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APR 2005 ALBERTA BIDDING CLUB
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Problem #:
1; Scoring: IMPS; Vul: None; 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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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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3♦
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Pass
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3NT
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Pass
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?
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Doran Flock
4C Will
make aggressive bid based on 3 controls and good diamond fit. Not positive
about ptnr's 3 club bid ... it sounds like they are 2 1 6 4. If they are,
then KQ 6th, A of clubs and a black king = 6 or 7 diamonds.
Tom Gandolfo
4D I
suppose six could be in danger on a diamond lead but I'm giving it one more
shot. Pulling partners 3NT
to his minor is KCB correct ?
Duncan Smith
4D At least
one more try for slam. Partner can bid 4nt(not blackwood) if not
interested. Sympathy with the direct pragmatic bid of 6 diamonds.
Vince Nowlan
P I've
shown at most a stiff club, and partner wants to play 3NT. Not sure 5
diamonds is even cold.
Kiz Fung
4C Partner
has shown a weak 6-4. With xx, x, KQxxxx, Axxx, and a non-trump lead, slam
has possibilities. I want partner to cue bid a major suit control. If partner bids 4D(not keycard!), I will
sign off in 5 diamonds.
Vince Lambert
4D Partners
failure to bid 2 NT over 2 spades suggests that the club stopper is not
very robust. Since I have all the
aces it is not surprising that partner is unwilling to move past 3N. He is very likely to hold a 3163 hand
(no 3 Heart bid) which will play very well across from this so I am willing
to seek a slam
Stan Cabay
4C Why did
partner not bid 2N or 3N on the previous round? Partner’s 3C followed by 3N
means partner is either making a mild slam try with something like
Kx,xx,KQxxxx,Axx or is trying to right side a NT contract with Axx in clubs
opposite Qx in my hand, say. (With a minor suit fit or no fit the first
priority below 3N should be to probe for a NT contract; it therefore makes
sense to use a bid of the fourth suit as directional showing a partial
stopper (Jxx, or better)). In either case, the ruffs in clubs make a
diamond contract preferable to a NT one. 4C is an unambiguous Q-bid showing
first or second round control; the rest is up to partner.
Doug & Lorna
4D Partner
has a weak 6-4. I'll give him one last chance to show some life .
Ray Grace
4D RKC by
my methods. Partner appears to be 2164 with a bad hand. The Club holding
may be wasted. We need to determine if partner has Kx x KQxxxx Axxx or
something worse. I do not like 3NT on a Heart lead. A trump lead might beat
7D but likley we can come to 2D 8D 2H and C on a trump lead. The diamond J
and 9 are important cards.The problem is going to be whether we also have a
S loser. Can partner have Kxxx x KQJxxx Kx. If so we will get a 4H response
to 4D and then we will bid 4S. The
problem is will partner bid 6 Spades over 4S with the KQxx of Spades?
4♦ Partner can have a bad hand
for you with horrible duplication of value in clubs which gives 6♦ no play. But what does it
hurt to explore with 4♦ KCB ?
4NT has to make with this diamond support if we get a bad response from
partner. Not making one try and just giving up undermines the usefulness of
KCB as a bidding tool. You bid 4♦ and
hear 5♣ which is two aces with the queen of trump. 6♦ should now be a baby slam.
All the ugly responses are at the 4 level ! One Ace is not enough to you
sign off in 4NT . No Aces of course is not enough and if partner bids 4NT
it is two Aces without the queen. This is the coin toss decision which I
would probably pass due to the likelihood of duplication of values in
clubs. Why be totally pessimistic and pass 3NT when you have such a great
tool at your disposal ?
VOTES: 4♣ (3) P (1) 4♦ (6)
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Problem #:
2; 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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1♥
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1♠
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2♥
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2♠
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?
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Doran Flock
Dbl Will make
mild game try with a double. my distro. isn't great, but my points look
well placed and ptnr probably has a doubleton spade.
Tom Gandolfo
3H This
depends on what you are playing. if not playing support dbls. I will
dbl. Good logic . if partner
has only 3 trump ,the option to pass the double is big when you play the
double as penalty orientated.
Duncan Smith
Dbl In the
words of our wonderful director , D.S.I.P. This is "our hand"
& double is the best way to let partner know that. I'll be crushed if
this bid is not endorsed by Mr. Crosby.
Dammit . One season on the
panel and Duncan has me pegged.
Vince Nowlan
P Pass.
Since 3 of a minor game try isn't allowed by the moderator, I guess I'll
just pass. I don't play support doubles, so partners 2H bid could be made
on three hearts. Some might play a double to show this cheese, but not me! Yes , when partner is not allowed to pull your
type of doubles , I agree J.
Kiz Fung
4H A bit
aggressive, but it looks like my cards are working.
Vince Lambert
4H Partner
has at most 2 Spades so at IMPs I get to game. Happy enough to double if they sacrifice. Another plus is that we might get a
sacrifice even when game is not making.
Stan Cabay
Dbl If we
do not play support X’s (so partner may have only 3 hearts), the double is
not penalty, but rather it is competitive (DSIP, if you will). It shows
extra values with reasonably good defensive prospects and no clear
direction about what to do. It denies a trump stack, instead promising 2 or
3. If we do play support X’s (so partner shows 4 hearts), I like the X to
mean that they took away your bid in whatever game try methods we use. Interesting nuance.
Doug & Lorna
4H I assume
support doubles. Should have a play for game here.
Ray Grace
Dbl Double
Clearly not penalty but suggests this balances 11 count. Partner may be in
a position to pass or revaluate their 1453 shape and bid game. Consider the
rock that partner needs to make 4H with a 2443 shape - Say we have 2 Spade
, then we need 8 winners out of the remaining 9 tricks. Plus 300 may be the
speed of the hand.
DBL As Duncan & Doran point out , a double
in this particular auction is D.S.I.P. and a game try rolled into one bid.
It can not be trump stack so it should just show the balance of power HCP
type of double. Its like making a game try 3♥ bid as opposed to a competitive
3♥ bid.
VOTES: 4♥ (3) P (1) Dbl (5) 3♥ (1)
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Problem #:
3; 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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Pass
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Pass
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1♠
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Dbl
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4♠
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Pass
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Pass
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Dbl
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Pass
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?
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Doran Flock
4NT I don't
get good results passing on these auctions. So I bid, showing a 2 suiter ...
will pull 5C to 5D showing diamonds and hearts. Possibly we are cold for
slam ... I could pull this bid with less. I am not going to bid 6 ... maybe
ptnr will?
Tom Gandolfo
5H I play
this as showing values. Expect to make
Yes , 4NT as Lebensohl is
a handy tool.
Duncan Smith
4NT I like
to take out partner's t.o. doubles. 4nt best option , saying 2 places to
play. Will pass 5 of either red suit , correct 5 clubs to 5 diamonds. I
used to pass this hand , but experience has told me passing is wrong.
Vince Nowlan
P EW may be
on a nine-card fit; even with a 10-card spade fit, the Law of Total Tricks
indicates a pass. (eighteen total trumps, if we make a 5 level contract,
they will be down three in 4S)
Kiz Fung
5H If
partner is 1-4-4-4, I want to decide on the contract. Second choice is 4NT
(but I am a hand hog)
Vince Lambert
P No
assurance we can make 5 even though we may be cold for 6, pre-empts
work. If I chose to bid it would be
4N, correcting 5C to 5D to allow partner to pick from the reds.
Stan Cabay
P Although
partner has good hand, the 5-level may not be safe. For example, 5H might
go down if partner is protecting with something like x,AKxx,AQxx,Kxxx and
diamonds break badly. I’ll take a plus, which may be substantial. With a
truly great hand or a void in spades, partner might have tried 4N which
according to standard conventions is a 3-suited takeout; reserving 4N to
show a 2-suiter is redundant here assuming Michaels and 2N unusual could
have been deployed earlier with big hands.
Doug & Lorna
4NT Looks
right to bid. I'll pull clubs to diamonds to show hearts too. This should
show a stronger hand than just bidding 5.
Ray Grace
P Pass
This is often a tank at the table followed by a tentative of 5H or 5D.
Partner rates to be 1453 or 1444 or worse.
If one applies the law of total tricks then we have 8 trump and they
have 10 so 18 trumps. If we can take 11 tricks they can take 7 so 4 Spades
rates to go down 3 if we can make 5 and 2 if we are going down at the 5
level.
Pass Partner is the clue to this
hand. if partner had an extremely offensive hand , he would force you to
bid with a 4NT call rather than a double. Partner is just announcing
extra HCP’s with his double. You have a defensive flat hand as
opposed to an offensive one. No guarantee that you make anything at the 5
level with your 4 card suits. Pass and take your plus.
VOTES: 5♥ (2) P (5)
4NT (3)
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Problem #:
4; Scoring: Match Points; Vul:
None; Dealer: West
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♠AQJ87
♥
♦A85432
 AJ
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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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1♠
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Pass
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2♥
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Pass
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?
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Doran Flock
2S Can't
bid 3D natural, so will underbid 2S. 2H doesn't guarantee spade tolerance.
Tom Gandolfo
3S I really
don't know how to show this hand so i'll be waiting for the panels help on
this one. Diamonds could very well be our best fit if west opened a 4432.
4h may still be the right game.
Duncan Smith
P If there
is a plus score available , this is probably the last chance. Expect pard
to be able to single in some small hearts , cards that would be useless in
any other contract. Thinking is an overbid. If my system says 2 hearts is
forcing , it's time for a new system. A system that plays
non forcing rescues for overcalls should be alerted.
Vince Nowlan
2NT A
minimum rebid even though I have extra values, since there is no obvious
source of tricks.
Kiz Fung
2S
Matchpoints and a misfit, means keep this auction as low as
possible. Yes , there is a time for even overbidders to underbid.
Vince Lambert
2S OK, who
put the board on the table backwards again. I only know how to bid the
south cards. This bid feels ridiculous but at matchpoints the key is to go
plus. On this misfit I will go very
slowly. Partner did not have enough for a 1 Heart call so must have some
spade tolerance.
Stan Cabay
2NT
Assuming 2H is forcing, I have to bid something. Since 1S doesn’t
show much at this vulnerability at matchpoints, 2S now is way too much of
an underbid (even though this might be the last chance for a plus score).
2N probably won’t make if partner passes, but partner might bid again. If
2H were non-forcing showing a long heart suit, I would take a deep breath
and pass (pluses are paramount in matchpoints)!
Doug & Lorna
2S Object
to 1S. Pass followed by spade bid would show this hand. I've boxed myself
into a corner with no good bid available. Agreed . That is an
excellent understanding to have J
Ray Grace
2S If my D2 was the S2 this would not be a problem.
Now I can bid 3N over and non Spade raise. If partner shows a fit and
Diamond shortness then we may have slam but it will be tough unless partner
has 3 very good Spades or solid hearts.
2NT Obviously no right bid on this hand. I do
play 2♥ forcing one round after an overcall so I must come up with
something. I want to make a bid that tells partner I not impressed with
hearts but I do have HCP’s so I make the “best lie” of 2NT. There is no bid
invented that shows 6 of the opponents suit. I like the Deschner’s
treatment for this hand.
VOTES: P (1) 3♠ (1) 2♠ (5) 2NT (3)
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Problem #:
5; Scoring: Matchpoints; Vul:
E/W ; 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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Pass
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Pass
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1♥
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?
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Doran Flock
Dbl Try to take
advantage of vulnerability. Would like better hearts but have good hand
strength.
Tom Gandolfo
1NT Pard
has diamonds so this just shows 15-18 range and flat hand. if they bid
again he'll know what to do.
Duncan Smith
1NT A
forcing pass would be great , but pass here is NOT FORCING. 1nt feels like
a good description. Would pass with same hand missing spade queen &
club king.
Vince Nowlan
3NT Looks
like partner accepted the 1D bid out of turn because he had a diamond trap;
unfortunately our agreements don't put a lower limit on that action. Now EW
may have found a nine-card fit, so I don't expect a big set in 1HX. 3NT
because it's matchpoints, even though 5D is likely the safest (maybe only)
game.
Kiz Fung
3NT I am
pretty sure that I can make 3NT. I don't want to gamble that I can set a 1
level contract 2 tricks to get a top when I only have 3 trump.
Vince Lambert
Dbl
Partners expects three hearts but not this strenght. It will be impossible for partner to
reopen with a double with only two so I will chose to defend against vul
opps.
Stan Cabay
Dbl Hoping
for 500, but 200 might be sufficient. Must go for the jugular in
matchpoints when the opportunity presents itself. I prefer pass if this is
forcing (my choice), suggesting defense and requesting partner’s input.
Doug & Lorna
P I hope
this forcing, although not clear. Will q bid later if partner reverts to
diamonds then 3 NT. According to classic forcing pass theory it is not. ( Bridge
World )
Ray Grace
Dbl Double
I have extras, partner can evaluate their had knowing that I have an above
average hand. Sometimes partner is 1462 and wants to play 1 Heart doubled.
More likely partner will retreat to NT and I can raise. All finesses appear
to be onside if partner can get to their hand.
Dbl As Duncan points out , partner
converting the double does not turn on forcing passes. Therefore , I must
do something now. The vulnerability and matchpoint game leads me to make
the more swingy bid of a double rather than a sane number of any
denomination of NT bids. At least partner has another chance to bid and may
pull the double to some number of diamonds if his hand not suited for a one
level penalty.
VOTES: 3NT (2) P
(1) 1NT (2) Dbl (5)
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Problem #:
6; Scoring: IMPS; 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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5♦
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Dbl
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Pass
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5♥
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Pass
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5♠
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Dbl
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?
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Doran Flock
6H Ptnr has
6 (or 5) spades and a couple or so diamonds which leaves them with 5 (or 6)
cards in my suits. Double is highly unusual, and I'm inclined to believe
them. I think ptnr must have some heart tolerance to have doubled 5D so I
bid 6H, passing up club suit which just doesn't look right, particularly if
we need a couple of diamond ruffs and hearts never get set up. Look at the
bright side, 6H might make!
Tom Gandolfo
6C I think
he has a big black hand so I'm bailing out to clubs. prob.5125 or 5215. If
not I'll take the heat. Wouldn't be the first time, right Piotr ?
Duncan Smith
P Pass.
Predicting a unanimous panel is historically suicidal , so I won't. In my
humble opinion , to do other than pass is playing superman , not
partnership bridge.
Vince Nowlan
6C I
expect two suits from partner; I don't have enough to jump.
Kiz Fung
P I
really want to bid 6 clubs, but I hate scrambling at the 6 level. Partner
can't have great spades, because (s)he did not overcall directly, but
partner does not promise clubs either. So, toss a coin and take our
lumps.
Vince Lambert
6C We are
in trouble, partner has guessed wrong to compete over 5D. Partner can not have only spades as that
would have fetched 5 or 6 Spades initially. I intend to run back to my seven card suit when doubled but
wishful thinking maybe someone will forget to double.
Stan Cabay
6C Sounds
like partner has a black 2-suiter and righty the majors. In that case, 6C
should play 2 or 3 tricks better than 5S (surely, they would lead a trump
against 5S). How much strength does the X of 5D promise? I expect great
variations in agreements even among the experts.
Doug & Lorna
P I think
I've shown my hand and may well take a couple of tricks for partner. That’s what Kokish did when the hand was played.
Ray Grace
Pass Partner has some good hand and may even raise
Hearts but I have 2 trump and a void. Spades may be 6520 but I cannot
imagine making 6C even if I envision partner being 6 1 2 4. I am not sure
that 6C will be any better than 5S doubled> The short trump hand is ruffing
Diamonds.
5NT When you are in trouble , a bid of NT is
a “scrambling NT” . Bid initially it normally means I have a couple of
suits so lets start scrambling to find our best fit. A belated
scrambling NT bid means my first suit is much longer than my other suit a
6-4 or a 7-4. Using a Vince Nowlan expression , this is what I have. This
is a real hand from a Kokish/Nagy disaster . Partner is AKxxxx Ax xx AQx
and 6♥ with a 3-1 break has a chance ( black suit squeeze ) for one
down ( 2-2 a chance to make ) . 5♠X got beat up pretty badly with the spade queen lead ( -800 ).
VOTES: 6♣ (4) P (4) 6♥
(1) 5NT (1)
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Problem #:
7; Scoring: Matchpts; 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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1♠
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Dbl
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3♠
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?
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Doran Flock
Dbl Start
with double, don't expect ptnr to pass but it is okay if they do. Looking
for 5 card heart suit from ptnr, otherwise will bid 5C.
Tom Gandolfo
4C Four
hearts could work but I'm not bidding it yet. Pard can bid diamonds if he is
still in game somewhere, then I'll try hearts. could very well have a club
slam but you won't get there if you don't bid clubs.
Duncan Smith
4H 4
hearts. A good Moysian. May miss some slams, but 4 hearts takes all
pressure off partner. 3nt is a very sick bid , double is too scientific in
a non science situation.
Vince Nowlan
Dbl I
think this shows extra with 3 hearts - just what I have.
Kiz Fung
Dbl
Responsive, double should show this hand
Vince Lambert
4H It's
matchpoints and the 4-3 should play nicely, if partner holds a club
card. If not there is no reason
partner can't hold 5 or more hearts with a weaker hand.
Stan Cabay
4H What
does X mean here? When the opponents show a 10 or 11 card fit, we are
unlikely to have a trump stack. So, it must show extra values (cards). What
about length in partner’s suit? The X could show (1) some length in
partner’s suit as with this hand, uncertainly about the correct
denomination (the DSIP double again), and be highly takeout suggestive; or,
(2) shortage in partner’s suit as with Ax,x,KQxx,AKxxxx and be very
suggestive of defense. You can’t have it both ways; a partnership must
decide. I prefer the latter agreement since otherwise there is no bid
available to describe the defensive hands as in the example above. Then,
with an offensive hand as in the current problem I must do something else.
I choose 4H since this provides the greatest reward if it makes; the
Moysian should play well.
Doug & Lorna
Dbl I do
have a good hand,can't commit to final contract. Hate to bid a see partner
with club shortage, a spade piece where they're going for 800 and we can't
make the time of day . Yes , doubles are a very
very versatile bid.
Ray Grace
Double I have a good Hand Partner cannot play me
for Spades and may bid 3NT. I think that I am suggesting that I have 3
Hearts and a desire to compete,. Sometimes partner looks at his Kqj9 of
spades ad passes. People preempt on crap these days.
DBL Good analysis by Stan on the meaning of
his treatment for a double. My understanding of a double over an opponents
jump raise is that it is offensive in nature ( all D.S.I.P. doubles
suggest bidding whereas penalty doubles do not ) . It means I have HCP’s
and mild support for partners suit or suits. The double is better than
4♣ in my opinion in that it describes my HCP’s right away and gives
partner the option to pass with a stiff club and some wastage in spades.
Tom Gandolfo is right in that you may miss a club slam , but a double is
the most flexible bid as you get to a red suit fit or partner
converting for penalty.
VOTES: 4♥ (3) 4♣ (1) Dbl (6)
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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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1♣
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Pass
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1♠
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Pass
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4♦*
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Pass
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4NT
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Pass
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5♠
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Pass
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6♠
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Pass
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Pass
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Pass
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?
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* splinter
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What
is your opening lead ?
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Doran Flock
S8 They splinter, I lead trump to try and reduce
diamond ruffs.
Tom Gandolfo
S8 Cut down
on the crossruff.
Duncan Smith
HJ M-P's
Diamond Q to (a)hold the overtrick (b)confuse partner (who holds a blizzard)IMPS
Heart Jack looks as good as anything. I'll be amazed if there is a lead to
beat 6 spades. I've always been weak on opening leads, so I'm keen to hear
what's best , & why.
Vince Nowlan
CQ Since
partner again accepted a bid out of turn, I expect a club trap! Not a spade
lead since it could give up a trick, (dummy has two Key Cards and the Spade
Q). If East wants to ruff many diamonds, perhaps partner can overruff.
Kiz Fung
HJ I have
this feeling that a trump lead is being requested (following the rule,
always lead a trump if there is a splinter), however, I have this feeling
that the Jx could give away the trump suit. At the table, I would lead the
heart jack, so I can't change my style in master solvers.
Vince Lambert
S8 Looks
like a crossruff to me. West has shown the queen of spades, so may as well
hold on to the jack for potential nuisance value.
Stan Cabay
DK Dummy
may be 2-1 in the red suits and I don’t want to lose our diamond trick if
partner has the Ace, perhaps allowing declarer to safety play the
clubs. For example, on a
non-diamond lead, with AQxx, Kx,x,AKxxxx opposite KTxx,AQxx,xxx,xx declarer
can pull 2 rounds of trumps, throw a diamond on the third heart and then
play A of clubs followed by small clubs from both hands. Incidentally, what
does X of a splinter mean? I like it to be a lead director of the next
higher suit (hearts here), except on favorable vulnerability when it would
show length in the suit in search of a sacrifice.
Doug & Lorna
SJ Looks
like some ruffing required by opps
Ray Grace
Heart J Interesting Opener rates to be 4325 or
4216. In any case if I have a C trick then it is mine anyway. Partner
failed to double the splinter or the final contract for a C lead. I lead
the HJ and hope that it is the best lead. I am not leading a trump.
Club Queen Sometimes opening leads vrs slams is
taking out insurance to prevent a disaster. As usual listening to the
bidding is your clue. There are two ways to try for slam - Q bidding or
Blackwood. They chose Blackwood which should mean two things . They could
be interested in 7 and they have a control in the unbid suit ( hearts ) .
After hearing partners Blackwood response , they settled for only six so they may be off an Ace. Which
Ace ? If it’s the diamond Ace , or heart Ace or trump Ace , who cares as we will get it eventually.
What about the club Ace ? You will bid Blackwood with a worthless
doubleton in partners suit. The real hands AJxx AKQx x K98x opposite KQ10xxx x Axxx xx 17 IMPS riding on your club lead.
VOTES: SJ (1) DK (1) HJ (3) CQ (2) S8 (3)
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