Problems from Israel

These problems are all from the Israel International Bridge Festival. Partner is capable, but you do not have a strong partnership. The opponents are often extremely random; the events are all Flight C events with a sprinkling of Flight A players. All IMP events are short matches (VPs) unless expressly specified.
  1. MPs, none vul, you hold

     S:Axxxx H:Qxxx D:A2 C:KQ

    YOULHOCHORHO
    1S:PassPass2D:
    Pass3D:3H:5D:
    ?

    If you pass or double, what do you lead?

  2. IMPs, unfavorable

     S:K1098x H:xx D:x C:K1098x

    RHOYOULHOCHO
    1S:Pass1NT1Pass
    Pass?

    1not forcing

  3. MPs, none vul

     S:KJxx H:KQ7x D:Ax C:K108

    YOULHOCHORHO
    1C:1NT2D:Pass
    Pass2H:PassPass
    ?

  4. IMPs, unfavorable

     S:AQxx H:AJ10x D:K10x C:xx

    YOULHOCHORHO
    1D:Pass1S:Pass
    2S:PassPass3C:
    PassPass3H:Pass
    3S:?4C:PassPass
    ?

    ? Do you? (I wouldn't, but did. Guess why.)

  5. IMP Pairs, none vul

     S:AKQxxx H:K9 D:Ax C:Jxx

    RHO opens 2H:, weak. What's your plan?

  6. Unfavorable, IMPs

     S:xx H:xx D:AQx C:KQ10xxx

    CHORHOYOULHO
    1S:Dbl?

    a) what is your plan with your favorite methods
    b) what is your plan if everything is natural and 2C: is constructive but not forcing?
    c) what is your plan with no agreements?

  7. Unfavorable, IMPs

     S:--- H:J98 D:xx C:AKQxxxxx

    LHOCHORHOYOU
    1H:Pass1S:4C:1
    4H:Pass4NTPass
    5C:Dbl25H:?

    1 Do you?
    2 Suggests no club honor/lead averting

  8. Matchpoints, none vul

     S:10x H:Axx D:87654 C:Kxx

    LHORHO
    3C:3NT
    Pass

    What's your lead?

  9. Vulnerable, IMPs

     S:Qx H:Q D:10987 C:K8xxxx

    Partner opens 1NT 15-17. What's your plan?

  10. both white, IMPs

     S:KJ H:x D:Qxxxx C:Jxxxx

    LHOCHORHOYOU
    2D:1Dbl23H:3Pass
    3S:4Dbl5Pass?

    1 Multi
    2 Dbl = 16+ balanced or some very good difficult hands
    3 3H: was both majors, preemptive (multi)
    4 3S: was a weak 2 in spades
    5 2nd Dbl = 19+ balanced, almost always

  11. IMPs, none vul

     S:Qxx H:9xxx D:--- C:KQxxxx

    RHOYOULHOCHO
    PassPass1H:2D:
    2S:PassPass3C:
    Pass?

  12. Both white, IMPS

     S:x H:A10xx D:KJxx C:Jxxx

    LHOCHORHOYOU
    1H:*1S:1NTPass
    2C:2S:3H:Pass
    Pass3S:Pass?

    * Opponents are playing blue team club; 1H: is canape and 11-14.

  13. both white, IMPs

     S:K9x H:Qx D:Axxx C:Q10xx

    LHOCHORHOYOU
    Pass1C:4H:Dbl?
    Pass4S:5D:?

    ? Negative. Do you?

    OK, this is a thinly disguised theory problem. Do negative doubles at the four-level create forcing pass auctions? If of 4S:, I think the answer is clearly, "yes." If below 4S:, I have no clue.

  14. Vul, IMP pairs

     S:Q10x H:Q10xx D:Axxx C:Qx

    Partner opens 1H:. What's your plan?

Answers
Jeff Goldsmith, jeff@tintin.jpl.nasa.gov, Feb. 7, 1996