FEB 2006    ALBERTA BIDDING CLUB

 

 

Problem #: 1;   Scoring: Matchpts;   Vul: Both;   Dealer: North

   

♠84
AJ109
J8532

♣86

North

East

South

West

1♦

2♣

?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

2D   I prefer a dbl. to show both majors , so I may possibly miss a 4-4 heart fit. Never been a fan of xing with this type of hand & correcting a spade response , though I think it will score best. Support with support.

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

2D   Maybe we can back into a H fit.

 

Ken Penton

 

DBL I may find myself correcting my partners spade call to diamonds but I'm not prepared to miss the heart fit. If I pass now and west raises clubs we will miss hearts in most auctions.

 

Doran Flock

 

DBL   Obviously converting to diamonds over spades. don't want to bury heart suit and decent hand with simple 2D bid ... maybe my double will keep them out of spades !

 

Good point , psychological aspect of negative double to be considered.

 

Kiz Fung

 

2D  If we have a heart fit, and partner is strong enough, we'll get there.

 

Yes , partner will need to be strong to buy this auction if we have a double fit.

 

BJ Trelford

 

DBL  Negative? This is pretty bad. Hope partner has hearts. I can retreat to diamonds over spades. Hope partner doesn’t take that as forcing. At IMPs I just bid 3 diamonds pre-emptive.

 

Ray Grace

 

2D  Tell pard where u live. Pard has to bid 2H for this hand to be worth another call. 2s will fetch 3H. Pass and Double lead to 3NT by the opps where partner has no idea what to lead or 4S x in the 4-2 fit.

 

Susan

 

2D  Not enough HCP to negative double. May have to correct at the 4 level if the auction goes: 1D 2C dble 3C 3 spades by partner. Hoping to win the partial here.

 

Alex Fowlie

 

DBL When partner will get another chance, I usually pass with only 5 or 6 HCP (especially opposite Steve’s usual 10 HCP when we’re already too high at the one level!).  But it is a nice 6 with the good hearts and diamonds, and I’ll be happy to bid 3D over 2S, so I’ll double.

 

3♦  I’m not very competent in match points but I do know that partner is allowed to convert negative doubles for penalty. Holding 5 of partners suit will kill her hand defensively. I would like to keep the spade vultures out or in at the 3 level if partner has spades. Even if partner has 4♥ , they will balance in spades anyway.

 

VOTES:  DBL (4)    2D (5)      3D (1)

 

 

Problem #:   2;   Scoring:   IMPS;   Vul:   N/S;   Dealer:   North

   

K8
105
854
KQ10986

North

East

South

West

2♣

Pass

3♣

3♠

4♥

Pass

?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

4S  Too good to pass. Rebidding clubs is a viable alternative , but I like my hand , want to hear more so as to arrive at the correct strain.

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

4NT  Should be KC.

 

Ken Penton

 

4S  Not sure if we belong in hearts or clubs. 4S is card showing and asks for more information

 

The D.S.I.P. Q Bid ?? 

 

Doran Flock

 

6C To heck with science, bid what you think you can make. presumably 6C denies any first round controls, shows 2nd round spade control and a semi-solid 6 or 7 card suit.

 

Kiz Fung 

 

P  Don't have much more than a positive club hand (with 2 of the top three honours) but I've already told partner that. This hand may be useless to partner.

 

This was my first thought also ,  but it’s a bit unilateral in my opinion.  Your pass was the popular answer in the original Bridge World.

 

BJ Trelford

 

4S Q-bid. I have too much to pass. My partners don't open 2 clubs with junk.

 

Ray Grace

 

4NT  RKC - my hand is too good to pass - I am certainly good in 5H and if not partner should not have opened 2C. The killer hand will have both black aces as stiff. More reasonable I expect AX AkQxxxx Aqx J :-) Pard may bid 6C over 4n to place the contract.

 

Susan

 

P  I was able to show my hand. Partner had the option to keycard in clubs and correct to hearts if interested.  This was the Bridge World answer.

 

Alex Fowlie

 

4S   I consider 4H forcing after my positive response, so pass is out.  4NT would be perfect if I was sure it was natural, but I’m not.  So I’ll cuebid my spade king, leaving partner room to key-card (and find out I have zero!).

 

4♠   One more shot. You can argue like Kiz & Susan that 2♣ is forcing to game and we are there but it’s so final. We do not have much more than we announced but the 5 level should be safe. We can tell out teammates that they pushed us there with a 4♠ bid. I call this the “prepared lie” . Penton’s invention of a D.S.I.P.  Q bid is duly noted J.

 

VOTES : 6C (1)       4S (5)    P (2)      4NT (2)

 

 

 

 

Problem #:   3;   Scoring:   IMPS;   Vul:   None;   Dealer:   South

   

♠Q1076      

A5
AKJ10965

North

East

South

West

 

 

1♦

Pass

1♠

Dbl

 ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

4D 4 diamonds , showing huge diamonds , 4 card spade support , and game going values. This seems to be exactly what I have. A pox on a 4 club splinter.

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

5C Looks like exclusion time.

 

I like that toy J

 

Ken Penton

 

4D This bid comes down to agreement. I play that 4D shows the hand I have. Will raise spades if partner signs off.

 

Doran Flock

 

5S  5S says to bid 6 with decent spades ... therefore i will bid it.

 

Your bid has the advantage of concealing your hand from the opening lead.

 

Kiz Fung 

 

4D  I like this convention to show the solid diamond suit with spades. 

 

BJ Trelford

 

4D  This shows 4 spades and 6 diamonds. This is a underbid but I hope partner can bid 4h on the way. I will bid 5 spades asking about spades over 4H.

 

Ray Grace

 

5NT Do you have AK of spades? 4D COMES TO MIND as swiss or 5C exclusion BUT what does pard do with AKxxx xxx xx xxx over a 6H sack? 5NT makes it all clear. I pay to 8xxx for 1S.

 

Susan

 

5C   Exclusion is a great tool here looking for 6 or 7 spades. This should not be natural when opponent has promised the suit. Yes and you could get out in 5♠ with a horrible response. Correct hand taking control.

 

Alex Fowlie

 

4D  Shows 4 card support and long, strong diamonds, which is what I’ve got.  East’s double doesn’t change this.  I’ll likely make another try over 4S (quite what I’m not sure).

 

5♣  This hand is about gambling vrs science. Meckstroth jumped to 5NT with this hand hoping partner did not have Jxxxxx of spades. Do you ask or tell with this hand ? The danger is if partner does not hold the right spades , you  have tipped them off to the killing lead against 5♠. I prefer exclusion Blackwood. If partner does not have the right spades , we can sign off at 5♠ ( difficult to do after 5NT ) but  I have tipped them off to a heart or diamond lead . I think this is a hand to take control . Bidding 4♦ transfers the decision to partner and we know this hand is just about the trump suit but partner does not.

 

VOTES  5NT (1)      5C (3)       5S (1)     4D (5)

 

 

 

Problem #:   4;   Scoring:   IMPS;   Vul:   E/W;   Dealer:   South

   

♠Q
♥A9

♦K10963

Q10972

North

East

South

West

 

 

1♠

Pass

1NT

2♥

Pass

Pass

?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

Dbl  Feels like a good flexible choice. 3 good things can happen. 1.Partner passes , & we do well.  2. Partner bids 3 clubs. 3. Partner bids 3 diamonds. 2nt for minors precludes defending 2 hearts x . 

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

Dbl  Take out with extras.

 

Ken Penton

 

Dbl  DSIP

 

Nice understanding J

 

Doran Flock

 

Dbl  Would love to have another heart ... i sure hope partner has 3 if they pass. My point count is not bad and I shouldn't be overly strong in hearts in front of vul. overcaller.

 

Kiz Fung

 

Dbl Take out, but partner can convert.

 

BJ Trelford

 

Dbl Partner is a minimum. Double here is do something partner. If partner passes I am happy. If partner rebids spades I will bid 3 clubs. If partner bids a minor I will pass.

 

Ray Grace

 

2NT too many points. I would have bid 2d going in and then 3C.

 

Susan

 

3H  Denies spades, denies 2 heart stoppers, must have the minors. Partner can bid 3NT or better minor.  Not bad , but you miss the penalty conversion on a misfit 5-4-2-2.

 

Alex Fowlie

 

P  I don’t think we have a game here, with partner silent over 2H, so I’ll go quietly in IMPs.  This could be very wrong but I’m not sure what to bid if I do bid, with every choice a potential disaster.  In matchpoints, I’d double hoping for 200.

 

DBl  Most of this panel has got it right. How can a double in front of the suit be penalty ? This is D.S.I.P. even when not playing that treatment.  The Bridge World panel bid 2NT with this hand because they were afraid of the double. Nonsense !

 

VOTES:  P (1)         Dbl (7)          3H (1)      2NT (1)   

 

 

 

Problem #:   5;   Scoring:   IMPS;   Vul:   N/S ;   Dealer:   East

   

10843

AJ2
AK9876

North

East

South

West

 

1♥

Pass

4♥

Dbl

Pass

4♠

Pass

Pass

5♥

Pass

Pass

?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

Dbl  No safety at 5 level. Too bad if 6 clubs is cold.

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

5S  Pard's pass is forcing - she is showing values with nothing wasted in H. We might make 6 on a good day - but then again we may be down in 5.

 

Ken Penton

 

P   If partner cannot act over 5H I quit as he knows I've a good hand.

 

Doran Flock

 

P   Partner had a chance to bid and passed. i gave it a shot at 4 level but not willing to unilaterly bid 5, particularly at this vulnerability and catch my partner with no distribution and no points (worst case). now, about that lead ...

 

With no points & no distribution at the game level & above on this vulnerability , we would pass the double –590 is better than –800. Partner may have 4 defensive tricks and you luck out beating 4♥ but 4♠X still goes for -500. You have xxxx xxx xxx xxx     opposite Qxxx x AKxx AKxx . You go for –800 by bidding 4♠ but they go one down in 4♥! Vulnerability rules this auction.

 

Kiz Fung 

 

P   Pass by partner should not be forcing. Partner heard me make him bid.

 

BJ Trelford

 

5S  Partners pass is forcing. Double by partner would have been penalties. Partners pass tells me they have nothing in hearts and some values so I am happy to bid 5 spades. (We are Vul vs NV so 650 is better than 500)

 

Ray Grace

 

5S this may not be our hand. I expect pard to bid 7 with akqxx of S. i am not sure that I pass 4S.

 

Susan

 

P  Anticipating the disaster spade lead. No forcing pass here as partner was forced to bid. This could be their hand.

 

Alex Fowlie

 

6C  I don’t know why I bid 4S last time with this great hand with strong clubs.  I’d have bid 5H.  Now it’s too late for 5H, so I’ll try clubs and see what develops.  Yes , partner should hold something on this auction (vulnerability) .

 

5♠  Partners pass is forcing . Why ? Kantar explains it this way in the original Bridge World. You are vul & they are not. Vulnerability turns on forcing passes.  If you had nothing at this level , you would bite the bullet and pass partner’s double hoping to beat the contract. Therefore , if you choose to bid a vul game aginst nv opponents albeit partner forced you , forcing passes are on. Kantar says its just a practical way to play this one vulnerability .

 

There can be a case made to have that understanding with all vulnerabilities at this level . If you can bail out by passing with a weak hand or by bidding 4NT Lebensohl with weak distributional hands , bidding should mean something. NV opponents take a lot of liberties in these auctions , so you need a way to fight back. Partners hand is AKxxx xxx 10xx xx and 6♠ has a good play. With Jxxx xxx Qxxx Jx partner would pass 4♥x hoping to beat it.

 

VOTES:  6C (1)       5S (4)    P (4)          Dbl (1)         

 

 

 

Problem #:   6;   Scoring:   Matchpts; Vul:  None;   Dealer:   North

   

♠Q4
QJ632

K98763

North

East

South

West

Pass

Pass

 1♠

 2♦

?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

DBL  Same bid I would make if 2 of the low clubs were diamonds. Probably not thrilled if pard passes , but may be O.K.

 

Not thrilled ? I would hide under the table J

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

DBL  Boy do I have support for the unbid suits.

 

Ken Penton

 

2H  Although a dbl may work here I do not want to be defending 2DX with these soft values. I best bid my suits and find a fit.

 

Good matchpoint bid.

 

Doran Flock

 

3C  i will start with 6 card suit, which admittedly may make hearts difficult to introduce. unless partner has spades and diamonds this auction is not stopping at 3C.

 

Yup !

 

Kiz Fung 

 

DBL  If partner leaves this in, I gulp and take my lumps (it's matchpoints!!)

 

BJ Trelford

 

2H  This hand is worth at least 10 points so I'll try 2 hearts. If I bid 3 clubs I may lose the heart suite and if I double we may miss a 5-3 heart fit. I can always support spades later if all else fails.

 

Ray Grace

 

2H  Everything else is 2 tough and raising 2s to 4s and splintering over 3C :-)

 

Susan

 

DBL  Maurice and I play this as a 6-5...it comes up all the time.

 

Alex Fowlie

 

DBL  A responsive double seems automatic to me.  If partner chooses to pass (the only call I don’t want to hear), he’ll have very good defense since he’s under the 2D bidder.

 

3♣  “Being a passed hand has its privileges” . 6-5 are meant for bidding and not doubling. Being a passed hand there is no reason why you can not show your shape. The opponents are bidding your void. If not a passed hand , I am forced to make a negative double and hope partner does not convert for penalty.

 

VOTES: DBL (5)     3C (2)     2H (3)

 

 

 

Problem #:   7;   Scoring:   Matchpts;   Vul:   N/S;   Dealer:   South

   

♠A87
10842
AKQJ

♣KJ

North

East

South

West

 

 

  3♣

Pass

?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

5C  3nt may be off the heart suit. Partner won't have the heart Ace plus club AQ , but can probably ( almost certainly )make 6 clubs if pard has a stiff heart , but I don't know how to find out.

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

3NT What else?

 

Kenny Rogers sings something about gambling .

 

Ken Penton

 

3NT 5C is my second choice but that is when partner has 3 dead hearts. I'll take my chances for 9 tricks

 

Doran Flock

 

3D Have to take a shot at 6C, or could partner have 7C and an outside Ace ?? 3C vul in first suit vs. not-vul shows a very good hand. If partner bids 3nt does that deny a heart or spade control? One could just bid 6C and hope ptnr has it or they don't lead it.

 

My sentiments exactly.

 

Kiz Fung 

 

3NT  In a sophisticated partnership, there may be a method to ask for a heart singleton, however, if not, this hand looks like it belongs in 3NT.

 

Kokish says a 4♥ jump is an asking bid in hearts … 3♥ shows hearts and is forcing.

 

BJ Trelford

 

3D  Forcing. I think they may be able to take the first 5 hearts so I hope partner can show a heart stopper with a 3 hearts call. If partner bids anything other than 3 hearts I'll bid 5 clubs. I am tempted to bid 3nt but I have seen too many of these go down.

 

Ray Grace

 

3D asking for partner's 4 card ,major. (We play 3C promises 6C and a 4 card major or a 1 loser c suit and he will rebid 3NT with the 1 loser C suit. I will try 4C KCB over 3S and shoot out the slam in C opposite AQ.

 

Susan

 

3NT  Can partner have a stiff heart and we are cold for 6? Is 3NT in jeopardy on a heart lead and 5 clubs is cold? All possible but at matchpoints 3NT looks like the best spot.

 

Alex Fowlie

 

3NT  Partner knows we’re VUL, so he should have AQ seventh of clubs.  3NT should make unless they run 5 hearts (and they haven’t led them yet!) and it’s matchpoints.  In IMPs, I might try 3D to see if we could get to 6C.

 

6♣  “Got to know when to hold them and when to fold them” . You have 12 tricks without a heart lead. 1 chance out of 4 to beat the contract ? OK , One chance out of 3 ? If partner has a stiff heart,  it is cold anyway. Pot odds for gamblers ? If partner has a doubleton heart and they find the heart lead –50 might tie 3NT down one after cashing the first 5 hearts or even beat 3NT –100 as they cash 6 hearts J Maybe this is why I lose at matchpoints L.  Conservative panel but maybe 6♣ bidders in IMPS . In the original Bridge World , there were gambling 6NT bidders !!. Stiff heart does not do them any good though.

 

VOTES : 5C (1)       3NT (5)         3D (3)        6C (1)

 

 

Problem #:   8;   Scoring:   Matchpts;   Vul:   E/W;   Dealer:   East

   

A93
K3
Q1042
J1084

North

East

South

West

 

 

 

1♠

Pass

2♠

Dbl

3♠

Dbl

Pass

Pass

Pass

?

 

 

 

    What is your opening lead ?

 

 

 

 

Duncan Smith

 

D2  If heart King works now , it will also work later. If starting the heart King doesn't work , it may be too late. Second choice would be a small trump . which could easily be our best move. This is a mediocre solution to a difficult problem.

 

Bryan Maksymetz

 

HK   Trump leads are always tempting in these auctions. However, we don't know if partner is leaving it in because he has a good hand and is hoping for a 2+ trick set. Or he has some Aces and Kings and is hoping to beat it 1. We should get a second chance to lead trumps once we see the dummy. 

 

Ken Penton

 

S3  Heart K is a close second but felt with our balance of power I want to prevent any crossruffing that looms.

 

Doran Flock

 

S3  I predict 100% unanimity on this non-choice. (although perhaps someone will lead spade A and another)

 

Bridge World had S3 as the popular choice.

 

Kiz Fung 

 

S3  If there are too many points in the deck, the rule says to lead trump, because opponent's tricks will only come from the trump suit.

 

Yup !

 

BJ Trelford

 

S3  The dbl of 3 spades was responsive. I think they are to high. I want them to play it in nt. A close second would be the ace of spades but partners pass indicates something in spades.  ( partner had King of spades )

 

Ray Grace

 

KH lets get our ruffs and aces. I have trump control.

 

Susan

 

S3  Where are their tricks coming from...double and lead trump!

 

Alex Fowlie

 

SA   A trump seems marked – I control the minors and partner should have 4 hearts to go with my K3.  Where are their tricks coming from except from ruffs?  With this holding, you usually lead low to retain trump control and perhaps communication with partner, planning to lead two more rounds at your next chance.  But I’m afraid I may not get in again soon enough and pard may have a stiff spade, so I’m going to remove two trumps from dummy right now.  Not bad

 

 

S3  The female panelists say it best. We have the balance of HCP power so where are they getting tricks ? You have a 2nd chance to switch to the ♥ King anyway.

 

VOTES: HK (2)       SA (1)           S3 (6)           D2 (1)