All readers are encouraged to send answers and/or new problems to Steve Robinson, 2891 S. Abingdon St. #A2 Arlington, Va, 22206. In addition to the winner receiving a free play at the WBL Unit Game, Steve will play with anyone who gets a perfect score or who exactly matches all five of his answers. If you send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the above address along with your answers, Steve will send you a copy of the new problems to ensure that you can meet his next deadline. You can pick up a copy of the problems at the WBL Unit Game in Maryland and can send answers or requests for problems to robinswr@erols.com. WBL Solvers Club uses Washington Standard as published July 1996.

Washington Standard, the book, is out. If you are a serious bridge player, this book is a must. You can purchase a copy from Steve for $20.00 at the Unit Game and at tournaments or can send him a check for $23.20 which includes $3.20 for priority mail.

South Holds    -KJ96543    -AJ54    -Void    -65

The Bidding Thus Far    South    West    North    East     ---     ---     1     Pass     ?????

The Panel's Votes    Action    Score    Expert's    Votes    Panel's    Votes    4     100     2     22      1     90     2     74      2     50     1     5      4     50     1     4      2     50     1     0      2NT     50     0     11      3     40     0     3      3     20     0     1      4NT     20     0     1      4     20     0     1      3NT     20     0     1

Of all the choices, I like 4. Sets trumps, shows diamond shortness and tells partner that you are interested in slam. Three of the four points. If we miss slam, it will be partner's faulty evaluation. One expert agrees with me and splinters.

Woolsey: "4---Not perfect, but I can't think of any other approach which comes close to describing this hand. Also, slower routes may let the opponents into the auctions which won't be good."

Two experts bid their long suit.

Elster: "1---This is one of the many hands where the location of partner's high cards is paramount, with some minimums producing slam, and some hands with extras failing at 4. So, although normally I would set hearts as trump immediately, I want to find out as much as I can about his hand. If Washington Standard (I've forgotten) includes fit-showing jumps, then would bid 2 and elect partner as captain, at least initially."

Schwartz: "1---In order for partner to make an intelligent decision, I have to get spades into the picture. With our side having the majors and the majority the HCPs. I am not afraid of the opponents."

One expert jump shifts. One would expect a better suit and a better hand.

Parker: "2---Strong jump shift. I can then raise hearts and hopefully start a cue bid sequence. Sometimes we may find spades and it will play much better."

One expert gives up on slam. Give partner Ax/KQxxx/xxxx/Ax and seven is reasonable. I know that's giving partner perfect cards which you're not supposed to do but splinters were made to pinpoint perfect fits.

Granovetter: "4---Trying to buy the hand. Only one more player (lefty) to get by."

The next bid is interesting. At least you can set hearts as trumps at your next turn.

Cappelletti: "2---Game forcing, then support hearts, then cue bid. A diamond splinter (one below hearts) is not effective on this sort of hand."

Set trumps, show diamond shortness and show some slam interest all in one bid. How bad can that be?

South Holds    -K109732    -7654    -AQ    -Q

The Bidding Thus Far    South    West    North    East    ---     ---     1     Pass     1     Pass     2     Pass     ?????

The Panel's Votes    Action    Score    Expert's    Votes    Panel's    Votes    3     100     3     58      2     80     1     30      2     70     1     29      2     70     2     4      2NT     50     0     2

Three experts invite.

Woolsey: "3---I think the danger of missing a vulnerable game by making a more conservative call is greater than the danger of getting too high by bidding 3. The most likely game is four spades."

Cappelletti: "3---Invitational; Vul at IMPs push for game."

Granovetter: "3---After considering 2, fourth-suit forcing, I think it will only lead to trouble."

Three experts make minimum calls, calls you would make if your AQ were two little. If I was going to make a minimum call, I would bid 2.

Elster: "2---Gives partner chance to bid out his pattern, and avoids premature decision to force to game. If partner passes, we are probably in good spot. Hand not good enough for game force 2, and suit not good enough for 3 bid. It's quite possible that 2 is the winning bid."

The following experts bid 2. How many spade tricks are you going to take in 2? You will take diamond tricks in 2.

Parker: "2---And hope partner bids again. Even if partner has a near perfecto, x/xx/KJxxx/AKJxx, we have no game."

Schwartz: "2---My four little hearts are a trouble sign for play in spades. With so much of my strength in partner's suits, it will probably play better there."

Think about what partner expects before making a call. Jump rebids show good suits. Overbid in order to find the correct strain.

South Holds    -AKJ    -4    -AQJ3    -KJ654

The Bidding Thus Far    South    West    North    East     ---     Pass     Pass     1     ?????

The Panel's Votes    Action    Score    Expert's    Votes    Panel's    Votes    1     100     3     20      1NT     90     2     8      Pass     50     1     21      Dbl     40     1     71      3     20     0     1      3NT     20     0     2

Two experts agree with me and overcall 1.

Woolsey: "1---This at least will encourage partner to speak if he has something to say. I can't see how I can sensibly recover if I pass, regardless of what happens."

Cappelletti: "1---See if partner can make a bid."

The following call is unacceptable.

Elster: "Double---Then one notrump over partner's 1-bid, three notrump over his 2-bid."

Two experts overcall one notrump, a bid with two flaws. Extra HCPs and wrong distribution.

Parker: "1NT---A little high on points and little low on heart stoppers. If it goes pass by me, 1 - pass 2, I can double and risk playing a 3-3 spade fit. This way I can preempt someone (I hope them) out of hearts."

Schwartz: "1NT---One notrump could be as much as nineteen. I plan on bidding two notrump over a transfer to hearts which should show this hand after a one-notrump overcall. Don't want to collect 50 a trick against 1 with three notrump on. 1 my second choice."

One expert passes. I don't see how you are going to be able to catch up.

Granovetter: "Pass---The alternatives of double and one notrump are greatly flawed because of the heart singleton. When you pass with five of RHO's suit and a singleton, somebody usually bids your singleton and you are now in good position."

One does not have to make a takeout double just because one has 19 HCPs. Overcalls can be strong. Avoid making takeout doubles with short majors.

South Holds    -A43    -AQ    -KQ3    -A10976

The Bidding Thus Far    South    West    North    East     ---     Pass     Pass     1     ?????

The Panel's Votes    Action    Score    Expert's    Votes    Panel's    Votes    1NT     100     3     30     2     70     2     15     Dbl     60     2     76      3NT     20     0     2

Two experts agree with me and overcall one notrump.

Elster: "1NT---I'll take the underbid, since I need more from partner for game on this hand than previous one."

Schwartz: "1NT---Even though this is a good 19, I don't have a promotable spade spot thus will downgrade the hand some."

Two experts double. Partner responds 2 and now what? Is this hand worth a two-notrump rebid? Notrump is not going to play well holding only one spade stopper with no hope of a second and a weak side suit. If partner has a weak hand with five hearts, you probably belong in 2. You get to 2 only if you overcall one notrump.

Woolsey: "Double---It is worth taking a slow route to try to get partner to bid notrump or even to get to five-of-a-minor. If partner insists on playing in hearts, even that might be right."

I guess you are going to cuebid over partner's expected 2 call. This will work well if partner has most of the missing strength.

Granovetter: "Double---A close call between double and one notrump (underbid and flawed with A43 of spades). The double should contain three hearts but AQ doubleton is equivalent."

Two experts overcall. Very likely to end the auction. Give partner a 3442 six-point hand and he'll pass 2. RHO will probably be long in clubs with a minimum hand and will pass also.

Parker: "2---Unlike hand #3 I have a source of tricks and can bid more if partner makes any noise. Thus I bid my longest suit."

Cappelletti: "2---See if partner can make a bid."

Avoid making takeout doubles with short majors.

South Holds    -2    -AK543    -AJ543    -65

The Bidding Thus Far    South    West    North    East     ---     1      Pass     2      ?????

The Panel's Votes    Action    Score    Expert's    Votes    Panel's    Votes    2NT     100     4     21     Dbl     80     4     38      3     70     1     38     Pass     50     0     11      3     50     0     15

Four experts spring the 'unusual' unusual notrump on partner.

Woolsey: "2NT---Partner should be aware that this could be red suits rather than minors. My personal preference is to play that doubles shows hearts and clubs or three-suited, while two notrump shows diamonds and another suit. This way we can get all the two-suiters into the auction."

You can't make up conventions in the middle of an auction.

Cappelletti: "2NT---Two-suiter (correct clubs to diamonds)."

Parker: "2NT---I will bid 3 over 3, showing a red two-suiter. No need to force to the four-level."

You forgot 4 over 4 and 5 over 5.

Schwartz: "2NT---When space is not available, should show any two-suiter just like over 4."

One expert agrees with me and doubles. When playing equal level conversions, partner tends to be more conservative when holding clubs.

Elster: "Double---Pulling 3 to 3 if the opponents let us bid below the five level. Although two notrump might give us the same opportunity, double is less likely to induce a misguided club lead against 4, or worse, a misguided bid of 5 over 4. If partner wants to double 4, bless him, I've got my promised defensive tricks."

One expert overcalls. There is much to say for this call because at least partner will know what you have.

Granovetter: "3---Not easy to make this brave bid at the table against strong opposition, but these days it's difficult for them to double you after they bid and raise a suit. If you "putz" around with other calls, such as two notrump or double, you give them a much easier time to get together and double you when you are wrong to enter the auction. For example, by bidding two notrump or doubling, one opponent can double or redouble with general strength and the other opponent can double with length."

Change your system so that two notrump in this auction shows hearts and a minor. Until then don't spring unusual treatments on partner.

Expert / Problem	1	2	3	4	5	Score
Kit Woolsey	4	3	1	Dbl	2NT	460
Steve Robinson	4	2	1	1NT	Dbl	460
Alan Schwartz	1	2	1NT	1NT	2NT	450
Mike Cappelletti	2	3	1	2	2NT	420
Marvin Elster	1	2	Dbl	1NT	Dbl	380
Steve Parker	2	2	1NT	2	2NT	380
Matt Granovetter	4	3	Pass	Dbl	3	330

Don Berman, Web Master.