Washington Bridge League Solver's Club  -  Nov/Dec 2003

Moderator: Steve Robinson

      Congratulations to Dave Smith who came in first with a score of 480. He wins a free entry to the Unit Game and will be invited to be on a future panel.  Second was Lyle Poe with a score of 470. Third was Bernie McCurdy with a score of 450. Tied for fourth were Joyce Neville and Kent Goulding with a score of 440. Sixth was Kevin Avery with a score of 430. Tied for seventh were Richard Ferrin, Barbara Israel, Rick Eissenstat and John Ferman with a score of 420. Tied for eleventh were Nikola Tcholakov, Betsy Wilson, Don Berman, Randy Thompson and Bob Klein with a score of 410. Tied for sixteenth were Ken Kaufman, Hy Chansky, Tracy Brines, Jim Adams, Mike Lawrence, Leon Letwin and Millard Nachtwey with a score of 400. The average score of the 243 solvers was 326.  The average score of the experts was 421.

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.

     The book Washington Standard second edition is out.  If you are a serious bridge player, this book is a must.  You can purchase a copy from Steve for $25.00 at the Unit Game and at tournaments or can send him a check for $28.95 that includes $3.95 for priority mail.

How do you show a very good hand with hearts and clubs?  Some experts tried 4 but 4 shows both majors.  What are they going to do when partner bids 4?  Bid 5. Couldn’t that be a spade slam try? AKxxxAKQxxxAx for instance. Some experts doubled but when partner bids spades, their club or heart bid will not show five of the other suit. Since double shows tolerance for spades, partner is going to rebid his five-card suit. How is double going to get you to the correct club or heart strain?  I like 4NT showing the two lowest unbid suits.  How bad can that be?    

Two experts bid Michaels which shows both majors. Its very difficult to convince partner who heard your 4 bid, which conventionally shows five or more spades and five or more hearts, that you have only one spade.   

Cappelletti: ”4---No choice - if I double I can not expect to show a strong two-suiter.  I expect the auction to proceed 3-4-P-4-P-6 by me showing two suits; hope partner has either some length or a useful card.”

But why not bid 4NT showing clubs and hearts?

Hopkins: ”4---The old way to bid this hand was to cuebid and if partner bid the wrong suit, to cuebid again. I hope my partner remembers.  I can't think of anything else to do.”

Three experts double.  They violate the rule -- Don’t make a takeout double without support for unbid majors.

Humphreys: ”Double---This hand is way too good to overcall 3.  I considered 3NT, but this takes hearts out of the picture.  I will rebid 3NT over partner's spade bid.  This should show a big hand with no spade tolerance, since I would just bid 3NT with a balanced hand of this strength. Sure, I could just take my six tricks, but that would be pretty unlucky.”

Double followed by 3NT shows tolerance for all suits.  If you want to play 3NT, you bid it directly. 

Woolsey: ”Double---If partner tries to insist on spades, I am strong enough to bid both of my suits and hopefully get to the right contract. I don't see any other way to start.”

Parker: ”Double---I can't think of another bid that will give us a chance for finding the best contract. 3NT is out, too strong, overcalling either suit might lose the other one and understates the strength. Cuebidding will almost surely get 4 and then everything else sounds like a cuebid. So I will double and pull 3 to 4 which should get both suits into the picture.”

Only four experts make a bid which does not imply having spades. At least if their partner bids spades, their partner will have spades. Three of those experts bid 4. 

Adams: ”4---Double and 4 are out, because they show different kinds of hands. Yes, I know we can be cold for slam in clubs, but how to find it I have no idea. Even if hearts is the wrong spot, will still probably make.”

King: ”4---I can't double with a singleton spade and I have to make a strong bid. Of course, 4 could be going down and we could be cold for 6, but I think this is the best starting bid.”

Schwartz: ”4---Ugh. Might try 4NT if my AK wasn't in diamonds. Don't like 3NT as they are just too likely to lead a spade.”

Roman: ”3NT---A tough problem, but partner is just too likely to insist on spades if we start with double.”

Over 3, 4 shows both majors, 4NT shows clubs and hearts. There is no bid to show clubs and spades. 

How do you advance in a situation where there is no clear-cut advancing bid available? 1 and 2 both show five-card suits, a raise to 2 shows three and 1NT shows a diamond stopper. Which white lie do you tell?  Since partner could have 16 HCPs, you can’t pass so what’s your poison?

Two experts bid their four-card black suits.  Works if partner has four-card support or a strong heart suit that he rebids but you would be anxious if your bid ended the auction.  

Cappelletti: ”1---Keep it low and hopefully simple”

Parker: ”2---If it is not our hand I want a club lead. If it is our hand, partner’s next bid will allow me to do something intelligent, I hope!” 

Seven experts agree with me and bid notrump. Who needs a stopper? 

Adams: ”1NT---With my wife I can bid 1 and only show four, but the world is different. Pass too wimpy. I show a stopper, but this is a situation where partner knows to tread carefully before bidding 3NT.”

King: ”1NT---My hand is too good to pass. My spades are too weak to bid. I could bid 2 although I should have another club, or I can bid 1NT which lacks a stopper, but seems the best way to show this hand.” 

Woolsey: ”1NT---In my book a 1 overcall virtually denies four spades, since with five hearts and four spades he could double and then bid hearts -- equal level conversion.  The balanced hand looks perfect for notrump.  About the diamond stopper -- well, maybe partner will have one.”

Roman: ”1NT---Yes, a diamond stopper would be nice, but I accurately and cheaply describe the range and nature of my hand to partner and listen to what he has to say for himself.”

But maybe partner has four spades but not enough to double. QxxxAKxxxxxxx for example.

Hopkins: ”1NT---This shows 8-10 balanced.  Guess what I have.  And, of course, if I get a vicious double, I can rethink my position.”

Humphreys: ”1NT---New suit by advancer should show no tolerance for the overcall suit and typically five cards.  A good partner will have a diamond stopper.”

Schwartz: ”1NT---Too much to pass and what would I do if LHO rebids 2? Will be well placed if partner takes another bid.”

When you have the correct strength for 1NT, the lack of a stopper should not deter you from bidding it.