August 2023 - 40

IT'S
YOUR
CALL
1d
3s
Call
4s
4NT
4c
5NT
Dbl
3NT
5c
4d
Pass
2s
Pass
Votes
5
3
2
2
1
Award
100
80
70
70
50
40
30
20
" These problems are hard or I am
dumb, because I have no clue what
to do on any of them! " Poor Josh.
Little does he know how much hope
his words offer to all of us trying to
make sense of this fascinating, albeit
maddening
game.
Donn fell
Josh Donn
in line with
a plurality
of his expert
peers on
the first
problem.
" 4s. If I was
sure 4c was
forcing, then
of course I
would bid it.
But even if I
40 | Bridge Bulletin | August 2023
DIRECTOR: SUE MUNDAY
SCORES: JIM MUNDAY
either eight-plus diamonds or nine
clubs, so not forcing to slam is just
plain wrong. Bidding 4s is OK, I
guess, but partner will think I have
more diamonds and fewer clubs. "
Rigal's
5NT says,
" Let's play
Thanks to Bill Segraves, Guilford
CT, for problem No. 3 and to Jerome
Keslin from Israel for No. 4.
1. Don't know why I came here
tonight
IMPs. None vulnerable.
sA Q hQ dA 4 2 cK Q 9 7 6 5 2
West North East
South
3c
?
think so, does partner agree? "
Sanborn baits her hook with a 4s
cue. " Let's see whether I can get some
support or a diamond rebid. At this
point, the strain is a guess. "
Meyers says she is probably driving
this to slam. " I am curious to know
what partner will do over a cuebid.
My preference is to play in clubs, but
not if partner has a stiff (2=4=6=1?). "
Meckstroth bids 4s, hoping to hear
5c, " which I'll raise to 6c. If partner
bids 5d, I will bid 5NT, pick-a-slam. "
Cohen, 4s. " Glad you didn't ask
what my plan is. "
Grossack's 4NT is quantitative. " It
sides the contract correctly and gets
off the playing strength with reasonable
accuracy. I like to call this one
the 'feeler bid' because it just 'feels
right.' "
Likewise, Molson's 4NT is quantitative.
" I'm in a game force, so 4c
should be forcing. But I never like
to win the postmortem, so I am not
bidding that. "
Robinson's 4NT, however, is key
card for clubs. " If partner has one key
card, I'll play in 6c. "
Weinstein moves forward with 4c.
" I'm more worried partner will pass a
double than 4c. "
Korbel, less worried. " 4c. Clearly
forcing. "
Colchamiro tosses it to partner:
" 5NT, pick-a-slam. Whatever partner
thinks I have, I have. It's inconceivable
that partner doesn't have a high
heart, and any auction trying to reach
seven will be too convoluted and
uncertain, risking a misunderstanding
or screwup. With partner at most
2-4 in the majors, we are guaranteed
Barry Rigal
slam in a
minor. If
partner has
two or fewer
spades, we
surely rate to
have a playable
eightcard
minor
fit. Partner
could still
have a singleton
club I suppose. Let's hope we
don't play in the wrong minor facing
2=4=4=3. "
Boehm doubles - " the modern,
vague double. Other experts have
more faith in it than I. "
2. Got the feeling that something
ain't right
IMPs. East-West nonvulnerable
s- hK 8 7 4 2 dQ 6 4 2 cK 10 9 4
West North East
2NT
Pass 3h
(1) Hearts
Call
3NT
4c
4d
4NT
5NT
Pass
Pass
Votes
7
5
1
South
3d(1)
?
Award
100
80
70
20
20
" Another charming hand, " analyzes
Molson. " As goofy as it sounds,
I bid 3NT. Four of a minor shows
slam interest, which I have if partner
has weakish spades and a four-card
minor. But there is no way to show
both and my guessing is not so good
and my values opposite good spades
August 2023

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