[hatchett]

IMP match top class players.

1. Vul vs Not

A63
2
AJ542
AKJ7


RHO deals and opens 1S


2. Vul vs Not

AK73
J82
6
AKJ83


3H P P ?

3. NV vs Vul

KJ
J87653
K42
95

1C 1S 2C ?

4. Vul vs NV

KJT73
AK4
A873
9

1C P 1S ?

5. NV vs Vul

KJT8732
AK74
73
-

5C P 6C ?

[Blofeld]

1. [Looks like an obvious takeout double to me.] Edit! Misread, and thought the opening was 1♥. Over 1♠ I am definitely not doubling. I think I bid 2♦ (the hand is fairly suit-oriented), but 1NT is ok too.

2. Ick! I think I'm going to bid 4C, but I don't really like anything.

3. Edit: I'm just confused about hearts and spades. I initially had my majors mixed up and bid 5♠ here. With the changed problem I think I bid 2♠.

4. I'm passing.

5. Have to take the last guess. I'll bid 6♠ -- I am 7-4 and I haven't a clue who's making what.

[luis]

First question: Did you sleep? Very difficult problems, I would hate to face all this problems at the table in the same tournament.

Quote

1. Vul vs Not
A63
2
AJ542
AKJ7

RHO deals and opens 1S

1NT, diamonds are quite bad for a 2d overcall and pd has forgiven me for having a singleton heart before. I plan to compensate the missing heart with extra strenght. If you want to flame my bid I must say I'm not very proud of it either.

Quote

2. Vul vs Not

AK73
J82
6
AKJ83

3H P P ?

I'm feeling excruciating pain deciding between 3NT and double. The reason for 3NT is that it automatically right-sides 3NT and if pd has the cQ or an entry I may be able to run 9 tricks quickly. Bad things that can happen: that they can run many diamonds and that 3NT is down with 4s making. I'm bidding 3NT but I will LOVE somebody to run a simulation to check what is better here (PLEASE PLEASE!)

Quote

3. NV vs Vul

KJ
J87653
K42
95

1C 1S 2C ?

Double, value-showing without 3 spades. Clear description of what I have.

Quote

4. Vul vs NV

KJT73
AK4
A873
9

1C P 1S ?

Pass. I can't think I'm being robbed in all the boards :-)

Quote

5. NV vs Vul

KJT8732
AK74
73
-

5C P 6C ?

6 hearts, if doubled I will run to 6s. Pd will lead a heart if they bid 7. So cute, so cute :-).

Luis

[cherdano]

You have a weird dealing machine there, so many off-shape hands with values...

1. 2♦. Yes, very very ugly.

2. Double, 3N second choice.

3. Double, not taking another bid unless it's correction diamonds to hearts.

4. Pass, I might be able to make a takeout double of clubs later, I might also double 1N.

5. I would bid 6♠, but I have no idea what is right.

I am still wondering which hands Owen got dealt on 1. and 3.

Arend

[hrothgar]

1. 1NT
2. 3N
3. 2H
4. 1N
5. 6S

[jdonn]

1) 1NT, with pass a close second. 2♦ on a suit like that deserves to go for 800 every time, even on a good hand.

2) The toughest problem. I'll go with 3♠. I just can't stand to double and hear diamonds over there, and 3♠ gives us a chance at both 4♠ or 3NT when it's right, which an immediate 3NT doesn't. There is no doubt this is risky though.

3) Double seems obvious, this one isn't even a problem.

4) Pass, also not a problem.

5) Double for sure. This is most flexible. I can always pull to 6♠ later, if I want, but why rule out 6♣X?

[pclayton]

1. 2D. 1N instantly wrong-sides the contract. If LHO has a diamond stack, I don't like my chances much in 1N either. I can't catch up after a pass.

2. A bugger! 3N could be right, but I don't like it with 2 flaws. We might survive a heart attack, but diamonds could be a problem. Exchange my KS for the KD and Ill bid 3N. Ill try for a middle of the road 4C and hope for 4S over 4D.

3. Unless you are playing Robson-style, double shows the unbid suits. This hand is worth one call, and I think Ill settle for 2S.

4. Pass. Oddball 2S could work, but I'd trade a red honor for a 6th spade. Double is OK I guess too.

5. Opps are vul and are bidding like maniacs. Sounds like a double fit all around. MP's I'd pass, but can't afford that at IMPs. Ill shoot 6S.

[whereagles]

1. Simple solution: 2♦.

2. Dbl + correct 4♦ to 4♠. Got enough extras to try for that.. I hope.

3. Dbl + 2♠ later.

4. Pass and dbl 3NT later for the lead

5. Oh well.. 6♣.

[mike777]

hatchett, on May 17 2006, 10:07 AM, said:

IMP match top class players.

1.  Vul vs Not

A63
2
AJ542
AKJ7


RHO deals and opens 1S


2.    Vul vs Not

AK73
J82
6
AKJ83


3H  P    P    ?

3.    NV vs Vul

KJ
J87653
K42
95

1C  1S  2C  ?

4.  Vul vs NV

KJT73
AK4
A873
9

1C  P  1S  ?

5.  NV vs Vul

KJT8732
AK74
73
-

5C  P  6C  ?

1) 2D, got to bid something.
2) 4Clubs, will risk bidding my longest suit with no h stopper and no D's and an unbalanced hand.
3) X=ya not snapdragon, responsive.
4) Pass
5) 6S is my best guess.

[foo]

hatchett, on May 17 2006, 10:07 AM, said:

IMP match top class players.

1.  Vul vs Not
A63.2.AJ542.AKJ7
RHO deals and opens 1S

2.    Vul vs Not
AK73.J82.6.AKJ83
3H-pa-pa-??

3.    NV vs Vul
KJ.J87653.K42.95
1C-1S-2C-??

4.  Vul vs NV
KJT73.AK4.A873.9
1C-pa-1S-??

5.  NV vs Vul
KJT8732.AK74.73.-
5C-pa-6C-??

"Very difficult problems, I would hate to face all this problems at the table in the same tournament."

Agreed.

1 2N showing the minors.
2. *shudder* 4H! showing S+m. With my luck, 3N is Our last making spot...
3. Ick. All my values are trapped ahead of Opener. Pass or X depending on table feel.
4. I have no bid to safely describe my hand. Pass.
5. As Luis said: "6 hearts, if doubled I will run to 6s. Pd will lead a heart if they bid 7. So cute, so cute :-)."

[mikeh]

1. 2♦: too much to pass, not enough ♥ to double, not good enough majors to bid 1N, nothing else left

2. 3N: it is a dirty job but someone has to bid 3N when it is right and partner isn;t going to. I would expect a plurality of top players to agree... but not to be unanimous.

3. 2♥: double is NOT snapdragon, as I understand the convention (double of the 3rd suit shows the 4th suit, with tolerance for partner's suit): double would be responsive: and while I like holding 9 red cards for the double, partner will expect more ♦ and fewer ♥. My only choices really are 2♥ (an overbid on strength and suit, and a call that may well generate a terrible lead), pass (an underbid that places far too much pressure on partner) or 2♠: and I HATE 2♠

While 2♥ has a lot of things wrong with it, it is the best bid to let us find a game if we have one, and that cures the other problems for me.

4. Pass: I am allowed to pass sometimes, even if my answer to no. 3 suggests that I don't do it enough

5. 6♠: I like the cute 6♥, but no-one is bidding 7♣ over 6♥. Now, if they bid 7♣ over 6♠, I will double to demand a non-♠ lead

My guess is that RHO has running ♦, good ♣, and the ♠A and is gambling on the lead/hoping his partner has short ♥. OTOH, if it is RHO who has short ♥ (AQxx x AKQJx AJx) we are really going to wish we had bid 6♥ AND NOT RUN!

[sceptic]

1/. 2D

2/. 4C I would bid 3S if I knew p would bid 3NT with half a H stop or better

3/. 2H for me cant see anything else but I guess 2H sucks

4/. 1NT or 2nd choice 2C cant justify it, I just like bidding

5/. what is wrong with x pard bids D run to spades anything else you are happy

[Codo]

1. 2 ♦

2. 3 NT with few confidence in my heart and as much confidence as possible at the table.

3. I would like to have a card showing double here, don´t have it, have to pass, sit and wait...

4. PASSive action seems to be nice here. If they bid 2 Club, I can balance, if they bid 1 NT, I can balance too and I am not afraid of any other bid.

5. 6 ♥ followed by 6 ♠ whenever I will face a smart guy like luis at the table.
6 ♠ with the typical partners....

[joshs]

1. 2D. Yes this might go for a number but pass might miss game and 1N has too many flaws.

2. A common nasty MSC problem. The optimistic x always wins the MSC vote. I don't know, Pass, x, 3S and 3N could all work out. 4C is the most conservative, but the least likely to actually hit a target. Honestly, I still vote for pass, but I am a notorious pessimist when holding 3 cards in the opponents suit. I really would like to know what is right here.

3. I think a responsive x is a better description than a 2H bid.

4. 2S. Often when this was a mistake opener bids 3C before RHO can hurt you. You suit and hand is good enough for this. The main alternative is to pass and then x 1N or 2C next, aiming for blood. That plan is also fine, but the vul argues for aiming for your own game.

5. Pass. The problem with xing is that partner is basically only going to bid if he had a 6 card suit and some shape, and the 6 card suit will be in diamonds most of the time. For instance when partner had x Qxxx AKxxxx xx he will bid 6D and you just turned your plus into a minus. I don't think you will get them lots on average when partner passes, and they will even make some. Consequently,xing turns some pluses into minus, and doesn't turn many pluses into big plus, or many minuses into pluses (or smaller minuses). If partner will only bid over the x with a long major, then you could get some good saves out of this and wouldn't be turning many pluses into minuses.

theme: the main reason to x agressively with hsape hands is that it helps you decide if you are better off declaring or defending. Xing with this hand doesn't help that decision.

[mikeh]

joshs, on May 17 2006, 06:06 PM, said:

5. Pass. The problem with xing is that partner is basically only going to bid if he had a 6 card suit and some shape, and the 6 card suit will be in diamonds most of the time. For instance when partner had x Qxxx AKxxxx xx he will bid 6D and you just turned your plus into a minus. I don't think you will get them lots on average when partner passes, and they will even make some. Consequently,xing turns some pluses into minus, and doesn't turn many pluses into big plus, or many minuses into pluses (or smaller minuses). If partner will only bid over the x with a long major, then you could get some good saves out of this and wouldn't be turning many pluses into minuses.

theme: the main reason to x agressively with hsape hands is that it helps you decide if you are better off declaring or defending. Xing with this hand doesn't help that decision.

The opps are red v white: RHO did not bid 6♣ to save... at least, I very much doubt that he did. I would very strongly suspect that he has the ♠A and good ♦ and a ♣ fit (altho I retract my earlier construction of AJx: a red v white 5♣ opening will not usually be missing that much stuff in the suit).

This means that double is misdirected, unless you have an agreement that double asks for a ♥lead, and, even then, you have NO reason to expect to cash 2 tricks.

The reality is that double will be left in, and that you are probably scoring up -1740 for 6♣ x'd plus 1.

In other words, far from turning a plus into a minus (your fear), double rates to turn a big minus into a bigger minus.

Bidding, whether it be the cute 6♥ or the pedestrian 6♠, rates to turn a big minus into a small(er) minus.

[Kalvan14]

1. 1N or 2N (unusual). Both have flaws; IMHO, if we have a game 3N looks best. So I think I'd bid 1N.

2. Horrible choices: X, 3N or 4C. 4C is very conservative; 3N depends on how many hearts pard holds: if just one, it's a disaster. If 2 is fine; X looks a bit more attractive overall, and is my likely choice. But I hate this hand.

3. X, responsive. Over 2D, I've an easy 2H. The alternative is 2H, but I'd prefer to have an honor for it.

4. Pass. No doubt.

5. Toss of a coin, again. You might make a case for pass; 6S rates to be a good defense, if they have a slam. Do they? 6H is cute, but no one will bid 7C. It's a decision I might take either way at the table.

[Impact]

Brutal problems from one set:-

1. 1NT despite shortage in H with 2D 2nd choice; at least NT focuses on strength and most likely game....

2. foul but 3NT on Hamman's rule with apologies to partner as we chalk up some huge minus...but all the other options look worse including bidding at the 4level on a 5 card suit....hey it could have been even tougher if the pre-empt had been in D and my reds were switched as now if I risk 3NT I also risk that partner will transfer me to H....

3. At last an easy one for my methods: 2D as transfer to H over which I can complete my description to 2S. I use the double to start transfers - and although it is not for the lead 6 card suits with constructive values require a bid, and if you don't show your 6 card suit partner will not play you for one even if he holds AKx (your S honours make it likely he holds some card/s in H)

4. PASS - stay fixed and pay off if they psyche successfully....

5. Crapshoot but anything could be making and vul opponents are unlikely to opt for hara kiri - so 6H for the lead and expect to run to 6S, but to say that this comes with no guarantees is one of the great understatements of our time - and I'll be prepared to apologise to partner if the outcome is poor (a generally advisable strategy on any offbeat call - even if you think that he should get the gag, and I probably pull more "creative " bids than most)

[sfbp]

1. 2♦
Anything else misstates the hand, and doubling and bidding is too hard when pard has a decent hand and hearts.

2. X
Because I want to see what happens, lol. You can't be fixed until you're fixed, so there's no point in bidding (or passing) out of fear. I hope pard would convert my subsequent 4H bid to 4NT with half a stopper, but I admit, it's a pious hope.

3. 2♥
I don't care how bad the suit is, put the card on the table so pard can begin to get a picture of the hand. Fourth seat never has much anyway... what does he expect??? I'm never doubling with this lot- I have some tolerance for pard and give him only a couple of hearts and we are away to the proverbial races.

4. P
Clearcut, as it's not good enough for the "ignore-RHO-and-bid-2S" move.

5. 6♠
Who knows whether I am sacrificing or whether they are? I'm reasonably happy doubling them if they go higher, but 6S has to have something going for it.

[xeqtr]

1. 2♦, would bid 2NT with another ♣.

2. X and pull 4♦ to 4♠.

3. Good ole negative free bid of 2♥ is just fine here.

4. Easy pass.

5. I really like X; won't mind if he passes. When pd bid his ♦'s, guess I'll correct to ♠'s.

[helene_t]

1. 1NT. Might wrong-side 3NT but I see no alternative.

2. Luis said it. 3NT.

3. 2♥. Unless double shows a five-card hearts with spades tollerance.

4. Pass. No reasons to bid and no bidding options either.

5. 6♠. Pass is probably better but this is IMPs and if 6♠ is better it may gain a lot.