Monday 02/06/2017 - Common Game at Nite (17020663)

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>February 6, 2017   |CLUB NO.>185264    | 02/06/2017 22:04
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 60% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/100   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=12/B=8/C=3                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Janet Page             Daniel Koppenhafer       B    .     .     .     65.63  39.07
 2 Joy Singerman          John Williams            B    1     1     .    101.74  60.56  1.20(A)
 3 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C    .     .     .     62.87  37.42
 4 Patrick Hoffman        Robert Roark             B    .     3     .     88.09  52.43  0.32(B)
 5 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A    .     .     .     70.54  41.99
 6 Charlie Kobida         Mike Burns               B    .     .     .     81.43  48.47
 7 William Cook           Dean Congbalay           A    2     .     .     98.54  58.65  0.84(A)
 8 Richard Magnus         Julian Magnus, Jr        B    .     .     .     76.49  45.53
 9 Kay Mulford            Louise Wolf              A    4     .     .     93.45  55.63  0.42(A)
10 Doris Kehoe            Lilam Stanley            A    3     .     .     95.15  56.64  0.60(A)
11 Judy Barron            Millard Lakes            C    5     2     1     88.86  52.89  0.45(B)
12 Erin Oblinger          Betty Murdock            C    .     .     .     82.05  48.84

                                          Totals                        1004.84

Thanks to Bob Fisk for his expert analysis.


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>   5.21                          1.79        5.21  6.93    3-  1.79  0.07
         100   ----  ----  ----  ---- -140   ----  100   110   -50  -140  -170

   2>   2.36                          6.93        5.21  5.21  0.07  1.21    3-
        -140   ----  ----  ----  ----  630   ----  130   130  -300  -200  -100

   3>   0.07                          2.93        1.21  2.93  6.36  6.36  4.64
        -620   ----  ----  ----  ---- -140   ---- -600  -140   200   200   100

   4>         2.36                          2.36  2.36  5.79  2.36  6.93  2.36
         ----  100   ----  ----  ----  ----  100   100   140   100   200   100

   5>         2.36                          2.36  6.36  2.36  2.36  2.36  6.36
         ----   50   ----  ----  ----  ----   50   100    50    50    50   100

   6>         5.79                          1.21  0.07    3-    3-    3-  6.93
         ----  140   ----  ----  ----  ----  -50  -100   110   110   110   400

   7>   2.36  5.79  0.07                                5.79  2.36  2.36  5.79
         620   650   600   ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  650   620   620   650

   8>     3-  5.21  2.36                                1.21  6.93  5.21  0.07
        -130  -110  -140   ----  ----  ----  ----  ---- -150   100  -110  -200

   9>   6.36  6.36  2.93                                0.07  4.64  2.93  1.21
         -50   -50  -110   ----  ----  ----  ----  ---- -170  -100  -110  -140

  10>   6.93        5.21  2.93                          2.93  5.21  0.07  1.21
         620   ----  400   100   ----  ----  ----  ----  100   400  -140  -100

  11>   1.21        2.36  6.93                          4.64  5.79    3-  0.07
        -140   ---- -110   120   ----  ----  ----  ----  100   110    50  -530

  12>   2.93        6.93  0.07                          2.93  2.93  2.93  5.79
        -100   ----  130  -200   ----  ----  ----  ---- -100  -100  -100   110

  13>     0     5     1     7     3                             3     6     3
        -630  -180  -620  -140  -600   ----  ----  ----  ---- -600  -150  -600

  14>     2     2     0     6     2                             5     7     4
         110   110   100   170   110   ----  ----  ----  ----  150   210   140

  15>     2     2     0     6-    4-                            4-    6-    2
        -980  -980 -1510  -460  -480   ----  ----  ----  ---- -480  -460  -980

  16>   5.79  6.93        2.36  4.64  0.07                          1.21    3-
         100   200   ---- -200  -100  -240   ----  ----  ----  ---- -210  -130

  17>   0.64    3-          3-    3-  0.64                          6.36  6.36
         110   120   ----  120   120   110   ----  ----  ----  ----  140   140

  18>   0.07  2.93        2.93  5.79  2.93                          6.93  2.93
          50   100   ----  100   170   100   ----  ----  ----  ----  660   100

  19>     3     2     0     1     7     5-    4                             5-
        -170  -300  -620  -500   530   -50  -100   ----  ----  ----  ----  -50

  20>     0     3-    2     3-    6-    5     1                             6-
        -600  -110  -150  -110   170    90  -200   ----  ----  ----  ----  170

  21>     2-    5-    5-    2-    2-    2-    7                             0
        -100   620   620  -100  -100  -100   650   ----  ----  ----  ---- -200

  22>   5.79  6.93  2.93        2.93  4.64  0.64  0.64
        -120   100  -180   ---- -180  -130  -210  -210   ----  ----  ----  ----

  23>   4.64    3-  0.64        0.64  6.36  6.36  2.36
         140   130  -100   ---- -100   620   620   120   ----  ----  ----  ----

  24>   0.07  2.36  1.21        5.79    3-  4.64  6.93
        -450  -110  -130   ----   50  -100   -50   110   ----  ----  ----  ----

  25>           4-    2     4-    0     4-    1     4-    7
         ----  480   460   480  -150   480   450   480   980   ----  ----  ----

  26>           4     2     4     0     1     6-    4     6-
         ---- -140  -170  -140  -620  -200   200  -140   200   ----  ----  ----

  27>           6-    4-    1     2     6-    3     0     4-
         ----  430   400    90   130   430   150   -50   400   ----  ----  ----

  28>               5.79  2.93        1.21  6.93  0.07  2.93  4.64
         ----  ---- -110  -400   ---- -420   100  -460  -400  -150   ----  ----

  29>               1.79    3-        5.79  1.79  5.79  5.79  0.07
         ----  ----   90   100   ----  110    90   110   110    80   ----  ----

  30>               5.79  2.93        0.64  5.79  0.64  2.93  5.79
         ----  ----  130    50   ---- -140   130  -140    50   130   ----  ----

  31>                       4     0     6     6     1-    6     3     1-
         ----  ----  ----   90  -200   120   120  -100   120  PASS  -100   ----

  32>                       6     3     1-    4     6     0     1-    6
         ----  ----  ----  100   -50   -80    90   100  -100   -80   100   ----

  33>                       3     6     1     6     3     3     6     0
         ----  ----  ----  480   980   230   980   480   480   980    90   ----

  34>                           0.07  4.07  4.07  2.36  6.36  6.36  1.21
         ----  ----  ----  ---- -800    50    50  -100   750   750  -450   ----

  35>                           0.07  2.36  5.21  2.36  2.36  5.21  6.93
         ----  ----  ----  ---- -150   -50   140   -50   -50   140   170   ----

  36>                           1.79  4.07  6.36  6.36  1.79  4.07  0.07
         ----  ----  ----  ----  650   680   710   710   650   680   270   ----



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>February 6, 2017   |CLUB NO.>185264    | 02/06/2017 22:04
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 60% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/100   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=12/B=9/C=5                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Lewis Temples          Richard Koch             B    1     1     .    105.21  62.63  1.20(A)
 2 Steve Messinger        Leonard Kanterman        C    .     .     2     81.99  48.80  0.21(C)
 3 Evelyn McCarthy        Joan Diers               C    .     .     .     59.08  35.17
 4 Dona Koch              Sara Brown               C    .     .     .     60.90  36.25
 5 Cheryl Endres          Pamela Kennedy           C    .     .     .     72.21  42.98
 6 Stephen Felson         Robert Brown             A    2     .     .    100.49  59.82  0.84(A)
 7 Joseph Kammer          Gail Zimmer              B    .     .     .     82.91  49.35
 8 Martin Gibler          Susan Stacy Vanstone     B    .     4     .     82.92  49.36  0.25(B)
 9 Annette Kereiakes      Tom Kereiakes            B    4     2     .     96.78  57.61  0.50(B)
10 Amy Connert            Pat Lindeman             C    5     3     1     83.78  49.87  0.36(B)
11 June Cushman           Martin Petersen          A    3     .     .     97.64  58.12  0.60(A)


                                          Totals                         923.91

Thanks to Bob Fisk for his expert analysis.


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>   1.79        1.79        0.07          3-        5.21  5.21  6.93
        -100   ---- -100   ---- -110   ----   50   ----  140   140   170   ----

   2>   4.64        1.79        1.79        6.93        5.79  0.07    3-
         140   ---- -130   ---- -130   ----  300   ----  200  -630   100   ----

   3>   6.93        5.79        4.07        0.64        0.64  4.07  2.36
         620   ----  600   ----  140   ---- -200   ---- -200   140  -100   ----

   4>   4.64  4.64        1.21        4.64        0.07        4.64  4.64
        -100  -100   ---- -140   ---- -100   ---- -200   ---- -100  -100   ----

   5>   0.64  4.64        4.64        4.64        4.64        0.64  4.64
        -100   -50   ----  -50   ----  -50   ----  -50   ---- -100   -50   ----

   6>   6.93  1.21          3-          3-          3-        0.07  5.79
         100  -140   ---- -110   ---- -110   ---- -110   ---- -400    50   ----

   7>   1.21  1.21  6.93        4.64        4.64        1.21        4.64
        -650  -650  -600   ---- -620   ---- -620   ---- -650   ---- -620   ----

   8>   1.79  5.79  4.64        0.07        1.79        6.93          3-
         110   150   140   ---- -100   ----  110   ----  200   ----  130   ----

   9>   0.64  6.93  4.07        2.36        4.07        5.79        0.64
          50   170   110   ----  100   ----  110   ----  140   ----   50   ----

  10>   4.07  1.79  1.79  4.07        6.93        5.79        0.07
        -100  -400  -400  -100   ----  140   ----  100   ---- -620   ----  ----

  11>   2.36  4.64  1.21  0.07          3-        6.93        5.79
        -100   110  -110  -120   ----  -50   ----  530   ----  140   ----  ----

  12>   4.07  0.07  4.07  6.93        4.07        1.21        4.07
         100  -130   100   200   ----  100   ---- -110   ----  100   ----  ----

  13>     6     4     0     1     4           4           7           2
         620   600   140   150   600   ----  600   ----  630   ----  180   ----

  14>     7     2     1     0     5           3           5           5
        -100  -150  -170  -210  -110   ---- -140   ---- -110   ---- -110   ----

  15>     7     2-     -     -    2-          5           5           5
        1510   480   460   460   480   ----  980   ----  980   ----  980   ----

  16>         4.64  5.79  2.36    3-  6.93        1.21        0.07
         ----  200   210   100   130   240   ---- -100   ---- -200   ----  ----

  17>           3-  0.64    3-  0.64  6.36        6.36          3-
         ---- -120  -140  -120  -140  -110   ---- -110   ---- -120   ----  ----

  18>         4.07  0.07  1.21  4.07  4.07        6.93        4.07
         ---- -100  -660  -170  -100  -100   ----  -50   ---- -100   ----  ----

  19>     6           0     1-    1-    4     3           5           7
         500   ---- -530    50    50   170   100   ----  300   ----  620   ----

  20>     3-           -     -    2     7     6           3-          5
         110   ---- -170  -170   -90   600   200   ----  110   ----  150   ----

  21>     4-          4-    7     4-    4-    0           1-          1-
         100   ----  100   200   100   100  -650   ---- -620   ---- -620   ----

  22>         4.07        2.36  1.21  6.36  0.07  6.36        4.07
         ----  180   ----  130   120   210  -100   210   ----  180   ----  ----

  23>         6.36        0.64  2.36  0.64    3-  4.64        6.36
         ----  100   ---- -620  -140  -620  -130  -120   ----  100   ----  ----

  24>         1.21          3-  6.93  2.36  4.64  0.07        5.79
         ----  -50   ----  100   450    50   110  -110   ----  130   ----  ----

  25>     7           2-          6     2-    2-    5     0           2-
         150   ---- -480   ---- -450  -480  -480  -460  -980   ---- -480   ----

  26>     7           6            -    3     3     5      -          3
         620   ----  200   ---- -200   140   140   170  -200   ----  140   ----

  27>     5            -          4      -    7     2-    2-          6
        -130   ---- -430   ---- -150  -430    50  -400  -400   ----  -90   ----

  28>         5.79        0.07        6.93  1.21  4.07  4.07  2.36
         ----  420   ---- -100   ----  460   110   400   400   150   ----  ----

  29>         1.21        5.21        1.21  5.21  1.21    3-  6.93
         ---- -110   ----  -90   ---- -110   -90  -110  -100   -80   ----  ----

  30>         6.36        1.21        6.36  1.21  4.07  4.07  1.21
         ----  140   ---- -130   ----  140  -130   -50   -50  -130   ----  ----

  31>     1           1           5-          1     3     4     7     5-
        -120   ---- -120   ----  100   ---- -120   -90  PASS   200   100   ----

  32>     5-          3           1           7     1     5-    4     1
          80   ----  -90   ---- -100   ----  100  -100    80    50  -100   ----

  33>     6           1           4           4     4     1     1     7
        -230   ---- -980   ---- -480   ---- -480  -480  -980  -980   -90   ----

  34>         2.93        4.64        0.64        0.64  6.93  5.79  2.93
         ----  -50   ----  100   ---- -750   ---- -750   800   450   -50   ----

  35>         1.79        4.64        4.64        1.79  6.93  0.07  4.64
         ---- -140   ----   50   ----   50   ---- -140   150  -170    50   ----

  36>         0.64        0.64        5.21        2.93  5.21  6.93  2.93
         ---- -710   ---- -710   ---- -650   ---- -680  -650  -270  -680   ----
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, February 6, 2017

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	10 6 4
♥	A 8
♦	K 9 7 6 3 2
♣	8 3

♠	Q 8 3
♥	Q 7 2
♦	A J 8 5
♣	Q 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 9 7 5
♥	10 9 6 4
♦	4
♣	A J 4

♠	K 2
♥	K J 5 3
♦	Q 10
♣	K 10 9 7 6

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

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

Showing 5+ cards in higher-ranking suit

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	3	110		6.93	0.07	9-Mulford-Wolf	5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	W	−2	100		5.21	1.79	1-Page-Koppenhafer	1-Temples-Koch
3 ♠	E	−2	100		5.21	1.79	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♦	N	−1		50	3.50	3.50	10-Kehoe-Stanley	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	E	3		140	1.79	5.21	6-Kobida-Burns	10-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♠	E	3		140	1.79	5.21	11-Barron-Lakes	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠	E	4		170	0.07	6.93	12-Oblinger-Murdock	11-Cushman-Petersen

North's suit is a little too ratty to open 2 ♦ in first seat, even not vulnerable. East's double, as a passed hand, is takeout for the unbid suits and emphasizes the higher-ranking suit (Spades in this case). If they wanted to show 4-5 shape in the unbid suits, they'd make a Sandwich Notrump bid. South's pass after East's double denies three-card support for partner's Diamonds (i.e., they didn't make a support double). When North rebids Diamonds, South knows they have six, so they have an easy raise with two honors.

N/S lose two Diamonds tricks, one Club, and one Spade, making three. Declarer will play East for shortness in Diamonds based on the auction. East may lead the ♥T.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	10 2
♥	J 4
♦	A Q 7
♣	K J 7 6 5 2

♠	9 5 4
♥	8 5
♦	J 10 9 6 3 2
♣	Q 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 8 7 6 3
♥	A K 10 7 6 3
♦	5
♣	8

♠	K Q J
♥	Q 9 2
♦	K 8 4
♣	A 10 9 4

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

West	North	East	South
		1 ♥1	1 NT2
Pass	3 NT	4 ♠3	Dbl
Pass	Pass	Pass

Planning to reverse
15 to 18
...as planned

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	4	630		6.93	0.07	6-Kobida-Burns	10-Connert-Lindeman
4 ♣	N	4	130		5.21	1.79	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♣	N	4	130		5.21	1.79	9-Mulford-Wolf	5-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♣	N	−1		100	3.50	3.50	12-Oblinger-Murdock	11-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♠	E	3		140	2.36	4.64	1-Page-Koppenhafer	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♣×	N	−1		200	1.21	5.79	11-Barron-Lakes	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NT	S	−3		300	0.07	6.93	10-Kehoe-Stanley	7-Kammer-Zimmer

East has a fairly easy 4 ♠ sacrifice on this hand since:
(1) N/S are vulnerable and will definitely make 3 NT
(2) West didn't raise Hearts, so they don't have three-card support
(3) North didn't probe for a Spade fit, so West is odds on to have at least three Spades

South might have bid 4 NT on the vulnerability, but that's not obvious. N/S have to be careful in order to set E/W two tricks. If South decides that a trump lead is a good idea, they're going to be disappointed. Declarer will duck the lead of the ♠ K, win the second Spade, play off ♥ AK and ruff a Heart, and end up losing only one Diamond trick, one Club, and two Spades, making three. A forcing defense (i.e., making declarer ruff) is better, as declarer won't be able to pull trump and run their Hearts without losing control of the hand. The ♣ A is the best lead.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	10 9 5
♥	6
♦	A 10 6 5
♣	K Q J 10 9

♠	8 7 4 3 2
♥	A K J 10 4
♦	9
♣	5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q J
♥	Q 9 2
♦	K J 8 7
♣	A 7 2

♠	K 6
♥	8 7 5 3
♦	Q 4 3 2
♣	8 6 3

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

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

15 to 17
Transfer
Alert, showing 5-5 (or better) in the majors with game-going values
No reason to bid 3 ♠, since West is a passed hand

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−2	200		6.36	0.64	10-Kehoe-Stanley	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	E	−2	200		6.36	0.64	11-Barron-Lakes	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	E	−1	100		4.64	2.36	12-Oblinger-Murdock	11-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♥	W	3		140	2.93	4.07	6-Kobida-Burns	10-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♥	W	3		140	2.93	4.07	9-Mulford-Wolf	5-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	E	3		600	1.21	5.79	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	E	4		620	0.07	6.93	1-Page-Koppenhafer	1-Temples-Koch

If you and your partner play that a 3 ♠ response to a 1 NT opening shows 5-5 in the majors with game-going values, live it up.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Diamond, and one Club (or a Heart ruff), making four. South isn't going to lead a Spade or a Diamond on opening lead. If they lead a Club, N/S will get a Club trick when South is in with the ♠ K. If they lead a Heart, N/S will get a Heart ruff.

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 10 9 6 4 3
♥	7 6
♦	K 9 7
♣	10 2

♠	J 2
♥	K Q
♦	J 10 6 3
♣	A K Q J 9

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 5
♥	A J 8 5 4 3
♦	Q 4
♣	8 5 4

♠	K 8 7
♥	10 9 2
♦	A 8 5 2
♣	7 6 3

EW 3♥; NS 2♠; EW 3♣; EW 1♦; Par −140

West	North	East	South
1 ♣	2 ♠1	3 ♥2	Pass
3 ♠3	Dbl4	Pass5	Pass
4 ♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Weak jump overcall
Showing 5+ Hearts and 10+ HCP
Do you have a Spade stopper for notrump?
Please lead a Spade
I do not

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣	W	−2	200		6.93	0.07	11-Barron-Lakes	8-Gibler-Vanstone
2 ♠	N	3	140		5.79	1.21	9-Mulford-Wolf	4-Koch-Brown
3 ♥	E	−1	100		2.36	4.64	2-Singerman-Williams	2-Messinger-Kanterman
4 ♥	E	−1	100		2.36	4.64	7-Cook-Congbalay	11-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	E	−1	100		2.36	4.64	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	E	−1	100		2.36	4.64	10-Kehoe-Stanley	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	E	−1	100		2.36	4.64	12-Oblinger-Murdock	10-Connert-Lindeman

West, with running Clubs, tries to play in 3 NT. When East denies a stopper, they decide that 4 ♥ should have some play. Unfortunately, they're wrong.

N/S lose two Spade tricks and two Diamonds, down one. 3 NT would have been a great contract if you like going down four. I don't. South will lead the ♠ 7, and the Diamond switch at trick three isn't hard to find staring at all those Clubs.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A
♥	Q J 7 6
♦	Q 6 4
♣	A 8 6 4 2

♠	J 7 2
♥	10 2
♦	K J 10 9 8 7
♣	J 5

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 5 4
♥	A K 9 8 3
♦	3
♣	K Q 7

♠	K 9 8 6 3
♥	5 4
♦	A 5 2
♣	10 9 3

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

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

Showing 5+ Spades
Alert, Snapdragon double showing 5+ Diamonds and 2-card Heart support
Not opposed to playing in 1 ♠ doubled
Opposed to playing in 1 ♠ doubled
Monster Diamond suit

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT×	E	−1	100		6.36	0.64	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Temples-Koch
2 ♥	E	−2	100		6.36	0.64	12-Oblinger-Murdock	10-Connert-Lindeman
2 NT	E	−1	50		2.36	4.64	2-Singerman-Williams	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 ♦	W	−1	50		2.36	4.64	7-Cook-Congbalay	11-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥	E	−1	50		2.36	4.64	9-Mulford-Wolf	4-Koch-Brown
3 ♦	W	−1	50		2.36	4.64	10-Kehoe-Stanley	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♥	E	−1	50		2.36	4.64	11-Barron-Lakes	8-Gibler-Vanstone

West knows that 2 ♦ will be a good contract even if East has a void in Diamonds (i.e., their suit plays like ♦ KJJJJJ). E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Club, and two Diamonds, making two. If N/S manage to get a Spade ruff, it will be at the cost of North's natural Diamond trick. North will lead the ♠ A and switch to a small Heart--declarer would be insane to duck it to their ♥T.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K Q J 10 4
♥	A K Q 3
♦	5
♣	10 5 4

♠	A 7 6 5
♥	J 9 4
♦	A 7 6
♣	8 7 6

N
W		E
S

♠	9 3
♥	8 7 6 5
♦	9 8 3
♣	A K J 9

♠	8 2
♥	10 2
♦	K Q J 10 4 2
♣	Q 3 2

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

West	North	East	South
		Pass	2 ♦1
Pass	2 ♠2	Pass	2 NT3
Pass	3 ♠4	Pass	Pass
Pass

Weak two bid
Natural and forcing
Alert, showing two-card Spade support
Unwilling to bid game with such pitiful Clubs

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	400		6.93	0.07	12-Oblinger-Murdock	10-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♠	N	3	140		5.79	1.21	2-Singerman-Williams	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 ♦	S	3	110		3.50	3.50	9-Mulford-Wolf	4-Koch-Brown
2 ♦	S	3	110		3.50	3.50	10-Kehoe-Stanley	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♥	N	2	110		3.50	3.50	11-Barron-Lakes	8-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♦	S	−1		50	1.21	5.79	7-Cook-Congbalay	11-Cushman-Petersen
5 ♦	S	−2		100	0.07	6.93	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	1-Temples-Koch

When you make a weak two bid and partner bids a major at the two level, you should respond as follows:
1) With three-card support, raise partner's major
2) With two-card support, bid 2 NT
3) With AKQxxx in your suit, bid 3 NT
4) With a side-suit Ace or King, bid that suit
5) Rebid your suit at the three level

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Diamond trick, and two Clubs, making three. North's small Heart can be pitched on a high Diamond. Let's say that East leads a trump (nothing is better). West can win and continue Spades, so declarer can no longer ruff a Heart. Declarer should pull trump in two more rounds and lead a Club. East hops with the ♣ A and plays a Heart. North wins and leads a second Club. East wins and returns a Club, removing dummy's entry. Declarer wins in dummy with the ♣ Q and plays off two more rounds of Hearts.

At this point, North holds ♠ 4 ♥ 3 ♦ 5, East holds ♥ 8 ♦ 9 ♣ J, South holds ♦ KQJ, and West holds ♦ A76 (they've followed suit throughout). Declarer simply exits with a Diamond, and West will be forced to play a Diamond back to dummy for a Heart pitch. Nicely played!

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	9
♥	Q 7 5 4
♦	A 10 9
♣	K Q 9 3 2

♠	Q J 7 4
♥	K 8
♦	J 8 7 6
♣	10 8 5

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8 6 2
♥	A 9 3
♦	K 4 3 2
♣	J 7

♠	A K 5 3
♥	J 10 6 2
♦	Q 5
♣	A 6 4

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

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

Alert, artificial Wold 2 NT bid asking for the quality of partner's raise
Alert, artificial response showing a maximum hand with four Hearts

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	N	5	650		5.79	1.21	2-Singerman-Williams	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	N	5	650		5.79	1.21	9-Mulford-Wolf	2-Messinger-Kanterman
4 ♥	N	5	650		5.79	1.21	12-Oblinger-Murdock	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	N	4	620		2.36	4.64	1-Page-Koppenhafer	11-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	N	4	620		2.36	4.64	10-Kehoe-Stanley	5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥	N	4	620		2.36	4.64	11-Barron-Lakes	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	S	3	600		0.07	6.93	3-Elliott-Runda	3-McCarthy-Diers

When opener raises partner's major-suit response, they almost always have four-card support....unless they don't. With a major-suit fit already established, 2 NT isn't needed as a natural bid at this point, so it can be used as an artificial bid asking about the quality of partner's suit/hand (Wold 2 NT). The responses to responder's 2 NT bid are as follows:
3 ♣ - Minimum hand with 3-card support
3 ♦ - Maximum hand (14 HCP or six losers) with 3-card support
3 ♥ - Minimum hand with 4-card support
3 ♠ - Maximum hand with 4-card support

There are additional responses, but these are enough to get you started. If you raise partner's major with only 3-card support, you should have a singleton or void somewhere. If you raise partner's major with 3-card support and a balanced hand, you should be bludgeoned.

N/S lose two Heart tricks and one Diamond, making four. If E/W are able to negotiate a Club ruff, then N/S won't lose a Diamond trick. East may lead the ♣ J.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	A Q 9 4 3
♥	5 2
♦	7 2
♣	10 9 5 4

♠	K
♥	A Q 10 6 4
♦	A Q 8 5 3
♣	Q 3

N
W		E
S

♠	J 10 5 2
♥	J 7
♦	J 9 6 4
♣	J 8 7

♠	8 7 6
♥	K 9 8 3
♦	K 10
♣	A K 6 2

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

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

11 to 14
Showing a big hand
To play

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	W	−2	100		6.93	0.07	10-Kehoe-Stanley	5-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦	W	3		110	5.21	1.79	2-Singerman-Williams	1-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	W	3		110	5.21	1.79	11-Barron-Lakes	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♦	W	4		130	3.50	3.50	1-Page-Koppenhafer	11-Cushman-Petersen
1 ♥	W	3		140	2.36	4.64	3-Elliott-Runda	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	N	−3		150	1.21	5.79	9-Mulford-Wolf	2-Messinger-Kanterman
4 ♠	N	−4		200	0.07	6.93	12-Oblinger-Murdock	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

A 1 NT overcall in the balancing (pass-out) position shows 11 to 14 HCP. When partner is a passed hand, opener's bid of a second suit shows a strong hand (16+ HCP).

E/W lose one Spade trick, two Club tricks, and one trick in a red suit (declarer can't get to dummy to finesse in both Hearts and Diamonds, so they need to concede a trick in one suit to gain a finesse in the other). North may lead the ♣T.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K J 7
♥	J 5 3 2
♦	J 10 9
♣	A 8 3

♠	10 9 8 6
♥	Q 10 8
♦	Q 8 4
♣	10 7 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 3 2
♥	A 9 6
♦	K
♣	K J 9 4 2

♠	5 4
♥	K 7 4
♦	A 7 6 5 3 2
♣	Q 5

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

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

Planning to reverse
Weak jump overcall
Showing a bid hand

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	S	−1		50	6.36	0.64	1-Page-Koppenhafer	11-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♦	S	−1		50	6.36	0.64	2-Singerman-Williams	1-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	S	−2		100	4.64	2.36	10-Kehoe-Stanley	5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	E	2		110	2.93	4.07	3-Elliott-Runda	3-McCarthy-Diers
1 ♣	E	3		110	2.93	4.07	11-Barron-Lakes	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♠	W	3		140	1.21	5.79	12-Oblinger-Murdock	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠	W	4		170	0.07	6.93	9-Mulford-Wolf	2-Messinger-Kanterman

East can't take a bid over 1 ♣, but is quite happy to play in 2 ♠ when partner shows a second suit. When North raises Diamonds, West has more than enough to bid 3 ♠.

E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and two Clubs, making three. South will lead the ♦ A and continue Diamonds. Declarer has no useful pitch on the ♦ Q.

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q 8 7 2
♥	Q J 7 6
♦	A Q 9 3
♣	7

♠	A K 10 5 4 3
♥	K 10 5
♦	5
♣	5 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	—
♥	A 4
♦	10 8 7 6 4 2
♣	K Q 8 6 2

♠	J 9 6
♥	9 8 3 2
♦	K J
♣	A J 10 9

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

West	North	East	South
		Pass1	Pass
2 ♠2	Pass	Pass3	Pass

Nice restraint
Weak two bid
See #1

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	4	620		6.93	0.07	1-Page-Koppenhafer	10-Connert-Lindeman
3 NT	W	−4	400		5.21	1.79	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 NT	E	−4	400		5.21	1.79	10-Kehoe-Stanley	3-McCarthy-Diers
1 NT	E	−1	100		2.93	4.07	4-Hoffman-Roark	4-Koch-Brown
3 ♣	E	−1	100		2.93	4.07	9-Mulford-Wolf	1-Temples-Koch
2 ♥	S	−1		100	1.21	5.79	12-Oblinger-Murdock	8-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♠	W	3		140	0.07	6.93	11-Barron-Lakes	6-Felson-Brown

If East decides that this is the moment to open 1 ♦ with nine HCP and crazy shape, they'll live to regret it. E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, one Club, and three Spades (two ruffs in the North hand and the ♠ J). If South (accidentally) finds a double of 2 ♠, North will pass. I can't imagine doubling with the South hand, but I've seen stranger things (at the Bridge table, not the show on Netflix, although I've seen that too and it's quite good).

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	7 3
♥	Q 10 9 7
♦	K 7 3
♣	10 7 4 2

♠	A J 9
♥	A J 8 6 4
♦	2
♣	Q J 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 6 5
♥	K 5 3 2
♦	Q 10 9 8 4
♣	5

♠	K 10 8 4 2
♥	—
♦	A J 6 5
♣	A K 8 6

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

West	North	East	South
			1 ♠
2 ♥	Pass	3 ♥	Dbl1
Rdbl2	Pass3	Pass	4 ♣
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

Do something smart, partner
I'm not sure they can
I agree with West

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	N	2	120		6.93	0.07	4-Hoffman-Roark	4-Koch-Brown
1 ♠	S	2	110		5.79	1.21	10-Kehoe-Stanley	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥×	W	−1	100		4.64	2.36	9-Mulford-Wolf	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	W	−1	50		3.50	3.50	11-Barron-Lakes	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♥	W	2		110	2.36	4.64	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 ♥	W	3		140	1.21	5.79	1-Page-Koppenhafer	10-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♥×	W	3		530	0.07	6.93	12-Oblinger-Murdock	8-Gibler-Vanstone

South didn't pick up their hand to play in 3 ♥. North thinks momentarily about bidding 3 NT after West's redouble, but they decide not to. West's penalty double ends the auction.

West can't lead a trump without giving up a trick, so their best lead is the ♥ 6. Declarer ruffs out East's ♥ K, leads the ♦ 5 to dummy's ♦ K, and plays the ♠ 7 letting it ride to West's ♠ 9 when East plays low. West has to lead the ♣ Q at this point, since a Heart or a Spade would be a disaster. Declarer can win in hand and play the ♠ K to put West back in the lead. West plays the ♣ 9, and declarer wins with the ♣T in dummy. A Club to the ♣ A and a Spade ruff with dummy's last trump lead to this five-card ending:

Declarer ♠T8 ♦ AJ6, West ♥ AJ84 ♣ J, dummy ♥ QT9 ♦ 73, East ♥ 53 ♦ QT9.

Declarer leads the ♦ 3 from dummy to the ♦ J, and West's goose is proverbially cooked (ummm....goose). If they ruff, they can cash their ♥ A, but that's the last trick for the defense. If they discard a Heart, South will play off good Spades until they ruff.

It's amazing that the inability to get East in the lead results in a three trick difference.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q J 8
♥	A 10 7 2
♦	A K 5 4
♣	A 8

♠	K 9 7 3 2
♥	K J 8 3
♦	Q 6
♣	J 10

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10
♥	Q 9 5 4
♦	J
♣	K Q 7 6 4 2

♠	6 5 4
♥	6
♦	10 9 8 7 3 2
♣	9 5 3

EW 3♥; NS 2N; NS 3♦; EW 2♣; Par −140

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♦	2 ♣1	3 ♦2
Dbl3	Pass	3 ♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

Showing a full opener
Preemptive jump raise
Responsive double showing 4+ cards in both majors and the values to take a bid at this level

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	4	130		6.93	0.07	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 ♦	N	3	110		5.79	1.21	12-Oblinger-Murdock	8-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♦	N	−1		100	2.93	4.07	1-Page-Koppenhafer	10-Connert-Lindeman
3 NT	N	−1		100	2.93	4.07	9-Mulford-Wolf	1-Temples-Koch
4 ♦	N	−1		100	2.93	4.07	10-Kehoe-Stanley	3-McCarthy-Diers
5 ♦	N	−1		100	2.93	4.07	11-Barron-Lakes	6-Felson-Brown
3 NT	N	−2		200	0.07	6.93	4-Hoffman-Roark	4-Koch-Brown

A responsive double is a double by advancer (partner of the overcaller) after an opening, a double or overcall, and a fit-showing raise by responder. As long as responder's bid is 4 ♦ or less, responsive doubles should be "on."

E/W lose one Club trick, one Diamond, and two Hearts. Declarer has too much work to do to ruff a Spade and a Diamond in dummy and pull trump after the lead of the ♣ A, the ♦ K, and a second Club. Declarer can win in dummy with the ♣ Q, play a Heart to the ♥ K (North ducking), ruff a Diamond, and play a second Heart (South showing out). North will duck this trick as well, at which point, declarer will shift gears and play a Spade to the ♠ A, Spade back to the ♠ K, and ruff a Spade with dummy's ♥ Q, and start cashing good Clubs. North will collect the ♥ A and ♥T, but that's it.

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	4
♥	A Q 2
♦	A Q 10 8 3
♣	8 7 6 3

♠	A K J 3
♥	K J 5 4
♦	K 7
♣	Q J 10

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 9 6
♥	10 9 8
♦	J 9 6
♣	A K 9 2

♠	10 8 7 5 2
♥	7 6 3
♦	5 4 2
♣	5 4

EW 3N; W 4♣; EW 2♠; EW 2♥; E 3♣; Par −600

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

Showing 18-19 HCP

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	W	3		140	7.00	0.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	3-McCarthy-Diers
1 NT	W	3		150	6.00	1.00	11-Barron-Lakes	4-Koch-Brown
2 NT	W	4		180	5.00	2.00	2-Singerman-Williams	11-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	E	3		600	3.00	4.00	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	W	3		600	3.00	4.00	10-Kehoe-Stanley	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 NT	W	3		600	3.00	4.00	12-Oblinger-Murdock	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	W	4		620	1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Temples-Koch
3 NT	W	4		630	0.00	7.00	1-Page-Koppenhafer	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

A 2 NT overcall in the direct seat (i.e., to the immediate left of the opening bidder) is typically played as the Unusual 2 NT, showing a minimum or maximum hand with 5+ cards in the two lowest suits. A 2 NT overcall in the balancing seat (i.e., to the immediate right of the opening bidder) is NOT that. 2 NT at this point shows 18-19 HCP and a balanced or semi-balanced shape. Don't forget.

E/W take four Spade tricks, four Club tricks, and a trick in one of the red suits. Missing only 12 HCP, declarer knows that North holds ♥ AQ and ♦ AQ for their opening bid, so there's no chance that South (the danger hand) will gain the lead.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	A J 7
♥	Q 9
♦	A 3 2
♣	K Q 7 3 2

♠	K 3 2
♥	8 7 5
♦	K Q J 9 5
♣	9 5

N
W		E
S

♠	8 5 4
♥	A 6 2
♦	10 7 6
♣	A J 6 4

♠	Q 10 9 6
♥	K J 10 4 3
♦	8 4
♣	10 8

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

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

15 to 17
Garbage Stayman
Denying a 4-card major
To play
Showing a doubleton Heart

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	N	5	210		7.00	0.00	11-Barron-Lakes	4-Koch-Brown
2 ♥	N	4	170		6.00	1.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	E	−3	150		5.00	2.00	10-Kehoe-Stanley	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 ♥	N	3	140		4.00	3.00	12-Oblinger-Murdock	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♥	N	2	110		2.00	5.00	1-Page-Koppenhafer	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♥	N	2	110		2.00	5.00	2-Singerman-Williams	11-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥	N	2	110		2.00	5.00	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♦×	W	−1	100		0.00	7.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Temples-Koch

With a weak hand and 4-4 (or better) shape in the majors, use Stayman to try and play at the two level after partner's 1 NT opener. If partner bids 2 ♦, denying a four-card major, bid 2 ♥ (or 2 ♠ if you're 5-4 in Spades and Hearts respectively). If opener has a doubleton Heart, they'll "crawl" up to 2 ♠, and you'll play in a 4-3 fit. That's still better than trying to play in 1 NT.

N/S lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. East will lead the ♦ 6, and declarer should duck and win trick two. The ♥ Q is next, East ducking. Declarer can now ruff their third Diamond, take the Spade finesse, and pull trump (West shouldn't cover). A second round of Hearts is next. East can win the ♥ A, but is forced to open up Clubs--a small Club gives declarer an entry to dummy with the ♣T, and the ♣ A or ♣ J is no better.

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 8 4 3
♥	5 3 2
♦	10 8 3
♣	10 9 3

♠	9
♥	K 10 7 6
♦	A K 6 5
♣	A K 7 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q
♥	A Q 9 4
♦	J 9 7
♣	8 4 2

♠	10 7 6 5 2
♥	J 8
♦	Q 4 2
♣	Q J 5

EW 6N; EW 6♥; EW 6♦; EW 6♣; EW 4♠; Par −990

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

Alert, splinter bid showing game-going values, 4-card Heart support, and a singleton or void in Spades
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
Asking for specific Kings and guaranteeing all the keycards
Showing the ♣ K and denying the ♠ K

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	5		460	6.50	0.50	4-Hoffman-Roark	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	E	5		460	6.50	0.50	11-Barron-Lakes	4-Koch-Brown
5 ♥	E	6		480	4.50	2.50	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥	E	6		480	4.50	2.50	10-Kehoe-Stanley	2-Messinger-Kanterman
6 ♥	E	6		980	2.00	5.00	1-Page-Koppenhafer	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
6 ♥	E	6		980	2.00	5.00	2-Singerman-Williams	11-Cushman-Petersen
6 ♥	E	6		980	2.00	5.00	12-Oblinger-Murdock	7-Kammer-Zimmer
7 ♥	E	7		1510	0.00	7.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Temples-Koch

East has no reason to play in 6 ♥ with ♠ AKQ in partner's short suit. If West had the ♠ K, they'd bid 5 NT over East's 5 ♠ King-asking bid.

E/W take three Spade tricks, four Hearts, two Diamonds, and three Clubs. If South leads the ♣ Q, declarer should duck. This allows them to make six if (1) Clubs are 3-3, (2) the ♦ Q falls doubleton, or (3) if the hand with the ♦ Q holds length in Clubs.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K 10 9 6
♥	A K 4 2
♦	Q 6 2
♣	J 4

♠	7 5
♥	9 8 5
♦	J 4
♣	K Q 10 9 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 8 4 2
♥	J 10 7
♦	A K 10 9 8
♣	A

♠	Q J 3
♥	Q 6 3
♦	7 5 3
♣	8 7 5 2

EW 3♣; EW 1♦; Par −110

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♦	Pass1	Pass
2 ♣2	Pass	Pass3	Pass

What else?
Borrows a King from partner to balance
What else?

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	E	−2	200		6.93	0.07	2-Singerman-Williams	10-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♦	E	−1	100		5.79	1.21	1-Page-Koppenhafer	8-Gibler-Vanstone
1 ♥	N	−2		100	4.64	2.36	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Koch-Brown
2 ♦	E	4		130	3.50	3.50	12-Oblinger-Murdock	5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♦	N	−4		200	2.36	4.64	4-Hoffman-Roark	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 NT	E	5		210	1.21	5.79	11-Barron-Lakes	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	E	6		240	0.07	6.93	6-Kobida-Burns	6-Felson-Brown

Poor East. If they're able to pass twice, they'll get a good result. If they overcall 1 NT, they'll get a poor result, since it's impossible to get to dummy to cash all those lovely Clubs.

E/W lose one Spade trick and three Hearts, making three. North will probably lead the ♥ A on opening lead asking for attitude. South will signal with the ♥ 3 (upside down attitude saying they love Hearts). North will continue with the ♥ K and a third Heart to South's ♥ Q, and South will return the ♠ Q. Declarer will win with the ♠ A in dummy and cash the ♣ A, but with no quick way back to their hand to pull trump and take the marked Diamond finesse, they're destined to lose a Spade.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	J 6 5
♥	K 9 8 3
♦	8 4
♣	K J 6 2

♠	K Q 8 7
♥	10 6 5
♦	10 9
♣	A 7 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	10 3
♥	J 7 2
♦	K Q 3 2
♣	Q 9 8 4

♠	A 9 4 2
♥	A Q 4
♦	A J 7 6 5
♣	10

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

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

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	N	3	140		6.36	0.64	11-Barron-Lakes	3-McCarthy-Diers
1 ♠	S	3	140		6.36	0.64	12-Oblinger-Murdock	5-Endres-Kennedy
1 NT	N	2	120		3.50	3.50	2-Singerman-Williams	10-Connert-Lindeman
1 NT	N	2	120		3.50	3.50	4-Hoffman-Roark	2-Messinger-Kanterman
1 NT	N	2	120		3.50	3.50	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Koch-Brown
1 ♠	S	2	110		0.64	6.36	1-Page-Koppenhafer	8-Gibler-Vanstone
2 ♠	S	2	110		0.64	6.36	6-Kobida-Burns	6-Felson-Brown

N/S take four Heart tricks, one Club, one Diamond, and two Spades, making two. East should probably lead the ♠T, their shorter major, on the auction.

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q 10 6
♥	10 7
♦	A 8 7 5
♣	A K 10 6

♠	A K 9 7 4 3
♥	Q 9 3
♦	K Q
♣	8 3

N
W		E
S

♠	5
♥	J 4
♦	J 9 6 3 2
♣	J 9 5 4 2

♠	J 8 2
♥	A K 8 6 5 2
♦	10 4
♣	Q 7

NS 3♥; NS 1N; NS 1♦; Par +140

West	North	East	South
		Pass	2 ♥1
2 ♠	Dbl2	Pass	Pass
Pass

Weak two bid
For penalty

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	5	660		6.93	0.07	11-Barron-Lakes	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	S	4	170		5.79	1.21	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Koch-Brown
3 ♥	W	−2	100		2.93	4.07	2-Singerman-Williams	10-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♠	E	−2	100		2.93	4.07	4-Hoffman-Roark	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 ♠	W	−2	100		2.93	4.07	6-Kobida-Burns	6-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	W	−2	100		2.93	4.07	12-Oblinger-Murdock	5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	W	−1	50		0.07	6.93	1-Page-Koppenhafer	8-Gibler-Vanstone

When your partner opens with a preemptive bid, your RHO overcalls, and you double, it's for penalty. E/W lose two Club tricks, two Hearts, one Diamond, and two Spades, down two doubled for –300.

Two Spade tricks? You heard me. North leads the ♣ K, asking for count, and South shows an even number. North continues with the ♣ A and a third Club, South ruffing with the ♣ J. West has no effective discard, and if they overruff, North's ♠ QT6 turns into two trump tricks. If you're South in this situation, don't ruff low. If you do, declarer can overruff with the ♠ 9, play off the ♠ AK and leave the master trump outstanding, limiting their trump losers to one.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K Q 10 5 2
♥	7 4 3 2
♦	9 8 7
♣	2

♠	9 6
♥	9 8
♦	Q 6 3
♣	K Q 10 9 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 8 3
♥	J
♦	A K 10 5
♣	A J 6 3

♠	7 4
♥	A K Q 10 6 5
♦	J 4 2
♣	8 7

EW 6♣; EW 5♦; NS 2♥; EW 1N; EW 1♠; Par −800: NS 6♥×−4

West	North	East	South
			2 ♥1
Pass	4 ♥2	Dbl	Pass
5 ♣	Pass	6 ♣	Pass
6 ♥	Dbl3	Pass	Pass
Pass

Weak two bid
Extending the preempt
East would pass with a void in Hearts in case partner wanted to bid on

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥×	N	3	530		7.00	0.00	5-Lin-Hubka	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	S	−1		50	5.50	1.50	6-Kobida-Burns	5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♥	S	−1		50	5.50	1.50	12-Oblinger-Murdock	4-Koch-Brown
4 ♥	S	−2		100	4.00	3.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♣	W	6		170	3.00	4.00	1-Page-Koppenhafer	6-Felson-Brown
5 ♥×	S	−2		300	2.00	5.00	2-Singerman-Williams	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥×	S	−3		500	1.00	6.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	1-Temples-Koch
5 ♣	W	6		620	0.00	7.00	3-Elliott-Runda	11-Cushman-Petersen

East knows that 6 ♣ will make if West had as little as ♠ 42 ♥ 32 ♦ Q432 ♣ K7542, so 6 ♣ is an easy bid. N/S lose one Spade trick, three Diamonds, and one Club, down four doubled for –800. Much better than the –1370 they'd get letting E/W play in 6 ♣. West will lead the ♣ K and switch to the ♦ 3 when East plays the ♣ 3 (suit preference for the lower ranking side suit).

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A J 7 5
♥	A J 7
♦	10
♣	A J 8 4 2

♠	K Q 10 6 3
♥	K
♦	A Q 7
♣	Q 10 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	8 4
♥	Q 8 6
♦	K 8 6 5 3 2
♣	7 6

♠	9 2
♥	10 9 5 4 3 2
♦	J 9 4
♣	K 5

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

West	North	East	South
1 ♠	Pass	1 NT1	Pass
2 ♣	Pass	2 ♦2	Pass
Pass	Dbl3	Pass	2 ♥
Pass	Pass	Pass

Forcing
To play
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	N	4	170		6.50	0.50	5-Lin-Hubka	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♥	S	4	170		6.50	0.50	12-Oblinger-Murdock	4-Koch-Brown
2 ♣	N	2	90		5.00	2.00	6-Kobida-Burns	5-Endres-Kennedy
1 ♠	W	2		110	3.50	3.50	2-Singerman-Williams	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♦	E	3		110	3.50	3.50	4-Hoffman-Roark	1-Temples-Koch
2 ♦	E	5		150	2.00	5.00	3-Elliott-Runda	11-Cushman-Petersen
1 ♠	S	−2		200	1.00	6.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	W	3		600	0.00	7.00	1-Page-Koppenhafer	6-Felson-Brown

The auction is fairly straight forward. N/S lose one Heart trick, one Spade, and one Club, making four. It's doubtful that any N/S pair will be in game, but you never know.

West will lead the ♠ K. Declarer will win in dummy, and lead the ♦T towards the closed hand. West will win with the ♦ Q, cash their ♠ Q, and play a third Spade. Declarer, knowing that East is out, merely covers whatever West leads and overruffs when West ruffs with the ♥ 6. A Heart towards dummy now ends the suspense, as West's ♥ K shows up. Declarer wins the ♥ A, and plays the ♠ 7 pitching a Diamond. It doesn't do any good for East to ruff, as declarer will pitch a Diamond anyway. When East discards, declarer will continue with the ♣ A and a third Club, East discarding again. Declarer can ruff low and ruff their third Diamond in dummy. Nicely played!

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 8 5 4 3
♥	4
♦	Q
♣	A Q 9 8 6 2

♠	K J 2
♥	K J 8 6 2
♦	K 6 3 2
♣	4

N
W		E
S

♠	10 9
♥	A 10 9 7
♦	10 8 5 4
♣	10 5 3

♠	Q 7 6
♥	Q 5 3
♦	A J 9 7
♣	K J 7

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

West	North	East	South
	1 ♣1	Pass	3 NT2
Pass	4 ♠3	Pass	Pass
Pass

Planning to reverse
Showing 13-15 HCP
Showing crazy shape and asking South to pass or correct to 5 ♣

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	N	5	650		7.00	0.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	7-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	N	4	620		5.50	1.50	2-Singerman-Williams	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠	N	4	620		5.50	1.50	3-Elliott-Runda	11-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	S	−1		100	2.50	4.50	1-Page-Koppenhafer	6-Felson-Brown
3 NT	S	−1		100	2.50	4.50	4-Hoffman-Roark	1-Temples-Koch
3 NT	S	−1		100	2.50	4.50	5-Lin-Hubka	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	S	−1		100	2.50	4.50	6-Kobida-Burns	5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	N	−2		200	0.00	7.00	12-Oblinger-Murdock	4-Koch-Brown

South's 3 NT bid denies a four-card major and shows 13-15 HCP. If South had five Diamonds, they'd bid 1 ♦ over partner's 1 ♣ opener. If South had five Clubs, they'd bid 2 ♣--an Inverted Minor response showing a Club fit and forcing to game. Since they did neither, they're most likely 3343 or 3334. Isn't Bridge easy?

N/S lose two Spade tricks and one Heart, making four. The best way to play the Spade suit, missing ♠ KJT9 is small to the ♠ A and back towards the ♠ Q. When West turns up with ♠ KJ, overtricks evaporate. Stupid lack of overtricks. East has a tough lead, and may start with a trump.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q J 9 8 6 5
♥	8 6 3 2
♦	9 5
♣	8

♠	10 7
♥	10
♦	Q 8 7 6 2
♣	J 7 6 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K 3
♥	K J 7 4
♦	A K 3
♣	A K 9 2

♠	A 4 2
♥	A Q 9 5
♦	J 10 4
♣	Q 10 5

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

West	North	East	South
		2 NT1	Pass
Pass	Pass

20 to 21

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−1	100		6.93	0.07	2-Singerman-Williams	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 NT	E	2		120	5.79	1.21	1-Page-Koppenhafer	5-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦	W	4		130	4.64	2.36	6-Kobida-Burns	4-Koch-Brown
1 NT	E	4		180	2.93	4.07	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Connert-Lindeman
2 NT	W	4		180	2.93	4.07	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 NT	E	5		210	0.64	6.36	7-Cook-Congbalay	6-Felson-Brown
2 NT	E	5		210	0.64	6.36	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Gibler-Vanstone

If North was on lead, they'd take eight defensive tricks. With South on lead, five seems to be the limit. North should lead out of turn and hope nobody notices.

E/W take five Diamond tricks and three Clubs, making two. South's safest lead is the ♦ J, although expect some South's to lead the ♠ A and another Spade. That works out just as well, since declarer gains a Spade trick at the cost of a Club winner.

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	K Q J 5
♥	A 6 5 2
♦	4
♣	J 8 6 2

♠	7 2
♥	Q 10 8 7 3
♦	Q J
♣	A Q 10 3

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8 3
♥	J 4
♦	A 9 8 7 6 3 2
♣	4

♠	A 9 6 4
♥	K 9
♦	K 10 5
♣	K 9 7 5

NS 3♠; NS 4♣; NS 2N; EW 1♦; Par +140

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣
1 ♥	Dbl1	Pass	2 ♠2
Pass	2 NT3	Pass	3 ♥4
Pass	3 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

Negative double showing exactly four Spades
Showing four Spades
Alert, artificial Wold 2 NT bid asking about the quality of partner's raise
Alert, artificial response showing four Spades and a minimum hand

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	4	620		6.36	0.64	6-Kobida-Burns	4-Koch-Brown
4 ♠	S	4	620		6.36	0.64	7-Cook-Congbalay	6-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	N	3	140		4.64	2.36	1-Page-Koppenhafer	5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♣	S	4	130		3.50	3.50	2-Singerman-Williams	7-Kammer-Zimmer
1 NT	S	2	120		2.36	4.64	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♠	N	−1		100	0.64	6.36	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Connert-Lindeman
4 ♠	N	−1		100	0.64	6.36	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Messinger-Kanterman

When your partner makes a negative double showing exactly four Spades, and you have room to bid 1 ♠, do so with exactly three-card support. Bid 2 ♠ with four. N/S do well to avoid bidding game on this hand.

N/S lose one Diamond trick, two Clubs, and a Club ruff, making three. West will probably lead the ♦ Q. East will win the ♦ A and switch to their stiff Club. West can win with the ♣ Q, cash the ♣ A, and give partner their Club ruff, but that's it for the defense, as declarer can pull trump and ruff their losing Diamond in dummy.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	9 8 5 4
♥	Q 9 5
♦	7 4
♣	Q 8 4 3

♠	10
♥	A J 10 6 4 2
♦	K 10 6
♣	9 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A 7 6
♥	3
♦	A Q 8 5 2
♣	A J 10 6

♠	K Q J 3 2
♥	K 8 7
♦	J 9 3
♣	K 7

EW 4♥; EW 5♦; EW 4♣; EW 2N; EW 1♠; Par −420

West	North	East	South
2 ♥1	Pass	2 NT2	Pass
3 ♠3	Pass	4 ♥4	Pass
Pass	Pass

Weak two bid
Ogust, asking for the quality of partner's suit/hand
Alert, showing a good suit and a good hand
What the heck?

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	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	8-Gibler-Vanstone
3 NT	E	−1	50		5.79	1.21	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 ♠	S	−1		50	4.64	2.36	7-Cook-Congbalay	6-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	S	−2		100	3.50	3.50	6-Kobida-Burns	4-Koch-Brown
2 ♥	W	2		110	2.36	4.64	2-Singerman-Williams	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♦	E	4		130	1.21	5.79	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Connert-Lindeman
4 ♥	W	5		450	0.07	6.93	1-Page-Koppenhafer	5-Endres-Kennedy

East isn't sure where they want to go with this hand, so they buy some time by bidding 2 NT. When West shows a good hand and a good suit, 4 ♥ seems as good as anything. West's hand is definitely worth a good-good response, since they have three of the top five honors in Hearts, a feature in Diamonds, nothing wasted in Clubs, and shortness in Spades (always a good thing).

E/W lose two Heart tricks and one Club, making four. North may lead the ♠ 8 (MUD).

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 3 2
♥	A 5 4
♦	A 2
♣	A J 9 6 4

♠	9 8 4
♥	K Q 7 6 3
♦	6 3
♣	K 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	7 5
♥	J 10 2
♦	J 10 9 4
♣	Q 10 8 7

♠	A K Q 10 6
♥	9 8
♦	K Q 8 7 5
♣	5

NS 6♠; NS 4N; NS 5♦; NS 2♣; NS 1♥; Par +980

West	North	East	South
	1 ♣	Pass	1 ♠
Pass	1 NT	Pass	2 ♦1
Pass	2 ♠2	Pass	3 ♠3
Pass	4 ♣4	Pass	4 ♦5
Pass	4 ♥6	Pass	4 NT7
Pass	5 ♦8	Pass	5 NT9
Pass	6 ♠10	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, artificial XYZ bid forcing to game
Showing 3-card Spade support and denying four Hearts
Showing slam interest and leaving room for control bidding
Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Clubs
Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Diamonds and showing a problem in Hearts
Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Hearts and allowing partner to ask for keycards
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
Asking for specific Kings and guaranteeing all the keycards
Sorry, no side-suit Kings here

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	N	6	980		7.00	0.00	9-Mulford-Wolf	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♠	S	6	480		4.50	2.50	2-Singerman-Williams	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	S	6	480		4.50	2.50	4-Hoffman-Roark	11-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	S	6	480		4.50	2.50	6-Kobida-Burns	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	S	6	480		4.50	2.50	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	N	5	460		2.00	5.00	3-Elliott-Runda	8-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♠	N	5	450		1.00	6.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♣	N	−3		150	0.00	7.00	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Temples-Koch

Nice auction! If North had shown either the ♣ K or ♥ K, South would have gladly bid 7 ♠. West will lead the ♥ K, and declarer will win with dummy's ♥ A, pull two rounds of trump, play the ♦ A, Diamond to the ♦ K, and ruff a Diamond in dummy. ♣ A and a Club ruffed high, allow declarer to return to their hand to pull the remaining trump. They'll lose a Heart at the end, making six.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	5 2
♥	K 10 4 3
♦	K 8
♣	A 9 5 4 2

♠	Q J 8 4
♥	J 7 6
♦	Q 5 3
♣	K 10 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 9 7 6 3
♥	Q
♦	A 9 7 2
♣	Q J

♠	K
♥	A 9 8 5 2
♦	J 10 6 4
♣	8 7 3

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

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

Alert, Reverse Bergen response showing 4+ Spades and 7-9 HCP

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	E	−2	200		6.50	0.50	7-Cook-Congbalay	5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	E	−2	200		6.50	0.50	9-Mulford-Wolf	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♠	E	3		140	4.00	3.00	2-Singerman-Williams	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♠	E	3		140	4.00	3.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	11-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♠	E	3		140	4.00	3.00	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	E	4		170	2.00	5.00	3-Elliott-Runda	8-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♠	E	5		200	1.00	6.00	6-Kobida-Burns	3-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	E	4		620	0.00	7.00	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Temples-Koch

E/W lose one Heart trick, one Club, one Diamond, and one Spade when declarer decides to take the Spade hook. Oops. They might lose a second Diamond trick as well, since it's reasonable to play the ♦ A and lead towards the ♦ Q. Oops again. Stupid –200's. South might lead the ♦ J on opening lead, and declarer would do well not to cover with the ♦ Q.

Board 27
South Deals
None Vul

♠	10 5 3
♥	Q J 7 5 4
♦	A K 5 2
♣	6

♠	K 9 8 6 4
♥	A 8 6
♦	8 3
♣	Q 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q
♥	K 10 9 2
♦	J 7 6
♣	J 10 8 5 2

♠	A J 7 2
♥	3
♦	Q 10 9 4
♣	A K 9 7

NS 3N; NS 3♠; NS 4♦; NS 2♥; NS 1♣; Par +400

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

Showing 5+ Hearts and 10+ points

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	4	430		6.50	0.50	2-Singerman-Williams	6-Felson-Brown
3 NT	S	4	430		6.50	0.50	6-Kobida-Burns	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	S	3	400		4.50	2.50	3-Elliott-Runda	8-Gibler-Vanstone
5 ♦	N	5	400		4.50	2.50	9-Mulford-Wolf	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 NT	S	3	150		3.00	4.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	5-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦	S	4	130		2.00	5.00	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Temples-Koch
1 NT	N	1	90		1.00	6.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	11-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	N	−1		50	0.00	7.00	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	7-Kammer-Zimmer

N/S take four Diamond tricks, two Clubs, one Heart, and two Spades, making three. West will probably lead a small Spade.

Board 28
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q 8 5
♥	8
♦	J 7 5 4 3 2
♣	A 6 5

♠	J 10
♥	A 10 6
♦	A K 9
♣	K J 10 7 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 7 6 2
♥	9 7 5 3
♦	Q 8 6
♣	8

♠	9 4 3
♥	K Q J 4 2
♦	10
♣	Q 9 4 2

EW 4N; EW 4♠; EW 3♥; EW 3♦; EW 2♣; Par −430

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

15 to 17
Intending to raise a major-suit response to game or make a Smolen bid
Alert, showing game-going values with exactly four Hearts and five Spades

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	7-Cook-Congbalay	4-Koch-Brown
2 ♠	E	2		110	5.79	1.21	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kammer-Zimmer
1 NT	W	3		150	4.64	2.36	10-Kehoe-Stanley	10-Connert-Lindeman
3 NT	W	3		400	2.93	4.07	4-Hoffman-Roark	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NT	W	3		400	2.93	4.07	9-Mulford-Wolf	8-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♥	E	4		420	1.21	5.79	6-Kobida-Burns	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 NT	W	5		460	0.07	6.93	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-Felson-Brown

East's 3 ♥ bid is Smolen showing four Hearts and five Spades. With three Spades, West can bid 3 ♠ to set trumps. With 2-3 shape in the majors, 3 NT makes sense.

E/W take five Spade tricks when the ♠ Q is onside, three Diamonds, one Heart, and one Club, making four. North will lead a small Diamond.

Board 29
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	9 8 4
♥	6 5
♦	10 6 5 3
♣	A 6 4 2

♠	A 7 3
♥	4
♦	K 9 4
♣	J 10 9 8 7 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 10 6 5
♥	Q J 9 8 2
♦	8 7
♣	5

♠	J 2
♥	A K 10 7 3
♦	A Q J 2
♣	K Q

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

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

Borrowing a King from partner to balance

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 ♥	S	2	110		5.79	1.21	6-Kobida-Burns	2-Messinger-Kanterman
3 ♦	S	3	110		5.79	1.21	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-Felson-Brown
1 ♥	S	2	110		5.79	1.21	9-Mulford-Wolf	8-Gibler-Vanstone
2 ♠	E	−1	100		3.50	3.50	4-Hoffman-Roark	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦	S	2	90		1.79	5.21	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♦	S	2	90		1.79	5.21	7-Cook-Congbalay	4-Koch-Brown
1 ♥	S	1	80		0.07	6.93	10-Kehoe-Stanley	10-Connert-Lindeman

The vulnerability keeps E/W from competing to 3 ♠. N/S lose one Diamond trick, two Spades, and a Heart ruff, making three. West will lead the ♥ 4. When in with the ♦ K, West can play the ♠ A and a second Spade to their partner's ♠ Q and ruff the Heart return. West is sure that South has a second Spade, since West would have opened 1 ♠ holding ♠ KQJTxx ♥ QJxxx ♦ x ♣ x. Don't forget the auction (or what didn't happen in the auction)!

Board 30
East Deals
None Vul

♠	7 6
♥	K 9 7 6 2
♦	K 8 7
♣	10 8 7

♠	A K 9 3
♥	A Q 10 4
♦	J 5
♣	9 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 10 4 2
♥	J 5
♦	10 6 3
♣	Q 6 5

♠	8 5
♥	8 3
♦	A Q 9 4 2
♣	A K J 2

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

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

Wants to bid 1 ♥

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	S	4	130		5.79	1.21	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♦	S	4	130		5.79	1.21	7-Cook-Congbalay	4-Koch-Brown
3 ♦	S	4	130		5.79	1.21	10-Kehoe-Stanley	10-Connert-Lindeman
3 ♠	E	−1	50		2.93	4.07	4-Hoffman-Roark	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♠	E	−1	50		2.93	4.07	9-Mulford-Wolf	8-Gibler-Vanstone
2 ♠	E	3		140	0.64	6.36	6-Kobida-Burns	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 ♠	E	3		140	0.64	6.36	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	6-Felson-Brown

When your partner opens, your RHO doubles, and you want to bid at the one level, feel free to do so. In other words, don't feel obligated to take a bid if you don't like your hand.

N/S lose two Spade tricks and one Heart, making four.

Board 31
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K J 2
♥	K J 7
♦	8 7 5 3
♣	K 5 2

♠	Q 8 6 5 3
♥	9 5 3
♦	K 10
♣	J 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	10 9
♥	A Q 6 2
♦	Q J 9 6
♣	Q 8 7

♠	A 7 4
♥	10 8 4
♦	A 4 2
♣	A 10 9 4

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

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

Showing 11 to a bad 12 HCP

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	N	2	120		6.00	1.00	6-Kobida-Burns	1-Temples-Koch
2 NT	S	2	120		6.00	1.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	3-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	N	2	120		6.00	1.00	9-Mulford-Wolf	7-Kammer-Zimmer
1 NT	N	1	90		4.00	3.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	8-Gibler-Vanstone
Pass			Pass		3.00	4.00	10-Kehoe-Stanley	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 NT	S	−1		100	1.50	5.50	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	5-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦	N	−1		100	1.50	5.50	11-Barron-Lakes	11-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	N	−2		200	0.00	7.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Connert-Lindeman

N/S take three Club tricks, one Diamond, and three Spades, down one. West will lead a small Spade, but it doesn't really matter, since declarer doesn't have the time to set up a Heart trick and a third Club trick.

Board 32
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A J 9 3
♥	4 3
♦	Q 6 5
♣	10 5 4 3

♠	Q 8 6 5
♥	7 2
♦	J 9 8 7 2
♣	9 6

N
W		E
S

♠	10 7 4
♥	K Q 9 8 5
♦	K
♣	A K Q 2

♠	K 2
♥	A J 10 6
♦	A 10 4 3
♣	J 8 7

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1 ♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 ♥	E	−1	100		6.00	1.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	8-Gibler-Vanstone
1 ♥	E	−1	100		6.00	1.00	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	5-Endres-Kennedy
1 ♥	E	−1	100		6.00	1.00	11-Barron-Lakes	11-Cushman-Petersen
1 NT	S	1	90		4.00	3.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	3-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	N	−1		50	3.00	4.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Connert-Lindeman
1 ♥	E	1		80	1.50	5.50	6-Kobida-Burns	1-Temples-Koch
1 ♥	E	1		80	1.50	5.50	10-Kehoe-Stanley	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 ♠	N	−2		100	0.00	7.00	9-Mulford-Wolf	7-Kammer-Zimmer

North doesn't have quite enough to re-open with a double, so East will play in 1 ♥ at most tables, probably down one. If North miscounts their hand and doubles, South may pass (+200) or bid 1 NT (+120). Which sounds better?

In 1 ♥, E/W lose three Heart tricks, three Spade tricks, and one Diamond, down one. South may lead the ♠ K and play a second Spade when it holds.

Board 33
North Deals
None Vul

♠	K 8 7 3
♥	A 8 4
♦	A 9 7 2
♣	Q 2

♠	9 5
♥	9
♦	10 8 6 4
♣	A J 10 9 7 4

N
W		E
S

♠	J 10 6
♥	7 6 3 2
♦	J 3
♣	K 6 5 3

♠	A Q 4 2
♥	K Q J 10 5
♦	K Q 5
♣	8

NS 6♠; NS 6♥; NS 5♦; NS 1N; EW 2♣; Par +980

West	North	East	South
	1 ♦	Pass	1 ♥
Pass	1 NT1	Pass	2 ♦2
Pass	2 ♠3	Pass	3 ♠4
Pass	4 ♦5	Pass	4 NT6
Pass	5 ♦7	Pass	6 ♠8
Pass	Pass	Pass

No reason to show the Spade suit when the hand looks like notrump
Alert, artificial XYZ bid creating a game force
Showing four Spades (not denying three Hearts)
Showing extras and leaving room for control bidding
Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Diamonds and a problem in Clubs
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
Off a keycard

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	N	6	980		6.00	1.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Connert-Lindeman
6 ♠	N	6	980		6.00	1.00	7-Cook-Congbalay	3-McCarthy-Diers
6 ♥	S	6	980		6.00	1.00	10-Kehoe-Stanley	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♠	S	6	480		3.00	4.00	4-Hoffman-Roark	8-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♥	S	6	480		3.00	4.00	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	5-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♠	S	6	480		3.00	4.00	9-Mulford-Wolf	7-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♥	S	6	230		1.00	6.00	6-Kobida-Burns	1-Temples-Koch
1 NT	S	1	90		0.00	7.00	11-Barron-Lakes	11-Cushman-Petersen

Nice auction! N/S lose one Club trick, making six. If West leads anything other than the ♣ A, N/S will make seven. Hmm, let's see. I think the ♣ A would be a good lead.

Board 34
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K J 5 4
♥	4
♦	—
♣	A K Q 10 9 7 6 3

♠	9 2
♥	K 8 6 3
♦	10 8 7 6 4
♣	8 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 7 3
♥	A Q 10 7
♦	A Q J 2
♣	4

♠	10 8 6
♥	J 9 5 2
♦	K 9 5 3
♣	J 5

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

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

Intermediate jump overcall
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣×	N	5	750		6.36	0.64	9-Mulford-Wolf	6-Felson-Brown
5 ♣×	N	5	750		6.36	0.64	10-Kehoe-Stanley	8-Gibler-Vanstone
5 ♥	W	−1	50		4.07	2.93	6-Kobida-Burns	11-Cushman-Petersen
5 ♦	E	−1	50		4.07	2.93	7-Cook-Congbalay	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 ♠	N	−1		100	2.36	4.64	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Koch-Brown
5 ♥	W	5		450	1.21	5.79	11-Barron-Lakes	10-Connert-Lindeman
6 ♣×	N	−3		800	0.07	6.93	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

North's 3 ♣ bid in the balancing (pass-out) seat shows 6+ Clubs and an intermediate hand (around 14 HCP). The vulnerability keeps North from taking another bid, but down one doubled is not a very good score. Look for a few –200's on the N/S side.

E/W lose one Club trick, one Diamond, and one Hearts, making four. Why does the hand record say that it makes three? North would have to underlead the ♣ AKQ at trick one and ruff partner's Diamond return with their stiff Heart. Yup, that's gonna happen.

Board 35
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	10 8 6
♥	Q J 9 7 6 5
♦	7
♣	10 3 2

♠	A K 9 7
♥	10 3
♦	J 5 3
♣	K J 9 7

N
W		E
S

♠	4 2
♥	A 4 2
♦	K Q 10 9 8 4
♣	8 4

♠	Q J 5 3
♥	K 8
♦	A 6 2
♣	A Q 6 5

EW 4♦; EW 1N; NS 1♥; EW 1♣; Par −130

West	North	East	South
			1 NT1
Pass	2 ♦2	Dbl3	Pass4
Pass	Rdbl5	Pass	2 ♥
3 ♦	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Transfer
Lead directing and showing a possible place to play
Alert, denying 3+ Hearts
Yes, I hear you, but please take the transfer anyway

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 ♥	N	4	170		6.93	0.07	11-Barron-Lakes	10-Connert-Lindeman
2 ♥	S	3	140		5.21	1.79	7-Cook-Congbalay	2-Messinger-Kanterman
2 ♥	S	3	140		5.21	1.79	10-Kehoe-Stanley	8-Gibler-Vanstone
3 ♥	S	−1		50	2.36	4.64	6-Kobida-Burns	11-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥	S	−1		50	2.36	4.64	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Koch-Brown
2 ♥	S	−1		50	2.36	4.64	9-Mulford-Wolf	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	S	−3		150	0.07	6.93	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

If N/S try and play in 3 ♥, West will double for penalty. E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. North will lead the ♥ Q.

Board 36
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 5
♥	A K 8 3
♦	K 10 9
♣	K Q J 4

♠	A J 10 6
♥	Q 10
♦	Q 5
♣	10 9 8 7 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K 7 4 3 2
♥	J 4
♦	7 6 4 2
♣	6 5

♠	Q 9
♥	9 7 6 5 2
♦	A J 8 3
♣	A 3

NS 5♥; NS 5♦; NS 2N; NS 3♣; EW 1♠; Par +650

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 NT1	Pass	2 ♦2
Pass	2 ♥3	Pass	3 NT4
Pass	4 ♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

15 to 17
Transfer
Not enough points to super accept
Showing exactly five Hearts and game-going values

Contract			Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
			N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	N	7	710		6.36	0.64	7-Cook-Congbalay	2-Messinger-Kanterman
4 ♥	N	7	710		6.36	0.64	8-Magnus-Magnus, Jr	4-Koch-Brown
4 ♥	N	6	680		4.07	2.93	6-Kobida-Burns	11-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	S	6	680		4.07	2.93	10-Kehoe-Stanley	8-Gibler-Vanstone
4 ♥	N	5	650		1.79	5.21	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	N	5	650		1.79	5.21	9-Mulford-Wolf	6-Felson-Brown
2 NT	N	7	270		0.07	6.93	11-Barron-Lakes	10-Connert-Lindeman

If you're going to "super accept" partner's major suit transfer, make sure you have 4-card support (or better) and 17 HCP. N/S lose two Spade tricks, making five. The Diamond finesse is a "practice" finesse, in that it generates the same number of tricks if it's successful as you would have gotten if you hadn't taken the finesse at all. South's two small Diamonds can be pitched on North's long Clubs.