Author Topic: 2021 AUGUST MSC  (Read 13145 times)

kenberg

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #15 on: June 16, 2021, 11:15:31 AM »
Problem A: This problem reflects real life. I am not altogether sure what partner is doing. So what am I doing? I am bidding 4D with the following plan:
If partner bids 4H over 4D, I will bid 4S.
If partner bids 4S over 4D I will pass.
If partnerbids 5C over 4D I will pass.

If partner has a good five card spade suit, the D A and the club K, it seems we have a shot at five spade tricks, four diamond tricks, two club tricks and a club ruff. That's 12 tricks and does not require a magnificent hand from partner.

KQxxx
x
Ax
Kxxxx

might suffice although a little luck is needed. Change a spade x to a spade J and it gets better as the club can now be ruffed with the spade A, so 3-2 spades will suffice.

If over my 4D partner bids 7S because he thought my 4D call showed a 20 count, I'll apologize.

Added: One thought about partner's bidding. I do think that with five clubs, four spades, and a game-forcing hand he would have begun with 2C over 1D. And I do think the 4C is now forcing. BUT. He might have started with a 4=1=3=5 shape that he thought was just a bit short of game forcing, but now, after the opponents have bid a raised hearts, his hand is looking better. He is up for a forcing 4C even though on the first round he was not quite up for a game forcing 2C.
My guess is that he has five spades, but I would not rule out the 4=1=3=5 shape with good but not quite GF, at T1,  values.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2021, 02:19:41 PM by kenberg »
Ken

blubayou

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #16 on: June 16, 2021, 04:53:56 PM »
4D  is a correction.   hopefully  3=3=6=1;  if I felt I had to do this with a fiver,  we sure hope pard comes down with the  Kxxx, --,  Txx,  KQxxxx  I posted as my wish-list!  spades  are OFF the table as the trump suit, else partner would probe with a 4H  cue.  A support-double  does not  set the trump suit in and of itself--something nobody yet has dared say.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2021, 01:52:50 AM by blubayou »
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peuco

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #17 on: June 24, 2021, 09:16:01 PM »
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Francisco Lizana

PROBLEM A: 5 Clubs
PROBLEM B: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a3) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 3 Spades
PROBLEM G: 6 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Heart Ace

bAbsG

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #18 on: June 26, 2021, 03:22:48 PM »
Your solutions have been received. This copy is for your records.

SOLVER: Babs Giesbrecht
Your Solutions for the August 2021 Contest 
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 4 Spades
PROBLEM B: Pass
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a2) | (b3)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades
PROBLEM H: Heart Ace

Masse24

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #19 on: June 27, 2021, 02:05:13 AM »
August Guesses:

A.   4 !S. Change from 5 !C. Partner knows I have three spades, so I hate to waste a level by ostensibly telling the same story twice. This one really confuses me. I do not want to be left there, unless it is where we belong. 4 !H would be interesting, putting the onus on partner to better communicate his intentions. But if partner does have loftier intentions in a possible spade slam, I fear 4 !H could convey more strength (or possibly a non-existent control) that I do not have.

I think Blu may be right. Partner may well have only four spades and six clubs with a hand that just wishes to compete. But I’m not going to start making up new meta-rules in the middle of an auction. The last time I checked: New suit by unpassed responder is forcing.

If partner does have one of the four-spade six-club hands possible, I hope he corrects.


B.   3 !D. Vul 3 !C is probably more than !C KQJxxxx. If so, 3NT sucks. If partner has a hand suitable for double, he probably has only five hearts, so in hearts a bad trump split is on the horizon. This makes 3 !D a timid but best choice. 


C.   1NT. While 1 !S is possible, these hearts spell 1NT.


D.   A3 | B1. I do not mind preempting with four card major.


E.   2 !C. If I had more than I do, I would double rather than overcall. I think this conveys a max for my overcall. Also, if partner had five spades wouldn’t he have overcalled in direct seat? I think partner might have four spades and no heart support. 4=1=4=4? Hopefully with 9 or 10 HCP. I dunno, I’m guessing, but this cuebid should get another descriptive bid out of him.


F.   3 !D.  Although 2 !S did not promise six spades, I prefer 3 !D now because it leaves room. Partner can show me two spades (hopefully Qx if he does), a sixth heart, fifth club (unlikely), 3NT with a diamond honor. The 4NT “helpful hint” is a red herring as it would be an underbid by a Queen or King. I recall a hand a year or more ago (not this strong) where the major was bid three times to show six, so my not choosing 3 !S now may be a mistake.     


G.   2 !H. This is definitely a hero call. I want to declare and this has a decent chance of ensuring that. Hopefully, it will not be  two-level contract!

Most solvers will probably go with 2 !S, planning to keycard in hearts if partner bids hearts to find that pesky lady. Or, if partner does not bid hearts (or more likely, is not given the opportunity) then a huge jump in clubs next. How high? That question was not asked, so it’s somewhat immaterial. But it’s an interesting hand with difficult tactical considerations. I’ve contemplated an immediate 7 !C. I really like 2 !H. A lot! If I could be assured that “the auction won’t stop here” (I’m almost there), then I would do it. The goal of this hand is simple. Declare. Starting with a Michaels 2 !S only begins to draw the opps the roadmap necessary to sacrifice, in which case we defend.


H.   !H A. Declarer bid No Trump, so looking at the !H AQx, it's a fair bet declarer has the King, so this is safe. I want to see partner's attitude and also the dummy. This gives me a free look before I decide on my trick two action.  The !D T is boring and will probably the popular solver choice.



PROBLEM A: 4 Spades
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a3) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM H: Heart Ace
« Last Edit: July 01, 2021, 12:39:27 AM by Masse24 »
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blubayou

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #20 on: June 27, 2021, 04:41:19 PM »
PROBLEM A: Raise or Pass his 4 !C . The more comments I see that haven't found religion, the more I lean                                 toward liking  the 130/150
PROBLEM B:  3 !D  .  I am seeing 6 trumps + 3 USEABLE spade tricks (or two + a red king) too often to stay       with  the leave-in.  After all 3D  should lead to something makeable?
PROBLEM C: 1NT. Can't see loving a +50, +100 that passing may bring in.   
PROBLEM D:  (A1), (B1).  Are they serious? A
PROBLEM E:  2 !C  After abstaining, as everybody BUT Frank said, he who  felt only way to catch up  was to                                    REACH game!
.PROBLEM F:   3  !D    WHATEVER it means, we need a third call from partner, and will hope it is meaningful,           rather than "strangled under pressure".  If that bid is "3 !H  .  THEN maybe the quantitative 4NT is best.
PROBLEM G:   Don't KNOW,  but I am going for one of the boring choices -- Michaels or six hearts.  Tell me,       do BridgeWorld partners ever pass  our michael's cue? [. scarey thought!].  In life,  I would try to walk the       dog in some way, but none of such little adventures will gain a plurality for the big score.  Shame on me.
PROBLEM H:   !S  5 Partner has a jack or two.  We need him in at trick one before the sky falls
       (If he HAS a queen, maybe its in spades, eh?  Or in clubs which makes the whole operation futile unless he has that queen AND our magical jack.)   I REALLY dont want to credit our side with my 13 primo plus  3 more from partner, but this is an auction in which the bidding side just goes nuts, frequently,  with their 23 or 24
« Last Edit: June 28, 2021, 02:22:40 PM by blubayou »
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wackojack

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #21 on: June 27, 2021, 10:19:08 PM »
A.  4 !D

B. 3  !H
For the re-opening double, I give partner something like as a minimum:
 !S A9xx,  !H KJxxx,  !D AQx,  !C x
Then there could be a play for 4 !H.  I will bid 3 !H and if he has better he will go to the heart game. 

C. 1 !S
A match point decision.  It looks like 1  !S is the safest.  East is more likely to have length in the minors than in spades. 

D. 2 !H (a3)
I don't like it with a 4 card spade suit, but it looks like the least of evils.

E. 2 !C
I have too much to raise to 2 !S, so I will cue to show 3 card spade support and a decent hand.

F. 3 !D
I want to find out more so I make the 4SF bid of 3 !D.  It is true that if partner had the nightmare hand of:
 !S Q,   !H AQJxxx,  !D Jx,  !C QJxx which is every high card except the the AK  !D, partner would bid 3  !H and we would be no further forward.   

G. 6 !H
There is no way to find out partner's heart holding so I will go for the most likely and bid 6 !H.

G. 10  !D I spose
 

blubayou

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #22 on: June 29, 2021, 12:20:43 PM »
August Guesses:

A.   5 !C . ... Partner may well have only four spades and six clubs with a hand that just wishes to compete. But I’m not going to start making up new meta-rules in the middle of an auction. The last time I checked: New suit by unpassed responder is forcing.
  ]I don't think  it is a new meta-rule   that 3 !C ,  in the auction " 1 !D  [pass] 1 !S  [2 !H ]; Dbl [PASS]  3 !C   " is a plea to play right there in 3 clubs-just an obvious exception that a pair would forget to discuss. Since in problem A,  the lurker did raiseto 3 !H , I guess we need the same sort of hand but closer to 10-count than 6-count.  I wish you well with you bump to game. At least 2 of us are in the right suit!  I fear that the 4 Diamond bidders  might just have to play it there.


SOLUTIONS FOR:Jock McQuade3 Bag EndHobbiton OR 97030U.S.A:
PROBLEM A: Pass        PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds   PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump   PROBLEM D: (a1) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs  PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds    PROBLEM G: 6 Hearts      PROBLEM H: Spade 5
A copy of these solutions will be e-mailed...
« Last Edit: June 30, 2021, 12:52:36 PM by blubayou »
often it is better to beg forgiveness, than ask permission

kenberg

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #23 on: June 29, 2021, 07:07:13 PM »
SOLVER: Kenneth Berg
        320 Quail Dr
        Sykesville MD 21784
        U.S.A.

Your Solutions for the August 2021 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 4 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a1) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades
PROBLEM H: Diamond 10
Ken

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #24 on: June 30, 2021, 06:50:02 AM »
PROBLEM A: 4 Spades
PROBLEM B: 4 Clubs
PROBLEM C: 1 Spade
PROBLEM D: (a1) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: Double
PROBLEM H: Diamond 10

yleexotee

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #25 on: June 30, 2021, 05:32:30 PM »
PROBLEM A: 4 Spades        Decided against anything like 4D because I'm not sure we have established a suit, or if it might look like a rebid
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds     I don't think I have enough to take 9 tricks before the good 3c bidder gets back in after they knock out my club ace
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump       I really thought about 1s, but 1nt seems more systemicly appropriate
PROBLEM D: (a3) | (b1)       In real life I think I would bid the weak open, so stuck with it. but I pass after they open, maybe we'll defend in a major
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs            bit of a punt here, but I think its right
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds      Leaving room for pard to tell me more
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades        Not sure what info I can get from p, but I just hate the big jumps to game/slam, etc.
PROBLEM H: Spade Ace       I had D10 at first, but decided to go more aggresive. hopefully the ops 1S bid was a lowbie 4 spades and this is the killer lead.

wackojack

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #26 on: June 30, 2021, 09:08:04 PM »
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Jack Goody
Guildford
England

PROBLEM A: 4 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM C: 1 Spade
PROBLEM D: (a3) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 6 Hearts
PROBLEM H: Diamond 10

ccr3

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #27 on: June 30, 2021, 10:08:45 PM »
OLVER: Patricia McDermott
        8015 Buford Commons
        N. Chesterfield VA 23235
        U.S.A.

Your Solutions for the August 2021 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 5 Clubs
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a3) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades
PROBLEM H: Diamond 10

jcreech

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #28 on: June 30, 2021, 10:50:30 PM »
SOLUTIONS FOR:
James Creech
5107 Sewells Pointe Dr.
Fredericksburg VA 22407
U.S.A.

PROBLEM A: 4 Spades
PROBLEM B: Pass
PROBLEM C: 1 Spade  I fear that passing 1H will not reap a large enough penalty, I would prefer to bid 1NT, but the lead directing aspects of bidding spades has the dual purpose of pushing the contract higher and setting the defense.
PROBLEM D: (a3) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 2 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades
PROBLEM H: Spade Ace  My heart is with the HQ, and am looking forward to seeing the scores and any discussion that might involve this lead.  I hate giving up the tempo, so I decided to hope for a layout like Joe is, and give up my dream that the !H Q is the killer.

I think I only had two changes, and have discussed my departure from what I think is right to one that I think will be safer for the MSC director.
A stairway to nowhere is better than no stairway at all.  -Kehlog Albran

drac

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Re: 2021 AUGUST MSC
« Reply #29 on: July 01, 2021, 04:47:50 AM »
Wladislaus Dragwlya
Tin Street No.1
Castrum Sex 545400
Romania

PROBLEM A: 4 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM D: (a1) | (b1)
PROBLEM E: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM F: 3 Spades
PROBLEM G: 4 Spades
PROBLEM H: Spade King