Problems from the '95 Palm Springs Regional: Answers

1. IMPs, long match, none vul, you hold

    AKJ10x --- Ax AKQxxx

   YOU	LHO	CHO	RHO
   2?	Pass	2*	2
   3	4	Dbl	Pass
   ?

   ? Do you
   * Game force

   ---

   Roberto

   5. We may have some trouble finding our best suit, but I think this is the best way to get to the grand if it's there. 5 is also reasonable.

   Curt

   4, awaiting developments. Without a trump to lead, I'm not going to pass.

   Ed

   5. Is there a second choice?

   Lynn

   I think I'll try 5 unless my opponents are known maniacs. [They are. --J] I would NOT have opened 2 (it's a disaster in my methods, which include step responses). I don't claim that I wouldn't have equally bad problems, though, and possibly even worse ones.

   Rolf

   5 - telling pard that I need only very little for slam.

   Jeff at the table

   4

   Consensus

   5

   Winning Action

   5

   Jeff upon Reflection

   No one keyed on what I think is the most important aspect of this problem. I was going to bid 5 until partner doubled. I think the double really ought to slow us down; he's warning us that his cards are in hearts, he has no club fit, and he's much more interested in defense than offense. 5 is still the value bid (11 tricks in hand in a sense) so it makes sense, and, not surprisingly, is the panel consensus.

2. IMPs, long match, none vul, you hold

    A A9x AK10xx Q109x

   You	Partner
   1	1
   2	2
   ?

   ---

   Roberto

   2 is an underbid, and 3 may get us too high. You should be playing a big club. I'll go with 3. [someone has to carry the torch for club systems without Fout here --Jeff]

   Curt

   4. hopefully partner will correct when it is appropriate.

   Ed

   2. Is there a second choice? 3 is for those that don't know that two hearts shows a good hand (1-3-5-4 15+ HCP). 3 should show a hand that is improved by the 2 bid, i.e.  --- Kxx AJxxxx AKJx.

   Lynn

   I can't really see a better bid than 3. If partner is 4-4-2-3 with bad hearts, he'll just have to try to make 3NT.

   Rolf

   2 - let's see how partner reacts. 3 is an alternative but I don't want to get overboard.

   Jeff at the table

   2

   Consensus

   None

   Winning Action

   3

   Jeff upon Reflection

   I agree with Ed. I think 2 is right, but if the hand were a tad better, I'd bid 3. On the other hand, my program calls this a 20-count, which would make it ok for 3 in my book. We shall have serious entry problems after the obvious trump lead, though, so I think 2 is enough. Partner has  Kxxx K10xxx xx Jx and white decided to go plus in 2, which is reasonable. I would not have faulted an agressive 3, either, and it would have been more successful than the actual choice on this hand.

3. IMPs, none vul, short match

   	A9xxxx --- A98x K9x
   	KQxx KQ9xx 10x Ax

   After a revealing auction in which the defenders know your exact shape and approximate point-count, you reach 6 against the Q lead. Plan the play.

   ---

   There are two lines:

   Line A

   Ruff two diamonds and a club in hand.

   Line B

   Ruff out the A/heart finesse.

   These lines are close percentagewise. I think the Line Aers were more convincing. In actual play, each declarer tried Line B, but either would have worked. The panel was split.

4. IMPs, long match, unfavorable, you deal

    Kx A10x AK AKJxxx What's your plan?

   ---

   Roberto

   Open 2, rebid 2NT.

   Curt

   2, then 3

   Ed

   2, then 3. Is there a second choice?

   Lynn

   I'd open 2 and rebid 3NT (over 2) assuming that partner can transfer to a six-card major after that

   Rolf

   Open 2 and rebid 3.

   Jeff at the table

   2, intending to rebid 3, but when 2 (double negative) was bid, shifted gears and shot out 3NT.

   Winning Action

   2, then 2NT.

   Jeff upon Reflection

   2NT seems like a huge underbid, but it's the only way to go plus on the hands. Partner has nothing:  10xx J9xx 108xx xx, but it turns out that 3NT is not hopeless even opposite that trash. The opening lead was the 2-(3rd & 5th)-8-J-A. A-x-x-x, K-x-x-x, K-x-x-x, exit club. Unfortunately, RHO won and shifted to QJ9x. Down 2.

5. Entries are not a problem. No trumps.

   Dummy

   A98x

   Declarer

   Qxxx

   You need three tricks and can't get them to lead the suit. What's the best play?

   ---

   The best line is Ace, then if no honor appears on the left, low to the Queen. If the J or 10 appears, run the 9. This is 1.2% better than an immediate low to the queen.