June 2007 - 32

Director: Dave Smith
Scores: Kitty and Steve Cooper

says Meckstroth, "so I have to pass
and hope we can beat them."
"Pass and pray," say the Colchamiros. "This is a dangerous
situation!"
"Pass," agrees Baze. "Double says
bid if you think you might make it,
but otherwise pass."
Falk also passes and addresses an
issue that some of the 5 bidders
didn't comment on.
"If by some miracle we can make
5," he says, "North would likely be
strong enough to raise to 6 or even
to 7. Even minus 790 might be better than minus 800 (or worse)."
The Coopers scored the problems
this month. They will be joining the
panel as regulars beginning in July.
What did they think?
"Who knows what's right?" they
ask. "It's easier to take four tricks
than 11, so we upgraded the pass."
2. IMPs. None vul.

Problems are from Polish Bridge
magazine.
1. IMPs. Both vul.
3 7 3 2 10 7 4 J 9 8 6 5 4
West

North

4

Dbl
Call
5
Pass
Other

East
3
Pass

Votes
10
8
0

South
Pass
?
Award
100
90
0

A hopeless choice
When your partner doubles after
an auction such as this one, you are
supposed to pass unless you think
you can make whatever you bid. Your
hand, however, has no defense. If
partner has A K Q 3, those 9 highcard points may not take any tricks.
"5," says Boehm. "Could be a
double game swing if partner has
A K 10 3 or K Q 10 3 where
my club length undermines partner's
defensive potential."
"I believe the vulnerable opponents," says Meyer, who also bids
5. "If partner has A K 10 3, a lot
of his points are wasted."
32

"5," says Rigal. "I can't say I feel
happy with my choice. Others will
pass and wait for partner to produce
four tricks - I'll take my chances
bidding."
Kennedy bids 5 and says she is
"taking out insurance." Lawrence
bids 5 "with angst," and hopes the
opponents bid on to 5. Freeman
agrees with 5 and calls it "automatic."
The Sutherlins bid 5 and say,
"We hope to push the board since our
counterpart at the other table has the
same hopeless choice."
"I can't imagine risking minus 790
or 990," says Walker. "I have zero
defense and the offensive safety of a
six-card suit."
"This could be a double game
swing," says Sanborn who also bids
5. "I can't imagine passing."
Eight panelists did imagine
passing. They feel that bidding is accepting a minus score.
"Pass," says Robinson. "It's easier
to take four tricks than 11. I hope
partner doesn't have A K Q 3 2."
Montin agrees with pass. "They
may make it, but we could go set
many tricks vulnerable and doubled
when, in fact, they are going set."
"I don't think I am making 5,"

K 10 9 7 Q 10 9 4 7 6 J 10 5
West

North
East
1
2
Pass
Dbl
Pass
Two-part question:

South
Pass
?

1. Do you agree with South's pass?
2. What is your call?
Call
Yes
No

Votes
11
7

Award
50
40

Call
2
2
3
2
Pass

Votes
8
8
2
0
0

Award
50
45
25
10
0

Are you strong enough for a negative double at the two level?
You should have at least 6 HCP to
make a negative double at the one
level. Conventional wisdom says
you need a little more to do so at the
two level - perhaps a queen better.
Seven of the panelists don't agree
with this.
"We disagree (with pass)," say the
Sutherlins. "It would have been better
to make an aggressive double to show
Bridge Bulletin
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2007
