September 2021 - 41

the shape of this hand. " I assume
4NT now will be the winner. But the
follow-up is the important issue: how
to get to diamonds while keeping
clubs in the picture? "
4NT is Meckstroth's call. " I'm willing
to play here. If partner bids, I will
go for slam. "
Sanborn pulls out the 5NT card.
" There are several choices. We can
bid 5l or 6l, 5k, double (responsive)
or 4NT. The thing is, our righthand
opponent must have some
big distribution to bid this way at
unfavorable vulnerability. That is
worrisome, but I am guessing 6-4 in
the majors. That said, partner is a big
favorite to have a long minor and the
hand should play well for us. "
5NT by Weinstein. " I'm forcing to
slam, and because I think 4NT is to
play, I have to bid 5NT (pick-a-slam)
or higher. Given the unfavorable
opponents' bidding, I expect them to
have lots of shape and 10 hearts. Assuming
partner has two hearts, we'd
expect them to make a takeout double
most of the time with traditional
shape, like 4=2=3=4. So there's a good
chance partner is 4=2=2=5 and 6'
is the right spot. 5NT caters to this,
while keeping 6l and 6NT in play if
I'm wrong. All that being said, I really
hope partner bids 6! "
Rigal's 5NT is more specific: pick a
minor. " Yes, we might well end up in
the wrong suit. But because partner
could easily be 4=2=2=5, I'll risk it. "
Korbel calls his shot: 6l. " With
East-West vulnerable, East should
not be kidding around too much.
Probably partner has only two hearts,
and because he didn't make a takeout
double, he may often have only two
spades. If this is the case, we will
have a huge fit in the minors. The
only question is whether to insist on
diamonds or try to find clubs. Unfortunately,
the opponents have made it
difficult for us to show a good diamond
suit with secondary clubs, but
if my read on partner's hand type is
correct, it shouldn't matter. "
Colchamiro bids what he thinks he
can make: 6l. " They've done a lot of
bidding red on white, so (1) partner
doesn't figure to have a lot of strength
in hearts and (2) with the increased
likelihood of bad splits, 4-4 fits are
not so attractive. So once again I'm
going to Edgar's [Kaplan] house:
When in doubt, bid your longest suit. "
3. OK, boomer
IMPs. East-West vulnerable.
A 6 kQ 7 lQ 7 4 3 2 'K J 10 3
West North
East
Pass
1 Pass
Pass Pass
(1) Semi-forcing
Call
2
Dbl
2NT
Pass
South
1NT(1)
2k ?
advocates: a semi-forcing (vs. forcing)
1NT over first- or second-seat
partner's 1k/1 opener.
As Cohen points out, the terms forcing
and semi-forcing are a silly pair.
" What is meant by forcing is that the
opener has to bid again, " he explains.
" He can't pass the 1NT response.
What is meant by semi-forcing is 'really
not forcing.' The opener can and
will, with a flat minimum, pass the
1NT response. "
Here's a hand from the June United
Votes
11
2
1
1
Award
100
60
60
60
Let's agree to travel off-card this
month and explore a treatment Cohen
PANEL'S ANSWERS
1
August Boehm
Larry Cohen
Mel Colchamiro
Josh Donn
Zachary Grossack
Daniel Korbel
Mike Lawrence
Roger Lee
Jeff Meckstroth
Jill Meyers
Janice Molson
Barry Rigal
Steve Robinson
Kerri Sanborn
Steve Weinstein
Pass
Pass
Pass
3NT
3NT
3NT
Pass
3NT
3NT
Pass
3NT
Pass
3NT
3NT
3NT
2
4NT
Dbl
Dbl
5NT
3
Pass
Dbl
6l 2
2
2
6l 2
4NT
Dbl
4NT
4NT
Dbl
5NT
Dbl
5NT
5NT
2NT
2
2
2
2
Dbl
2
2
2
4
2'
2'
3'
4'
4'
2'
4'
5'
5'
4'
2NT
5'
3'
2'
2'
5
1k
2'
2'
2'
1k
1k
2'
2'
2'
1k
1k
2'
2'
2'
2'
Total
400
440
420
490
450
450
420
470
480
440
440
400
470
480
480
September 2021 | Bridge Bulletin |
41
States Bridge Federation online
tournament that demonstrated how
a semi-forcing 1NT is growing in
popularity among expert competitive
players. On this particular deal, the
flexibility came in handy.
Weinstein, like most in second seat,
opened 1 holding a respectable:
Q J 8 7 2 k3 2 lA 10 6 'A 6 5.
His partner, Bobby Levin, bid 1NT,
Announced as " virtually forcing. "
The auction continued Pass-Pass,
and over opponent's balancing 2k,
Levin settled for 2. Weinstein does
the same holding his partner's cards.
" If I didn't think my hand was a game
force before, I certainly don't think it
is now. "
»
September 2021

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