July 2018 - 41

too. I guess it would just depend on my
mood."
Call
Votes
Award
2♥
3
100
The spade stopper - or lack thereof
3♣
3
100
- is a deal breaker for a handful of
Dbl
3
60
Juniors.
3♦
2
60
Grossack likes double. "Very close
4♣
1
50
to 2NT, but feel like that could be very
Pass
0
30
bad. I don't want to guess who holds
the missing spade length. For now, I
Recharge
double and try to learn more and get
Rosenberg chooses 2♥, calling
to the best contract. Can't pass red at
double
risky. "Partner might interpret
IMPs."
double as a contextual penalty since we
Zhang doubles. "We risk game by
already tried to penalize the oppopassing if partner has a good 8-count,
nents. Some might say 2♥ is also risky
and 2NT wrongsides the contract
because partner could conceivably inwhen partner has ♠K x or similar. I'll
terpret it as natural, but I think if partraise 3♥ to four, 2NT to three and try
ner passes, they get what they deserve.
3NT over a constructive 3♦."
Plus I might make it. That being said,
"Double," says Jeng. "While 2NT
I think 2♥ should be a forward-going
does get our strength across, we lack a
cuebid, which is what I have. My next
spade stopper. If partner has an honor,
move, assuming partner bids the likely
we potentially do have
2♠ or 2NT, is to bid 3♣ and see
a double stopper, but
what partner has to say."
there is a lack of tricks.
Grossack's 2♥: "Cuebid the
Over an expected threeopponents'
suit. Could be a little
of-a-minor response, I'll
scary
if
partner
thinks it is to play,
probe for 3NT with 3♠,
but
that
is
unlikely.
I want to try
while I will just pass any
to get to the best game. Won't
lebensohl response. If
sit for any sort of penalty double
partner has any positive
with a void."
heart response, I have
Xiao bids 2♥. "Partner looks to
an easy raise to game."
Zach Grossack
have
a strong hand and I defiYue doubles. "At this
nitely
want
to be in game, but if partner
form of scoring and vulnerability, game
had
opening
values, 3♣ may be passed.
seems extremely attractive. Because
I
also
wouldn't
be surprised if partner
we are playing lebensohl, doubling
offers the best chance of game and also bids spades afterwards, so with my
great versatility."
Zhu thinks double offers the best
Panel's answers
chance to get to the right game. "Even a
1
2
minor partial could be good. Pass might
Arjun
Dhir
2NT
Dbl
sometimes win IMPs. 2NT might get
us playing notrump when it's wrong."
Cornelius Duffie
2NT
3♣
Zach Grossack
Dbl
2♥
2. IMPs. Both vulnerable.
Richard Jeng
Dbl
3♦
♠A J 9 ♥A Q 10 6 3 ♦- ♣Q 10 7 6 4
Oren Kriegel
2NT
4♣
Kevin Rosenberg
2NT
2♥
West North
East
South
Brent
Xiao
2NT
2♥
1♥
Pass
Pass
Dbl
Pass
Pass
Michael Xu
2NT
3♦
1NT
Pass
2♦
?
Jonathan Yue
Dbl
Dbl
Lucy Zhang
Dbl
Dbl
Arthur Zhou
2NT
3♣
William Zhu
Dbl
3♣

three-card spade
suit, I will be very
supportive of
whatever partner
bids."
Duffie bids 3♣,
"even though
it's probably an
underbid. I think
Cornelius Duffie
pass is wrong
with a void in diamonds; even if my partner doubles this,
I'm not going to leave it in, and I could
have a much worse hand:
(♠x x ♥K Q J 9 8 ♦Q J x ♣x x x).
I don't see many other alternatives.
I'm not bidding spades with only three,
and I'm not bidding notrump with this
shape. I could try 2♥, but I don't really
know what it means. I could try 4♣,
but I don't want to bypass 3NT."
Zhou, 3♣: "It looks like the opponents have stumbled into at least an
eight-card fit, so 2♦ doubled doesn't
rate to be set more than one. Game is
certainly possible for our side, but a
partscore in clubs could also be the
limit. Bidding 3♣ still puts 3NT in the
picture, but allows partner to pass with
a minimum."
3♣ by Zhu. "It's unclear if we are in a
forcing auction. It's very likely partner
has at least three clubs, and the opponents probably have nine diamonds
together. Partner passed over 1NT, so
he's limited. 3♣ should be making,

3
1NT
1NT
2♥
1NT
2♥
1NT
1NT
2♥
4♠
2♥
1NT
4♥

4
3♥
3♦
3♦
2♦
2♣
2♣
2♣
3♦
3♦
2♣
3♦
3♦

5
4♠
4♠
4♠
4♠
2♠
3♠
3♠
3♠
3♠
4♠
3♠
3♠

Total
420
490
460
410
370
480
480
440
400
400
500
420

July 2018 Bridge Bulletin

41
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2018
