EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>January 2, 2017    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 01/02/2017 22:27
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>  132.0 |TOP>  11 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=13/B=8/C=5                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Debbie Wiest           John Altman Sr           A    2     .     .    163.82  62.05  0.91(A)
 2 Donald Pollack         Bernice Pollack          C    .     .     .    118.27  44.80
 3 Patrick Hoffman        Jane Duncan              A    .     .     .    136.68  51.77
 4 Patrick Lammers        Judith Lubow             B    4     2     .    149.59  56.66  0.46(A)
 5 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A    .     .     .    120.09  45.49
 6 Pam Heckel             Margaret Decker          C    .     .     .     96.00  36.36
 7 Marilyn Prosise        Robert Prosise           A    1     .     .    169.50  64.20  1.30(A)
 8 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C    .     .     .    107.36  40.67
 9 Robert Roark           Betty Murdock            C    5     3     1    143.95  54.53  0.35(C)
10 Judy Barron            Reggie Moskowitz         C    .     .     2    119.59  45.30  0.25(C)
11 Joy Singerman          William Cook             B    3     1     .    157.50  59.66  0.65(A)
12 Julian Magnus, Jr      Richard Magnus           B    .     .     .    113.23  42.89
13 Michael Lipp           Stephen Felson           A    .     .     .    120.41  45.61

                                          Totals                        1715.99


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>     7           1     1     7     7     7     7     7     1     7     7     7
        -450   ---- -480  -480  -450  -450  -450  -450  -450  -480  -450  -450  -450

   2>     6-          9-    2     6-    2     6-    2     9-   11     6-    2     2
        -170   ---- -140  -420  -170  -420  -170  -420  -140    90  -170  -420  -420

   3>     3     3          11    10     3     7-     -    7-    7-    5      -    7-
        -650  -650   ---- -170  -200  -650  -620  -660  -620  -620  -630  -660  -620

   4>    11     2           4-    8     4-    8     4-    8     0     1     4-   10
         120  -160   ---- -100    90  -100    90  -100    90  -200  -180  -100   110

   5>     7     3-    7          10     1-    7     7     0     7     1-   11     3-
         110   100   110   ----  140  -100   110   110  -200   110  -100   690   100

   6>     2    10-   10-          5     5     5     5     5     0     8-    1     8-
        -210   200   200   ---- -110  -110  -110  -110  -110  -630   100  -600   100

   7>     7-    0     7-    7-          7-   11     1     7-    3-    3-    7-    2
         650  -500   650   650   ----  650  1430  -100   650   620   620   650   210

   8>    10     1     5     5           1    11     1     9     3     5     7     8
         100  -130  -110  -110   ---- -130   110  -130    50  -120  -110  -100   -50

   9>    11     0     8     3-    8           1     3-    3-    8     8     3-    8
         110 -1600   -50  -100   -50   ---- -200  -100  -100   -50   -50  -100   -50

  10>   3.32  8.77  7.68  6.59  0.59          5-  9.86 10.95  0.59    5-  2.23  4.41
         100   400   300   200  -110   ----  AVE   500   750  -110   150  -100   130

  11>     2-   11     0     4     7-    5           2-    1    10     7-    7-    7-
         130   430  -100   140   400   150   ----  130   -50   420   400   400   400

  12>    11     8-    5     8-    1-    8-          5     0     3     5     1-    8-
         170    50  -140    50  -420    50   ---- -140  -450  -170  -140  -420    50

  13>     3    11     8-    7     4     1     5           6     2    10     8-    0
        -100   600   200   180    90  -140   100   ----  170  -130   300   200  -300

  14>     3     5-     -    2     5-     -   11           9     5-    5-    8    10
         -50    50  -110  -100    50  -110   200   ----  110    50    50   100   140

  15>    10    11     3     3     3     9     7     6           8     3     3     0
         120   140  -200  -200  -200   110    90    50   ----  100  -200  -200  -300

  16>     7-    2-   10-    7-    7-    1     7-    4-          2-   10-    4-    0
         510   190   520   510   510   170   510   480   ----  190   520   480  -100

  17>     7-    7-    2-    7-    2-    2-   10-   10-    2-          5     0     7-
         140   140   -50   140   -50   -50   420   420   -50   ----  100  -130   140

  18>     7-    1     7-    2-    2-    7-    7-   10-    4-         10-    4-    0
          50  -120    50  -100  -100    50    50   100   -90   ----  100   -90  -500

  19>    10-    0     3-    8-    5     1-    3-    7     8-   10-          1-    6
         200  -660  -600   100  -150  -630  -600   -90   100   200   ---- -630  -100

  20>     4-    4-   10     7-    2     1    10     0     4-   10           4-    7-
         110   110   170   150    90   -90   170  -100   110   170   ----  110   150

  21>     9     5     2     5     3     0     5     9     7     9    11           1
         620   200   170   200   180  -100   200   620   600   620   660   ----  140

  22>     6     6    10     8-    3     0    11     3     3     6     8-          1
        -620  -620   200   100  -650 -1430   500  -650  -650  -620   100   ---- -800

  23>     8-    7     3-   10-    3-    8-    3-    0    10-    3-    3-    3-
         170  -100  -200   620  -200   170  -200  -300   620  -200  -200  -200   ----

  24>     5     1     3-   10-    2    10-    8     6     3-    0     8     8
          50  -420   -50   150  -100   150   110   100   -50  -800   110   110   ----

  25>           1-    7-    7-    7-    7-    7-    1-    7-    1-    7-    1-    7-
         ---- -650  -620  -620  -620  -620  -620  -650  -620  -650  -620  -650  -620

  26>           6-    3     8-    5      -    3      -    8-    6-   10-   10-    3
         ---- -120  -200  -100  -150  -300  -200  -300  -100  -120   -90   -90  -200



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>January 2, 2017    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 01/02/2017 22:27
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>  132.0 |TOP>  11 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=13/B=12/C=8                     ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Joan Mehl              Richard Koch             C    4     4     2    142.32  53.91  0.46(A)
 2 Kevin Henry            Terri Mackey             C    1     1     1    164.91  62.47  1.30(A)
 3 Patt Olexsey           Jan Thurnau              C    .     .     3    129.91  49.21  0.28(C)
 4 Mike Burns             Charlie Kobida           B    .     .     .    129.00  48.86
 5 Daniel Koppenhafer     JoAnne Essig             B    3     3     .    149.41  56.59  0.65(A)
 6 Dona Koch              Sara Brown               C    .     .     .    125.27  47.45
 7 Evelyn McCarthy        Joan Diers               C    .     .     .    125.50  47.54
 8 Joyce Tedrick          Linda Pretz              B    .     5     .    130.09  49.28  0.19(B)
 9 John P LaMacchia       Nancy Hatch              C    .     .     .    121.00  45.83
10 Annette Kereiakes      Tom Kereiakes            C    .     .     .    107.18  40.60
11 Peggy Jervis           Pat Lindeman             C    .     .     .     93.64  35.47
12 Martin Gibler          Susan Stacy Vanstone     B    2     2     .    163.73  62.02  0.91(A)
13 June Cushman           Martin Petersen          A    5     .     .    134.05  50.78  0.26(A)

                                          Totals                        1716.01


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>     4     4           4    10    10    10     4     4     4     4     4     4
         450   450   ----  450   480   480   480   450   450   450   450   450   450

   2>     4-    9           1-    1-    0     9     4-    4-    9     9     9     4-
         170   420   ----  140   140   -90   420   170   170   420   420   420   170

   3>    10-    8     3-          3-    0     6     1    10-    8     3-    3-    8
         660   650   620   ----  620   170   630   200   660   650   620   620   650

   4>     6-    9     3          11     6-   10     3     6-    6-    1     3     0
         100   160   -90   ----  200   100   180   -90   100   100  -110   -90  -120

   5>     7-   11     4     4           9-    1     0     9-    7-    4     4     4
        -100   200  -110  -110   ----  100  -140  -690   100  -100  -110  -110  -110

   6>      -    6      -   11           2-    6    10     6     2-    6     9     6
        -200   110  -200   630   ---- -100   110   600   110  -100   110   210   110

   7>     3-    3-    7-    3-    7-          3-    3-    9     0     3-   10    11
        -650  -650  -620  -650  -620   ---- -650  -650  -210 -1430  -650   100   500

   8>     2     6     8     6     6           4    10     3     0     1    10    10
         -50   110   120   110   110   ----  100   130    50  -110  -100   130   130

   9>     3     3     7-    3     3     7-          3    10     0     7-   11     7-
          50    50   100    50    50   100   ----   50   200  -110   100  1600   100

  10>   3.32 10.41  4.41    5- 10.41  8.77        6.59    5-  7.68  1.14  2.23  0.05
        -300   110  -200  -150   110   100   ---- -130   AVE  -100  -500  -400  -750

  11>     1     7     3-    3-    3-    6     3-          8-    8-    0    10    11
        -420  -140  -400  -400  -400  -150  -400   ---- -130  -130  -430    50   100

  12>     8     2-    6     9-    9-    2-    2-          0     6     2-   11     6
         170   -50   140   420   420   -50   -50   ---- -170   140   -50   450   140

  13>     4     1     7     2-   10    11     6     8           0     5     2-    9
        -180  -300   -90  -200   140   300  -100   100   ---- -600  -170  -200   130

  14>     9     5-    5-    3    10-    1     0     8           5-    2    10-    5-
         100   -50   -50  -100   110  -140  -200    50   ----  -50  -110   110   -50

  15>     8     8     8     2    11     4     1     5     0           8     3     8
         200   200   200  -110   300   -90  -120   -50  -140   ----  200  -100   200

  16>      -    3-    6-   10    11     3-    3-    6-    8-           -    8-    3-
        -520  -510  -480  -170   100  -510  -510  -480  -190   ---- -520  -190  -510

  17>     8-   11     8-    3-     -    3-     -    3-    8-    8-          3-    6
          50   130    50  -140  -420  -140  -420  -140    50    50   ---- -140  -100

  18>     8-    6-    3-   11     3-    3-     -   10     6-    3-          8-     -
         100    90   -50   500   -50   -50  -100   120    90   -50   ----  100  -100

  19>     9-    9-    5     7-     -    4    11     2-    7-     -    2-          6
         630   630   100   600  -200    90   660  -100   600  -200  -100   ----  150

  20>     6-   10     3-    1     6-   11     6-    6-    1     1     3-          9
        -110    90  -150  -170  -110   100  -110  -110  -170  -170  -150   ----  -90

  21>    11    10     6     2     2     6     4     9     2     6     0     8
         100  -140  -200  -620  -620  -200  -600  -170  -620  -200  -660  -180   ----

  22>    11    10     0     5     8     5     8     1     5     2-    2-    8
        1430   800  -500   620   650   620   650  -200   620  -100  -100   650   ----

  23>           7-    2-   11     4      -    7-    7-     -    7-    7-    7-    2-
         ----  200  -170   300   100  -620   200   200  -620   200   200   200  -170

  24>           3     6     5    10     7-    7-   11      -    3     9     3      -
         ---- -110   -50  -100   420    50    50   800  -150  -110   100  -110  -150

  25>     3-          9-    9-    3-    3-    9-    3-    3-    3-    9-    3-    3-
         620   ----  650   650   620   620   650   620   620   620   650   620   620

  26>     8          10-    4-    2-    8     4-    2-     -    6      -   10-    8
         200   ----  300   120   100   200   120   100    90   150    90   300   200
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, January 2, 2017

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

EW 5♠; EW 3♣; EW 1N; EW 1♥; EW 1♦; Par −450

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 ♣Pass
1 ♠Pass2 ♥1Pass
4 ♠2PassPassPass
  1. Reverse
  2. One spot to play

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠W54507.004.001-Wiest-Altman Sr1-Mehl-Koch
4 ♠W54507.004.005-Lin-Hubka9-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 ♠W54507.004.006-Heckel-Decker11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠W54507.004.007-Prosise-Prosise13-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠W54507.004.008-Elliott-Runda2-Henry-Mackey
4 ♠W54507.004.009-Roark-Murdock4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠W54507.004.0011-Singerman-Cook8-Tedrick-Pretz
4 ♠W54507.004.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠W54507.004.0013-Lipp-Felson12-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♠W64801.0010.003-Hoffman-Duncan5-Koppenhafer-Essig
5 ♠W64801.0010.004-Lammers-Lubow7-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠W64801.0010.0010-Barron-Moskowitz6-Koch-Brown

While 3 ♠ would have been a game force by West, 4 ♠ is probably a better bid and clears up any confusion about the hand. East, with four quick tricks in a Spade contract, is content to pass. E/W lose one Spade trick and one minor-suit trick pitching their other loser on dummy's ♥ K. If North leads a trump, they'll regret it. Most will leads the ♣ K.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♣1 ♦
1 ♠3 ♦13 ♠Pass
4 ♠PassPassPass
  1. Preemptive jump raise

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 ♦S29011.000.0010-Barron-Moskowitz6-Koch-Brown
3 ♠W31409.501.503-Hoffman-Duncan5-Koppenhafer-Essig
3 ♠W31409.501.509-Roark-Murdock4-Burns-Kobida
3 ♠W41706.504.501-Wiest-Altman Sr1-Mehl-Koch
2 ♠W41706.504.505-Lin-Hubka9-LaMacchia-Hatch
2 ♠W41706.504.507-Prosise-Prosise13-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♠W41706.504.5011-Singerman-Cook8-Tedrick-Pretz
4 ♠W44202.009.004-Lammers-Lubow7-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠W44202.009.006-Heckel-Decker11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠W44202.009.008-Elliott-Runda2-Henry-Mackey
4 ♠W44202.009.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠W44202.009.0013-Lipp-Felson12-Gibler-Vanstone

West's 1 ♠ bid shows 4+ Spades. If South had overcalled 1 ♥, 1 ♠ by West would show five or more--a negative double would show exactly four. Don't forget that. East's 3 ♠ bid guarantees four Spades--a support double would show exactly three. Don't forget that either.

E/W lose no Spades (West should play for the drop with no singleton or void in their hand or dummy), one Heart, and two Diamonds, making four. North will lead the ♦ 8 on opening lead (top of nothing when you've supported partner's suit). With almost mirror distributions in the E/W hands, South has no reason to cash out at trick three--their Heart trick won't go away.

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

EW 5♠; E 4N; W 3N; EW 5♦; EW 2♥; EW 2♣; Par −650

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
PassPass1 NT1Pass
3 ♣2Pass3 ♦3Pass
3 ♥4Pass3 ♠Pass
4 ♠PassPassPass
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Alert, artificial asking for a 5-card major
  3. Alert, artificial denying a 5-card major
  4. Alert, artificial showing 3 Hearts and 4 Spades

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♠E417011.000.004-Lammers-Lubow6-Koch-Brown
3 ♠E520010.001.005-Lin-Hubka8-Tedrick-Pretz
4 ♠E46207.503.507-Prosise-Prosise12-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♠E46207.503.509-Roark-Murdock3-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♠E46207.503.5010-Barron-Moskowitz5-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♠E46207.503.5013-Lipp-Felson11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NTE46305.006.0011-Singerman-Cook7-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠E56503.008.001-Wiest-Altman Sr13-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠E56503.008.002-Pollack-Pollack2-Henry-Mackey
4 ♠E56503.008.006-Heckel-Decker10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NTE56600.5010.508-Elliott-Runda1-Mehl-Koch
3 NTE56600.5010.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus9-LaMacchia-Hatch

E/W play 5-Card Stayman over 1 NT, so West's 3 ♣ bid is game forcing and asks for a five-card major. East's replies are simple--3 ♥ would show five Hearts, 3 ♠ would show five Spades, and 3 ♦ says "Nope." If West doesn't care about a four-card major in partner's hand, they simply sign off in 3 NT. With interest in a 4-4 fit, West will bid their three-card major (alerted) and West will show a fit in the other major or bid 3 NT. West's 3 ♣ bid guarantees at least one three-card major (or not if West is a box of rocks).

E/W lose one Spade trick and one Club, making five. It's likely that South will lead either the ♦ J or the ♥ Q--slightly better since they hold the ♥ 9. Declarer wins in hand with the ♥ A, unblocks the ♦ AK, and leads a small Spade towards dummy. When the ♠ Q is played, declarer wins with dummy's ♠ A and leads the ♠T towards their hand. If North plays low, declarer stays in dummy and leads towards the ♣ K. North will have to hop with their ♣ A, and the hand is over.

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

N 2N; NS 2♥; S 1N; N 2♦; EW 2♣; NS 1♠; S 1♦; Par +120

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 ♦Pass1 ♥
Pass1 NTDbl1Pass
2 ♣PassPass2 NT
PassPassPass 
  1. Do something smart, partner

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 NTS212011.000.001-Wiest-Altman Sr13-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥S211010.001.0013-Lipp-Felson11-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NTS1908.003.005-Lin-Hubka8-Tedrick-Pretz
1 NTS1908.003.007-Prosise-Prosise12-Gibler-Vanstone
1 NTS1908.003.009-Roark-Murdock3-Olexsey-Thurnau
1 NTN−11004.506.504-Lammers-Lubow6-Koch-Brown
2 ♦N−11004.506.506-Heckel-Decker10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 NTS−11004.506.508-Elliott-Runda1-Mehl-Koch
1 NTS−11004.506.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus9-LaMacchia-Hatch
1 ♠×W11602.009.002-Pollack-Pollack2-Henry-Mackey
1 NT×E11801.0010.0011-Singerman-Cook7-McCarthy-Diers
1 NTS−22000.0011.0010-Barron-Moskowitz5-Koppenhafer-Essig

East can't take a bid over 1 ♦, but when North rebids 1 NT, East makes a pre-balancing double. E/W aren't able to bid 3 ♣ on the vulnerability. N/S take three Spade tricks (finessing twice), one Club, one Heart, and three Diamonds, making two. Diamonds and Clubs are both frozen suits. Declarer will place the ♦ Q in East's hand once West shows up with the ♣ K. East will lead the ♣ 7 on opening lead.

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

NS 2♠; NS 2♥; NS 2♦; EW 1♣; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 ♦12 ♣22 ♠3
3 ♣PassPass3 ♥4
Pass3 NTPassPass
Pass   
  1. Not a preemptive hand
  2. Showing a full opener
  3. Showing 5+ Spades and 10+ points (5-and-Dime)
  4. Forcing, showing 5-5 (or better) in the majors

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN669011.000.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus8-Tedrick-Pretz
2 ♠S314010.001.005-Lin-Hubka7-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♦N31107.004.001-Wiest-Altman Sr12-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♦N31107.004.003-Hoffman-Duncan3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♦N31107.004.007-Prosise-Prosise11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♦N31107.004.008-Elliott-Runda13-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♦N31107.004.0010-Barron-Moskowitz4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♣W−21003.507.502-Pollack-Pollack1-Mehl-Koch
3 ♣W−21003.507.5013-Lipp-Felson10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♦N−11001.509.506-Heckel-Decker9-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 ♥S−11001.509.5011-Singerman-Cook6-Koch-Brown
5 ♦N−22000.0011.009-Roark-Murdock2-Henry-Mackey

If East leads
(1) a red card, N/S will go down one.
(2) a small Club, N/S will make 3 NT.
(3) the ♣ A or a Spade, N/S will be down a zillion (roughly).

What did you lead as East? Hmm?

The auction is reasonable. Some South players will refuse to pass 3 NT and bid 4 ♥ to finish showing their shape. That makes no sense, since 3 ♥ has already shown 5-5. With 5-4 in the majors, South would have started with a negative double and showed their extra major-suit card with their rebid.

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

EW 3N; EW 3♥; EW 4♦; EW 1♠; EW 1♣; Par −600

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♦Pass
2 ♣Pass2 ♥Pass
3 ♣1Pass3 NTPass
PassPass  
  1. Treading water

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 ♦E−220010.500.502-Pollack-Pollack1-Mehl-Koch
5 ♦E−220010.500.503-Hoffman-Duncan3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 NTE−11008.502.5011-Singerman-Cook6-Koch-Brown
5 ♦E−11008.502.5013-Lipp-Felson10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦E31105.006.005-Lin-Hubka7-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♦E31105.006.006-Heckel-Decker9-LaMacchia-Hatch
2 ♦E31105.006.007-Prosise-Prosise11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♦E31105.006.008-Elliott-Runda13-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♦E31105.006.009-Roark-Murdock2-Henry-Mackey
2 NTW52102.009.001-Wiest-Altman Sr12-Gibler-Vanstone
3 NTW36001.0010.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 NTE46300.0011.0010-Barron-Moskowitz4-Burns-Kobida

West has no reasonable rebid over 2 ♥, so 3 ♣ is simply leaving room for East to bid out their hand. East has an easy 3 NT rebid. E/W take one Spade trick, two Hearts, five Diamonds, and one Club, making three. North will lead the ♣ Q on opening lead (asking partner to drop the ♣ J), and declarer will duck. Unable to continue Clubs, North will likely switch to the ♠ 3. Declarer needs to win this trick in dummy, play a Heart to the ♥ A, and run the ♦T. South will win and play back another Club, but it's too late. West will win the ♣ A and cash out.

Some enterprising South player will duck the ♦T (expert play). If declarer finesses again, they're going down (a lot). If you're going to duck as South, make sure you do so smoothly. Also, make sure you don't have a partner that looks confused when you do ("No ♦ Q partner?"). Ugh.

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

S 6♥; NS 6♣; NS 5N; N 5♥; NS 4♠; NS 1♦; Par +1430

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♥
Pass2 ♣Pass2 ♠1
Pass3 ♥2Pass3 NT3
Pass4 ♠4Pass5 ♦5
Pass6 ♥PassPass
Pass   
  1. Not a reverse in 2/1 land
  2. Showing 3-card Heart support
  3. Alert, artificial showing slam interest
  4. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
  5. 1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards w/o the ♥ Q

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 ♥S6143011.000.007-Prosise-Prosise10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♥S56507.503.501-Wiest-Altman Sr11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥S56507.503.503-Hoffman-Duncan2-Henry-Mackey
4 ♥S56507.503.504-Lammers-Lubow4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♥S56507.503.506-Heckel-Decker8-Tedrick-Pretz
4 ♥S56507.503.509-Roark-Murdock1-Mehl-Koch
4 ♥S56507.503.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus7-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥S46203.507.5010-Barron-Moskowitz3-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥S46203.507.5011-Singerman-Cook5-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 NTN52102.009.0013-Lipp-Felson9-LaMacchia-Hatch
6 ♠S−11001.0010.008-Elliott-Runda12-Gibler-Vanstone
6 NTN−55000.0011.002-Pollack-Pollack13-Cushman-Petersen

N/S play Serious 3 NT, where a bid of 3 NT in a 2/1 auction when a major suit has been agreed upon shows slam interest. If either player has the opportunity to bid 3 NT in such an auction and doesn't, they deny slam interest.

It's unlikely that N/S will make their slam, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be in it. Some days, shy bidders are rewarded--this is probably one of those days. How does the slam make? Here's how:

Assume that West leads something passive--the ♣T is reasonable. South wins in hand, and leads the ♦ Q to dummy's ♦ A (West covering). Diamond ruff with the ♦ 4, Heart to the ♥ A, diamond ruff with the ♦ 5, ♥ K (dropping the doubleton ♥ Q), and ♥ J (pulling the last trump). Now a Club to the ♣ A, followed by the ♣ K and ♣ J (declarer pitching the ♠ 2).

At this point, North holds ♠ 965, South holds ♠ AQ7, and West holds ♠ KJT (East's hand is irrelevant). Declarer now simply runs the ♠ 9 to West, who can win with the ♠T but has to return a Spade into South's ♠ AQ tenace. Nicely played!

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

W 4♣; EW 2N; NS 2♥; E 3♣; NS 2♦; EW 1♠; Par −130

WestNorthEastSouth
1 NT1Pass2 ♠2Pass
3 ♣3PassPassDbl4
Pass3 ♥PassPass
4 ♣PassPassPass
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Alert, artificial transfer to 3 ♣
  3. Alert, showing Axx, Kxx, Qxx, or any four Clubs
  4. Do something smart, partner

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♥S211011.000.007-Prosise-Prosise10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠E−210010.001.001-Wiest-Altman Sr11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♣W−1509.002.009-Roark-Murdock1-Mehl-Koch
3 ♥N−1508.003.0013-Lipp-Felson9-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 ♦S−21007.004.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus7-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♣W31105.006.003-Hoffman-Duncan2-Henry-Mackey
3 ♣W31105.006.004-Lammers-Lubow4-Burns-Kobida
3 ♣W31105.006.0011-Singerman-Cook5-Koppenhafer-Essig
1 NTW21203.008.0010-Barron-Moskowitz3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♣W41301.0010.002-Pollack-Pollack13-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♣W41301.0010.006-Heckel-Decker8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 ♣W41301.0010.008-Elliott-Runda12-Gibler-Vanstone

Don't announce "Transfer" when your partner transfers to a minor. Minor-suit transfers are alertable (i.e., they're in red on your convention card, not in blue).

The vulnerability allows West to "sacrifice" in 4 ♣. Turns out, they actually make the darn thing. E/W lose one Club trick, one Heart, and one Spade (taking a double finesse in Spades), making four. North will lead the ♥ Q on opening lead.

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

NS 1N; NS 1♠; NS 1♥; N 1♦; Par +90

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 ♥
Pass1 ♠Dbl12 ♥
DblPassPassPass
  1. Takeout for the minors

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♥S211011.000.001-Wiest-Altman Sr10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♥S−1508.003.003-Hoffman-Duncan1-Mehl-Koch
2 ♥S−1508.003.005-Lin-Hubka5-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♥S−1508.003.0010-Barron-Moskowitz2-Henry-Mackey
2 ♥S−1508.003.0011-Singerman-Cook4-Burns-Kobida
2 ♥S−1508.003.0013-Lipp-Felson8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 ♥S−21003.507.504-Lammers-Lubow3-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 ♥S−21003.507.508-Elliott-Runda11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥S−21003.507.509-Roark-Murdock13-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥S−21003.507.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus6-Koch-Brown
4 ♥S−42001.0010.007-Prosise-Prosise9-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 ♥××S−416000.0011.002-Pollack-Pollack12-Gibler-Vanstone

Low-level penalty doubles are the bread and butter (ummm.....butter) of top matchpoint players. 2 ♥ is a reasonable contract and will be played at most tables going down one. The West players who remember to double 2 ♥ for penalty will be rewarded with +100 and a shared top. The West players who forget to double....well, let's leave them to stew in their misery (ummm....stew).

N/S lose two Club tricks, one Spade, and three Hearts, down one. West might lead the ♣ K or ♦ 4 on opening lead.

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

NS 4♣; EW 3♦; NS 1N; NS 1♠; EW 1♥; Par +130

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 ♥1
Pass1 ♠Pass2 ♣
Dbl23 ♣3 ♦Pass
Pass4 ♣PassPass
Pass   
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Do something smart, partner

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 ♣×S575010.950.059-Roark-Murdock13-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥×E−25009.861.148-Elliott-Runda11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥E−44008.772.232-Pollack-Pollack12-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♥E−33007.683.323-Hoffman-Duncan1-Mehl-Koch
3 NTW−22006.594.414-Lammers-Lubow3-Olexsey-Thurnau
AveAve5.505.507-Prosise-Prosise9-LaMacchia-Hatch
2 ♣S51505.505.5011-Singerman-Cook4-Burns-Kobida
2 ♣S41304.416.5913-Lipp-Felson8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 ♦W−11003.327.681-Wiest-Altman Sr10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠N−11002.238.7712-Magnus, Jr-Magnus6-Koch-Brown
2 ♦W31100.5910.415-Lin-Hubka5-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♦W31100.5910.4110-Barron-Moskowitz2-Henry-Mackey

The vulnerability keeps E/W from bidding 4 ♦. N/S lose two Spade tricks and one Club, making four. West should probably start with the ♣ A and another Club. South has eleventy-million ways to make four, but the easiest is simply to win the trump at trick two, cash their three side-suit Aces, and cross-ruff the rest of the hand for six additional tricks. If West starts with the ♠ K, declarer can win, and play a round of trumps. West is free to cash their other two Spade tricks, but the North hand is now pretty much good--declarer can pull trump, discard a Diamond from dummy on the ♥ A, and ruff dummy's two losing Diamonds.

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

NS 3♥; NS 4♣; NS 2N; NS 2♦; NS 1♠; Par +140

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♣
Pass1 ♥Pass1 NT1
Pass2 ♦2Pass2 ♠3
Pass2 NT4Pass3 NT
PassPassPass 
  1. No need to show the Spades at this point
  2. Alert, artificial and game forcing XYZ bid
  3. Showing four Spades and not denying three Hearts
  4. Leaving room for South to show a third Heart

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN443011.000.002-Pollack-Pollack11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥N442010.001.0010-Barron-Moskowitz1-Mehl-Koch
3 NTS34007.503.505-Lin-Hubka4-Burns-Kobida
3 NTS34007.503.5011-Singerman-Cook3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 NTS34007.503.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus5-Koppenhafer-Essig
3 NTS34007.503.5013-Lipp-Felson7-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♣S51505.006.006-Heckel-Decker6-Koch-Brown
3 ♥N31404.007.004-Lammers-Lubow2-Henry-Mackey
2 ♣S41302.508.501-Wiest-Altman Sr9-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 ♣S41302.508.508-Elliott-Runda10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NTS−1501.0010.009-Roark-Murdock12-Gibler-Vanstone
3 NTS−21000.0011.003-Hoffman-Duncan13-Cushman-Petersen

South's hand looks like a notrump hand, and that's how they should bid it. North, with an opening hand of their own, fishes for a 5-3 Heart fit, and when none is found is content to play in 3 NT. N/S take four Club tricks, four Hearts, two Diamonds, and one Spade, making five. Or not.

If West leads a small Spade at trick one, declarer will win with dummy's ♠ K, play a small Club to their hand, and lead the ♥ 9. It doesn't really matter whether West wins this trick or ducks and wins the continuation, as long as they play a Diamond to partner's ♦ A when they get in. East can now lead Spades through South's ♠ Q75 netting E/W three Spade tricks, and both red-suit Aces, for down one. Heh.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♣2 ♦1Pass3 NT2
4 ♥3PassPassDbl4
PassPassPass 
  1. Preemptive jump-shift overcall
  2. Expecting to make
  3. Sacrificing in either round suit
  4. No reason to go down once 3 NT is off the table

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♦S617011.000.001-Wiest-Altman Sr9-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 ♥E−1508.502.502-Pollack-Pollack11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♥E−1508.502.504-Lammers-Lubow2-Henry-Mackey
4 ♥E−1508.502.506-Heckel-Decker6-Koch-Brown
3 ♥W−1508.502.5013-Lipp-Felson7-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥E31405.006.003-Hoffman-Duncan13-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♥E31405.006.008-Elliott-Runda10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♥E31405.006.0011-Singerman-Cook3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♥E41703.008.0010-Barron-Moskowitz1-Mehl-Koch
4 ♥E44201.509.505-Lin-Hubka4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♥E44201.509.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus5-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♥E54500.0011.009-Roark-Murdock12-Gibler-Vanstone

When partner preempts, and you have a really good fit for their minor and tricks on the side, DON'T try to play in their minor--play in notrump. With a lot of points and no fit for partner's minor-suit preempt, play in partner's minor (I know, it seems counter intuitive, but it's true).

West didn't pick up their hand to play in Diamonds (or the equivalent notrump contract), so they bid 4 ♥ on the vulnerability. East, with a clear preference for Hearts, passes, and South's double ends the auction. E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and one Diamond, for down one doubled, –100. That's certainly better than –600. If North leads the ♦ A, South should signal with the ♦ J (or better, the ♦ K) asking for a lead in the higher-ranking side suit--Spades in this case. If North doesn't make a preemptive overcall (it's fine not to), N/S will probably still push to 3 ♠, and E/W will sacrifice with 4 ♥ for a totally different (i.e., not different at all) outcome.

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

NS 3N; NS 2♦; NS 1♥; EW 1♣; Par +600

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 NT12 ♦2Dbl3
Rdbl4Pass2 ♠Pass
PassDbl5PassPass
3 ♣6DblPassPass
Pass   
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Alert, Diamonds and a higher-ranking suit
  3. Ostensibly for penalty, or simply to show some values
  4. Partner, tell me your other suit
  5. Obvious
  6. Sort of obvious

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN360011.000.002-Pollack-Pollack10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠E−330010.001.0011-Singerman-Cook2-Henry-Mackey
2 ♦E−22008.502.503-Hoffman-Duncan12-Gibler-Vanstone
2 ♦E−22008.502.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus4-Burns-Kobida
1 NTN41807.004.004-Lammers-Lubow1-Mehl-Koch
2 ♥N41706.005.009-Roark-Murdock11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♠E−11005.006.007-Prosise-Prosise7-McCarthy-Diers
1 NTN1904.007.005-Lin-Hubka3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♥N−11003.008.001-Wiest-Altman Sr8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 ♣W41302.009.0010-Barron-Moskowitz13-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♠E31401.0010.006-Heckel-Decker5-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♥N−33000.0011.0013-Lipp-Felson6-Koch-Brown

East's 2 ♦ bid is DONT (Disturbing Opponent's No Trump). With no fit for partner's first suit, West redoubles asking partner to show their other suit. While West would be content to play in 2 ♠ undoubled, once North trots out a penalty double, West sensibly places the contract in 3 ♣. E/W lose two Club tricks, one Spade, and three Hearts when North starts with ♣ AK. Down two, doubled for –500 will not score well, even though N/S can make 3 NT. Problems is, they won't be in 3 NT. Sniff.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♥Pass1
1 ♠Pass2 ♦Pass
2 ♥2 ♠2Pass3 ♠3
PassPassPass 
  1. Not quite a 2 ♣ overcall
  2. Natural, showing 5+ Spades and values
  3. Interested in the auction

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 ♠N520011.000.007-Prosise-Prosise7-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠N314010.001.0013-Lipp-Felson6-Koch-Brown
2 ♠N21109.002.009-Roark-Murdock11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥E−21008.003.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus4-Burns-Kobida
2 ♥E−1505.505.502-Pollack-Pollack10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♥E−1505.505.505-Lin-Hubka3-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♥E−1505.505.5010-Barron-Moskowitz13-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥E−1505.505.5011-Singerman-Cook2-Henry-Mackey
3 ♠N−1503.008.001-Wiest-Altman Sr8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 ♠N−21002.009.004-Lammers-Lubow1-Mehl-Koch
2 ♥E21100.5010.503-Hoffman-Duncan12-Gibler-Vanstone
2 ♥E21100.5010.506-Heckel-Decker5-Koppenhafer-Essig

If North had overcalled 2 ♠ the first time through the auction, their bid would have shown an opening hand with Spades. It would still have been natural (possibly alertable--director's give different answers to that question), since West could have as little as ♠ 5432 for their 1 ♠ bid.

It's almost impossible for N/S to get to 4 ♠ (or 3 NT), but +170 will still be a nice result. N/S lose no Spade tricks (declarer will start with the ♠ A on the known 4-1 split), one Club (double finesse), and two Diamonds, making four. West will lead the ♥ 7 on opening lead (top of nothing in partner's suit when support has been shown). Declarer should win the opening lead with dummy's ♥ K and lead the ♣ J.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 ♥1PassPass1 ♠
Pass2 NTPassPass
Pass   
  1. Rule of 20 opener

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♠S314011.000.002-Pollack-Pollack9-LaMacchia-Hatch
1 NTN212010.001.001-Wiest-Altman Sr7-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠S21109.002.006-Heckel-Decker4-Burns-Kobida
2 ♥W−21008.003.0010-Barron-Moskowitz12-Gibler-Vanstone
1 NTN1907.004.007-Prosise-Prosise6-Koch-Brown
2 ♥W−1506.005.008-Elliott-Runda8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 NTN−22003.008.003-Hoffman-Duncan11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 NTN−22003.008.004-Lammers-Lubow13-Cushman-Petersen
2 NTN−22003.008.005-Lin-Hubka2-Henry-Mackey
3 ♣N−22003.008.0011-Singerman-Cook1-Mehl-Koch
2 NTN−22003.008.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 NTN−33000.0011.0013-Lipp-Felson5-Koppenhafer-Essig

South borrows a King from their partner to balance, and North (having lent a King to partner) bids 2 NT to show their 11 HCP (not 14, remember the King?) and stoppers in Hearts. South, with nothing extra, passes 2 NT. N/S take three Spade tricks, two Hearts, one Diamond, and two Clubs, making two. It's likely that East will lead the ♥ 8, although the ♣ Q wouldn't be wrong (asking partner to drop the ♣ J).

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

NS 7N; NS 7♥; NS 7♣; NS 2♠; NS 3♦; Par +1520

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 ♣Pass1 ♦1
Pass2 ♥2Pass3 ♥3
Pass3 ♠4Pass4 ♠5
Pass5 ♣6Pass5 ♦7
Pass5 ♥8Pass6 ♥
PassPassPass 
  1. Hiding 4-card major with longer Diamonds and an opening hand
  2. Reverse
  3. Game forcing, showing four Hearts and opening values (see #1)
  4. Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Spades
  5. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
  6. 1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
  7. Do you have the ♥ Q?
  8. Go fish

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS752010.500.503-Hoffman-Duncan11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NTS752010.500.5011-Singerman-Cook1-Mehl-Koch
4 ♥N75107.503.501-Wiest-Altman Sr7-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥S75107.503.504-Lammers-Lubow13-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥N75107.503.505-Lin-Hubka2-Henry-Mackey
4 ♥S75107.503.507-Prosise-Prosise6-Koch-Brown
4 ♥S64804.506.508-Elliott-Runda8-Tedrick-Pretz
4 ♥S64804.506.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♣N71902.508.502-Pollack-Pollack9-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 ♣N71902.508.5010-Barron-Moskowitz12-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♣N61701.0010.006-Heckel-Decker4-Burns-Kobida
6 ♥N−21000.0011.0013-Lipp-Felson5-Koppenhafer-Essig

N/S are Walshists. What does that mean? That means that they'll hide 4+ Diamonds after partner's 1 ♣ opener to show a 4-card major unless (1) they have an opening hand, and (2) longer Diamonds. The rest of the auction is fairly straight forward.

It's likely that East will lead ♠ 4 on opening lead (the unbid suit). Declarer shouldn't rise with the ♠ Q (is East really underleading the ♠ K?), and will win with the ♠ A. A good line is to play a Club to the ♣ K, ♦ A (pitching the ♠ 7), ♥ K, and a Heart to the ♥ A. When the ♥ Q and ♥ J drop in two rounds, declarer simply pulls the last trump, plays the ♣ A (noting that both opponents follow suit), and drops their hand on the table, making seven.

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

NS 3♠; NS 3♥; EW 4♦; EW 2♣; Par −100: NS 4♥×−1; NS 4♠×−1

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 ♠1Dbl2 NT2
3 ♦Pass3Pass3 ♠
PassPass4 ♦Pass
Pass4 ♠Dbl4Pass
PassPass  
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Alert, artificial showing a limit raise (or better) in Spades with 4+ trump
  3. Total minimum
  4. If N/S are making 4 ♠, we're already getting a zero

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠N442010.500.507-Prosise-Prosise5-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♠N442010.500.508-Elliott-Runda7-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠N31407.503.501-Wiest-Altman Sr6-Koch-Brown
3 ♠N31407.503.502-Pollack-Pollack8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 ♠N31407.503.504-Lammers-Lubow12-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♠N31407.503.5013-Lipp-Felson4-Burns-Kobida
5 ♦×E−11005.006.0011-Singerman-Cook13-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠N−1502.508.503-Hoffman-Duncan10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠N−1502.508.505-Lin-Hubka1-Mehl-Koch
2 ♠N−1502.508.506-Heckel-Decker3-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♠N−1502.508.509-Roark-Murdock9-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 ♦W41300.0011.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus2-Henry-Mackey

When you push your opponents into a game that they don't want to bid, you might as well double their final contract--you're getting a total bottom if they make it anyway. N/S lose two Club tricks, one Diamond, and a Club ruff for down one, doubled (–100). That's certainly better than –130 for E/W making 4 ♦.

East will start with the ♣ K (asking for count), and continue with the ♣ A and a third Club for West to ruff. Declarer may get the Heart suit wrong and go two down. Rats. They're positive that West has the ♥ K on the auction, and since it's extremely unlikely that East holds King doubleton (they made a takeout double, remember?), they'll most likely play the ♥ J towards dummy. East will cover, declarer will win with dummy's ♥ A, and go into the tank. Did East start with ♠ x ♥ KTxx ♦ Kxx ♣ AKJxx -or- ♠ x ♥ Kxx ♦ Kxxx ♣ AKJxx? If they think it's the first one, they'll return to their hand and hook the ♥T. If it's the second, they'll play the ♥ Q trying to drop West's now stiff ♥T. The first is more likely, so North has our sympathy.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 NT1Pass
PassPass  
  1. 15 to 17

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 ♦E−210010.500.508-Elliott-Runda7-McCarthy-Diers
1 NTE−210010.500.5011-Singerman-Cook13-Cushman-Petersen
1 ♦E−1507.503.501-Wiest-Altman Sr6-Koch-Brown
1 NTE−1507.503.503-Hoffman-Duncan10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♣W−1507.503.506-Heckel-Decker3-Olexsey-Thurnau
1 NTE−1507.503.507-Prosise-Prosise5-Koppenhafer-Essig
1 NTE1904.506.509-Roark-Murdock9-LaMacchia-Hatch
1 NTE1904.506.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus2-Henry-Mackey
2 ♠N−11002.508.504-Lammers-Lubow12-Gibler-Vanstone
1 NTS−11002.508.505-Lin-Hubka1-Mehl-Koch
1 NTE21201.0010.002-Pollack-Pollack8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 ♠×N−25000.0011.0013-Lipp-Felson4-Burns-Kobida

If East has the hand record in advance, they'll make 1 NT. If not, they might end up down seven (not really--it'll just feel that way). What would you lead with the South hand? Some might lead the ♠ A (short major), ♥ 4 (fourth from my longest major, partner), or the ♣ 4 (fourth from my longest and strongest, partner).

If South starts with a small Heart, E/W will take three Heart tricks, two Diamonds, one Spade, and one Club. If South starts with the ♠ A, E/W will take two Spade tricks, two Hearts, two Diamonds, and a Club. If South starts with a small Club, E/W will take three Club tricks, one Spade, two Hearts, and a Diamond. Huh--East might make 1 NT even without the hand record. Sonofagun!

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 ♦Pass2 NT1Pass
PassPass  
  1. Showing 11 to a bad 12 HCP

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−220010.500.501-Wiest-Altman Sr5-Koppenhafer-Essig
5 ♦W−220010.500.5010-Barron-Moskowitz10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NTW−11008.502.504-Lammers-Lubow11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NTW−11008.502.509-Roark-Murdock8-Tedrick-Pretz
1 NTE1907.004.008-Elliott-Runda6-Koch-Brown
3 ♠S−21006.005.0013-Lipp-Felson3-Olexsey-Thurnau
2 NTE31505.006.005-Lin-Hubka13-Cushman-Petersen
3 NTE36003.507.503-Hoffman-Duncan9-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 NTE36003.507.507-Prosise-Prosise4-Burns-Kobida
3 NTE46301.509.506-Heckel-Decker2-Henry-Mackey
3 NTE46301.509.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus1-Mehl-Koch
3 NTE56600.0011.002-Pollack-Pollack7-McCarthy-Diers

With anything but a flat hand, East might have bid 3 NT instead of 2 NT. E/W take two Spade tricks, one Heart, three Diamonds, and two Clubs, making two. North will probably lead the ♥ 3 on opening lead.

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

NS 4♥; NS 5♦; NS 1N; NS 1♠; EW 1♣; Par +620

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♣1 ♥1 ♠1Dbl2
Pass3 ♦PassPass
Pass   
  1. Showing 5+ Spades
  2. Alert, Snapdragon double showing 5+ Diamonds and exactly two Hearts

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♦N617010.001.003-Hoffman-Duncan9-LaMacchia-Hatch
2 ♦N617010.001.007-Prosise-Prosise4-Burns-Kobida
2 ♥N417010.001.0010-Barron-Moskowitz10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦S51507.503.504-Lammers-Lubow11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♦N51507.503.5013-Lipp-Felson3-Olexsey-Thurnau
3 ♦N31104.506.501-Wiest-Altman Sr5-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♦N31104.506.502-Pollack-Pollack7-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♦N31104.506.509-Roark-Murdock8-Tedrick-Pretz
2 ♦N31104.506.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus1-Mehl-Koch
1 NTS1902.009.005-Lin-Hubka13-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♣W2901.0010.006-Heckel-Decker2-Henry-Mackey
3 ♦N−11000.0011.008-Elliott-Runda6-Koch-Brown

Some play that advancer's double after three suits have been bid is for business (penalty). Since low-level penalty doubles are rare and often unprofitable, it's probably better to play that a double in this position shows tolerance (two-card support) for partner's suit, 5+ cards in the unbid suit, and the values to play at the two level (called a Snapdragon Double).

N/S will probably make four, although 11 tricks are possible on double-dummy lines. East will probably lead the ♣ 2 on opening lead. West will grab the ♣ A (dropping the ♣ K), and return the ♠ Q. Declarer should win in dummy with the ♠ A and immediately lead the ♥ Q. If West covers, declarer should win with the ♥ A, cash the ♥ J, and ruff a small Heart in dummy. In dummy for the second time, declarer should lead the ♦ J and finesse again if West refuses to cover.

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

NS 5♠; NS 4N; N 4♥; S 3♥; NS 2♦; NS 2♣; Par +650

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 ♠Pass1 NT1
Pass2 ♠Pass3 ♠2
Pass4 ♠PassPass
Pass   
  1. Forcing
  2. Showing a 2-card limit raise

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS566011.000.0011-Singerman-Cook11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠N46209.002.001-Wiest-Altman Sr4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠N46209.002.008-Elliott-Runda5-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♠N46209.002.0010-Barron-Moskowitz9-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 NTS36007.004.009-Roark-Murdock7-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠N52005.006.002-Pollack-Pollack6-Koch-Brown
2 ♠N52005.006.004-Lammers-Lubow10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠N52005.006.007-Prosise-Prosise3-Olexsey-Thurnau
1 NTS41803.008.005-Lin-Hubka12-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♠N41702.009.003-Hoffman-Duncan8-Tedrick-Pretz
2 ♠N31401.0010.0013-Lipp-Felson2-Henry-Mackey
4 ♥S−11000.0011.006-Heckel-Decker1-Mehl-Koch

If South had a three-card limit raise in Spades, they'd bid 4 ♠ at their second turn. N/S lose one Diamond and one Club, making five. If E/W lead a Heart on opening lead (frozen suit), N/S will lose one Heart and one Diamond. North's losing Club will go away either on dummy's long Heart or long Diamond--it depends on what West plays at trick two after winning the ♥ Q. It's more likely that East will lead a trump, and declarer will have time to set up the Clubs for discards.

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

EW 5N; EW 5♠; W 4♥; E 3♥; EW 2♦; Par −660

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♦Pass
1 ♠Pass2 ♠Pass
2 NT1Pass4 ♥2Pass
4 ♠PassPassPass
  1. Alert, artificial asking about the quality of partner's raise (Wold 2 NT)
  2. Showing a 6-loser hand and shortness in the other major, Hearts in this case

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 ♠×E−250011.000.007-Prosise-Prosise3-Olexsey-Thurnau
6 ♠W−220010.001.003-Hoffman-Duncan8-Tedrick-Pretz
6 ♠W−11008.502.504-Lammers-Lubow10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
6 ♠E−11008.502.5011-Singerman-Cook11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠E46206.005.001-Wiest-Altman Sr4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠W46206.005.002-Pollack-Pollack6-Koch-Brown
4 ♥W46206.005.0010-Barron-Moskowitz9-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 ♠W56503.008.005-Lin-Hubka12-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♠W56503.008.008-Elliott-Runda5-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♠W56503.008.009-Roark-Murdock7-McCarthy-Diers
5 ♣×N−48001.0010.0013-Lipp-Felson2-Henry-Mackey
6 ♠E614300.0011.006-Heckel-Decker1-Mehl-Koch

West has slam aspirations until partner shows a singleton (or void) in Hearts. Oh well.

E/W lose one Spade on the ridiculous trump split and one Club, making five. There's no way to pick up the Spade suit for no losers, since South has ♠ J9xx. The best line on a Heart lead is to win in hand, play off ♠ AKQ, and play Hearts (pitching Diamonds from dummy) until South ruffs. South can cash their ♣ A, but that's it for the defense.

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

NS 6♦; NS 5♠; NS 1N; NS 2♣; EW 1♥; Par +1370

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♦
Pass2 ♦12 ♥2 ♠
Pass3 ♥2Dbl3Pass4
Pass4 ♥5Dbl6Rdbl7
Pass6 ♦PassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, game-forcing Diamond raise
  2. Asking for a Heart stopper for notrump
  3. Lead a Heart
  4. Denying a Heart stopper
  5. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Diamonds
  6. See #3
  7. RIPO 1430 response showing 1 or 4 keycards

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 ♦S662010.500.504-Lammers-Lubow9-LaMacchia-Hatch
5 ♦S662010.500.509-Roark-Murdock6-Koch-Brown
3 ♦S61708.502.501-Wiest-Altman Sr3-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♦S61708.502.506-Heckel-Decker13-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠S−11007.004.002-Pollack-Pollack5-Koppenhafer-Essig
3 NTN−22003.507.503-Hoffman-Duncan7-McCarthy-Diers
3 NTN−22003.507.505-Lin-Hubka11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NTN−22003.507.507-Prosise-Prosise2-Henry-Mackey
3 NTN−22003.507.5010-Barron-Moskowitz8-Tedrick-Pretz
3 NTN−22003.507.5011-Singerman-Cook10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NTN−22003.507.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus12-Gibler-Vanstone
3 NTN−33000.0011.008-Elliott-Runda4-Burns-Kobida

When your opponents interfere with your RKC Blackwood auction, it's a really good idea to play that a double (or redouble) by the 1430 responder shows one or four keycards and a pass by responder shows zero or three keycards. With two (or five) keycards, with or without the Queen of trumps, responder bids the 1st or 2nd step (bid above the interference) respectively. This is called DOPI/ROPI (or DIPO/RIPO if you'd prefer). You mark it on your convention card under SLAM CONVENTIONS.

West will lead the ♥ 7 (MUD) on opening lead, and East will most likely continue Hearts at trick two. Since West is more likely to have longer Diamonds than East on the auction, declarer will play ♦ A and another, intending to finesse West. When the ♦ Q appears, the hand is over (dummy's third Club will disappear on declarer's fourth Spade).

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

EW 3♠; EW 3♥; EW 4♣; S 1N; NS 2♦; Par −140

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♥3 ♦1PassPass
Dbl2Pass3 ♠Pass
PassPass  
  1. Preemptive jump-shift overcall
  2. Do something smart, partner

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♥E−315010.500.504-Lammers-Lubow9-LaMacchia-Hatch
5 ♣W−315010.500.506-Heckel-Decker13-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♦N31108.003.007-Prosise-Prosise2-Henry-Mackey
3 ♦N31108.003.0011-Singerman-Cook10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♦N31108.003.0012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus12-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♥W−21006.005.008-Elliott-Runda4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♣W−1505.006.001-Wiest-Altman Sr3-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♦N−1503.507.503-Hoffman-Duncan7-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♦N−1503.507.509-Roark-Murdock6-Koch-Brown
3 NT×S−11002.009.005-Lin-Hubka11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠E44201.0010.002-Pollack-Pollack5-Koppenhafer-Essig
5 ♦×N−48000.0011.0010-Barron-Moskowitz8-Tedrick-Pretz

If you've never used the "Do something smart, partner" double, you'll be surprised how often it comes in handy. Often it's used after a long pause, but that's okay--sometimes it's hard to find the correct call. 4 ♣ wouldn't be completely wrong from West at their second turn, but double is better.

E/W lose four tricks, and it will depend on South's opening lead as to which tricks they lose. The best defense is ♦ A and another Diamond, declarer ruffing low in dummy. While this gets rid of one of declarer's Diamond losers, there's no way for them to get to their hand to ruff their other Diamond. Their best line is to lead a small Heart from dummy. North will hop with the ♥ Q (declarer should throw the ♥ J) and lead a trump. Declarer can win with the ♠ A, cash the ♠ K, and exit with a third trump. South is back in, but with no Diamonds left is forced to exit with a Club. Declarer wins with dummy's ♣T and plays ♣ A and ♣ Q to put South back in the lead. South's forced round-suit exit will give dummy two more tricks (declarer pitching their losing Diamond). Nicely done!

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul
♠J 6
♥6 5 4
♦9 7 6 3
♣Q 6 5 3
♠A 9 7 4
♥K Q 10
♦A J 4
♣10 4 2
N
WE
S
♠K Q 8 5 2
♥J 8 3
♦K Q 10
♣K 8
♠10 3
♥A 9 7 2
♦8 5 2
♣A J 9 7

EW 4♠; E 3N; W 2N; E 2♥; EW 2♦; W 1♥; EW 1♣; Par −620

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 ♠Pass
2 NT1Pass3 NT2Pass
4 ♠PassPassPass
  1. Alert, artificial game-forcing Spade raise (Jacoby 2 NT)
  2. Denying shortness or extra length in Spades

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠E46207.503.503-Hoffman-Duncan6-Koch-Brown
4 ♠E46207.503.504-Lammers-Lubow8-Tedrick-Pretz
4 ♠E46207.503.505-Lin-Hubka10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠E46207.503.506-Heckel-Decker12-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♠E46207.503.507-Prosise-Prosise1-Mehl-Koch
4 ♠E46207.503.509-Roark-Murdock5-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♠E46207.503.5011-Singerman-Cook9-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 ♠E46207.503.5013-Lipp-Felson13-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠E56501.509.502-Pollack-Pollack4-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠E56501.509.508-Elliott-Runda3-Olexsey-Thurnau
4 ♠E56501.509.5010-Barron-Moskowitz7-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠E56501.509.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus11-Jervis-Lindeman

E/W lose one Heart trick and two Clubs, making four. As long as South doesn't lead a Club, they'll take their three tricks. A trump looks like the best lead.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul
♠Q 6 5 3
♥Q 5 4 3
♦K 8 7
♣5 3
♠J 8 7 4
♥K 10 9 8
♦A 9
♣A Q 9
N
WE
S
♠K 10 9
♥6 2
♦Q J 6 5
♣J 8 6 2
♠A 2
♥A J 7
♦10 4 3 2
♣K 10 7 4

EW 3N; EW 2♠; EW 2♦; EW 2♣; EW 1♥; Par −600

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 ♦1
DblPass1 NT2Pass
PassPass  
  1. When you're 4-4 in the minors, open 1 ♦
  2. Showing 7-10 HCP and strength in the opponent's suit

ContractScoreMatchpointsPairPair
   N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 NTW19010.500.5011-Singerman-Cook9-LaMacchia-Hatch
1 NTE19010.500.5012-Magnus, Jr-Magnus11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥N−11008.502.504-Lammers-Lubow8-Tedrick-Pretz
2 ♥N−11008.502.509-Roark-Murdock5-Koppenhafer-Essig
1 NTW21206.504.502-Pollack-Pollack4-Burns-Kobida
1 NTE21206.504.5010-Barron-Moskowitz7-McCarthy-Diers
1 NTE31505.006.005-Lin-Hubka10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 ♦×S−12003.008.003-Hoffman-Duncan6-Koch-Brown
2 ♦S−22003.008.007-Prosise-Prosise1-Mehl-Koch
1 NTS−22003.008.0013-Lipp-Felson13-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥N−33000.5010.506-Heckel-Decker12-Gibler-Vanstone
2 ♥N−33000.5010.508-Elliott-Runda3-Olexsey-Thurnau

E/W take three Club tricks, three Diamonds, and three major-suit tricks. E/W hold a HCP edge of 21-19, but take a look at those high spot cards (8-10)--E/W have nine of the 12 cards (75%)!! Possession of a significant number of high spot cards is incredibly important when evaluating your hand. South doesn't have a good lead, but none of them look horrendous either--maybe a small club?

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♥
Pass1 ♠Pass3 ♦1
Pass3 ♥Pass4 ♣2
Pass4 ♠3Pass5 ♥4
PassPass5Pass 
  1. Jump shift, natural and game forcing
  2. Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Clubs and showing a problem in Spades
  3. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
  4. 1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards with the ♥ Q
  5. Off two keycards

South can't afford to rebid 3 ♥, since it wouldn't be forcing, so they manufacture a semi-natural 3 ♦ jump shift. North, with nothing better to bid, shows Heart tolerance, and South makes a control bid in Clubs. The rest of the auction is as you would expect, with North stopping at the five level when they're off two keycards.

It's unlikely that declarer will guess the Hearts right anyway, so 11 tricks will be the limit. If West chances on a Spade lead, declarer may make a safety play in Hearts (♥ A and another) and accidentally luck into a twelfth trick. Whadda ya know?

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass1 ♦Dbl1
Pass1 ♠2Pass2 ♦3
Pass3 ♥4Pass3 NT
PassPassPass 
  1. Big hands with no better bid start with a double
  2. With 4-4 in the majors, bid Spades first in response to a double...
  3. A double followed by a cuebid shows a 2 NT opener or thereabouts in playing strength
  4. ....because it leaves you room to bid Hearts if the auction continues

North's 3 ♥ bid creates a game force (i.e., they would have rebid 2 ♥ with a dead minimum). N/S take five Club tricks, four Diamonds (♦ A, ♦ K, finesse for the ♦ J), and one Spade, making four. West will lead a small Heart on the go, but they won't be able to overtake partner's ♥ Q without turning dummy's ♥ 9 into a trick. Declarer should play the ♦ AK before going to dummy with the ♣ Q for a third-round Diamond finesse. If West finds a Spade lead (unlikely), N/S will be held to nine tricks.

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 ♥Pass1 ♠
Pass2 ♣Pass2 ♦1
Pass3 ♣2Pass3 ♠3
Pass4 ♠PassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, artificial Fourth-Suit Forcing bid (to game)
  2. Best available rebid
  3. Showing the sixth Spade

Fourth-Suit Forcing is useful to find out whether opener has (1) three-card support for responder's major, (2) four cards in the fourth suit, (3) stoppers in the fourth suit for notrump, or (4) extra cards in opener's second suit. In this case, North lacks the first three and barely qualifies for the fourth.

N/S lose only one Club on magic cards, making six. West may lead the ♣ 9 on opening lead, East winning the ♣ A. A Diamond return is likely, and South should rise with the ♦ A. A successful Heart finesse, a successful Spade finesse, a Heart to the ♥ A, and another Spade hook pretty much finish off the hand. Declarer can pull the last trump and throw their losing Diamond on dummy's long Club.

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♥Pass
2 ♥Pass2 NT1Pass
3 ♦2Pass4 ♥Pass
PassPass  
  1. Kokish game try asking for the lowest ranking side suit where responder has help
  2. Responder has help in Diamonds but not Clubs

When playing Kokish Game Tries, the first step after a 1M-2M auction asks partner for help and typically denies shortness in a side suit. It's unwise to advertise shortness in a suit when you hold a singleton Ace--partner won't know what to do when holding the King in that suit.

E/W lose one Heart trick and two Clubs, making four. South will lead the ♣ K on opening lead, asking for count.

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 ♥12 ♦22 ♥3Pass
PassDbl4Pass2 ♠
PassPassPass 
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Showing a full opener
  3. Almost a limit raise, but not quite
  4. Do something smart, partner

If South bids 3 ♣ over North's double, North will correct back to Diamonds. N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and two Clubs, making two. West will lead their singleton ♦ J on the go.

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass1 ♥2 ♦1
Pass2 ♠2Pass3 ♥3
Pass3 NT4PassPass
Pass   
  1. Showing a full opener
  2. Forcing
  3. Do you have a Heart stopper for notrump?
  4. Um, sort of....

When your partner makes a 2/1 overcall, it's a good idea to play a new suit by advancer is a one-round force. It's tough for North to claim a Heart stopper holding ♥ 9 fourth, but there you go. Partner might hold a Heart honor and/or the suit might block (which happens here).

N/S take seven Diamond tricks, one Club, and two Spades, making four. If North denies a Heart stopper, N/S will probably play in 4 ♠ (yay) or 5 ♦ (not so yay). East will lead the ♥ K on opening lead.

WestNorthEastSouth
 2 ♠PassPass
3 ♥PassPassPass

North will lead the ♠ K on opening lead, asking for count, and continue with the ♠ A and a third Spade when partner shows a doubleton. Declarer doesn't have a reasonable card to pitch from dummy, so they'll ruff with the ♥ 9. When South can't overruff with the ♥ J, that card will be with North. With no losers in Clubs or Diamonds, declarer needs to hold their trump losers to two--not too difficult, losing to South's ♥ A and ♥ 8.

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♥Pass
2 NT1Pass4 ♥2Pass
PassPass  
  1. Alert, artificial showing a game-forcing Heart raise
  2. Opener is embarrassed by their hand

E/W lose one Spade trick and one minor-suit trick (they get one pitch on the dummy's long Spade), making five. South will probably lead a trump.

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
PassPass1 ♠Pass
PassPass  

That was quick. E/W lose two Heart tricks, one Diamond, and two trumps (not enough entries in dummy to finesse Spade twice), making two. South will probably lead the ♥ K.

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass1 NT1Pass
PassPass  
  1. 15 to 17

That was almost as quick as Board #35.

E/W take four Spade tricks, two Hearts, and one Diamond, making one. South should lead the ♥ 4 (shorter major) on opening lead, although they'll probably lead the ♠ 2 or ♦ 6 (fourth highest from....ouch!).