Three from the Long Beach Sectional '97

IMPs, short matches, partner is a sound bidder
  1. favorable, you hold

     S:Qxx H:KQJx D:K98x C:J9

    You LHO CHO RHO
    Pass1NT Dbl*Pass
    ?

    1NT was 15-17. Double shows a four-card major and a longer minor (usually---he could have a decent one-suiter with a minor or a big big balanced hand, but those are fairly rare).

  2. none vul, you hold

     S:KJxx2 H:x2 D:KJx2 C:A2

    You LHO CHO RHO
    1S: 2S: 4S: 5H: (fast---out of tempo)
    Pass6H: Dbl All Pass

    Near the end of a close match (no one has scored any IMPs at your table), RHO bid 5H: in under a second after a skip bid warning. When LHO chooses to bid 6H:, you consider calling the director, but partner doubles first, making that probably pointless. What do you lead? Yes, you really have all four deuces. No, they won't shift to Mighty Deuce.

  3. none vul, you hold

     S:AJ108x H:Jx D:AJ7 C:Q108

    LHO CHO RHO You
    2S: Pass2NT*Pass
    3H:* Pass3NT All pass
    2S: was weak and natural, somewhat undisciplined. 2NT asked for shortness; 3H: confessed to short hearts. What do you lead?


Answers
Jeff Goldsmith, jeff@tintin.jpl.nasa.gov, Nov. 19, 1997