October 2021 - 43

alternative strain, and we have only a
seven-card fit. I could pass the double
hoping that partner has three diamonds,
but that is not my style. "
Sanborn retreats to 2k. " There are
a lot of poor choices, including passing
the double. Who knows? Maybe I will
get another shot. But nothing makes
sense and we are not vulnerable. "
Meyers goes low with 2k. " My distribution
is horrible. "
Molson joins her. " 2k. No fit, no
stopper. "
" With 11 points, no fit and no diamond
stopper, I'll go low and try to
go plus in the Moysian [4-3 fit], " says
Grossack. " At matchpoints, I might be
tempted to pass and try for plus 300.
But also might not; if they go down
one and we make 2k or 3k, I won't be
happy. "
2k by Meckstroth. " Partner still
has a bid left, and hopefully will do
something with extra values. "
Rigal, 2k. " So we miss a game. I've
done it before, and the auction isn't
over yet. "
A " conservative " 2k by Lee. " Nothing
else seems to fit. "
Weinstein summarizes the argument
for 2k: " Partner didn't open a
strong 1NT, so it's not like game is
going to be amazing unless he has extras,
in which case he'll probably bid
again. Worst-case scenario: We miss
an iffy nonvulnerable game. Without
a fit and with three small in their
suit, it seems best to go low. "
Donn makes an invitational 3k
jump. " I'll give the 4-3 a shot and go
toward game. Why not? "
Korbel also feels spirited. " 3k. My
first instinct is 2k, which I think
would be enough opposite a light
opener. But this hand could play very
well in the 4-3 fit and nothing else
appeals. "
Lawrence tests the table with a
pass. " The upside is worth the chase.
If they make it, it isn't a tragedy, unless
we have 4k - which isn't likely
given my shape. "
Cohen joins the chase. " Pass. I've
had great success with this sort of
auction: the
downside of
minus 180 as
compared to
a great upside.
Partner
usually has
more than
one diamond
on this auction
(no raise
from righthand
opponent,
my
flat hand, etc.). Also, partner's likely
heart lead will be a good start for the
defense. Lastly, who knows where we
are headed if I don't pass? "
Boehm tries a " pushy " 2, which
Larry Cohen
he says should be forcing. " With 4-4
in the majors and a minimum, I must
rebid 2k to limit the hand. A Moysian
heart fit could play well, taking
the tap in the short trump hand;
3NT might play well, too. 2 is more
comfortable facing sound openers.
Our dwindling herd has to win sometimes. "
3.
Conventions and incantations
Matchpoints. North-South vulnerable.
-
kK 6 5 lK J 10 8 7 3 'A K 8 6
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
4l
3k
4l
Dbl
4l
Dbl
3k
Dbl
Dbl
4l
Dbl
3k
3k
Dbl
Dbl
2
2
Pass
2k
3k
2k
3k
Pass
2k
2k
2k
2k
2k
2k
2k
2k
3
4
4k
4
4
4
4
4l
Dbl
4k
4l
4
4l
4k
4l
4
4
Pass
3NT
Pass
3NT
Pass
4'
5'
3NT
4
Pass
4'
4l
Pass
5'
4'
5
Dbl
Dbl
3'
2
Pass
2
3'
3'
2
Pass
Pass
2NT
3'
Pass
2
Total
390
370
480
450
480
440
410
440
410
460
480
360
450
460
470
October 2021 | Bridge Bulletin |
43
West North East
Call
4
4l
4k
Dbl
Votes
7
4
3
1
South
1k 3 ?
Award
100
80
70
50
Saddled with inelegant methods,
Donn cuebids 4. " The cool kids all
play 4' shows a good heart raise on
this auction. And now we see why. "
[No, not really. Unless it shows a good
six-card diamond suit plus four clubs
headed by the ace-king plus honor-x-x
heart support.]
" Impossible choice between 4
and 4l, " says Colchamiro. " Both
could lead to uncertain continuations,
but at least when I bid 4,
partner knows right away we have a
fit. Despite being at matchpoints, a
big part of me is screaming to try to
make diamonds trump. Oh those
lJ 10. Very good problem. "
Molson cuebids 4 to show the
heart fit. " I wish I had a fourth heart.
I wish I could bid 4l showing three
hearts and six great diamonds. But
there isn't a convention for that yet,
so I just bid my fit. "
4 by Weinstein. " I really, really
wish I had a fourth heart. "

October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2021
