GRR. 2H edged out 2S, 8 to 7 among panelists, and got 80 points (in part A, Yes won overwhelmingly) Moderator’s comments: https://files.constantcontact.com/2bd6acd1101/8938c288-d46f-4680-b8c2-c06bb389ff03.pdf?rdr=true
Seems like an obvious double, but maybe at matchpoints it isn’t so obvious, We likely have a game and would have to beat it 4 if we do. And is there any possibility a double is takeout?
moderator’s comments: https://files.constantcontact.com/2bd6acd1101/2ff4caf1-ace7-4ba3-bc26-c7e8a2ebd7eb.pdf?rdr=true
Problem set: February 2026
Respondent: Steve White (D4)
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Problem A
Steve White: Two notrump. Trying to right side our hearts. Neither 3D nor 3H is clearly better, so let’s try this
Missed the stated deadline. Perhaps I should be hoping I’m too late to be quoted
Should have gone with my original 3H choice. It got 100, chosen by 8 of 15 panelists and 6 of 24 solvers. 2N got 80, chosen by no panelists and 3 solvers. My answer did get quoted.
Link to moderator’s scoring and commentary: https://files.constantcontact.com/2bd6acd1101/19bec7ca-ad9a-4608-9439-10ac8deba6f5.pdf?rdr=true
Who can guess how many we can make, not knowing partner’s overall strength, his spades, or if he can help hearts. 3S seems like a good choice.
Vul at imps, I think we have to take a shot at game. Best to start with 2C and get more info about partner’s hand. In addition to 4S, 4H or a slam could be the final contract
3S was the only bid to get 50 on part A, with 7 of 15 panelists and 7 of 18 solvers, a plurality in each group, with nothing else getting more than 3 panelists.
Part B was much closer. 2C (3 panelists), 4C (2) and 4S (3) each got 50. Collectively they were viewed as “game forcing, either agreeing spades or noncommittal about trumps”. As a specific choice, 3S had 4 panelists, but got 40 points. Seems reasonable, especially since I was in the 50-point consortium.
Link to scoring and moderator’s comments https://files.constantcontact.com/2bd6acd1101/495417e9-6a75-4b89-b7d1-1e7894ed5ddb.pdf?rdr=true
Am I missing something? What else could I consider? Partner must have a ton of hearts. Yes, outside chance that 6D is best but quite likely it isn’t.
One of the few times that I’m going to vote the same day I first see the problem.
link to the discussion: https://files.constantcontact.com/2bd6acd1101/1b679042-8be4-4a6d-afe0-5451841af89f.pdf?rdr=true
Game is likely a good bet, and would be a favorite opposite some hands which would pass 2S by us. But is it likely to be a favorite if partner would pass 2S? (Starting 2D may also preserve chances of stopping below game.). There’s also a question of how various sequences affect the chances of opps finding the best defense, or conceivably the chances of them finding a good sac. Leaning toward just bidding 4S now, preventing opener from rebidding diamonds below 5.
Went with 2S and this comment
Perhaps I should have gone with 4S, on the theory that the goal is to predict the most popular choice, not the best choice.
Those two votes for slams were intended as responses to the April contest.
Link to moderator’s discussion: https://files.constantcontact.com/2bd6acd1101/3e2f92b1-9504-4f43-bf9e-57e911e1b805.pdf?rdr=true
The vulnerability is the complication here, IMO. At either scoring, 5C now is wrong IMO as it means a later pass is forcing (at this vulnerability), and we don’t want to encourage partner to bid 6C to make (I believe 3C is weak over the redouble).
So I think 4C now at either scoring.
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Problem set: June 2026
Respondent: Steve White (D4)
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Problem A
Steve White: Five clubs. 5C, despite slight risk that it’s going for 500 or that 5D wasn’t making. (or even that they would have stopped at 4D). Slight concern about whether partner will think this established a forcing pass situation at this vulnerability.
Problem B
Steve White: Five clubs. Much clearer than A, IMO, since now down 500 if 5D is making is not a big deal.
I decided that 5C should not establish a forcing pass situation.
All the posted discussion https://files.constantcontact.com/2bd6acd1101/68edc2b9-57cb-4334-83b7-ffeca75ae023.pdf?rdr=true
