Jan 09 MSC Problems

A:  Imps, Fav.  QT64, AQ853, K6, 84

1D (2S) ??

DBL.  It is too clever to try to stop short of game, so I will try to reach the best one.  I'll show modest hearts via the double and then a spades stopped with 3NT.  If partner insists on hearts, then he will be correct.

B:  MPs, ALL.  --, T64, QJT2, AQ9642

(P) P? (1C) P

(1S) P? (2S) P

(P) ??

3C.  I'd've bid minimal clubs both of the previous rounds and I bet there will be more than a couple of complaints from the panel.  Too dangerous to double here, as partner will be passing inappropriately.  I hope to push them up to the three level or more.  2NT is possible, but I don't think that shows more than 4 clubs catering to partner's potential length. (in general, if anyone is to show up with long clubs here, it would more likely be partner than the player behind the 1C bidder who failed to overcall).  

C:  IMPS, UNFAV.  J93, JT, KJ642, AT3

1H - 1NT;

2C - ??

2NT.  Isn't this a prototypical 2NT call... 10 HCPs, good pushers, lots of trick potential?

D:  MPS, NONE:  7643, A5, AK7, AKQ9

(1S) ??

DBL.  Then 3C over 2H.  With some partners I use power doubles, which would solve this problem nicely.

E:  IMPs, NONE.  AJ, 2, AQ9642, Q843

(3H) P (P) 4D

(P) 4H (P) ?

4S.  I don't see an alternative answer, although I guess the panel will come up with one.

F:  IMPS, ALL:  --, AKJ3, AT8532, K54

1D - 1S

??

2H.  A survey problem:  what is the min. to reverse?  I can't see bidding 2C, leaving these hearts unbid.  Partner doesn't have to have a disaster hand.

G:  IMPS, FAV.   J4, J9765, AK653, 6

P (1C) ??

2NT.  I'm in there with this type of hand.  Might find a good save.  Might disrupt their auction.  Against that, we might draw a roadmap in the play or go for a number.  My experience is that the odds favor bidding with the right shape.  And not by just a little.  In some partnerships, we use roman jump overcalls, so 3D would show this handtype, which would blow them out even more.

H:  MPS, BOTH,   J72, K62, JT8, Q942

(1NT) - (3NT)

DJ.  Safe.  I try not to blow a trick at the form of scoring.  Nowadays, more and more people blast 3NT with good majors on the theory that opening leader goes out of their way to lead one.  A spade lead is most likely to blow a trick (at imps, the SJ might be a good shot).  A heart lead is probably safe, a club isn't.

Over 8 hands, I held 18 spades and 34 diamonds.  I suspect that the way bidding systems are set up, you are more likely to encounter difficult problem with minor oriented hands than major hands.