[luke warm]

maybe.. as i said, most will probably xx... it wouldn't surprise me if nobody bid 1♠

[flytoox]

luke warm, on Jul 14 2005, 11:51 AM, said:

maybe.. as i said, most will probably xx... it wouldn't surprise me if nobody bid 1♠

Jimmy, I think 1S should promise 5 cards. If 1S is the right contract, pd can always bid it. 1S is committal while xx is more flexible. xx didnt give up 1s.

[inquiry]

At first I started not to use this problem, the redouble seems so obvious. But then, the more I looked at this hand, the more I thought there might be a few other options, so I reconsidered and used it. Some one might choose to pass, but I thought 1NT would occur to more than few. However, in fact, the panel spoke with almost one voice. So much so, that Fred made a prediction that came so close to coming true.

Fred Rdbl My first ever prediction for a unanimous panel. One thing Fred’s prediction on this hand is much closer to correct than Luis prediction last hand. Agreeing with redouble was, well…. almost everyone.

FLUFFY ”Redouble, I try to avoid using this convention, but today seems the day. “ Poky Rdbl Rdbl is S.O.S. with equal length in blacks (4054 or 4144). With 5044/5134 I would bid 1♠and with 4045/4135 I would bid 1NT as S.O.S.” cherdano Redouble. SOS!” Walddk Redouble . I have a lot of respect for people who penalize me at the 1-level vul. 1♥ doubled will be no fun. No guarantee of a fit when I run, but let's get away from 1♥ as soon as possible. By the way, 2[di ]could easily be our best spot.” Dinos1 RDL. SOS. Prefer to have more trumps than opponents reisig . RDBL (I can't play 1♥ and hear the tirade later)” ng “Redouble. Escape. We are in trouble, except if partner has 4 clubs. Even 1♠ or 2♦ are better if North has 3 cards. 1♥ and 1N are 2-3 down, so I pray fo(u)r clubs.”

Of the panelist, only Luis and Henri seemed willing to consider other options, and only Henri actually picked a different bid. Luis XX, ”This is an interesting problem, passing 1hx is an option 1♠ is also an option but if LHO doubles 1♠ and this is passed back to me I think I will be in a problem, pd may play my hand for 5 spades and pass 1♠x with a doubleton and 4♣. That's why I prefer XX it asks for help and tells pd that I can play in spades, clubs and even diamonds and since I couldn't bid 1♠ it must show 4 spades (probably) 4 clubs and 4 diamonds or 4 clubs and 5 diamonds. I expect any exp pd to understand the meaning of XX quite well. In some scenarios XX offers some extra chances for success, for example opener may pull with some distributional hands. Since it was submitted by a BBF member I think it's time to say that I liked the problem”

Ritong 1NT i hope my cards will play better in a NT spot. my partner knew this would happen, so i suspect he does not hold 4 ♠s.".

I think the problem with sticking in 1♥ is Burn's Law of Total Trumps, as stated by Sergey. It surely is better to have more trumps than the opponents.

For scoring, what can I say? RDBL 100, and 1NT 40, pass 20. The votes,
Fred       RDBL
Luis        RDBL
Walddk    RDBL
Fluffy      RDBL
cherdano RDBL
reisig       RDBL
ritong      1NT
ng           RDBL
Dinos1     RDBL
Poky           RDBL

[pclayton]

Henri - time to cue The Beatles?

[HeartA]

Ben,
Without this problem, I would get the full score.

Henri,
Without your vote, I would get 0 on this.

[ritong]

pclayton, on Jul 14 2005, 03:38 PM, said:

Henri - time to cue The Beatles?

maybe :-)

i prefer creedence clearwater revival - your saying of bertrand russell looks to be clearly indicated for me, besides...

[luke warm]

well it could have been worse... at least 1♠ was *mentioned* heheh

[Elianna]

Contestant's answers:
rdbl 19
pass 4
1♠ 4
1NT 2

I have all the scores totalled, just waiting for the question post to be unlocked.