MON 12/19/2016 at Nite

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> S N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>December 19, 2016  |CLUB NO.>185264    | 12/19/2016 22:20
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>  132.0 |TOP>  11 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Monday Night Bridge
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=14/B=9/C=4                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Debbie Wiest           John Altman Sr           A    1     .     .    174.74  66.19  1.40(A)
 2 Betty Murdock          Erin Oblinger            C    .     .     .    103.79  39.31
 3 Donald Pollack         Bernice Pollack          C    .     .     1    119.40  45.23  0.28(C)
 4 Patricia Burnam        Judy Crotty Hall         C    .     .     .    105.19  39.84
 5 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A    5     .     .    142.94  54.14  0.28(A)
 6 Pam Campbell           Isaac Stephani           A    2     .     .    161.47  61.16  0.98(A)
 7 Patrick Lammers        Judy Barron              B    6     2     .    137.03  51.91  0.50(B)
 8 Robert Roark           Sharon Koster            B    .     3     .    124.99  47.34  0.36(B)
 9 Joyce Tedrick          Linda Pretz              B    .     4     .    120.18  45.52  0.25(B)
10 Richard Magnus         Julian Magnus, Jr        B    .     .     .    105.96  40.14
11 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C    .     .     2    115.78  43.86  0.20(C)
12 Nelson Leist           Herschell Levine         B    4     1     .    150.98  57.19  0.72(B)
13 Michael Purcell        Kimberly King            A    3     .     .    153.45  58.13  0.70(A)


                                          Totals                        1715.90

Thanks to Bob Fisk for his expert analysis.


                                          **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13    14
  /
   1>   1.68              9.32 10.95  4.41  0.05  6.59  3.32  1.68  9.32  6.59  6.59
        -140   ----  ----  100   170  -100  -170    50  -130  -140   100    50    50   ----

   2>   7.68              1.68  7.68  3.32  7.68  4.41  1.68  0.05  7.68  7.68 10.95
          50   ----  ---- -110    50  -100    50   -90  -110  -300    50    50   150   ----

   3>   9.86  2.23              7.68  9.86  9.86    5-  2.23    5-  0.05    5-  2.23
         460   -50   ----  ----  420   460   460   400   -50   400  -100   400   -50   ----

   4>   1.14  1.14              4.95  4.95  1.14 10.95  9.86  4.95  7.68  4.95  8.77
        -200  -200   ----  ---- -100  -100  -200   630   600  -100    90  -100   180   ----

   5>   8.77  2.23  7.14             10.41  4.41  0.05  2.23  2.23    5-  7.14 10.41
         130  -200   110   ----  ----  600  -140  -300  -200  -200    50   110   600   ----

   6>  10.95  4.95  9.86              0.05  7.68  3.32  1.14  4.95  2.23  7.68  7.68
         400  -100   130   ----  ---- -650   -50  -170  -620  -100  -200   -50   -50   ----

   7>   6.59  1.68  6.59  1.68              1.68  6.59 10.95  6.59  6.59  9.86  1.68
         100  -110   100  -110   ----  ---- -110   100   300   100   100   200  -110   ----

   8>  10.95  7.68  1.14  3.86              1.14  7.68  3.86  7.68  1.14  7.68  7.68
         180   120   -50   110   ----  ----  -50   120   110   120   -50   120   120   ----

   9>   6.05  6.05  2.77 10.41 10.41              2.77  0.59  6.05  0.59  8.77  6.05
        -620  -620  -650   200   200   ----  ---- -650  -660  -620  -660   100  -620   ----

  10>   9.86  2.23  1.14    5-    5-                5-  9.86    5-    5-  0.05  9.86
         710   650   600   680   680   ----  ----  680   710   680   680   500   710   ----

  11>   6.59  3.32  3.32  3.32  3.32  9.86              8.23  0.05  8.23 10.95  3.32
         120   -50   -50   -50   -50   150   ----  ----  140  -100   140   420   -50   ----

  12>  10.95  2.23  2.23  0.05  8.23  8.23              8.23  4.41  2.23    5-  8.23
         200   100   100  -800   150   150   ----  ----  150   110   100   140   150   ----

  13>   3.32    5-  8.77 10.95  8.77  0.59  3.32              3.32  6.59  8.77  0.59
        -750  -400  -150   170  -150  -910  -750   ----  ---- -750  -200  -150  -910   ----

  14>   6.59  0.05  2.23  8.77  9.86  4.41 10.95              6.59  6.59  2.23  2.23
         -50  -200  -140    50   110  -100   130   ----  ----  -50   -50  -140  -140   ----

  15>   6.59 10.41  6.59  2.77 10.41  2.77  6.59  1.14              6.59  6.59  0.05
         100   150   100    50   150    50   100  -130   ----  ----  100   100  -200   ----

  16>   2.77  2.77  6.59  9.32  1.14  4.95  4.95  9.32              0.05  7.68 10.95
        -110  -110   -90   100  -140  -100  -100   100   ----  ---- -150    90   110   ----

  17>   9.86  3.32  3.32  0.05  3.32 10.95  8.23  3.32  3.32              6.59  8.23
         180   -50   -50  -150   -50   300   120   -50   -50   ----  ----   90   120   ----

  18>   9.86  6.59  2.77  8.23  2.77 10.95  2.77  2.77  8.23              2.77  2.77
        -230  -430  -450  -420  -450  -200  -450  -450  -420   ----  ---- -450  -450   ----

  19>   6.59  1.14  6.59  1.14  6.59  6.59 10.95  6.59  6.59  1.14              6.59
        -120  -600  -120  -600  -120  -120   -90  -120  -120  -600   ----  ---- -120   ----

  20>     5-    5-    5-    5-    5-  0.59  9.32 10.95  0.59  9.32              2.23
          90    90    90    90    90  -200   100   110  -200   100   ----  ---- -100   ----

  21>   7.68  7.68 10.95  0.59  3.32  9.86    5-  7.68  3.32  0.59  3.32
        -140  -140   100  -450  -420    50  -170  -140  -420  -450  -420   ----  ----  ----

  22>  10.41  6.59  6.59  1.14  3.32 10.41  6.59  0.05  6.59  2.23  6.59
         420   400   400   -50   170   420   400  -100   400   130   400   ----  ----  ----

  23>     5-    5-     -   10      -   11     5-    9     2     5-    5-    5-
         200   200  -200   400  -200   500   200   300  -100   200   200   200   ----  ----

  24>     9     9     5     1     5     9     3     0     5     2     9     9
         450   450   420  -100   420   450    50  -450   420   -50   450   450   ----  ----

  25>           5     1     5     5     9-    5     5     0     9-    5     5    11
         -----1390 -1430 -1390 -1390  -640 -1390 -1390 -1460  -640 -1390 -1390  -500   ----

  26>           1    10     1     5    10     7     7     7     3-    1     3-   10
         ---- -100   630  -100   150   630   600   600   600   130  -100   130   630   ----

  27>               3.86  3.86  3.86  3.86  8.77  3.86 10.41  7.68  3.86  0.05 10.41
         ----  ---- -420  -420  -420  -420  -140  -420    50  -400  -420  -480    50   ----

  28>               4.95  0.05  9.86  4.95  4.95  4.95  4.95  4.95  4.95 10.95  4.95
         ----  ---- -450  -690    50  -450  -450  -450  -450  -450  -450   100  -450   ----



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> S E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>December 19, 2016  |CLUB NO.>185264    | 12/19/2016 22:20
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>  132.0 |TOP>  11 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Monday Night Bridge
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=14/B=10/C=7                     ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Lewis Temples          Richard Koch             C    .     .     .    125.56  47.56
 2 Stephen Felson         Robert Brown             A    1     .     .    170.42  64.55  1.40(A)
 3 Evelyn McCarthy        Joan Diers               C    .     .     .     97.95  37.10
 4 Tom Kereiakes          Annette Kereiakes        C    3     2     2    137.87  52.22  0.70(A)
 5 Carol Scovic           Joy Singerman            C    2     1     1    151.58  57.42  0.98(A)
 6 Joseph Kammer          Gail Zimmer              B    .     .     .    102.48  38.82
 7 Steve Messinger        Pam Heckel               C    .     4     .    134.96  51.12  0.28(B)
 8 Jane Duncan            Dennis Schultz           A    4     .     .    137.13  51.94  0.49(A)
 9 Kevin Henry            Reeta Brendamour         C    5     3     3    136.28  51.62  0.40(B)
10 Nalin Mehta            Arun Gupta               A    6     .     .    135.82  51.45  0.23(A)
11 Daniel Koppenhafer     Pamela Kennedy           B    .     .     .    133.59  50.60
12 Jan Thurnau            Bob Olexsey              C    .     .     .    129.02  48.87
13 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Martin Gibler            B    .     .     .    121.09  45.87
14 June Cushman           Martin Petersen          A    .     .     .    134.67  51.01

                                          Totals                        1848.42

Thanks to Bob Fisk for his expert analysis.


                                          **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13    14
  /
   1>   9.32        7.68        9.32  1.68  1.68  0.05  4.41  6.59  4.41 10.95        4.41
         140   ----  130   ----  140  -100  -100  -170   -50   100   -50   170   ----  -50

   2>   3.32        9.32       10.95  9.32  3.32  3.32  3.32  7.68  0.05  3.32        6.59
         -50   ----  110   ----  300   110   -50   -50   -50   100  -150   -50   ----   90

   3>   8.77  8.77          5-       10.95  3.32    5-  1.14  8.77  1.14          5-  1.14
          50    50   ---- -400   ----  100  -420  -400  -460    50  -460   ---- -400  -460

   4>   1.14  9.86        6.05        3.32  6.05  6.05  6.05  2.23  9.86        0.05  9.86
        -600   200   ----  100   ----  -90   100   100   100  -180   200   ---- -630   200

   5>   8.77  8.77  3.86          5-        3.86  0.59  0.59  6.59       10.95  2.23  8.77
         200   200  -110   ----  -50   ---- -110  -600  -600   140   ----  300  -130   200

   6>   6.05  6.05  1.14        8.77        3.32 10.95  3.32  3.32        7.68  0.05  9.86
         100   100  -130   ----  200   ----   50   650    50    50   ----  170  -400   620

   7>   4.41  4.41  4.41  9.32        1.14        9.32  9.32        4.41  4.41  0.05  9.32
        -100  -100  -100   110   ---- -200   ----  110   110   ---- -100  -100  -300   110

   8>   3.32  9.86  9.86  7.14        3.32        3.32  9.86        3.32  0.05  7.14  3.32
        -120    50    50  -110   ---- -120   ---- -120    50   ---- -120  -180  -110  -120

   9>   8.23 10.41  0.59  2.23  0.59        4.95              8.23  4.95 10.41  4.95  4.95
         650   660  -200  -100  -200   ----  620   ----  ----  650   620   660   620   620

  10>   9.86    5-    5- 10.95    5-        1.14                5-  1.14  1.14  8.77    5-
        -600  -680  -680  -500  -680   ---- -710   ----  ---- -680  -710  -710  -650  -680

  11>   2.77  7.68  0.05  7.68  7.68  1.14                    4.41  2.77  7.68 10.95  7.68
        -140    50  -420    50    50  -150   ----  ----  ---- -120  -140    50   100    50

  12>   8.77 10.95    5-  2.77  2.77  2.77                    0.05  2.77  8.77  6.59  8.77
        -100   800  -140  -150  -150  -150   ----  ----  ---- -200  -150  -100  -110  -100

  13>   0.05  2.23  2.23 10.41 10.41        7.68        7.68          5-  7.68  2.23  4.41
        -170   150   150   910   910   ----  750   ----  750   ----  400   750   150   200

  14>   2.23  8.77  1.14  8.77  6.59        0.05        4.41       10.95  4.41  8.77  4.41
         -50   140  -110   140   100   ---- -130   ----   50   ----  200    50   140    50

  15>   4.41  0.59 10.95  8.23        4.41  4.41  9.86        0.59        4.41  4.41  8.23
        -100  -150   200   -50   ---- -100  -100   130   ---- -150   ---- -100  -100   -50

  16>   3.32  9.86  0.05  6.05        6.05  8.23  1.68        8.23        4.41 10.95  1.68
         -90   140  -110   100   ----  100   110  -100   ----  110   ----   90   150  -100

  17>   7.68  2.77  0.05        2.77  1.14  7.68  7.68  7.68        7.68       10.95  4.41
          50  -120  -300   ---- -120  -180    50    50    50   ----   50   ----  150   -90

  18>   8.23  8.23  0.05        8.23  1.14  8.23  4.41  2.77        8.23        2.77  8.23
         450   450   200   ----  450   230   450   430   420   ----  450   ----  420   450

  19>   4.41  4.41        0.05  4.41  4.41  9.86  4.41  4.41  9.86        9.86        4.41
         120   120   ----   90   120   120   600   120   120   600   ----  600   ----  120

  20>   8.77 10.41        1.68    5-  0.05    5- 10.41    5-  1.68          5-          5-
         100   200   ---- -100   -90  -110   -90   200   -90  -100   ----  -90   ----  -90

  21>   1.14          5-  3.32  3.32  3.32  7.68  0.05 10.41 10.41  7.68        7.68
         -50   ----  170   140   140   140   420  -100   450   450   420   ----  420   ----

  22>   0.59        4.41  0.59 10.95  4.41  4.41  4.41  8.77  9.86  4.41        7.68
        -420   ---- -400  -420   100  -400  -400  -400  -130    50  -400   ---- -170   ----

  23>           5-    5-    2     5-    9    10-    5-    1     5-   10-    5-          0
         ---- -200  -200  -300  -200   100   200  -200  -400  -200   200  -200   ---- -500

  24>           8     2    11     2     6     6     9    10     2     6     2           2
         ----  -50  -450   450  -450  -420  -420    50   100  -450  -420  -450   ---- -450

  25>     6           6     6    11    10     1-    6     6     6     6     1-    0
        1390   ---- 1390  1390  1460  1430   640  1390  1390  1390  1390   640   500   ----

  26>     4           4    10     4     1     7-   10    10     6     7-    1     1
        -600   ---- -600   100  -600  -630  -130   100   100  -150  -130  -630  -630   ----

  27>         7.14        0.59  7.14  3.32  7.14  7.14  7.14 10.95  7.14  0.59  2.23
         ----  420   ----  -50   420   400   420   420   420   480   420   -50   140   ----

  28>         6.05        6.05  6.05  6.05 10.95  6.05  1.14  0.05  6.05  6.05  6.05
         ----  450   ----  450   450   450   690   450   -50  -100   450   450   450   ----
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, December 19, 2016

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	K
♥	K 10 7 5 4
♦	J 10 6
♣	A 9 5 2

♠	A J 10 7 5 4 2
♥	6 2
♦	K Q 9
♣	Q

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 3
♥	J 9
♦	5 4
♣	K J 10 8 7 4 3

♠	9 8 6
♥	A Q 8 3
♦	A 8 7 3 2
♣	6

NS 4♥; NS 4♦; EW 2♠; EW 2♣; Par +300: EW 4♠×−2

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

Rule of 20 opener
Weak jump overcall

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	N	4	170		10.95	0.05	5-Lin-Hubka	8-Duncan-Schultz
4 ♠	W	−2	100		9.32	1.68	4-Burnam-Hall	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	W	−2	100		9.32	1.68	11-Elliott-Runda	7-Messinger-Heckel
3 ♣	E	−1	50		6.59	4.41	8-Roark-Koster	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	W	−1	50		6.59	4.41	12-Leist-Levine	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 ♠	W	−1	50		6.59	4.41	13-Purcell-King	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
5 ♥	N	−2		100	4.41	6.59	6-Campbell-Stephani	10-Mehta-Gupta
3 ♣	E	4		130	3.32	7.68	9-Tedrick-Pretz	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	W	3		140	1.68	9.32	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	1-Temples-Koch
3 ♠	W	3		140	1.68	9.32	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	5-Scovic-Singerman
3 ♠	W	4		170	0.05	10.95	7-Lammers-Barron	12-Thurnau-Olexsey

West would have gotten a Spade bid in on a quieter auction, but once partner preempts in Clubs, their interest wanes. N/S lose one Spade and two Diamonds, making four. If West does bid 4 ♠, they'll be doubled and will have to find the ♠ K to go down only two--not an easy task. West will most likely lead their singleton ♣ Q on opening lead.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	10 8 6 2
♥	10 4
♦	A 7 4 2
♣	Q 7 6

♠	A Q 9 7 5
♥	A K Q 6 5
♦	10 8
♣	4

N
W		E
S

♠	J
♥	9 8
♦	Q J 9 6
♣	J 10 9 5 3 2

♠	K 4 3
♥	J 7 3 2
♦	K 5 3
♣	A K 8

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

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

Michaels bid showing both majors
One more bid to show the big hand

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣	E	−3	150		10.95	0.05	13-Purcell-King	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
2 ♣	W	−1	50		7.68	3.32	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	1-Temples-Koch
3 ♥	W	−1	50		7.68	3.32	5-Lin-Hubka	8-Duncan-Schultz
4 ♥	W	−1	50		7.68	3.32	7-Lammers-Barron	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
2 ♥	W	−1	50		7.68	3.32	11-Elliott-Runda	7-Messinger-Heckel
3 NT	W	−1	50		7.68	3.32	12-Leist-Levine	9-Henry-Brendamour
2 ♦	E	2		90	4.41	6.59	8-Roark-Koster	14-Cushman-Petersen
2 NT	S	−1		100	3.32	7.68	6-Campbell-Stephani	10-Mehta-Gupta
1 ♠	W	2		110	1.68	9.32	4-Burnam-Hall	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♥	W	2		110	1.68	9.32	9-Tedrick-Pretz	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	N	−3		300	0.05	10.95	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	5-Scovic-Singerman

When you make a Michaels two-suited bid, be sure to do it with either a minimum (11 HCP or less) or maximum (15+ HCP, five or fewer losers, or equivalent playing strength). When you make a Michaels bid with an intermediate hand (11+ to 14 HCP), you'll never know whether or not to take another call. With the weakish hand, you never bid again. With the strong hand, you always take another bid.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, two Diamonds, and a Club, down one. Unfortunate, since N/S can't make much of anything. Oh well, that's Bridge. South will probably lead the ♣ A on opening lead, although a trump is better.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	9 8 5
♥	K J 9 8 2
♦	10 7 2
♣	J 8

♠	A 10 7 6 4
♥	A 6 4
♦	6 3
♣	9 6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 2
♥	10 7 5 3
♦	8 5
♣	10 7 4 3

♠	K 3
♥	Q
♦	A K Q J 9 4
♣	A K Q 5

S 5N; S 4♥; S 5♦; S 5♣; N 4♦; S 2♠; N 2♥; N 3♣; N 1N; N 1♠; Par +460

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

Showing an A, K, or QQ

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	5	460		9.86	1.14	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	14-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	S	5	460		9.86	1.14	6-Campbell-Stephani	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 NT	S	5	460		9.86	1.14	7-Lammers-Barron	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
5 ♦	S	6	420		7.68	3.32	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Messinger-Heckel
5 ♦	N	5	400		5.50	5.50	8-Roark-Koster	13-Vanstone-Gibler
5 ♦	S	5	400		5.50	5.50	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♦	S	5	400		5.50	5.50	12-Leist-Levine	8-Duncan-Schultz
6 ♦	S	−1		50	2.23	8.77	2-Murdock-Oblinger	2-Felson-Brown
5 ♦	N	−1		50	2.23	8.77	9-Tedrick-Pretz	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♦	N	−1		50	2.23	8.77	13-Purcell-King	10-Mehta-Gupta
4 ♥	N	−2		100	0.05	10.95	11-Elliott-Runda	6-Kammer-Zimmer

Once North shows their Hearts, South is more than willing to play in 3 NT with their 9+ quick tricks. If West leads a Spade--likely on the auction--N/S will take 11 tricks. Same thing on a Heart lead. On a minor-suit lead, South will have to put the ♥ Q on the table at trick two, and hope that West has the ♥ A. That's the sort of decision you need to make in Matchpoints--should I risk my contract for an overtrick? More often than not, the answer is yes!

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A Q 8 2
♥	9 4
♦	K Q 7 3
♣	A 7 4

♠	6 4
♥	J 7
♦	J 10 8 6 5
♣	Q 8 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 10 9
♥	A 6 3 2
♦	4 2
♣	K 10 6

♠	7 5 3
♥	K Q 10 8 5
♦	A 9
♣	J 9 2

NS 4♥; NS 3N; N 3♠; S 2♠; NS 1♦; NS 1♣; Par +620

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 NT1	Pass	2 ♦2
Pass	2 ♥	Pass	3 NT3
Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Transfer
Showing game-going values and exactly five Hearts

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	4	630		10.95	0.05	8-Roark-Koster	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	N	3	600		9.86	1.14	9-Tedrick-Pretz	1-Temples-Koch
2 NT	N	4	180		8.77	2.23	13-Purcell-King	10-Mehta-Gupta
1 NT	N	1	90		7.68	3.32	11-Elliott-Runda	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	N	−1		100	4.95	6.05	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Messinger-Heckel
3 NT	N	−1		100	4.95	6.05	6-Campbell-Stephani	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 ♥	N	−1		100	4.95	6.05	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♥	N	−1		100	4.95	6.05	12-Leist-Levine	8-Duncan-Schultz
3 NT	N	−2		200	1.14	9.86	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	14-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	N	−2		200	1.14	9.86	2-Murdock-Oblinger	2-Felson-Brown
3 NT	N	−2		200	1.14	9.86	7-Lammers-Barron	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy

N/S will play this one in 3 NT, even though 4 ♥ scores better. If you're in 3 NT, don't let that fact gnaw at you--your contract is correct. N/S take three Diamond tricks, four Hearts, one Club, and one Spade, making three. The proper way to play the Heart suit is to lead twice from dummy towards the ♥ KQ. When the ♥ J falls doubleton, the ♥T8 will provide two additional tricks. West may lead the ♠ 6 on the auction--their short major.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q
♥	Q J 5 2
♦	A 7 5 2
♣	8 6 5 4

♠	K 6 5 4 3 2
♥	9 6 3
♦	10
♣	Q 10 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 9 8 7
♥	K 10 8 4
♦	J 8 4 3
♣	7

♠	J 10
♥	A 7
♦	K Q 9 6
♣	A K J 9 2

NS 5♣; E 3♠; NS 4♦; NS 2N; W 2♠; NS 1♥; Par +300: E 5♠×−2

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 ♣
2 ♠	Dbl1	4 ♠	4 NT2
Pass	5 ♣	5 ♠	Dbl
Pass	Pass	Pass

Negative
Pick a minor

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣	S	5	600		10.41	0.59	6-Campbell-Stephani	8-Duncan-Schultz
5 ♦	S	5	600		10.41	0.59	13-Purcell-King	9-Henry-Brendamour
2 ♦	S	4	130		8.77	2.23	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♦	S	3	110		7.14	3.86	3-Pollack-Pollack	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♦	S	3	110		7.14	3.86	12-Leist-Levine	7-Messinger-Heckel
3 ♠	W	−1	50		5.50	5.50	11-Elliott-Runda	5-Scovic-Singerman
3 ♠	W	3		140	4.41	6.59	7-Lammers-Barron	10-Mehta-Gupta
3 NT	S	−2		200	2.23	8.77	2-Murdock-Oblinger	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♦	S	−2		200	2.23	8.77	9-Tedrick-Pretz	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♦	S	−2		200	2.23	8.77	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	2-Felson-Brown
3 NT	S	−3		300	0.05	10.95	8-Roark-Koster	12-Thurnau-Olexsey

Note South's call over East's 4 ♠ bid. 4 NT here certainly can't be to play much less RKC Blackwood for Hearts. It's "Hey partner, I think we can make 5♣ or 5♦. Which do you think will play better?" East, with favorable vulnerability, is having none of that and bids the easy 5 ♠. South doubles, and that ends the auction.

On perfect defense, E/W will lose two Heart tricks, one Diamond, a Diamond ruff, and a Club for down three. Still better than 5 ♣ making for N/S for –600. Anytime you have a good fit with partner and you're not vulnerable vs. vulnerable, think twice before you let your opponents play in game. North needs to lead the ♥ Q on opening lead.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	8 6
♥	Q
♦	10 9 7 6 4 3 2
♣	Q 8 4

♠	K J 7 5 4
♥	A J 9 7 4
♦	—
♣	K 7 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 2
♥	10 8 5 2
♦	8 5
♣	A J 10 6 5

♠	A 10 9 3
♥	K 6 3
♦	A K Q J
♣	9 3

EW 5♥; EW 4♣; EW 2♠; NS 3♦; EW 1N; Par −500: NS 6♦×−3

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 NT1
2 ♥2	2 NT3	3 ♥	Pass
4 ♥	5 ♦	Pass	Pass
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, both majors
Alert, relay to 3 ♣ (Lebensohl)

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	3	400		10.95	0.05	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	13-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♦	N	4	130		9.86	1.14	3-Pollack-Pollack	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	S	−1		50	7.68	3.32	7-Lammers-Barron	10-Mehta-Gupta
5 ♦	N	−1		50	7.68	3.32	12-Leist-Levine	7-Messinger-Heckel
5 ♦	S	−1		50	7.68	3.32	13-Purcell-King	9-Henry-Brendamour
5 ♦	S	−2		100	4.95	6.05	2-Murdock-Oblinger	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♦×	S	−1		100	4.95	6.05	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	2-Felson-Brown
3 ♥	W	4		170	3.32	7.68	8-Roark-Koster	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
2 ♥	E	5		200	2.23	8.77	11-Elliott-Runda	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♥	W	4		620	1.14	9.86	9-Tedrick-Pretz	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	W	5		650	0.05	10.95	6-Campbell-Stephani	8-Duncan-Schultz

Fun auction! There's no way that North is going to let E/W play the hand in Hearts at this vulnerability. After an unsuccessful attempt to play in 3 ♦, North happily bids 5 ♦ over 4 ♥.

N/S lose one Spade, one Heart, and two Clubs, down two doubled for –300. West should probably bid 5 ♥ on the vulnerability, but that's not obvious. E/W will need to establish their Spade trick before the ♥ A is knocked out or the contract will be down only one. West can lead either black suit on opening lead--just not a Heart.

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 8 7 6
♥	A 10 5
♦	10 9 6 2
♣	8 2

♠	K
♥	K Q 9 8 6 3
♦	8 5 4
♣	K Q 6

N
W		E
S

♠	J 10 5 3
♥	7
♦	K Q J 3
♣	J 9 5 4

♠	Q 9 4 2
♥	J 4 2
♦	A 7
♣	A 10 7 3

NS 2♠; NS 1N; Par +110

West	North	East	South
			Pass
1 ♥	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
2 ♥	Pass	Pass	Dbl
Pass	Pass	Pass

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	E	−3	300		10.95	0.05	9-Tedrick-Pretz	13-Vanstone-Gibler
2 ♥	W	−2	200		9.86	1.14	12-Leist-Levine	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 NT	E	−1	100		6.59	4.41	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
2 ♥	W	−1	100		6.59	4.41	3-Pollack-Pollack	2-Felson-Brown
2 ♥	W	−1	100		6.59	4.41	8-Roark-Koster	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
3 NT	E	−1	100		6.59	4.41	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	E	−1	100		6.59	4.41	11-Elliott-Runda	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♥	W	2		110	1.68	9.32	2-Murdock-Oblinger	14-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥	W	2		110	1.68	9.32	4-Burnam-Hall	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♥	W	2		110	1.68	9.32	7-Lammers-Barron	9-Henry-Brendamour
2 ♥	W	2		110	1.68	9.32	13-Purcell-King	8-Duncan-Schultz

South will borrow a King from partner and make a balancing double. North, with nowhere in particular to run, passes. Opening lead should be the ♦T. Declarer covers with dummy's ♦ J, South wins the ♦ A, and switches to a small Club. Declarer wins in hand and leads the ♠ K. North should grab the ♠ A and continue with another Diamond. Declarer wins in dummy and will likely lead the ♥ 7. North overtakes the ♥ Q with the ♥ A and plays a Diamond for partner to ruff with the ♥ 4. Now the ♣ A followed by a Club ruff with North's ♥ 5, and the last Diamond, ruffed with South's ♥ J. Declarer can overruff, but that will promote North's ♥T. Down two, doubled for –500. Ugh.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	A K Q 6
♥	10 7
♦	J 10 8 5
♣	K Q 10

♠	10 8 5 3 2
♥	6 4 3
♦	K 9
♣	9 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	J
♥	A Q 9
♦	A Q 7 4 2
♣	J 8 7 6

♠	9 7 4
♥	K J 8 5 2
♦	6 3
♣	A 4 2

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 NT1	Pass	2 ♦2
Pass	2 ♥	Pass	2 NT3
Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Transfer
Showing an invitational hand with exactly five Hearts

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	N	4	180		10.95	0.05	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
2 NT	N	2	120		7.68	3.32	2-Murdock-Oblinger	14-Cushman-Petersen
2 NT	N	2	120		7.68	3.32	8-Roark-Koster	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
2 NT	N	2	120		7.68	3.32	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Temples-Koch
2 NT	N	2	120		7.68	3.32	12-Leist-Levine	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 NT	N	2	120		7.68	3.32	13-Purcell-King	8-Duncan-Schultz
2 ♥	N	2	110		3.86	7.14	4-Burnam-Hall	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠	N	2	110		3.86	7.14	9-Tedrick-Pretz	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	N	−1		50	1.14	9.86	3-Pollack-Pollack	2-Felson-Brown
3 NT	N	−1		50	1.14	9.86	7-Lammers-Barron	9-Henry-Brendamour
3 ♠	N	−1		50	1.14	9.86	11-Elliott-Runda	3-McCarthy-Diers

East will lead a small Diamond on opening lead, and E/W will take four Diamond tricks and the ♥ A. 3 ♥ plays better, but again, why should N/S be in 3 ♥? If East is one of those players unable to pass when they're looking at a halfway decent suit, then N/S will play in Hearts. Take that stupid East.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 2
♥	Q 8 6
♦	K 8 5 4 2
♣	K J 9

♠	10
♥	A J 9 7
♦	A 10 9
♣	A Q 6 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 8 7 5 4 3
♥	K 2
♦	Q
♣	10 7 2

♠	J 9 6
♥	10 5 4 3
♦	J 7 6 3
♣	8 4

EW 5N; EW 5♠; EW 5♣; EW 3♥; W 2♦; E 1♦; Par −660

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

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	E	−2	200		10.41	0.59	4-Burnam-Hall	3-McCarthy-Diers
6 ♠	E	−2	200		10.41	0.59	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Scovic-Singerman
3 NT	W	−1	100		8.77	2.23	12-Leist-Levine	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠	E	4		620	6.05	4.95	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
4 ♠	E	4		620	6.05	4.95	2-Murdock-Oblinger	13-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♠	E	4		620	6.05	4.95	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	E	4		620	6.05	4.95	13-Purcell-King	7-Messinger-Heckel
4 ♠	E	5		650	2.77	8.23	3-Pollack-Pollack	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	E	5		650	2.77	8.23	8-Roark-Koster	10-Mehta-Gupta
3 NT	W	5		660	0.59	10.41	9-Tedrick-Pretz	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
3 NT	W	5		660	0.59	10.41	11-Elliott-Runda	2-Felson-Brown

No reason for West to back down from East's bullying Spade bids. With no shortness, E/W will take the same number of tricks in notrump as they will in Spades. E/W take six Spade tricks, two Hearts, two Diamonds, and a Club, making five. There's nothing that North can put on the table on opening lead that doesn't brighten West's day. A Spade? Fine. A Heart? Thanks for the extra trick. A small Diamond? See Heart lead. A Club? Ditto. A Spade and the ♦ K are the two least problematic leads, but both of those look impossible to find.

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q 7
♥	A Q J 6 4 2
♦	10 7
♣	K 10 2

♠	K 10 8 3 2
♥	K 5
♦	9 4
♣	9 8 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 9 6 5
♥	7
♦	8 5 2
♣	Q J 7 5

♠	4
♥	10 9 8 3
♦	A K Q J 6 3
♣	A 4

NS 6♥; NS 6♦; NS 2N; EW 1♠; Par +1400: EW 6♠×−5

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♦
Pass	1 ♥	Dbl1	3 ♥2
3 ♠	4 ♠3	Pass	5 ♥4
Pass	Pass	Pass

A double by a passed hand (playing Sandwich NT) should show an emphasis for the higher-ranking unbid suit (Spades in this case)
Jump support to show a 5-loser hand
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards w/o the ♥ Q

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	N	7	710		9.86	1.14	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
5 ♥	N	7	710		9.86	1.14	9-Tedrick-Pretz	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
4 ♥	N	7	710		9.86	1.14	13-Purcell-King	7-Messinger-Heckel
4 ♥	N	6	680		5.50	5.50	4-Burnam-Hall	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	S	6	680		5.50	5.50	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♥	N	6	680		5.50	5.50	8-Roark-Koster	10-Mehta-Gupta
4 ♥	N	6	680		5.50	5.50	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	N	6	680		5.50	5.50	11-Elliott-Runda	2-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	N	5	650		2.23	8.77	2-Murdock-Oblinger	13-Vanstone-Gibler
5 ♦	S	5	600		1.14	9.86	3-Pollack-Pollack	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♠×	E	−2	500		0.05	10.95	12-Leist-Levine	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

North doesn't want to play in 6 ♥ missing the ♥ Q and a keycard. The ♥ K is in the slot though, and 6 ♥ rolls. N/S lose only one Spade trick. East may lead the ♠ A, and the hand is quickly over.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	A K 9 6 5 3
♥	J 10 7
♦	10 5 3 2
♣	—

♠	J 10 7 2
♥	A 3 2
♦	Q 9 7 6
♣	10 2

N
W		E
S

♠	8 4
♥	K 8 5
♦	A K
♣	8 7 6 5 4 3

♠	Q
♥	Q 9 6 4
♦	J 8 4
♣	A K Q J 9

NS 2N; NS 2♥; NS 2♦; NS 1♣; Par +120

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣
Pass	1 ♠	Pass	2 ♣1
Pass	2 ♠	Pass	2 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

What else?

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	4	420		10.95	0.05	12-Leist-Levine	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	S	3	150		9.86	1.14	6-Campbell-Stephani	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	N	3	140		8.23	2.77	9-Tedrick-Pretz	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
3 ♠	N	3	140		8.23	2.77	11-Elliott-Runda	1-Temples-Koch
2 NT	S	2	120		6.59	4.41	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	10-Mehta-Gupta
3 NT	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	2-Murdock-Oblinger	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
4 ♥	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	3-Pollack-Pollack	14-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	4-Burnam-Hall	2-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♥	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	13-Purcell-King	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♠	N	−2		100	0.05	10.95	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	13-Vanstone-Gibler

South can't bid 1 NT over North's 1 ♠ bid--that would guarantee no singleton or void. They can't rebid 2 ♥--that's a reverse showing a 5-loser hand. 2 ♣ is the easy bid. When North bids 2 ♠, South has enough stuff to make another try with 2 NT, and North passes. N/S take five Club tricks, two Spades, and one Heart--after E/W take their five tricks (three Diamonds and two Hearts). Oh well. West may lead the ♦ 6 on opening lead.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A Q 10 8 3 2
♥	2
♦	K 8 7 3
♣	10 2

♠	J 6 4
♥	10 8 6
♦	Q J 9
♣	Q 9 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K 9 7
♥	K Q 9 7
♦	6
♣	A J 8 7 6

♠	5
♥	A J 5 4 3
♦	A 10 5 4 2
♣	K 4

NS 4♠; NS 5♦; NS 2N; NS 2♥; Par +620

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass1	1 ♣	2 NT2
Pass	3 ♠3	Pass	Pass
Pass

Too strong for a weak-two opener
Alert, artificial showing Diamonds and an unknown major
Wants to play in Spades regardless of South's hand

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♣	E	−4	200		10.95	0.05	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	10-Mehta-Gupta
3 ♣	W	−3	150		8.23	2.77	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♣	E	−3	150		8.23	2.77	6-Campbell-Stephani	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♣	E	−3	150		8.23	2.77	9-Tedrick-Pretz	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
4 ♦	S	5	150		8.23	2.77	13-Purcell-King	5-Scovic-Singerman
3 ♠	N	3	140		5.50	5.50	12-Leist-Levine	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	N	2	110		4.41	6.59	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♣	E	−2	100		2.23	8.77	2-Murdock-Oblinger	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
4 ♣	E	−2	100		2.23	8.77	3-Pollack-Pollack	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♣×	E	−1	100		2.23	8.77	11-Elliott-Runda	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♠×	N	−3		800	0.05	10.95	4-Burnam-Hall	2-Felson-Brown

While North might be tempted to bid Diamonds over South's Unmichaels cuebid, their Spades are simply too good, and 3 ♠ pays more (it's Matchpoints--don't forget). N/S lose one Spade (assuming they play low to the ♠T), one Diamond, and a Club, making four. It's somewhere around a 25% game, so N/S shouldn't be in it. In 5 ♦, declarer will have even worse odds, since they'll need a 3-3 Spade break and the ♣ A onside (18%). East will probably lead the ♥ K on opening lead.

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	A J 10 7 4
♥	K 10 8
♦	9
♣	Q J 9 4

♠	K 6 5 3
♥	Q 7 5 2
♦	K J 7 6
♣	6

N
W		E
S

♠	9
♥	A J
♦	A Q 10 8 5 3 2
♣	10 8 2

♠	Q 8 2
♥	9 6 4 3
♦	4
♣	A K 7 5 3

N 4♠; EW 5♦; S 3♠; N 4♣; NS 2♥; S 3♣; Par −200: N 5♠×−1

West	North	East	South
	1 ♠1	2 ♦	Dbl2
2 ♠3	Pass4	3 ♦	4 ♠
Pass	Pass	5 ♦	Pass
Pass	5 ♠	Pass	Pass
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 opener
Negative, will show Spade fit with next bid
Cuebid to show a limit+ raise in Diamonds
Showing a minimum

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	N	4	170		10.95	0.05	4-Burnam-Hall	1-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	E	5		150	8.77	2.23	3-Pollack-Pollack	13-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♦	E	5		150	8.77	2.23	5-Lin-Hubka	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♦	E	5		150	8.77	2.23	12-Leist-Levine	2-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	N	−2		200	6.59	4.41	11-Elliott-Runda	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	N	−4		400	5.50	5.50	2-Murdock-Oblinger	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
5 ♦×	E	5		750	3.32	7.68	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	9-Henry-Brendamour
5 ♦×	E	5		750	3.32	7.68	7-Lammers-Barron	7-Messinger-Heckel
5 ♦×	E	5		750	3.32	7.68	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
4 ♦×	E	5		910	0.59	10.41	6-Campbell-Stephani	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♦×	E	5		910	0.59	10.41	13-Purcell-King	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

North has no desire to defend 5 ♦, so they scrape out a last minute 5 ♠ sacrifice. It turns out to be the right decision, with 5 ♠ going down only one doubled for –200. N/S lose two Heart tricks and one Diamond. East will probably lead the ♦ A on opening lead and switch to a trump at trick two. While declarer can get one Heart pitch on dummy's fifth Club, their Heart losers aren't going anywhere.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	J 7
♥	10 6 5
♦	A J 6 4
♣	A J 10 9

♠	K 9 8 6
♥	K 9 8 7 3
♦	7 3
♣	6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 10 5 4
♥	A Q J
♦	8 5 2
♣	4 2

♠	3 2
♥	4 2
♦	K Q 10 9
♣	K Q 8 7 5

EW 3♠; EW 3♥; NS 3♦; NS 3♣; Par −100: NS 4♣×−1; NS 4♦×−1

West	North	East	South
		1 ♠	Pass
3 ♠1	Dbl	Pass	4 ♣
Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, showing 0 to 6 HCP and 4-card Spade support

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	4	130		10.95	0.05	7-Lammers-Barron	7-Messinger-Heckel
3 ♣	S	3	110		9.86	1.14	5-Lin-Hubka	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	E	−1	50		8.77	2.23	4-Burnam-Hall	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♣	S	−1		50	6.59	4.41	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 ♣	S	−1		50	6.59	4.41	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
4 ♣	S	−1		50	6.59	4.41	11-Elliott-Runda	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♣	S	−2		100	4.41	6.59	6-Campbell-Stephani	5-Scovic-Singerman
3 ♠	E	3		140	2.23	8.77	3-Pollack-Pollack	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♠	E	3		140	2.23	8.77	12-Leist-Levine	2-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	E	3		140	2.23	8.77	13-Purcell-King	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠	E	5		200	0.05	10.95	2-Murdock-Oblinger	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy

North makes a DSS double (do-something-smart), and South bids their best suit. N/S lose two Spades and two Hearts, down one. E/W would have lost two Diamonds and two Clubs, making three, so the sacrifice in 4 ♣ works out. West will lead the ♠ 6 on opening lead.

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 10 9 5
♥	K 7 6 5
♦	J 2
♣	9 6 3

♠	8 3
♥	Q 3 2
♦	10 8 7 5 3
♣	10 7 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 7 2
♥	A 10 9 4
♦	A K 6
♣	K 4

♠	J 6 4
♥	J 8
♦	Q 9 4
♣	A Q J 8 5

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

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

Preemptive jump raise in competition

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−3	150		10.41	0.59	2-Murdock-Oblinger	10-Mehta-Gupta
1 NT	S	3	150		10.41	0.59	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Felson-Brown
2 NT	E	−2	100		6.59	4.41	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	7-Messinger-Heckel
2 NT	E	−2	100		6.59	4.41	3-Pollack-Pollack	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
2 NT	E	−2	100		6.59	4.41	7-Lammers-Barron	6-Kammer-Zimmer
5 ♦	E	−2	100		6.59	4.41	11-Elliott-Runda	13-Vanstone-Gibler
2 NT	E	−2	100		6.59	4.41	12-Leist-Levine	1-Temples-Koch
2 NT	E	−1	50		2.77	8.23	4-Burnam-Hall	14-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♦	W	−1	50		2.77	8.23	6-Campbell-Stephani	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦	E	4		130	1.14	9.86	8-Roark-Koster	8-Duncan-Schultz
3 ♣	S	−2		200	0.05	10.95	13-Purcell-King	3-McCarthy-Diers

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, one Diamond, and two Clubs, down one. If South leads the ♥ J on opening lead, E/W's Heart loser will go away. Oops. A Spade lead won't hurt.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	3 2
♥	Q J 9 3
♦	K 8 6
♣	J 9 7 4

♠	K J 9 8 5
♥	7 6 5
♦	Q 10 4
♣	K 2

N
W		E
S

♠	7 4
♥	A K 4
♦	J 9 5
♣	A 10 8 6 3

♠	A Q 10 6
♥	10 8 2
♦	A 7 3 2
♣	Q 5

EW 2♠; EW 1N; EW 2♣; EW 1♥; EW 1♦; Par −110

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

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	N	2	110		10.95	0.05	13-Purcell-King	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♣	E	−1	100		9.32	1.68	4-Burnam-Hall	14-Cushman-Petersen
1 NT	E	−1	100		9.32	1.68	8-Roark-Koster	8-Duncan-Schultz
1 NT	N	1	90		7.68	3.32	12-Leist-Levine	1-Temples-Koch
2 ♣	E	2		90	6.59	4.41	3-Pollack-Pollack	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
1 ♠	S	−2		100	4.95	6.05	6-Campbell-Stephani	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦	S	−2		100	4.95	6.05	7-Lammers-Barron	6-Kammer-Zimmer
1 ♠	W	2		110	2.77	8.23	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	7-Messinger-Heckel
2 ♠	W	2		110	2.77	8.23	2-Murdock-Oblinger	10-Mehta-Gupta
2 ♠	W	3		140	1.14	9.86	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Felson-Brown
2 ♥	N	−3		150	0.05	10.95	11-Elliott-Runda	13-Vanstone-Gibler

Remember, if partner opens 1 ♣ or 1 ♦ and rebids 1 NT (12-14) over your major-suit response, place the contract in two of your major if you have a sub-invitational hand and a 5+ card suit.

E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and two Diamonds, making two. That's assuming that declarer plays the Spade suit correctly (run the ♠ 7). North may lead the ♥ Q on opening lead.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	K 7
♥	K 7 5 2
♦	10 9 4 2
♣	Q 7 3

♠	A J 10 2
♥	Q 6 3
♦	A 8
♣	A 8 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	9 8 5 3
♥	10 9 8 4
♦	Q 7 3
♣	10 6

♠	Q 6 4
♥	A J
♦	K J 6 5
♣	K J 9 2

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

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 NT1
Pass	2 ♣	Pass	2 ♦
Pass	2 NT2	Pass	Pass
Pass

15 to 17
Alert, partner may or may not have a 4-card major

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠×	W	−2	300		10.95	0.05	6-Campbell-Stephani	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	S	4	180		9.86	1.14	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 NT	S	2	120		8.23	2.77	7-Lammers-Barron	5-Scovic-Singerman
2 NT	S	2	120		8.23	2.77	13-Purcell-King	2-Felson-Brown
2 ♣	N	2	90		6.59	4.41	12-Leist-Levine	14-Cushman-Petersen
2 NT	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	2-Murdock-Oblinger	8-Duncan-Schultz
2 NT	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	3-Pollack-Pollack	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
2 NT	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Temples-Koch
2 NT	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	8-Roark-Koster	7-Messinger-Heckel
2 NT	S	−1		50	3.32	7.68	9-Tedrick-Pretz	9-Henry-Brendamour
2 NT	S	−3		150	0.05	10.95	4-Burnam-Hall	13-Vanstone-Gibler

No reason for N/S to stretch to bid 3 NT in Matchpoints--IMPs maybe. N/S take one Spade trick, two Hearts, three Diamonds, and three Clubs, making three. It's impossible for West to get to East's hand to lead a Spade through, so Spades are safe from attack--on a Spade lead, declarer simply wins with dummy's ♠ K, and their ♠ Q is a positional stopper (West can't lead another Spade).

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	7 5 2
♥	K 3
♦	8 7 3
♣	8 7 5 4 3

♠	A 6
♥	J 10 8 6 2
♦	K Q 9 5
♣	Q 10

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 10 9 8 3
♥	A 5
♦	J 6 2
♣	A J

♠	Q 4
♥	Q 9 7 4
♦	A 10 4
♣	K 9 6 2

E 5N; E 5♥; EW 4♠; EW 5♦; W 3♥; W 2N; E 1♣; Par −460

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

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	E	5		200	10.95	0.05	6-Campbell-Stephani	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	E	6		230	9.86	1.14	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	E	4		420	8.23	2.77	4-Burnam-Hall	13-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♠	E	4		420	8.23	2.77	9-Tedrick-Pretz	9-Henry-Brendamour
3 NT	W	4		430	6.59	4.41	2-Murdock-Oblinger	8-Duncan-Schultz
4 ♠	E	5		450	2.77	8.23	3-Pollack-Pollack	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
4 ♠	E	5		450	2.77	8.23	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	E	5		450	2.77	8.23	7-Lammers-Barron	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♠	E	5		450	2.77	8.23	8-Roark-Koster	7-Messinger-Heckel
4 ♠	E	5		450	2.77	8.23	12-Leist-Levine	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	E	5		450	2.77	8.23	13-Purcell-King	2-Felson-Brown

E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club. South will have to hold up their ♦ A two rounds to kill off entries to the board. If they don't, declarer will be able to pitch their losing Club on dummy's good Diamond. Strangely, the safest lead is a Spade.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 6 4 3
♥	A K 9 8
♦	9 4 2
♣	J 7

♠	10 9 5 2
♥	Q 5 3
♦	Q 10 7
♣	K 9 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 8
♥	J 10 2
♦	A J 5
♣	A Q 5 2

♠	K 7
♥	7 6 4
♦	K 8 6 3
♣	10 8 4 3

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	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
1 NT	E	1		90	10.95	0.05	7-Lammers-Barron	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 NT	E	2		120	6.59	4.41	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	5-Scovic-Singerman
1 NT	E	2		120	6.59	4.41	3-Pollack-Pollack	9-Henry-Brendamour
1 NT	E	2		120	6.59	4.41	5-Lin-Hubka	14-Cushman-Petersen
1 NT	E	2		120	6.59	4.41	6-Campbell-Stephani	2-Felson-Brown
1 NT	W	2		120	6.59	4.41	8-Roark-Koster	6-Kammer-Zimmer
1 NT	E	2		120	6.59	4.41	9-Tedrick-Pretz	8-Duncan-Schultz
1 NT	E	2		120	6.59	4.41	13-Purcell-King	1-Temples-Koch
3 NT	E	3		600	1.14	9.86	2-Murdock-Oblinger	7-Messinger-Heckel
3 NT	E	3		600	1.14	9.86	4-Burnam-Hall	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
3 NT	E	3		600	1.14	9.86	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-Mehta-Gupta

This auction is likely to be repeated at every table. E/W take three Club tricks, two Diamonds, one Heart, and two Spades, making two. If South finds a Heart lead, North should duck, since they have no way back to their hand outside of Hearts. Declarer will lose three Heart tricks to North and both pointy-suit Kings (Spade/Diamonds) to South.

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 10 7
♥	Q 4 3
♦	K J 9 6
♣	K Q J

♠	Q 3 2
♥	A 10 8 7 6
♦	A 5
♣	8 7 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 9
♥	J
♦	7 4 2
♣	A 10 9 6 5 2

♠	8 6 5 4
♥	K 9 5 2
♦	Q 10 8 3
♣	4

NS 1N; EW 2♣; Par −90

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 NT1	Dbl2	Pass
2 ♣3	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, showing a single-suited hand
Forced bid

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	N	3	110		10.95	0.05	8-Roark-Koster	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♣	E	−1	100		9.32	1.68	7-Lammers-Barron	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♥	W	−1	100		9.32	1.68	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-Mehta-Gupta
1 NT	N	1	90		5.50	5.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	5-Scovic-Singerman
2 ♦	N	2	90		5.50	5.50	2-Murdock-Oblinger	7-Messinger-Heckel
2 ♦	N	2	90		5.50	5.50	3-Pollack-Pollack	9-Henry-Brendamour
1 NT	N	1	90		5.50	5.50	4-Burnam-Hall	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
1 NT	N	1	90		5.50	5.50	5-Lin-Hubka	14-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♦	N	−1		100	2.23	8.77	13-Purcell-King	1-Temples-Koch
2 ♦	N	−2		200	0.59	10.41	6-Campbell-Stephani	2-Felson-Brown
2 ♥	S	−2		200	0.59	10.41	9-Tedrick-Pretz	8-Duncan-Schultz

When you're planning on making a Garbage Stayman bid, don't bother doing so if the opponents have already entered the auction. If South bids 2 ♣ after East's double, they should have an invitational hand or better.

E/W lose two Club tricks, one Spade, and two Diamonds, making two. If South leads anything other than a trump on opening lead, E/W will make three, as declarer will have time to ruff a Diamond in dummy before trumps are drawn. It's unlikely that South will find a trump lead, so expect to see a lot of +110's.

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	7 4
♥	Q 10 3 2
♦	3
♣	A 10 8 7 5 2

♠	6 5
♥	A 6 5
♦	J 9 7 6
♣	K J 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q 9 8 2
♥	8 7 4
♦	K Q 8 4
♣	—

♠	J 10 3
♥	K J 9
♦	A 10 5 2
♣	Q 9 6

EW 3♠; EW 4♦; EW 2N; NS 3♣; Par −140

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

Forcing

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−2	100		10.95	0.05	3-Pollack-Pollack	8-Duncan-Schultz
4 ♠	E	−1	50		9.86	1.14	6-Campbell-Stephani	1-Temples-Koch
2 ♠	E	3		140	7.68	3.32	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠	E	3		140	7.68	3.32	2-Murdock-Oblinger	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	E	3		140	7.68	3.32	8-Roark-Koster	5-Scovic-Singerman
2 ♠	E	4		170	5.50	5.50	7-Lammers-Barron	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	E	4		420	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	13-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♠	E	4		420	3.32	7.68	9-Tedrick-Pretz	7-Messinger-Heckel
4 ♠	E	4		420	3.32	7.68	11-Elliott-Runda	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
4 ♠	E	5		450	0.59	10.41	4-Burnam-Hall	10-Mehta-Gupta
4 ♠	E	5		450	0.59	10.41	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Henry-Brendamour

The vulnerability will keep N/S from competing to the five level, unless they think that both E/W players are incapable of finding a penalty double. If your opponents tend to consistently overbid at your table, try doubling them in a few makeable contracts. They may think twice the next time they play against you.

If South finds the lead of the ♦ A, 3 ♠ will go down one when North is able to ruff at trick two. It's much more likely that South will lead the ♣ 6 on the auction. Declarer will insert the ♣ J and ruff out the ♣ A. Trumps are pulled in three rounds, and the ♥ A is an entry to the board to pitch a small Heart on the ♣ K. If East is a good guesser, they can bring in the Diamond suit for one loser, making five. 4 ♠ making four will be a common result.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A J 9 6 4 2
♥	10
♦	K J 10 8 6
♣	9

♠	K 10 8 3
♥	K J 9 6 5 3
♦	—
♣	Q 7 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 5
♥	8 7 4 2
♦	Q 9 7
♣	K 8 5 4

♠	7
♥	A Q
♦	A 5 4 3 2
♣	A J 10 6 2

NS 6♦; NS 4♠; S 4♣; NS 2N; EW 2♥; N 2♣; Par +920

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♦
1 ♥1	1 ♠2	3 ♥3	4 ♣
Pass	5 ♦	Pass	6 ♦
Pass	Pass	Pass

Not wanting to bid 2 ♥ and lose a possible Spade fit
Showing 5+ Spades
Preemptive jump raise

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♦	S	6	420		10.41	0.59	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♦	S	6	420		10.41	0.59	6-Campbell-Stephani	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♦	S	5	400		6.59	4.41	2-Murdock-Oblinger	6-Kammer-Zimmer
5 ♦	S	5	400		6.59	4.41	3-Pollack-Pollack	8-Duncan-Schultz
5 ♦	S	5	400		6.59	4.41	7-Lammers-Barron	3-McCarthy-Diers
5 ♦	S	5	400		6.59	4.41	9-Tedrick-Pretz	7-Messinger-Heckel
5 ♦	S	5	400		6.59	4.41	11-Elliott-Runda	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
3 ♦	S	6	170		3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♦	S	4	130		2.23	8.77	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 ♠	N	−1		50	1.14	9.86	4-Burnam-Hall	10-Mehta-Gupta
3 NT	S	−2		100	0.05	10.95	8-Roark-Koster	5-Scovic-Singerman

North has an easy 5 ♦ bid on the auction, and South should figure that 6 ♦ has to have play considering their tenace position in Hearts, their stiff Spade, and extra Diamond.

If West leads a small Spade on opening lead, declarer should win with dummy's ♠ A and immediately ruff a Spade low. Small Diamond to dummy's ♦ K reveals the bad trump break, and a third Spade is led from dummy. East will ruff low, and declarer should overruff with the ♦ A. ♥ A and a Heart ruff put the lead back in dummy, and a fourth Spade is led. East is free to ruff, but that will be the last trick for the defense, as declarer can simply discard on this trick, and dummy is up after ♣ A and a Club ruff. If East refuses to ruff, Declarer can ruff in hand, play the ♣ A, ruff a Club to return to dummy, and play winnings Spades until East takes their trump trick. Making six. Nicely played!

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 2
♥	K 4 3
♦	K 8 4
♣	K 10 6 5 3

♠	K J
♥	—
♦	A 9 7 5 2
♣	Q J 8 7 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	9 8 6 5 4
♥	Q 9 8 6 5 2
♦	10
♣	A

♠	A Q 7 3
♥	A J 10 7
♦	Q J 6 3
♣	9

NS 3N; NS 2♦; NS 1♥; NS 1♣; Par +600

West	North	East	South
			1 ♦
Pass	1 NT	Pass	Pass
2 ♣	Dbl	2 ♥	Dbl
Rdbl	Pass	2 ♠	Dbl
Pass	Pass	Pass

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♣×	W	−2	500		11.00	0.00	6-Campbell-Stephani	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	E	−4	400		10.00	1.00	4-Burnam-Hall	9-Henry-Brendamour
3 ♥	E	−3	300		9.00	2.00	8-Roark-Koster	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♠	E	−2	200		5.50	5.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	E	−2	200		5.50	5.50	2-Murdock-Oblinger	5-Scovic-Singerman
3 ♣	W	−2	200		5.50	5.50	7-Lammers-Barron	2-Felson-Brown
3 ♣	W	−2	200		5.50	5.50	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Duncan-Schultz
3 ♣	W	−2	200		5.50	5.50	11-Elliott-Runda	10-Mehta-Gupta
4 ♣	E	−2	200		5.50	5.50	12-Leist-Levine	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
3 NT	N	−1		100	2.00	9.00	9-Tedrick-Pretz	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	N	−2		200	0.50	10.50	3-Pollack-Pollack	7-Messinger-Heckel
2 ♦	S	−2		200	0.50	10.50	5-Lin-Hubka	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy

What begins as a quiet, unassuming auction ends in a blood bath. Ugh. I have sympathy for the Wests who balance with 2 ♣ after the auction has apparently died. Some might overcall 2 ♣ immediately, but North will pass and South will reopen with a double. 2 ♠ is a painful contract, as E/W lose a lot of tricks (down two or three is likely). If North leads a trump, South should play ♠ A and a low Spade. Declarer will be limited to one Spade trick, one Club, and two ruffs (South will pull a round of trump before continuing Diamonds), down three.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	J 10 9 7 4 3
♥	3
♦	A Q 10 8
♣	A Q

♠	5
♥	A K Q 8 5 4 2
♦	J 4 3
♣	J 3

N
W		E
S

♠	6 2
♥	7 6
♦	K 9 5 2
♣	K 10 9 7 5

♠	A K Q 8
♥	J 10 9
♦	7 6
♣	8 6 4 2

NS 4♠; EW 3♥; EW 1♣; Par +300: EW 5♥×−2

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

Negative showing both minors
Cuebid showing a limit raise or better in Spades

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	N	5	450		9.00	2.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	N	5	450		9.00	2.00	2-Murdock-Oblinger	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♠	N	5	450		9.00	2.00	6-Campbell-Stephani	14-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	N	5	450		9.00	2.00	11-Elliott-Runda	10-Mehta-Gupta
4 ♠	N	5	450		9.00	2.00	12-Leist-Levine	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
4 ♠	N	4	420		5.00	6.00	3-Pollack-Pollack	7-Messinger-Heckel
4 ♠	N	4	420		5.00	6.00	5-Lin-Hubka	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
4 ♠	N	4	420		5.00	6.00	9-Tedrick-Pretz	6-Kammer-Zimmer
5 ♥	W	−1	50		3.00	8.00	7-Lammers-Barron	2-Felson-Brown
5 ♠	N	−1		50	2.00	9.00	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Duncan-Schultz
4 ♠	N	−2		100	1.00	10.00	4-Burnam-Hall	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 ♥	W	5		450	0.00	11.00	8-Roark-Koster	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

It's difficult for E/W to compete to 5 ♥ on the vulnerability, but it would be a good sacrifice. N/S lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. East will lead the ♥ 7 on opening lead.

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K Q J 10 5 3
♥	5
♦	7 4
♣	J 10 7 4

♠	9
♥	A K Q 10
♦	A K Q J 9 3 2
♣	A

N
W		E
S

♠	A 8 7 4 2
♥	9 8 4 3
♦	10 6
♣	Q 9

♠	6
♥	J 7 6 2
♦	8 5
♣	K 8 6 5 3 2

EW 7N; EW 7♥; EW 7♦; EW 2♠; NS 1♣; Par −2220

West	North	East	South
	2 ♠	Pass	Pass
4 ♦1	Pass	4 ♥	Pass
4 ♠2	Pass	4 NT3	Pass
7 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, Leaping Michaels bid showing Diamonds and Hearts (forcing)
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
1430 response showing 1 or 4 keycards

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠×	N	−3		500	11.00	0.00	13-Purcell-King	13-Vanstone-Gibler
5 ♦	W	7		640	9.50	1.50	6-Campbell-Stephani	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
5 ♦	W	7		640	9.50	1.50	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Messinger-Heckel
6 ♦	W	7		1390	5.00	6.00	2-Murdock-Oblinger	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
6 ♦	W	7		1390	5.00	6.00	4-Burnam-Hall	8-Duncan-Schultz
6 ♦	W	7		1390	5.00	6.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Mehta-Gupta
6 ♦	W	7		1390	5.00	6.00	7-Lammers-Barron	1-Temples-Koch
6 ♦	W	7		1390	5.00	6.00	8-Roark-Koster	3-McCarthy-Diers
6 ♦	E	7		1390	5.00	6.00	11-Elliott-Runda	9-Henry-Brendamour
6 ♦	W	7		1390	5.00	6.00	12-Leist-Levine	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
6 ♥	E	6		1430	1.00	10.00	3-Pollack-Pollack	6-Kammer-Zimmer
6 ♥	E	7		1460	0.00	11.00	9-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Scovic-Singerman

West can't risk doubling 2 ♠, since it's possible that East will pass. Leaping Michaels is a convention used over the opponent's weak-two opener to show a two-suited game-going hand. Here's how it works:

Over 2 ♦:
4 ♣ shows Clubs and an unknown major (4 ♦ asks for the major)
4 ♦ shows both majors

Over 2 ♥:
4 ♣ shows Clubs and Spades
4 ♦ shows Diamonds and Spades
4 NT shows both minors

Over 2 ♠:
4 ♣ shows Clubs and Hearts
4 ♦ shows Diamonds and Hearts
4 NT shows both minors

A cuebid at the three level (3 ♠ over 2 ♠) asks for a stopper for 3 NT.

E/W take one Spade trick, four Heart tricks (North will show out in time for declarer to take a marked finesse for the ♥ J), seven Diamond tricks, and one Club, making seven. North will lead the ♠ K on opening lead.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	A K 8
♥	8 6 4
♦	A K
♣	A J 9 8 3

♠	5 2
♥	Q 10 9 5 3 2
♦	Q J 8 6
♣	10

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 7 6 4 3
♥	K
♦	9 5 3 2
♣	K 7

♠	J 9
♥	A J 7
♦	10 7 4
♣	Q 6 5 4 2

NS 3N; NS 5♣; NS 1♥; NS 1♦; Par +600

West	North	East	South
		Pass1	Pass
Pass	2 NT2	Pass	3 ♣3
Pass	3 NT4	Pass	Pass
Pass

Not quite good enough for a vulnerable weak-two bid
20 to 21
Puppet Stayman asking for a 4- or 5-card major
Alert, denies 4- or 5-card major

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	4	630		10.00	1.00	3-Pollack-Pollack	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	N	4	630		10.00	1.00	6-Campbell-Stephani	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
3 NT	N	4	630		10.00	1.00	13-Purcell-King	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	N	3	600		7.00	4.00	7-Lammers-Barron	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♣	N	5	600		7.00	4.00	8-Roark-Koster	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	S	3	600		7.00	4.00	9-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Scovic-Singerman
3 ♣	S	5	150		5.00	6.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Mehta-Gupta
3 ♣	N	4	130		3.50	7.50	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Messinger-Heckel
4 ♣	S	4	130		3.50	7.50	12-Leist-Levine	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
5 ♣	S	−1		100	1.00	10.00	2-Murdock-Oblinger	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♣	S	−1		100	1.00	10.00	4-Burnam-Hall	8-Duncan-Schultz
5 ♣	N	−1		100	1.00	10.00	11-Elliott-Runda	9-Henry-Brendamour

North's fifth Club makes their hand easily worth a 2 NT opening. N/S take two Spade tricks, one Heart, two Diamonds, and four Clubs, making three. If East leads a small Spade on opening lead, N/S will make four. With the blockage in Hearts, no other lead matters.

For those of you who would open the East hand 2 ♠, what will you answer when partner bids 2 NT asking for a feature? Um.....3 ♣♥ ? That "bid" usually gets a director call. Weak-two openers should NOT have two features.

Board 27
South Deals
None Vul

♠	K 6 4
♥	10 4
♦	Q J 10 8 2
♣	A Q 7

♠	10 3
♥	J 9 8
♦	A 9 5 4
♣	K 8 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 5 2
♥	A K Q 6 2
♦	K 6
♣	9 6

♠	J 9 8 7
♥	7 5 3
♦	7 3
♣	J 10 3 2

EW 5♥; EW 3N; EW 3♠; EW 2♦; EW 2♣; Par −450

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

Planning to double and bid Hearts to show 17+ HCP
As planned

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	E	−1	50		10.41	0.59	9-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	E	−1	50		10.41	0.59	13-Purcell-King	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
2 ♥	E	3		140	8.77	2.23	7-Lammers-Barron	13-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	W	3		400	7.68	3.32	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	E	4		420	3.86	7.14	3-Pollack-Pollack	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♥	E	4		420	3.86	7.14	4-Burnam-Hall	7-Messinger-Heckel
4 ♥	E	4		420	3.86	7.14	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 ♥	E	4		420	3.86	7.14	6-Campbell-Stephani	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
4 ♥	E	4		420	3.86	7.14	8-Roark-Koster	2-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	E	4		420	3.86	7.14	11-Elliott-Runda	8-Duncan-Schultz
4 ♥	E	6		480	0.05	10.95	12-Leist-Levine	10-Mehta-Gupta

West has an easy raise to game after East shows 17+ HCP and 5+ Hearts. E/W lose only two Club tricks, making five. South will lead the ♦ 7 on opening lead (beer card).

Board 28
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 6 3
♥	8 7 3
♦	K 10 6 3 2
♣	A J

♠	Q J 9 7
♥	J
♦	A Q
♣	K Q 8 5 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K 5 4
♥	A K Q 10 6 5 4
♦	7
♣	7 6

♠	10 8 2
♥	9 2
♦	J 9 8 5 4
♣	10 9 3

W 5N; EW 5♠; EW 5♥; EW 4♣; E 2N; W 1♦; Par −460

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

Alert, artificial XYZ bid creating a game force

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♥×	E	−1	100		10.95	0.05	12-Leist-Levine	10-Mehta-Gupta
6 NT	W	−1	50		9.86	1.14	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Henry-Brendamour
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	3-Pollack-Pollack	5-Scovic-Singerman
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	6-Campbell-Stephani	11-Koppenhafer-Kennedy
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	7-Lammers-Barron	13-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	8-Roark-Koster	2-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	9-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	10-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	11-Elliott-Runda	8-Duncan-Schultz
4 ♥	E	5		450	4.95	6.05	13-Purcell-King	12-Thurnau-Olexsey
4 ♥×	E	5		690	0.05	10.95	4-Burnam-Hall	7-Messinger-Heckel

East's 2 ♦ bid creates a game force and allows them to comfortably show their Heart length. When West denies a doubleton Heart, East is happy to play in 3 NT with their running suit. North will always be able to take their two Aces, but that's it. The safest opening lead is a Heart, but some North's will lead a small Diamond. It doesn't matter, since declarer has to give up a Spade trick at some time, and North will cash out.

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 ♠	Dbl
2 ♣1	Pass	4 ♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Alert, artificial bid showing a 3-card limit raise in Spades (BROMAD)

It might get messy if West starts with a redouble, but since redoubling typically denies a fit for partner's major, most responders will choose to show their Spade fit.

E/W lose one Spade and two Clubs, making four. South may lead the ♣ A on opening lead.

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

What else?

South doesn't have to take a chance on 4 ♠ over East's 4 ♥ bid, because they figure that their partner will double again with extra values. It's difficult to find the good 6 ♣ slam, so don't expect to see any +920 scores for N/S. N/S lose one Spade and one Heart, making five. In 6 ♣, declarer can pitch their third Spade on dummy's ♦ Q. East will lead the ♥ K.

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣
Pass	Pass	Dbl	Pass
2 ♥1	Pass	3 ♣2	Pass
3 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Showing 9-11 HCP
Western cue, asking for a Club stopper for 3 NT

While a jump response to partner's takeout double typically shows 9-11 HCP, West likes their hand enough to stretch a point. East bids 3 ♣ (Western cue) and West is only too happy to bid the good notrump game.

E/W take four Spade tricks (assuming they play the ♠ A first to drop the stiff King), three Hearts, and two minor-suit Aces. North will probably lead the ♣ 9 on opening lead. A winning line would be: duck the first trick (South can't continue with a second Club), win the Diamond return with dummy's ♦ A, cash the ♠ A (dropping the ♠ K), play the ♥ A and another Heart. South can win, but they'll have to return another Heart to deny E/W an overtrick. Two more Spade leads through North's ♠ J will result in nine tricks.

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♣	2 ♠	Dbl1
Pass	3 ♣	Pass	3 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

Negative, showing 4+ Hearts

South has a tough call after East's 2 ♠ preempt. 3 ♥ is close, but it's forcing, and with such a strong Spade holding and weak Heart spot cards, 3 NT might be a better contract. When North rebids their Clubs, South has an easy 3 NT bid. N/S take six Club tricks, one Diamond, one Heart, and two Spades. West will probably lead the ♠ 6 on opening lead. After winning the first trick, declarer can take their Club tricks and exit with the ♥ J. The defense can take four of the last six tricks, but there's no way that N/S won't collect two tricks in the wash.

West	North	East	South
	1 ♦	Pass	2 NT1
Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

11 to 12 HCP

South's 2 NT bid shows 11-12 HCP and denies a 4-card major. With better spot cards, South would bid 3 NT directly. N/S take two Spade tricks, three Hearts, and four Diamonds (assuming they drop the ♦ Q). More likely N/S will go down one when declarer finesses into East's doubleton ♦ Q. Oops. West will probably lead the ♠T on opening lead.

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

15 to 17
Natural

N/S lose one Spade trick, two Hearts, one Diamond, and one Club, making two. East will probably lead the ♣ K on opening lead, asking for count. When they see dummy, they'll probably switch to a trump.

Note that North didn't double 1 NT for penalty. It's unwise to double a notrump contract when you have so many points and are sitting in front of the 1 NT opener. You're basically going to be trying to make 1 NT (or 2 NT if you need to set the contract two tricks) with a strong notrump opener sitting behind you. Ick.

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

15 to 18
To play
Texas transfer

If you play your notrump systems off after interference higher than 2 ♣, you should still play that Texas Transfers survive as long as your transfer bid is a jump (i.e., 4 ♦ would still be a transfer if your RHO's bid is 3 ♦ or less, and 4 ♥ would still be a transfer if your RHO's bid is 3 ♥ or less).

E/W lose one Heart and one Diamond, making five. Declarer will be able to discard one Club on the ♦ J and ruff the other. South should lead a trump on opening lead.

West	North	East	South
1 NT1	Pass	2 ♥2	Pass
2 ♠	Pass	2 NT3	Pass
3 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Transfer
Showing an invitational hand with exactly five Spades

If North finds the magical lead of the ♦ K, 3 NT will go down one. That's hard to imagine unless they (a) have the hand record, or (b) it's me, since I've already seen the hands. If it's me, please don't turn me in.

E/W take four Heart tricks (finessing South for the ♥ Q), two Diamond tricks (on North's small Diamond lead), and three Clubs (♣ Q falls doubleton). If North leads the ♦ K (see above) or ANY other suit, 3 NT fails, since declarer can scrounge up only eight tricks left to their own devices. Eight does not equal nine. Stupid math.