mr1303

Well, it may be unanimous now, but it wasn't unanimous when I did the poll. This hand was actually from a simultaneous pairs, and the expert analysis, if I recall correctly, advocated a 2NT opening. Anyway, my personal feeling was that 1H was superior, and so gave it 100. The marks: 1H = 100 2NT = 50 2C = 20 1S = 10

In the world junior pairs in Slovakia last summer, I played strong club defence against 2+ 1C openings. Had one or two poor results when they had a weak NT and it was our hand...

I felt here since partner is marked with shortage in the spade suit, partner is going to be enthusiastic about not selling out to 2S, and as a result, to try 3NT may be a bit much. With only 1 spade stopper we would need 9 running tricks, and I think that may be optimistic. As a result I gave 3D the top score. 3D = 100 3NT = 50

When I first put this problem in, I thought it was more interesting than many of the posters. Assuming opponents are sane then 4S is unlikely to go many off, and with a sane partner opposite (who should not be introducing a Michael's cue-bid on rubbish at unfavourable vulnerability) 5 hearts should be safe, and 6 hearts could have possibilities. However, on further consideration, hearts are most unlikely to break 3-2 on this auction, so we could well have handling difficulties if partner's diamonds are broken, and I think the doublers are correct. Dbl = 100 5H/5C = 50 Pass = 20

Well my initial feeling was that this one was close. However, no club raise felt quite right (2C may get us to a no-play 3NT too often, and 3C will lead to missing a game when partner plays us for less than this), and as a result I've given 1D full marks. 1D = 100 3C = 70 2C = 40 5C = 30

Actually, partner opened 2NT showing a destructive pre-empt in either minor, but I felt it was more of a judgment issue rather than a conventional issue.

[hv=d=n&v=e&s=skqxhakxxxdakjxxc]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] Partner opens 3C, which you have agreed to be a destructive pre-empt. What do you try? You have only simple agreements here, i.e. suits are natural forcing, raises are natural not forcing, games are to play.

And the final hand of this series 8. IMPs, love all. As South, West deals and opens 3♣, partner overcalls 3♥ and East passes. You hold: ♠ AJ97 ♥ 53 ♦ A862 ♣ Q104 Your call? 1st in at imps, East could well have Ax or Kx of clubs, and the hand could well play better in a heart or spade contract. However, partner does not promise more than a 5 card heart suit, and if partner has some club help then 3NT would be superior. How to choose...?

7. Pairs, game all. Partner deals and opens 1♦, and RHO overalls 3♣. You hold: ♠ A6 ♥ J10965 ♦ K52 ♣ Q32 Here you have invitational values, but no ideal bid. 3D would lie about the 4th trump and also hide the heart suit, 3H would be game forcing, an overbid, and double would leave us ill-prepared for a spade response.

6. Pairs, Unfavourable. Opponents again silent, you deal and open 1♦ holding: ♠ J3 ♥ AKQ ♦ KJ7543 ♣ Q9 Partner responds 1♥. What do you try now? Some may have opened this 1NT. Having opened 1D, you now appear to have several choices, none of which seems to be completely ideal. So you have decide which is the smallest lie to partner.

I return the spade, hoping for a ruff there. If partner had the stiff diamond, then hopefully he or she will play a high spade back for me to ruff. Otherwise I know that declarer's queen was a true card. If a diamond back is my only chance to beat the contract, then too bad. FWIW I wouldn't raise with 3 low unless I expected to make the contract

Yes, I've assumed BBO Advanced 2/1 for the purposes of the marking here.

IMPs, Game all ♠ AJ107543 ♥ KQ ♦ K ♣ KQ9 Opponents silent, you deal and open 1♠. Partner responds 2♣. Your go Several choices here, either rebidding 2 spades planning on catching up later, trying 3 spades which lies slightly about the suit quality (BBO advanced defines this as a solid suit), or raising partner's clubs.

Pairs, love all. ♠ KQJ9 ♥ AKQ32 ♦ J7 ♣ AJ RHO deals and passes. What do you open? A good hand for a change. Partner doesn't need much opposite this hand to make a game, but what is the best way of getting there? Either opening 1H intending on reversing into spades (but may of course leave you in 1H with a game cold) or deciding the hand is balanced and opening 2NT, which is about right on strength but may lead to missing a superior major suit game/slam.

3. IMPs, love all ♠ K107 ♥ K953 ♦ Q42 ♣ 873 1♦-(P)-1♥-(1♠) X*-(2♠)-P-(P) 3♣-(P)-? Partner opened 1♦, and X was a support double, showing 3 card support. The issue as I saw it was whether or not your hand has improved enough to either try for game, bid one directly (probably 3NT), or content yourself with a mere preference to 3D.

Markings etc will be out by Friday this week. I've marked them all now and assigned marks to each call. I'm opening hands 2 at a time for discussion at the moment.

2. IMPs, Unfavourable ♠ A1032 ♥ AQ3 ♦ -- ♣ J106432 RHO you LHO pard 1♠ pass 1NT 2♠ 3♠ 4♥ 4♠ pass pass ? 2S was a Michael's cue-bid, showing hearts and an unspecified minor. Clearly we have a good hand here, and 4H expected to make comfortably. The question is are we going to get a sufficient penalty from 4S doubled, or to take the push to the 5 level?

1. IMPs, Love all ♠ K53 ♥ -- ♦ Q9875 ♣ K10643 Partner deals and opens 1♣, RHO passes. Your call? The issue here as I see it was whether to make some sort of pre-emptive raise in clubs, or to bide your time with 1♦. A pre-emptive raise will be useful if the opposition will be interfering, but there are many hands partner could have where a slower approach would be better. Marks etc are ready, and will appear shortly, after the hand is available for discussion.

I had a similar auction holding a flat 16 count. I passed and wrote down -1090 or something equally horrific, when partner had a take-out double but decided he was too weak to bid the first time around. I held Kx of their suit that time.

Can I try 4H here as a slam try? I'll certainly do that, although getting partner's co-operation may be difficult. Opposite: Axxxx xxxx xx xx 7S looks to have good play.

If 3H was natural and pre-emptive, I would double 4D, since you have excellent defence. The pull to 4H is the type of bid I see time and time again, and it makes me really angry. I once had the auction: 3D (3H) ? and I held Kx AKQJxx x Qxxx I made the obvious double, and partner (bless him/her) pulled it.

Just read this post now. Anyway, my initial posting stated the following: So unfortunately I don't know who is on the panel. I'll reiterate my previous statement that if someone wishes to either a) give me a list of e-mail addresses etc of the panel or :D is willing to send an e-mail to everyone who is on it informing them of the thread, and requesting their analysis, I'll quite happily write up the comments etc on the forums. I have also put the answers from those who have replied into a spreadsheet ready for analysis.

You are dealt: [hv=d=s&v=b&s=saqjxxxhkqxdxxcxx]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv] and open 1S. LHO passes, and partner (bless him) decides to bid 1H. RHO, a crafty character, accepts this and passes. What do you try now? I believe 1S here again is legal.

Here are my thoughts: 1) Double as South is off this planet. Either bid spades now or never. No third choice 2) I would pass 3S. Partner got himself into this mess. Let him get himself out of it. At least he has to play it.... 3) If X of 3H is penalty (I think should be) then partner has a pass. 4) I very much doubt 4C X can be made.

My Qx of clubs steers me to 4D rather than 5