This set of FORUM problems was originally published in  vol. 8 nr. 8,  December 1997.
FORUM courtesy of   infotech
directed by Jaap van der Neut   AUTOMATISERING
 
Starting with this issue of FORUM we will include with each problem one comment from a panel member which best represents the plurality opinion. The list "How the panel voted" will be deleted, but a breakdown of the votes for each problem will be maintained.
 
w 
Board 1 SOUTH 
K J 6 2 
- 
A K Q 7 4 3 2 
A 5		 W/NS 
 
 
West 
2* 
Pass		 North 
Pass 
2		 East 
Pass 
Pass		 South 
Double 
?
 *Dutch Two: 6-card hearts plus 4+-card minor, 6-10 h.c.p. 
Panel   choices  (%)
w 3 
4 
5NT 
3 
4 
4 
 		 45 
20 
10 
15 
5 
5
Director:  3
 
Paul Soloway: 3. I find East's failure to support hearts very suspicious. Partner could easily hold just three spades. I will pass 3NT. If he bids anything else, I'll carefully reconsider.
w 
Board 2 SOUTH 
7 2 
A 5 
K Q J 8 7 5 3 
J 10		 N/NS 
 
 
West 
- 		 North 
1		 East 
4		 South 
?
 
Panel   choices  (%)
w 5 
Double 
 		 86 
14
Director:  5
 
Larry Cohen: 5. I used to double with 'flat' hands. Somehow, the 4-bidder always had the type of hand which made it more attractive for us to bid on. In the end, it remains a guess, of course. These days, my rule is "if you don't know, double with length (2+) in their suit, and bid otherwise." In this case, I'm violating my new rule because of the very good diamond suit. Actually, I don't really feel comfortable with 5 or Double; this is close.
w 
Board 3 SOUTH 
K Q J 8 5 2 
4 2 
Q 8 5 3 2 
-		 E/both 
 
 
West 
- 		 North 
-		 East 
Pass		 South 
?
 
Panel   choices  (%)
w 3 
Pass 
4 
2/2(multi) 
1 
 		 33 
24 
14 
14 
14
Director:  3
 
Barry Rigal: 3. Far from obvious, to put it mildly, but holding a suit which is playable opposite a singleton and a side five-bagger to compensate for the lack of a seventh spade I take the plunge. I hat to Pass first, and then have to guess what's going on. I'm just not good enough to guess right every time. The practical approach is to present them with the problem.
w 
Board 4 SOUTH 
K 9 
10 5 2 
A K Q 7 6 5 
10 7		 E/none 
 
 
West 
- 
Double		 North 
- 
Redouble		 East 
Pass 
Pass		 South 
1 
?
 
Panel   choices  (%)
w 3 
Pass 
2 
2NT 
 		 48 
33 
14 
5
Director:  3
 
Larry Cohen: 3. I have no desire to defend. 2 shows a weak hand with weaker diamonds. This shows good diamonds and removes bidding room. Although partner redoubled, I'm not anxious for them to bid their suits.
w 
Board 5 SOUTH 
- 
A K Q 5 
Q 10 9 3 2 
K Q 10 5		 N/none 
 
West 
 - 
1		 North 
Pass 
Pass		 East 
Pass 
3*		 South 
1 
?
 *3 = invitational with four spades. 
Panel   choices  (%)
w 3 
Pass 
Double 
3 
4 
4 
 		 38 
24 
14 
14 
5 
5
Director:  3
 
Marcel Nooijen: 3. The diamonds are a bit skinny, but other than that, perfect.  The alternative is Pass, followed by a reopening double. 3 would show good diamonds, but 3 is a possibility (lead). Of course, 3 is quite optimistic, but they don't know that.
w 
Board 6 SOUTH 
J 10 6 5 
A Q 8 5 
Q 3 
10 5 4		 E/EW
 
West 
 - 
2* 
3 
Pass**		 North 
- 
Pass 
Pass 
Pass		 East 
1 
3 
3 
3NT		 South 
Pass 
Pass 
Double 
All Pass
 *2 = game force ** Pass = Jxx or 10xxx
a) Do you agree with the South's Double? b) What is your lead?

Panel   choices  (%)
w No(Pass) 
Yes 
A 
5 
5 
10		 88 
12 
42 
26 
21 
11 
 
Director:  No(Pass) 
A
 
Paul Soloway: Pass. Why help the opposition?
René Steiner: A. This auction calls for an agressive lead. It sounds like they have extra values, or long diamonds with Q favorably positioned for them. With LHO having length in hearts and RHO holding the K, we only have four heart tricks if the king falls singleton. A seems no worse than a small heart.
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