October 2024 - 43

partner isn't showing extra values in
competition, but I think my chances
are too good not to bid 5c. "
2. Short porch
IMPs. North-South vulnerable.
s9 hA K 6 dA K 10 9 8 2 cK 8 7
West North East
Pass 1NT
Call
3s
2h
3d
2NT
3NT
3c
2c
2d
Pass
Votes
7
4
3
South
1d
?
Award
100
80
70
60
40
40
30
30
Sanborn bids 3s, " self-splinter
raise to 3NT. After this, we have a
few options for contracts. Bidding 2h
is on the radar, but neglects clubs,
which is a likely place to play. "
3s by Robinson showing spade
shortness. " If partner has:
sQ J x hx x dQ x x cQ x x x x,
3NT is good. If he has:
sx x x hQ x x dQ x x cQ J x x,
5d is good. If he has a weak hand,
such as:
sJ x x hx x x dx x cA x x x x,
we can play in 4c. Because the range
of 1NT is 6-10, I play that 7 is a minimum,
and most 7-point hands don't
have a play for game. "
Korbel: " 3s, highlighting the spade
shortness. Partner should be well
placed. "
With Shakespearean eloquence,
Molson intones, " To overbid or to
underbid ... Again, to me, the only
choices are 3d or 3s. My kingdom
for the dJ! I will overbid with 3s. "
Boehm: " I'll take my 60 panel
points for 3s. The sexy auto-splinter
is too descriptive to resist. Makes it
easy to respect partner's upcoming
decision. "
Grossack " fakes the reverse " with
a 2h call in order to highlight the
spade problem. " Slam is visible in
clubs or in diamonds, but even game
in a minor might make, where 3NT is
down. Think:
sA x x hx x x dx x cQ J 10 x x -
6c is a better contract than 3NT. "
Cohen takes the reverse route. " 2h.
Unfortunately, the follow-ups might
PANEL ANSWERS FOR THIS MONTH'S PROBLEMS
1
2
August Boehm
Larry Cohen
Mel Colchamiro
Josh Donn
Zachary Grossack
Daniel Korbel
Roger Lee
Amber Lin
Jeff Meckstroth
Jill Meyers
Janice Molson
Barry Rigal
Steve Robinson
Kerri Sanborn
3NT
3s
3s
3h
3s
Pass
Pass
5c
3h
3h
3h
3h
Pass
3h
3s
2h
2h
3d
2h
3s
3s
3d
2h
3d
3s
3s
3s
3s
3
3c
3c
1h
1c
1c
1c
1h
1c
1h
1c
1h
1h
1h
1h
4
3h
Pass
3h
3h
2s
3h
3h
3h
2s
3h
3h
3h
3h
3h
be murky, but you didn't ask me
about those. "
Meckstroth bids 2h. " I want to
focus on the spade shortness. "
Colchamiro, 2h: " Better than 3d
because it hints at spade worries for
3NT. As for 2c, just count me out. "
" 3d feels a little low, " says Lin, " but
I don't like bidding notrump with a
low singleton after my partner denies
four in the suit. "
Meyers bids 3d. " If I had the dQ, I
would bid 3s, showing shortness. As
it is, I don't feel I have a solid enough
suit for that. "
A bewildered Donn: " 3d. Am I
missing something here? "
3. Batter up!
IMPs. East-West vulnerable.
s- hK 10 9 5 4 d6 5 cA Q J 10 5 2
West North East
Pass Pass
Pass
Call
1h
1c
3c
Pass
Votes
7
5
2
South
?
Award
100
90
70
60
" Opening 1c holding five hearts -
5
Total
3d 420
3d 380
3s 430
3d 460
3d 410
3d 460
3s 440
3d 410
3d 440
3d 460
3d 500
3d 500
3d 470
3d 500
even if I have eight clubs - is against
my religion, " says Robinson, who
opts for 1h. " If one opens 1c, how
are they going to find their heart fit
if partner responds 1s? I expect the
other players to each have around 10
HCP, so why can't partner have:
sQ J 10 x x hA x x dK x x cx x,
where 4h has play and the opponents
will not do well in spades. When
partner does not have three hearts
and I bid clubs, my partners know
that my clubs could be longer than
my hearts. "
" I almost never do this, " says
Lee, opening 1h. " But everyone has
around 10 points and I can see lots of
situations in which showing the fivecard
major right now will make our
lives easier. "
October 2024 | Bridge Bulletin |
43
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October 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2024
