Pro/Am Saturday Morn Session November 2, 2019
Scores after  6 rounds  Average:   99.0      Section  A B  North-South
  Pair     Pct   Score      Section Rank      Overall Rank      MPs
                            A     B     C     A     B     C
  A  4   66.92  132.50  A   1                 1                3.79(OA) John O'Brien - Cheryl Brodsky
  B  4   61.36  121.50  A   2                 4                1.60(OA) Neal Mazaroff - Helen Burke
  A  3   57.07  113.00  A   3                                  0.95(SA) Joyce Hart - Diane Anderson
  B  3   55.05  109.00  A   4                                  0.67(SA) Jo Levy - Bonnie Walsh
  B  2   52.14  103.23  A   5                                  0.38(SA) Edwin Seputis - Patti Kogan
  A  7   50.73  100.45  A   6                                  0.32(SA) Russ Kirschenbaum - Monica Deutsch
  A  1   50.30   99.60  A                                               David Geary - Carol Wolleson
  B  8   49.61   98.23  A                                               Herbert Chung - Sylvia Victoria
  B  6   48.21   95.45  A                                               Steven Drucker - Marcia Bohan
  B  7   47.59   94.23  A                                               Susie Chung - Vicky Chen
  A  6   46.01   91.09  A                                               Sarah Simmerman - Alison Heyman
  A  5   45.98   91.05  A                                               Sandi Davis - Helen Wren
  B  5   45.84   90.77  A                                               Joel Teller - Ruth Kleinman
  A  2   44.42   87.95  A                                               Norman Marks - Don Levine
  B  1   43.07   85.27  A                                               Shirley Rodenborn - Marilyn Chilcote
  A  8   36.25   71.77  A                                               Amy Hansell - Kathleen Matthews

Pro/Am Saturday Morn Session November 2, 2019
Scores after  6 rounds  Average:   99.0      Section  A B  East-West
  Pair     Pct   Score      Section Rank      Overall Rank      MPs
                            A     B     C     A     B     C
  A  8   65.86  130.40  A   1                 2                2.84(OA) Jonathan Kael - Gloria Marchick
  B  4   63.02  124.77  A   2                 3                2.13(OA) Kevin Schoenfeld - Mark Kogan
  A  4   57.60  114.05  A   3                 5                1.20(OA) Ching Chao - Carol Alliger
  B  2   57.21  113.27  A   4                 6                0.90(OA) Robert Johnson - Thomas Griswold
  B  6   55.44  109.77  A   5                                  0.38(SA) Loretta Dimitruck - Robin Baker
  B  3   51.52  102.00  A   6                                  0.32(SA) Irwin Lichtblau - Gretchen Griswold
  A  5   51.26  101.50  A                                               Philip Leung - Jennie Schacht
  A  7   48.46   95.95  A                                               Donna Wasser - Rod Goree
  A  3   48.23   95.50  A                                               Douglas Burke - Madelaine Georgette
  B  5   46.21   91.50  A                                               Barbara McKay - Marge Black
  A  6   45.82   90.73  A                                               Sherry Larsen Beville - Kennedy Richardson
  B  1   45.23   89.55  A                                               Cathleen Otvos - Gail Oraftik
  A  2   42.70   84.55  A                                               David Snyder - Barbara Eppinger
  A  1   42.38   83.91  A                                               Joye Sidoti - Irving Googins
  B  7   41.53   82.23  A                                               Sam Gurbaxani - Michael Lubin
  B  8   36.98   73.23  A                                               Robert Kaplan - Janet Middleton

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul
K
A 6 4 3
K 10 9 7 5 3
A 2
Q 6 4 3 2
J 10 9 8
7 6 4 3
N
WE
S
9 8 5
Q 7 5 2
A J 6 4
Q 8
A J 10 7
K
Q 8 2
K J 10 9 5

NS 6; S 6; NS 5N; N 5; NS 3; NS 3; Par +920

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass2 
Pass2 Pass2 
Pass2 NPass3 N
All pass   
ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN649011.000.00A1-Geary-WollesonA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 NTN54608.502.50A6-Simmerman-HeymanA3-Burke-Georgette
3 NTN54608.502.50A8-Hansell-MatthewsA7-Wasser-Goree
3 NTN54608.502.50B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB1-Otvos-Oraftik
3 NTN54608.502.50B5-Teller-KleinmanB8-Kaplan-Middleton
3 NTN44306.005.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB6-Dimitruck-Baker
5 N54003.008.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
3 NTS34003.008.00A5-Davis-WrenA8-Kael-Marchick
3 NTN34003.008.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA5-Leung-Schacht
3 NTN34003.008.00B6-Drucker-BohanB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
5 N54003.008.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
3 N51500.0011.00B7-Chung-ChenB5-McKay-Black

Auction: This is the likely auction if you are playing 2 over 1. If not, North should jump to 3 NT on his third bid to express his extra values.

Lead: Leading fourth best from the unbid suit seems right. Another possible lead is a passive spade, hoping that dummy's spades are weak.

Play: After the lead of the heart 2, West should play the heart Jack, telling his partner that he has a sequence in hearts. East knows almost the exact layout of the heart suit at trick 1!
The best chance to establish tricks is in the diamond suit. When declarer leads a small diamond, he sees the bad break. East wins the Ace and clears the hearts. Time to count your tricks again! Two tricks in each suit (including the marked diamond finesse), so you need one more. Continuing diamonds holds you to 9 tricks. Why not switch gears and take the club finesse instead? If it works, you might take 11 tricks (like on this hand). If it doesn't work, you still have nine tricks.


Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul
K 10 8 7 2
Q 10
A 9 7
K 9 7
A 5
A 9 7
J 6 3 2
10 8 5 2
N
WE
S
J 9 3
J 6 5 3 2
K 8
6 4 3
Q 6 4
K 8 4
Q 10 5 4
A Q J

N 4; NS 3N; S 3; NS 3; NS 3; NS 1; Par +620

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 
Pass1 Pass1 N
Pass2 !Pass3 
Pass4 All pass 
ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 N565011.000.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA3-Burke-Georgette
4 N462010.001.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB6-Dimitruck-Baker
3 NTS36008.003.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
3 NTS36008.003.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA5-Leung-Schacht
3 NTS36008.003.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
2 NTS31506.005.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB8-Kaplan-Middleton
2 NTS21205.006.00B7-Chung-ChenB5-McKay-Black
4 N−11002.508.50A1-Geary-WollesonA1-Sidoti-Googins
4 N−11002.508.50A5-Davis-WrenA8-Kael-Marchick
3 NTS−11002.508.50B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB1-Otvos-Oraftik
4 N−11002.508.50B6-Drucker-BohanB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
3 NTS−22000.0011.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA7-Wasser-Goree

Auction: North bids 2C as New Minor Forcing to find out more about South's shape and strength. South can now let his partner know if he has four hearts (2H), three spades (2S), five diamonds (2D), or none of the above (2 NT). South can also make a jump bid, if he has a maximum hand. Remember that South has already limited his hand to 12-14 hcp, by not opening 1 NT. So, South's 3S bid perfectly communicates that he has 3 spades and 14 hcp.

Play: With a loser in hearts and in diamonds (luckily declarer has only one losing diamond on this layout), the contract lives or dies with the trump suit. The best percentage play for one loser is small towards the Queen in dummy, and then finessing back to the 10. Unfortunately, that leads to down 1 on this hand. Why does the hand record show that North can make 4S? Declarer could instead lead small to the King and then duck leading back, losing only one spade. But don't be swayed by the hand record results - they don't always reflect good bridge!


Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul
Q 10
Q 8
K 10 9 7
A 8 7 4 3
K J 8
10 9 7 5
Q 8 5
10 9 6
N
WE
S
A 9 7 3 2
J 6 3
J 4 3 2
J
6 5 4
A K 4 2
A 6
K Q 5 2

NS 5; NS 3; NS 2N; NS 2; NS 1; Par +400

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 NT
Pass3 NTAll pass 

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS546011.000.00B7-Chung-ChenB5-McKay-Black
3 NTS44307.004.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
3 NTS44307.004.00A5-Davis-WrenA8-Kael-Marchick
3 NTS44307.004.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA5-Leung-Schacht
3 NTS44307.004.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA7-Wasser-Goree
3 NTS44307.004.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB6-Dimitruck-Baker
3 NTS44307.004.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB8-Kaplan-Middleton
3 NTS44307.004.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
2 S51503.008.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB1-Otvos-Oraftik
3 NTS−1501.0010.00A1-Geary-WollesonA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 NTS−1501.0010.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA3-Burke-Georgette
3 NTS−1501.0010.00B6-Drucker-BohanB3-Lichtblau-Griswold

Auction: Do you and your partner have a way to show both minors in response to 1 NT? Although this can be the right bid on some hands, the North hand has honors in both majors with no singleton. And, it is often easier to take 9 tricks in NT than 11 tricks in a minor. We suggest just bidding 3 NT.

Lead: The only leads that will beat 3 NT are the spade King or the spade Jack. These would be incredibly inspired/unusual leads by the West hand. The heart ten is a normal lead.

Play: So, although 3 NT is not supposed to be a making contract looking at all four hands, declarer will take ten tricks 99% of the time, scoring +430. 5C will make on any defense, but scoring only +400. This is why matchpoint players love to declare 3 NT. Even when it is the "wrong" contract, it can still be the right contract.


Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul
6 4 3
9 2
A J 9 7
A J 10 5
A J 5
A 7 6
Q 5 3
Q 9 8 6
N
WE
S
Q 10 9 8
K Q J
10 6 4 2
4 3
K 7 2
10 8 5 4 3
K 8
K 7 2

W 1N; EW 1; W 1; NS 1; Par −90

WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass1 Pass
1 NTAll pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−220010.500.50B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB8-Kaplan-Middleton
2 E−220010.500.50B5-Teller-KleinmanB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
1 NTW1906.504.50A1-Geary-WollesonA8-Kael-Marchick
1 NTW1906.504.50A5-Davis-WrenA7-Wasser-Goree
1 NTW1906.504.50A6-Simmerman-HeymanA1-Sidoti-Googins
1 NTW1906.504.50B2-Seputis-KoganB2-Johnson-Griswold
1 NTW1906.504.50B7-Chung-ChenB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
1 NTW1906.504.50B8-Chung-VictoriaB6-Dimitruck-Baker
1 NTW21201.509.50A2-Marks-LevineA2-Snyder-Eppinger
1 NTW21201.509.50A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA4-Chao-Alliger
1 NTE21201.509.50A8-Hansell-MatthewsA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
1 NTW21201.509.50B6-Drucker-BohanB1-Otvos-Oraftik

Auction: Although North has a decent hand, he doesn't have the right shape to double at his first or second opportunity, since he has length in both of his opponents' suits. Were any of the South players tempted to balance with 2H on that anemic suit? Bridge is a bidder's game, but we do not advise taking this aggressive action when South is vulnerable. This would lead to -100 or -200.

Lead: Although North's clubs are slightly stronger than his diamonds, West opened 1C, so we suggest that North lead the diamond 7.

Play: South wins the diamond King and could choose to continue diamonds (although dummy's diamond 10 will always be a stopper) or switch to clubs. On this hand, it doesn't matter. North-South can only take 3 clubs and 3 diamonds. However, they might give up a valuable overtrick if they don't cash out these six tricks timely.


Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul
A K J 7
Q 9
J 9 2
K Q J 4
10 9 8 6
K J 8 7 2
Q
9 8 3
N
WE
S
Q 5
A 10 6 5 3
A 10 6 3
6 2
4 3 2
4
K 8 7 5 4
A 10 7 5

NS 3; EW 3; NS 3; NS 3; NS 1N; Par +100: EW 4×−1

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 NT2 Pass
3 All pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ×E−230010.950.05B6-Drucker-BohanB1-Otvos-Oraftik
1 NTN1908.772.23A8-Hansell-MatthewsA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
1 NTN1908.772.23B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB8-Kaplan-Middleton
1 NTN1908.772.23B5-Teller-KleinmanB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
3 NTN−3Ave+Ave−6.604.40A1-Geary-WollesonA8-Kael-Marchick
5 N−11006.594.41A6-Simmerman-HeymanA1-Sidoti-Googins
2 W31404.956.05A2-Marks-LevineA2-Snyder-Eppinger
2 W31404.956.05A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA4-Chao-Alliger
3 NTN−22002.238.77B2-Seputis-KoganB2-Johnson-Griswold
3 NTN−22002.238.77B7-Chung-ChenB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
3 NTN−22002.238.77B8-Chung-VictoriaB6-Dimitruck-Baker
3 ×W35300.0510.95A5-Davis-WrenA7-Wasser-Goree

Auction: Even though East is only 5-4 in the red suits, he is at favorable vulnerability. He should make whatever bid the partnership uses to show diamonds and hearts over the opponents' 1 NT. For some, this will be 2D, showing diamonds and a major. Despite being bereft of points, West knows that his side has a good-to-great major suit fit. He should jump to 3H, which is pass or correct for East's still unknown major.
In the passout seat, South has the right shape to make a delayed takeout double of 3H, but he is vulnerable and will suspect that his diamond suit is not entirely useful. If he opts for a takeout double, North-South will reach 3S (which will test North's ability to play a Moysian 4-3 fit) or push East-West into 4H down 1.

Lead: Spade Ace or club King

Play: West's play to 3H is easy. BUT, be careful to start with the heart King, in case North has all three hearts. South can't hold all three hearts because of North's NT opener.


Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul
A K 10 7 3
7 6
K 7 6
10 7 6
J 8 5
K 10 3
A J 10 5
K 5 3
N
WE
S
Q 9 4 2
A 2
Q 9 3
A J 9 4
6
Q J 9 8 5 4
8 4 2
Q 8 2

EW 4N; EW 3; EW 3; EW 3; EW 1; Par −630

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 2 
3 NTAll pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 E−110011.000.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA1-Sidoti-Googins
2 S−15010.001.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
3 S−21009.002.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB8-Kaplan-Middleton
3 W31108.003.00A2-Marks-LevineA2-Snyder-Eppinger
2 NTW31506.504.50A1-Geary-WollesonA8-Kael-Marchick
2 NTW31506.504.50A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA4-Chao-Alliger
3 NTW36003.008.00A5-Davis-WrenA7-Wasser-Goree
3 NTE36003.008.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
3 NTE36003.008.00B6-Drucker-BohanB1-Otvos-Oraftik
3 NTW36003.008.00B7-Chung-ChenB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
3 NTW36003.008.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB6-Dimitruck-Baker
3 NTW46300.0011.00B2-Seputis-KoganB2-Johnson-Griswold

Auction: South is at favorable vulnerability and has good texture in his suit, both of which are far more important than his high card points. He should definitely make a weak 2H overcall. With a balanced hand and a heart stopper, West should bid a direct 3 NT. Note that the heart 10 means that any heart honor in his partner's hand will probably create a second stopper.

Lead: North has two appealing leads: spade 7 or heart 7. Either could work depending on the whole layout. On this hand, the spade 7 makes the hand easier for declarer.

Play: Let's imagine North leads his partner's suit. Declarer needs to take finesses in both clubs and diamonds. Which suit should he finesse first? Well, South will become the "danger" hand once declarer's other heart stopper is gone. So, declarer should take the club finesse first. When it loses to South's club Queen, he will clear the heart suit. But, when declarer then takes the diamond finesse, it loses to North who no longer holds any hearts. Declarer will eventually take a spade trick, making his contract.


Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul
Q 7 6
Q 9 6 4 2
Q 10 9 7 6
10 8 4
8 3
8 2
Q 10 7 6 3 2
N
WE
S
J 9 5 2
A K J 5
J 3
A J 4
A K 3
10 7
A K 5 4
K 9 8 5

NS 3N; NS 5; NS 3; N 2; S 1; EW 1; Par +600

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 NT
Pass2 !Pass2 
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS360011.000.00B3-Levy-WalshB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
2 S417010.001.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA2-Snyder-Eppinger
2 S31407.503.50A1-Geary-WollesonA7-Wasser-Goree
2 S31407.503.50A3-Hart-AndersonA3-Burke-Georgette
2 S31407.503.50B2-Seputis-KoganB1-Otvos-Oraftik
2 S31407.503.50B6-Drucker-BohanB8-Kaplan-Middleton
1 NTS21205.006.00B7-Chung-ChenB2-Johnson-Griswold
2 S21102.508.50A2-Marks-LevineA1-Sidoti-Googins
2 S21102.508.50A6-Simmerman-HeymanA8-Kael-Marchick
2 S21102.508.50A8-Hansell-MatthewsA5-Leung-Schacht
2 S21102.508.50B8-Chung-VictoriaB5-McKay-Black
2 S−22000.0011.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin

Auction: After a normal transfer auction to 2H, North is too weak to introduce his diamond suit. East would like to take some action with his 15 hcp, but should pass when the opponents land in his best suit. If he unwisely decides to make an offshape takeout double, he will quickly regret the action when North is now able to bid diamonds. Be content when the opponents appear to have a poor trump fit.

Lead: Small club

Play: Declarer has a source of tricks in diamonds, but must remove trumps first before taking advantage of this side suit. Because of his poor trumps, he will have to lose the lead multiple times. On the initial club lead, he cannot afford to ruff with his long trumps. In order to keep control of the hand, he should throw away a diamond, allowing East to win the club Ace. Declarer can win the second club and begin playing trumps. Despite the unfortunate trump split, declarer can make 3H if he pays careful attention to the heart spot cards. But, we suspect down 1 will be a common result.


Board 8
West Deals
None Vul
10 9 8
K 6 2
A 8
J 8 5 4 3
7 4
10 7 3
K J 10 2
Q 9 7 2
N
WE
S
K Q 5 3
A Q J 8
9 5 4 3
6
A J 6 2
9 5 4
Q 7 6
A K 10

EW 2; EW 3; EW 1N; N 1; Par −110

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass1 Pass
1 NTAll pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 E−15011.000.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA2-Snyder-Eppinger
4 N−15010.001.00B6-Drucker-BohanB8-Kaplan-Middleton
1 NTW1908.502.50B2-Seputis-KoganB1-Otvos-Oraftik
2 E2908.502.50B8-Chung-VictoriaB5-McKay-Black
2 N−21006.504.50A3-Hart-AndersonA3-Burke-Georgette
3 N−21006.504.50B7-Chung-ChenB2-Johnson-Griswold
3 E31105.006.00A2-Marks-LevineA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 E41303.008.00A1-Geary-WollesonA7-Wasser-Goree
2 E41303.008.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA8-Kael-Marchick
3 E41303.008.00B3-Levy-WalshB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
4 S−31501.0010.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
3 NTS−42000.0011.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA5-Leung-Schacht

Auction: A few South players may choose to double 1D with their hand. Some partnerships have the agreement that a takeout double simply shows opening values and at least 3 card support for all the unbid suits, but not necessarily shortness in the opener's suit. We would prefer holding the heart Queen instead of the diamond Queen (their suit) to take this action.

Lead: There are two attractive leads: spade 10 or club 4. The spade is more passive and a major suit lead is often called for on this auction. But, North does have a five-card club suit and possibly two entries to his hand. Tough choice.

Play: With the heart King and the diamond Queen both onside, West should make 1 NT no matter what the lead is. West may make overtricks if the opponents don't cash their tricks timely (either 3 spades, 1 diamond, and 2 clubs on a spade lead OR 1 spade, 1 diamond, and 4 clubs on a club lead).


Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul
Q 6 3
Q 9 2
8 2
A 10 9 8 2
J 10 7 5
10 5
A 10 7 5
Q J 3
N
WE
S
A 9 4 2
K 6 3
Q J 9 3
5 4
K 8
A J 8 7 4
K 6 4
K 7 6

NS 3; NS 2N; EW 2; NS 3; EW 2; Par +140

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 
Pass2 PassPass
DblRdbl2 3 
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 S31409.501.50B3-Levy-WalshB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
2 S31409.501.50B6-Drucker-BohanB8-Kaplan-Middleton
2 S31409.501.50B7-Chung-ChenB2-Johnson-Griswold
3 S31409.501.50B8-Chung-VictoriaB5-McKay-Black
2 S21104.506.50A1-Geary-WollesonA7-Wasser-Goree
2 S21104.506.50A2-Marks-LevineA1-Sidoti-Googins
2 S21104.506.50A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA2-Snyder-Eppinger
2 S21104.506.50A8-Hansell-MatthewsA5-Leung-Schacht
2 S21104.506.50B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
2 S21104.506.50B2-Seputis-KoganB1-Otvos-Oraftik
2 W−11001.0010.00A3-Hart-AndersonA3-Burke-Georgette
2 S−1500.0011.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA8-Kael-Marchick

Auction: After a normal auction to 2H, West is in balancing seat with short hearts and 8 hcp. He should make a balancing double, which is just like a takeout double, but with fewer points. North may redouble, which tells his partner that he had a maximum hand for his original 2H bid. East bids 2S (which you'll notice is a making contract, so West's balancing double was well-judged!). With short spades and slight extras, South bids 3H knowing that his partner also has slight extras. This is a classic matchpoint bidding battle, where each side has a fit, and each side is trying to gauge how high to bid.

Play: When West leads the spade Jack, East should be concerned about the long club suit in the dummy and his vulnerable heart King. He should win the spade Ace and return the diamond Queen. The defense will take one spade, two diamonds, and likely one heart. The balancing double almost drove the opponents too high.


Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul
10 9 8 3 2
4 2
10 5
10 8 7 3
K Q 5 4
K 9 7 3
9 6 2
J 6
N
WE
S
A J 7 6
10 8
Q 8 7 3
K Q 2
A Q J 6 5
A K J 4
A 9 5 4

NS 2; NS 3; EW 1N; E 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 Dbl
1 NTPassPass2 
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 ×W−250010.500.50A3-Hart-AndersonA2-Snyder-Eppinger
3 ×E−250010.500.50B2-Seputis-KoganB8-Kaplan-Middleton
3 W−22009.002.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
3 S31408.003.00A1-Geary-WollesonA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
4 S41307.004.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA4-Chao-Alliger
3 N31106.005.00B7-Chung-ChenB1-Otvos-Oraftik
3 W−11004.506.50A8-Hansell-MatthewsA3-Burke-Georgette
2 W−11004.506.50B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB6-Dimitruck-Baker
3 S−11002.508.50A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 S−11002.508.50B3-Levy-WalshB2-Johnson-Griswold
2 W21101.0010.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
2 NTS−22000.0011.00A2-Marks-LevineA8-Kael-Marchick

Auction: South has a double-and-bid hand, too strong to just overcall 2H. West, with stoppers in both majors, a balanced hand, and not quite enough to redouble, should bid 1 NT. South can now complete the description of his hand by bidding 2H. This shows 17+ hcp and at least 5 strong hearts. Unfortunately, North is broke and can do nothing else but pass.

Lead: With four decent hearts, West should not lead his doubleton. Rather, he should lead the spade King, hoping to tap out declarer's trumps.

Play: On a spade lead, declarer tries to cross ruff diamonds and spades as long as he can. He eventually scores 3 top tricks in the minors, 1 diamond ruff, 2 spade ruffs in his hand, and 2 hearts perforce.


Board 11
South Deals
None Vul
3 2
A J 6
A 10 6 5 4
8 6 5
7 5
9 8 5
J 9 7
J 10 9 4 3
N
WE
S
A J 8
Q 10 7 4
K 8 2
A Q 7
K Q 10 9 6 4
K 3 2
Q 3
K 2

NS 4; NS 2N; NS 2; NS 3; EW 1; Par +420

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
Pass1 NTDbl2 
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ×S467011.000.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA3-Burke-Georgette
2 S31408.003.00A1-Geary-WollesonA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
2 S31408.003.00A3-Hart-AndersonA2-Snyder-Eppinger
2 S31408.003.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA4-Chao-Alliger
2 S31408.003.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA1-Sidoti-Googins
2 S31408.003.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
2 S21104.506.50B3-Levy-WalshB2-Johnson-Griswold
2 S21104.506.50B8-Chung-VictoriaB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
3 W−21003.008.00A2-Marks-LevineA8-Kael-Marchick
3 W−1502.009.00B7-Chung-ChenB1-Otvos-Oraftik
3 S−1501.0010.00B2-Seputis-KoganB8-Kaplan-Middleton
4 S−21000.0011.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB6-Dimitruck-Baker

Auction: Whether playing Standard American or 2 over 1, North must content himself with a 1 NT bid on his first call. East's double is still takeout of spades - either a classic opening hand with spade shortness, a strong balanced hand (a hand he would have overcalled 1 NT with, but North has stolen that bid!), or a very strong hand with any shape (double and bid hand). South should not be deterred and make his normal 2S re-bid, which ends the auction. Note that if East takes another call, that would show the very strong hand, with 20+ hcp.

Lead: Club Jack from a good sequence

Play: Nearly all of declarer's finesses are working, so he should make 1 or 2 overtricks. For the declarers who score +170, don't fall into the trap of commiserating about not bidding game. You will still have a great matchpoint score, and none of the risk of going down in a very low percentage game.


Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul
K Q J 8
J 10 7
K 9 3
10 5 2
Q 9 5 3 2
A Q 10 7 5
Q 8 6
N
WE
S
A 7 5 3 2
4
J 4 2
J 9 7 3
10 9 6 4
A K 8 6
8 6
A K 4

NS 2N; NS 2; W 2; NS 1; E 1; EW 1; Par +100: W 3×−1

WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass1 Pass
2 All pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 W−315010.500.50A2-Marks-LevineA8-Kael-Marchick
2 E−315010.500.50A3-Hart-AndersonA2-Snyder-Eppinger
2 N31408.502.50B3-Levy-WalshB2-Johnson-Griswold
2 S31408.502.50B7-Chung-ChenB1-Otvos-Oraftik
2 E−21007.004.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA4-Chao-Alliger
3 W−1505.006.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB6-Dimitruck-Baker
2 W−1505.006.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
2 W−1505.006.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
3 N−11002.009.00A1-Geary-WollesonA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
4 N−11002.009.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA3-Burke-Georgette
2 S−11002.009.00B2-Seputis-KoganB8-Kaplan-Middleton
3 NT×N−12000.0011.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA1-Sidoti-Googins

Auction: West is an opening hand, using the rule of 20 (hcp + length in 2 longest suits). East gladly passes West's 2D re-bid, happy to have found a fit with his partner. An aggressive South may double in balancing seat with a nice hand, but lacking length in the un-bid club suit. His bidding will be rewarded as both 2S and 2 NT make, despite the 5-0 spade break. Sometimes aggressive actions are rewarded!

Lead: Remember the auction when deciding what to lead. Although the spade King seems like the normal lead, the auction has marked dummy with short hearts. To reduce declarer's heart ruffs, a thoughtful North will lead a small trump.

Play: On a trump lead, declarer can ruff only 1 heart. (Note that South must be sure to win the first heart in order to effectively lead trumps again). Declarer cannot recover and will go down at least 1. On the spade King lead, declarer can cross-ruff spades and hearts to come to 8 tricks. (Note that when South wins the first heart and returns a trump, West should NOT finesse).


Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul
8 7 5
J 9
K Q J 7 5 4
A 2
4
A K 5 3 2
A 3 2
K 10 9 6
N
WE
S
K J 10 3
10 7 6 4
9 6
5 4 3
A Q 9 6 2
Q 8
10 8
Q J 8 7

NS 3; EW 3; NS 3; EW 1; Par +140

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass1 
2 Dbl!3 3 
4 All pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 NTW−330011.000.00A2-Marks-LevineA7-Wasser-Goree
2 W−220010.001.00B2-Seputis-KoganB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
3 N31108.502.50A3-Hart-AndersonA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 N31108.502.50B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
4 E−11007.004.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB5-McKay-Black
3 S−11005.505.50A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA3-Burke-Georgette
3 S−11005.505.50B3-Levy-WalshB1-Otvos-Oraftik
2 W21104.007.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB2-Johnson-Griswold
2 W31402.508.50A1-Geary-WollesonA4-Chao-Alliger
3 W31402.508.50A8-Hansell-MatthewsA2-Snyder-Eppinger
3 W41701.0010.00A5-Davis-WrenA5-Leung-Schacht
3 S−33000.0011.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan

Auction: North has only 11 hcp, but has a great diamond suit and satisfies the Rule of 20 to open 1D. When West butts into the auction with 2H, North can use the popular support double convention to show exactly 3-card spade support for his partner. East should definitely raise his partner's suit with 4-card support and a doubleton, despite holding only 4 hcp. Points, schmoints, when you have a good fit with your partner. South pushes on to 3S. West will probably bid 4H with the singleton spade, especially because he doesn't know that East strained to bid 3H. Bidding is often not an exact science.

Lead: Diamond King, despite his partner's spade bids. A strong sequence is nearly always a good lead.

Play: West cannot avoid 4 losers (1 spade, 1 diamond, 2 clubs) to score -100. Is this a bad score for East-West? Well, it depends on what the result would have been in 3S. South can make 3S, but needs to maneuver the 4-1 spade break by taking a deep finesse in the trump suit.


Board 14
East Deals
None Vul
J 8 6
K J 6 3
Q 10 5
A 6 5
10 9 4 2
8 7 5 4 2
K 8 4
7
N
WE
S
A 3
A Q 10 9
J 9 2
J 8 4 3
K Q 7 5
A 7 6 3
K Q 10 9 2

N 3N; N 3; NS 4; NS 4; S 2N; S 2; EW 2; Par +300: EW 4×−2

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 Pass
Pass1 NTPass2 
Pass2 Pass3 NT
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN443011.000.00A3-Hart-AndersonA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 NTS340010.001.00A5-Davis-WrenA5-Leung-Schacht
2 NTS41809.002.00A2-Marks-LevineA7-Wasser-Goree
2 N41708.003.00B2-Seputis-KoganB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
2 S21107.004.00A1-Geary-WollesonA4-Chao-Alliger
1 S1706.005.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB2-Johnson-Griswold
2 W−1505.006.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA3-Burke-Georgette
2 S−1503.008.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA2-Snyder-Eppinger
1 NTN−1503.008.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
2 NTS−1503.008.00B3-Levy-WalshB1-Otvos-Oraftik
5 S−21000.5010.50B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
3 S−21000.5010.50B5-Teller-KleinmanB5-McKay-Black

Auction: South must pass when East steals his club suit, hoping to enter the auction later. He is pleasantly surprised when his partner bids a balancing 1 NT, showing 11-14 hcp. He looks for a possible spade fit by bidding Stayman, and then jumps to 3 NT.

Lead: Heart 10. Even though North showed a 4-card heart suit in response to Stayman, East's hearts are so strong that he has good chances to set them up.

Play: North wins the heart Jack, and is initially worried about West obtaining the lead to lead hearts through his vulnerable heart King. But then, North breathes a sigh of relief as he recalls the auction. East opened and West passed. It is very likely that East holds the spade Ace. Declarer can establish at least 2 spades to go with his 1 heart, 1 diamond, and 5 clubs.


Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul
7 6 4 3
Q 9
K 10 9
J 10 8 7
K 10 8
8 5 2
J 8 5 4
A 9 4
N
WE
S
A J
J 10 7 6 4 3
A 7
Q 5 2
Q 9 5 2
A K
Q 6 3 2
K 6 3

EW 3; W 2N; E 1N; NS 1; NS 1; NS 1; Par −140

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
Pass1 2 2 
3 All pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 N211011.000.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA3-Burke-Georgette
3 N−11009.002.00A5-Davis-WrenA5-Leung-Schacht
3 N−11009.002.00B2-Seputis-KoganB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
3 N−11009.002.00B3-Levy-WalshB1-Otvos-Oraftik
3 E41706.005.00A1-Geary-WollesonA4-Chao-Alliger
3 E41706.005.00A3-Hart-AndersonA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 E41706.005.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
3 E52004.007.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB2-Johnson-Griswold
3 N−33003.008.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA2-Snyder-Eppinger
3 N−44002.009.00A2-Marks-LevineA7-Wasser-Goree
4 E44201.0010.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB5-McKay-Black
4 ×S−38000.0011.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan

Auction: Yes, North's spades are very small, but there are four of them, so he responds 1S. After East's 2H interference, South bids 2S. If North-South have agreed to play support doubles, then South's 2S bid promises 4-card support. West has terrible shape, but he does have 8 hcp and three hearts. He should raise to 3H, which ends the auction.

Lead: A small spade is normal on this auction, but South will be disappointed to see that this creates a pitch for one of declarer's losing clubs. Another option is to lead the heart Ace, hoping to get additional information from the dummy and partner about what to do next.

Play: The spade lead will make it easy for declarer to score +140, losing 2 hearts, 1 diamond, and 1 club. But, if South leads the heart Ace and King, North should play up-the-line in the trump suit, indicating that he does not like spades. This is called trump suit preference. South then has to guess which minor to lead. If he leads diamonds, declarer may wind up a trick short.


Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul
Q 3
Q J 8 4 2
7 4 3 2
K 10
A 10 9 5
A 6 3
A Q 6 5
A 2
N
WE
S
K 7 6 4 2
10 5
K J 10 9
J 9
J 8
K 9 7
8
Q 8 7 6 5 4 3

EW 5N; EW 5; EW 5; EW 1; NS 1; Par −660

WestNorthEastSouth
1 1 1 2 
4 All pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 E520011.000.00A1-Geary-WollesonA3-Burke-Georgette
4 E56505.006.00A2-Marks-LevineA5-Leung-Schacht
5 W56505.006.00A3-Hart-AndersonA8-Kael-Marchick
4 E56505.006.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA2-Snyder-Eppinger
4 E56505.006.00A5-Davis-WrenA4-Chao-Alliger
4 E56505.006.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
4 E56505.006.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
4 E56505.006.00B2-Seputis-KoganB5-McKay-Black
4 E56505.006.00B3-Levy-WalshB8-Kaplan-Middleton
4 E56505.006.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB2-Johnson-Griswold
4 E56505.006.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
4 E56505.006.00B6-Drucker-BohanB6-Dimitruck-Baker

Auction: With a balanced 18 hcp, West opens his longer minor and plans to jump to 2 NT at his next bid. However, the opponents foil his plans by entering the auction in hearts. North has a minimum 1H overcall. East bids 1S, showing at least 5 spades (he would have made a negative double with only 4 spades) and at least 6 hcp. South raises to 2H because he doesn't have the requisite points to introduce his 7-card club suit. West jumps to game, knowing that his side has at least nine trumps and at least 24 hcp with a possible ruffing value in clubs. And look at those 4 aces!

Lead: Some say that if you don't lead your singleton, then you don't have a singleton. We think that's 90% true. Occasionally, there is a better lead, but not on this hand.

Play: Unfortunately for the defense, there is no ruff to be had on this hand, as long as declarer removes trumps timely. We expect the results to be quite flat on this hand - 11 tricks, no more, no less.


Board 17
North Deals
None Vul
J 4 2
9 8 4
Q J 9 6 4
8 5
Q 5
A J 10 5 2
K 10 7
A 6 2
N
WE
S
A 8 7 6
K Q 3
A 5 2
J 9 7
K 10 9 3
7 6
8 3
K Q 10 4 3

EW 4N; EW 4; E 3; W 2; E 2; EW 2; W 1; Par −430

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 Pass
1 Pass1 Pass
2 !Pass2 Pass
4 All pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 W−315011.000.00B6-Drucker-BohanB6-Dimitruck-Baker
4 W−15010.001.00A2-Marks-LevineA5-Leung-Schacht
1 NTW31509.002.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
2 W41708.003.00A5-Davis-WrenA4-Chao-Alliger
4 W44206.005.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA2-Snyder-Eppinger
4 E44206.005.00B2-Seputis-KoganB5-McKay-Black
4 W44206.005.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
3 NTW44303.008.00A3-Hart-AndersonA8-Kael-Marchick
3 NTE44303.008.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
3 NTW44303.008.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB2-Johnson-Griswold
3 NTE54600.5010.50A1-Geary-WollesonA3-Burke-Georgette
3 NTE54600.5010.50B3-Levy-WalshB8-Kaplan-Middleton

Auction: At West's second bid, he bids 2D, which is the fourth-suit-forcing convention. This forces the partnership to game and asks East to describe his hand further. The first priority is to show 3-card support for West's first suit. The second priority is to show a stopper in the fourth suit (diamonds). So, East bids 2H, planning on bidding NT next, if there is room. But, West jumps to 4H which ends the auction.

Play: On the diamond Queen lead, declarer is looking at four possible losers: 1 spade, 1 diamond, and 2 clubs. His best chance at eliminating a loser is to hope the spade King is in front of his Queen. After unblocking the spade Queen, he can then pitch a minor-suit loser on the spade Ace. But, don't take trumps out too soon! You will need an entry to the dummy to reach the spade Ace. The diamond Ace may be gone by this time.


Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul
J 8
Q 8
10 7 6 5 4
8 7 6 3
A K 10
A K J 10 7
9 8
K Q 5
N
WE
S
Q 7 6 3
9 5 3 2
K Q
J 4 2
9 5 4 2
6 4
A J 3 2
A 10 9

EW 5; EW 4N; EW 4; EW 2; EW 1; Par −450

WestNorthEastSouth
  PassPass
2 NTPass3 Pass
3 Pass4 All pass

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 E−15011.000.00B1-Rodenborn-ChilcoteB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
4 W442010.001.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
4 W54505.505.50A1-Geary-WollesonA3-Burke-Georgette
4 W54505.505.50A3-Hart-AndersonA8-Kael-Marchick
4 W54505.505.50A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA2-Snyder-Eppinger
4 W54505.505.50A5-Davis-WrenA4-Chao-Alliger
4 W54505.505.50B2-Seputis-KoganB5-McKay-Black
4 W54505.505.50B3-Levy-WalshB8-Kaplan-Middleton
4 W54505.505.50B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB2-Johnson-Griswold
4 W54505.505.50B6-Drucker-BohanB6-Dimitruck-Baker
3 NTW54601.0010.00A2-Marks-LevineA5-Leung-Schacht
4 W64800.0011.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan

Auction: West has a balanced 20 hcp, so 2 NT is the correct bid. Do not be deterred by the small doubleton diamond, nor the 5-card heart suit. East bids Stayman, which leads their side to game in hearts.

Lead: Small club or small diamond

Play: There isn't much to the play of this hand, other than in the trump suit. There is a mnemonic - "Eight ever, nine never." Holding eight cards in a suit, missing the Queen, declarer should finesse (imagine East had only 3 hearts). Holding nine cards in a suit, missing the Queen, declarer should not finesse. Instead, he just plays hearts from the top. That certainly works on this hand, leading to +450 for East-West.
But, never is a strong word in bridge. There are always exceptions to the rule. Let's say that North made a takeout double of hearts during the auction. In that case, North is more likely to have a singleton heart, and it would be right for declarer to finesse despite holding nine hearts.


Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul
9 4 3
A 2
K 10 6
A 8 7 6 5
A K 8 7 6 2
9 8 6 5
4 3
2
N
WE
S
Q J 10
Q 10 7
J 9 8 7 5
Q J
5
K J 4 3
A Q 2
K 10 9 4 3

NS 6; NS 2; NS 1N; NS 2; EW 1; Par +920

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
2 3 Pass4 
Pass4 Pass4 
Pass5 Pass6 
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 N64208.502.50A2-Marks-LevineA4-Chao-Alliger
5 S64208.502.50A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA1-Sidoti-Googins
5 S64208.502.50A6-Simmerman-HeymanA5-Leung-Schacht
5 S64208.502.50B2-Seputis-KoganB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
5 S64208.502.50B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB1-Otvos-Oraftik
5 S64208.502.50B5-Teller-KleinmanB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
3 S61702.508.50A3-Hart-AndersonA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
4 S61702.508.50A5-Davis-WrenA3-Burke-Georgette
4 S61702.508.50A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA7-Wasser-Goree
3 S61702.508.50B3-Levy-WalshB6-Dimitruck-Baker
4 S61702.508.50B6-Drucker-BohanB5-McKay-Black
3 S61702.508.50B7-Chung-ChenB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin

Auction: After South's 1C opening bid, West should bid a preemptive 2S. Should you preempt with a side 4-card major? In general, the answer is no, but there are always exceptions to the rule. On this hand, West has excellent spades and very poor hearts, so 2S is the best description of the overall nature of his hand - weak with long spades. North has an invitational hand with support for his partner's opening club suit. The only way for him to show this is to bid 3S. Although South has only 13 hcp, he has an amazing hand given the auction. He has a singleton in the opponent's spade suit, 2 more clubs than expected, and good controls in the red suits. He would like to explore slam, but doesn't have a strong enough hand to bid Blackwood. So, the best action for South is to bid 4D, which shows a control (Ace or King) and lets North know that he is interested in slam. After 2 more control bids (4H and 4S), North signs off in 5C and it's up to South to take the plunge to 6C. Most players will play this hand in 5C.


Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul
K Q 9 6
A 4
7 5 3
K 8 3 2
10 7
J 9 3
Q 9 8 4
A J 9 4
N
WE
S
J 2
Q 10 8 5 2
K J 6 2
10 5
A 8 5 4 3
K 7 6
A 10
Q 7 6

NS 4; NS 3N; NS 3; NS 1; NS 1; Par +620

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 Pass1 
Pass2 Pass4 
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 S565010.001.00A3-Hart-AndersonA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson
4 S565010.001.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA1-Sidoti-Googins
4 S565010.001.00B7-Chung-ChenB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
4 S46205.006.00A5-Davis-WrenA3-Burke-Georgette
4 S46205.006.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA7-Wasser-Goree
4 S46205.006.00B2-Seputis-KoganB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
4 S46205.006.00B3-Levy-WalshB6-Dimitruck-Baker
4 S46205.006.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB1-Otvos-Oraftik
4 S46205.006.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
4 S46205.006.00B6-Drucker-BohanB5-McKay-Black
3 S52000.5010.50A2-Marks-LevineA4-Chao-Alliger
3 S52000.5010.50A6-Simmerman-HeymanA5-Leung-Schacht

Auction: After North raises South's spades, should South think that slam is possible? No, because North's 2S bid communicates two things. 1) North has four spades. 2) North has a minimum opening bid, probably 12-15 points. If North had a stronger hand, he would jump to 3S. Given this information, South knows that game is the limit of the hand and bids it.

Lead: This is a difficult lead for West. Any suit, except for clubs, could be right. A trump lead is most passive. Either red suit could be right or wrong, and given a choice, it is generally better to lead from length. So, a small diamond might be the most popular lead. Luckily for West, any non-club lead results in the same 10 tricks for declarer.

Play: Not much to do on this hand. The only chance for an overtrick is to play either East or West for Ace-doubleton of clubs, by playing to one club honor. If that holds, then duck a club to the other hand. It doesn't work on this hand, but it might on another!


Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul
9 8 7 6 4 2
Q 7 4
8 7
6 5
J 8 2
J 6 4
A K 10 8 7 3 2
N
WE
S
J 5
K 3
A K Q 10 2
Q J 9 4
A K Q 10 3
A 10 9 6 5
9 5 3

E 6; EW 6; NS 4; W 5; NS 3; Par −500: NS 6×−2

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 2 
3 4 5 5 
PassPassDblAll pass

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 S565011.000.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB1-Otvos-Oraftik
3 NTE−21009.002.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA1-Sidoti-Googins
3 NTE−21009.002.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA5-Leung-Schacht
3 NTE−21009.002.00B6-Drucker-BohanB5-McKay-Black
4 W−1507.004.00B7-Chung-ChenB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
5 S−11005.505.50A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA7-Wasser-Goree
5 S−11005.505.50B3-Levy-WalshB6-Dimitruck-Baker
5 W64203.507.50A5-Davis-WrenA3-Burke-Georgette
5 W64203.507.50B2-Seputis-KoganB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
5 ×S−25002.009.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB3-Lichtblau-Griswold
5 ×W66501.0010.00A2-Marks-LevineA4-Chao-Alliger
6 W69200.0011.00A3-Hart-AndersonA6-Larsen Beville-Richardson

Auction: When both sides have big trump fits and shapely hands, the auction can be unpredictable and lively! The auction we propose above is one possibility, but the ending contract could range anywhere from 5C undoubled to 6S doubled. It all starts with South's 2D Michaels bid, showing both majors. West bids 3C - he has only 9 hcp, but a fabulous 7-card suit. North has a paltry 2 hcp, but knows that his side has at least an 11-card spade fit, and should jump to 4S. East gladly bids 5C with extra values and a good club fit. At this point, anything could happen. Unfortunately, when both sides are taking up a lot of bidding space, there is little science to finding the final contract.

Play: If North-South are playing spades, they will lose 2 diamonds, and possibly 2 hearts. The best play in the heart suit is to finesse hearts twice, first leading the heart Queen, and then next finessing to heart ten. This works 75% of the time. If East-West are playing clubs, they will make all 13 tricks, except on a heart lead, which holds them to 12.


Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul
J 6 3
K Q J 6
A 5
K 8 4 2
Q 8 2
9 7
9 6 4 3
Q J 10 5
N
WE
S
10 9
10 8 5 4 2
J 10 7 2
A 3
A K 7 5 4
A 3
K Q 8
9 7 6

NS 5N; NS 4; NS 3; NS 4; NS 2; Par +460

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 NT
Pass2 Pass2 
Pass3 NTAll pass 

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS649011.000.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB8-Kaplan-Middleton
3 NTS44308.003.00A3-Hart-AndersonA5-Leung-Schacht
3 NTS44308.003.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA7-Wasser-Goree
3 NTS44308.003.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA6-Larsen Beville-Richards
3 NTS44308.003.00B3-Levy-WalshB5-McKay-Black
3 NTS44308.003.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
4 S44205.006.00A5-Davis-WrenA2-Snyder-Eppinger
3 NTS34004.007.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA4-Chao-Alliger
4 S−1502.508.50B5-Teller-KleinmanB2-Johnson-Griswold
4 S−1502.508.50B6-Drucker-BohanB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
4 S−21001.0010.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA8-Kael-Marchick
6 NTS−31500.0011.00B7-Chung-ChenB6-Dimitruck-Baker

Auction: Players often ask whether to open 1 NT with a 5-card major. We advise that this is a good idea at matchpoints when your hand is balanced (5-3-3-2). It has three possible benefits. 1) It might lead to a superior contract. 2) It is more difficult for the opponents to defend a NT contract. 3) You receive an extra 10 points for making the same number of tricks in NT rather than a major. Other features that make opening 1 NT with a 5-card major more appealing are if you hold 3-cards in the other major (in case partner transfers to the other major) and if you are on the minimum end of your NT range.

Lead: Club Queen

Play: You have nine top tricks as soon as you gain the lead. But, what do you do at trick 1? Pay attention to your club spots. If you cover the Queen with the King and it loses to the Ace, you can eventually set-up your club eight. You will lose just 3 clubs, making +430 when players in 4S will score only +420. This is sure to be a great result!


Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul
K Q J 10 6 5 4
9 7 2
3
A 6
A 3
K 8 6 4
K 9 8
J 8 3 2
N
WE
S
9
5 3
A J 10 7 6 5 4
10 9 7
8 7 2
A Q J 10
Q 2
K Q 5 4

NS 4; EW 2N; NS 2; EW 3; NS 1; Par +500: EW 4N×−2; EW 5×−2

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
Pass1 3 Pass
4 4 PassPass
5 PassPassDbl
All pass   

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 S565010.001.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA7-Wasser-Goree
4 N565010.001.00A5-Davis-WrenA2-Snyder-Eppinger
5 N565010.001.00B3-Levy-WalshB5-McKay-Black
4 N46205.006.00A3-Hart-AndersonA5-Leung-Schacht
4 N46205.006.00A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA6-Larsen Beville-Richards
4 N46205.006.00B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
4 N46205.006.00B5-Teller-KleinmanB2-Johnson-Griswold
4 N46205.006.00B6-Drucker-BohanB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan
4 N46205.006.00B7-Chung-ChenB6-Dimitruck-Baker
4 N46205.006.00B8-Chung-VictoriaB8-Kaplan-Middleton
5 W−22001.0010.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA8-Kael-Marchick
6 S−22000.0011.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA4-Chao-Alliger

Auction: Preempts can be very powerful. They interrupt the opponents' auction, may lead to a profitable sacrifice, and can be lead-directing for your partner. East's 3D bid accomplishes all of the above. With good 3-card support, West raises his partner's pre-empt one level. West has enough strength that he suspects the opponents may not have sufficient values or shape for game, so no reason to immediately jump to 5D. However, when North bids 4S, West may choose to take the push to 5D.

Lead: Small spade, his partner's suit. (Note that if North is allowed to play the contract in spades, East needs to lead the diamond Ace. Otherwise, North will throw the diamond away on a club.)

Play: Down 2 doubled is a good sacrifice against North-South's 4S.


Board 24
West Deals
None Vul
9 8 6 5 3
Q 7
Q 6 5 4
K 9
K 4
J 6 4
J 10 9 8
7 4 3 2
N
WE
S
A Q 2
10 3 2
A K 2
A Q J 10
J 10 7
A K 9 8 5
7 3
8 6 5

EW 4; EW 2N; EW 2; EW 2; EW 3; Par −130

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass2 NTPass
3 NTAll pass  

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−15010.500.50B3-Levy-WalshB5-McKay-Black
3 NTE−15010.500.50B4-Mazaroff-BurkeB7-Gurbaxani-Lubin
2 NTE41809.002.00A4-O'Brien-BrodskyA7-Wasser-Goree
3 NTE34007.503.50A7-Kirschenbaum-DeutschA6-Larsen Beville-Richards
3 NTE34007.503.50B8-Chung-VictoriaB8-Kaplan-Middleton
3 NTE44304.506.50A3-Hart-AndersonA5-Leung-Schacht
3 NTE44304.506.50A5-Davis-WrenA2-Snyder-Eppinger
3 NTE44304.506.50B5-Teller-KleinmanB2-Johnson-Griswold
3 NTE44304.506.50B7-Chung-ChenB6-Dimitruck-Baker
3 NTE54601.0010.00A6-Simmerman-HeymanA4-Chao-Alliger
3 NTE54601.0010.00A8-Hansell-MatthewsA8-Kael-Marchick
3 NTE54601.0010.00B6-Drucker-BohanB4-Schoenfeld-Kogan

Auction: East's 2 NT bid shows 20-21 hcp, balanced. West has 5 hcp without length in either major, so he can choose to pass or bid 3 NT. He would definitely bid 3 NT at IMP scoring, when there is a premium for bidding game. With good texture in the diamond suit, we would suggest bidding 3 NT with this hand, even at matchpoints. But, the players who choose to pass 2 NT will score well, when the opponents take the first 5 hearts tricks.

Lead: Heart 8. It is important not to lead a high heart, which would block the suit. Fourth best from your longest suit works great on this hand!

Play: East will need to find 2 cards to pitch as South cashes his hearts. He should throw one diamond (so that he no longer needs to take the diamond finesse) and one club. He will use his spade King entry to the dummy to take the club finesse, coming to 8 tricks in total.