Bridge: MSC 2025 Discussion

[SteveWhite]

That was my initial reaction, too. Very strange: at first there were some glitches in how they posted the scores. This is what they finally showed.

Initially (for all questions, not just this one) the Panel votes and % Solvers columns were all 0, except 100 for the last choice among Solvers. That was for every question, not just this one. And for this one, 1NT wasn’t even shown, I was just concluding 0 from the “else”. Hence my expectation it was not 0. But the vote counts were in, and the explicit 0 for 1NT, before I posted them.

[SteveWhite]

from VVV by e-mail

A Pass. It’s IMPs. Game is remote. And if we are making 3S, they likely aren’t making 3H. I would be more tempted if partner were not a passed hand, but as it stands, there is unlikely t be a juicy penalty.

B 2H. I plan to bid 2N next over 2S, but it will be so much nicer if partner does something else (especially bidding NT if he has a heart honor, which will right-side it). Admittedly part of the reason for 2H is that I can’t bid 1-1/2 NT. This hand is too good for 1N, but doesn’t feel quite good enough for 2N.

C 3N. They aren’t getting off to a good lead, and partner’s raise shows a max for the 1S call in context.

D 1N. And this time I am picking NT because the hand is too good for 2H in competition, and not good enough for 2S.

E Pass. Presumably partner could have rebid 2N with a power-invite and five spades. So he has a light invite, and I have a bad 13 count. And it’s not like we’re chasing a red game bonus.

F 1N. In BWS 1N can be this hand. And I don’t really have other options. I clearly can’t bid 4S. I don’t like to pass with 4-card support and a control, though that is a very tempting second choice. And I am too weak for even a semi-constructive raise.

G Pass. Part of the reason I was reluctant to pass on F is that three of my other answers are “pass”. 2S is the best probe for the right strain, but I am light on high cards for it. I am also too light for 3C. That leaves the false preference of 2D, to keep the auction open, or pass. 2D is a really close second choice.

H CA. I can make an argument for CA, D10, or H8. Considering partner rates to have quite a few honor cards, and considering my S9 is high enough to be pesky when RHO also has a doubleton club, I’ll lay down the ace and hope there is still a correct decision to be made after I see dummy.

[BTDT]

A) Pass
B) 2S
C) Pass
D) 2H
E) Pass
F) Pass
G) Pass
H) Club Ace

[SteveWhite]

A. Pass
B. 2H (very close between 2H and 2S)
C. 3NT (since I have the club 10)
D. 2H
E. 3S (barely; pass also OK)
F. 1NT
G. P
H. Club A

[oirg]

May guesses:

A. 3S
B. 2N
C. 3N
D. 2S
E. 3S
F. pass
G. pass
H. club ace

[SteveWhite]

                              A     B     C     D     E     F     G     H
procrastinator                                                          
oirg                          3S   2NT   3NT    2S    3S     P     P    CA
SW                            P    2H   3NT    2H    3S   1NT     P    CA
Klaymen                                                                 
ST                                                                      
BTDT                          P    2S     P    2H     P     P     P    CA
NN                                                                      
veni vidi vici                P    2H   3NT   1NT     P   1NT     P    CA
Abstract Actuary                                                        
Leading                       P         3NT                       P    CA

[SteveWhite]

From NN by e-mail

A) 3S. Instinct .
B) 4S. My spades are so much better than they might be.
C) 3NT
D) 2H
E)2H
F) 2S
G) 3C
H) H8

[Klaymen]

A) 3S
B) 2H
C) 3N
D) 2H
E) 3S
F) P
G) P
H) Ac

[Klaymen]

@SteveWhite

                              A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H
procrastinator                                                          
oirg                          3S   2NT  3NT   2S   3S   P    P   CA
SW                            P    2H   3NT   2H   3S  1NT   P   CA
Klaymen                       3S   2H   3NT   2H   3S   P    P   CA
ST                                                                      
BTDT                          P    2S     P   2H   P    P    P   CA
NN                            3S   4S   3NT   2H   2H  2S   3C   H8                                       
veni vidi vici                P    2H   3NT   1NT  P   1NT   P   CA
Abstract Actuary                                                        
Leading                       ?    2H   3NT   2H   3S   P    P    CA

.

[SteveWhite]

From ST via e-mail

PROBLEM A: 3 Spades
PROBLEM B: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM C: 3 Notrump
PROBLEM D: 2 Hearts
PROBLEM E: 3 Spades
PROBLEM F: 2 Spades
PROBLEM G: Pass
PROBLEM H: Diamond 10

[AbstractActuary]

Have not looked in detail, but see A is tied. I would pass.

[SteveWhite]

                              A     B     C     D     E     F     G     H
procrastinator                                                          
oirg                          3S   2NT   3NT    2S    3S     P     P    CA
SW                            P    2H   3NT    2H    3S   1NT     P    CA
Klaymen                       3S    2H   3NT    2H    3S     P     P    CA
ST                            3S    2H   3NT    2H    3S    2S     P   D10
BTDT                          P    2S     P    2H     P     P     P    CA
NN                            3S    4S   3NT    2H    2H    2S    3C    HA
veni vidi vici                P    2H   3NT   1NT     P   1NT     P    CA
Abstract Actuary                                                        
Leading                       3S    2H   3NT    2H    3S     P     P?    CA

We have a leader on everything, with only A and F very close. It’s actually debatable whether we have a leader on F. P is a plurality, but “not pass” has a majority.

[AbstractActuary]

I would pass F.

[procrastinator]

A. 3 spades. Waffled between this and pass.
B. 2 hearts, support with support.
C. 3NT.
D. 2 hearts, they did tempt me to not support with support
E. 4 spades, pd should have short hearts, this hand is quite good in context.
F. Pass.
G. Pass.
H. Club ace. We may need to cash non-spade winners quickly, and may be able to get a ruff, seems like a good hedge.

EDIT: Wow, I am mostly in agreement with the consensus for once, maybe I will do well this time!

[SteveWhite]

From 4Sigma via e-mail

A. 3S. Have to act here with the heart shortness.
B. 2S. 4333 hands suck, and KTx in the opponent’s suit sucks even more. I will take the low road.
C. 3NT. Hamman’s law. This may be wrong but hopefully everyone else in the room is also wrong if so.
D. 2H seems like enough. Someone loves 4333 problems this month! I have some sympathy for the greedy 1NT at matchpoints and protecting our kings. If partner has an invitational hand we can still get to 3NT.
E. Values too soft to accept this invite. I’m passing.
F. P. I guess the joke’s on me as I don’t think this is a problem with 4333 rubbish. I also don’t really enjoy going -800 on part score hands.
G. I’ll stick my neck out with 3C here as I think both my black jacks are pulling more than their weight. Only because we are vul at IMPs – passing at any other scoring or paint.
H. CA. Seems automatic. Gives me time to switch to a red suit if necessary.

[SteveWhite]

                              A     B     C     D     E     F     G     H
procrastinator                3S    2H   3NT    2H    4S     P     P    CA
oirg                          3S   2NT   3NT    2S    3S     P     P    CA
SW                            P    2H   3NT    2H    3S   1NT     P    CA
Klaymen                       3S    2H   3NT    2H    3S     P     P    CA
ST                            3S    2H   3NT    2H    3S    2S     P   D10
BTDT                          P    2S     P    2H     P     P     P    CA
NN                            3S    4S   3NT    2H    2H    2S    3C    HA
veni vidi vici                P    2H   3NT   1NT     P   1NT     P    CA
4Sigma                        3S    2S   3NT    2H     P     P    3C    CA
Abstract Actuary                                                        
Submitted                     3S    2H   3NT    2H    3S     P     P    CA

[SteveWhite]

                  A        B        C        D        E        F        G        H        Total
procrastinator    3S   90  2H   100 3NT  100 2H   100 4S   80  P    90  P    80  CA   100 740  
oirg              3S   90  2NT  60  3NT  100 2S   60  3S   100 P    90  P    80  CA   100 680  
SW                P    60  2H   100 3NT  100 2H   100 3S   100 1NT  100 P    80  CA   100 740  
Klaymen           3S   90  2H   100 3NT  100 2H   100 3S   100 P    90  P    80  CA   100 760  
ST                3S   90  2H   100 3NT  100 2H   100 3S   100 2S   70  P    80  D10  60  700  
BTDT              P    60  2S   50  P    50  2H   100 P    70  P    90  P    80  CA   100 600  
NN                3S   90  4S   0   3NT  100 2H   100 2H   0   2S   70  3C   100 H8   70  530  
veni vidi vici    P    60  2H   100 3NT  100 1NT  70  P    70  1NT  100 P    80  CA   100 680  
4Sigma            3S   90  2S   50  3NT  100 2H   100 P    70  P    90  3C   100 CA   100 700  
Submitted         3S   90  2H   100 3NT  100 2H   100 3S   100 P    90  P    80  CA   100 760  


                                                                               
                  Dbl  100 2H   100 3NT  100 2H   100 3S   100 1NT  100 3C   100 CA   100   
                  3S   90  2NT  60  P    50  1NT  70  4S   80  P    90  P    80  D10  60       
                  P    60  2S   50           2S   60  P    70  2S   70           H8   70       
                           3S   0                     2H   0                                   
                           4S   0                                                              

Based on scoring, not a very tough set. Our Submitted (and Klaymen) with 760 would be tied for 21-25 on the monthly honor roll. There were 2 perfect 800s. 740, by procrastinator and me, was the low score to make the honor roll, tied for 34-47.

[SteveWhite]

[SteveWhite]

From VVV by e-mail

A 3D. Seems clear. This is a huge hand in context, so let’s start showing where we live. Maybe a cue-bidding sequence will tell me whether the spade void is a “useful void” when partner eventually asks for keycards.

B 2S. I am forcing game at this form of scoring. I wish I could bid 1S, but since BWS is retarded, I have to bid 2S. Jumping to 3N would be premature as we could have a minor-suit slam (or game) depending on partner’s hand.

C 3N. It sucks that it’s matchpoints. Tempted to bid 4N, natural, but the hand isn’t good enough.

D 5H. Just too likely to make not to bid it, when I don’t expect to set 4S more than one.

E 2S. Seems like I should be making a game try, and 3H would not be one.

F This is close between 2N and 2H. With the double stopper and weak hearts, I’ll go 2N.

G b1 (Double, then 2N over 2S.) I mean, failing to double to show the minors would be preposterous. Over 2S, 2N is a good description.

H H2. Partner is marked with strength, and I have a tenace over RHO. All four suits have been spoken for, but the most likely shortness is short hearts in dummy. If I had a natural passive lead, I might try one, but a diamond concedes a tempo to their most likely source of tricks. (Nonetheless, DJ would be my second choice, and is the only other lead worth considering.)