I thought I had already created this thread, but no. So creating it and copying the first response into it.
A. 2H
B. 2D. Support with support
C. 3D. Support with support
D. 3D. Support with support. Hope partner doesn’t have 18-19 balanced (but sit for 3NT if he does)
E. 1H. At least it will encourage a heart lead if he’s on lead, and might keep them out a a makable 3NT
F. Pass. Very unlikely to beat it more than 1, especially if we double. Occasionally it makes.
G. 2NT. Not worth a game force. Confirm a balanced hand. Partner can choose among 2NT, 3S, 3NT, 4S
H. H8.
A B C D E F G H
procrastinator
oirg 2H 3D 2S 3D Dbl 4C 3C SK
SW 2H 2D 3D 3D 1H P 2NT H8
Klaymen 2H 2D 2H 2D P P 3S D9
ST
BTDT
NN
veni vidi vici
Leading 2H
A. 2 hearts. Isn’t this the exact hand non-forcing advances are made for? Guess I am supposed to be tempted by 1NT?
B. 2 diamonds.
C. Yuck. 3NT. With this many HCP, I expect RHO to have not much, so we can hook any diamonds we need. If partner has 6 diamonds, add spade ace, and a heart on the lead, and we just need one more trick for game. Don’t see a way to look for spades, not risk getting dropped in a partial, and keep 3NT in the picture.
D. 1 spade. Playing in a 3-3 fit builds character.
E. Pass. Thought about 1 heart, but shape too sterile.
F. Pass. Considered 4H and 4NT, but after constructing hands for partner, decided too remote of a slam to take the risk.
G. 3C. If partner is not balanced, want to be in game, hope this will facilitate that.
H. Diamond 9.
EDIT: Added F after Steve let me know I am supposed to answer all the problems.
A B C D E F G H
procrastinator 2H 2D 3N 1S P P 3C D9
oirg 2H 3D 2S 3D Dbl 4C 3C SK
SW 2H 2D 3D 3D 1H P 2NT H8
Klaymen 2H 2D 2H 2D P P 3S D9
ST
BTDT
NN
veni vidi vici
Leading 2H 2D P
A) 2H. Should show six hearts and 6-10 points, so not perfect.
B) 2D. Not strong enough for 2H, and too strong for 3D, I think.
C) 2S. A better chance at game than the diamond suit.
D) 3D. At least I have an ace!
E) Pass. No imagination.
F) 4C. Need to make one more try.
G) 2NT. Shows values, and exactly four spades.
H) D9. Or H8.
H)
A) 2H
B) 2D
C) 3S
D) 3D
E) Pass
F) 4C
G) 3C
H) Club Ace (or King whichever is the current BWS lead)
A B C D E F G H
procrastinator 2H 2D 3N 1S P P 3C D9
oirg 2H 3D 2S 3D Dbl 4C 3C SK
SW 2H 2D 3D 3D 1H P 2NT H8
Klaymen 2H 2D 2H 2D P P 3S D9
ST 1NT 3D 2S 3D 1H P P D9
BTDT 2H 2D 3S 3D P 4C 3C CK
NN 2H 2D 2S 3D P 4C 2NT D9
veni vidi vici
Leading 2H 2D 2S 3D P P 3C D9I recorded it as the King, based on this BWS lead agreement.
So we have a leader on all 8, but this month VVV could still create ties on several.
A 2H. If partner doesn’t pass I can bid NT later.
B 1N. Flat hand with a second stop opposite 10xx or 9xxx. 2D an underbid and 2H an overbid, but 1N right on values, too.
C 2H Spade and NT bids don’t sufficiently keep other strains open.
D Pass. Bidding has too many expensive ways to go wrong.
E Pass. Would bid 1H if not vulnerable. Here I am close to doubling, but even that isn’t safe enough. Really good chance intervening leads to -200 on a partscore deal.
F 4C. Too much to pass, and 4C is the natural call. Slam will be much easier in clubs if spades are wide open.
G 2N If partner raised on 3, I want to suggest NT.
H CA Probably the best suit to lead, and also it holds the lead. If NT had been bid on my left, I would underlead. D9 is also a good lead and is certainly what I would lead at matchpoints.
A B C D E F G H
procrastinator 2H 2D 3N 1S P P 3C D9
oirg 2H 3D 2S 3D Dbl 4C 3C SK
SW 2H 2D 3D 3D 1H P 2NT H8
Klaymen 2H 2D 2H 2D P P 3S D9
ST 1NT 3D 2S 3D 1H P P D9
BTDT 2H 2D 3S 3D P 4C 3C CK
NN 2H 2D 2S 3D P 4C 2NT D9
veni vidi vici 2H 1N 2H P P 4C 2NT CA
Leading 2H 2D 2S 3D P P 2NT D9
or 4C or 3C
OK, proposed answers (including comments) here. I expect to submit on Monday, later than they wanted, hopefully still OK. Note that VVV created 2 ties, so feel free to suggest that we should change the choice on F or G. (I included comments both ways for those).
A. 2H. Should show six hearts and 6-10 points, so not perfect, but it is a good suit and I have values.
B. 2D. Support with support
C. 2S. A better chance at game than the diamond suit.
D. 3D. At least I have an ace!
E. P. Really good chance intervening leads to -200 on a partscore deal.
F. (if P) Since partner bid 3N after knowing of a strong hand with diamond support, trust him.
F. (if 4C) Too much to pass, and 4C is the natural call. Slam will be much easier in clubs if spades are wide open.
G. (if 3C) If partner is not balanced, want to be in game, hope this will facilitate that.
G. (if 2NT) Not worth a game force. Confirm a balanced hand. Partner can choose among 2NT, 3S, 3NT, 4S
H. D9. Passive
You’ll note that, despite no comments either way, I flipped on which way to break both ties from how I was slightly leaning.
Submitted, for better or worse, but they do say “Please review for accuracy. If a correction is necessary, please notify editor@bridgeworld.com”, so if anything looks wrong let me know ASAP. (That includes thoughts that I broke either tie the wrong way.)