| Problem 1 | Imps | Vul: None | RHO (East) dealt |
South Holds  -8754
 -Q10
 -A843
 -A64
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is your bid? |
is a lead directing double. He
could have as little as x/KJ9xxx/xx/xxxx or x/KJ9xx/x/xxxxx. Since
North passed 2, the opponents have shown limited values.
Therefore, partner does not promise the world with his 3 bid.
His hand is limited by his failure to bid 2 on the previous
round. 2 would show 5-5, hearts and a minor. There are some
things we know about East's hand. He has at most one spade. Since
he didn't balance with double or two notrump, he probably has at
most two diamonds. He has at least ten cards in hearts and clubs.
But is he 5-5, 6-4 or possibly 4-6? Since he didn't bid Michaels,
there's a good chance that he is 6-4. Are his hearts good enough
to play opposite Q10? Probably, but you might want partner to make
the final decision. If you cuebid 3, partner will make the
final decision. With five good or six hearts he'll bid 4.
With five bad hearts and good clubs and a minimum, he'll bid
4. With good clubs and extra values he'll bid 5. He
could even bid 4 throwing the ball back into your court.
My bet is that partner's hearts are good enough to play the 5-2.
After all he did double 2.
Five experts agree with me and cuebid.
Woolsey: "3---I can't believe I didn't do something other
than pass last round -- my hand couldn't me much better considering
that I am a passed hand. Now I pretty much have to commit the hand
to game. I will bid 4 over partner's likely 4 call.
This will indicate to him that I am not so sure about playing in
hearts, and he can make the final decision."
Usually partner has only five hearts when he doubles 2.
Why would you have bid directly over 2 with only two hearts.
Hopkins: "3---I want to play game in partner's longer
suit (expecting partner to be 6-4, 5-5, 6-5, etc.). My bid
suggests a good hand, denies three hearts, and should get a natural
response from partner allowing me to place the contract."
Adams: "3---Seems like partner should be 5-5 for this
action. Will bid 4 over the expected 4 bid. Hope this
shows doubt about strain. Perhaps partners failure to bid 2
the first chance means good hearts or six of them."
Roman: "3---Choice-of-games cuebid. I'll pass over
4 and raise 4 to five."
King: "3---I want to be in game, but I don't know which
one yet. I will let partner tell me more about his hand."
Four experts support hearts directly. 3 seems like an
underbid with four working cards. Two aces and two heart honors.
Cappelletti: "3---Return to prime suit (he might have
6-4) but I would have bid 3 directly over 2!"
4 is probably where you belong so the following is OK.
Lacy: "4---I hope that partner's hearts are good enough
to handle one pump. I have too much not to bid game at IMPs."
Parker: "4---How could I have a better hand, (more hearts
maybe) honor in hearts, and two Aces. My only fear is missing a
slam, maybe 4 keycard is better."
Schwartz: "4---Partner rates to be 5-5 (no double of
2). Don't need much for game. My hearts are too good for a
choice of games cue-bid. With the long spades not having many
entries, hearts should play well. I plan on pitching a diamond
from partner's hand on the second round of spades."
One can learn from what partner didn't do as well as what he
did. Since partner didn't bid 2, he is not 5-5. My partner
passed 3. 3 in the 4-3 went down one. 4 in the 6-
2 was cold.
| Problem 2 | Imps | Vul: None | Partner (North) dealt |
| South Holds -AK3
-AK954
-43
-A108
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is your bid? |
, LHO overcalls
1 and it goes pass pass to you. I bet there are many players
who would defend. Where are the spades? Suppose you pass as seven
experts did and partner reopens with one spade or two-of-either-
minor. Would 2 be a cuebid or a natural bid? I've passed it
before. Passing is too dangerous for me. I like the negative
double. Partner's response to the negative double will be very
revealing as to his strength and distribution. If he bids one
spade, you are very unlikely to have a slam. You can then jump to
three notrump. If you had four spades and wanted to give partner
a choice you would cuebid and then bid three notrump. Even if
partner corrects to 4, you be OK with all your extra
strength. Actually 6 is a good contract opposite
QJ10x/x/AKxx/QJxx. But suppose partner rebids 2 or 2
over your negative double. Now that partner shows some extra
distribution slam is possible. Opposite xxx/x/KQJxxx/KQx six
notrump just needs a 3-2 diamond split.
Two experts agree with me and get partner to describe his hand.
Woolsey: "Double---I am just too strong to pass and go for the
penalty. Partner just might pass it out with some heart length,
and the penalty doesn't figure to be too much greater than our game
(and certainly less then any potential slam). I start with a
double, since this will at least find out if partner has any extra
strength -- that is what I need to know to determine if we have a
slam. Partner will think I have four spades, but if he insists on
playing in spades then 4 should be a comfortable enough
contract on sheer power."
Roman: "Double---Hear partner make a natural rebid, cuebid hearts, and then make some kind of slam try. No matter what one might think of the merits of passing and going after them, I seriously doubt that the pass would be in tempo."
Seven experts pass. Good if partner reopens with a double but
suppose partner reopens with something else. You could end up
playing in 2. What would you bid if partner reopened with
2 and you held xxx/KQJ10xx/xx/xx? I would rebid 2 and
hope to play it there.
Cappelletti: "Pass---The very slight risk of partner passing is less than potential problems in forcing a bid."
Parker: "Pass---I still am not sure I will pass if partner doubles. I want him to show his shape. We may easily have a slam if he is long in diamonds or has a two-suiter. Best way to see what he has is to pass and let him reopen with something."
Hopkins: "Pass---My smooth pass will allow me to bid my hand well in the next rounds of bidding. My partner should be short in hearts and therefore reopen the bidding if passed back to him. I can convert a reopening double or judge how high to go if partner rebids his suit or names a new one indicating a distributional hand."
Adams: "Pass---Bad splits and no fit makes slam unlikely. We will get this at least three tricks."
Lacy: "Pass---I await partner's reopening double. I would be
very surprised if we get to defend 1 but why not try. Seems
like this is the best description of my hand should partner choose
to reopen with a double."
King: "Pass---I trust my partners to reopen."
Schwartz: "Pass---Partner should not pass it out at the one- level with a doubleton or shorter heart holding. In addition other choices are not palatable."
By passing you have two chances to have a disaster. Partner might not reopen and you might end up playing in your cuebid. Don't give partner a chance to make a mistake. Negative double followed by a cuebid sets up a game force. Partner will describe his hand and you'll get to the best spot.
| Problem 3 | Matchpoints | Vul: None | Partner (North) dealt |
| South Holds -76543
-K
-43
-A7654
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is your bid? |
or preference
2. Two small - stiff king. Seems the same. At least in
hearts there is a good chance that partner has more trumps than
anyone else. Can't say the same about diamonds. Most of the
experts take the preference. There's a chance that partner will
bid again and we'll get to a better spot. Partner could bid
2 holding six hearts and four diamonds or even six hearts
and three diamonds. If both contracts happen to make, +110 will be
better than +90. Dreamer. Notice that not one expert rebid
2, bid two notrump or bid 3.
Eight experts agree with me and take the preference.
Woolsey: "2---The happy preference. If partner is 5-4
then hearts figures to play better than diamonds, and will score
more if both contracts make. Who knows -- maybe partner's next
call will be three clubs!"
Parker: "2---A 5-1 fit should play better than a 4-2.
Any bid other than pass will catapult us into the stratosphere. I
have an ace and a king so if he bids anything over 2 I will
have a good hand for him."
Hopkins: "2---Oh, happy day! I hope partner has good
heart spots or can turn some low trumps by ruffing or gives a
delayed spade raise, bids two notrump, or even makes an imaginative
game try of 3. All these latter things could happen if I give
a preference to 2."
Adams: "2---Two good cards, no reason to be afraid of
hearts."
Lacy: "2---The stiff King looks like a doubleton to me.
I hope partner can scramble eight tricks. Matchpoints!"
Roman: "2---Anyone who passes deserves to find partner
with -/AQJ10xx/Axxx/KQx."
What about -/Axxxx/AQxx/KQJx?
King: "2---The least of many evils, I hope."
Schwartz: "2---Gives us a chance to find a better spot if
partner bids two notrump or 3. It will lose if partner bids
3, or 3. If he passes 2 the 5-1 might not play
badly."
If partner bids 3, I would expect to make it.
One expert passes ending the auction.
Cappelletti: "Pass---Let's stop right here! You might go plus in 4-2 fit."
Stiff King is just as good as two small. When in doubt, take the preference if you would be happy if partner bid again.
| Problem 4 | Imps | Vul: Both | LHO (West) Dealt |
| South Holds -76
-J93
-AJ43
-A1043
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is your bid? |
stands out.
Partner will know that you have only two spades and can take
further action based upon that.
Seven experts agree with me and take the preference.
Woolsey: "2---Partner is not 5-5 in the majors. With
that shape he should make a Michaels bid on any strength.
Therefore, it is correct to preference back to spades. 2 may
be somewhat of an underbid, but anything else is a big overbid. If
we have a game, partner may find another call."
Cappelletti: "2---Classic "false preference" in case
partner can make the 3 game try."
Parker: "2---Partner did not bid Michaels so I do not
think he is 5-5. He should get a bunch of ruffs in his hand. As
before, play in the longer suit in the trump hand."
Hopkins: "2---If I knew partner were 6-4 or 5-5, I would
upgrade my hand and bid more. Partner did fail to bid Michaels so
the latter is not too likely. I will go quietly and hope for +110
or +140."
Adams: "2---There's no eight-card heart fit, but might be
in spades. I've a good hand if partner makes a move."
King: "2---And hope partner will bid again if he has
extras."
Schwartz: "2---When partner doesn't Michaels, I don't
play him for 5-5. Bidding without showing extra values gives us a
chance to find a better spot. Game is still possible."
7
Lacy: "3---This hand is worth a game try with two bullets
vulnerable at IMPs."
The following is a reasonable call. However, partner does not show extra strength with his two-heart call. He could have as little as KJ10xx/KQxx/xx/xx.
Roman: "Two notrump---No reason to jump to three notrump here...I have a maximum with no primary support for either major and a bid which shows all of that."
Use Michaels and Unusual Notrump with any strength. By doing this you will always get to the correct strain. Its much easier getting to the right contract when the strain has been found early.
| Problem 5 | Imps | Vul: Both | LHO (West) dealt |
| South Holds -void
-K76
-A876
-AQ10876
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is your bid? |
or had opened 1 showing a five-card or longer major then four
notrump would be keycard. If the opponents have ten spades between
them, the Law of Total Tricks will be with you. Four notrump could
win if you can make five-of-either-minor, the opponents can make
4 or they make a mistake and bid 5
over partner's five-of-a-minor bid.
Seven experts agree with me and take the plunge.
Woolsey: "Four notrump---Takeout, and obviously emphasizing minors since if I had four hearts I could just bid them. Partner will know I have longer clubs than diamonds since I opened one club. This hand is perfect for the four-notrump call. I can't imagine doing anything else."
Cappelletti: "Four notrump---First priority of four notrump in competitive auction is to get to right spot. Here shows good clubs and higher suit prospect."
Parker: "Four notrump---Should show this type of hand, long clubs and a four-card diamond suit. I will pass if he only bids at the five-level. Partner may not have diamonds so I can't hang him by bidding them now."
Partner's negative double shows hearts and a minor. Since
that minor could be clubs, you can't bid 5.
Hopkins: "Four notrump---Suggesting play in one of partner's suits or even mine. This tends to deny four hearts."
Roman: "Four notrump---Even if partner knows about my spade void, this hand has enough extra offense to make him pick something at the five-level."
King: "Four notrump---This should ask partner to pick a strain at the five-level unless he has extras."
Schwartz: "Four notrump---Takeout, (what else?)."
The following expert bids but does not allow partner to help. Can't partner have five diamonds and only one club?
Lacy: "5---I hope partner moves if moving is right. What
does partner need for slam? xxx/AQxx/KQxx/Jx looks like a good
play. But if he has xxx/QTxx/KQxx/Jx, I don't like it."
Passing could be right if partner has spade values. But would partner do anything with xxx/QJxx/KQxx/xx?
Adams: "Pass---Who knows? Maybe partner does."
Bid more with a void.
How the Experts Voted:
| Expert / Problem | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Score |
| Kit Woolsey | 3 |
Dbl | 2 |
2 |
4NT | 500 |
| Steve Robinson | 3 |
Dbl | 2 |
2 |
4NT | 500 |
| Robbie Hopkins | 3 |
Pass | 2 |
2 |
4NT | 490 |
| Fred King | 3 |
Pass | 2 |
2 |
4NT | 490 |
| Steve Parker | 4 |
Pass | 2 |
2 |
4NT | 470 |
| Jeff Roman | 3 |
Dbl | 2 |
2NT | 4NT | 470 |
| Alan Schwartz | 4 |
Pass | 2 |
2 |
4NT | 470 |
| John Adams | 3 |
Pass | 2 |
2 |
Pass | 460 |
| Mike Cappelletti | 3 |
Pass | Pass | 2 |
4NT | 380 |
| Jack Lacy | 4 |
Pass | 2 |
3 |
5 |
370 |
Don Berman, Web Master.