August 2024 - 42

3. In a minor key
IMPs. North-South vulnerable.
s10 7 hQ dA K Q 4 cK Q J 6 5 2
West North East
South
Pass Pass
3d
Dbl
3c
3s
4c
Pass
1s 2c
Pass 2h 2s ?
Call
Votes
11
4
Award
100
70
50
30
30
30
" Time to make a bigger bid as I
have a bigger hand, " says Grossack
with 3d. " 5c is there opposite the
rounded aces which, after partner's
2h continuation, is a viable
possibility. "
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42 | Bridge Bulletin | August 2024
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Rigal likes 3d to show his extra
values and extra shape. " I'll ignore
the warning signs for the time being
and hope I do not regret later having
missed that the lights had changed. "
3d by Korbel. " Nothing else appeals.
My hand is really strong and
I'd like to show my suits. I think partner
will expect 6-4 shape because I
didn't start with the unusual 2NT. "
Boehm bids 3d, " angling for 3NT. "
Meyers also opts for 3d. " This
would show a reasonable 4-6, and
not a hand good enough to make a
takeout double and bid again. "
Sanborn bids 3d. " This hand is just
too good to rebid 3c. I'll risk the four
(or five) level. "
Meckstroth, 3d: " Chances for game
are reasonable so I want to pattern
out. "
3d by Weinstein. " I'd like a second
heart to double, and the hand is marginally
too good to bid 3c. "
Robinson bids 3d. " I have a good
hand and partner has shown values.
My hand is strong enough to force to
the four level. I think double of 2s
would show more in spades. "
Lee doubles for takeout. " 3d seems
normal enough, but it paints us into
a corner over partner's 3s continuation,
while double gives us more
room to figure out if we have the values
for game. "
Double by Donn. " Textbook. We
have extra values with some diamonds
on the side. "
" Double, takeout with extra values, "
says Lin.
Cohen doubles. " No doubles below
2NT are penalty unless defined as
such in the notes. And why would
this be defined? "
4. Listen and learn
IMPs. None vulnerable.
sA K 10 9 8 7 5 3 hK 9 dJ 10 2 c-
West North East
Pass
Pass 2d
South
1s
4c ?
Call
Pass
5c
4s
4d
Votes
10
3
2
Award
100
70
60
30
" Pass for now and deal with it
later, " says Weinstein. " I learned that
from East. "
Cohen passes. " So many fun things
I can do, but I'd rather listen to one
more call from partner first. Did East
find a few cards on the floor that he
didn't have when he passed the first
time? "
Pass by Boehm. " Seems an unrealistic
problem; how often does a
passed hand preempt? Anyway, because
all actions look flawed, I'll pass
and perhaps learn something useful. "
Donn also makes a forcing pass. " I
feel like I am cheating since I don't
have to say what I will do on the next
round. But what I do know is that
slam prospects are much too huge to
just bid 4s. "
Meckstroth really likes his call:
" Pass! I don't want to commit to anything
right now. Want to hear from
partner before I decide to either cue
5c or just place the contract. "
Grossack passes, hoping pass-andpull
is a stronger way to bid 4s than
bidding 4s directly. " I could also
jump to 5s here, but I don't want to
ask for a club control. Too good to
just bid 4s now without any discussion
on its meaning! "
Pass by Korbel. " Let's see if partner
can rebid his diamonds or support
spades voluntarily. Partner can
always double if he isn't sure what
to do. I don't want to cuebid 5c immediately
because it might sound like
I'm coming only in diamonds. "
Sanborn passes. " And if partner
doubles, 4d is forcing and better
than a direct raise. My first impulse
was 5c, but it's too space consuming
and not a good description. "
" I'll pass and see what partner
does, " says Robinson. " If partner
doubles 4c, showing wasted values,
I'll bid 4s. Passing and bidding 4s
August 2024

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