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APR 2004 ALBERTA BIDDING CLUB
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Problem
#: 1; Scoring:Matchpoints; Vul:none;
Dealer: West
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North
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East
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South
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West
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1
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Dbl
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Pass
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2
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Pass
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Pass
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2
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?
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Kiz Fung
3C Don't
want to sell out in matchpoints.
Doran Flock
Dbl My
hand is working so I compete, double gives ptnr a chance to bid their 5 card
suit. I don't expect it to, but if ptnr passes with some 2443 hand I like
our chances.
Vince Lambert
Dbl It is
matchpoints. No assurance we have a
4-4 fit, and it seems the opps are bidding on marginal values. This double being under the bidder
should show a good 2 club bid and willingness to defend. Seems to me that is what I have.
Tom Gandolfo
P best
chance for a plus
Stan Cabay
3C When
its nobody's hand, as appears to be the case here, the objective is simply
to achieve a plus, any plus. A 3C contract will play well, even on a
Moysian fit (the short trumps get tapped). The meaning of a double here
requires partnership agreement. Some play that it shows a trump stack, but
frequency considerations predicate a better use. Many play that when the
opponents have a confirmed fit, a double at the 2-level is strictly for
takeout. If this is the agreement, it may be tempting to do so here in an
effort to find a 5-3 red-suit fit, but even then this will not play any
better than a Moysian club fit. Many others play that a double here is DSIP
(my choice), showing extras in context, denying a trump stack but a
willingness to defend, and some support in all of partner's suits. The hand
almost fits the bill (give me the JTx in diamonds) and the double works
wonders if partner converts with xx,ATxx,AQTx,Axx but perhaps not so well
with xx,AQxx,Qxxx,AQx or with hands containing a singleton spade (note that the opponents are likely on a
5-3 spade fit because of East's failure to raise immediately).
Vince Nowlan
Dbl too
much to sell out
Maurice&Susan
3H
Matchpoints is a bidders game...plus 140 or -50 playing in the
moysian. The opponents are not allowed to play comfortably in their fit at
the two level. A double works in case
their fit is uncomfortable .
Doug & Lorna
Dbl Worth
competing.
Allan Terplawy
3C I'd
try 2H first. If they accept I'm a
hero.
Len Racette
3C Should
be a routine plus 110 minimum. May
not get more than 100 for doubling 2S
A guest panelist from Saskatoon . One of
Saskatchewans best players and the nicest guy west of P.E.I.
Reserving a double to show a “trump stack” is a
waste in these competitive auctions. A double is D.S.I.P. and keeps all
options open including a pass by partner for the +300 or partner having a 5
card heart suit. Any other bid including a pass eliminates options
from partner and is single handed. The double brings partner into the
decision making process.
VOTES: P
(1) 3♣ (4) Dbl (5) 3♥ (1)
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Problem
#: 2; Scoring: Matchpoints;
Vul: E/W; Dealer: North
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North
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East
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South
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West
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Pass
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1
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?
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Kiz Fung
3NT Just a
shot. Hopefully as a past hand,
partner has a trick. Maybe we are
even sacking against their game.
Doran Flock
Dbl This
hand could get very competitive very quickly, so I choose to bring this
fairly anemic heart suit into play early ... in case my ptnr has
hearts!
Vince Lambert
2D Suits
this long are meant to be trumps, unless partner bids hearts, I won't. See no reason not to let partner have
some input on where we belong.
Tom Gandolfo
Dbl Had a
hand just like this one in the cntc's. My pards always have hearts. Right
Bob. Opps played in 3d. Bob in 4h making..U can only do this if you are
playing "equal level conversion". Over pards expected 2 or 3 club
response, 3d does not show extra's just long d and 4h.
Stan Cabay
2D If they
land in 4S, I plan to follow with 4N (ostensibly showing 6 diamonds and 4
clubs) and then to pull partner's 5C preference to 5D (showing 4-6 or 4-7
in the reds). A solo action, but who knows - partner may have a bunch of
hearts. There is a lot to be said for an immediate 5D.
Vince Nowlan
2D I want
the lead director in first; may be able to show hearts later.
Maurice&Susan
Dbl A preemptive spade raise from LHO is a
likely scenario. A stab at 3NT will follow. If LHO bids 2 spades back in
3D. This is a bid and see hand. We could be cold for 4hearts opposite
partner's Axxxx. Too much trick taking potential for a same level conversion.
Doug & Lorna
2D Would
never double. Must emphasize Diamonds. Later I could double to show Hearts
and if need be, correct Clubs to Diamonds.
Allan Terplawy
Dbl I
know whatever I do it will be wrong.
But I think a double best prepares for a 4S bid from West. An anticipatory double . Still another
in the long list of doubles in Bridge.
Len Racette
Dbl
Slightly off-shape but I respect the other major.
I double . I
watched Gandolfo in action and it won us 12 IMPS ! Using the equal level
conversion treatment and the extra diamond you can not get hurt. 2♦ overcall does not describe this hand
at all anyway . Choice of lies actually . A leap to 3NT or 5♦ might work.
VOTES: 3NT
(1) 2♦ (4) Dbl (6)
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Problem
#: 3; Scoring: Matchpoints;
Vul: none; Dealer: Nourh
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North
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East
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South
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West
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1
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pass
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1
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Dbl
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Pass
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1
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?
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Kiz Fung
Dbl Do I
play support redoubles? If so,
partner can't have 3 hearts and must be 3-2-4-4 or 2-2-5-4 (i.e. at least 8
cards in the minors). Double must show cards in this auction.
Doran Flock
Dbl Show
some points and let ptnr decide what to do. Given partners pass I do not
have high hopes for this hand, will pass 1nt or double 2S.
Vince Lambert
1NT Yuck!
I am going conservative here, I have no stoppers in their suits but the
bidding suggests flat hands, except for west.
Tom Gandolfo
Dbl Shows
points. Pard should know what to do. I hope
Stan Cabay
Dbl This
is DSIP showing cards and no clear action. They have an implied spade fit,
so the double is not for penalties.
Stan brings up a good point ( as usual) . A
penalty double in Bridge is clearly a “depending on context bid “. If the
auction dictates that you can not have a “ trump stack double” it is
automatically D.S.I.P. even if you do not play D.S.I.P. doubles as a
convention or treatment. This auction and the implication they have a spade
fit determines the meaning of the double .
Vince Nowlan
Dbl EW may
not have a spade fit on this auction.
i.e.
partner may convert
Maurice&Susan
2S
DSIP...hopefully partner is at the higher end of their variable IQ
this evening.
Doug & Lorna
Dbl It's
our hand.
Allan Terplawy
Dbl
What's with all the Matchpoint problems? Double! (I don't have
any idea what it means but I think it shows something like xxx, Axxx, AK,
xxxx.) Deadly
Len Racette
Dbl
Should show stuff and 1S doubled may be a good spot for us. Too many people fear one level doubles because they can not
defend properly.
Dbl is the best
bid to leave all options open including a pass from partner. A Q bid asks
partner to bid NT with a ♠ stopper
but if partner has a hand that 3NT
makes , 1♠ doubled with a trump lead is the
spot. A 1NT bid or a Q bid just eliminates a penalty pass from partner and
does not allow partners input into the decision.
VOTES:
1NT (1) Dbl (9) 2♠ (1)
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Problem
#: 4; Scoring: IMPS; Vul:
E/W; Dealer: North
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North
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East
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South
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West
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1
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Pass
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1
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Pass
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1
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Pass
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2
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Pass
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2
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Pass
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?
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Kiz Fung
3D The
bid that I wanted to make, 4 diamonds (key card) wasn't available as a
choice, so I'll bid 3 diamonds to hopefully hear a 3 spade cuebid from
partner. Sorry
about that chief !
Doran Flock
2H Don't
know about you, but I don't like bidding nt on these hands. My belief is
that it wrong-sides the nt too often or gives the impression I have more in
clubs than I do. I could bid 3D, but am making a delayed diamond raise my
next call. Does my ptnr have 5 or 6 diamonds??
Vince Lambert
3D Short
one diamond but the 5-2 should play well.
If partner has little in clubs, 6 diamonds should make, if he has
clubs, I will likely hear no trump next.
Tom Gandolfo
2NT If he
rebids d , I'm looking for six at least. Over 3nt I'm passing
Stan Cabay
2NT Biding
my time, awaiting further description. Since I can extract belated heart support
by such delaying tactics, an immediate 2H bid should show six of them.
Partner has shown only five diamonds at this point; I'm awaiting a 3D bid
showing six.
Vince Nowlan
2NT The
3C is not available, which would be necessary in Bridge World Standard,
since 4th suit is a one round force. In Alberta, 4th suit is a game force
so 2NT is safe. Hope to explore for 7S opposite AQJ10, depending how the
auction proceeds.
Maurice&Susan
2NT This
hand is worth more than the 15 to 17 a jump to 3NT would show. If partner
bids 3NT we pull to 4D keycard. Partner has room to show a 7 card suit at
the 3 level.
Doug & Lorna
2NT HE
said 3 Diamonds. SHE says 2NT. The majority agree with
SHE . The moderator agrees with HE.
Allan Terplawy
2NT I
hope that's forcing. If not, be
thankful we're not vulnerable.
Len Racette
2NT
Assuming my 2C bid was forcing to game. This is
an Alberta panel . 4th
suit forcing to game ticked on our card.
This hand is all
controls with 17 HCP’s and not a queen or a jack . The Bartons would have a
field day with their control asking bids . Agree with Mr. Flock that this
is not the hand to bid NT as it is not descriptive with these controls
and might wrong side the NT . It is better to have the opponents lead up to
queens then thru them . With these controls , I want to play in a suit and
partner is probably 6-4 on the auction ( as soon as he rebids 1♠ he
is 5-4 ) . I bid 3♦ to show my
intentions . If you do bid 2NT with this hand you should evaluate it as 18
HCP and raise partners 3NT to 4NT as a slam try. 2NT is an either or bid .
Shows a minimum or an 18-19 point hand . You would jump to 3NT with the
other range.
VOTES: 3♦ (3) 2NT
(7) 2♥ (1)
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Problem
#: 5; Scoring: Matchpoints;
Vul: N/S ; Dealer: South
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North
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East
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South
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West
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2
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3
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Pass *
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4
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?
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* 1
or more controls
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Kiz Fung
6C Partner
rates to have the spade king or ace... we could make 5, 6, or 7. Partner also rates to have a stiff
heart.
Doran Flock
P On theory
that pass and pull is stronger I pass. Expect ptnr to bid 4S, I will bid
5C. This is one of those infrequent auctions you wished you had discussed
with ptnr.
Vince Lambert
5C I have
three losers to cover, partners one control won't cover them all. If partner has better than the Ace or
king of spades, they can always raise.
Passing would tend to show a flatter hand, and in any event if I
pulled partners double would show more tricks.
Disagree
with passing should show the flatter hand . Double shows the flatter
hand and passing & pulling to 5♣ shows a hand too strong to bid
5♣ directly i.e. a slam try .
Tom Gandolfo
5H Should
be treated as exclusion and what ever way you show controls..123 or 14-30
will make my nest bid easy. If three, must be ak of spades and 7nt will
make unless they are the only spades p has. If one or two I'll bid 6c and
hope for a stiff h...
Not bad ! 5♥
is a wasted bid in this auction . A Q bid initiated at the 5 level makes no
sense so why not play it as Exclusion Blackwood ? Usually you will have a
heart void but it’s a good way of using Blackwood when jammed to the 5
level. If you have made up your mind that 6♣ is the minimum level you
are going to play this hand – go for it !
Stan Cabay
6C Perhaps
they have 10 hearts between them.
Vince Nowlan
5C Too bad
4NT is not natural.
Maurice&Susan
P Hoping
partner will bid 4 spades so I can keycard in spades to get to 6 or 7
clubs. When both opponents are preempting the same suit double should be 0
controls, pass is 1 and up the line. Pass to show 1 or more controls is
inefficient at high levels.
Doug & Lorna
5H Don't
know what this will accomplish, but better show first round control of
hearts. Probably in the most practiced of partnerships, pass would be the
best bid. Yes ,
Brings in forcing pass theory.
Allan Terplawy
5H
Partner needs a stiff heart and the QD or KS in addition to Ace of
spades for 7. So with that hand if
I bid 6 Clubs over the 5 Spade cue bid, partner should go to 7.
Len Racette
5C What
I can make opposite 1 control.
Partner should bid accordingly if he has additional controls.
O.K. what do the
“standard” bids mean 4NT & Dbl & pass. 4NT without a fit is
not Blackwood . The most common treatment for 4NT & 5NT in these
2♣ auctions are two suiters. The double is a 3 suiter or strong NT
hand . A pass & pull the double is stronger then bidding 5 initially
and as Maurice & Susan mention is a sneaky way of introducing Blackwood
. I pass and pull partners double or bid to 5♣ which should
mean I need almost nothing to make 6♣ after I passed originally. Use
the opponents to bring in forcing pass theory and you have an additional
understanding for partner . After passing and bidding 5♣ and partner
bids 6♣ you have also successfully used “blame transfer” in case you
go down J .
VOTES: 6♣ (2) 5♥ (3) 5♣ (3) P
(3)
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Problem
#: 6; Scoring: IMPS; Vul:
N/S; Dealer: North
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North
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East
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South
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West
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Pass
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Pass
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1
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2
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Dbl
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Pass
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Kiz Fung
3C Partner
tends to owe me another bid.
Doran Flock
3C I
discount my diamond K and bid only 3C. This could be wrong but I don't
think I am good enough for 4C so will take a chance.
Vince Lambert
3NT As
Peter Jones would say, in case it makes.
I need little more than the king of clubs for 3N but a lot for 5
clubs.
Tom Gandolfo
3D Don't
like 3nt. Don't need much for 6c. I always overbid on these hands.
Get that from playing with my Polish friend. Works for him. Sounds like I
want p to pick a major but I'll rebid 4c that should show this hand...
Stan Cabay
3C When we
open the bidding and the opponents "pre-empt” at the 2-level removing
our ability to make game invitations (as in 1D-2S-?, 1D-2S-Dble-P-?,
1D-P-1H-2S-?, 1D-1S-Dble-2S-?), it
is far more useful to give up the natural meaning of 2N and instead to use
it as Lebensohl. Then, after 1D-1S-Dble-2S, for example, 3C shows a minor
2-suiter with about 15-17 HCP's, 3D shows a 1-suiter equivalent to a jump
rebid, 3H is highly invitational to game, and so on. Weaker distributional
hands are shown by preceding your natural call with 2N requesting partner
to relay to 3C. So, then what is to
be done with a hand containing a stopper and invitational values when the
usual meaning of 2N is denied? We can sometimes make a DSIP double, or if
that is unavailable just take a shot at 3N hoping to bid and to play those
23-point games as well as Hamman or Meckwell. Notrump contracts are often
difficult to defend. In return, the accuracy in bidding suit contracts,
whether they be partials, games or slams, greatly improves. So, with the
current hand (not the best hand to illustrate my arguments since 2D is not
pre-emptive enough to exclude some invitational continuations), the direct
3C shows the equivalent of a jump rebid in 3C a reasonably good description. Without such an agreement,
everything is a guess; I might try 3N.
Vince Nowlan
3D Cue bid
followed by 3NT should show some uncertainty.
Hmm the “uncertain” Q bid . Yes I agree , this way of getting to 3NT
rather then a direct leap should show a broken club suit and needing club
help from partner. I always thought
the “uncertain” Q bid was a bid needed when playing with Osama . The Q bid
asks partner “do you have your bid or not ? “.
Maurice&Susan
3D If
partner bids 3 hearts I can raise to 4. If partner bids 3S I try 3NT. Club
suit is not solid enough to bid 3NT immediately.
Doug & Lorna
3NT Best
shot at game.
Allan Terplawy
3C
I'm taking the coward's approach on this hand. I held this hand in 1975 in San Jose and
went for 800 in four hearts doubled on a 5-1 break. Once bitten , twice shy .
Len Racette
3D A
tough one however 3D should give us the most options. I think partner is
4/4 in the majors and 3NT, 4H, and 5C are possible final spots.
Whenever you have
a solid or semi-solid minor you should try to steer the contract into 3NT .
If you do not try the 3NT route and jump in a minor bypassing 3NT it should
signal long but non solid clubs. I bid 4♣ and if partner has a 5 card
heart suit he may bid it and that’s happiness for me. Partner can pass the
invitational 4♣ bid so if he tries 4♠ , I will bid 5♣ knowing there is some club tolerance over
there. Like Gandolfo , I always
overbid these hands.
VOTES: 3NT
(2) 3♦ (4) 3♣ (4)
4♣(1)
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Problem
#: 7; Scoring: Matchpoints;
Vul: none; Dealer: South
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North
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East
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South
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West
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1
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Pass
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1NT
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2
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Kiz Fung
P Is this a
trick question? I would have opened the hand 1NT.
Doran Flock
P Double
is penalty oriented in direct seat, but I believe that is a bit unilateral.
I don't expect RHO to have 3 hts so we can start with a smooth heart ruff.
(interesting uppercut possibilities)
Vince Lambert
P Partner
is still there if they have a long minor.
No reason to think that we should be playing the hand.
Tom Gandolfo
Dbl I would
have opened 1nt so I wouldn't have this prob. Too much to pass..
Stan Cabay
P Partner
has at most 3 spades and we can assume not many hearts. So partner has
quite a few cards in the minors. Pass is a reasonable description of the
hand, underbidding by a point or two, for a change. I have an easy pass if
partner next doubles (DSIP), and a difficult decision if partner bids 2N
showing the minors.
Vince Nowlan
P just a
good opener
Maurice&Susan
3D Not a
perfect bid but keeps the auction open. Partner does not have spades and
double here is penalty. This
bid prevents partner from doubling which is what you want with your
defensive hand so you can convert.
Doug & Lorna
P Pass
for now. No other bid makes sense.
Allan Terplawy
P What
else?
Len Racette
P No
problem here.
I play D.S.I.P. doubles in this position with Tom
. I just show values and usually shortness in spades. If I had a trump
stack double , I am forced to pass and Tom would bend over backwards to
double with the appropriate hand. Even not having that understanding , in
matchpoints , I would gamble a penalty double with these defensive
values. Shortness in hearts and the spade 9 for an uppercut is all I need
and the more partner has we can get a bigger set. A double is not a command
for partner to pass . He will pull with unsuitable distributional hands and
that’s fine with me.
VOTES: P (8) 3♦ (1) Dbl (2)
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Problem
#: 8; Scoring: IMPS; Vul:
E/W; Dealer: South
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North
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East
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South
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West
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Pass
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1
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2
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3
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3
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4
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4
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5
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Pass
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Pass
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Dbl
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Pass
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Pass
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Pass
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What is your opening lead ?
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Kiz Fung
D3 I
wanted to lead a club. However, if
partner has clubs and hearts, and I have spades, then the trump lead must
be correct.
Doran Flock
SK Ptnr is
void of spades. double doesn't show clubs.
Vince Lambert
D3 Partner
has hearts and a good hand. Lead
trumps against hands that belong in partials. They are never setting up the spade suit, and I am betting
that partner can slow clubs down.
Besides I can't lead a spade as that is dummies suit, and Hoy would
never forgive me.
Tom Gandolfo
D3 lead
trump against partials
Stan Cabay
S5 If you
want partner to continue playing brilliantly, we had better beat this one,
if we can. The vulnerable opponents have bid 5D from strength, which leaves
very little for partner outside of hearts. So what is partner doing
doubling with so little defense except to steer you into the right opening
lead (known as the "out-of-the-blue" double, an extension of the
Lightner double). Partner wants neither a diamond or heart lead! When
partner ruffs dummy's spade ace (time to exhale!), you can be sure that
your choice of lead will be construed as suit preference (after all,
partner knows that you diagnosed the spade situation). If it is a high
spade, and partner has a second diamond, a small heart will be returned
from any holding, which may not work well. The spade 5 rather than the K is
the correct lead, at the significant risk of giving declarer a cheap trick,
so as to avoid the far greater risk of a disastrous subsequent underlead in
hearts (in an attempt to get you in for a second ruff). For the bidding to
make sense, lefty could hold something like Axxxxx,x,AQ,,KJxx and righty
something like xx,Qxx,KJ109xx,Ax. Partner gets squeezed after the more
natural trump opening lead when declarer counters with a heart from dummy
and subsequently runs diamonds.
Vince Nowlan
D3 A man of few words
Maurice&Susan
D3 If
partner is looking for a spade ruff the opponents have cleverly avoided
their 8 Card fit. I have spades and hearts, partner has hearts and clubs. Frank
Stewart is telling me to lead trump!
Doug & Lorna
D3
Diamond, but the 5 not the 3. Want to cut down on cross ruffs.
Allan Terplawy
SK
Want to lead the D3 but partner will probably yell at me. And I'm far too fragile for that Agreed
Len Racette
SK In
case west was 6/4 in the pointies and partner is void in spades. I don't think our round tricks will
disappear. Nope
O.K. what does the double mean ? Although the opponents are vul and we
are not , it appears nobody owns this hand . Forcing pass theory does not
apply here so partners double should just show “cards” and he wants
me to do something intelligent re bidding 5♥ or passing. I think the opponents are on a 6-4 ♦ fit so with my 3 diamonds
its more likely partner is void in diamonds then in spades. Partner
probably has the Club & Heart Ace and wants to sacrifice if I do not
have defense and pass if I do . With my values in spades , a pass is an
easy choice. Now for my lead . With partners double , there is an implication
the opponents are bidding on distributional values . I have their main suit
locked up so lets start cutting down ruffs with a trump lead . Club or
heart tricks are not going away
anywhere with partners double after he bid game. This is not an auction for
lead directing doubles. I am not familiar with the nuances of “out of the
blue” doubles although I have played with partners who have doubled after
drinking too much “Labatts Blue”.
VOTES: ♠K (3) ♦3 (7) ♠5 (1)
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