So many things were happening last month, I missed the deadline. My guess of what I might have done was very good, but I have second guessed myself out of good decisions before.
Here are my initial thoughts for this month.
A. Pass. Partner has pre-empted a sensible auction to a grand, so I will sell out to his choice. I get the post-mortem point here.
B. 1NT. I will take the charge if the downgrade costs us. I also hate doubling with AQ-tight in spades. I haven't checked but I suspect KnR will not rate this as a full 15. (KnR = 14.65)
C. 2
. I wanted to make a responsive double but RHO did not cooperate. The cue will tell partner I have strength and I hope Jx will suffice for fit.
D. 2NT. I hate this bid, but I have to treat this hand as balanced and it's red at IMPs, so I need to try for game.
E. Double. What else? I have length in the unbids, opening values, and four in the other major. I could overcall my five-bagger, but emphasis on the major is important.
F. 4
. Torn between game and slam. Partner's negative double should put us in or close to slam, but do I really have my full values? I think not, so I will take the low road and bid the heart game rather than cue and possibly lose the ability to show the suit at a makeable level.
G. 4
. Splinter. Hopefully, partner will know what to do with a heart void and club ace.
H.
Q. The safest lead. A diamond might strike gold, but I just want the contract to go down, and anything else gives the contract a chance, albeit small. I truly believe that declarer is looking at long spades and, at worst, one outside loser (with the hope of a pseudo squeeze). I want to avoid a miracle result.
