What's Going On?

Yes, there's a theme here. Mostly, it's what is partner doing?
  1. IMPs, both vul, you hold

     S:A H:AKJxx D:Kxx C:Kxxx

    You LHO CHO RHO
    1H: 1S: Pass2S:
    Dbl Pass3S: Pass
    ?

    a) what the (*&& is partner doing?
    b) are you sure?
    c) what now?

  2. Matchpoints, both vul, you hold

     S:QJxxx H:Kx D:AQ10 C:xxx

    You LHO CHO RHO
    1S: 4H: 5H: Pass
    5S: Pass6C: Pass
    ?

    a) what the (*&& is partner doing?
    b) are you sure?
    c) what now?

  3. IMPs, both vul, you hold

     S:AKQxx H:x D:Axxxx C:Qx

    CHO RHO You LHO
    Pass2H: 2S: 4H:
    5C: Pass?

    a) what the (*&& is partner doing?
    b) are you sure?
    c) what now?
    d) would you have bid 2S: or 4D: (D:+S:) last time?
    e) if you bid 5D:, it goes double, pass, pass to you. Now what?

Answers
Jeff Goldsmith, jeff@gg.caltech.edu, Oct. 7, 2001