Some Problems from the Toronto Nationals

  1. MPs, unfavorable, you hold

     S:9x H:1087x D:xxx C:K654

    RHO You LHO CHO
    1C: Pass1S: 2S:
    3C: PassPassDbl
    Pass?

  2. IMPs, favorable, you hold

     S:Jx H:K108xxx D:xxx C:10x

    LHO CHO RHO You
    Pass1NT Pass?

    1NT was 12-14.

  3. IMPs, unfavorable, you hold

     S:J9xx H:— D:Qxxx C:AQJ9x

    RHO You LHO CHO
    1H: Dbl 4H: Dbl
    Pass?

    Yeah, we all tell our partners we won't double on these hands, but in reality, we all do.

  4. IMPs, unfavorable, you hold

     S:A9xxx H:9 D:x C:AQJ98x

    LHO CHO RHO You
    3D: PassPass?

    You are playing standard methods, so 4C: is not clubs and a major here. Feel free to argue why it ought to be, but it isn't this time.

  5. IMPs, none vul, you hold

     S:AQx H:10942 D:K10xx C:109

    DummyDeclarer
    1C:! 1S:!
    1NT! 2H:!
    3H: 4S:!
    5D:! 6H:
    Pass

    1C: was clubs or a balanced hand.
    1S: was various hands, see 2H:.
    1NT was 12-14 balanced, either three clubs or 3334 exactly.
    2H: was four hearts, longer clubs, GF
    4S: was key card
    5D: was two without
    Yes, that's a lot to assimilate.

    Your lead.

  6. IMPs, both vul

    S: K10
    H: J105
    D: AKx
    C: KQ8xx
    S: x
    H: AK3
    D: J9xxx
    C: J9xx

    The bidding went 3S:-4S:.

    You lead the H:A (A from AK here), and partner plays the H:8 (upside down). Over to you.

    Answers
    Jeff Goldsmith, Aug. 20th, 2011