I invited David Berkowitz and Gary Cohler to do some golfing with me in Utah for a nice post-NABC vacation.  Little did I know what I was getting myself into.  Practically on every hole, all they seem to do is argue about that one hand.  Well, I’m tired of hearing these 2 guys argue over who was right and who was wrong.  We agreed to put the hand up to the Bridge Winners community for moderation.  David proposes the stakes:

• If either player is found insane, 2 strokes will transfer from their current handicap
• If either player is found responsible, but not silly, one stroke will be transferred.

So, without further ado, here again are the hands, and the bidding (they play Standard, not like the Precision David played with me):

3♣ was a heart raise with limit-raise or better values.

XX of 4♠ showed a control (1st- or 2nd-round)

No further firm agreements, as this is a somewhat casual partnership.

I gave them each 2-3 sentences to defend themselves in advance of the vote:

DAVID (East):  I would have liked to bid RKC, but a 5♠ response to 4NT would get us too high (we don't play kickback).  I think Gary should have raised 4♠-X to 5♠, which would have been straightforward. I would have bid 6♣ with the ace, not 5NT.

GARY (West): One thing was clear--I didn't have first round control of clubs as I bid both other suits. Thus over 5♠, I expected David to sign of in 6♥ if he didn't have the ♣A.  Also Joel's double of 4♠ made it seem as if David had a stiff spade, which meant he had to have the ♣A to have even an opening bid--so who could blame me?

In your comments, please mention what was the worst call.

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