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DEC 2004 ALBERTA BIDDING CLUB
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Problem #:
1; Scoring: Matchpts; Vul: N/S; 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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Pass
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1NT
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?
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Duncan Smith
2S Seems best to show hearts & a minor
now , strength shown on next round. To start with double will complicate
the auction for partner.
Kiz Fung
2S Strong Michaels. Over their 4
spades, I'm bidding 5 clubs
Vince Lambert
2C I intend to bid both my suits, although
I may have to use 4N to show hearts if the bidding gets high before it gets
back to me. This auction is not
dying here. Too
much of a gamble to depend on the opponents to describe this hand , in my opinion .
Tom Gandolfo
Dbl start with dbl. rest will depend on
what opps. do. or what pard does???
Raymond Grace
2C - There is no need to panic here. 2C is
not going to get passed out. When I get to bid again I can bid 2H and 3H.
Partner will get the picture.6-5 with good playing strength. The other
benifit is when it goes 3D or 4H then I get to bid 4H and over 4S I bid 5H.
The danger in doubling is that partner leaves it in with AJT9 void Axx
xxxxxx. Now you miss the grand. :-)
Doug & Lorna
2S 2 Spades, Michaels....the best way to
decribe the hand. Won't stop short of game.
Vince Nowlan
2S This deal could be a big misfit, since
no spade raise by East.
2♠ Toyed with doubling but the 6th club
swung me to the strong Michaels bid. Why a double ? With only 5 clubs I
would double as the defensive tricks could contribute nicely to partners
possible plans to punish them. If you can describe your hand in one bid or
the hand fits your conventional toy , its usually best to use it.
VOTES
: 2♣ (2)
Dbl (1) 2♠ (5)
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Problem #:
2; Scoring: Matchpts; Vul:
Both; 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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1♥
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2♣
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2♥
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?
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Duncan Smith
Dbl Penalty double , looking for the magic
200. Partner"s passing will be excellent , pulling , especially via
2nt (long clubs , diamond tolerance) would also be welcomed. Passing feels
too pessimistic.
Kiz Fung
P Partner owes me a bid... I don't like
my hand in this auction Agreed , auction can not die. We cheer for the
re-opening double.
Vince Lambert
P I have a minimum with no fit for
partner. I could double trying for 200 to 800 but no guarantee that is right
and I think double should be a strong suggestion to partner not to bid
again.
Tom Gandolfo
2S Let pard decide what to do. need
diamond fit for nt.
Raymond Grace
Dbl DOUBLE - I hope this is cooperative. I
expect partner to pass with good C short D and 2 or 3 hearts. I Trust partner to rebid 3c with xxx x
xxx qjt9xx. Now let them get to 3H.
Doug & Lorna
P Pass. Nothing more to say at this
point.
Vince Nowlan
Dbl Since we don't seem to have a game, try
for 200.
Pass
According to the book an opener is 13-14 HCP with 2 1/2 quick tricks . This is exactly what I have so
let partner be captain of this auction. Partner did not negative double so
4 spades in his hand is unlikely. By bidding , I destroy one of my options which is to convert his
re-opening double. If his points are all in clubs , I would like to convert
the double . Say Qxx x xxx AKJxxx he should re-open with a double . I will
convert. Bidding 3♣ is
redundant so a re-opening double by partner is descriptive as a passed hand
and says Do Something Intelligent Partner.
Votes :
P (4) Dbl (3) 2♠ (1)
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Problem #:
3; Scoring: Matchpoints; Vul:
NS; 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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Dble
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XX
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?
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Duncan Smith
2C I'll show clubs now , spades
later if convenient. To bid 1 spade now probably buries the club suit , but
not vice-versa. Second choice would be 3 clubs.
Kiz Fung
1S Too many points in this deck
Vince Lambert
P What is going on here, way too many
points in this deck. I expect West to run and if not partner will bid the
lowest major he can play. I might bid 2D at the table to let partner in on
the joke but cant here as it is not in my bid box.
Tom Gandolfo
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Not making any of those
suggestions. Bidding 2d.When pard bids 2h, i'll bid 3c. should show five or
six c and four spades likely short in hearts and around 8 pts. My hand is
almost as good as everyone else's. Playing against three Willards(local
joke). Sorry
about the missing 2♦ bid . I just did not think of it . Damn , I thought I
was infallible.
Raymond Grace
2C I will follow this with a 2S bid if I
am able to do so. Partnerships need to have a clear agreement as to what
PASS means. I play PASS is penalty. This treatment is alertable.
Doug & Lorna
2S There was more than the usual
discussion about this hand. Doug says, clearly, 2 Spades. I would bid 2
clubs, then spades later if I got the chance. Hate being in the middle of a he said - she said
scenario . However , the majority of the expert Bridge World panel bid
2♣ saying 2♠
was pre-emptive after a redouble.
Vince Nowlan
P Lots of points in this deck. We should
land in a black suit eventually, but best to wait until opponents are in
doubling mode.
2♣ The panel figured out this problem
quickly. I am supposed to have zero HCP's on this auction. I have 8 HCP so
how do I tell partner somebody is lying ? Immediate bids over a redouble (
jumping or not ) show nothing. Pass and bidding again shows values. I
decide to combine both options . I will bid 2♣ and back in 2♠ when they bid again. I did not think of a Q bid .
A Q bid may say I think somebody is psyching , partner ???
VOTES : 2♣ (3) 2♦ (1) P
(2)
1♠
(1) 2♠ (1)
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Problem #:
4; Scoring: IMPS; Vul:
Both; 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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2♣
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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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2♠
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Pass
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3♦
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Pass
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?
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Duncan Smith
3S Best I can do with this potential
slam hand. Will pull 3nt to 4 diamonds. May prefer 3d on round 2 vs. 2d.
Kiz Fung
3S Cue bid. If partner bids 3NT, I bid 4C.
I want to hear the heart control
Vince Lambert
3S Partner has shown a stiff spade, so I
am willing to cooperate in a slam search.
I will bid 5D over 4 clubs to key in on the heart suit. Not sure where my three spades will go
on a diamond lead but will worry about that when and if I get to six. Hopefully
partner has decent clubs that I can set up or the ace of diamonds so that I
can score the ruffs quickly.
Tom Gandolfo
5D Hope I don't get a diamond lead. If
pards hand is that great he'll bid again.
Raymond Grace
4D RKC for D. Partner has better than a
3NT rebid. Lets see if partner has 3 key cards or 1. I will try 6D opposite
2 KEYS. If he has 1 KEY, 5 D is our speed. My partner is going to be 2425
or 1426. The advantage of bidding 4D as RKCD is to be able to tell partner
that we have all the keys when he has magic and play in 5D opposite 1 key.
What is partner to do with xx axxx ax akqxxx and you jump to 5D. Bid 1 for
the road?
Doug & Lorna
4D 4 Diamonds. Seeking a Heart cuebid.
Vince Nowlan
3S Pard should have a stiff spade, but I
need to hear a Heart cue bid from him to consider slam.
5♦ Agree with Gandolfo ( go figure ) . Can
not bid 4♦ as its KCB and too aggressive with a void in
partners suit. 5♣ exclusion Blackwood should be attempted only with
the most expert partnership. A 5♦ bid is not perfect but partner may get the
message I am long in diamonds and very short in clubs for not going
slower. Fast arrival still alive and well in some auctions.
VOTES: 5♦ (2) 3♠ (4) 4♦
(2)
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Problem #:
5; Scoring: Matchpoints; 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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1♠
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Pass
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1NT
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2♥
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4♦
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Pass
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5♣
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Pass
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?
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Duncan Smith
P Believe partner has clubs , not a cue
for diamonds. Need reverse round suits to bid the club slam. Why 4d instead
of 3d at our second turn?
Kiz Fung
P My hand sure went downhill
quickly.
Vince Lambert
P I showed a big hand already, pard is
not cuebidding in support of my suits with no control in three suits. He has a bunch of clubs. Wondering why I
gave myself this headache, why didnt I bid 3H over 2H, then I could bid 4D
over 4C or 3N, and know that we were on the right track.
Tom Gandolfo
5H Help pard out, show the heart control.
May be all we need for a grand.
Raymond Grace
5D - NICE BIDDING - what
was the matter with 3D? If partner cannot bid over 3D maybe we are high
enough. 4D is a splinter in support of your own Spades. What would you do
with Akqjxxxx a5 x xxx? this is clearly the time to splinter in support of
your own suit. Now 5C is a cubid showing slam interest.4C in this sequence
is just looking for a minus. The last time I saw a similar sequence the 5C
bidder had x xxx x AKxxxxxx.it went 1S P 1N 3D 4H P 5C P 5H with the 55 -- 5C made
Doug & Lorna
5H
Cuebid 5 Hearts and await developments.
Vince Nowlan
P If a bid can be natural, it is. My
clubs aren't good enough to try 6.
5♥ A partnership should have certain
default understandings to distinguish a suit from a Q bid. My default for a
Q bid is the 4 level & beyond and also after partner has shown a strong
one suited or two suited hand. 1♠-P-1NT-P
3♥-P-4♣
is a Q bid simply from the understanding that it is at the 4 level (
3 level natural ) . 1♥-P-1♠-P 3♥-P-4♦- 4♦ is a Q bid both by partner showing a long good
suit rule and the 4 level rule. In this hand , opener can be 6-6 in the spades & diamonds . He is not
interested in your silly club suit. If your club suit is that long, bid 5♣ over 1♠ or cheat on your 2/1 !!! Tom & I play
2♣ 2/1 & then 3♣
rebid non forcing because of auctions like this one !!
VOTES: 5♦ (1) 5♥ (3)
P (4)
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Problem #:
6; Scoring: IMPS; Vul:
Both; 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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2♦
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3♠
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4♥
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4♠
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?
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Duncan Smith
P If I had to guess a final contract ,
I'd guess 6h , but a forcing pass involves partner , giving us a better
chance of bidding a cold grand. Will pull in the unlikely event that
partner doubles. A mediocre solution to a difficult problem.
Kiz Fung
P With a partner I trust I pass. This is a forcing auction. I am pulling
partner's double to 5 hearts, the strongest I can make to invite slam.
Vince Lambert
5H If and it is a big if , the opps can
be trusted pard should have a stiff spade with long hearts. Partner bid 4H freely so this should
have a play. Unlike the previous hand, here where partner has shown long
hearts, 5C should be a cuebid and not an attempt to improve the
contract. However I would want to
be playing with a very familiar partner before trotting that bid out.
Tom Gandolfo
5H Everyone has different ideas on this
one. I think if I think we can make five , pard might look at his spade
control and diamond king and bid six. I think six diamonds by him should
show spade ace and king wanting me to decide where to place the
contract.????
Raymond Grace
P PASS - this is forcing. I expect
partner to x with 2-3 Spades and bid with a stiff S. My pass implies Heart
support similar to what I have. Over 5D or 5H I will bid 6C and then 6H.
Doug & Lorna
5C The best bid would be to put out the
stop card and bid 5 Hearts to ask about a spade control. However, will have
to settle for 5 Clubs. Clever use of
the stop card !!
Vince Nowlan
P Invites 5H or 5D. Not sure that pass
is right if pard doubles but I will anyway.
5♥ It is trivial for an expert panel like
this one to know that this is a forcing pass auction . What is not trivial
is judging which forcing pass option to take. There is a pecking order in forcing
pass theory based on the strength of the hand. The order is thus : double
is the weakest saying do not bid as I am weak or do not fit you or have too
many losers in their suit. A pass & leaving the double in is the next
weakest bid . The pass says I do not mind offensive action if I had my
druthers. Next is the direct bid . It says I think we can make this
contract , partner. A Q bid is next on the totem pole. This is obviously a
slam try. The biggest hand of all is shown by the pass and pull which is
normally a grand slam try ( please Q bid for 7 ) .
I was close to the Deschner’s Q
bid but I felt I needed a 3rd heart. I hate the double or pass because the
opponents have broadcast a possible 7-3-2-1 distribution in spades. You
know what that means - a singleton in partners hand. I do not want to leave
the double in with my controls. A pass and pull is too steep for this hand
so its down to a Q bid or a direct bid for me .
VOTES: 5♥ (3) 5♣ (1) P (4)
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Problem #:
7; Scoring: IMPS; Vul:
none; Dealer: East
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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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Pass
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Dbl
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2♥
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?
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Duncan Smith
3NT Giving up on a possible (new scoring)
penalty , & bidding what I think we can make.
Kiz Fung
Dbl I like to play that a double in this
circumstance shows a trap pass of the first bid suit. Yup
!
Vince Lambert
Dbl East has a big two suiter but he will
have to play out of his hand. They
likely have only seven hearts between them and the opps may well retreat to
2 spades which will make me real happy. I double and lead trumps. Sorry
Peter Jones, I know -470 is a lousy number.
If they make this one ,
partner better brush up on his balancing doubles.
Tom Gandolfo
3NT Pard may be a little light but looks
like the cards should be sitting great.
Spade cards anyway .
Raymond Grace
Dbl Double and lead the HK. I am not sure
that we have game but if partner passes they are in a 7 card Heart fit with
3 S losers and assorted other losers. Double also confirms the Spade trap.
Doug & Lorna
2N 2 NT if they lead a heart. 3 NT on a
spade lead. Soft values, don't want to hang partner.
Vince Nowlan
2N Pard should have 4 hearts, but may only
have 10 HCP's. Against some opponents, trying for a big penalty would be
automatic. I assume in this forum that opponents are solid bidders! Yes
, your assumption is correct. The opponents are solid bidders because most
of the "semi-solid" bidders are on this panel J
Double
. This confirms the spade trap and right sides the NT
contract. The double does not demand partner to pass. Partner must do something intelligent by
leaving the double in with the appropriate number of hearts and pull to NT without
suitable hearts . I will bid 3NT over partners 2NT and lead the heart king
if he converts. Partner playing the NT might mean the difference between
success and failure with a heart lead by the opponents.
VOTES: 3NT (2) 2NT (2) Dbl (4)
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Problem #:
8; Scoring: Matchpoints; Vul:
Both; Dealer: East
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North
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East
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South
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West
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1NT
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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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3♥
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Pass
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4♥
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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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Duncan Smith
D2 A diamond combines safety &
aggression. A spade is impossibly bad , hate stiff trump , & if partner's
clubs are good enough to warrant that lead , he might (small inference)
have doubled Stayman.
Kiz Fung
H7 I don't like leading from a stiff trump,
however, in a invitational auction, I really don't want to be too
aggressive.
Vince Lambert
C2 They have marginal values and are
running into a 4-1 trump break. I am on a guess as to partners minor suit
holding, but this is least likely to give away a trick, and may be most
effective to get the tap going.
Tom Gandolfo
H7 Let them find everything. Pard might
not like this lead though. No , I do not J
Raymond Grace
H7 Heart 7 - Normally is wrong to lead a
trump against 44 fits but they staggered into 4H and all of my points are sitting
obver the NT bidder. I believe that any trick lost by the lead will be
regained when partner gets in to lead another trump. This may be the only
lead to beat the contract.
Doug & Lorna
H7 Sounds like they're stretching. Hope
the trump lead will give the least amount away.
Vince Nowlan
C2 Pard has 4 or 5 HCP which could be
anywhere. Since I hate singleton trump leads, I'll try the suit that needs
least from partner.
Invitational auction
so a passive lead is called for . Hopefully partner will lead out of turn
and they condone it. Failing that ,
I lead the diamond 8. Stiff trump leads are not passive. Hooks
partner out his J9xx 4th every time . Why the 8 of diamonds ? A little bit
of deception in case they have most of the diamonds and hooks partner for
his queen again.
VOTES : ♣2 (2) ♥7 (4) ♦2 (1) ♦8 (1)
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