May 2002; Bidding Contest problem 2
 
Problem #:   2;   Scoring:   Imps;   Vul:   N/S;   Dealer:   South
   
AT854
AJ8
KJ
T74
NorthEastSouthWest
    1Pass
1Pass3Pass
?
   

Drew Cannell
The choices are 4, 4NT, 3, or 3 as advances. A 4 bid sets trump immediately, and the partnership can get to work cue-bidding, or using RKCB. An immediate 4NT (RKCB for clubs) is of the same ilk , except it doesn't get a four-level reaction from partner, which may be of some help in our quest. A 3 bid (rather than 3) gives partner one extra step to react. He may show three-card spade support with 3; a heart stopper and no spade support with 3NT; or make a waiting 3 bid. Then, we can bid 4. The entire panel have 6/7 in the cross-hairs, and begin the investigation:

Panel
Votes		CallPoints
44100
2390
24NT80
1330

Wildavsky: 4. Why complicate things? I don't want to bid three of a red-suit and hear partner bid 3NT -- We may need to play 6NT from the North side.

Possibly, as three of either red-suit "may" receive 3NT from partner, and leave one or the other red-suit open to attack. Both red jacks may need some protecting (ie. Partner holds no diamond control, or partner has the Q - a defensive red-suit-lead doesn't hurt us in notrump from our side).

Aviram: 4. Don't see the problem. I'm naturally trying for slam.

Wirgren: 4. Opposite a hand like the next one (seven solid plus an ace), slam will have good chances most of the time, and if South has one less club and one more king, 6 may still be on. Unlikely that 3NT will be our last making spot. If South signs off in 5, I will let him play there.

Herbst: 4. I have a great hand for partner, and opposite a typical: x-Kxx-Axx-AKJxxx we have a great slam. Driving forward at full speed.

Cheek: 4NT. I'm bidding a slam, but may be cold for seven opposite almost nothing (x Kx Axx AKJxxxx). Even though jumping directly to 6 should show two aces and a kicker, experience shows that the auction is 95% chance to end there. Bidding 4 feels more likely to produce the best lead against six (after partner cues 4 or 4) than lead to seven. If I bid 4N..5N at least partner knows I have interest in seven and will correctly value the spade king in deciding whether to bid it.

Curtis prefers to keep the opponents in the dark about a red-suit lead. The opponents can't double four-of-a-red-suit if we bypass that level entirely. Though, they may get a shot at five-of-a-red-suit after 4NT.

Smith: 4NT. Quantitative anyone? At least I can find out aces.

Ron's comment suggests that some "may" play a direct 4NT as quantitative here, since a 4 advance would set clubs as trump, and THEN 4NT RKCB can be used. He believes that 4NT is RKCB for clubs though.

Lawrence: 3. If East raises to 3, I bid 4. If East bids 3NT, I bid 4. Do not bid 3 because I can get better information in other ways.

When I answered these problems, I also chose 3. Marty Bergen was with us as well. I was willing to give partner all the room in the world to show what his hand was about. And, 3 seemed to do most of that. The 4 and 4NT bidders never let partner calmly bid 3 over 3. A five-three spade-fit should be of some interest to us. If not, clubs can be set on the next round.

Bird: 3. If partner bids 3NT next, I can advance with 4 giving a good picture of my controls.

But, not giving partner a good picture of your hand - ie. The club support. If you bid spades, then hearts, then diamonds ... he may not "get it". This is looking for an expert disaster in my opinion.

Four Clubs receives the maximum since around half the panel opt for the bid. Both 3 and 4NT have their adherents, and score well.

 

The Problems
1 2 3 4 5 6