MON 10/03/2016 at Nite

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>October 3, 2016    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 10/04/2016 09:31
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Appreciation game       |MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Monday Night Bridge
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=12/B=10/C=4                     ,---,-----------------,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |      Overall    |           Section       |      |Final    |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Debbie Wiest           John Altman Sr           A   2     .     .   |   1     .     .    103.50  61.61  3.10(OA)
 2 Marilyn Prosise        Robert Prosise           A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     87.00  51.79
 3 Patricia Burnam        Darleen Young            C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     62.00  36.90
 4 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Martin Gibler            B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     78.00  46.43
 5 Patrick Hoffman        William Cook             B   .    5/6    .   |  4/5   3/4    .     94.50  56.25  0.57(SA)
 6 Patrick Lammers        Judy Barron              B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     76.50  45.54
 7 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C   .    5/6    2   |  4/5   3/4    1     94.50  56.25  0.96(OC)
 8 Betty Torello          Judith Lubow             B   6     4     .   |   3     2     .     95.00  56.55  1.03(SA)
 9 Terri Mackey           Charlie Kobida           C   .     .     .   |   .     .     2     74.00  44.05  0.39(SC)
10 Al Venosa              Janet Venosa             B   3     2     .   |   2     1     .    101.50  60.42  2.32(OA)
11 Richard Magnus         Julian Magnus, Jr        B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     81.00  48.21
12 Betty Murdock          Erin Oblinger            C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     60.50  36.01

                                          Totals                                           1008.00

Expert Analysis provided by Bob Fisk


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>     5-                            0     5-    5-    5-    1     3     2
          50   ----  ----  ----  ---- -140    50    50    50  -110  PASS   -50

   2>     3-                            7     3-    6     0     3-    3-    1
        -110   ----  ----  ----  ----  100  -110    50  -460  -110  -110  -430

   3>     1                             1     5-    5-    3     5-    1     5-
         510   ----  ----  ----  ----  510  1010  1010   980  1010   510  1010

   4>     6     7                             3-    3-    3-    1     3-    0
        -110   110   ----  ----  ----  ---- -130  -130  -130  -150  -130  -170

   5>     7     5                             6     3     4     2     0     1
         500   110   ----  ----  ----  ----  300  -100   100  -110  -200  -140

   6>      -    7                             2     5     3-    6      -    3-
        -600   200   ----  ----  ----  ---- -250  -110  -120   100  -600  -120

   7>     6-    4-    1                             4-    0     6-    2-    2-
         200   100  -130   ----  ----  ----  ----  100  -170   200  -110  -110

   8>     4     4     4                             0     4     7     4     1
         140   140   140   ----  ----  ----  ---- -400   140   170   140   -50

   9>     3     3     3                             3     3     7     3     3
         420   420   420   ----  ----  ----  ----  420   420   450   420   420

  10>     3-    3-    3-    3-                            3-    3-    3-    3-
         650   650   650   650   ----  ----  ----  ----  650   650   650   650

  11>     6      -    4-    4-                            2     7     3      -
         110  -100    90    90   ----  ----  ----  ----  -50   140    70  -100

  12>     7     1     4-    0                             4-    6     2-    2-
          50  -400  -130  -460   ----  ----  ----  ---- -130  -110  -150  -150

  13>     4     0     4     7     4                             1     4     4
         630  -100   630   660   630   ----  ----  ----  ----  110   630   630

  14>     5-    2-    5-    2-    7                             2-    2-    0
         110   -50   110   -50   420   ----  ----  ----  ----  -50   -50  -100

  15>     5     6-    1     6-    3                             3     0     3
         150   180    90   180   120   ----  ----  ----  ----  120  -200   120

  16>     5     7     0     2     5     5                             1     3
         -50   140  -680  -620   -50   -50   ----  ----  ----  ---- -650  -100

  17>     3-    3-    3-     -    7     6                             3-     -
        -420  -420  -420  -450   590   100   ----  ----  ----  ---- -420  -450

  18>     2-    5     2-    6     2-    0                             7     2-
        -140  -100  -140    50  -140  -200   ----  ----  ----  ----  110  -140

  19>     4-    2     4-     -    4-     -    4-                            7
         100  PASS   100   -90   100   -90   100   ----  ----  ----  ----  200

  20>     3-    1     0     3-    6     3-    3-                            7
        PASS  -100  -130  PASS   140  PASS  PASS   ----  ----  ----  ----  730

  21>     5     5     5     1     1     5     5                             1
        -170  -170  -170  -420  -420  -170  -170   ----  ----  ----  ---- -420

  22>     6-    1     0     5     2     3-    6-    3-
         430  -100  -150   140   -50   130   430   130   ----  ----  ----  ----

  23>     2-    2-    7     0     6     5     2-    2-
        -100  -100   170  -170   110   100  -100  -100   ----  ----  ----  ----

  24>     2-    2-    2-    6     2-    2-    7     2-
        -450  -450  -450  -400  -450  -450  -170  -450   ----  ----  ----  ----

  25>           7     1-    1-    5     5     1-    5     1-
         ----  200   -50   -50   140   140   -50   140   -50   ----  ----  ----

  26>           3      -    2     4-    4-     -    6-    6-
         ---- -130  -630  -620   100   100  -630   500   500   ----  ----  ----

  27>           3     0     3     3     7     6     3     3
         ----  110   -50   110   110  1700   130   110   110   ----  ----  ----

  28>                 4     7     1     4     4     6     1     1
         ----  ---- -170    50  -420  -170  -170  -110  -420  -420   ----  ----

  29>                 0     3     2     1     6     4     7     5
         ----  ---- -630  -120  -150  -600   100  -110   200  -100   ----  ----

  30>                 0     7     2-    2-    6     5     2-    2-
         ----  ---- -490   -50  -450  -450  -120  -420  -450  -450   ----  ----

  31>                       4     4     2     1     4     0     6-    6-
         ----  ----  ----  620   620   200   170   620  -100   650   650   ----

  32>                       0     6-    2-    2-    2-    5     6-    2-
         ----  ----  ---- -100   400   -50   -50   -50   170   400   -50   ----

  33>                       2     5     2     2     5     0     7     5
         ----  ----  ----  -90    50   -90   -90    50  -120   150    50   ----

  34>                             3     3     5     3     7      -    6      -
         ----  ----  ----  ---- -420  -420  -170  -420    50  -450  -110  -450

  35>                             1     2     3     6-    0     5     6-    4
         ----  ----  ----  ----  -90   -50    90   200  -150   140   200   110

  36>                             6-    2     2     0     4     5     6-    2
         ----  ----  ----  ----  110  -110  -110  -140  PASS   100   110  -110



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>October 3, 2016    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 10/04/2016 09:31
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Appreciation game       |MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Monday Night Bridge
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=12/B=9/C=7                      ,---,-----------------,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |      Overall    |           Section       |      |Final    |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Stephen Baldwin        Steve Messinger          C   .     .     3   |   4     3     2     90.50  53.87  0.72(SA)
 2 Patt Olexsey           Jan Thurnau              C   .     .     4   |   .     4     3     86.50  51.49  0.54(OC)
 3 Joy Singerman          Pam Campbell             B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     65.50  38.99
 4 Ralph Terbrueggen      Michael Dickman          A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     76.50  45.54
 5 Sharon Koster          Pamela Kennedy           C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     79.00  47.02
 6 Evelyn McCarthy        Joan Diers               C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     71.00  42.26
 7 Joseph Kammer          Gail Zimmer              B   4     3     .   |   2     2     .     99.00  58.93  1.74(OA)
 8 Lewis Temples          Richard Koch             C   1     1     1   |   1     1     1    109.00  64.88  4.13(OA)
 9 Steven Simon           John P LaMacchia         C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     73.00  43.45
10 Peggy Jervis           Pat Lindeman             C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     71.00  42.26
11 Doris Kehoe            Lilam Stanley            A   .     .     .   |   5     .     .     88.50  52.68  0.41(SA)
12 Michael Lipp           Stephen Felson           A   5     .     .   |   3     .     .     98.50  58.63  1.31(OA)

                                          Totals                                           1008.00

Expert Analysis provided by Bob Fisk


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>     1-          1-          1-          6           4     7     5     1-
         -50   ----  -50   ----  -50   ----  110   ---- PASS   140    50   -50

   2>     3-          1           7           3-          3-    0     6     3-
         110   ----  -50   ----  460   ----  110   ----  110  -100   430   110

   3>     6           1-          4           1-          6     6     1-    1-
        -510   -----1010   ---- -980   -----1010   ---- -510  -510 -1010 -1010

   4>     3-    0           3-          6           3-          7     3-    1
         130  -110   ----  130   ----  150   ----  130   ----  170   130   110

   5>     4     2           3           5           7           6     1     0
         100  -110   ---- -100   ----  110   ----  200   ----  140  -300  -500

   6>     2     0           3-          1           6-          3-    5     6-
         110  -200   ----  120   ---- -100   ----  600   ----  120   250   600

   7>     2-    7     6            -          4-          4-           -    2-
        -100   170   130   ---- -200   ----  110   ----  110   ---- -200  -100

   8>     3     3     3           0           3           6           3     7
        -140  -140  -140   ---- -170   ---- -140   ----   50   ---- -140   400

   9>     4     4     4           0           4           4           4     4
        -420  -420  -420   ---- -450   ---- -420   ---- -420   ---- -420  -420

  10>     3-    3-    3-    3-          3-          3-          3-          3-
        -650  -650  -650  -650   ---- -650   ---- -650   ---- -650   ---- -650

  11>     5     2-    0     2-          4           6-          1           6-
          50   -90  -140   -90   ----  -70   ----  100   ---- -110   ----  100

  12>     2-    2-    1     7           4-          4-          0           6
         130   130   110   460   ----  150   ----  150   ----  -50   ----  400

  13>     3     6     0     3     3           3           3           7
        -630  -110  -660  -630  -630   ---- -630   ---- -630   ----  100   ----

  14>     1-    4-    4-    4-    0           7           1-          4-
        -110    50    50    50  -420   ----  100   ---- -110   ----   50   ----

  15>     6     4      -    7     4           4           2            -
         -90  -120  -180   200  -120   ---- -120   ---- -150   ---- -180   ----

  16>           5     6     2     4     2           2           0           7
         ----  620   650    50   100    50   ----   50   ---- -140   ----  680

  17>           6-    3-    0     6-    1           3-          3-          3-
         ----  450   420  -590   450  -100   ----  420   ----  420   ----  420

  18>           1     0     4-    4-    7           4-          2           4-
         ----  -50  -110   140   140   200   ----  140   ----  100   ----  140

  19>     6-          2-    0     6-    2-    2-          5           2-
          90   ---- -100  -200    90  -100  -100   ---- PASS   ---- -100   ----

  20>     3-          1     0     3-    3-    3-          6           7
        PASS   ---- -140  -730  PASS  PASS  PASS   ----  100   ----  130   ----

  21>     6           6     6     2     2     2           2           2
         420   ----  420   420   170   170   170   ----  170   ----  170   ----

  22>           5           3-     -     -    6     3-          7           2
         ----   50   ---- -130  -430  -430   100  -130   ----  150   ---- -140

  23>           1           2     4-    4-    4-    4-          0           7
         ---- -110   ---- -100   100   100   100   100   ---- -170   ----  170

  24>           4-          4-    4-    0     4-    4-          4-          1
         ----  450   ----  450   450   170   450   450   ----  450   ----  400

  25>     2           2           5-    0     2     5-    5-          5-
        -140   ---- -140   ----   50  -200  -140    50    50   ----   50   ----

  26>     2-          2-          6-    4      -    6-     -          5
        -100   ---- -100   ----  630   130  -500   630  -500   ----  620   ----

  27>     4           0           1     4     4     7     4           4
        -110   -----1700   ---- -130  -110  -110    50  -110   ---- -110   ----

  28>           3           3           1     3     6     0     6           6
         ----  170   ----  170   ----  110   170   420   -50   420   ----  420

  29>           6           1           3     7     0     4     2           5
         ----  600   ---- -100   ----  110   630  -200   120   100   ----  150

  30>           4-          1           2     7     4-    0     4-          4-
         ----  450   ----  120   ----  420   490   450    50   450   ----  450

  31>     5           6           3           7     3      -    3      -
        -200   ---- -170   ---- -620   ----  100  -620  -650  -620  -650   ----

  32>     4-          4-          4-          2     7      -     -    4-
          50   ----   50   ----   50   ---- -170   100  -400  -400    50   ----

  33>     5           5           2           7     5     0     2     2
          90   ----   90   ----  -50   ----  120    90  -150   -50   -50   ----

  34>           2           4           0           6-    4     1     4     6-
         ----  170   ----  420   ----  -50   ----  450   420   110   420   450

  35>           4            -          7           2     6      -    5     3
         ----  -90   ---- -200   ----  150   ---- -140    90  -200    50  -110

  36>           5           7           3           2      -     -    5     5
         ----  110   ----  140   ---- PASS   ---- -100  -110  -110   110   110
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, October 3, 2016

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	2
♥	K 9 8
♦	9 8 6 4 3
♣	A Q 9 5

♠	10 5 3
♥	Q J 10 6 4 2
♦	K
♣	K J 7

N
W		E
S

♠	J 8 7 6
♥	A 3
♦	A Q J 7 5
♣	10 6

♠	A K Q 9 4
♥	7 5
♦	10 2
♣	8 4 3 2

EW 1N; NS 1♠; EW 1♥; EW 1♦; N 1♣; Par −90

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 ♦	1 ♠1
2 ♥2	Pass	2 NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

Overcalls at the one level show 8-16 HCP
Responses at the two level show 10+ HCP and 5+ card suit

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	W	−1	50		5.50	1.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	1-Baldwin-Messinger
4 ♥	W	−1	50		5.50	1.50	7-Elliott-Runda	12-Lipp-Felson
3 ♥	W	−1	50		5.50	1.50	8-Torello-Lubow	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♥	W	−1	50		5.50	1.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	5-Koster-Kennedy
Pass			Pass		3.00	4.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Simon-LaMacchia
4 ♣	N	−1		50	2.00	5.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♥	W	2		110	1.00	6.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♥	W	3		140	0.00	7.00	6-Lammers-Barron	10-Jervis-Lindeman

It's easy for E/W to get too high on this hand, probably because as soon as they get past 1 NT, they're too high. Oh well, they'll have company. South will probably rattle off ♠ AKQ and then look around for something better. If they've been watching their partner's discards on the last two Spades, they'll have seen something interesting . . . an uncomfortable partner. North will probably chuck a Diamond at some point, but that gives East five Diamond tricks. If they pitch a Club, that also costs them a trick. A Heart? Bite your tongue. The fact is, once South led a Spade, the hand was over, although it's hard to imagine leading anything else.

Some West's will pull to 3 ♥ over 2 NT. Some E/W will play in game. This one will be fun to watch as it crawls around the room. Expect the opposite of "That board will be flat, partner."

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	7 5
♥	10 8 7 6
♦	J 2
♣	A 9 6 5 3

♠	Q J 2
♥	K Q J
♦	K Q 8 7
♣	K J 7

N
W		E
S

♠	8 4 3
♥	A 3 2
♦	A 10 6 5 4 3
♣	2

♠	A K 10 9 6
♥	9 5 4
♦	9
♣	Q 10 8 4

EW 4N; EW 3♦; NS 2♣; EW 1♥; Par −430

West	North	East	South
		2 ♦1	Pass
3 NT2	Pass	Pass	Pass

Weak-two bid showing 5-10 HCP and six Diamonds
West can pretty much count nine tricks

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♦	E	−2	100		7.00	0.00	6-Lammers-Barron	10-Jervis-Lindeman
5 ♦	E	−1	50		6.00	1.00	8-Torello-Lubow	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♦	W	3		110	3.50	3.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 ♦	E	3		110	3.50	3.50	7-Elliott-Runda	12-Lipp-Felson
3 ♦	E	3		110	3.50	3.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♦	E	3		110	3.50	3.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Simon-LaMacchia
3 NT	W	4		430	1.00	6.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	W	5		460	0.00	7.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	5-Koster-Kennedy

North is likely to lead the ♥ 6. Declarer can count nine tricks off the top, but this is Matchpoints and +400 is likely to be a bad score. Assuming that they win in dummy with the ♥ A, what's trick two? Best is a Spade towards the ♠ QJ2. If this loses to North, there's no return that will hurt. In this case, South has to hop with the ♠ K, and a Club return is best. Declarer plays the ♣ J, and when that knocks out the ♣ A, they've gotten their tenth trick.

If anything goes sideways after the Spade at trick two, declarer can always revert back to red-suit winners. Hopefully no E/W pairs try and play in 5 ♦. When you have a huge minor-suit fit, try and play in 3 NT. When the fit is suspect, play in the minor.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A J 10 6 2
♥	8 2
♦	A K Q 4 2
♣	9

♠	5
♥	A K Q 6 5 4 3
♦	10 8 7 5
♣	Q

N
W		E
S

♠	9 4
♥	J 10 9 7
♦	J 9 3
♣	10 6 4 3

♠	K Q 8 7 3
♥	—
♦	6
♣	A K J 8 7 5 2

NS 7♠; NS 6♣; NS 5♦; EW 2♥; Par +1510

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣1
3 ♥2	3 ♠3	4 ♥4	5 ♥5
Dbl6	5 ♠7	Pass8	7 ♠9
Pass	Pass	Pass

Planning on reversing into Spades
Preemptive. Would bid 4 ♥ if not vulnerable
Showing 5+ Spades and 10+ HCP
I have Hearts, too! Yay me!
Exclusion KCB, asking for keycards in Spades and showing a void in Hearts
You can't make 5 ♥
XX=1 or 4 keycards, Pass=0 or 3 keycards, 5 ♠=two keycards w/o ♠ Q, 5 NT=two keycards w/ ♠ Q
Finally, someone found a green card
Easy bid

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	N	7	1010		5.50	1.50	7-Elliott-Runda	12-Lipp-Felson
6 ♠	N	7	1010		5.50	1.50	8-Torello-Lubow	3-Singerman-Campbell
6 ♠	N	7	1010		5.50	1.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	7-Kammer-Zimmer
6 ♠	N	7	1010		5.50	1.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	11-Kehoe-Stanley
6 ♠	N	6	980		3.00	4.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	5-Koster-Kennedy
4 ♠	S	7	510		1.00	6.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	1-Baldwin-Messinger
4 ♠	N	7	510		1.00	6.00	6-Lammers-Barron	10-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	S	7	510		1.00	6.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Simon-LaMacchia

Fun hand! Most N/S pairs should reach the easy grand, although you never know. The ♥ J looks like a typical lead, and the hand is over quickly. While dummy prattles on about what a nice hand they have, declarer ruffs the opening lead in dummy, pulls two rounds of trumps, plays ♦ A and ruffs a Diamond in dummy, ♣ AK (pitching a Heart), ♣ J (pitching the other small Diamond), claim on good trumps and good Diamonds.

There's a million other ways to play the hand (literally, as in figuratively), but that one seems the cleanest. Here's a ranking of final possible N/S contracts, from happiest to saddest (for N/S):
1) 7 ♠ (+1510) 2) 7 ♥x (+1400) 3) 6 ♥x (+1100) 4) 6 ♠ (+1010) 5) 6 ♣ (+920) 6) 5 ♥x (+800) 7) 4 ♠ (+510) 8) 4 ♥x (+500) 9) 5 ♣ (+420) 10) 5 ♦ (+400) 11) 3 ♠ (+260) 12) 4 ♣ (+190) 13) 3 NT (–150, although some E/W pair will rattle off ♥ AKQ and block the suit....heh)

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 10 5
♥	A Q 9 8 7
♦	Q
♣	Q J 4 2

♠	Q 8
♥	10 2
♦	A K 9 8 7 4
♣	A K 8

N
W		E
S

♠	K 6 4 2
♥	K 4
♦	J 10 3
♣	9 7 6 3

♠	J 9 7 3
♥	J 6 5 3
♦	6 5 2
♣	10 5

EW 3N; EW 4♦; NS 2♥; W 3♣; E 2♣; W 1♠; Par −500: NS 4♥×−2

West	North	East	South
1 ♦	1 ♥	Dbl1	2 ♥
3 ♥2	Dbl3	3 NT4	Pass
Pass	Pass

Negative showing four Spades
Western Cue asking partner to bid 3 NT with a Heart stopper
Lead a Heart
Looks like a stopper to me!

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	N	2	110		7.00	0.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♠	E	2		110	6.00	1.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	12-Lipp-Felson
3 ♦	W	4		130	3.50	3.50	7-Elliott-Runda	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♦	W	4		130	3.50	3.50	8-Torello-Lubow	1-Baldwin-Messinger
2 ♦	W	4		130	3.50	3.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
3 ♦	W	4		130	3.50	3.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	W	5		150	1.00	6.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♦	W	6		170	0.00	7.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	10-Jervis-Lindeman

South dutifully leads the ♥ 3 and declarer wins the ♥ K. What's the correct way to play the Diamond suit? With no fast entries back to the West hand, it's a toss up between an immediate finesse for the ♦ Q or playing for 2-2 Diamonds. Not wanting to be "that guy" who lost to a singleton ♦ Q in the North hand, declarer rattles off ♦ AK and collects their nine tricks. Phew.

Some N/S's will pull the trigger on 4 ♥, and will play there doubled going down two for –500. That's better than –600, but still not a good score, since some E/W pairs will be playing in 3 ♦ or allowing N/S to play in 3 ♥ undoubled. Ugh.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	10 8 2
♥	Q
♦	10 9 5 4 3
♣	A 9 7 4

♠	K Q J
♥	J 8 6 4 3
♦	A Q 6
♣	J 2

N
W		E
S

♠	7 6
♥	10 9 7 5 2
♦	J 8 2
♣	Q 10 8

♠	A 9 5 4 3
♥	A K
♦	K 7
♣	K 6 5 3

NS 2♠; EW 2♥; NS 3♣; NS 2♦; Par +100: EW 3♥×−1

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 ♠
2 ♥	2 ♠	3 ♥	Dbl1
Pass	3 ♠2	Pass	Pass
Dbl3	Pass	Pass	Pass

Maximal overcall double (i.e., game try)
Nope
I agree with North

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♥×	W	−3	500		7.00	0.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♥×	W	−2	300		6.00	1.00	7-Elliott-Runda	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♠	S	2	110		5.00	2.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥	W	−2	100		4.00	3.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
3 ♠	S	−1		100	3.00	4.00	8-Torello-Lubow	1-Baldwin-Messinger
2 ♥	W	2		110	2.00	5.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♥	W	3		140	1.00	6.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	10-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	S	−2		200	0.00	7.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Temples-Koch

Some shy Norths might pass 2 ♥, but it's losing Bridge in the long run. In this case, it would have worked. N/S go –200 when West doubles 3 ♠. Rats. The ♣ J is a good lead from the West hand. They aren't looking for a ruff, simply trying to get out of their hand without giving declarer an extra trick. N/S lose two Spades, two Diamonds, and a Club.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	10 8 4
♥	9 8
♦	9 8 5 4
♣	A Q 7 4

♠	A 7 6
♥	Q 4 3 2
♦	6 3
♣	K 10 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 3 2
♥	A 10 5
♦	A Q J 7
♣	9 8

♠	J 9 5
♥	K J 7 6
♦	K 10 2
♣	J 3 2

E 3N; EW 3♠; W 2N; EW 2♥; EW 2♦; EW 2♣; Par −600

West	North	East	South
		1 NT1	Pass
2 ♣2	Pass3	2 ♠	Pass
2 NT4	Pass	3 NT5	Pass
Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Stayman
Don't double for a Club lead with such a weak hand and a 4-card suit
Alert, may or may not have a 4-card major (for 4-suit transfer players)
16 HCP, a Ten, high cards working together. Easy acceptance.

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−2	200		7.00	0.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♠	E	−1	100		6.00	1.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	E	2		110	5.00	2.00	8-Torello-Lubow	1-Baldwin-Messinger
2 NT	E	2		120	3.50	3.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
2 NT	E	2		120	3.50	3.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♥	S	−5		250	2.00	5.00	7-Elliott-Runda	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	W	3		600	0.50	6.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	12-Lipp-Felson
3 NT	E	3		600	0.50	6.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Temples-Koch

E/W take four Spade tricks, two Heart tricks, two Diamond tricks, and one Club. If South leads "Fourth from the longest and strongest, partner," E/W will likely make four. Oops. A Spade lead is the safest from the South hand, and the ♠ J looks reasonable (i.e., it doesn't cost a trick).

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 5 4
♥	K Q 10 5 2
♦	Q 9 7
♣	6 3

♠	Q 3
♥	J 9
♦	K 10 5 4 3
♣	K Q 9 7

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 8 7
♥	8 6
♦	A J 2
♣	A 8 5 4

♠	K 9 6 2
♥	A 7 4 3
♦	8 6
♣	J 10 2

EW 4♦; EW 4♣; EW 2N; EW 2♠; NS 1♥; Par −130

West	North	East	South
			Pass
1 ♦1	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
2 ♣	Pass	2 ♥2	Pass
3 ♦3	Pass	4 ♣4	Pass
Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 hand with an easy rebid
Alert, fourth-suit forcing to game
Denies three Spades, four Hearts, or a Heart stopper for notrump
To play

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−2	200		6.50	0.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	W	−2	200		6.50	0.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	5-Koster-Kennedy
2 NT	W	−1	100		4.50	2.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	1-Baldwin-Messinger
2 NT	E	−1	100		4.50	2.50	8-Torello-Lubow	12-Lipp-Felson
3 ♣	E	3		110	2.50	4.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♦	W	3		110	2.50	4.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	9-Simon-LaMacchia
4 ♣	W	4		130	1.00	6.00	3-Burnam-Young	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♣	E	6		170	0.00	7.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	2-Olexsey-Thurnau

Rule of 20 is a reasonable way to decide whether to open a hand in 1st or 2nd seat. Add your high-card points to the length in your two longest suits (11 + 5 + 4 in this case), and if you reach 20, you're good to go! West uses Fourth-Suit Forcing to check on a Heart stopper, and then settles in 4 ♣ when none was found. Huh? Didn't East create a game force? Are Clubs worth 25 points a trick today? Do we need to pay an extra dollar for that?

It's very reasonable for partners to agree that Fourth-Suit Forcing (and 2/1 for that matter) should be played as forcing to game or to four of a minor if there's a problem (i.e., 3 NT wouldn't make). It seems silly to have to play in 5 ♣ or 5 ♦--one trick shy of slam--when the pair have minimum values. Talk this over with your partner.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	K Q 10 9 7 3
♥	6 5
♦	A 2
♣	K Q 9

♠	A J 5
♥	Q J 8 3
♦	K J 8
♣	A 7 2

N
W		E
S

♠	6 4
♥	9 7
♦	10 9 6 5 4 3
♣	J 6 4

♠	8 2
♥	A K 10 4 2
♦	Q 7
♣	10 8 5 3

S 4♠; N 3♠; S 3♥; N 2♥; S 3♣; S 1N; N 2♣; W 1♦; Par +420

West	North	East	South
1 NT1	Dbl2	Pass3	2 ♣4
Pass	2 ♠5	Pass	Pass
Pass

15 to 17
Alert, shows a single-suited hand (DONT)
Yes, East had Diamonds, but a one count?
Alert, forced bid
Alert, North is showing an opening hand with Spades

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	N	4	170		7.00	0.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	5-Koster-Kennedy
2 ♠	N	3	140		4.00	3.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♠	N	3	140		4.00	3.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	1-Baldwin-Messinger
2 ♠	N	3	140		4.00	3.00	3-Burnam-Young	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♠	N	3	140		4.00	3.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♠	N	3	140		4.00	3.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	N	−1		50	1.00	6.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	9-Simon-LaMacchia
3 NT	W	3		400	0.00	7.00	8-Torello-Lubow	12-Lipp-Felson

If North had bid 2 ♠ directly over 1 NT, they would have been showing 6+ Spades with less than opening values. N/S lose one Spade, one Diamond, and one Club. Um, the results thingy says that N/S lose four tricks when North is declarer. What gives? What gives is that declarer needs to lead three times from dummy--one in Spades and twice in Clubs, and there are only two entries (the ♥ AK). If West was on lead, they'd need to either break Hearts (not a good idea), lead away from the ♦ K (worse idea), or lead a black suit (still bad).

Some N/S pairs may be in game if North overcalls 3 ♠. That shows a seventh Spade, so it's not a good idea on this hand. Opening lead will likely be the ♦T.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 10
♥	K 10 8 6 4
♦	K 9
♣	K 10 5 3

♠	8 6 5 4 3
♥	A J
♦	A 10 7 5 4
♣	2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 7 2
♥	9 7
♦	J 6 3 2
♣	Q J 9

♠	K 9
♥	Q 5 3 2
♦	Q 8
♣	A 8 7 6 4

NS 4♥; NS 4♣; NS 2N; EW 2♠; EW 2♦; Par +420

West	North	East	South
	1 ♥	Pass	3 ♣1
Pass	4 ♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, 4-card limit raise in Hearts

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	N	5	450		7.00	0.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	5-Koster-Kennedy
4 ♥	N	4	420		3.00	4.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	N	4	420		3.00	4.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	1-Baldwin-Messinger
4 ♠	N	4	420		3.00	4.00	3-Burnam-Young	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥	N	4	420		3.00	4.00	8-Torello-Lubow	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♥	N	4	420		3.00	4.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥	N	4	420		3.00	4.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	N	4	420		3.00	4.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	9-Simon-LaMacchia

For those who play 1 ♥-3 ♥ as invitational with 4-card support, that works here as well. This hand will be a welcome respite after the chaos of the first eight boards. N/S lose one Heart, one Diamond, and one Club. The ♣ Q is a better lead than the ♠ Q, since East holds the ♣ 9. That makes it less likely that they're giving up a trick to ♣ ATx in one hand and ♣ K9x in the other.

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	J 10
♥	Q 6 2
♦	A Q J 10 5
♣	J 6 5

♠	A K 8 6 3 2
♥	8 5
♦	7 6 4
♣	3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 5 4
♥	9 4
♦	9 8 3
♣	K Q 8 7 4

♠	9 7
♥	A K J 10 7 3
♦	K 2
♣	A 10 9

NS 5♥; NS 5♦; NS 1N; NS 2♣; EW 1♠; Par +650

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♥
2 ♠1	3 ♠2	Dbl3	4 ♥
Pass	Pass	Pass

Weak jump overcall
Cuebid showing a limit raise or better in Hearts
Spade support

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	10-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	3-Burnam-Young	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	1-Baldwin-Messinger
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	S	5	650		3.50	3.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	8-Temples-Koch

Another easy hand. N/S lose only two Spades. The two slow Club losers go away on the Diamonds. It's hard to imagine West not leading the ♠ AK, but if they lead something else, N/S are making six.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	5 4 3 2
♥	9 4 3
♦	A J 10 9 8
♣	3

♠	K Q 10 9
♥	K 5
♦	7 6 2
♣	8 7 6 4

N
W		E
S

♠	J 7
♥	A Q 8 6
♦	K Q 5 3
♣	J 10 5

♠	A 8 6
♥	J 10 7 2
♦	4
♣	A K Q 9 2

NS 1N; NS 1♠; NS 1♥; NS 1♦; NS 1♣; Par +90

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣
Pass	1 ♠1	Dbl2	Rdbl3
1 NT4	Pass	Pass	Pass

Hide the Diamonds with less than game-going values
An opening hand with support for the unbid suits
Alert, support redouble showing 3-card Spade support
Seems right

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	N	3	140		7.00	0.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	3-Singerman-Campbell
1 ♥	S	2	110		6.00	1.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	10-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♣	S	2	90		4.50	2.50	3-Burnam-Young	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♣	S	2	90		4.50	2.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
1 ♣	S	1	70		3.00	4.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♣	S	−1		50	2.00	5.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 ♣	S	−2		100	0.50	6.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♥	N	−2		100	0.50	6.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	8-Temples-Koch

Even if North forgets to lead partner's suit, N/S will still collect their seven tricks. E/W take three Spade tricks and three Heart tricks once the ♠ A is knocked out. If anybody bids any higher, they'll get doubled.

If North is truly a subscriber to leading their own suit no matter what, and leads the ♦ J to start the hand, E/W will make 1 NT. Declarer wins in dummy, plays Spades until South takes their Ace, and tries not to revoke during five rounds of Clubs. Once back in, they claim with three Spade tricks, three Heart tricks, and the ♦ K. BWAHAHAHAHAHA.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 8 7
♥	K J 6 4 2
♦	J 4
♣	Q 7 2

♠	J 10
♥	A 9
♦	A K 10 9 8 3
♣	A J 3

N
W		E
S

♠	6 4
♥	Q 8 5 3
♦	Q 7 6 2
♣	K 9 8

♠	K Q 9 5 3 2
♥	10 7
♦	5
♣	10 6 5 4

EW 4♦; NS 2♠; EW 1N; EW 1♥; EW 1♣; Par −130

West	North	East	South
1 ♦	1 ♥	2 ♦	2 ♠1
3 ♥2	Pass	4 ♦3	Pass
Pass	Pass

A risky call, but South has something to say
Showing a Heart stopper for notrump
Sorry, no Spade stopper here

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♦	W	−1	50		7.00	0.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♦	W	3		110	6.00	1.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♦	W	4		130	4.50	2.50	3-Burnam-Young	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♦	W	4		130	4.50	2.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 ♦	W	5		150	2.50	4.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-McCarthy-Diers
1 NT	W	3		150	2.50	4.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	8-Temples-Koch
3 NT	E	3		400	1.00	6.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	12-Lipp-Felson
3 NT	W	5		460	0.00	7.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman

When two suits have been bid, Western Cue bids go away. If a cuebid is made, it's showing a stopper for notrump, not asking for one. If South doesn't sneak in a 2 ♠ bid during the auction, it's likely that E/W will play in 3 NT. If North doesn't find a Spade lead (they should), 3 NT rolls.

In 4 ♦, N/S lose two Spades and a Heart. The Club finesse is a mirage, since West's small Club can be thrown away on the ♥ Q. The ♠ A is a reasonable lead if South gets their Spade bid in.

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	A Q 7
♥	9 4
♦	10 9 5
♣	Q J 10 9 3

♠	10 8 5
♥	K 8 7 6 3
♦	A Q 6 2
♣	4

N
W		E
S

♠	4 3 2
♥	Q J 5 2
♦	4 3
♣	8 7 6 2

♠	K J 9 6
♥	A 10
♦	K J 8 7
♣	A K 5

NS 4N; NS 4♠; NS 4♣; EW 2♥; NS 3♦; Par +630

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 ♦
1 ♥	2 ♣1	2 ♥2	3 NT3
Pass	Pass	Pass

Showing 10-11 HCP and 5+ Clubs (North is a passed hand)
3 ♥ or 4 ♥ if not vulnerable
Wondering if they're missing slam

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	5	660		7.00	0.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 NT	N	4	630		4.00	3.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	9-Simon-LaMacchia
3 NT	S	4	630		4.00	3.00	3-Burnam-Young	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 NT	N	4	630		4.00	3.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 NT	S	4	630		4.00	3.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
3 NT	S	4	630		4.00	3.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♣	N	3	110		1.00	6.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
5 ♣	N	−1		100	0.00	7.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	11-Kehoe-Stanley

West will lead a small Heart, and N/S collect four Spades, one Heart, and five Clubs, making 4 NT. 4 ♥ is a good sacrifice, but South may very well bid 4 NT (+620 is better than +500).

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	A 8 5 2
♥	Q J 10 6 3
♦	J
♣	J 6 3

♠	9 6
♥	K 8 7 4
♦	A 7 5
♣	10 9 8 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 3
♥	9
♦	Q 9 6 4 3 2
♣	K Q 4

♠	Q J 7 4
♥	A 5 2
♦	K 10 8
♣	A 7 2

N 2N; NS 2♠; NS 2♥; S 1N; EW 2♦; NS 1♣; Par +100: EW 3♦×−1

West	North	East	South
		Pass1	1 ♣
Pass	1 ♥	2 ♦	Dbl2
Pass	2 ♥	Pass	Pass
3 ♦	Pass	Pass	Pass

Not a weak two opener with 8 of 10 HCP in side suits
Alert, support double showing 3-card support

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	4	420		7.00	0.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	5-Koster-Kennedy
2 ♠	S	2	110		5.50	1.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	9-Simon-LaMacchia
2 ♥	N	2	110		5.50	1.50	3-Burnam-Young	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 ♥	N	−1		50	2.50	4.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♠	S	−1		50	2.50	4.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥	N	−1		50	2.50	4.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♠	N	−1		50	2.50	4.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
2 ♠	S	−2		100	0.00	7.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	7-Kammer-Zimmer

N/S may double 3 ♦ or bid on to 3 ♥. Only one of those is a good decision. E/W lose one Spade, one Heart, two Diamonds, and one Club--down one. South has a tough lead, and may very well lead the ♠ Q.

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 8 3 2
♥	10 9 3
♦	10 8
♣	K Q 6 5

♠	K Q 7 6
♥	7 5
♦	Q 7 4 2
♣	10 9 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 5
♥	A J 8 4
♦	9 6 3
♣	J 8 7

♠	9 4
♥	K Q 6 2
♦	A K J 5
♣	A 3 2

NS 3♥; NS 2N; NS 2♣; NS 1♠; NS 1♦; Par +140

West	North	East	South
			1 NT1
Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	S	4	180		6.50	0.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	11-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	S	4	180		6.50	0.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Singerman-Campbell
1 NT	S	3	150		5.00	2.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	9-Simon-LaMacchia
1 NT	S	2	120		3.00	4.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	5-Koster-Kennedy
1 NT	S	2	120		3.00	4.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
1 NT	S	2	120		3.00	4.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	7-Kammer-Zimmer
1 NT	S	1	90		1.00	6.00	3-Burnam-Young	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 NT	N	−2		200	0.00	7.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman

Short auction. West shouldn't lead a Spade honor, since they don't have ♠ KQJ or ♠ KQTx. The ♠ 6 or the ♥ 7 look reasonable. N/S take four Club tricks, two Diamond tricks, and two Hearts.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A Q 8
♥	9 5 3
♦	J 7 5 4 2
♣	A J

♠	—
♥	A J 10 7 2
♦	K 6
♣	10 7 5 4 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K 2
♥	Q 8 6
♦	A Q 9 8 3
♣	K Q 6

♠	J 10 9 7 6 5 4 3
♥	K 4
♦	10
♣	9 8

EW 6♥; EW 4N; W 5♦; EW 5♣; E 4♦; NS 2♠; Par −800: NS 6♠×−4

West	North	East	South
Pass1	1 ♦	1 NT	2 ♠2
3 ♥3	3 ♠4	4 ♥5	4 ♠6
5 ♥7	Pass	Pass	Pass

I have no idea how to bid this if I open it
I'd like to play in 2 ♠ please
Game forcing, showing exactly five Hearts
We're not vulnerable and I like Spades
I have three Hearts
What partner said
If you have a "shape hand," take an extra bid

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	S	3	140		7.00	0.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	10-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	S	−1		50	5.00	2.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♠	S	−1		50	5.00	2.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
4 ♠	S	−1		50	5.00	2.00	6-Lammers-Barron	6-McCarthy-Diers
5 ♠	S	−2		100	3.00	4.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	5-Koster-Kennedy
5 ♣	W	6		620	2.00	5.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥	W	5		650	1.00	6.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥	E	6		680	0.00	7.00	3-Burnam-Young	12-Lipp-Felson

It's hard to imagine an E/W pair that gets to slam on their own, but some N/S pair might push them there by bidding 5 ♠. E/W lose one Club trick no matter what the opening lead is. It's possible that North will try and cash the ♠ A, but that doesn't matter as declarer simply ruffs it, plays a Diamond to dummy's Ace, and finesses the ♥ K. With trumps gone, it's a simple matter to knock out the ♣ A and claim.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 8 6 5
♥	9
♦	10 9 6 2
♣	A J 5 2

♠	J
♥	K Q 8 5 2
♦	8
♣	K Q 8 7 6 4

N
W		E
S

♠	K 4 2
♥	A 7 6 3
♦	A Q 5 4
♣	9 3

♠	A 10 9 7 3
♥	J 10 4
♦	K J 7 3
♣	10

NS 4♠; EW 4♥; NS 3♦; EW 3♣; E 1N; Par +100: EW 5♥×−1

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 ♦	1 ♠
2 ♥1	2 ♠	4 ♥	4 ♠
5 ♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Showing 5+ Hearts and 10+ HCP

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠×	S	4	590		7.00	0.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
3 NT	E	−2	100		6.00	1.00	6-Lammers-Barron	6-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	W	4		420	3.50	3.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	W	4		420	3.50	3.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	10-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥	E	4		420	3.50	3.50	3-Burnam-Young	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♥	W	4		420	3.50	3.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥	W	5		450	0.50	6.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥	W	5		450	0.50	6.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	5-Koster-Kennedy

On hands such as this one with nobody vulnerable, it sometimes seems like it's a game of chicken with everyone bidding away, refusing to be the first one to flinch. 5 ♥ doubled is the "Par" contract (i.e., the contract that can't be improved by either side). Many E/W pairs will play there undoubled--some might get to play in 4 ♥ and some N/S pairs might get to play in 4 ♠. Who knows? The ♠ 5 will be the likely lead. South will win with the ♠ A, switch to their singleton Club, and collect their Club ruff--down one.

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A K 10
♥	8 5
♦	A 9 8 7 5 2
♣	8 3

♠	8 7 6 3
♥	A 10 3 2
♦	Q J 6
♣	Q 10

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 9 5 4
♥	J 7
♦	K 3
♣	A 6 4 2

♠	2
♥	K Q 9 6 4
♦	10 4
♣	K J 9 7 5

E 2♠; NS 2♥; N 3♦; S 3♣; S 2♦; W 1♠; N 1♣; Par +100: E 3♠×−1

West	North	East	South
		1 ♠1	2 ♠2
3 ♠3	Pass	Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 hand
Michaels showing Hearts and a minor
To play

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	3	110		7.00	0.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♠	E	−1	50		6.00	1.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♦	N	−1		100	5.00	2.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠	E	3		140	2.50	4.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♠	E	3		140	2.50	4.50	3-Burnam-Young	12-Lipp-Felson
3 ♠	E	3		140	2.50	4.50	5-Hoffman-Cook	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
2 ♠	E	3		140	2.50	4.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 ♥	S	−2		200	0.00	7.00	6-Lammers-Barron	6-McCarthy-Diers

If West had passed or doubled, North might have bid 3 ♦. This pretty much says "Shut up about your stupid Hearts and presumed Clubs. We're playing in Diamonds!" If North had been interested in hearing which minor suit South held, they would have bid 2 NT (again, only if West had passed or doubled).

Interestingly, if East doesn't open, the hand might be passed out. Norths who live and die by the Rule of 15 (HCP + # of Spades) to determine whether or not to open in 4th seat will surely pass (i.e., 14 is not greater or equal to 15). Most Souths will lead the ♥ K. E/W lose one Club, one Diamond, one Heart, and two Spades--down one.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	9 5 4 2
♥	K 9
♦	K 8 7
♣	Q 9 7 5

♠	K J 8
♥	A 10 8
♦	J 6 3 2
♣	8 6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A 7 3
♥	7 4 3
♦	A 5 4
♣	A 10 4 3

♠	Q 10 6
♥	Q J 6 5 2
♦	Q 10 9
♣	K J

NS 1♥; EW 1♦; EW 1♣; Par +80

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	Pass	1 ♣	1 ♥
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	W	−2	200		7.00	0.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
2 ♦	E	−1	100		4.50	2.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	6-McCarthy-Diers
1 NT	W	−1	100		4.50	2.50	3-Burnam-Young	11-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	W	−1	100		4.50	2.50	5-Hoffman-Cook	3-Singerman-Campbell
1 NT	W	−1	100		4.50	2.50	7-Elliott-Runda	7-Kammer-Zimmer
Pass			Pass		2.00	5.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	9-Simon-LaMacchia
1 NT	W	1		90	0.50	6.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	1-Baldwin-Messinger
1 NT	E	1		90	0.50	6.50	6-Lammers-Barron	5-Koster-Kennedy

West won't enjoy playing in 1 NT, and they'll regret not allowing South to play in 1 ♥. E/W collect three Spades, one Heart, one Diamond, and one Club--down one for –100. The ♥ K will be the likely lead on the auction.

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q J 5
♥	K Q J 7 4
♦	6 4
♣	7 4 2

♠	10 8 6 3
♥	6
♦	A K 9 2
♣	A 8 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K 7
♥	A 9 5 2
♦	Q J 7 5 3
♣	9 5

♠	A 9 4 2
♥	10 8 3
♦	10 8
♣	K Q J 10

EW 4♦; EW 1N; EW 1♠; NS 1♥; EW 1♣; Par −130

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1 ♦	Pass
3 ♣1	Pass	3 ♦2	Pass
Pass	Pass

Alert, shows a limit raise for Diamonds
Stop bidding, you!

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥×	N	3	730		7.00	0.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
3 ♥	N	3	140		6.00	1.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	3-Singerman-Campbell
Pass			Pass		3.50	3.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	6-McCarthy-Diers
Pass			Pass		3.50	3.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	1-Baldwin-Messinger
Pass			Pass		3.50	3.50	6-Lammers-Barron	5-Koster-Kennedy
Pass			Pass		3.50	3.50	7-Elliott-Runda	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♥	N	−1		100	1.00	6.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	9-Simon-LaMacchia
3 ♦	W	4		130	0.00	7.00	3-Burnam-Young	11-Kehoe-Stanley

This one might get passed out, since East has a tenuous 3rd seat opener (what to do if partner responds 1 ♠?). Those who open will be rewarded with +130 for 3 ♦ making four. The ♣ K will be the unanimous choice for the opening lead. E/W lose one Club and two Spades, as long as declarer remembers to ruff two Hearts and pitch the third one on the good ♠T. Those that get lazy during the hand will make three. Another choice is simply to cross-ruff the entire hand, but N/S will lead trump when they're back in, so that option is out.

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	3
♥	7 6 5 3
♦	9 8 5 4 3
♣	10 6 4

♠	A K J 9 4
♥	A K 9 2
♦	K
♣	Q J 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 8 7
♥	J 10 4
♦	Q 10
♣	9 7 5 2

♠	6 5 2
♥	Q 8
♦	A J 7 6 2
♣	A K 8

EW 4N; EW 4♠; EW 4♥; NS 2♦; EW 2♣; Par −430

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 ♦
Dbl1	3 ♦2	Pass	Pass
4 ♦3	Pass	4 ♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Planning to cuebid Diamonds at next turn to show huge hand
Preemptive jump raise
Bid a major partner

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	W	4		170	5.00	2.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	6-McCarthy-Diers
1 ♠	W	4		170	5.00	2.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	9-Simon-LaMacchia
3 ♠	W	4		170	5.00	2.00	3-Burnam-Young	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♠	E	4		170	5.00	2.00	6-Lammers-Barron	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 ♠	W	4		170	5.00	2.00	7-Elliott-Runda	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	E	4		420	1.00	6.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	1-Baldwin-Messinger
4 ♠	E	4		420	1.00	6.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♠	W	4		420	1.00	6.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman

A takeout double followed by a cuebid of opener's suit shows a hand that would have opened 2 NT, 2 ♣, or made a game-forcing jump shift--a rock crusher in other words. 4 ♦ is a sensible rebid by West, and East has an easy 4 ♠ call. E/W lose one Diamond and two Clubs. South will likely cash out with ♣ AK and ♦ A on the first three tricks.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	9 8 2
♥	K 3 2
♦	Q 10 7
♣	A K 3 2

♠	10 5
♥	8 7 6 5
♦	K J 5 4 2
♣	J 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A K J 6 4 3
♥	10 4
♦	6 3
♣	10 8 4

♠	Q 7
♥	A Q J 9
♦	A 9 8
♣	Q 9 7 6

NS 3♥; NS 3♣; NS 1N; NS 2♦; EW 1♠; Par +140

West	North	East	South
		2 ♠	Dbl
Pass	3 NT1	Pass	4 ♣2
Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, values to play in 3 NT but with no Spade stopper
Me neither

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	4	430		6.50	0.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 NT	S	4	430		6.50	0.50	7-Elliott-Runda	6-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	S	3	140		5.00	2.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♣	N	4	130		3.50	3.50	6-Lammers-Barron	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
3 ♣	N	4	130		3.50	3.50	8-Torello-Lubow	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♣	N	−1		50	2.00	5.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 NT	S	−2		100	1.00	6.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	N	−3		150	0.00	7.00	3-Burnam-Young	10-Jervis-Lindeman

N/S pairs that don't play Lebensohl will struggle with this hand. Those that do play Lebensohl will also struggle, but for different reasons. With Lebensohl, advancer has two ways to bid 3 NT after a weak-two bid and a takeout double--either directly (denying a stopper in opener's suit) or by employing a 2 NT relay to 3 ♣ and then bidding 3 NT (showing a stopper) at their next turn. Once N/S bypass 3 NT, it's time to park, and South chooses 4 ♣ since North has denied holding 4 ♥ on the auction (i.e., they didn't bid Hearts and they didn't employ Stayman).

N/S lose two Spades, a Diamond, and a trump uppercut. What's an uppercut? After East wins the ♠ AK, they need to continue with the ♠ J. If South ruffs small, West wins the trick with the ♣ J. If South ruffs with the ♣ Q, West simply discards and E/W sit back and wait for their natural trump trick. Nicely defended!

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	A
♥	J 7 4 2
♦	10 9 7 5 4
♣	K 10 2

♠	Q 10 5 2
♥	K 10 3
♦	6 2
♣	Q 8 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	8 7 6 4
♥	Q 6
♦	A Q 8
♣	A J 7 6

♠	K J 9 3
♥	A 9 8 5
♦	K J 3
♣	9 3

NS 2♥; EW 1N; NS 2♦; EW 1♠; EW 1♣; Par +110

West	North	East	South
			1 ♦
Pass	1 ♥	Dbl1	2 ♥2
Pass	Pass	Pass

Showing an opening hand and support for the unbid suits
Guaranteeing 4-card Heart support (i.e., did not make a support double)

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	N	4	170		7.00	0.00	3-Burnam-Young	10-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥	N	2	110		6.00	1.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♠	E	−1	100		5.00	2.00	6-Lammers-Barron	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
2 ♥	N	−1		100	2.50	4.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 ♥	N	−1		100	2.50	4.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♦	S	−1		100	2.50	4.50	7-Elliott-Runda	6-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	N	−1		100	2.50	4.50	8-Torello-Lubow	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♠	E	4		170	0.00	7.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	12-Lipp-Felson

West would happily compete to 2 ♠ if not vulnerable, but the stakes are too high. If East doesn't have the values to double again, then letting N/S play in a partial has to be right. N/S lose two Hearts, one Diamond, and two Clubs. The ♠ 7 looks like a popular lead (2nd high from crap).

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	8 6 3
♥	A 9 6 4
♦	10 8 5
♣	10 7 5

♠	A 10 7 5
♥	7 5
♦	K 7 6
♣	K Q J 4

N
W		E
S

♠	J
♥	K Q J 10 8 3
♦	Q 4 2
♣	A 3 2

♠	K Q 9 4 2
♥	2
♦	A J 9 3
♣	9 8 6

E 5♥; E 4N; W 4♥; W 3N; EW 3♣; EW 2♦; E 1♠; Par −450

West	North	East	South
1 ♣	Pass	1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	Pass	4 ♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	E	4		170	7.00	0.00	7-Elliott-Runda	6-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	W	3		400	6.00	1.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	5-Koster-Kennedy
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	2-Prosise-Prosise	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	3-Burnam-Young	10-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	5-Hoffman-Cook	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	6-Lammers-Barron	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	8-Torello-Lubow	8-Temples-Koch

Straightforward auction. South will likely lead the ♠ K, and the hand is over in short order. Declarer wins the ♠ A, and knocks out the ♥ A. North should win the third round of Hearts so they can see their partner's discard. South will signal frantically for a Diamond, and North will oblige. E/W lose one Heart and one Diamond, making five.

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 10 9
♥	Q 9 7 6 4 2
♦	K Q
♣	5 4

♠	8 5 2
♥	8
♦	A 10 8 7 4 2
♣	K J 10

N
W		E
S

♠	4 3
♥	K J
♦	9 6 5
♣	A Q 8 7 6 3

♠	A K Q 7 6
♥	A 10 5 3
♦	J 3
♣	9 2

NS 3♠; NS 3♥; EW 3♦; EW 3♣; EW 1N; Par +140

West	North	East	South
	2 ♥	Pass	2 NT1
Pass	3 ♣2	Pass	3 ♥3
Pass	Pass	Pass

Ogust, asking for the quality of partner's suit/hand
Alert, bad hand, bad suit
Regrettably

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	N	5	200		7.00	0.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	6-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	N	3	140		5.00	2.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	1-Baldwin-Messinger
2 ♠	S	3	140		5.00	2.00	6-Lammers-Barron	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♥	N	3	140		5.00	2.00	8-Torello-Lubow	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	N	−1		50	1.50	5.50	3-Burnam-Young	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	N	−1		50	1.50	5.50	4-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	N	−1		50	1.50	5.50	7-Elliott-Runda	5-Koster-Kennedy
4 ♠	N	−1		50	1.50	5.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	9-Simon-LaMacchia

In a Swiss Team event (or KO), South should bid 4 ♥ immediately rather than ask about North's hand at all. Slam is unlikely, and the payoff for a game is too great to not at least give it a go. N/S lose one Heart, one Diamond, and two Clubs. The ♣ J isn't an unreasonable lead.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	4 2
♥	10 3
♦	K 9 3 2
♣	10 8 7 6 3

♠	A 10
♥	K 6 5
♦	A Q 10
♣	A K Q 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 9 8 5 3
♥	Q 9 4
♦	8 5
♣	J 9

♠	Q 7 6
♥	A J 8 7 2
♦	J 7 6 4
♣	2

W 6N; E 5N; EW 5♠; EW 4♣; EW 2♥; E 1♦; Par −1440

West	North	East	South
		Pass1	Pass
2 ♣	Pass	2 ♦2	Pass
2 NT3	Pass	3 ♥4	Dbl5
Pass6	Pass	4 ♠7	Pass
Pass	Pass

Not quite a vulnerable weak-two bid
Game forcing showing an A, K, or QQ
22 to 24
Planning to transfer at the three level and then raise to show a mild slam try
Partner, lead a Heart
Pass denying a 3rd Spade
East could retransfer by redoubling or bidding 4 ♥, but they want South on lead

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♥	E	−5	500		6.50	0.50	8-Torello-Lubow	7-Kammer-Zimmer
5 ♦	E	−5	500		6.50	0.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	9-Simon-LaMacchia
6 NT	W	−1	100		4.50	2.50	5-Hoffman-Cook	1-Baldwin-Messinger
6 ♠	E	−1	100		4.50	2.50	6-Lammers-Barron	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♣	W	4		130	3.00	4.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	6-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	W	4		620	2.00	5.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	W	4		630	0.50	6.50	3-Burnam-Young	8-Temples-Koch
3 NT	W	4		630	0.50	6.50	7-Elliott-Runda	5-Koster-Kennedy

West would probably like to bid 4 NT on this auction to play, but it would be RKC Blackwood for Spades. Alas. Not sure how to get E/W to be in notrump--possibly on a 3 NT response after 3 ♥-X, but that's far fetched. South has to find a Diamond lead to hold E/W to five--not an easy lead to find. More likely South will lead the ♥ A or the ♣ 2.

Board 27
South Deals
None Vul

♠	Q
♥	9 8
♦	A K 10 7
♣	A K J 10 9 4

♠	A J 10 3
♥	A K Q
♦	Q 4
♣	8 6 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	8 7
♥	10 7 6 3 2
♦	J 5 3 2
♣	7 3

♠	K 9 6 5 4 2
♥	J 5 4
♦	9 8 6
♣	Q

NS 3N; NS 2♠; NS 3♦; NS 3♣; EW 1♥; Par +400

West	North	East	South
			2 ♠
2 NT1	Dbl2	3 ♦3	Pass
3 ♥	Dbl4	Pass	Pass
Pass

15 to 19
For penalty
Transfer
Bidding 4 ♣ seems wrong

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 NT×	W	−7	1700		7.00	0.00	6-Lammers-Barron	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♣	N	4	130		6.00	1.00	7-Elliott-Runda	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 ♣	N	3	110		3.00	4.00	2-Prosise-Prosise	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♣	S	3	110		3.00	4.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♣	N	3	110		3.00	4.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 ♣	S	3	110		3.00	4.00	8-Torello-Lubow	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♣	N	3	110		3.00	4.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	9-Simon-LaMacchia
4 ♣	N	−1		50	0.00	7.00	3-Burnam-Young	8-Temples-Koch

N/S should easily be able to collect two Club tricks, two Diamond tricks, a Spade trick, and a trump trick in the wash when Declarer has to ruff too many Clubs--down two for –300, quite a bit better than 4 ♣ down one. If South doesn't open 2 ♠ for some reason, N/S will likely play in 3 ♣.

Board 28
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K 5 4
♥	A 5 3
♦	8 5 4
♣	K 8 7 4

♠	A 7 3 2
♥	10 8 6
♦	10 6 3
♣	A 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 10 6
♥	J 4
♦	A K Q J 7
♣	Q 2

♠	9 8
♥	K Q 9 7 2
♦	9 2
♣	J 10 9 3

EW 3♠; NS 2♥; EW 3♦; EW 1N; NS 2♣; Par −140

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1 ♦	Pass
1 ♠	Pass	2 ♠1	Pass
Pass	Pass

East's hand is not nearly strong enough to bid 3 ♠

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	W	−1	50		7.00	0.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Simon-LaMacchia
2 ♦	E	3		110	6.00	1.00	8-Torello-Lubow	6-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	W	4		170	4.00	3.00	3-Burnam-Young	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	W	4		170	4.00	3.00	6-Lammers-Barron	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♠	E	4		170	4.00	3.00	7-Elliott-Runda	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
4 ♠	W	4		420	1.00	6.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♠	E	4		420	1.00	6.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	W	4		420	1.00	6.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	10-Jervis-Lindeman

E/W lose one Spade, two Hearts, and a Club. North may lead a Diamond out of sheer desperation. It doesn't matter, since none of the losers are going away.

Board 29
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	J
♥	10 8 7 4
♦	6 2
♣	K 10 9 7 5 3

♠	K 9 5
♥	J 9 5
♦	K Q 9 5
♣	A Q J

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 8 2
♥	A 6 3
♦	A 7 3
♣	8 6 2

♠	A 7 6 4 3
♥	K Q 2
♦	J 10 8 4
♣	4

EW 4N; EW 3♠; EW 2♦; EW 1♥; NS 1♣; Par −630

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 ♠1
1 NT2	Pass	3 NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

Minimum 3rd seat opener
15 to 18

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−2	200		7.00	0.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	8-Temples-Koch
3 NT	W	−1	100		6.00	1.00	7-Elliott-Runda	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
3 ♣	N	−1		100	5.00	2.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♦	E	3		110	4.00	3.00	8-Torello-Lubow	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	W	2		120	3.00	4.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Simon-LaMacchia
1 NT	W	3		150	2.00	5.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	12-Lipp-Felson
3 NT	W	3		600	1.00	6.00	6-Lammers-Barron	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 NT	W	4		630	0.00	7.00	3-Burnam-Young	7-Kammer-Zimmer

East has an easy raise to game. The ♠ J will be a typical opening lead, and declarer is thrilled (they would have liked a Heart lead a bit less). E/W take three Spade tricks, three or four Diamond tricks, two Clubs, and one or two Hearts--making four. The ambiguity in the red suits stems from South's difficulty finding pitches on three rounds of Clubs.

Board 30
East Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 10 5
♥	10
♦	J 10 9 8 7 6 2
♣	7 4

♠	9 8 4
♥	A K 3
♦	A Q 4 3
♣	K Q J

N
W		E
S

♠	6 3
♥	Q J 8 7 5
♦	5
♣	A 10 8 6 5

♠	A K J 7 2
♥	9 6 4 2
♦	K
♣	9 3 2

EW 5♥; EW 5♣; EW 2N; NS 2♦; NS 1♠; Par −450

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♠
Dbl1	2 ♠2	3 ♥	Pass
4 ♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Big hands start with doubles
Alert, showing three Spades and 0-6 HCP (BROMAD)

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	−1		50	7.00	0.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Simon-LaMacchia
2 NT	W	2		120	6.00	1.00	7-Elliott-Runda	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
4 ♥	E	4		420	5.00	2.00	8-Torello-Lubow	6-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	5-Hoffman-Cook	12-Lipp-Felson
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	6-Lammers-Barron	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	9-Mackey-Kobida	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	E	5		450	2.50	4.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	W	6		490	0.00	7.00	3-Burnam-Young	7-Kammer-Zimmer

East is delighted to enter the bidding at the three level with that gorgeous hand, and West has an even easier raise to game. E/W lose two Spade tricks--making five. South will lead ♠ AK on the go, and the hand will be over.

Board 31
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 9 5 3
♥	10 5 2
♦	A 7 6 2
♣	J 7

♠	Q 10
♥	J 3
♦	Q 10 8 3
♣	K 10 9 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	J 8 7
♥	9 7 4
♦	K 9 5
♣	Q 4 3 2

♠	K 6 4 2
♥	A K Q 8 6
♦	J 4
♣	A 8

NS 5♠; NS 4♥; NS 3N; NS 1♦; Par +650

West	North	East	South
			1 ♥1
Pass	1 ♠2	Pass	3 ♠3
Pass	4 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

Planning on reversing into Spades
It can't hurt to show a 4-card Spade suit before supporting Hearts
Same size hand as one that would have reversed

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	N	5	650		6.50	0.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	9-Simon-LaMacchia
4 ♠	N	5	650		6.50	0.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	S	4	620		4.00	3.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	S	4	620		4.00	3.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	10-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥	S	4	620		4.00	3.00	8-Torello-Lubow	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 ♠	S	5	200		2.00	5.00	6-Lammers-Barron	1-Baldwin-Messinger
3 ♥	S	4	170		1.00	6.00	7-Elliott-Runda	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥	S	−1		100	0.00	7.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	7-Kammer-Zimmer

N/S lose one Spade and one Diamond. Let's assume the lead of the ♣T. Declarer wins with the ♣ A, pulls two rounds of trump leaving the ♠ J in the East hand. Now declarer plays off their Hearts and hopes that the player with the long trump also has at least three Hearts. This seems to be their lucky day, and dummy's ♣ J goes away on the fourth Heart as East ruffs. Nicely played!

Board 32
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 8
♥	A 7 3 2
♦	K 3 2
♣	A 10 4 2

♠	K 10 7 5 3
♥	4
♦	A 10 9
♣	9 8 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 9 4
♥	10 9 6 5
♦	Q J 8 6
♣	K 6

♠	J 6 2
♥	K Q J 8
♦	7 5 4
♣	Q J 7

NS 3♥; EW 2♠; NS 1N; NS 2♣; W 1♦; Par +140

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 NT1	Pass	3 ♣2
Pass	3 ♦3	Pass	3 ♠4
Dbl5	Pass	4 ♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, asking for a 5-card major
Alert, no 5-card major
Alert, showing three Spades and four Hearts
Partner, please lead a Spade

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	400		6.50	0.50	5-Hoffman-Cook	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	N	3	400		6.50	0.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	9-Simon-LaMacchia
3 ♥	N	4	170		5.00	2.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	N	−1		50	2.50	4.50	6-Lammers-Barron	1-Baldwin-Messinger
4 ♥	N	−1		50	2.50	4.50	7-Elliott-Runda	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥	N	−1		50	2.50	4.50	8-Torello-Lubow	5-Koster-Kennedy
3 ♥	N	−1		50	2.50	4.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	N	−2		100	0.00	7.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Temples-Koch

Not a bad contract at all, but unfortunately it doesn't make. N/S lose one Spade, one Club, and two Diamonds. If East leads the ♠ 4, West needs to play the ♠T, not the ♠ K.

Note: It's often a bad idea to try and find a 4-4 major-suit fit with a flat hand. South, with such a nice Heart suit and weakness in Spades is probably right to try and locate a Heart fit.

Board 33
North Deals
None Vul

♠	A 10 9 3
♥	Q J
♦	10 9 7 6
♣	K 5 2

♠	8 7 5
♥	K 10 7 3
♦	8 3 2
♣	A 10 6

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 6
♥	A 6 4
♦	K Q J 4
♣	J 8 4

♠	Q 4 2
♥	9 8 5 2
♦	A 5
♣	Q 9 7 3

EW 2N; EW 2♥; EW 1♠; EW 1♦; E 1♣; Par −120

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 NT1	Pass
Pass	Pass

15 to 17

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	W	−3	150		7.00	0.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	9-Simon-LaMacchia
2 NT	E	−1	50		5.00	2.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	10-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	E	−1	50		5.00	2.00	8-Torello-Lubow	5-Koster-Kennedy
1 NT	E	−1	50		5.00	2.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	11-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	E	1		90	2.00	5.00	4-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Temples-Koch
1 NT	E	1		90	2.00	5.00	6-Lammers-Barron	1-Baldwin-Messinger
1 NT	E	1		90	2.00	5.00	7-Elliott-Runda	3-Singerman-Campbell
1 NT	E	2		120	0.00	7.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	7-Kammer-Zimmer

E/W will easily take three Heart tricks, one Spade, two Diamonds, and a Club. The other trick will come "in the wash" as they say. Both North and South will have difficulty with pitches, and one of them is likely to get end played in Clubs. Clubs is a "frozen suit" (i.e., a suit where it costs a trick to be the first side to lead it). South should refuse to make their opening lead, as none of the suits looks appealing. The ♠ 2 doesn't hurt, as North can win with the ♠ A and lead back the ♠T.

Board 34
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K 9
♥	J 10 4 3
♦	K Q 8
♣	Q 8 4 3

♠	7 6 5 4
♥	K 2
♦	A 3
♣	K 10 9 7 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 10 2
♥	A Q 9 7 5
♦	10 7 4
♣	5

♠	J 8 3
♥	8 6
♦	J 9 6 5 2
♣	A J 2

EW 4♠; EW 3♥; EW 1N; EW 2♣; EW 1♦; Par −420

West	North	East	South
		1 ♥	Pass
1 ♠	Pass	2 ♠	Pass
2 NT1	Pass	3 ♥2	Pass
3 ♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, asking for more information about partner's raise
Alert, artificial with four Spades and minimum values

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	E	−1	50		7.00	0.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♥	E	2		110	6.00	1.00	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠	E	4		170	5.00	2.00	7-Elliott-Runda	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♠	E	4		420	3.00	4.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	9-Simon-LaMacchia
4 ♠	W	4		420	3.00	4.00	6-Lammers-Barron	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	W	4		420	3.00	4.00	8-Torello-Lubow	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
4 ♠	E	5		450	0.50	6.50	10-Venosa-Venosa	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	W	5		450	0.50	6.50	12-Murdock-Oblinger	12-Lipp-Felson

Some E/W pairs will be in 4 ♠, but it's a horrible contract (around 15%). The ♦ K will be the likely lead. Declarer should win the first trick and play a Spade to the ♠ Q followed by the ♥ K, ♥ A, and a low Heart towards the closed hand. It does South no good to ruff, so they discard. A Spade now back to the ♠ A drops the ♠ K, and the ♥ Q provides a parking place for West's small Diamond. South has to ruff, and now there's no way to keep declarer from ruffing a Diamond in hand. E/W lose one Heart, one Club, and a Diamond at the end, making four.

Board 35
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 9
♥	A 9 4
♦	K Q 5
♣	J 10 6 4 2

♠	K 7
♥	Q 7 6
♦	10 9 6
♣	9 8 7 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 8 6
♥	K 8 5 3
♦	A J 8 4
♣	A

♠	10 5 4 3 2
♥	J 10 2
♦	7 3 2
♣	K Q

W 1N; EW 2♦; N 1♠; EW 1♥; NS 1♣; Par −90

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	1 ♣	Dbl	1 ♠
Pass	1 NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	W	−2	200		6.50	0.50	8-Torello-Lubow	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman
2 NT	E	−2	200		6.50	0.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-Jervis-Lindeman
1 ♣×	N	1	140		5.00	2.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	8-Temples-Koch
2 ♠	N	2	110		4.00	3.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	12-Lipp-Felson
2 ♣	N	2	90		3.00	4.00	7-Elliott-Runda	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♠	N	−1		50	2.00	5.00	6-Lammers-Barron	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♦	E	2		90	1.00	6.00	5-Hoffman-Cook	9-Simon-LaMacchia
2 ♠	S	−3		150	0.00	7.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	6-McCarthy-Diers

N/S will have trouble staying out of 1 NT if South takes a bid following East's takeout double. South should bid, but should try not to rebid 2 ♠ since East is highly likely to have four of them. N/S take three Club tricks, one Diamond trick, one Heart trick, and one Spade--down one.

Board 36
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	K 10
♥	A 4
♦	A 3 2
♣	8 6 5 4 3 2

♠	A Q 4 2
♥	K J 7
♦	9 8 6 5
♣	Q 10

N
W		E
S

♠	J 9 6 5 3
♥	8 5 3 2
♦	K 10 4
♣	K

♠	8 7
♥	Q 10 9 6
♦	Q J 7
♣	A J 9 7

NS 2N; EW 2♠; NS 3♣; Par +120

West	North	East	South
1 ♦	Pass	1 ♠	1 NT1
2 ♠	3 ♣	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, Sandwich NT, a weak takeout double showing the unbid suits

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♣	N	3	110		6.50	0.50	5-Hoffman-Cook	9-Simon-LaMacchia
2 ♣	N	3	110		6.50	0.50	11-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠	E	−1	100		5.00	2.00	10-Venosa-Venosa	8-Temples-Koch
Pass			Pass		4.00	3.00	9-Mackey-Kobida	6-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	E	2		110	2.00	5.00	6-Lammers-Barron	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♠	E	2		110	2.00	5.00	7-Elliott-Runda	2-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♠	E	2		110	2.00	5.00	12-Murdock-Oblinger	12-Lipp-Felson
3 ♠	E	3		140	0.00	7.00	8-Torello-Lubow	4-Terbrueggen-Dickman

Not much to this one. N/S lose one Spade, one Heart, one Diamond, and one Club--making three. The ♠ 5 looks like a normal lead.