We had a good turnout for April with 48 players participating in the monthly quiz.
Congratulations to Gina Curran who won with an almost perfect 490 points (out of a possible 500) and receives a free game, valid at local clubs, courtesy of Unit 431.
To see all results, scroll to the bottom of this page (after Comments).
If you would like to see what the experts bid on these deals, look in the May 2018 Bridge Bulletin (page 40). The e-version should be available around May 1st (logon to MyACBL on ACBL‘s website). The print edition usually arrives in your mailbox a week later.
The May 2018 edition of It’s Your Call, Victoria is now posted on the website. All Unit 431 members in good standing may participate. Click here to play the May game.
Comments
Several players commented on the hands. Comments are grouped under each problem with the authors identified by their initials: Mike Black (MB), Bill Birney (BB), Alison Campbell (AC), Bryan Grover (BG), Frank Stanford (FS), David Todd (DT) and Ernie Tradewell (ET)
If you want to reply or add your own comments, please send them to the webmaster. They will be added at the end of each problem in blue.
Problem 1
MB: The rule of 15 should apply
BG Open 1H & then bid C twice
DT: 1C is automatic with 6C and 5H
ET: Ugly problem. If pard bids 1s ugh.
Problem 2
BG: Double: Will allow Partner to bid his longer major (partner prob has lots of HCP) – or pass, if he thinks that 5DX will go down by 4 or more.
FS: 5 level contract looks dubious because we expect a bad trump split. Have to hope that if p is really big he’ll double again
DT: double to tell partner I have something, even AQJ5, AJ83, 54,KJ6 means we have to make 2 of 3 finesses for a slam, hope to make game in our best major.
Problem 3
MB: Pass. If West bids 2 Spades we may well set them and I may double.
BG: 2NT shows 10-12 HCP. Partner can bid on if he has a strong hand – looks like EW are weak. 2NT is my bid.
FS: MP plusses are good. And maybe lho will do something rash
DT: 3nt is our most likely game
Problem 4
BB: cue bid implies 1st round control, and of course is forcing so enables finding suit fit (likely diamonds, although could be clubs, as partner can’t yet tell if 1C opener was short.)
MB: My partner will figure it out and bid the best slam. He has the K of Diamonds, 4 Hearts(neg dbl) and at least 7 cards in the minors.
AC: I am assuming that 3D is still a reverse and thus forcing. If that is not correct, then I would jump to 4D.
FS: Want Partner to bid his longest suit – we can probably make a minor suit slam.
DT: marking time, hope to bid 5D next, angling for 6D from partner
Problem 5
BB: D is the only suit in which we could have an 8 card
MB: A balancing dbl of a 2 bid should be close to a full opener. West won’t have many aces and hopefully not 4 hearts. Let’s invite partner
BG: We can prob make game; so, to leave X in means we need to defeat EW by 3 or more tricks to be worthwhile. So, s/prob bid on by showing p/ner my longest suit 3D
FS: Fingers crossed
DT: our most likely game, trusting partner has something to go with our opening bid
Results
Name Total Score
Gina Curran 490
Gail Argatoff 470
Name withheld 470
Name withheld 470
David Buckman 450
David Todd 440
Ernie Tradewell 440
brenda jackson 430
john miller 430
Louis Sandmaier 430
Name withheld 430
Roxy Sandmaier 420
Brenda Fox 410
Margot Northey 410
mort nelson 410
Russell Page 410
No name given 400
Holly Boudreau 400
Name withheld 400
Tony Farr 390
Gary Rosa 380
denis johnston 370
Name withheld 370
Bree Watts 360
Don Copeland 360
Frank Stanford 360
Name withheld 360
Name withheld 360
Ray Wickland 360
Sheila Kaye 360
Eileen Lugossy 350
Name withheld 350
paul flanagan 350
Name withheld 340
Michael Cockerell 330
Name withheld 330
tommy braybrook 330
delmor CHRISTENSEN 320
glen thornborough 320
No name given 310
Name withheld 310
Rob Feldstein 290
bill birney 280
Name withheld 260
Name withheld 240
Mike Black 210
Edmund Patterson 190
Name withheld 170