Good performance in 2022, even though we don’t have the full year results yet. Let’s do better in 2023.
We have a tough tradition to uphold now. Unofficial results have us in 4th place for 2022.
A Dbl. I will bid 3D over 3C next. 2N a close second choice. This would be a dead minimum for that action.
B 3S. If partner has the other aces, for example, we belong in 3N.
C 2D. I would bid 1N at matchpoints, but I think that’s too distorting at IMPs.
D 4C. 5 of a minor (probably 5C) is likely to be where we belong if partner is non- minimum, and we are likely only collecting 300 against 600 or 100 against 130 if we pass…
E 1D. Close second choice is Pass. No preempt with four spades as dealer.
F 4N. Avoids the SA, S ruff defense. Not to mention the S finesse on opening lead.
G 3D. Really close between 3C and 3D.
H H10, passive. Close second C3, but my C5 is a bad spot. In this style of bidding, a 1D response usually has 5+ diamonds, so that’s out. A spade is too dangerous for my tastes but obviously could work out well.
Do I need to start a thread for the 2024 MSC yet? Probably so, but I won’t start it until verified. For finishing 4th in the 2022 contest, we become guest panelists for three months. As I recall, we were 3-month panelists once before. I don’t remember why. Maybe because we won a month, or did well in an annual contest. With the AO gone, I’m not sure when or where it was.
As I recall, the lead time was huge, so I won’t be surprised if we are guest panelists during 2024. Rules include, by the way, that whatever answers “Steve White” submits as guest panelist must also be “Steve White”'s answers in that month’s contest. On the bright side, when we are a guest panelist we cannot get a 0.
A) Dbl
B) 3S
C) 2D
D) 4C
E) Pass
F) 4N
G) 3C
H) Spade 3
A. Double
B. Pass.
C. 1NT.
D. 4 clubs
E. 3 Diamonds.
F. 3 spades.
G. 3 clubs.
H. Heart ten. Definitely have been playing against the robots too much.
A. Double, Will be unhappy if partner bids 3C, but maybe she won’t. Will try 3D if she does.
B. 3S. Since vol at imps, and I do have a lot of playing strength for the 2C rebid.
C. 2C. What else? Oh, I see the three previous voters proposed something else, not the same thing. I’m certainly not wild about his. Between the other two choices, I much prefer 1NT.
D. 4C.
E. 3D. Hate to pass as dealer with such a good diamond suit. While we might miss a good spade fit, it’s watchpoints, and this is better if partner doesn’t have spades.
F. 4H. What else, with spade K often wasted? Do people think 4N is natural?
G. 2H. Try to go plus at matchpoints. In retrospect, maybe 3C is better. We aren’t comfortable either way if opps bid 3D, but if they do we can bid 3H and have been fairly accurate. In fact, I’ll change my vote to 3C, while scoring myself on 2H.
H. H10, because I don’t know which diamond to lead.
SweetTooth’s choices by e-mail:
A B C D E F G H
procrastinator Dbl P 1NT 4C 3D 3S 3C H10
oirg
SW Dbl 3S 2C 4C 3D 4H2H(3C) H10
ST Dbl P 1NT 4C P 4N 3C H10
BTDT Dbl 3S 2D 4C P 4N 3C S3
NN
veni vidi vici Dbl 3S 2D 4C 1D 4N 3D H10
Leading Dbl 3S 4C 4N 3C H10
A little over 48 hours to go, and we’re in much better shape than usual. Currently leaders on 6 of 8, with two choice at 2 each on the remaining 2. Likely we’ll get votes to resolve the others.
I am quite worried about the theory 4N is natural on F (which I interpret as VVV’s intent. Not sure about ST or BTDT.)
Checking with BTDT by e-mail, he points out that the problem states that 4NT is invitational by agreement. That seems like a very strange agreement to me, and a very strange setting for a MSC question. Now aware of that agreement, I’ll change my bid to 4N. (Table to be updated after someone else votes.)
Dummy has J9xxx. Declarer has Ax(x). Which diamond do you like?
Ok, I’ve forgotten how to play this game. Every one is too tough!
A) Dbl. I’ll pull 3C to 3D.
B) Pass. 3S is a close 2nd.
C) 2C. 2D is a close 2nd. 1NT or 2NT are tempting.
D) 4C. Pass is a close 2nd.
E) P. Hope to come in later.
F) 3NT. 4H is close 2nd, but that’s more of an IMP bid. If only I could be sure Partner would know what I meant by 4NT.
G) Dbl. This is supposed to show both black suits, but I’ll bid 3C if partner picks 2S.
H) Punt? I must pick a suit. Ok, H10. No, S3. Yuck.
A B C D E F G H
procrastinator Dbl P 1NT 4C 3D 3S 3C H10
oirg
SW Dbl 3S 2C 4C 3D 4N 2H(3C) H10
ST Dbl P 1NT 4C P 4N 3C H10
BTDT Dbl 3S 2D 4C P 4N 3C S3
NN Dbl P 2C 4C P 3N Dbl S3
veni vidi vici Dbl 3S 2D 4C 1D 4N 3D H10
Leading Dbl 4C P 4N 3C H10
Changing my vote on E to Pass (which I was close to anyway).
I am also changing my vote on C to 2C. It’s a ratty enough hand to call it less than a limit raise.
I considered changing my vote on G, but I’m sticking with 3D. When partner is minimum, which will be most of the time, I’d rather be in a 7+ card fit in a major than a 5+ card (OK, likely 7+) fit in a minor at the same level at matchpoints. I’d even consider 2H, but I think I am a tad too strong for that.
January guesses:
A. 3D
B. 3S
C. 2D
D. 4C
E. 3D
F. 3N
G. 3!C
H. heart 10
A B C D E F G H
procrastinator Dbl P 1NT 4C 3D 3S 3C H10
oirg 3D 3S 2D 4C 3D 3N 3C H10
SW Dbl 3S 2C 4C 3D 4N 2H(3C) H10
ST Dbl P 1NT 4C P 4N 3C H10
BTDT Dbl 3S 2D 4C P 4N 3C S3
NN Dbl P 2C 4C P 3N Dbl S3
veni vidi vici Dbl 3S 2C 4C P 4N 3D H10
Submitted Dbl 3S 2C 4C P 4N 3C H10
A B C D E F G H Total
procrastinator Dbl 80 P 50 1NT 60 4C 70 3D 60 3S 70 3C 100 H10 60 550
oirg 3D 30 3S 100 2D 100 4C 70 3D 60 3N 40 3C 100 H10 60 560
SW Dbl 80 3S 100 2C 90 4C 70 3D 60 4N 100 2H(3C) 40 H10 60 600
ST Dbl 80 P 50 1NT 60 4C 70 P 100 4N 100 3C 100 H10 60 620
BTDT Dbl 80 3S 100 2D 100 4C 70 P 100 4N 100 3C 100 S3 100 750
NN Dbl 80 P 50 2C 90 4C 70 P 100 3N 40 Dbl 90 S3 100 620
veni vidi vici Dbl 80 3S 100 2C 90 4C 70 P 100 4N 100 3D 60 H10 60 660
Submitted Dbl 80 3S 100 2C 90 4C 70 P 100 4N 100 3C 100 H10 60 700
2N 100 3S 100 2D 100 5C 100 P 100 4N 100 3C 100 S3 100
Dbl 80 P 50 2C 90 4C 70 3D 60 3S 70 Dbl 90 S4 100
3D 30 1NT 60 3N 40 3D 60 H10 60
2H 40
Rather unusual that none of us got the top score on two different problems. D is the stranger one, to me, since we all had the same first choice. At least on A, there was one person suggesting it wasn’t clear cut, even though that score was lower than our consensus. At least VVV recognized that 2NT was a possibility on A.
Meanwhile, congratulations to BTDT for our top score of 750, which would have been fifth on the honor roll. The consensus also have made the honor roll, tied for 30-39. Making the honor roll (50 did) required 690.
Another 4NT natural asterisk. This time I think natural would be normal. Also asterisk explanations on two other questions, but again both seem normal to me.