple. I have a feeling there will be some (many?) votes for 1 !D – a lead director.

PROBLEM D: (a2) --- Not providing us with a hand is irritating. Second choice, B3.

PROBLEM E:!H --- All calls are flawed. 3 !C is tempting as a “waiting” bid, indicating an inability to bid 2NT or support spades. But 3 !H , while generally implying four pieces, at least conveys some heart support. 3 !C would make that almost impossible. Flawed.

PROBLEM F:!C --- 4NT, an “Unusual” type call, is tempting. It would not be RKC in this auction. A much safer 5 !C —likely the plurality choice--will score well.

PROBLEM G:!C --- Even at MP, 3NT seems wimpy. 2 !C is wide-ranging, partner has some shape, let’s push.

PROBLEM H: !S 5 --- East’s failure to make a !D control bid, instead bidding 4 !H , implies no !D control. West has at least the !D Ace for the subsequent 5 !D . If my partner has the !D King, it is not going away, and the slam will not make. A !C lead will certainly be the popular and safe solver choice. Since the modern honor lead from AK(xxx) is the Ace, the King becomes the standard at the 5-level or higher (asking for count). Here, however, if I lead a !C I choose the !C Ace since I do not wish to advertise the honor placement to declarer.
The bidding indicates !C shortness in dummy, and declarer could also be short in !H . I can smell the ruffs, so I am choosing a trump lead. When I get in with !C to my Ace—I continue with trump. This cuts down on ruffs, hopefully foiling the slam.







« Last Edit: October 08, 2018, 03:10:09 PM by Masse24 »
“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.” Abraham Lincoln

drac

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #55 on: October 08, 2018, 01:21:13 PM »
SOLVER: Wladislaus Dragwlya
        Castrum Sex
        Romania

Your Solutions for the November 2018 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM B: Pass
PROBLEM C: 1 Diamond
PROBLEM D: (b3)
PROBLEM E: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 5 Clubs
PROBLEM G: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM H: Diamond 3

kenberg

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #56 on: October 09, 2018, 09:52:28 PM »
SOLVER: Ken Berg
        Eldersburg MD
        U.S.A.

Your Solutions for the November 2018 Contest 
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (b2)
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM F: Pass
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Spade 6

I will also supply  some thoughts:

PROBLEM A: 2  !H ---  It's matchpoints. If 1 !S is passed out we probably score +50 or +100, not enough to beat +110.  I think that I would also bid 2 !H at imps but it's more of a close call.  It's not impossible that 4 !H is on ice. On a bad day even 2 !H might go down, but I am not that pessimistic. Yes I usually have  a six card suit or at least a better 5 for a 2 level overcall but we have to go with what we have.


PROBLEM B: 1 NT --- Right call on strength, and !D T643 is often adequate.

PROBLEM C: 2 NT ---  Yes, 1NT is also for the reds, but my thought is to bid 2NT and then shut up. All further choices are partner's.

PROBLEM D: b2 --- My first thought was a2, as Todd did. I changed my mind. I imagine declarer has the Q. So maybe I have Jxx, maybe I have Jx. It is probably more important to tell partner which of these I have than it is to jettison the J from Jxx. Of course I have not discussed this ("this" = what to do when the A is led and the stiff K is on the board) with any partner, so who knows what partner will make of it.

PROBLEM E: 3 !H ---Pretty much the same thinking as Todd.

PROBLEM F: Pass   This might be nuts but it seems to me that 4 !S is a likely make and i'll just leave it be.

PROBLEM G: 4 !C --- Again same thinking as Todd. Slam must be a real possibility here.

PROBLEM K: !S 6.  Now really my choice is a spade spot, any spot. But, traditionally, we play trump spots as hi-lo from 3 even if we are generally playing standard count. Who am I to break with tradition?

One quick added thought about hand C. There is something to be said for passing. The idea is that the opponents might well be playing in 4S and they might then appreciate the help we have given them in the play by showing our distribution.  I'll be interested in seeing whether this is mentioned by the panel.  But I am sticking with my 2NT call.

« Last Edit: October 10, 2018, 12:55:26 PM by kenberg »
Ken

Masse24

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #57 on: October 10, 2018, 01:52:44 PM »
SOLVER: Ken Berg

PROBLEM C: 2 NT ---  Yes, 1NT is also for the reds, but my thought is to bid 2NT and then shut up. All further choices are partner's.

PROBLEM K: !S 6.  Now really my choice is a spade spot, any spot. But, traditionally, we play trump spots as hi-lo from 3 even if we are generally playing standard count. Who am I to break with tradition?

One quick added thought about hand C. There is something to be said for passing. The idea is that the opponents might well be playing in 4S and they might then appreciate the help we have given them in the play by showing our distribution.  I'll be interested in seeing whether this is mentioned by the panel.  But I am sticking with my 2NT call.

Ken, I too considered Pass as a reasonable alternative on C, using the logic that any 2-suited call would only draw a roadmap for declarer. I think Pass will get some votes, probably with similar reasoning mentioned.

The !S lead? I have no idea what is standard here. I'm curious whether there will be a score difference between the spots.
“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.” Abraham Lincoln

kenberg

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #58 on: October 10, 2018, 02:31:55 PM »
I am hoping that all  spade spot leads are given the same score! It seems to me that declarer might have trouble finding 12 tricks and cutting down on ruffs is the main point. As to what is standard, I think that playing trump spots hi-lo to show an ability to ruff is very standard, but that's not what't going on here. Here, I think of it as simply count and that may not be so standard. I remember Mike Lawrence in some book indicating that with three spots he routinely gives the hi-lo and commenting "I suppose that giving this information might someday cost me a trick but it hasn't yet",  or something like that.  Probably some would say that when the trump count info is irrelevant, then the choice of spots can send some other message.  And still another view could be that the spots should be played randomly to minimize the possibility of declarer making any useful conclusion. The bots seem to often think that way.

So I lead the 6 but I do think that the score for leading a spade spot should be independent of which spot it is. We shall soon see.

Oregon was very nice. The new granddaughter slept a lot. The older sister, almost 3, seemed to like that we were giving her a lot of attention while everyone else was oohing and aahing over the new one. Something about restricted choice, I think.
Ken

kenberg

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Re: Master Solvers Club
« Reply #59 on: October 10, 2018, 07:51:07 PM »
PROBLEM A: 2 Hearts          70
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump       100
PROBLEM C: 2 Notrump       100
PROBLEM D: (b2)                 50
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts           100
PROBLEM F: Pass                 50
PROBLEM G: 4 Clubs            100
PROBLEM H: Spade 6           70

                                         640


If at first you don't succeed, try try again.
« Last Edit: October 10, 2018, 07:53:15 PM by kenberg »
Ken