Master Solvers Club - August 2019

[Masse24]

August MSC problems are attached.

They can also be viewed here: https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/msc/mastersolversmainpage.html

Deadline for responses is July 10, 9:00 a.m. EST.

[Masse24]

My first stab at August follows:

A: 4 . 5 is tempting, but for now 4 . The suit disparity leads me to believe that a two-suited overcall is not best. Plus, in this auction, Leaping Michaels should apply, so that “two-suited” bid would be 4 to show the red suits, which is a bit of a fib with this 7-5. This auction is not over.
Second choice: 5 . Third: 4

B: 4 . I am missing something. Where are the  ? If partner is 5-5 in the reds, and East is not showing a five-card suit with either 3 or a UvU 3 (instead opting to penalize ), then partner likely has three . Which would give opener 5 and a 6 card suit (or similar). Partner is very short in , either stiff or void. If this assessment is correct, is an immediate 5 better?

C: 3 . I can't force game with this, can I?
Second choice: Double. Third: 3

D: 4 . Partner is still groping for strain. He knows of my six , should he know I have seven? Best to keep it low and tell partner of my delayed support. Since I bypassed  (presumably denying four), partner's 3 may only have been a grope for 3NT. If partner continues over 4 , I'll know he wanted more.
Second choice: 4 . Third: 4 (not fond of this, it's murky)

E: Pass. They are already headed to game. The double only gives them another bid (redouble) along the way to communicate.
Second choice: 4 .

F: 2 . I am usually loathe to open these types of hands 2 . 4NT, if it is a specific Ace ask, has some appeal. I’ll have to look it up. Not sure if it’s BWS.
Second choice: 4NT. Third: 1

G: 3 . Where I live. Though at MPs, the double (to get the in), and 3NT both have merit.
Second choice: 3NT. Third: Double

H: 6. Standout lead. Majority choice? Leading from “Ace-empty” is not appealing. What am I missing?
Second choice: Same as the first.

This will go through two or three "edits" before I pull the trigger in July. In a week I'll revisit these choices and think to myself, "What on earth was I thinking?" 

[drac]

here is me "solution" for August up for critique (be frank, no need to be nice - you know how Drs are) cheers 


Your solutions have been received. This copy is for your records.

SOLVER: Wladislaus Dragwlya
        Castrum Sex --
        Romania


Your Solutions for the August 2018 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM B: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM C: Double
PROBLEM D: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 4 Spades
PROBLEM F: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM G: Double
PROBLEM H: Heart 4

[Masse24]

One week remains. 

August MSC problems can be found here: https://www.bridgeworld.com/indexphp.php?page=/pages/msc/mastersolversmainpage.html

[Masse24]

FIRST GUESSES:

PROBLEM A: 3 . I should probably go with a more vanilla spade bid (likely the runaway solver choice), but which level? 3 is my second choice.

PROBLEM B: 1NT. Nothing is remotely attractive. 1NT is right on values, so close my eyes and do it. 2nd choice is Pass.

PROBLEM C: Double. [EDIT] Changed my mind on this one. I had originally chosen Pass.

PROBLEM D: 2NT. The K&R on this is 21.7. It’s a close choice between 2NT and 2 – 2 – 2NT. Although a 1 start then jump-shift is at least a naturalish start, the trend toward treating this type of hand as blanced will, I think, be the popular panel choice.

PROBLEM E: 3 . Weird hand. Weird choice. Too weak. But very shapely. The attraction of 3 is that with my length I need very little from partner (Qx?) to run the . So I keep 3NT in the picture. My (very close) 2nd choice is Double.

PROBLEM F: Pass. A viable choice. Since nothing else tickled my fancy, why not?

PROBLEM G: 4 . My first instinct. My 2nd choice is double.

PROBLEM H: Q. Have not yet constructed possible hand shapes. This may screw with communication.

Not yet final. I'll need to let these marinate a while before pulling the trigger.

I went with the choices above

[drac]

SOLVER: Wladislaus Dragwlya
        Castrum Sex
        Romania

Your Solutions for the August 2019 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: Pass
PROBLEM D: (c4)
PROBLEM E: Double
PROBLEM F: 4 Spades
PROBLEM G: 4 Notrump
PROBLEM H: Diamond Queen

[jcreech]

SOLUTIONS FOR:
James Creech
Gen Allen VA
U.S.A.

PROBLEM A: 3 Spades  - I think I need to show my extra length and invitational values
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump - it is definitely not a trap pass, so I want to say something descriptive about my hand - this is the best choice
PROBLEM C: Pass - I want that 4th heart to double and a reason to lead diamonds to overcall - pass the best choice
PROBLEM D: (a1) - not sure I would do this at the table - I don't like the anemic diamond spots - but agree with Todd that panel will show balanced hand
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts - I can show my second suit cheaply, so I will offer additional strain - shows that the clubs are real and maybe partner has hearts too
PROBLEM F: Pass - suit is not a lead director and I have a lot to offer defensively - time to wait and see
PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts - too many points and a heart control to not try for slam - n0 clear choice from my side, so throw the decision partner's way
PROBLEM H: Diamond Queen - when I picked, was looking more for aggressive safety, now that I am writing, I'm thinking a trump lead is probably best since there is distribution to consider

[kenberg]

SOLVER: Ken Berg
        Eldersburg MD
        U.S.A.

Your Solutions for the August 2019 Contest 

PROBLEM A: 2 Spades
PROBLEM B: 2 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: Double
PROBLEM D: (c1)
PROBLEM E: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM F: Pass
PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM H: Club King

[Masse24]

PROBLEM C: Pass - I want that 4th heart to double and a reason to lead diamonds to overcall - pass the best choice

I really hate my choice of Double here. My least favorite choice of the set, which was especially difficult this month.

[kenberg]

PROBLEM A: 2 Spades                  60
PROBLEM B: 2 Diamonds              50
PROBLEM C: Double                     70
PROBLEM D: (c1)                         70
PROBLEM E: 4 Clubs                   100
PROBLEM F: Pass                       100
PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts                  50
PROBLEM H: Club King                 60


                                               total   560 

[Masse24]

SOLVER: Todd Holes
        Glen Ellyn IL
        U.S.A.
 
Your Solutions for the August 2019 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 3 Clubs               50
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump          50
PROBLEM C: Double                70
PROBLEM D: (b)                     70
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts              80
PROBLEM F: Pass                   100
PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts              50
PROBLEM H: Diamond Queen   60
                                            530

Ouch!

[jcreech]

SOLUTIONS FOR:
James Creech
Gen Allen VA
U.S.A.

PROBLEM A: 3 Spades  -        50
PROBLEM B: 1 Notrump -       50
PROBLEM C: Pass -                90
PROBLEM D: (a1) -               100
PROBLEM E: 3 Hearts -           80
PROBLEM F: Pass -                100
PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts -           50
PROBLEM H: Diamond Queen - 60

                     TOTAL              580

I hate this scorer!!  If they cannot imagine the bid, they hammer those who do.

[Masse24]

I hate this scorer!!  If they cannot imagine the bid, they hammer those who do.

Tell me about it! This is my first sub-600. Ever! And it wasn't close. My guess is Kleinman was our director. He is brutal when it comes to any response that is not perfect. Oh well, looking forward to reading the panel's rationale in a week.

[kenberg]

Most of the situations seemed to be what the phrase "between a rock and a hard place" was invented for. I take, or at least I try to take, a relaxed view.

[jcreech]

Monster Point winners for:

August, 2019         
Name      BW Points   MP Award   MP Bonus
jcreech     580                20
kenberg   560                15
Masse24   530                10
DrAculea   460                1
and four private participants      1 each