February 2021 - 41

Opposite:
J x x	

K J x x 	 K x x x 	

Q x,

can we find our way to 7? "
While Cohen believes that double
wouldn't be penalty, he's scared to risk it
with a void. " I'm afraid partner will leave it
in. I will have a decision on the next round,
but you didn't ask, so I'm not telling. "
Meyers, 4. " I think this is a slam
drive that brings all of the other suits into
play. 4NT is an alternative, but I think
that leaves hearts out of the picture. "
4 by Molson. " If the panel says
double is better, I will not argue. The boys
love their doubles! "
How do you defend doubling? Can't be
the trump stack!
Donn: " Pretty risky with a void, but I
don't see any better option. At least every
contract remains in play. "
Meckstroth, who doesn't want to
crowd the auction with 4, likes double
" to start. "
This time Grossack's double is not penalty. " The opponents have bid and raised,
making this a classic, no-clear-direction
double. I really must find out where partner's length lies. I know about their fourplus hearts, but my double allows them
to further clarify, after which I intend to
bid 4. If they pass, I'm perfectly happy
to defend with all of these aces. Double
for me is superior to 4 directly because
it potentially allows us to find our strain
before looking for slam. Or a grand? "
Boehm proposes 4NT showing primary
clubs, secondary diamonds. " Probably
bound for slam, but let's first find the
trump suit. 4 is available to agree
hearts. "
Lawrence says 4NT seemed OK for a
problem like this a few months ago, so
he'll try it again. " I have hopes for 7,
less so for 7. "
Sanborn bids 4NT. " Values for the five
level, not sure where to play; emphasis on
the minors - should almost always show
this shape. "
Robinson, 5NT. " Let partner decide
which slam we should play in. "

Rigal, 5NT, harboring hope that the
opponents will bail him out if six doesn't
make. " 5NT should be clubs and diamonds, I think, but I'm not sure I can
afford to give up on hearts altogether.
If we can't make slam, maybe they will
save. "
Weinstein offers partner a little more
insight into his hand with 4. " A 4
reverse must be forcing. I have a great
hand, especially if we find a diamond fit.
I'm forcing the hand to slam. "
Korbel bids 4. " This is definitely
forcing. I prefer this to either double or
4 because it will make it easier for us
to find a fit (and we avoid playing 3
doubled!). "
3. Double whammy potential
IMPs. North-South vulnerable.
A J 9 8 2	
West	
	
Pass	

A 5	
North	
1	
2	

Q 8 5 4 2

7	
East	
Pass	
Pass	

South
1
?

	
	
	
	
	
	

Call	
2NT	
Pass	
3	
2	
2	

Votes	
9	
2	
2	
2	
0	

Award
100
70
60
60
30

Sanborn's take on 2NT: " Not perfect,
but what is? "
Meyers calls 2NT not perfect, but the
best of the worst. " In my partnerships, I
play that 2NT is forcing one round. "
Donn pulls the 2NT bid from the box,
although he says pass is OK, too. " It
seems to be a misfit, but 'vulnerable at
IMPs' makes me do it. "
Lawrence says 2NT is the only bid
that shows these values without over or
understating something else. " Among
other things, it gives partner room for
some additional bids - such as 3. Now
I can turn this hand into a grand slam
adventure. Pass is marginally acceptable.
3, even though it could work, is the
worst of those three possible actions. 2
is revolting. "
2NT by Cohen. " My heart tells me that
passing is the winning action, but the

PANEL'S ANSWERS
	

1	

2	

3	

4	

5	

Total

August Boehm	

Pass	

4NT	

3	

4	

Pass	

380

Larry Cohen	

Pass	

4	

2NT	

4	

2	

490

Mel Colchamiro	

2	

4	

Pass	

Pass	

2	

430

Josh Donn	

1NT	

Dbl	

2NT	

Pass	

2	

470

Zachary Grossack	

Dbl	

Dbl	

3	

4	

2	

430

Daniel Korbel	

2	

4	

2NT	

4	

2	

440

Mike Lawrence	

Pass	

4NT	

2NT	

4	

2	

420

Roger Lee	

Pass	

Dbl	

Pass	

Pass	

3	

410

Jeff Meckstroth	

1NT	

Dbl	

2NT	

Pass	

3	

450

Jill Meyers	

1NT	

4	

2NT	

4	

2	

500

Janice Molson	

1NT	

4	

2NT	

4	

3	

480

Barry Rigal	

1NT	

5NT	

2NT	

Pass	

3	

420

Steve Robinson	

Pass	

5NT	

2	

4	

2	

410

Kerri Sanborn	

Dbl	

4NT	

2NT	

4	

3	

430

Steve Weinstein	

Pass	

4	

2	

Pass	

2	

390

February 2021 | Bridge Bulletin | 41

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February 2021

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