Some problems from the Palm Springs Regional

1. Both vul, you hold

    A109x 10x Jxx Axxx

   LHO	CHO	RHO	You
   1!	1	3!	?

   1 was 2 or more. 3 was preemptive.

2. 	Ax Jx A432 AK10xx
   108 x KQ10xx 9xxxx		KQJxx K109x Jxx Q
   	97xx AQ87xx 5 Jx

   North	East	South	West
   1NT	2!	Dbl	Pass
   Pass	2	Dbl	All Pass

   1NT was 15-17. 2 was the majors. Pass of the double was "no preference" (not diamonds).

   T1: x-8-A-x
   T2: x-x-x-10
   T3: K-A-x-x
   T4: J-K-A-x
   T5: J-x-K-x
   T6: K.
   Making 2. N/S -670. 800 is available on any number of defenses.

   a) what would you lead?
   b) assign the blame for this 30 IMP debacle.
   c) In 4 N/S, do you take the offense or defense?
   

3. 	Kx Kxx AQxxxx Kx
   QJ109xx A9xx x xx		Axxxx J10 Kx AJ9x
   	— Qxxx J10xx Q108xx

   North	East	South	West
   1NT	Pass	2!	Dbl
   3	Pass*	Pass	3
   All Pass

   2 was alerted and explained as Minor Suit Stayman. (One might question the wisdom of this choice, but N/S open 1NT frequently with 5-card majors, so letting the opponents bid spades might not be so bad.) East's 2nd pass was rather pregnant (and ridiculous—she has an obvious 4 bid), agreed all around.

   The director was called after the 3 bid. The hand was played out; 3 made 5. The director was summoned after the hand. He ruled 3+3 for +110.

   Each side appealled. E/W wanted +200. N/S wanted +130.

   How do you rule?

4. 	AJx Q98x A108x 108
   	Kx AKx 9xxx AJ64

   You open a strong (15-17) NT. Partner bids Stayman. RHO (Meckstroth) bids 2. You pass, pass, 3NT, all pass. You get a medium spade spot lead. You win the K in hand and play a diamond to the 8. Meckstroth wins with the Q and continues with the 9. Your turn.