MON 01/30/2017 at Nite

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>January 30, 2017   |CLUB NO.>185264    | 01/30/2017 22:06
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Junior Fund                  |MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=11/B=10/C=6                     ,---,-----------------,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |      Overall    |           Section       |      |Final    |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Kevin Henry            Betty Murdock            C   .     .     4   |   .     .     .     84.00  50.00  0.42(OC)
 2 Donald Pollack         Bernice Pollack          C   .     5     2   |   3     3     1     89.79  53.45  0.77(SA)
 3 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     69.13  41.15
 4 Richard Magnus         Julian Magnus, Jr        B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     81.13  48.29
 5 Joyce Tedrick          Linda Pretz              B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     73.65  43.84
 6 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Martin Gibler            B   3     2     .   |   2     2     .     98.43  58.59  1.72(OA)
 7 Pamela Kennedy         Cheryl Endres            C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     71.85  42.77
 8 Mona Kerstine          Richard Kerstine         C   .     .     3   |   4     4     2     85.44  50.86  0.56(OC)
 9 Judy Barron            Reggie Moskowitz         C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     73.50  43.75
10 John Williams          Reeta Brendamour         B   1     1     .   |   1     1     .    110.93  66.03  3.06(OA)
11 Dennis Schultz         Larry Newman             A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     83.60  49.76

                                          Totals                                            921.45


                                 **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11
  /
   1>   5.79                    1.79        5.79  1.79  1.79  5.79  1.79
         510   ----  ----  ----  480   ----  510   480   480   510   480

   2>   2.36                    5.21        2.36  2.36  6.93  5.21  0.07
        -170   ----  ----  ---- -140   ---- -170  -170  -100  -140  -200

   3>   0.07                    5.79        2.93  2.93  6.93  4.64  1.21
        -690   ----  ----  ---- -140   ---- -630  -630   200  -210  -660

   4>           3-                    2.36  0.07  6.93  1.21  4.64  5.79
         ----  140   ----  ----  ----  130  -110   620   110   170   500

   5>         6.36                    1.21  0.07  6.36  4.64  2.36    3-
         ----  600   ----  ----  ----  140   120   600   180   150   170

   6>           3-                    1.21  5.79  5.79  5.79  2.36  0.07
         ----  100   ----  ----  ---- -140   110   110   110   -50  -170

   7>   6.93  5.21  0.07                          2.36  5.21  2.36  2.36
         100    80  -300   ----  ----  ----  ---- -100    80  -100  -100

   8>   4.64  4.64  1.79                          4.64  1.79  6.93  0.07
         100   100    50   ----  ----  ----  ----  100    50   150   -50

   9>   4.07  4.07  0.07                          2.36  1.21  5.79  6.93
         400   400  -100   ----  ----  ----  ----  180   120   430   500

  10>   4.07        4.07  6.93                    4.07  4.07  0.64  0.64
         100   ----  100   750   ----  ----  ----  100   100  -140  -140

  11>   4.07        4.07  0.07                    1.21  4.07  6.93  4.07
        -450   ---- -450  -510   ----  ----  ---- -480  -450  -170  -450

  12>   1.21        6.36  6.36                    0.07  2.36    3-  4.64
         110   ----  600   600   ----  ----  ---- -100   140   150   500

  13>     3     1-    6     0     4-                      1-    7     4-
        -140  -630   200  -660   100   ----  ----  ---- -630   300   100

  14>     7     2-    2-    2-    2-                      0     5-    5-
         500   130   130   130   130   ----  ----  ----   50   150   150

  15>     1     2-    2-    7     5-                      4     5-    0
        -510  -480  -480  -130  -230   ----  ----  ---- -400  -230  -830

  16>   5.79  2.36        0.07  2.36  4.64                    2.36  6.93
         100  -130   ---- -600  -130   -80   ----  ----  ---- -130   130

  17>   0.07  1.21        2.36  5.79  4.64                      3-  6.93
        -470  -300   ---- -150   100   -50   ----  ----  ---- -100   110

  18>   1.21  0.07          3-  2.36  5.79                    5.79  5.79
         640   230   ----  720   680  1430   ----  ----  ---- 1430  1430

  19>     5-    5-    0     2     2     7     4                       2
         100   100  -130  -110  -110   140   -90   ----  ----  ---- -110

  20>     1     4     7     1     1     4     6                       4
         100   650   800   100   100   650   680   ----  ----  ----  650

  21>   1.79  6.36  1.79  4.64  1.79    3-  1.79                    6.36
        -400    50  -400  -150  -400   AVE  -400   ----  ----  ----   50

  22>   4.64  2.93  0.64        0.64  6.93  2.93  5.79
          90   -50  -110   ---- -110   200   -50   120   ----  ----  ----

  23>     3-    3-    3-          3-    3-  6.93  0.07
         130   130   130   ----  130   130   150  -200   ----  ----  ----

  24>   5.79  2.36  0.64        0.64  4.64    3-  6.93
        -150  -460  -490   ---- -490  -240  -430   100   ----  ----  ----

  25>           3     1     6-    6-    4     2     5     0
         ---- -150  -500   100   100  -140  -200  -120  -630   ----  ----

  26>           6-     -    6-    2     4      -    4     4
         ----  600  -100   600   130   140  -100   140   140   ----  ----

  27>           7     3-    0     3-    6     3-    3-    1
         ----  130   -50  -150   -50   110   -50   -50  -130   ----  ----

  28>               5.21  0.07        5.21  5.21  2.36  1.21  5.21
         ----  ----   50  -420   ----   50    50  -110  -170    50   ----

  29>               5.21  5.21        1.21  0.07  5.21  2.36  5.21
         ----  ----  650   650   ----  100  -850   650   500   650   ----

  30>               4.07  1.21        4.07  0.07  4.07  4.07  6.93
         ----  ----   50  -100   ----   50  -420    50    50   100   ----

  31>                     5.21  6.93  2.36  0.64  0.64    3-  5.21
         ----  ----  ----   50   100  -140  -170  -170  -120    50   ----

  32>                     4.07  0.07  4.07  6.93  1.21  4.07  4.07
         ----  ----  ----  -50  -140   -50   450  -100   -50   -50   ----

  33>                     5.79  0.07  5.79  1.79  5.79  1.79    3-
         ----  ----  ---- -140  -460  -140  -420  -140  -420  -400   ----



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>January 30, 2017   |CLUB NO.>185264    | 01/30/2017 22:06
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Junior Fund                  |MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=11/B=8/C=5                      ,---,-----------------,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |      Overall    |           Section       |      |Final    |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Tim Oppelt             Joanne Oppelt            C   6     4     1   |   4     2     1     91.72  54.60  0.99(OC)
 2 Joan Mehl              Richard Koch             B   4     3     .   |   2     1     .     93.00  55.36  1.29(OA)
 3 Joy Singerman          Pam Campbell             B   .     .     .   |   .     3     .     87.19  51.90  0.33(SB)
 4 Annette Kereiakes      Tom Kereiakes            C   .     .     .   |   .     .     2     78.06  46.46  0.32(SC)
 5 Dona Koch              Sara Brown               C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     71.07  42.30
 6 Amy Connert            Pat Lindeman             C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     62.41  37.15
 7 Ruby Kern              William Cook             B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     85.29  50.77
 8 Evelyn McCarthy        Joan Diers               C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     75.64  45.02
 9 Michael Lipp           Millard Lakes            A   2     .     .   |   1     .     .    103.81  61.79  2.30(OA)
10 Kimberly King          Michael Purcell          A   5     .     .   |   3     .     .     91.80  54.64  0.97(OA)


                                          Totals                                            839.99


                                 **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11
  /
   1>   1.21  1.21        5.21        5.21        1.21  5.21  5.21
        -510  -510   ---- -480   ---- -480   ---- -510  -480  -480   ----

   2>   4.64  4.64        4.64        0.07        1.79  1.79  6.93
         170   170   ----  170   ----  100   ----  140   140   200   ----

   3>   6.93  4.07        4.07        0.07        2.36  1.21  5.79
         690   630   ----  630   ---- -200   ----  210   140   660   ----

   4>   6.93    3-  0.07        5.79        2.36        1.21  4.64
         110  -140  -620   ---- -110   ---- -170   ---- -500  -130   ----

   5>   6.93  0.64  0.64        2.36        4.64          3-  5.79
        -120  -600  -600   ---- -180   ---- -150   ---- -170  -140   ----

   6>   1.21    3-  1.21        1.21        4.64        6.93  5.79
        -110  -100  -110   ---- -110   ----   50   ----  170   140   ----

   7>   1.79  4.64  6.93  1.79        4.64        4.64        0.07
         -80   100   300   -80   ----  100   ----  100   ---- -100   ----

   8>   2.36  2.36  5.21  5.21        0.07        6.93        2.36
        -100  -100   -50   -50   ---- -150   ----   50   ---- -100   ----

   9>   2.93  4.64  6.93  5.79        1.21        0.07        2.93
        -400  -180   100  -120   ---- -430   ---- -500   ---- -400   ----

  10>   2.93  2.93  2.93  0.07  6.36        6.36        2.93
        -100  -100  -100  -750   140   ----  140   ---- -100   ----  ----

  11>   5.79  2.93  2.93  6.93  0.07        2.93        2.93
         480   450   450   510   170   ----  450   ----  450   ----  ----

  12>   6.93  0.64  4.64  0.64    3-        2.36        5.79
         100  -600  -140  -600  -150   ---- -500   ---- -110   ----  ----

  13>     1     5-    7     0     2-    2-          4           5-
        -200   630   660  -300  -100  -100   ----  140   ----  630   ----

  14>     4-    7     4-    1-    4-    1-          0           4-
        -130   -50  -130  -150  -130  -150   ---- -500   ---- -130   ----

  15>     4-    3     0     1-    1-    7           6           4-
         480   400   130   230   230   830   ----  510   ----  480   ----

  16>         6.93  4.64  4.64  0.07  2.36  1.21        4.64
         ----  600   130   130  -130    80  -100   ----  130   ----  ----

  17>         4.64    3-  1.21  0.07  2.36  6.93        5.79
         ----  150   100  -100  -110    50   470   ----  300   ----  ----

  18>           3-  1.21  4.64  1.21  1.21  5.79        6.93
         ---- -720 -1430  -680 -1430 -1430  -640   ---- -230   ----  ----

  19>     5           5     5     0     1-    3     1-          7
         110   ----  110   110  -140  -100    90  -100   ----  130   ----

  20>     6           6     3     3     6     1     3           0
        -100   ---- -100  -650  -650  -100  -680  -650   ---- -800   ----

  21>   2.36        5.21  0.64    3-  5.21  5.21  0.64        5.21
         150   ----  400   -50   AVE   400   400   -50   ----  400   ----

  22>         6.36        0.07  2.36  4.07  4.07  1.21  6.36
         ----  110   ---- -200   -90    50    50  -120   110   ----  ----

  23>           3-          3-    3-  0.07    3-  6.93    3-
         ---- -130   ---- -130  -130  -150  -130   200  -130   ----  ----

  24>         6.36        2.36  1.21    3-  4.64  0.07  6.36
         ----  490   ----  240   150   430   460  -100   490   ----  ----

  25>      -          3           5     4     2     6     7      -
        -100   ----  140   ----  200   150   120   500   630  -100   ----

  26>     5           3           6-     -    3     6-    3      -
        -130   ---- -140   ----  100  -600  -140   100  -140  -600   ----

  27>     3-          1           3-    0     3-    3-    6     7
          50   ---- -110   ----   50  -130    50    50   130   150   ----

  28>         1.79        1.79        4.64  1.79  5.79  6.93  1.79
         ----  -50   ----  -50   ----  110   -50   170   420   -50   ----

  29>         5.79        6.93        1.79  1.79  4.64  1.79  1.79
         ---- -100   ----  850   ---- -650  -650  -500  -650  -650   ----

  30>         2.93        6.93        2.93  2.93  2.93  5.79  0.07
         ----  -50   ----  420   ----  -50   -50   -50   100  -100   ----

  31>   4.64        6.36        6.36          3-  1.79  1.79  0.07
         140   ----  170   ----  170   ----  120   -50   -50  -100   ----

  32>   2.93        0.07        5.79        2.93  2.93  2.93  6.93
          50   ---- -450   ----  100   ----   50    50    50   140   ----

  33>   1.21        5.21        1.21        5.21  1.21    3-  6.93
         140   ----  420   ----  140   ----  420   140   400   460   ----
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, January 30, 2017

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 9 8
♥	10 9 8 7 6 5
♦	A Q 5
♣	9

♠	6 3
♥	Q
♦	J 9 6 4 3
♣	K Q 10 8 2

N
W		E
S

♠	10 7 5 2
♥	J 4
♦	10 7
♣	A 6 5 4 3

♠	A K J 4
♥	A K 3 2
♦	K 8 2
♣	J 7

NS 6♠; NS 6♥; NS 2N; NS 2♦; EW 2♣; Par +980

West	North	East	South
	2 ♥1	Pass	2 NT2
3 ♣	3 ♦3	4 ♣	5 ♥4
Pass	6 ♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

Weak two bid
Ogust asking about the quality of opener's suit/hand
Showing a feature in Diamonds
Partner, bid six if you have 2nd-round control of the opponent's suit

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	N	7	510		5.79	1.21	1-Henry-Murdock	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
4 ♥	N	7	510		5.79	1.21	7-Kennedy-Endres	2-Mehl-Koch
4 ♥	N	7	510		5.79	1.21	10-Williams-Brendamour	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	N	6	480		1.79	5.21	5-Tedrick-Pretz	9-Lipp-Lakes
4 ♥	N	6	480		1.79	5.21	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	N	6	480		1.79	5.21	9-Barron-Moskowitz	6-Connert-Lindeman
4 ♥	S	6	480		1.79	5.21	11-Schultz-Newman	10-King-Purcell

West will regret sneaking their 3 ♣ lead director into this auction. When the opponents interfere at the three level during your Ogust auction, you should show a feature in a side suit (if possible). South knows that partner is showing the ♦ A, since they're staring at the ♦ K in their own hand.

Take a look at South's 5 ♥ bid. When you make an unnecessary jump in an agreed upon major to the five level when your opponents have bid one and only one suit, you're asking your partner a question--do you have 1st or 2nd round control in the opponent's suit?
1) With two fast losers, partner should pass.
2) With a singleton, partner should bid six of your major.
3) With a protected King (♣ Kx in this case), partner should bid 5 NT.
4) With first-round control (void or Ace), partner should cuebid the opponent's suit at the six level if that bid is lower than six of your major.

N/S lose only one Club, making six. East will lead the ♣ A.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 10 8 4
♥	8 4 3
♦	10
♣	Q 9 8 7 2

♠	K Q 7 5 3 2
♥	K 10
♦	A 9 2
♣	K J

N
W		E
S

♠	J 9
♥	5 2
♦	Q J 7 6 5
♣	A 6 4 3

♠	6
♥	A Q J 9 7 6
♦	K 8 4 3
♣	10 5

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

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♥1
Dbl2	2 ♥3	Dbl4	Pass
3 ♠	Pass	4 ♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 opener
Planning to double and bid Spades
Alert, BROMAD bid showing 0-6 HCP and exactly three Spades
Responsive double showing both minors

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	−1		100	6.93	0.07	9-Barron-Moskowitz	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♠	W	3		140	5.21	1.79	5-Tedrick-Pretz	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 ♠	W	3		140	5.21	1.79	10-Williams-Brendamour	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	W	4		170	2.36	4.64	1-Henry-Murdock	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
3 ♠	W	4		170	2.36	4.64	7-Kennedy-Endres	2-Mehl-Koch
3 ♠	W	4		170	2.36	4.64	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♥	S	−2		200	0.07	6.93	11-Schultz-Newman	10-King-Purcell

When your partner makes a takeout double of a major-suit opener, and responder shows a fit for opener's suit, advancer's double is a responsive double showing both minors. Responsive doubles are not alertable.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Diamond ruff, making four. North will lead their stiff ♦T, declarer covers with dummy's ♦ J, and South will duck (why cover?). When in with the ♠ A, North should have no trouble finding a Heart switch, and South will dutifully return a Diamond for North to ruff.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K Q 4
♥	Q 8 3 2
♦	10 2
♣	8 5 4 2

♠	10 5
♥	A J 9 5
♦	Q J 5 4
♣	A Q 6

N
W		E
S

♠	J 9 8 2
♥	K 10 4
♦	A K
♣	K J 10 7

♠	A 7 6 3
♥	7 6
♦	9 8 7 6 3
♣	9 3

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

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

Obvious

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	W	−2	200		6.93	0.07	9-Barron-Moskowitz	6-Connert-Lindeman
1 ♠	E	3		140	5.79	1.21	5-Tedrick-Pretz	9-Lipp-Lakes
2 NT	E	5		210	4.64	2.36	10-Williams-Brendamour	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	E	4		630	2.93	4.07	7-Kennedy-Endres	2-Mehl-Koch
3 NT	E	4		630	2.93	4.07	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NT	W	5		660	1.21	5.79	11-Schultz-Newman	10-King-Purcell
3 NT	W	6		690	0.07	6.93	1-Henry-Murdock	1-Oppelt-Oppelt

For those of you who play XYZ bids, where responder's 2 ♦ bid after three one-level bids creates a game force, remember that there's no reason to bid 2 ♦ if you have a better bid. In this case, when East doesn't have (1) a fifth Spade, or (2) a fourth Heart, or (3) interest in a minor-suit slam, or (4) extra values, 3 NT is the "better" bid.

E/W take four Diamond tricks, four Clubs, and two Hearts, making four. If North is a subscriber to the school of "Fourth from the highest in my longest and strongest, partner", E/W will make six. I can't imagine leading the ♥ 2, but somebody will. The ♠ K looks like a much better lead.

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 6 5 4 3
♥	J 4
♦	K 8 7
♣	A Q 4

♠	K Q 9
♥	A 10 8 6 5
♦	6 5 4
♣	J 7

N
W		E
S

♠	J 2
♥	K Q 9 7 2
♦	10 9
♣	10 8 3 2

♠	A 10 7
♥	3
♦	A Q J 3 2
♣	K 9 6 5

NS 4♠; NS 4♦; NS 4♣; NS 2N; EW 2♥; Par +620

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

Showing 5+ Spades
Preemptive jump raise
Alert, support double showing exactly three Spades

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	N	4	620		6.93	0.07	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♥×	E	−2	500		5.79	1.21	11-Schultz-Newman	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 ♠	N	4	170		4.64	2.36	10-Williams-Brendamour	7-Kern-Cook
2 ♠	N	3	140		3.50	3.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Mehl-Koch
3 ♦	S	4	130		2.36	4.64	6-Vanstone-Gibler	10-King-Purcell
2 ♦	S	3	110		1.21	5.79	9-Barron-Moskowitz	5-Koch-Brown
2 ♥	W	2		110	0.07	6.93	7-Kennedy-Endres	1-Oppelt-Oppelt

When you play support doubles, make sure you play them up through the three level (i.e., as long as you are able to bid three of partner's suit, support doubles should be on). East would have bid 4 ♥ over 1 ♠ with favorable vulnerability.

N/S lose two Spade tricks and one Heart, making four. East will lead the ♥ K.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A J 2
♥	J 10 8 2
♦	K
♣	A 9 7 5 3

♠	K 3
♥	9 7 5 4
♦	8 6 2
♣	K J 8 2

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8 7 5
♥	A 6 3
♦	Q J 10 3
♣	Q 10

♠	Q 9 6 4
♥	K Q
♦	A 9 7 5 4
♣	6 4

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

West	North	East	South
	1 ♣	Pass	1 ♠1
Pass	2 ♠2	Pass	2 NT3
Pass	3 ♣4	Pass	3 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

Bypassing 4+ ♦ to bid a 4-card major
What else?
Alert, artificial Wold 2 NT bid asking for more information about partner's raise
Alert, artificial showing a minimum hand with 3-card support

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	600		6.36	0.64	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Mehl-Koch
3 NT	N	3	600		6.36	0.64	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	3-Singerman-Campbell
1 NT	N	4	180		4.64	2.36	9-Barron-Moskowitz	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♠	S	4	170		3.50	3.50	11-Schultz-Newman	9-Lipp-Lakes
2 NT	N	3	150		2.36	4.64	10-Williams-Brendamour	7-Kern-Cook
3 ♠	S	3	140		1.21	5.79	6-Vanstone-Gibler	10-King-Purcell
2 NT	N	2	120		0.07	6.93	7-Kennedy-Endres	1-Oppelt-Oppelt

When partner has opened with 1 ♣, and you have a four-card major, you should ignore your Diamond suit unless (1) you have an opening hand and (2) longer Diamonds. South almost has that hand, but not quite. If you raise partner's major-suit response with three-card support, make sure you have a singleton or void somewhere in your hand.

N/S take four Spade tricks, three Hearts, two Diamonds, and one Club, making four. The correct way to play the Spade suit, since you're missing the ♠T, is small to the ♠ J. If it wins, play the ♠ A trying to drop a doubleton ♠ K. When the ♠ K falls, finesse East for the ♠T. Declarer should duck once if West finds the lead of a small Club.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 10 5 4
♥	A J 6
♦	K J 10
♣	A 4 3

♠	2
♥	Q 10 4 2
♦	A 9 5
♣	Q 9 7 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 6
♥	K 9 8 7 5
♦	Q 7 3
♣	J 10

♠	K 9 8 7 3
♥	3
♦	8 6 4 2
♣	K 8 6

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

West	North	East	South
		Pass	Pass
Pass	1 NT1	Pass	2 ♥2
Pass	2 ♠	Pass	Pass
Dbl3	Pass	3 ♥	Pass
Pass	3 ♠4	Pass	Pass
Pass

15 to 17
Transfer
Do something smart, partner
Law of total trump

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	N	2	110		5.79	1.21	7-Kennedy-Endres	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
2 ♠	N	2	110		5.79	1.21	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♠	N	2	110		5.79	1.21	9-Barron-Moskowitz	5-Koch-Brown
4 ♥	E	−1	100		3.50	3.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Mehl-Koch
3 ♠	S	−1		50	2.36	4.64	10-Williams-Brendamour	7-Kern-Cook
3 ♥	E	3		140	1.21	5.79	6-Vanstone-Gibler	10-King-Purcell
3 ♥	E	4		170	0.07	6.93	11-Schultz-Newman	9-Lipp-Lakes

With at least nine trump between their two hands, North has a comfortable 3 ♠ bid given the vulnerability.

N/S lose one Spade trick, two Diamonds, and one Club, making three. Declarer should play East for Spade length, since West is the one who doubled for takeout. East will lead the ♥ 7, although the ♣ J wouldn't be wrong.

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 9 7
♥	K Q 9 4 3
♦	7 6 5
♣	Q 4

♠	K 6 2
♥	10 5
♦	A K J 10
♣	K 10 9 8

N
W		E
S

♠	J 5 3
♥	8 7 6 2
♦	8 4 3 2
♣	5 3

♠	A Q 8 4
♥	A J
♦	Q 9
♣	A J 7 6 2

S 3♠; NS 3♥; NS 2N; N 2♠; NS 2♣; Par +140

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣
1 NT1	2 ♥2	Pass	Pass
Pass

15 to 18
To play

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	W	−1	100		6.93	0.07	1-Henry-Murdock	10-King-Purcell
1 ♠	S	1	80		5.21	1.79	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
1 ♠	S	1	80		5.21	1.79	9-Barron-Moskowitz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♠	S	−1		100	2.36	4.64	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	2-Mehl-Koch
3 NT	N	−1		100	2.36	4.64	10-Williams-Brendamour	6-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♠	S	−1		100	2.36	4.64	11-Schultz-Newman	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	N	−3		300	0.07	6.93	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Singerman-Campbell

South should not take an extra bid on the auction, since their partner could hold next to nothing. For those of you who say "How can West make a 1 NT overcall? That shows 15-18 HCP, and they have only 14!!!!!" Okay, let's change their hand to ♠ K32 ♥ J2 ♦ AKJ2 ♣ K432. That's 15 HCP, but is their hand better or worse than the one they actually have? When you're trying to find your best bid, don't ignore spot cards (2's through 10's).

N/S lose one Spade trick and three Diamonds, making three. East will probably lead a trump. Declarer should win in dummy, pull trump in three more rounds ending in their hand, and lead the ♠T. East should cover with the ♠ J, and the ♠ Q and ♠ K cap off the trick. West is now free to cash their ♦ AKJ and continue Diamonds, but declarer can ruff in their hand and claim (taking five Heart tricks, one Club, and three Spades).

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	A
♥	10 8 6 5 2
♦	K 9 7 3
♣	K 8 2

♠	J 7 6
♥	Q 4
♦	A Q 8
♣	A Q 7 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 9 8 2
♥	K J 7
♦	J 6 4
♣	J 5

♠	Q 5 4 3
♥	A 9 3
♦	10 5 2
♣	10 9 6

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

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

15 to 17
Transfer

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−3	150		6.93	0.07	10-Williams-Brendamour	6-Connert-Lindeman
4 ♠	W	−2	100		4.64	2.36	1-Henry-Murdock	10-King-Purcell
4 ♠	W	−2	100		4.64	2.36	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
4 ♠	E	−2	100		4.64	2.36	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	2-Mehl-Koch
4 ♠	W	−1	50		1.79	5.21	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♠	W	−1	50		1.79	5.21	9-Barron-Moskowitz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♥	S	−1		50	0.07	6.93	11-Schultz-Newman	8-McCarthy-Diers

There's nothing wrong with E/W's 4 ♠ contract--it simply doesn't make. E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, one Diamond, and one Club, down two. Best defense: ♠ A, Heart to South's ♥ A, Diamond to North's ♦ K, Heart exit. There's no way to prevent South from winning the ♠ Q and North from winning the ♣ K.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A K 10 8
♥	5 4 3
♦	5 3
♣	10 9 7 2

♠	4 2
♥	A K 2
♦	K 10 8 7 4
♣	A 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	J 9 6 5
♥	10 9 8 6
♦	9 6 2
♣	6 5

♠	Q 7 3
♥	Q J 7
♦	A Q J
♣	K Q J 8

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

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

Showing 4+ Spades

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦×	W	−2	500		6.93	0.07	11-Schultz-Newman	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	S	4	430		5.79	1.21	10-Williams-Brendamour	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 NT	S	3	400		4.07	2.93	1-Henry-Murdock	10-King-Purcell
3 NT	S	3	400		4.07	2.93	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
2 NT	S	4	180		2.36	4.64	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	2-Mehl-Koch
1 NT	S	2	120		1.21	5.79	9-Barron-Moskowitz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠	N	−2		100	0.07	6.93	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Singerman-Campbell

Don't confuse North's 1 ♠ bid on this auction with a 1 ♠ bid after 1 ♣-1 ♥. After the opponents overcall 1 ♥, responder's 1 ♠ bid shows 5+ Spades, since they would have made a negative double with exactly four. That's not true after the opponents overcall 1 ♦--a negative double at this point shows 4+ cards in both majors.

N/S take three Spade tricks, three Clubs, one Heart, and two Diamonds, making three. West's safest lead is the ♠ 4 (i.e., it doesn't cost a trick). South wins in hand with the ♠ Q and plays the ♣ K. West should grab the ♣ A and exit with a second Club. Declarer can clear the Clubs and cash two more rounds of Spades. West will have to find two discards, and anything they throw will result in South gaining a safe Heart trick.

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	5
♥	5 4 2
♦	K Q 8 5 2
♣	A 8 6 2

♠	K 6 3 2
♥	K Q J 7
♦	A 9 4
♣	Q J

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 8 7 4
♥	A 10 9 8 6
♦	6 3
♣	10

♠	A J 9
♥	3
♦	J 10 7
♣	K 9 7 5 4 3

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

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

15 to 17

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣×	S	5	750		6.93	0.07	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠	E	−1	100		4.07	2.93	1-Henry-Murdock	9-Lipp-Lakes
4 ♥	W	−1	100		4.07	2.93	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Mehl-Koch
4 ♥	W	−1	100		4.07	2.93	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
4 ♥	W	−1	100		4.07	2.93	9-Barron-Moskowitz	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♥	W	3		140	0.64	6.36	10-Williams-Brendamour	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♥	E	3		140	0.64	6.36	11-Schultz-Newman	7-Kern-Cook

South doubles to show a Club suit, West shows a four-card Heart suit, and the rest is a game of chicken (ummm.....chicken).

N/S lose one Heart trick and one Diamond, making five. If E/W sacrifice in 5 ♥ (unlikely), it's going to get ugly on the lead of the ♠ 5 to the ♠ A, Spade ruff, Club to the ♣ K, Spade ruff, ♦ K to set up the ♦ Q as the fifth defensive trick, down three for –800. Ouch.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	10 8
♥	A 9 8 5 4
♦	K J 9 6 4
♣	7

♠	Q 7
♥	6 3
♦	A 8 3
♣	A Q 10 8 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A K J 5 4 3 2
♥	Q 10
♦	Q
♣	J 9 4

♠	9 6
♥	K J 7 2
♦	10 7 5 2
♣	K 6 5

EW 5♠; EW 5♣; EW 2N; NS 3♦; NS 1♥; Par −450

West	North	East	South
			Pass
1 ♣	2 NT1	3 ♠	4 ♥
Pass	Pass	4 ♠	5 ♦
5 ♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, Unmichaels bid showing Diamonds and an unknown major

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	E	4		170	6.93	0.07	10-Williams-Brendamour	5-Koch-Brown
4 ♠	E	5		450	4.07	2.93	1-Henry-Murdock	9-Lipp-Lakes
4 ♠	E	5		450	4.07	2.93	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Mehl-Koch
4 ♠	E	5		450	4.07	2.93	9-Barron-Moskowitz	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♠	E	5		450	4.07	2.93	11-Schultz-Newman	7-Kern-Cook
4 ♠	E	6		480	1.21	5.79	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
4 ♠	E	7		510	0.07	6.93	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

East's 3 ♠ bid is forcing and shows 5+ Spades and 10+ HCP. South, willing to take the chance that North's major is Hearts, bids 4 ♥ on the vulnerability. When East bids the obvious 4 ♠, South shows the double fit. West, with honor doubleton in Spades and quick tricks in both minors decides their hand is more offensive than defensive and raises Spades.

E/W lose two Heart tricks, making five. If North leads their singleton Club, E/W will make seven. The ♥ A is a better lead. When partner encourages, North can continue with the ♥ 4 to their partner's ♥ K, asking for a Club back. Declarer has no better option than to take the Club hook, and the hand is over.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	10 9 5 4 3
♥	A J 5
♦	A 5
♣	K 3 2

♠	J 7 2
♥	K 8
♦	8 7 6 4 2
♣	J 9 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q 8
♥	10 6 4 2
♦	9
♣	A 10 8 7

♠	6
♥	Q 9 7 3
♦	K Q J 10 3
♣	Q 5 4

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♠	Pass	1 NT1
Pass	2 ♣	Pass	2 NT2
Pass	Pass3	Pass

Forcing
Natural and invitational showing around 11 HCP
North has already bid their hand

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	600		6.36	0.64	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Mehl-Koch
3 NT	N	3	600		6.36	0.64	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 NT×	E	−3	500		4.64	2.36	11-Schultz-Newman	7-Kern-Cook
2 NT	S	3	150		3.50	3.50	10-Williams-Brendamour	5-Koch-Brown
2 ♥	S	3	140		2.36	4.64	9-Barron-Moskowitz	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♥	S	2	110		1.21	5.79	1-Henry-Murdock	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 NT	N	−1		100	0.07	6.93	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	1-Oppelt-Oppelt

If East leads the ♠ 8 to partner's ♠ J on opening lead, E/W will take the first five tricks. That's not very likely. If East leads the ♠ AKQ and then cashes the ♣ A, N/S will make three. That's a bit more likely. If East gets greedy and does anything else, N/S will make four (imagine a small Club lead to North's ♣ K, five rounds of Diamonds, Heart to the ♥ J, ♥ A, ♥ 5 to the ♥ 9, ♥ Q).

The proper way to play the Hearts is small to the ♥ J and then the ♥ A trying to drop a doubleton ♥ K. Sometimes it works!

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q 10 9 4 2
♥	K Q 10 7 4
♦	9 8
♣	3

♠	K 6
♥	A J 5
♦	K 7 4
♣	A K 9 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 7 5 3
♥	8 2
♦	Q J 6
♣	J 7 4

♠	8
♥	9 6 3
♦	A 10 5 3 2
♣	Q 10 8 2

EW 3N; EW 3♠; EW 4♣; EW 2♦; Par −600

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	Pass
1 ♣	2 ♣1	Dbl2	2 ♥
3 ♥3	Pass	3 NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

Michaels bid showing a min/max hand with both majors
Alert, interested in defending one or both of the opponent's suits
Showing a Heart stopper for notrump

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−3	300		7.00	0.00	10-Williams-Brendamour	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♣	W	−2	200		6.00	1.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
2 NT	W	−1	100		4.50	2.50	5-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♣	W	−1	100		4.50	2.50	11-Schultz-Newman	6-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♠	E	3		140	3.00	4.00	1-Henry-Murdock	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	E	4		630	1.50	5.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-King-Purcell
3 NT	W	4		630	1.50	5.50	9-Barron-Moskowitz	2-Mehl-Koch
3 NT	W	5		660	0.00	7.00	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-Singerman-Campbell

If E/W weren't vulnerable and N/S were, West would double South's 2 ♥ bid. Since it's unlikely that E/W can beat that by three tricks, West shows the Heart stopper for notrump in an attempt to get to 3 NT. East, with Spades more than adequately stopped, bids the good notrump game.

E/W take three Spade tricks, one Heart, two Diamonds, and three Clubs. North will probably lead the ♥ K on opening lead, and declarer will duck. Unable to continue Hearts, North may switch to the ♠T. Declarer wins with dummy's ♠ J and leads the ♣ J, South covering. Declarer should let South hold this trick, intending to later finesse against South's ♣T (remember--North is short in Clubs). South will return the ♥ 9, declarer will duck once and win the continuation. They then cash the ♠ K, force an entry to dummy with the ♦ QJ (they know that South holds the ♦ A, since North didn't open despite holding ♠ Q ♥ KQ), cash the ♠ A (pitching a Club), and repeat the marked Club finesse.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	10 4
♥	A J 3 2
♦	10 5 3
♣	A J 6 5

♠	K 5 3
♥	Q 9 7 6 4
♦	6 2
♣	K 9 4

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 9 7 6 2
♥	K 10 5
♦	K J
♣	Q 7 2

♠	A J 8
♥	8
♦	A Q 9 8 7 4
♣	10 8 3

NS 4N; NS 5♦; N 4♣; S 3♣; NS 1♠; NS 1♥; Par +430

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

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠×	E	−3	500		7.00	0.00	1-Henry-Murdock	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♦	S	5	150		5.50	1.50	10-Williams-Brendamour	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♦	S	5	150		5.50	1.50	11-Schultz-Newman	6-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♦	S	4	130		2.50	4.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-King-Purcell
3 ♦	S	4	130		2.50	4.50	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
3 ♦	S	4	130		2.50	4.50	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♦	S	4	130		2.50	4.50	5-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♠	E	−1	50		0.00	7.00	9-Barron-Moskowitz	2-Mehl-Koch

N/S take six Diamond tricks, two Clubs, one Heart, and one Spade, making four. East may lead the ♥ 5. Declarer can overtake East's ♥ Q, since they plan to lose a Club trick to East later in the hand (i.e., West is the danger hand, since a Heart back through North's ♥ Jxx would be a problem).

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q 4
♥	K Q J 6
♦	9
♣	A Q J 10 8 4

♠	8 5
♥	A 2
♦	K Q J 7 4 3
♣	9 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 10 9 7 3 2
♥	10 7
♦	A 5 2
♣	K

♠	J 6
♥	9 8 5 4 3
♦	10 8 6
♣	7 6 3

EW 6♠; EW 6♦; NS 2♥; NS 3♣; EW 1N; Par −980

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

Maximum for a weak-two opener
Not appropriate for a Leaping Michaels bid

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♦	W	4		130	7.00	0.00	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♠	E	6		230	5.50	1.50	5-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♠	E	6		230	5.50	1.50	10-Williams-Brendamour	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♦	W	5		400	4.00	3.00	9-Barron-Moskowitz	2-Mehl-Koch
4 ♠	E	6		480	2.50	4.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-King-Purcell
4 ♠	E	6		480	2.50	4.50	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
4 ♠	E	7		510	1.00	6.00	1-Henry-Murdock	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠×	E	6		830	0.00	7.00	11-Schultz-Newman	6-Connert-Lindeman

If North had a fifth Heart, their hand would be perfect for a Leaping Michaels bid. An overcall of 4 ♣ would show a two-suited hand with Clubs and an unknown major (at least 5-5). If the advancer (partner of the overcaller) wants to find out which major, they bid 4 ♦ (the opponent's suit) to ask. A Leaping Michaels bid should show a hand within a "trick and a fit" of game.

If South leads the ♣ 6 (MUD), E/W make six. If South leads the ♥ 8 (MUD), E/W make seven. It's a friendly hand since Spades split 2-2--I doubt any E/W pair will find the slam being off a keycard and the ♠ Q.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 6 3
♥	K Q J 5
♦	Q 5 3 2
♣	J 5

♠	A 10 8 5 4
♥	8 2
♦	K 8 4
♣	K Q 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K
♥	10 7 6 3
♦	A 10
♣	9 8 7 6 4 3

♠	Q 9 7 2
♥	A 9 4
♦	J 9 7 6
♣	A 10

EW 4♣; EW 2N; EW 1♠; NS 1♦; Par −130

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

Forcing
Takeout for the unbid suits

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	S	4	130		6.93	0.07	11-Schultz-Newman	5-Koch-Brown
1 NT	E	−1	100		5.79	1.21	1-Henry-Murdock	7-Kern-Cook
1 ♠	W	1		80	4.64	2.36	6-Vanstone-Gibler	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♣	E	4		130	2.36	4.64	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 ♣	E	4		130	2.36	4.64	5-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♣	W	4		130	2.36	4.64	10-Williams-Brendamour	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 NT	W	3		600	0.07	6.93	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	2-Mehl-Koch

E/W lose one Club trick and two Hearts, making four. North will lead the ♥ K and the defense will collect the first two tricks, but West will ruff the Heart continuation, cash the ♠ K, play a Diamond to their ♦ K, and cash the ♠ A pitching dummy's fourth Heart. When declarer plays Clubs to knock out the ♣ A, the defense can't effectively continue Hearts, since declarer can pitch a Diamond from their hand and ruff in dummy. If the defense doesn't play a fourth Heart, declarer will be able to ruff two Spades and a Diamond in dummy.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	K J 10 9 6
♥	Q J 9 6 4
♦	K Q 2
♣	—

♠	A Q 8 5 2
♥	10 8 5
♦	9 8 6
♣	Q 2

N
W		E
S

♠	4
♥	A 7 2
♦	A 4
♣	K J 10 8 6 4 3

♠	7 3
♥	K 3
♦	J 10 7 5 3
♣	A 9 7 5

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

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

Do something smart, partner

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	N	2	110		6.93	0.07	11-Schultz-Newman	5-Koch-Brown
4 ♣×	E	−1	100		5.79	1.21	5-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♠	N	−1		50	4.64	2.36	6-Vanstone-Gibler	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♠	N	−2		100	3.50	3.50	10-Williams-Brendamour	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♠	N	−3		150	2.36	4.64	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	2-Mehl-Koch
5 ♥×	N	−2		300	1.21	5.79	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 ♣×	E	3		470	0.07	6.93	1-Henry-Murdock	7-Kern-Cook

North, who didn't pick up their hand to play in 3 ♣, doubles to stir partner to action. South's 3 ♦ bid is quite reasonable, since they can visualize their partner's 5530 shape.

N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and one Diamond, making three. West will lead the ♣ Q, and South should ruff with dummy's ♦ 2 preserving their Club stopper. Now the ♦ K is played, East winning. If East plays another Club, declarer should ruff with dummy's ♦ Q and play a Heart towards their hand. If East wins with the ♥ A (South pitching the ♥ K) and persists with Clubs, declarer can win with the well preserved ♣ A, pull trump, and run dummy's Hearts, making five. Since that's not good for the defense, East will have to switch to their ♠ 4 when in with the ♦ A, and the defense will cash out.

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A Q J 8 3
♥	K 6 4
♦	3
♣	A K J 6

♠	7 6 4
♥	A Q 8 3
♦	Q 9 8 6
♣	5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	10 2
♥	J 10 7 5
♦	J 7 5 4 2
♣	7 4

♠	K 9 5
♥	9 2
♦	A K 10
♣	Q 10 9 8 3

NS 6N; NS 6♠; NS 6♣; NS 2♥; NS 2♦; Par +1440

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♣
Pass	1 ♠	Pass	1 NT
Pass	2 ♦1	Pass	2 ♠2
Pass	3 ♠3	Pass	4 ♦4
Pass	4 NT5	Pass	5 ♥6
Pass	6 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, artificial XYZ bid forcing to game
Showing 3-card Spade support and denying four Hearts
Agreeing on Spades as trump and leaving room for control bids
Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Diamonds
RKC Blackwood for Spades
1430 response showing two keycards w/o the ♠ Q

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	N	6	1430		5.79	1.21	6-Vanstone-Gibler	6-Connert-Lindeman
6 ♠	N	6	1430		5.79	1.21	10-Williams-Brendamour	3-Singerman-Campbell
6 ♠	N	6	1430		5.79	1.21	11-Schultz-Newman	5-Koch-Brown
3 NT	S	7	720		3.50	3.50	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	2-Mehl-Koch
4 ♠	N	6	680		2.36	4.64	5-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♣	S	7	640		1.21	5.79	1-Henry-Murdock	7-Kern-Cook
3 ♠	N	6	230		0.07	6.93	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Lipp-Lakes

If you don't already play XYZ (Two-Way NMF), learn it--it's invaluable. It's also easier and more intuitive than New Minor Forcing. Okay, I'll stop.

N/S lose one Heart trick, making six. East will probably lead the ♥ J.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 10 9 8
♥	Q 7
♦	Q 8 7 3
♣	K 4 3

♠	A 3 2
♥	A 9 6 4 3
♦	K 10
♣	Q 8 7

N
W		E
S

♠	K 7
♥	K 2
♦	J 9 5 4 2
♣	J 10 6 2

♠	J 6 5 4
♥	J 10 8 5
♦	A 6
♣	A 9 5

EW 2♥; EW 3♣; EW 1N; EW 2♦; NS 1♠; Par −110

West	North	East	South
			Pass
1 ♥	Pass	1 NT1	Pass
2 ♣	Pass	2 ♥2	Pass
Pass	Pass

Forcing
False preference back to opener's major

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	S	3	140		7.00	0.00	6-Vanstone-Gibler	5-Koch-Brown
2 NT	W	−1	100		5.50	1.50	1-Henry-Murdock	6-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♥	W	−1	100		5.50	1.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-McCarthy-Diers
1 NT	E	1		90	4.00	3.00	7-Kennedy-Endres	7-Kern-Cook
2 ♥	W	2		110	2.00	5.00	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
2 ♥	W	2		110	2.00	5.00	5-Tedrick-Pretz	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♥	W	2		110	2.00	5.00	11-Schultz-Newman	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♣	W	4		130	0.00	7.00	3-Elliott-Runda	10-King-Purcell

Note East's second bid. With a minimum hand and two-card support for opener's major, responder will often return to opener's first suit despite holding more cards in opener's second suit. That's called a false preference. West's hand might be ♠ A432 ♥ A9643 ♦ KT ♣ Q8, and passing 2 ♣ would result in playing in a six-card fit.

E/W lose two Heart tricks, one Diamond, and two Clubs, making two. North might lead the ♦ 3, although nothing matters here. If they lead a small Diamond, South wins with the ♦ A and leads a small Heart back. Declarer wins with dummy's ♥ K, cashes the ♠ K, plays a Spade to the ♠ A, and ruffs a Spade with dummy's ♥ 2. Now a Club from dummy is key--it's important to start setting up a Club trick while declarer still has control in the other suits. The defenders can win and tap declarer with another Spade, but declarer can safely ruff and exit with a second Club. Counting declarer's winners we get two Spade tricks, two Spade ruffs (one in dummy and one in hand), two Heart tricks, one Diamond, and one Club, for eight tricks.

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A K Q 10 8 6 2
♥	4
♦	A J 10 6
♣	8

♠	5 4 3
♥	A K J 10 9 7 3
♦	K
♣	9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	9
♥	Q 8 2
♦	Q 5
♣	K Q J 10 7 6 2

♠	J 7
♥	6 5
♦	9 8 7 4 3 2
♣	A 5 4

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

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

Too strong to overcall 1 ♠
Alert, artificial BROMAD bid showing a 3-card limit raise for Hearts

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♥×	W	−3	800		7.00	0.00	3-Elliott-Runda	10-King-Purcell
5 ♠	N	6	680		6.00	1.00	7-Kennedy-Endres	7-Kern-Cook
4 ♠	N	5	650		4.00	3.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	N	5	650		4.00	3.00	6-Vanstone-Gibler	5-Koch-Brown
5 ♠	N	5	650		4.00	3.00	11-Schultz-Newman	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♥	W	−1	100		1.00	6.00	1-Henry-Murdock	6-Connert-Lindeman
5 ♣	E	−1	100		1.00	6.00	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
4 ♥	W	−1	100		1.00	6.00	5-Tedrick-Pretz	3-Singerman-Campbell

E/W can't sacrifice in 6 ♥, since down three doubled would be –800--that's too much.

N/S lose one Heart trick and one Diamond, making five. East will lead the ♥ 2.

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	9 8 2
♥	A 8 6 4 3
♦	9 8 3
♣	J 3

♠	Q 7 6 4
♥	J
♦	A K 5 2
♣	8 7 6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 5
♥	K 10
♦	J 7 6 4
♣	A K Q 4

♠	A 10 3
♥	Q 9 7 5 2
♦	Q 10
♣	10 9 5

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

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 NT1	Pass
2 ♣	Pass	2 ♦	Pass
3 ♦2	Pass	3 ♠3	Pass
5 ♣4	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, artificial showing a 4144 or 1444 hand
Alert, artificial showing a hand that can play opposite shortness in Spades
Pass or correct

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−1	50		6.36	0.64	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	E	−1	50		6.36	0.64	11-Schultz-Newman	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦	E	5		150	4.64	2.36	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
3 NT	E	5	Ave	Ave	3.50	3.50	6-Vanstone-Gibler	5-Koch-Brown
3 NT	E	3		400	1.79	5.21	1-Henry-Murdock	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 NT	E	3		400	1.79	5.21	3-Elliott-Runda	10-King-Purcell
3 NT	E	3		400	1.79	5.21	5-Tedrick-Pretz	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 NT	E	3		400	1.79	5.21	7-Kennedy-Endres	7-Kern-Cook

West's 3 ♦ bid is a new convention (no name yet, sorry). When East denies a four-card major, West immediately knows that the opponents have a 9+ card Heart fit. Since West could pass 2 ♦ with a weak hand and long Diamonds, there's no need for a 3 ♦ bid at this point. A good use for 3 ♦ after 1 NT-2 ♣-2 ♦ is to show a hand with game-going values (or better), one four-card major, a singleton or void in the other major, and 4-4 (or 4-5) shape in the minors.

Opener's job is then to:
1) Bid 3 NT if they're fine playing opposite shortness in either major
2) Bid 3 ♠ if they're fine playing opposite shortness in Spades
3) Bid 3 ♥ if they're fine playing opposite shortness in Hearts
4) Bid their longer minor at the four level if they have issues in both majors (i.e., opener has to have at least one four-card minor, since they have at most six cards in the majors)

It's easy after this for the pair to place the contract in 3 NT or a minor-suit game (or slam).

E/W lose one Spade trick and one Heart, making five. 4 ♠ would have been a risky contract, since it would depend on a 3-3 split in Spades. North may lead the ♥ A, since E/W have shown an aversion to Hearts.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 9 5
♥	Q 9 8
♦	A Q 5
♣	K Q J 9

♠	K Q J 10 4
♥	5 4 2
♦	K 7 3
♣	A 2

N
W		E
S

♠	8 7 2
♥	A J 7
♦	J 10 6 2
♣	8 6 3

♠	6 3
♥	K 10 6 3
♦	9 8 4
♣	10 7 5 4

NS 2♥; NS 3♣; NS 1N; EW 1♠; NS 1♦; Par +110

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

15 to 18
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	W	−2	200		6.93	0.07	6-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 NT	N	2	120		5.79	1.21	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	8-McCarthy-Diers
1 NT	N	1	90		4.64	2.36	1-Henry-Murdock	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♥	S	−1		50	2.93	4.07	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Kern-Cook
2 NT	N	−1		50	2.93	4.07	7-Kennedy-Endres	6-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♠	W	2		110	0.64	6.36	3-Elliott-Runda	9-Lipp-Lakes
2 ♠	W	2		110	0.64	6.36	5-Tedrick-Pretz	2-Mehl-Koch

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Club, one Heart, and one Diamond, making three. While that's what should happen, it probably won't. West will lead the ♠ K, declarer can win with dummy's ♠ A and lead the ♥ Q. East has to grab the ♥ A and will probably continue Spades. Declarer can ruff the third round in hand and lead a Club. West can duck the first Club, but they're forced to win the second. Declarer, if they place the ♥ J with East, can pitch dummy's slow Diamond loser on their fourth Heart, making four. West would have to find the lead of a small Diamond (or any Diamond for that matter) to hold declarer to nine tricks. Unlikely.

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q 10 8
♥	Q 10 9
♦	A 10 7 6 3 2
♣	Q

♠	9 7 4 2
♥	J 7 2
♦	K J
♣	J 9 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A J
♥	A K 6 5 4 3
♦	9 4
♣	10 8 7

♠	K 6 5 3
♥	8
♦	Q 8 5
♣	A K 6 4 3

NS 4♦; NS 2♠; NS 3♣; NS 1N; EW 1♥; Par +130

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣
Pass	1 ♦	1 ♥	Dbl1
2 ♥	3 ♦	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, support double showing 3-card Diamond support

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	N	5	150		6.93	0.07	7-Kennedy-Endres	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♦	N	4	130		3.50	3.50	1-Henry-Murdock	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♦	N	4	130		3.50	3.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Kern-Cook
4 ♦	N	4	130		3.50	3.50	3-Elliott-Runda	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 ♦	N	4	130		3.50	3.50	5-Tedrick-Pretz	2-Mehl-Koch
3 ♦	N	4	130		3.50	3.50	6-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♦	N	−2		200	0.07	6.93	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	8-McCarthy-Diers

Support doubles are on even after partner bids 1 ♦ (i.e., they're not simply for the majors).

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Diamond, making four. East will lead the ♥ K and possibly switch to the ♠ A and another Spade.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	J 10 9 5 4 2
♥	7 2
♦	J 10 6
♣	8 4

♠	6
♥	J 10 8 5 4 3
♦	K 7 3 2
♣	Q 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q
♥	9
♦	A Q 9 5
♣	A K 10 6 2

♠	8 7 3
♥	A K Q 6
♦	8 4
♣	J 9 7 3

EW 6♦; EW 4N; EW 4♥; EW 5♣; EW 1♠; Par −920

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

Reverse
Alert, game forcing with Diamond support
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Diamonds
1430 response showing 1 or 4 keycards

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♣×	E	−1	100		6.93	0.07	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♣	E	5		150	5.79	1.21	1-Henry-Murdock	5-Koch-Brown
2 NT	E	6		240	4.64	2.36	6-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NT	E	4		430	3.50	3.50	7-Kennedy-Endres	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 NT	E	5		460	2.36	4.64	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Kern-Cook
3 NT	E	6		490	0.64	6.36	3-Elliott-Runda	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 NT	E	6		490	0.64	6.36	5-Tedrick-Pretz	2-Mehl-Koch

If West opens with 2 ♥, it will be tough to get to 6 ♦. E/W lose one Heart trick, making six. South will lead the ♥ K and probably continue Hearts. Declarer will ruff, pull trump in three rounds, and eventually ruff one Club in dummy to set up their suit.

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J
♥	A Q 10 8 4 2
♦	8 7 2
♣	7 5 2

♠	Q 10 9 7 3
♥	9
♦	A J 3
♣	A J 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	6 5 4
♥	K J 7 5
♦	K 10
♣	K 10 8 4

♠	A K 8 2
♥	6 3
♦	Q 9 6 5 4
♣	Q 6

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

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

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	W	−1	100		6.50	0.50	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-King-Purcell
4 ♠	W	−1	100		6.50	0.50	5-Tedrick-Pretz	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
2 NT	E	2		120	5.00	2.00	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	7-Kern-Cook
3 ♠	W	3		140	4.00	3.00	6-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♥	N	−3		150	3.00	4.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Connert-Lindeman
4 ♥	N	−4		200	2.00	5.00	7-Kennedy-Endres	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♥×	N	−3		500	1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	E	4		630	0.00	7.00	9-Barron-Moskowitz	9-Lipp-Lakes

With such good Hearts, East has no reason to leave the contract in Spades. It's doubtful that any E/W pair will bid game.

N/S can take the top two Spades and the ♥ A, but that's it. E/W will take three Spade tricks, two Hearts, two Diamonds, and three Clubs, making four. South will lead the ♥ 6.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q 9
♥	3
♦	K Q J 8 5 2
♣	A K 10 4

♠	K 6 2
♥	10 2
♦	A 9 4
♣	J 9 7 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A 8 7 3
♥	Q 7 5 4
♦	7 3
♣	Q 8 5

♠	J 10 5 4
♥	A K J 9 8 6
♦	10 6
♣	6

NS 3N; NS 3♥; NS 4♦; NS 2♠; NS 1♣; Par +600

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

Don't make a weak two bid with a four-card major on the side
Not 4th-suit forcing, since South is a passed hand

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	600		6.50	0.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 NT	N	3	600		6.50	0.50	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-King-Purcell
3 ♥	S	3	140		4.00	3.00	6-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♥	S	3	140		4.00	3.00	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	7-Kern-Cook
2 ♥	S	3	140		4.00	3.00	9-Barron-Moskowitz	9-Lipp-Lakes
3 ♦	N	4	130		2.00	5.00	5-Tedrick-Pretz	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
5 ♦	N	−1		100	0.50	6.50	3-Elliott-Runda	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	S	−1		100	0.50	6.50	7-Kennedy-Endres	5-Koch-Brown

South's 2 ♠ bid is natural and forward going. North, with extras, has no problem bidding 3 NT. If East leads a Club (unlikely), E/W can hold declarer to nine tricks--five Hearts, one Diamond, two Clubs, and a Spade. On any other lead, N/S will take five Diamond tricks, two Clubs, and three Hearts, making four.

Board 27
South Deals
None Vul

♠	Q J 9 5 4
♥	K
♦	Q 9
♣	A J 9 4 2

♠	K 10 8 6 3
♥	5 4
♦	6 4 3
♣	7 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 2
♥	J 10 6 3 2
♦	A K J 7 2
♣	5

♠	7
♥	A Q 9 8 7
♦	10 8 5
♣	K Q 10 8

NS 4♣; NS 1♠; NS 1♥; EW 1♦; Par +130

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

Rule of 20 opener
Forcing

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♣	N	4	130		7.00	0.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♣	N	3	110		6.00	1.00	6-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♣	N	−1		50	3.50	3.50	3-Elliott-Runda	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♣	N	−1		50	3.50	3.50	5-Tedrick-Pretz	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
4 ♣	N	−1		50	3.50	3.50	7-Kennedy-Endres	5-Koch-Brown
				50	3.50	3.50	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	7-Kern-Cook
4 ♦	E	4		130	1.00	6.00	9-Barron-Moskowitz	9-Lipp-Lakes
5 ♣	S	−3		150	0.00	7.00	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	10-King-Purcell

North, while holding an opening hand, doesn't have enough to push to game in a minor. N/S lose one Spade trick and two Diamonds, making four. East will lead the ♦ K, and continue by cashing both pointy-suit Aces.

Board 28
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 6 5 3
♥	9 8 3
♦	7 4 2
♣	A Q J

♠	K 7 2
♥	K J
♦	J 6 5
♣	K 10 8 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 9 8 4
♥	A Q 4
♦	A K 9 3
♣	4

♠	A
♥	10 7 6 5 2
♦	Q 10 8
♣	9 7 6 3

EW 4♠; EW 3N; EW 4♦; EW 1♣; Par −420

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

Alert, artificial Drury bid showing 3- or 4-card Spade support and a limit raise

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	E	−1	50		5.21	1.79	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kern-Cook
4 ♠	E	−1	50		5.21	1.79	6-Vanstone-Gibler	2-Mehl-Koch
4 ♠	E	−1	50		5.21	1.79	7-Kennedy-Endres	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠	E	−1	50		5.21	1.79	10-Williams-Brendamour	10-King-Purcell
2 ♠	E	2		110	2.36	4.64	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	6-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♠	E	4		170	1.21	5.79	9-Barron-Moskowitz	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	E	4		420	0.07	6.93	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Lipp-Lakes

E/W lose one Club trick and two Spades, making four. South's best lead is probably the ♣ 7 (MUD). Declarer plays low from dummy, and North wins the ♣ J. Unable to continue Clubs without giving declarer an extra Club trick, North will shift to a Spade. South wins the ♠ A and continues with a second Club, declarer again playing low from dummy and ruffing the ♣ Q with the ♠ 4. Next is a small Heart to the ♥ K, ♥ J to the ♥ Q, the ♥ A pitching the ♦ 5 from dummy, ♦ A, ♦ K, a Diamond ruff with the ♠ 7, a Club ruff with the ♠ 8, and a Diamond ruff with the ♠ K. Declarer's last two cards are the ♠T9, so they're guaranteed one more trick (North still holds the ♠ J6).

Board 29
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	K 10 7 6 5 3
♥	A K 9 5
♦	—
♣	Q J 5

♠	9
♥	7
♦	A K Q J 9 7 6 4
♣	A K 7

N
W		E
S

♠	4
♥	Q J 10 8 6 3
♦	10 8 3
♣	10 3 2

♠	A Q J 8 2
♥	4 2
♦	5 2
♣	9 8 6 4

NS 5♠; EW 4♦; W 2♥; NS 2♣; E 1♥; Par +500: EW 6♦×−2

West	North	East	South
	1 ♠	Pass	3 ♦1
5 ♦	5 ♠	6 ♦	Pass
Pass	Dbl	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, artificial Bergen raise showing 4+ Spades and 7-9 HCP

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♠	N	5	650		5.21	1.79	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kern-Cook
5 ♠	N	5	650		5.21	1.79	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Lipp-Lakes
5 ♠	N	5	650		5.21	1.79	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	6-Connert-Lindeman
5 ♠	N	5	650		5.21	1.79	10-Williams-Brendamour	10-King-Purcell
6 ♦×	W	−2	500		2.36	4.64	9-Barron-Moskowitz	8-McCarthy-Diers
6 ♦	W	−1	100		1.21	5.79	6-Vanstone-Gibler	2-Mehl-Koch
5 ♥×	W	5		850	0.07	6.93	7-Kennedy-Endres	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

N/S are not going to be allowed to play the hand. West knows that they have probably two defensive tricks and 10 offensive tricks. Seems like a good idea to play the hand at equal or favorable vulnerability.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Club, down two doubled for –500. North will probably lead a small Spade. South should win the first trick and play a Club back. When North is in with the ♥ A, they can exit with the ♣ Q. Nothing can stop North from collecting a trick with the ♣ J.

Board 30
East Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 4
♥	10 9
♦	Q J 9 3 2
♣	Q 10 8 4

♠	9 2
♥	A 7 6 5
♦	7 6 5
♣	A J 7 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K 8 7 5
♥	K Q J 2
♦	A 10
♣	K 9 6

♠	A J 10 6 3
♥	8 4 3
♦	K 8 4
♣	5 2

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

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

15 to 17

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	E	−2	100		6.93	0.07	10-Williams-Brendamour	10-King-Purcell
4 ♥	E	−1	50		4.07	2.93	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kern-Cook
4 ♥	E	−1	50		4.07	2.93	6-Vanstone-Gibler	2-Mehl-Koch
3 ♥	W	−1	50		4.07	2.93	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	6-Connert-Lindeman
4 ♥	E	−1	50		4.07	2.93	9-Barron-Moskowitz	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	S	−2		100	1.21	5.79	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	9-Lipp-Lakes
4 ♥	E	4		420	0.07	6.93	7-Kennedy-Endres	4-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

Unfortunately, E/W have some wasted values in the Heart suit. Couple that with (1) the ♣ Q being offside, and (2) the ♠ A being offside, and you have E/W going down one. Alas. South should lead a trump.

Board 31
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	10 6 3
♥	9 8 2
♦	Q 10 5 4 2
♣	9 2

♠	K Q J 7 5 2
♥	6
♦	9 6
♣	Q J 10 5

N
W		E
S

♠	8
♥	A 10 5 4
♦	A K J 8
♣	8 6 4 3

♠	A 9 4
♥	K Q J 7 3
♦	7 3
♣	A K 7

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

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

Too strong to open 1 NT
Weak jump overcall

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	E	−2	100		6.93	0.07	5-Tedrick-Pretz	10-King-Purcell
3 NT	E	−1	50		5.21	1.79	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	W	−1	50		5.21	1.79	10-Williams-Brendamour	9-Lipp-Lakes
2 NT	E	2		120	3.50	3.50	9-Barron-Moskowitz	7-Kern-Cook
2 ♠	W	3		140	2.36	4.64	6-Vanstone-Gibler	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
2 ♠	W	4		170	0.64	6.36	7-Kennedy-Endres	3-Singerman-Campbell
2 ♠	W	4		170	0.64	6.36	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	5-Koch-Brown

E/W lose one Spade trick, two Clubs, and a Club ruff, making three. North will probably lead the ♥ 8 (MUD). When South is in with the ♠ A, they'll play the ♣ K (asking for count). When North shows a doubleton, South will continue with the ♣ A and a third Club for North to ruff.

Board 32
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	4
♥	7 3
♦	Q J 10 6 2
♣	K J 10 4 2

♠	K J 7 6 5
♥	5 4
♦	7
♣	A 9 8 7 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 9 8
♥	J 9
♦	A 9 8 4 3
♣	5 3

♠	Q 3 2
♥	A K Q 10 8 6 2
♦	K 5
♣	Q

EW 3♠; NS 1♥; NS 1♦; EW 1♣; Par −140

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

Intermediate hand in fourth seat

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	5	450		6.93	0.07	7-Kennedy-Endres	3-Singerman-Campbell
3 ♥	S	−1		50	4.07	2.93	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	S	−1		50	4.07	2.93	6-Vanstone-Gibler	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
3 ♥	S	−1		50	4.07	2.93	9-Barron-Moskowitz	7-Kern-Cook
3 ♥	S	−1		50	4.07	2.93	10-Williams-Brendamour	9-Lipp-Lakes
4 ♥	S	−2		100	1.21	5.79	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	5-Koch-Brown
3 ♠	W	3		140	0.07	6.93	5-Tedrick-Pretz	10-King-Purcell

South's 3 ♥ bid in the pass-out seat shows a seven-card Heart suit and intermediate values--around 14 HCP (South judged their ♣ Q to be of questionable value). East, while holding a nice hand on the auction, does well not to hang their partner for their 3 ♠ overcall--after all, West is a passed hand.

E/W lose two Heart tricks, one Club, and a Club ruff, making three North will lead the ♥ 7, South will win with the ♥ Q, cash the ♥ A, and continue with the ♣ Q. Declarer's best line is to try and cross-ruff as many tricks as they can, but North will win the second Club and play a third round promoting South's ♠ Q.

Board 33
North Deals
None Vul

♠	3
♥	9 8 5
♦	K Q 6 3
♣	A Q 5 4 3

♠	Q 8 2
♥	J 3 2
♦	A J 10 5
♣	K 8 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A K J 10 7 5
♥	K Q
♦	8 4
♣	J 10 9

♠	9 6 4
♥	A 10 7 6 4
♦	9 7 2
♣	7 2

EW 3N; W 3♠; E 2♠; NS 1♥; NS 1♦; Par −400

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

Forcing

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	E	3		140	5.79	1.21	4-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	E	3		140	5.79	1.21	6-Vanstone-Gibler	1-Oppelt-Oppelt
3 ♠	E	3		140	5.79	1.21	8-Kerstine-Kerstine	5-Koch-Brown
3 NT	E	3		400	3.50	3.50	10-Williams-Brendamour	9-Lipp-Lakes
4 ♠	E	4		420	1.79	5.21	7-Kennedy-Endres	3-Singerman-Campbell
4 ♠	E	4		420	1.79	5.21	9-Barron-Moskowitz	7-Kern-Cook
3 NT	W	5		460	0.07	6.93	5-Tedrick-Pretz	10-King-Purcell

When you're planning on showing a three-card limit raise for partner's major, and partner rebids their major at the two level, go ahead and bid game. Bidding 3 ♠ after 1 ♠-1 NT-2 ♠ shows a two-card limit raise.

E/W lose two Club tricks, one Diamond, one Heart, and a Club ruff, down two. Ugh. If South doesn't lead a Club on opening lead, E/W will go down only one. If South goes insane and leads the ♥ A and a second Heart, E/W will make four. If that's what happens, try and play against that South player more often.

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

15 to 17
Alert, showing Diamonds and a higher-ranking suit

East, doubtful that partner's second suit is Hearts, passes 2 ♦ (bird in the hand). E/W lose two Heart tricks, one Diamond, one Spade, and one Club, making two. North will probably lead a trump.

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

When West shows a four-card Spade suit, East's hand improves immeasurably. E/W lose one Heart trick and two Diamonds, making four. If North doesn't find a Diamond lead, E/W might very well make six, losing only one Heart trick. My money's on the ♣ K lead.

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

Alert, Snapdragon double showing 5+ cards in the unbid suit (Spades) and tolerance for partner's suit (Diamonds)

North's double is a Snapdragon double. A Snapdragon double is a double by advancer after three different suits have been bid at a low level (i.e., it's still possible to bid two of partner's suit). This double shows 5+ cards in the unbid suit, tolerance for partner's suit (exactly two cards if partner bid a major or possibly three small cards if partner bid 1 ♦), and the values to take a call (approximately 8+ HCP or equivalent playing strength). North has more than enough to compete to the two level once South shows 3-card support.

N/S lose two Spade tricks, two Hearts, and one Club, making two. East should lead the ♠ A and continue with the ♠ K and a third Spade to keep declarer from ruffing their third Heart.