2023 MARCH MSC

[ccr3]

Your Solutions for the March 2023 Contest
-------------------
PROBLEM A: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM B: 2 Spades
PROBLEM C: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM D: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM E: 6 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 4 Spades
PROBLEM G: 3 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Spade 2

[jcreech]

Thank you, Pat (CCR3), for including your comments.  As one of the most consistently high-scoring contributors, your thoughts are valued.  I don't mean to add pressure, but we are grateful. 

There are others with similar reluctance, that we would also love to see what goes on in their thought process.

[hoki]

Oliver:
PROBLEM A: Pass - fulfills the rule of nine
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds - limited by being a passed hand
PROBLEM C: 3 Hearts - uninspired
PROBLEM D: 1 Notrump - protecting the heart holding
PROBLEM E: 5 Clubs - still possible to stop in game but not giving up on slam
PROBLEM F: 6 Hearts - science fails me
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades - just a simple advance cue bid, leaving more room than 3S
PROBLEM H: Spade 2 - by elimination

[yleexotee]

PROBLEM A: 2 Notrump - finally chickened out on the standing for the double.
PROBLEM B: Pass
PROBLEM C: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM D: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM E: 6 Clubs - glad to see others have made this choice too. now I don't think I'm going out on a limb
PROBLEM F: 4 Spades
PROBLEM G: 3 Spades
PROBLEM H: Spade 2

[blubayou]

SOLUTIONS FOR: Jock McQuade  3 Bag End Hobbiton OR 97030U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: Pass                    Why are they making, when partner says he has....Kxx, KQx, x, AQ?xxx  ??
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds      As a "5th-seat overcall",  this is no way in the minimal range
PROBLEM C: 3 Clubs               Long, long auction  just beginning?
ROBLEM D: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM E: 5 Clubs
PROBLEM F: 4 Spades             Still hoping to be showing 3 aces+ to pard's blackwood
PROBLEM G: 3 Clubs               Wish we had discussed what new suit replies to old fashioned Drury were about
PROBLEM H: Diamond Queen    The mission here is to build four+ cashers asap, before jump-rebidder's club suit is established--not tobe passive.  I believe the popular  low spade is basically passive

A copy of these

[wackojack]

A: Pass
We need 6 tricks if I pass for penalties.  Give partner only 11 points say ♠Kxx, ♥Axx ♦x ♣Axxxxx and I can see 3 tricks in ♦s (2+ruff) + 2 likely ♠+ 1♥ +1♣ and we get +200. I think we would have to be very unlucky for 2♣ to make. 

B: 3
Give partner ♠ Axx, ♥ 10xxx, ♦ Kxx, ♣QJx, then game in ♠ is likely.  So if our agreement is that 2♠ is the weakest action, then we must find an alternative. So lets try 3♦ and see if partner can help us there.   

C: 3
I must show support immediately. So a forcing 3♥? 4♦ splinter?  Or even 5♦ splinter? I think the most economical bid allowing partner to express her hand more.
3

D: 1NT
I just bid my hand. 1NT

E: 4
Cheapest bid with likely misfit.  4

F: 6
Since I have a void in spades, I imagine that partner likely has a balanced 12-14 with 3 hearts.  Say ♠Axxx, ♥Qxx, ♦ KJxx, ♣ Kx where 6 looks good.  Shall I try 5 or 6 ? OK lets go the whole hog and bid 6 .

G: 3
How can I know if partner has useless high spades or very useful high diamonds? Best try 3♣ and see if partner bids 3♦.  If so then we are slamming.

H: 2
Speculative 2

[wackojack]

SOLUTIONS FOR:
Jack Goody
Guildford
England

PROBLEM A: Pass
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM D: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM E: 4 Spades
PROBLEM F: 6 Hearts
PROBLEM G: 3 Clubs
PROBLEM H: Spade 2

[jcreech]

Several changes this month.  I am risking a 400 based on all these changes.

SOLUTIONS FOR:
James Creech

FREDERICKSBURG VA 22407-9355
U.S.A.

PROBLEM A: Pass  Getting the side on this hand is a toss-up.  Both opponents have roughly equal length, and I might be in fat city or screwed, depending on lady luck.
PROBLEM B: Pass  Todd got me rethinking on this one.  I like the weak call, but this is more flexible without bidding the diamonds immediately.
PROBLEM C: 3 Hearts
PROBLEM D: 1 Notrump  I almost committed to this initially.  It certainly described my hand and protects the tenace.
PROBLEM E: 4 Spades
PROBLEM F: 6 Hearts
PROBLEM G: 2 Spades  Hoki is right, it is a cheaper bid.  This may not initially be thought of as a cue-bid, but when I come back and cue the clubs, I think partner will catch on.
PROBLEM H: Spade 2  I still like my original idea, but chickened out.  No good reason other than to follow the crowd.

[Veeree]

PROBLEM A: Pass
PROBLEM B: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM C: 4 Diamonds
PROBLEM D: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM E: 4 Spades
PROBLEM F: 4 Spades
PROBLEM G: 4 Hearts
PROBLEM H: Spade 2

[blubayou]

Nice predicting  on prob.D, Todd!   KQTx,AQ, xxx, AKxx      1c, (1h), p, [p] " ONE NOTRUMP--unanimous by the panel"      25 out of 28 qualifies

[Masse24]

March Results

Masse24 and BluBayou led the IAC solvers with 710, a tie!  Wackojack was third with 670. The Bridge World honor roll this month required a minimum of 720. Close but no cigar.

NAME	BW-SCORE	RANK	MPs
BluBayou	710	1	100
Masse24	710	1	90
Wackojack	690	3	80

Also participating this month were:  JCreech, BabsG, Yleexotee, Hoki, CCR3, VeeRee, VeredK.

Congratulations to all!

[Masse24]

Nice predicting  on prob.D, Todd!   KQTx,AQ, xxx, AKxx      1c, (1h), p, [p] " ONE NOTRUMP--unanimous by the panel"      25 out of 28 qualifies

If only I could predict "unanimous" on the other seven.

[ccr3]

Thank you Jim.

[yleexotee]

Darn it! Why didn't I pass on Problem A?!

[jcreech]

Darn it! Why didn't I pass on Problem A?!

And why didn't I stick with my initial answers for C, G and H.  Because I got sucked into believing in, or at least accepting of, a different answer. I got lucky that I really did not get the 400 I deserved for making so many switches, but the zero for an answer I would have never thought of on my own is a reason to stick more to my original choices,  or at least only switch when I was initially tempted (as I was on A).