September 2021 - 40

IT'S
YOUR
CALL
East
3 Dbl
1' Pass
Pass
Call
3NT
Pass
4k
Votes
9
6
Award
100
80
60
Weinstein bids a confident 3NT,
fully expecting to make it. " Partner's
double shows a very good hand. I'm
not worried about the diamonds,
but if they can run them to set 3NT,
they're probably making 3 on their
double fit. "
" My partner has extra high cards, "
affirms Molson. " My agreement here
is that showing a stopper is my first
obligation. I show my stopper. "
" It is either pass or 3NT, " says Korbel,
who slides the 3NT card onto the
table. " I think pass will be the majority
vote, but there will be times that
partner makes this double holding
something that is desperately looking
for 3NT, say:
x kJ x lA x x 'A K Q x x x x,
and I don't want to disappoint. "
3NT by Lee. " 4k could easily be
right, but I'm swayed by the 9, nice
diamond holding and weak heart
spots to try for the nine-trick game
rather than be at the mercy of a good
heart fit - if we have a fit there at all.
40 | Bridge Bulletin | September 2021
Call
Dbl
DIRECTOR: SUE MUNDAY
SCORES: KAREN WALKER
4NT
5NT
6l
5l
5k
1. Showstopper
IMPs. North-South vulnerable.
K 9 7 4 kA 8 5 4 2 lQ 10 '10 6
West North
South
1k
?
Note: North's double is not intended
as support.
I would pass against some very aggressive
opponents, but generally at
this vulnerability, I'll just try to make
what's mine. "
Sanborn chooses 3NT. " If double is
not intended as support, then it can
be interpreted as asking for a stopper
in notrump. Given the vulnerability, it
makes sense to try for nine tricks. My
9 is a kicker. "
" Not sure exactly what double is
here, " says Meckstroth, " but partner
should have significant extras. 3NT.
The vulnerability suggests trying for
the game bonus rather than defending. "
Grossack,
3NT. " Partner's double
could be many different types of
hands, and shows extra values. Thus
I have a perfect hand for 3NT. Maybe
partner has seven solid clubs and the
lK. If the vulnerability were different,
I would certainly entertain
thoughts of passing. "
Lawrence entertains thoughts of
3NT and passes. " I don't see 3NT as
being cold. Plus 500 should be available. "
Pass
by Boehm, who asks, " How
is that double intended? Clearly not
penalty, but is it a big balanced hand
or takeout? Given the ambiguity, I'll
take my plus score and refine our
agreements for the next time. "
2. Chez Edgar
Matchpoints. East-West vulnerable.
A
10 k8 lA J 9 7 5 4 'K 7 5 4
West North
East
2k 2NT
South
4k ?
Votes
5
4
4
2
Award
100
90
80
70
60
30
Lee doubles for takeout. " If partner
passes, I'm happy to play for penalties
at this vulnerability. If partner pulls,
I'll assume they have a non-defensive
hand and therefore (likely) a good fit
for me, and I'll try 6l. "
Cohen, double: " It's tempting to
insist on slam, but if partner's heart
values are the king and not the ace, I
will need him to cover all the possible
losers in the minors. Also, the bidding
by vulnerable opponents makes me
fear poor splits. My double isn't penalty;
partner might still bid, and if he
bids something other than 4, then
I will go for the slam - raising 5m to
6m. Lastly, if partner passes, I do have
sure defensive tricks and we might
get 500 against only a game our way. "
Donn: " Why not start by doubling if I
will be happy when partner passes it? "
Robinson doubles. " Shows a good
hand with shortness in hearts. Double
gives partner a chance to pass if he
has very good hearts. "
Double by Molson. " Anything could
be right - 5l, 5NT, 6l ... I'm going
with the old advice: When preempted,
stay low unless sure. I am not sure.
Over 4, I bid 5l and hopefully
partner will know I have extras. If
partner passes, so be it. "
" After going through a lot of answers
in my head, I am bidding 4NT, "
says Meyers. " I'm hoping this is not
natural in our Bridge Bulletin Standard
system. If partner bids 5', I will
bid 5l. I imagine partner will take
this as a slam try in diamonds. I would
love to bring clubs into the picture,
too, but with 2-3 or 3-3 in the minors,
partner will always bid clubs. "
Lawrence ponders how to show
September 2021

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