PANEL

BY: MARINA PILIPOVIĆ

1. problem
team, -


N E S W
1
pass 1 pass ?
 AKJ	

AKQ97
J6
1084
3 : 10
2 NT: 5
3 : 3
2 : 3
2 : 1

Aljoša: 3 - 70%. 3 - 30%. Playing IMPs, I would try to get more information by risking space-preserving two clubs bid. I prefer three spades over three hearts because game in spades seems most likely to make. Give partner an ace, five or four nice spades and with a little luck it should be enough.

Andy: 2 - 60%. 2 - 40%. 1) the most flexible bid - and after the next bid from p (except pass) I show my strength 2) when p passes and there is a game, I am at least not vulnerable;

Bato: 2 NT - 100%. Like everybody else who plays four-card majors, I am geneticially engineered not to jump raise with only three trumps, so two NT is my only choice. However, we still have a chance to find spade game.

Brk: 3 - 100%. Not perfect, but that's the way life and bridge panels go. I don't see any alternative bid!

Dubo: 3 - 100%. I think any other bid would convey more inaccurate information. AKJ is equivalent to four card suit.

Eddie Kantar: 3 - 100%. 3S This one is easy if you play Flannery. Responder is not supposed to respond 1S unless he has four good spades or five or more spades. Not playing Flannery, I still jump to 3S as it is the best descriptive bid available. Besides, I don't have to play the hand, partner does!

Haig Tchamitch: 2 - 50%. 3 - 30%. 2 NT - 20%. This is a hand that you hoped partner bid 1NT so you could bid 2NT. After a 1S response from partner, 2NT seems ill advised with no stoppers in the minors. I am hoping that partner will bid over 2C and I can then bid 2S, even tho that would tend to show a singleton D, I think it is the best way to develop this hand. You are too strong for 2S, and you need a 4th spade for 3S.

Ivica: 3 - 100%. I have eight HCP in spades. With only four spades partner can still offer 3 NT.

Marina: 3 - 60%. 2 NT - 30%. 2 - 10%.

Max: 2 - 70%. 2 NT - 30%. in this case I usually play 2 clubs 1 round forcing (natural weak or any strong hand) over which 2d promises at least 8 hcp. After this I could better evaluate the situation! If I can't play this,I will bid 2nt.

Nikica: 3 - 80%. 2 NT - 20%.

P.O.Sundelin: 2 NT - 80%. 2 - 10%. 3 - 10%. No good for Marina´s system. If I bid 3S or 2C my partner has QTxx,x,Qxxx,Q9xx.

Paul: 3 - 70%. 2 NT - 20%. 3 - 10%. Ugh. Revolting problem but what else? If partner Passes this we probably won't be missing agame - we will just go minus in 3H. Is 2NT forcing under the system? That is my second choice but it is obviously deeply flawed. Don't like 3S at all.

Špiljak: 3 - 100%. Sometimes the most mundane bid is the best. I see no reason to bid anything else. Direct game jump is unnecessary, and inventing «transitional» two clubs bid begs for catastrophy, to put it mildly. I would have some sympathy for two NT bid if I have at least one minor suit covered even though I should have both.

Todi: 3 - 70%. 2 NT - 30%.


2. problem
team, all


N E S W
1 pass 1
pass 4 pass ?
 J1084

QJ5
863
AKQ
4 : 10
5 : 8
4 : 7
4 NT: 2
5 : 1

Aljoša: 5 - 70%. 5 - 30%. Since partner is short in clubs he can use mine to pitch his diamonds, pertaining he has diamond control, of course. I prefer playing slam in hearts because of solidity of the suit and because I can use clubs to pitch spades, if necessary. Problem with five hearts bid is that partner is likely to bid six with points clustered in majors and no diamond control, so we might lose two, or even three diamond tricks. However, opponents do not always make perfect opening leads.

Andy: 4 - 70%. 5 - 30%. a lot of wasted points in C, which makes a sign off probably the best bid. But still I have 13 points and it can be, that the two discards on the C suit are useful - so 30% for the values showing bid.

Bato: 4 - 100%. I do not think that I am allowed to bid anything else. Four heart bid would show heart control, not support. I am mentioning it only because in given example four hearts might be better contract, protecting partner's diamond honors he is bound to have.

Brk: 4 - 100%. Slam is a possibility but what to bid? Partner might have: a. AKQx, Akxxx, Qxx, x – even five spades doesn't make. b. AKQx, Axxxx, KQJx, x – five spades is likely to make. c. AKQx, xxxxx, AKQ, x – five spades is unlikely to make. What is the meaning of four hearts bid, cue bid, sign off or merely support for opener's first suit? At the table, is it allowed to bid one spade with three or less spades with heart support? What would be the meaning of five clubs bid – points concentration in clubs, lack of red suit controls (in case that four hearts bid is cue bid) and decent spade holding, better that we actually have? And what's up with five spades bid, does it deny diamond (or red suit) control, shows club Ace and guarantees good spade suit?

Dubo: 4 - 60%. 4 - 30%. 5 - 10%. Four spades = underbid by definition. Four hearts = general slam try , could be to play. Five clubs = for that I would like to have spade Q, although we still might be able to finesse it.

Eddie Kantar: 4 - 50%. 4 - 50%. 4H Reluctantly. I feel I must make one try for slam. This is a pretty good hand to sign off in 4S even though the KQ of clubs may be wasted. If partner has something like: AKQx AKxxx Kxx x or AQxx AKxxx Axx x Maybe we can play 6H or 6NT from his side. I think I am dreaming... again. I would give a return to 4S at least 50%

Haig Tchamitch: 5 - 60%. 4 - 40%. This hand can easily make slam if partner has a D control, and we need him to have 2 Spade honors, and the AK of hearts. I am going to try with 5C, and hope that he does not hold AKQx, AKxxx, Qxx,x In which case we are in trouble at the 5 level. 4H might work if it is a forward going bid and partner does not pass.

Ivica: 5 - 100%. If partener has right points we will make six, if not this will be a good lesson for him. If she bids five diamonds I will make pick-a-slam six hearts bid. Four clubs should show a strong hand.

Marina: 4 - 70%. 5 - 30%.

Max: 4 - 90%. 4 - 10%.

Nikica: 5 - 60%. 4 NT - 40%.

P.O.Sundelin: 4 - 100%. I can see that this shows shortness. Even if my clubs may seem wasted they should be good enough to throw diamond or spade losers on when opener holds KQxx,AKxxx, Axx,x (or better). It may give us possibility to play 6H (at least in theory) if he has as little as AKxx,AKxxxx,Kxx

Paul: 5 - 80%. 4 - 20%. Is 4C a splinter or a cue bid promising a void? I will assume a singleton. The QJ of hearts are excellent cards and I don't want partner to give up with, say, S: AQxx H:AKxxx D:Axx C:x. With that hand he will certainly Pass 4S. Second choice 4H.

Špiljak: 4 NT - 60%. 4 - 40%. I am not sure about this splinter's systemic strength requirements. On one hand, basic rule about splinters is to underbid with points in that suit. On the other hand, I would bid one spade with seven points less and AKQ can be nicely used for diamond pitches. That's why I am giving slight advantage to RKCB and letting chips fall where they may.

Todi: 4 - 50%. 4 - 50%.


3. problem
pair, EW vul.


N E S W
pass
pass 2NT pass 3*
pass 3** pass ?

(*) obećava jednog
četverokaratnog majora
(**) 4/5 bez 4
 10753

K107
KJ876
5
3 NT: 10
4 : 8
4 : 2
3 : 1

Aljoša: 3 NT - 70%. 4 - 30%. At matchpoints is advisable to follow the field. Furthermore, I am not sure how to use this convention, i.e. why am I using it at all if I do not know the follow-up structure.

Andy: 4 - 100%. dont understand your explanations, but 4H looks right

Bato: 4 - 100%. I might be waste to use honors for ruffs, but I still prefer to play this hand in trump contract. (I am puting all marbles on four hearts bid. From now on I will always choose only one bid, like I have to do at the table. )

Brk: 4 - 60%. 3 NT - 40%. Since it is mostly a guess, I am giving two answers. What would be the meaning of three spades bid? Since Stayman denies five-card major it is primarily overture for further complications but it might also show nice four-card spade suit and distributional hand suitable for playing game in four-three fit. Also, it might be cue-bid for hearts, or something entirely different.

Dubo: 3 NT - 100%. I don't have tools to explore for possible five cards.

Eddie Kantar: 3 NT - 60%. 4 - 20%. 4 - 20%. 3NT. I don't think I am strong enough to bid 4D and I'm not brave enough to suffer partner's wrath if 4H proves to be a lousy contract. Nevertheless, either of those bids could be winners so I give them each 20%.

Haig Tchamitch: 3 NT - 50%. 4 - 40%. 4 - 10%. At pairs there is no reason to go looking for magic. That's why I bid 3NT and hope partner has clubs covered. 4H could be a winner here if partner has a 5 card suit, or partner's clubs are weak, however, that is taking a pessimistic view of the hand. 4D is a shot in the dark, if partner bids 4H over that, then you can pass, if he bids 4NT you will pass, and if he bids 4S then you have to bid 5D. 4H and 5D, or even 6D might well be better than 3NT, but at pairs, you should try and play in the highest scoring strain.

Ivica: 3 NT - 100%. I don't know the meaning of three spades bid!

Marina: 4 - 70%. 3 NT - 30%.

Max: 4 - 90%. 3 NT - 10%. I don't speak croatian, so i don't understand if my pd has or has not 4 spades, but i suppose he hasn't. Why don't we play puppet to know if hearts are 4th or 5th???

Nikica: 4 - 60%. 3 NT - 40%.

P.O.Sundelin: 4 - 40%. 3 NT - 40%. 4 - 20%. I hope this clearly reflects my firm opinion.

Paul: 3 NT - 90%. 3 - 10%. Help!!! I don't understand the notes! Does it say that 3H shows either 4 or 5 hearts and denies Spades? Put me down for 3NT if that is the case. The trouble with this type of problem is that everyone has their own metods and I am not sure of these at all. If 3H does not deny Spades then I will bid 3S (but only if the system says that it shows a 4 card suit).

Špiljak: 3 NT - 90%. 3 - 10%. I'm in generous mood again. I think that philosophy of natural biding is simple: make normal bid whenever it is possible. Those who spend lifetime trying to make perfectly accurate system out of it die unhappy. Three spades bid crossed my mind only because it would be really nice if it means: partner bid four hearts with five hearts (or with iffy club stopper ha, ha)

Todi: 4 - 60%. 3 NT - 40%.


4. problem
team, NS vul.


N E S W
1 pass 1
pass 1 pass 3
pass 3NT pass ?
		

Q754
AKQ1097
J105
pass: 10
4 : 5
4 : 3

Aljoša: pass - 70%. 4 - 30%. When partner bids three NT over three spades splinter I am not sure does it show balanced hand with a concentration in spades or just a spade control. Diamond suit looks very good and we might have nine quick tricks to cash even if partner has only one spade stopper, regardless of the void.

Andy: pass - 100%. It`s very likely, that pass works out better than any other bid - I think 3NT will make with 2S, 6D and 1H or C trick, while 4H goes down.

Bato: 4 - 100%. I have no other option despite the fact that three NT shows double spade stopper and weak hearts.

Brk: pass - 100%. Partner has weak hearts, two-three spade stoppers and good clubs so I see no problems with three NT. Playing four hearts we might lose three trump tricks and a club.

Dubo: 4 - 100%. As a cue-bid denying club control.

Eddie Kantar: pass - 60%. 4 - 40%. Pass. Partner has strong spades and I have running diamonds. Notrump actually looks better to me. I would give 4H 40%, but I don't like 4D at all which is a slam try. In fact, this hand is not strong enough to splinter in the first place!

Haig Tchamitch: 4 - 70%. pass - 20%. 4 - 10%. Sounds like partner has wasted spade cards. Does not look good for slam purposes. 4S is way too aggressive on this hand with bad hearts. If partner is willing to play 3NT opposite spade shortness, I can't see him having enough points to make a heart slam a good bet. 4D is marginally acceptable because of your suit, but it is still too aggressive.

Ivica: pass - 100%. With assumption that I am playing with competent partner who is able to use his own judgment.

Marina: pass - 100%.

Max: pass - 80%. 4 - 20%. my pd knows my hand so he must have all his strenght in spades and I probably bring him 6 tricks in diamonds!!

Nikica: 4 - 70%. 4 - 30%.

P.O.Sundelin: 4 - 90%. pass - 10%. AQJ9,KJxx,x.Q9xx. Just to show why we should pass. But to be honest, in real life I would bid 4H.

Paul: pass - 80%. 4 - 20%. All right, no-one else will agree but West has shown excellent spades and poor hearts. With S:AQ10 H:10xxx D:J C:KQxxx opposite I will have done the right thing. Second choice 4H.

Špiljak: 4 - 100%. I would pass at matchpoints. Partner clearly stated he has bad spade points and no slam interest. However, playing IMPs it is too costly not to try for slams (or games) that might be makable. I hope partner will get the message correctly and bid four hearts (or five diamonds) as a second sign-off, if he is really bad.

Todi: pass - 100%. If three NT is natural bid (system notes do not mention anything else) then partner should have bad hearts and great spades. Conclusion: pass is only correct bid.


5. problem
pair, all


N E S W
pass
pass 1 pass 1
pass 2 pass ?
 AK1065

J986
8632

3 : 10
2 : 3
2 : 2
2 : 1

Aljoša: 3 - 100%. Invitational, partner will know to bid three spades with three card support and maximum.

Andy: 3 - 100%. two diamonds is not enough. Partner will bid 3S with 3 cards now.

Bato: 3 - 100%. At matchpoints two diamonds might be enough, but considering initial pass I have to boost a bit. I have a nice hand, game is not out of question.

Brk: 3 - 100%. Not much to say here, two diamond is serious underbid and no other bid fits the hand.

Dubo: 3 - 70%. 2 - 30%. The hand is worth an invitational bid. I bid two hearts as a forcing, but partner can pass with three hearts and stiff spade.

Eddie Kantar: 3 - 70%. 2 - 30%. 3D. I hate to just bid 2D with this hand. I don't want my partner to think I am a sniveling coward! I would give 2D 30% because it is so often right to be a sniveling coward with a void in one of partner's suits.

Haig Tchamitch: 3 - 90%. 2 - 10%. Bidding 3D might well miss a heart fit... although if partner is 1444 he might bid 3H over my 3D bid. The general value of this hand is a limit raise in D. Bidding 2H might get lucky and if partner bids 3H you will bid ? if you pass, you are now breaking partnership discipline which is not a good idea. Partner might also bid 3H on some hand like x, Axx,AKxxx,KTxx, so if you pass, you are not in your best spot, and if you continue bidding you may get too high.

Ivica: 2 - 100%. The hand is worth a forcing bid.

Marina: 3 - 90%. 2 - 10%.

Max: 3 - 100%. Inviting

Nikica: 2 - 100%.

P.O.Sundelin: 2 - 50%. 3 - 50%. I hope fourth suit is forcing also by a passed hand (in Marina´s system). If opener rebids 2NT, then 3D shows approximately this hand

Paul: 3 - 100%. Am I allowed to object to the question? In my methods I would have bid 2S over 1D. After a Pass I think this is a fit jump showing 5-4 in S and D. What would 2S have meant in the system? Anyway, I don't see any alternative to 3D.

Špiljak: 2 - 70%. 2 - 30%. Doesn't seem we have spade fit, hence two diamonds makes some sense, but there are other considerations that we should not overlook. First of all, on mathcpoints two spades might still yield better result. Also, I am reluctant to present opponents with opportunity to bid something after we rest in two diamonds.

Todi: 3 - 60%. 2 - 40%.



EXPERT PROBLEM 1 PROBLEM 2 PROBLEM 3 PROBLEM 4 PROBLEM 5 TOTAL
Miljenko Brkljačić 10.0 10.0 8.8 10.0 10.0 48.8
Marina Pilipović 7.8 9.4 8.6 10.0 9.3 45.1
Todi Gantar 8.5 8.5 8.8 10.0 7.2 43.0
Eddie Kantar 10.0 8.5 8.0 8.0 7.9 42.4
Paul Bowyer 4.1 7.8 9.1 9.0 10.0 40.0
Ivica Miladin 10.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 2.0 40.0
Aljoša Čakić 7.9 5.9 7.6 8.5 10.0 39.9
Andy Gloyer 2.2 9.4 8.0 10.0 10.0 39.6
Dubravko Diklić 10.0 8.9 10.0 3.0 7.6 39.5
Massimo Morits 3.6 7.3 8.2 9.0 10.0 38.1
Bato Protega 5.0 10.0 8.0 5.0 10.0 38.0
Haig Tchamitch 5.5 7.6 8.4 5.8 9.2 36.5
P.O.Sundelin 5.3 7.0 7.6 5.5 6.0 31.4
Nikica Šver 9.0 5.6 8.8 3.6 3.0 30.0
Branko Špiljak 3.0 5.2 9.1 3.0 1.6 21.9


CONTESTANT PROBLEM 1 PROBLEM 2 PROBLEM 3 PROBLEM 4 PROBLEM 5 TOTAL
Tomislav Šašek 3 = 10 4 = 10 4 = 8 pass = 10 3 = 10 48
Miro Tesla 3 = 10 4 = 10 4 = 8 pass = 10 3 = 10 48
Igor Novosel 3 = 10 4 = 10 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 3 = 10 45
Ivo Zoričić 3 = 10 4 = 10 3 NT = 10 pass = 10 2 = 2 42
Srđan Katušić 3 = 10 5 = 8 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 3 = 10 41
Frano Jančić 3 = 10 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 3 = 10 40
Gjivo Tikvica 3 = 10 5 = 8 3 NT = 10 pass = 10 2 = 2 40
Srđan Richter 3 = 10 5 = 8 4 = 8 pass = 10 2 = 3 39
Iva Jurišić 2 NT = 5 5 = 8 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 3 = 10 38
Vanja Grahek 2 NT = 5 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 3 = 10 35
Boris Ferić 3 = 10 4 = 7 4 = 8 6 = 0 3 = 10 35
Tvrtko Perković 3 = 3 5 = 8 3 NT = 10 pass = 10 2 = 3 34
Vedran Zorić 2 = 3 4 = 10 4 = 8 4 = 3 3 = 10 34
Boris Bursać 2 = 3 4 = 10 4 = 8 4 = 3 3 = 10 34
Aleksandar Mixich 3 = 3 4 = 10 4 = 8 4 = 3 3 = 10 34
Milan Žmak 3 = 10 5 = 8 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 2 = 2 33
Helga Poklepović 3 = 10 4 = 10 4 = 8 4 = 3 2 = 2 33
Dominik Mokni 3 = 3 5 = 8 4 = 8 pass = 10 2 = 3 32
Nenad Poštić 3 = 3 5 = 8 4 = 8 pass = 10 2 = 3 32
Zoran Bohaček 2 NT = 5 4 = 10 4 = 8 4 = 5 2 = 3 31
Aleksandar Carević 2 NT = 5 4 = 10 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 2 = 3 31
Dražen Martinović 2 = 3 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 3 = 10 30
Damir Franulović 2 NT = 5 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 3 30
Ljubica Lovrenčić 2 NT = 5 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 3 30
Ivan Kalajžić 3 = 10 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 3 30
Dario Filjar 2 NT = 5 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 3 30
Dragan Petrina 3 = 3 4 = 10 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 2 = 3 29
Barbara Kranjc 2 NT = 5 4 = 10 4 = 2 pass = 10 2 = 2 29
Sandra Ruso 3 = 3 4 = 10 4 = 8 4 = 5 2 = 3 29
Vesna Dacić 3 = 0 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 pass = 10 2 = 2 29
Duško Obradović 3 = 3 5 = 8 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 2 28
Zoran Šantek 3 = 10 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 2 = 3 28
Ljubica Bajakić 2 NT = 5 5 = 8 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 2 = 2 28
Branimir Zauner 3 = 3 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 pass = 10 2 = 1 26
Igor Mandalinic 2 NT = 5 5 = 8 4 = 8 4 = 3 2 = 2 26
Boris Hajduković 3 = 3 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 1 26
Danijel Zenko 3 = 3 4 = 7 4 = 8 4 = 5 2 = 3 26
Adriano Voscilla 3 = 10 4 NT = 2 3 = 1 4 = 3 3 = 10 26
Goran Borevković 3 = 3 5 = 8 4 = 8 4 = 3 2 = 3 25
Marija Orešković 3 = 0 4 = 7 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 3 25
Marin Poklepović 3 = 3 4 = 10 3 NT = 10 5 = 0 2 = 2 25
Renata Muller 3 = 3 4 = 7 4 = 8 4 = 3 2 = 2 23
Željka Karaman-Martinović 3 = 3 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 3 23
Karlo Brguljan 2 = 3 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 3 23
Marijan Praljak 3 = 10 4 NT = 2 4 = 8 4 = 0 2 = 3 23
Cvijeta Frid 3 = 10 4 NT = 2 4 = 8 4 NT = 0 2 = 3 23
Iva Matijević 3 NT = 0 5 = 8 4 = 2 pass = 10 2 = 1 21
Mario Zeljko 3 = 3 4 NT = 2 4 = 8 4 = 5 2 = 2 20
Tomislav Šćepanović 3 = 3 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 2 = 2 20
Alen Perković 2 = 3 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 3 2 = 2 20
Tomislav Bošnjak 2 NT = 5 4 = 7 3 = 1 4 = 5 2 = 1 19
Simon Pirjevec 3 NT = 0 4 NT = 2 3 NT = 10 4 = 5 2 = 2 19
Milko Pravdić 2 NT = 5 4 = 7 3 = 1 4 = 3 2 = 2 18
Alan Pavičić 3 = 3 5 = 8 4 = 2 4 = 3 2 = 1 17
Natko Sorić 3 = 0 4 = 7 3 = 1 4 = 5 2 = 2 15
Dragan Visekrunić 3 = 3 6 = 0 4 = 2 4 = 5 2 = 1 11