EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>March 6, 2017      |CLUB NO.>185264    | 03/06/2017 22:29
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>  132.0 |TOP>  11 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=13/B=10/C=4                     ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Robert Roark           Sharon Koster            B    4     4     .    140.50  53.22  0.46(A)
 2 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C    .     .     2    136.50  51.70  0.20(C)
 3 Carol Scovic           Steve Messinger          C    .     .     .    115.50  43.75
 4 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Martin Gibler            B    .     .     .    128.50  48.67
 5 Elmer Hubka            Liz Lin                  A    .     .     .    125.50  47.54
 6 Richard Magnus         Julian Magnus, Jr        B    .     .     .    123.50  46.78
 7 Joy Singerman          Reeta Brendamour         B    2     2     .    160.00  60.61  0.91(A)
 8 Joyce Tedrick          Linda Pretz              B    3     3     .    141.00  53.41  0.65(A)
 9 Betty Murdock          Erin Oblinger            C    .     .     .    103.50  39.20
10 Arun Gupta             Bhupen Joshi             B    1     1     .    163.00  61.74  1.30(A)
11 Annette Kereiakes      Tom Kereiakes            C    5     .     1    138.00  52.27  0.28(C)
12 Patrick Hoffman        William Cook             A    .     .     .    135.00  51.14
13 Doris Kehoe            Lilam Stanley            A    .     .     .    105.50  39.96

                                          Totals                        1716.00


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>     5-          5-   10     5-    0     5-    5-    5-   11     5-    1     5-
          50   ----   50   100    50  -140    50    50    50   500    50  -110    50

   2>      -         11     9-    8      -    4-    4-    4-    9-    4-    4-    4-
         170   ----  660   650   630   170   620   620   620   650   620   620   620

   3>     5-    7-          2-    9-    9-     -    7-    2-    4    11     5-     -
        -600  -170   ---- -650  -150  -150  -660  -170  -650  -620   100  -600  -660

   4>     4-    4-          4-    4-    4-    4-   11     4-    4-   10     4-    4-
        -650  -650   ---- -650  -650  -650  -650  -200  -650  -650  -620  -650  -650

   5>     1-   10-    0           6     8     1-    4-    3     4-   10-    9     7
        -200   140  -300   ---- -110   100  -200  -140  -170  -140   140   110    50

   6>     8     3-    3-          3-    6    10     1     3-   11     9     0     7
         110   -50   -50   ----  -50    80   450  -140   -50   470   200  -300   100

   7>     0     3     1     8           3     8     8     8     8     3     8     8
         100   200   140   650   ----  200   650   650   650   650   200   650   650

   8>     7-    1-    0     1-          7-    7-    7-    3     7-    7-    7-    7-
         520   440   420   440   ----  520   520   520   490   520   520   520   520

   9>    10     3     7     7    11           7     3      -    7     3     7      -
         180   -50   140   140   450   ----  140   -50  -100   140   -50   140  -100

  10>     9-    4     9-    9-    1           4     4     0     4     9-    4     7
         100  -120   100   100  -300   ---- -120  -120  -340  -120   100  -120   -90

  11>     4-    6     0    11     7-    2           9-    2     7-    4-    9-    2
          50   100  -100   170   110   -50   ----  140   -50   110    50   140   -50

  12>    10     0     6     3     9     5           7     1    11     3     3     8
         300  -650    50  -200   170  -140   ----  100  -590   500  -200  -200   140

  13>     2     6-   10     2     6-    2    10           6-    2    10     6-    2
        -620   100   200  -620   100  -620   200   ----  100  -620   200   100  -620

  14>     9-    1     5    11     1     3     7           7     7     4     9-    1
          50  -150   -90   100  -150  -110   -50   ----  -50   -50  -100    50  -150

  15>     8-    6     8-    1-    4    11     8-    0           8-    4     4     1-
         100    50   100  -200  -120   150   100  -300   ----  100  -120  -120  -200

  16>     0    10     7     7    10     2     7    10           4     4     1     4
         -50   460   430   430   460   180   430   460   ----  400   400   140   400

  17>    10     3     0    11     3     7-    7-    7-    7-          5     1     3
         250  -110  -530   300  -110    50    50    50    50   ----  -50  -300  -110

  18>     9     7     2-    2-   10-    7     2-   10-    2-          7     2-    2-
        -170  -400  -420  -420    50  -400  -420    50  -420   ---- -400  -420  -420

  19>     8-    8-    0     3-    2     1     5     3-    8-    8-          8-    8-
         420   420   -50   200   170   110   400   200   420   420   ----  420   420

  20>    11     4     9     3     5-    1     9     9     1     1           7     5-
         150  -110   110  -140  -100  -200   110   110  -200  -200   ----   90  -100

  21>     7    11     1-    5     1-    5     9    10     8     5     1-          1-
        -140   250  -200  -170  -200  -170    50   100  -100  -170  -200   ---- -200

  22>     3-    8     3-     -     -   11     8    10     6     8     3-          3-
        -140   100  -140  -170  -170   800   100   200    90   100  -140   ---- -140

  23>     3     5    11     1-    0     6     8-    4     8-    8-    1-    8-
         170   210   660   150  -100   600   630   180   630   630   150   630   ----

  24>     1-    9     5-    4     5-    9     9     1-    1-    9     9     1-
        -420    50  -140  -170  -140    50    50  -420  -420    50    50  -420   ----

  25>           6     6     9     6     6    10     1-    6     1-    1-   11     1-
         ----  -50   -50   140   -50   -50   200  -100   -50  -100  -100   420  -100

  26>           8     2-     -    4     6     6      -    2-   10-    6    10-    9
         ----  620   170   150   200   300   300   150   170   680   300   680   650



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>March 6, 2017      |CLUB NO.>185264    | 03/06/2017 22:29
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>  132.0 |TOP>  11 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=13/B=10/C=6                     ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Lewis Temples          Millard Lakes            C    .     .     .     97.50  36.93
 2 Gail Zimmer            Joseph Kammer            B    3     1     .    153.50  58.14  0.80(B)
 3 Mike Burns             Charlie Kobida           B    4     2     .    149.50  56.63  0.56(B)
 4 Monica Ibarra          Pam Campbell             B    .     .     .    121.50  46.02
 5 Cheryl Endres          Pamela Kennedy           C    .     .     .    121.50  46.02
 6 Joan Diers             Evelyn McCarthy          C    .     .     .    111.50  42.23
 7 Sara Brown             Reggie Moskowitz         C    .     .     .     90.00  34.09
 8 Herschell Levine       JoAnne Essig             C    .     3     1    140.00  53.03  0.42(C)
 9 Peggy Jervis           Pat Lindeman             C    .     .     2    124.50  47.16  0.29(C)
10 Joanne Earls           Jane Duncan              B    .     4     .    133.50  50.57  0.28(B)
11 Stephen Felson         Robert Brown             A    2     .     .    159.00  60.23  0.91(A)
12 Robert Prosise         Marilyn Prosise          A    5     .     .    149.00  56.44  0.26(A)
13 Judy Barron            Paul Pschesang           A    1     .     .    165.00  62.50  1.30(A)

                                          Totals                        1716.00


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>     5-    5-          5-    5-    0     1     5-    5-   10    11     5-    5-
         -50   -50   ----  -50   -50  -500  -100   -50   -50   110   140   -50   -50

   2>    10-    6-          6-    0     1-    1-    6-    3     6-   10-    6-    6-
        -170  -620   ---- -620  -660  -650  -650  -620  -630  -620  -170  -620  -620

   3>     3-    3-    8-          7     8-    0     1-    5-    1-   10-   10-    5-
         170   170   650   ----  620   650  -100   150   600   150   660   660   600

   4>     0     6-    6-          6-    6-    1     6-    6-    6-    6-    6-    6-
         200   650   650   ----  650   650   620   650   650   650   650   650   650

   5>      -    8    11     6-           -    5     2     3     4     9-    9-    6-
        -140   170   300   140   ---- -140   110  -110  -100   -50   200   200   140

   6>     7-    7-    7-    0           2     7-   11     5     4     1     3    10
          50    50    50  -470   ---- -200    50   300   -80  -100  -450  -110   140

   7>     3    10     3     3     8           3     8     3     3    11     3     8
        -650  -140  -650  -650  -200   ---- -650  -200  -650  -650  -100  -650  -200

   8>     8    11     3-    9-    3-          3-    3-    3-    3-    3-    3-    9-
        -490  -420  -520  -440  -520   ---- -520  -520  -520  -520  -520  -520  -440

   9>     4     4     4     8     0     4          10-    4     1     8     8    10-
        -140  -140  -140    50  -450  -140   ----  100  -140  -180    50    50   100

  10>     1-    7     1-    1-   10     7           4     7     1-    7     7    11
        -100   120  -100  -100   300   120   ----   90   120  -100   120   120   340

  11>     3-    0     6-    3-    1-    9     9           6-    1-    5     9    11
        -110  -170   -50  -110  -140    50    50   ----  -50  -140  -100    50   100

  12>     0     8     8     2     8     6     3           1     4    11    10     5
        -500   200   200  -170   200   140  -140   ---- -300  -100   650   590   -50

  13>     9     1     4-    4-    9     9     1     9           4-    4-    1     9
         620  -200  -100  -100   620   620  -200   620   ---- -100  -100  -200   620

  14>     0     7    10     1-    8    10     4     1-         10     4     6     4
        -100   100   150   -50   110   150    50   -50   ----  150    50    90    50

  15>     7     7     7     0     9-    2-    2-   11     5           2-    2-    9-
         120   120   120  -150   200  -100  -100   300   -50   ---- -100  -100   200

  16>     7     1    10     9     7     4    11     1     1           4     7     4
        -400  -460  -140  -180  -400  -430    50  -460  -460   ---- -430  -400  -430

  17>     8    10     3-    8     3-    1     3-    8     3-   11           0     6
         110   300   -50   110   -50  -250   -50   110   -50   530   ---- -300    50

  18>      -    8-    4     8-    8-    2      -    4     8-    8-          8-    4
         -50   420   400   420   420   170   -50   400   420   420   ----  420   400

  19>     2-   10     2-    6     2-    7-    2-    2-   11     2-    7-          9
        -420  -110  -420  -400  -420  -200  -420  -420    50  -420  -200   ---- -170

  20>     4    10     5-    2     0     2     7    10     2    10     8           5-
         -90   200   100  -110  -150  -110   110   200  -110   200   140   ----  100

  21>     6     9-    2     4     1     0     3     9-    6     6     9-    9-
         170   200   -50   140  -100  -250   100   200   170   170   200   200   ----

  22>     0     7-    3     7-    1     3     5     7-    3    10-    7-   10-
        -800   140  -100   140  -200  -100   -90   140  -100   170   140   170   ----

  23>           2-    8     7     6     2-    0     2-    9-    9-   11     2-    5
         ---- -630  -170  -180  -210  -630  -660  -630  -150  -150   100  -630  -600

  24>           2     9-    9-    2     9-    5-    2     7     2     5-    9-    2
         ----  -50   420   420   -50   420   140   -50   170   -50   140   420   -50

  25>     1           9-    5     5     5     9-    2     9-    5     0     5     9-
        -200   ----  100    50    50    50   100  -140   100    50  -420    50   100

  26>     5          10-    3     8-    8-     -   10-    5     7      -    5     2
        -300   ---- -150  -620  -170  -170  -680  -150  -300  -200  -680  -300  -650
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, March 6, 2017

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 ♦11 ♥
1 ♠2Pass2 ♦3Pass
2 ♠PassPassPass
  1. Planning on rebidding 2 ♦ if partner bids 1 ♠
  2. Showing 5+ Spades
  3. See!

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠×W−3♥ K50011.000.0010-Gupta-Joshi6-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♣W−2♥ K10010.001.004-Vanstone-Gibler7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 NTE−1♥ J505.505.501-Roark-Koster1-Temples-Lakes
2 ♠W−1♥ K505.505.503-Scovic-Messinger5-Endres-Kennedy
3 NTE−1♥ 7505.505.505-Hubka-Lin9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NTE−1♥ 7505.505.507-Singerman-Brendamour13-Barron-Pschesang
2 ♠W−1♥ K505.505.508-Tedrick-Pretz2-Zimmer-Kammer
2 ♠W−1♥ 5505.505.509-Murdock-Oblinger4-Ibarra-Campbell
3 NTE−1♥ 7505.505.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes8-Levine-Essig
2 ♠W−1♥ K505.505.5013-Kehoe-Stanley12-Prosise-Prosise
2 ♠W2♣ 91101.0010.0012-Hoffman-Cook10-Earls-Duncan
2 ♠W3♥ K1400.0011.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr11-Felson-Brown

North is wise to pass over West's 1 ♠ response--1 NT at this point would probably not be a good bid. E/W lose two Heart tricks and four Spades, down one. Ouch. North will lead the ♥ K and continue Hearts. South will continue Hearts at trick three, and any chance that North will be endplayed later in the hand vanishes.

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

NS 5N; NS 4♠; NS 4♥; NS 2♣; EW 1♦; Par +660

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1Pass
Pass2 NT2Pass3 ♣3
Pass3 ♠4Pass4 ♠
PassPassPass 
  1. Don't preempt with a side 4-card major
  2. 20 to 21
  3. Puppet Stayman asking for a 4- or 5-card major
  4. Alert, showing 5 Spades

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN5♦ Q66011.000.003-Scovic-Messinger5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠S5♦ 86509.501.504-Vanstone-Gibler7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♠N5♣ 106509.501.5010-Gupta-Joshi6-Diers-McCarthy
3 NTN4♦ Q6308.003.005-Hubka-Lin9-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠N4♣ 106204.506.507-Singerman-Brendamour13-Barron-Pschesang
4 ♠N4♣ 106204.506.508-Tedrick-Pretz2-Zimmer-Kammer
4 ♠N4♣ 106204.506.509-Murdock-Oblinger4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♠N4♦ Q6204.506.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes8-Levine-Essig
4 ♠N4♣ 106204.506.5012-Hoffman-Cook10-Earls-Duncan
4 ♠S4♣ 36204.506.5013-Kehoe-Stanley12-Prosise-Prosise
2 ♠N4♣ 101700.5010.501-Roark-Koster1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♠N4♣ 101700.5010.506-Magnus-Magnus, Jr11-Felson-Brown

This is remarkably bad luck. The Spade game should easily produce an extra trick with N/S holding nine trump, but it comes up one trick short of the notrump game.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Club ruff, making four. East will lead their stiff Club, and when West is in with the ♠ A, they'll play another Club for partner to ruff. Stupid ruffs.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 ♥Pass1 ♠Pass
3 ♦1Pass3 NTPass
PassPass  
  1. Jump shift rebid forcing to game

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 ♦W−1♣ Q10011.000.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 ♦W5♣ 21509.501.505-Hubka-Lin8-Levine-Essig
2 ♦W5♣ 71509.501.506-Magnus-Magnus, Jr10-Earls-Duncan
2 ♦W6♣ 81707.503.502-Elliott-Runda2-Zimmer-Kammer
2 ♥W4♥ 81707.503.508-Tedrick-Pretz1-Temples-Lakes
5 ♦W5♣ 76005.505.501-Roark-Koster13-Barron-Pschesang
5 ♦W5♣ 76005.505.5012-Hoffman-Cook9-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠E4♦ 86204.007.0010-Gupta-Joshi5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥W5♣ 26502.508.504-Vanstone-Gibler6-Diers-McCarthy
4 ♥W5♣ 86502.508.509-Murdock-Oblinger3-Burns-Kobida
3 NTE5♣ 46600.5010.507-Singerman-Brendamour12-Prosise-Prosise
3 NTE5♣ 46600.5010.5013-Kehoe-Stanley11-Felson-Brown

East might think for a brief moment about a Diamond slam, but opts for the notrump game when they come to their senses. 3 ♥ over 3 ♦ would show a third Heart. E/W take five Heart tricks, four Diamonds, and two Clubs, making five......unless South finds the insane lead of a Spade away from ♠ AQ6 when Spades have been bid on their right. Like I said....making five. South may lead a "safe" ♥T.

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

EW 5♥; EW 3N; EW 2♦; NS 1♣; Par −650

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♥1Pass2 NT2Pass
3 ♣3Pass3 ♥Pass
4 ♥PassPassPass
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Alert, artificial Jacoby 2 NT bid showing a game-going Heart raise
  3. Alert, showing a singleton or void in Clubs

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♥W5♥ 420011.000.008-Tedrick-Pretz1-Temples-Lakes
4 ♥W4♥ 362010.001.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♥W5♥ 46504.506.501-Roark-Koster13-Barron-Pschesang
4 ♥W5♣ 36504.506.502-Elliott-Runda2-Zimmer-Kammer
4 ♥W5♠ 26504.506.504-Vanstone-Gibler6-Diers-McCarthy
4 ♥W5♦ 66504.506.505-Hubka-Lin8-Levine-Essig
4 ♥W5♣ 36504.506.506-Magnus-Magnus, Jr10-Earls-Duncan
4 ♥W5♥ 36504.506.507-Singerman-Brendamour12-Prosise-Prosise
4 ♥W5♠ 26504.506.509-Murdock-Oblinger3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♥W5♥ 46504.506.5010-Gupta-Joshi5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥W5♥ 46504.506.5012-Hoffman-Cook9-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥W5♠ 26504.506.5013-Kehoe-Stanley11-Felson-Brown

When East is unable to show a control in Diamonds, West wisely parks in 4 ♥. E/W lose two Diamond tricks, making five. North, having heard the Diamond issue on the auction, will probably lead the ♦ 6. If they lead something else, it doesn't really matter as the Diamond losers won't go away.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 ♣Pass11 ♥2
Pass2 ♥PassPass
2 ♠3Pass3 ♠Pass
PassPass  
  1. Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
  2. This hand is easily worth a 1 ♥ response
  3. Borrows a King to balance

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♥S3♣ 314010.500.502-Elliott-Runda1-Temples-Lakes
2 ♥S3♣ A14010.500.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes6-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♥S2♠ 31109.002.0012-Hoffman-Cook8-Levine-Essig
2 NTE−2♥ 81008.003.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠W−1♥ 2507.004.0013-Kehoe-Stanley10-Earls-Duncan
1 ♠W2♦ A1106.005.005-Hubka-Lin7-Brown-Moskowitz
2 ♠W3♣ K1404.506.508-Tedrick-Pretz13-Barron-Pschesang
3 ♠E3♣ 21404.506.5010-Gupta-Joshi4-Ibarra-Campbell
2 ♠W4♣ K1703.008.009-Murdock-Oblinger2-Zimmer-Kammer
1 NTN−2♥ K2001.509.501-Roark-Koster12-Prosise-Prosise
1 ♣N−2♠ A2001.509.507-Singerman-Brendamour11-Felson-Brown
1 ♣N−3♥ A3000.0011.003-Scovic-Messinger3-Burns-Kobida

It's fine that East gives their partner a token raise at the end--they do have a very nice hand. That said, their Heart values are misplaced, and their hand isn't as good as they think it is. Turn the ♥ AK into the ♣ KQ, and their hand is eleventy times better.

North doesn't really enjoy being on lead, but they'll probably end up playing the ♥ 2 (ugh). Declarer should win in dummy, pitching a Club from hand, and immediately finesse against the ♦ Q in the South hand. When the ♦T forces the ♦ A, North's best option is probably to continue Diamonds. Declarer wins, leads a Spade to the ♠ A, plays the ♥ K (pitching another Club), ruffs a Heart, Spade to the ♠ K, ruffs their last Heart, and cashes the ♦ J (North pitching a Club).

At this point, declarer holds ♠T ♣ AJ8, North holds ♠ Q ♣ KQ9, dummy holds ♠ 6 ♣T64, and South holds ♥ QT ♦ 76 ♣ 2. Declarer can either exit with their last Spade forcing North to lead away from their Club holding or simply lead a Club towards dummy's ♣T. North will be forced to win the Club lead and can pull the last trump, but they'll still have to lead away from ♣ K9 into declarer's ♣ AJ tenace. Nicely played!

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♦1 ♠1
2 ♥22 ♠PassPass
Pass   
  1. If you ever have a hand that should overcall with a 4-card suit, this is it
  2. A bit of a stretch

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 ♦×S3♣ Q47011.000.0010-Gupta-Joshi4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♠S5♦ J45010.001.007-Singerman-Brendamour11-Felson-Brown
3 ♥×W−1♠ 32009.002.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes6-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠S2♦ J1108.003.001-Roark-Koster12-Prosise-Prosise
3 ♥W−1♠ 31007.004.0013-Kehoe-Stanley10-Earls-Duncan
1 ♠S1♦ J806.005.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr9-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠S−1♥ 2503.507.502-Elliott-Runda1-Temples-Lakes
2 ♠N−1♥ A503.507.503-Scovic-Messinger3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠N−1♥ A503.507.505-Hubka-Lin7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♠N−1♥ A503.507.509-Murdock-Oblinger2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 ♥W3♣ 61401.0010.008-Tedrick-Pretz13-Barron-Pschesang
4 ♠×S−2♦ J3000.0011.0012-Hoffman-Cook8-Levine-Essig

Overcalls are typically made with 5-card suits (or better). A few good rule for when to overcall with a 4-card suit are these:

1) Make sure you have an opening hand.
2) Make sure your suit is a major (preferably) Spades and your suit is good (♠ AKTx).
3) Make sure you have length in the suit bid to your right.

That last one is odd, but think about it this way--the more cards you have in the opponent's suit, the fewer cards your partner has in that suit, and therefore the more cards they have in your suit. Viola (yes, I know that's a growed up violin....shut up).

N/S lose one Heart trick, one Club, and two Diamonds, making three. If West doesn't lead a trump, declarer might try cross-ruffing the entire hand. West might very well lead the ♦ J making declarer's life even easier. Declarer can ruff in dummy, pull trump in three rounds (ending in their hand), and pound down large Diamonds (they hold ♦ KQT975 against East's ♦ A863). East can win the ♦ A at their leisure, but the two round-suit Aces will be the last tricks for the defense--making four with that lead.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
Pass11 ♥Pass2 ♥
3 ♦4 ♥5 ♦Pass
Pass5 ♥PassPass
Pass   
  1. Don't preempt with a side 4-card major

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♥N5♦ K6508.003.004-Vanstone-Gibler4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♥N5♦ K6508.003.007-Singerman-Brendamour10-Earls-Duncan
4 ♥N5♦ K6508.003.008-Tedrick-Pretz12-Prosise-Prosise
4 ♥N5♦ K6508.003.009-Murdock-Oblinger1-Temples-Lakes
4 ♥N5♦ K6508.003.0010-Gupta-Joshi3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♥N5♦ 106508.003.0012-Hoffman-Cook7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♥N5♦ K6508.003.0013-Kehoe-Stanley9-Jervis-Lindeman
5 ♦×W−1♣ A2003.008.002-Elliott-Runda13-Barron-Pschesang
3 ♥N5♦ K2003.008.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr8-Levine-Essig
3 ♥N5♦ K2003.008.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes5-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♥N3♦ K1401.0010.003-Scovic-Messinger2-Zimmer-Kammer
5 ♦W−1♣ K1000.0011.001-Roark-Koster11-Felson-Brown

West is content to pass at their first opportunity knowing they can come back in the auction at a later time. North is happy to bid to the five level with no wasted values in Diamonds.

N/S lose one Spade trick and one Diamond, making five. East will lead the ♦ K and continue Diamonds. After trumps are drawn, declarer should probably choose to play East for ♣ Jxxx and start by laying down the ♣ A. When the ♣ J falls, the hand is over. If West had followed with a low Club, declarer would have continued with the ♣ K, planning to take the marked finesse against East if West had shown out.

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

NS 7N; NS 7♦; NS 7♣; N 4♥; S 3♥; NS 2♠; Par +1520

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass2 NT1Pass4 ♣2
Pass4 ♦3Pass5 ♣4
Pass5 ♥5Pass6 NT
Pass7 NTPassPass
Pass   
  1. 20 to 21
  2. Alert, Gerber bid asking for a count of Aces
  3. Gerber response showing 0 or 4 Aces
  4. Gerber bid asking for a count of Kings
  5. Gerber response showing 1 King

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN7♥ Q5207.503.501-Roark-Koster11-Felson-Brown
3 NTN7♠ 75207.503.506-Magnus-Magnus, Jr8-Levine-Essig
4 NTS7♣ 95207.503.507-Singerman-Brendamour10-Earls-Duncan
3 NTN7♠ 45207.503.508-Tedrick-Pretz12-Prosise-Prosise
3 NTN7♥ Q5207.503.5010-Gupta-Joshi3-Burns-Kobida
3 NTN7♠ 45207.503.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes5-Endres-Kennedy
3 NTN7♠ 45207.503.5012-Hoffman-Cook7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 NTN7♠ 45207.503.5013-Kehoe-Stanley9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NTS6♠ 24903.008.009-Murdock-Oblinger1-Temples-Lakes
5 ♦N7♥ Q4401.509.502-Elliott-Runda13-Barron-Pschesang
5 ♦N7♥ Q4401.509.504-Vanstone-Gibler4-Ibarra-Campbell
5 ♦N6♠ 44200.0011.003-Scovic-Messinger2-Zimmer-Kammer

Although the North hand has "only" 19 HCP, it's easily worth a 2 NT bid. South has strong interest in slam, and with a balanced hand decides to use Gerber (4 ♣ as Ace asking) to make sure they aren't off two Aces. When North shows four Aces, South dutifully bids 5 ♣ asking for a count of Kings. When South signs off in 6 NT, North rightfully decides that their Diamonds are running (South made no effort to check on a major-suit fit nor did they show a long Club suit, so they have to have at least three Diamonds and probably four) and bids the grand. Expect most pairs to be in 6 ♦.

N/S take one Spade trick, two Hearts, six Diamonds, and four Clubs, making seven. East will probably lead the ♥ Q. Declarer will spend most of the hand wishing partner held the ♣ J instead of the ♠ Q, but whether they decide to finesse against East or play for the drop, they'll be equally delighted.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 ♥
Pass2 ♣1Pass2 ♦2
Pass2 ♥3PassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a 3- or 4-card limit raise in Hearts
  2. Alert, artificial bid asking responder to further describe their hand
  3. Alert, artificial bid showing 3-card support and no singleton or void

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♥S5♣ 745011.000.005-Hubka-Lin5-Endres-Kennedy
1 NTN4♠ J18010.001.001-Roark-Koster10-Earls-Duncan
3 ♥S3♠ A1407.004.003-Scovic-Messinger1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♥S3♠ A1407.004.004-Vanstone-Gibler3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥S3♠ A1407.004.007-Singerman-Brendamour9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♥S3♠ A1407.004.0010-Gupta-Joshi2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 ♥S3♠ A1407.004.0012-Hoffman-Cook6-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♥S−1♠ A503.008.002-Elliott-Runda12-Prosise-Prosise
3 ♥S−1♠ A503.008.008-Tedrick-Pretz11-Felson-Brown
3 ♥S−1♠ A503.008.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♥S−2♠ A1000.5010.509-Murdock-Oblinger13-Barron-Pschesang
4 ♥S−2♠ A1000.5010.5013-Kehoe-Stanley8-Levine-Essig

Don't feel bad if you aren't in 3 NT--it's a horrible contract. N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Club, and a trump promotion for West's ♦ 9 when East continues Spades at trick three (you did continue Spades at trick three, didn't you?). West should lead the ♠ A.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 NT1Pass
PassPass  
  1. 15 to 17

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 NTE−1♦ 21009.501.501-Roark-Koster10-Earls-Duncan
1 NTE−1♦ 21009.501.503-Scovic-Messinger1-Temples-Lakes
1 NTE−1♦ 21009.501.504-Vanstone-Gibler3-Burns-Kobida
1 NTE−1♦ 21009.501.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes4-Ibarra-Campbell
1 NTE1♦ 2907.004.0013-Kehoe-Stanley8-Levine-Essig
1 NTE2♦ Q1204.007.002-Elliott-Runda12-Prosise-Prosise
1 NTE2♦ 21204.007.007-Singerman-Brendamour9-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NTE2♦ 21204.007.008-Tedrick-Pretz11-Felson-Brown
1 NTE2♦ 21204.007.0010-Gupta-Joshi2-Zimmer-Kammer
1 NTE2♦ 21204.007.0012-Hoffman-Cook6-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♦S−3♥ 83001.0010.005-Hubka-Lin5-Endres-Kennedy
1 ♦×E2♠ 83400.0011.009-Murdock-Oblinger13-Barron-Pschesang

Most 1 NT contracts can be thought of as a race to seven tricks. Declarer is doing their utmost to make the contract, and the defense is doing their utmost to beat it. I like to say utmost. Say it four or five times--it starts to sound funny. Heh.

E/W take three Club tricks, two Diamonds, one Spade, and one Heart, making one. South should lead the ♠ 9. Leading from a short major with no honors is a surprisingly good lead against low-level notrump contracts.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
Pass1 ♦1Pass1 ♥
PassPassDbl21 ♠
2 ♣2 ♥PassPass
Pass   
  1. Light third-seat opener
  2. Do something smart, partner

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♥S4♠ 917011.000.004-Vanstone-Gibler2-Zimmer-Kammer
2 ♥S3♠ 91409.501.508-Tedrick-Pretz10-Earls-Duncan
1 ♥S3♠ 61409.501.5012-Hoffman-Cook5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♥S2♥ 61107.503.505-Hubka-Lin4-Ibarra-Campbell
2 ♦N3♣ K1107.503.5010-Gupta-Joshi1-Temples-Lakes
4 ♣W−2♥ A1006.005.002-Elliott-Runda11-Felson-Brown
3 ♣W−1♥ K504.506.501-Roark-Koster9-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♠E−1♥ 2504.506.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes3-Burns-Kobida
1 NTN−1♣ K502.009.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr6-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♥S−1♥ 6502.009.009-Murdock-Oblinger12-Prosise-Prosise
3 ♥S−1♣ A502.009.0013-Kehoe-Stanley7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♥S−2♥ 61000.0011.003-Scovic-Messinger13-Barron-Pschesang

South wisely sticks in a 1 ♠ bid after East's balancing double--it takes up very little room and gives partner a choice of places to play after West's expected 2 ♣ bid.

N/S lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and two Clubs, making three. West will lead the ♣ A and continue Clubs.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♥Dbl2 ♥1Pass
PassDbl2Pass2 ♠
3 ♥3 ♠PassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, BROMAD response showing 0-6 HCP and exactly three Hearts
  2. Still for takeout, since partner has yet to bid

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 ♥×W−3♣ K50011.000.0010-Gupta-Joshi1-Temples-Lakes
4 ♥×W−2♦ K30010.001.001-Roark-Koster9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠S4♦ 31709.002.005-Hubka-Lin4-Ibarra-Campbell
3 ♠S3♦ 31408.003.0013-Kehoe-Stanley7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♥×W−1♣ A1007.004.008-Tedrick-Pretz10-Earls-Duncan
3 ♥W−1♣ A506.005.003-Scovic-Messinger13-Barron-Pschesang
3 ♥W3♠ 61405.006.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr6-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♥W5♣ A2003.008.004-Vanstone-Gibler2-Zimmer-Kammer
4 ♠S−2♦ 32003.008.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠×S−1♦ 32003.008.0012-Hoffman-Cook5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥×W4♦ A5901.0010.009-Murdock-Oblinger12-Prosise-Prosise
5 ♥×W5♦ A6500.0011.002-Elliott-Runda11-Felson-Brown

North has a beautiful hand, and definitely has the values for their bids. E/W have a good sacrifice in 4 ♥, but West can't be sure that 3 ♠ is making.

N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and a Diamond ruff, making three. West will lead their stiff ♦ 3. When back in with the ♠ A, they can play a low Heart towards partner. They know their partner has exactly three Hearts on the auction. If declarer has a singleton ♥ A, so be it. If partner has it, they'll win and return a Diamond. Since it's impossible for declarer to get to dummy to lead Spades through West, the ♠ J will turn into a winner as well.

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

EW 5♥; E 5♦; W 4♦; EW 2N; EW 2♣; EW 1♠; Par −650

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 ♥11 ♠
2 ♠2Pass4 ♥Pass
PassPass  
  1. Don't open 1 NT with 5-4 shape in the majors
  2. Cuebid showing a limit raise or better in Hearts

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 ♥E−2♣ 1020010.001.003-Scovic-Messinger12-Prosise-Prosise
3 NTE−2♠ 1020010.001.007-Singerman-Brendamour7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 NTE−2♠ 1020010.001.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 NTE−1♠ 81006.504.502-Elliott-Runda10-Earls-Duncan
3 NTE−1♠ 101006.504.505-Hubka-Lin3-Burns-Kobida
3 NTE−1♠ 81006.504.509-Murdock-Oblinger11-Felson-Brown
4 ♥E−1♠ 101006.504.5012-Hoffman-Cook4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♥E4♣ 106202.009.001-Roark-Koster8-Levine-Essig
4 ♥E4♠ 106202.009.004-Vanstone-Gibler1-Temples-Lakes
4 ♥E4♣ 106202.009.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥E4♠ 106202.009.0010-Gupta-Joshi13-Barron-Pschesang
4 ♥E4♠ 86202.009.0013-Kehoe-Stanley6-Diers-McCarthy

E/W lose one Heart trick and either a Spade or a Diamond, making five. South might lead the ♣T. Declarer should win in hand with the ♣ K and immediately play a Heart towards dummy's ♥ Q. If South hops and plays another Club, declarer can win in dummy, and run the ♦ Q to South's ♦ K. South may continue with a trump, but declarer will win in hand with the ♥ A, unblock the ♦ A, and play a Heart to dummy's ♥ Q. Declarer's three Spade losers will go away on dummy's ♣ AQ and the ♦ J. If South plays the ♠T when in with the ♦ K, declarer can win the ♠ A and do the same thing. Nicely played!

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♦2 ♥1
PassPassDbl2Pass
3 ♣PassPassPass
  1. Weak jump overcall
  2. Do something smart, partner

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 NTE−2♠ 810011.000.004-Vanstone-Gibler1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♦E−1♣ 10509.501.501-Roark-Koster8-Levine-Essig
2 ♦E−1♠ 5509.501.5012-Hoffman-Cook4-Ibarra-Campbell
3 NTN−1♦ 4507.004.007-Singerman-Brendamour7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 ♥S−1♦ J507.004.009-Murdock-Oblinger11-Felson-Brown
2 ♠S−1♦ J507.004.0010-Gupta-Joshi13-Barron-Pschesang
2 ♦E2♣ 7905.006.003-Scovic-Messinger12-Prosise-Prosise
3 ♥S−2♦ J1004.007.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 ♦E3♣ 101103.008.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr5-Endres-Kennedy
3 NTN−3♠ 21501.0010.002-Elliott-Runda10-Earls-Duncan
4 ♥S−3♦ J1501.0010.005-Hubka-Lin3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♥S−3♦ J1501.0010.0013-Kehoe-Stanley6-Diers-McCarthy

When you open, your RHO makes a one-level or preemptive overcall, and there are two passes back to you, it's almost always right to re-open with a double when you're short in the overcalled suit. Partner may be making a "trap pass" with length and values in the overcalled suit in anticipation of a re-opening double. That's not the case here, and partner bids 3 ♣ somewhat out of desperation. North should probably double 3 ♣, but that's not going to make much difference on the vulnerability (i.e., +50 and +100 are both pretty much the same score in matchpoints against +110).

E/W lose two Club tricks, one Diamond, one Spade, and one Heart, down one. North will probably lead the ♠ J ducked to South's ♠ K. With no reason to continue Spades (partner does not have the ♠ Q), South may switch to a small trump (the ♣T is too valuable to lead). Declarer should insert either the ♣ 8 or ♣ 9 to force an honor from North. After winning the ♣ A, declarer can play a Spade to the ♠ Q, ♥ A, small Heart ruffed with dummy's ♣ 3, and the ♠ A pitching a Heart from their hand. There's no way to avoid losing four more tricks, but that's not too bad.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♣
Pass1 ♦1Pass21 NT
PassPassPass3 
  1. 1 NT would show 8-10 HCP
  2. What else?
  3. See #2

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−3♣ A15011.000.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr4-Ibarra-Campbell
3 NTE−2♥ 61008.502.501-Roark-Koster7-Brown-Moskowitz
2 NTE−2♠ 31008.502.503-Scovic-Messinger11-Felson-Brown
2 NTE−2♣ 51008.502.507-Singerman-Brendamour6-Diers-McCarthy
3 NTE−2♥ 61008.502.5010-Gupta-Joshi12-Prosise-Prosise
3 NTE−1♥ 6506.005.002-Elliott-Runda9-Jervis-Lindeman
2 NTE2♥ 61204.007.005-Hubka-Lin2-Zimmer-Kammer
2 NTE2♥ 61204.007.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes1-Temples-Lakes
2 NTE2♥ 61204.007.0012-Hoffman-Cook3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♣S−2♠ 102001.509.504-Vanstone-Gibler13-Barron-Pschesang
3 ♣S−2♠ 52001.509.5013-Kehoe-Stanley5-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♣S−3♦ 93000.0011.008-Tedrick-Pretz8-Levine-Essig

It's a good idea to play that a 1 NT response to a 1 ♣ opener shows 8-10 HCP. What do you do then with a 3334 hand and 6-7 HCP when partner opens 1 ♣? You respond 1 ♦ of course (as shown above). Pay careful attention to East's bidding on this hand. How often are you 100000% sure during the bidding that partner has a Yarborough? You do here. Why would you want to be playing the hand opposite a zero-trick dummy? I wouldn't.

Assume a Diamond lead (nothing is better). East will be able to win the ♦ J, but what next? A Club costs them a trick as does a Diamond or a Heart. That leaves a Spade. Assume they play ♠ AK and exit with a Spade. Declarer will win with dummy's ♠ J and lead the ♥T, East covering with the ♥ J and declarer winning with the ♥ Q. Nothing is better for declarer than ♣ A followed by the ♠ Q, pitching a small Club from dummy. What does East pitch on the last Spade?

If they throw a Club, South can duck a Club to East's now stiff ♣ K. If they throw a Heart, South can put them in with a Diamond. East can take their two Diamond tricks and the ♣ K, but declarer will take the rest of the tricks. Bridge is a funny game. Not funny ha-ha, funny strange.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPassPass1 NT1
Pass2 ♣Pass2 ♥
Pass3 NTPassPass
Pass   
  1. 15 to 17

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS5♣ 346010.001.002-Elliott-Runda9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NTS5♣ 346010.001.005-Hubka-Lin2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 NTS5♣ 346010.001.008-Tedrick-Pretz8-Levine-Essig
3 NTS4♣ 34307.004.003-Scovic-Messinger11-Felson-Brown
3 NTS4♣ 34307.004.004-Vanstone-Gibler13-Barron-Pschesang
3 NTS4♣ 34307.004.007-Singerman-Brendamour6-Diers-McCarthy
3 NTS3♣ 34004.007.0010-Gupta-Joshi12-Prosise-Prosise
3 NTS3♣ 24004.007.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes1-Temples-Lakes
3 NTS3♣ 34004.007.0013-Kehoe-Stanley5-Endres-Kennedy
1 NTS4♠ 91802.009.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr4-Ibarra-Campbell
2 ♠N3♥ 61401.0010.0012-Hoffman-Cook3-Burns-Kobida
500.0011.001-Roark-Koster7-Brown-Moskowitz

Finally, a normal hand! N/S take three Spade tricks, three Hearts, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, making four. Another way to say the same thing is that E/W take their two Aces and the ♥ K. If West leads a small Club, declarer can get three Club tricks, and the road to 10 tricks is a bit easier when they knock out the two black Aces. Expect a slew of +430 scores.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 ♠1
2 ♦Dbl23 ♦Pass
PassPass  
  1. Light 3rd-seat opener
  2. Negative showing 4+ Hearts

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠×W−2♥ J30011.000.004-Vanstone-Gibler12-Prosise-Prosise
4 ♠W−5♥ J25010.001.001-Roark-Koster6-Diers-McCarthy
4 ♠W−1♥ J507.503.506-Magnus-Magnus, Jr3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠W−1♣ A507.503.507-Singerman-Brendamour5-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦W−1♣ A507.503.508-Tedrick-Pretz7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 ♦W−1♥ 10507.503.509-Murdock-Oblinger9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♥N−1♦ 3505.006.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes13-Barron-Pschesang
2 ♠W2♥ 31103.008.002-Elliott-Runda8-Levine-Essig
2 ♠W2♥ 31103.008.005-Hubka-Lin1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♦W3♥ J1103.008.0013-Kehoe-Stanley4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♥×N−2♠ K3001.0010.0012-Hoffman-Cook2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 ♠×W3♣ A5300.0011.003-Scovic-Messinger10-Earls-Duncan

North doesn't have quite enough to bid 2 ♥ after West's 2 ♦ overcall, and their negative double keeps East from bidding Hearts. How many hands have you played where your best contract is in opener's suit?

If North can find the lead of a small trump, E/W will take only nine tricks losing one Club, one Diamond, a Spade ruff, and a Spade at the end. Even without a Diamond lead, it's likely that E/W will lose two Spades. If North leads the ♥ J, declarer can ruff out South's ♥ A and play on Clubs eventually winning two Club tricks, two high Diamonds, two Heart ruffs, two Spade tricks, and a Spade ruff in dummy at the end. It's important for declarer to leave the last trump outstanding. That way, there will be a trump in each hand when North ruffs out the ♠ A.

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

EW 6♦; EW 2N; NS 2♠; EW 1♥; EW 1♣; Par −920

WestNorthEastSouth
  2 ♦1Pass2
4 ♣3Pass4 ♠4Pass
6 ♦PassPassPass
  1. Weak two bid
  2. Don't overcall a preempt with a preemptive hand
  3. Alert, Poor Man's Blackwood asking for keycards in Diamonds
  4. Poor Man's Blackwood response showing one keycard with the ♦ Q

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 ♥W−1♠ 45010.500.505-Hubka-Lin1-Temples-Lakes
2 ♥W−1♦ 85010.500.508-Tedrick-Pretz7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♦E6♥ 81709.002.001-Roark-Koster6-Diers-McCarthy
5 ♦E5♥ 84007.004.002-Elliott-Runda8-Levine-Essig
5 ♦E5♥ 84007.004.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr3-Burns-Kobida
5 ♦E5♥ 84007.004.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes13-Barron-Pschesang
5 ♦E6♠ K4202.508.503-Scovic-Messinger10-Earls-Duncan
5 ♦E6♥ 84202.508.504-Vanstone-Gibler12-Prosise-Prosise
5 ♦W6♠ A4202.508.507-Singerman-Brendamour5-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♦E6♠ K4202.508.509-Murdock-Oblinger9-Jervis-Lindeman
5 ♦E6♥ 84202.508.5012-Hoffman-Cook2-Zimmer-Kammer
5 ♦E6♠ K4202.508.5013-Kehoe-Stanley4-Ibarra-Campbell

A very nice little convention to play is Poor Man's Blackwood. After a preemptive bid by partner at the two or three level, a 4 ♣ response is artificial, alertable, and asks for keycards. Since opener has a preemptive hand, many of the normal keycard responses are unneeded (i.e., you won't have three or more keycards when you preempt). The response patterns are as follows:

First step (4 ♦ in this case) - Zero keycards
Second step (4 ♥) - One keycard without the Queen of trump
Third step (4 ♠) - One keycard with the Queen of trump
Fourth step (4 NT) - Two keycards without the Queen of trump
Fifth step (5 ♣) - Two keycards with the Queen of trump

If your hand is better than that, you should not be preempting. If partner opens 3 ♣, 4 ♦ is used as Poor Man's Kickback with the same step responses (i.e., 4 ♥ shows zero, etc.).

E/W lose only one Spade trick, making six. North may simply lead the ♠ A to get the hand over with (yay...more time for snacks!).

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

NS 5♥; NS 3N; NS 4♦; NS 2♣; Par +450

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
2 ♠13 ♥Pass4 ♥
PassPassPass 
  1. Weak two bid

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♥N4♠ 64208.502.501-Roark-Koster5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥N4♠ 64208.502.502-Elliott-Runda7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♥N4♠ 64208.502.509-Murdock-Oblinger8-Levine-Essig
4 ♥N4♠ 64208.502.5010-Gupta-Joshi10-Earls-Duncan
4 ♥N4♦ 84208.502.5012-Hoffman-Cook1-Temples-Lakes
4 ♥N4♠ 64208.502.5013-Kehoe-Stanley3-Burns-Kobida
3 NTS3♠ Q4005.006.007-Singerman-Brendamour4-Ibarra-Campbell
3 ♥N5♠ 62003.507.504-Vanstone-Gibler11-Felson-Brown
2 ♥N5♣ 92003.507.508-Tedrick-Pretz6-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♥N4♠ 61702.009.005-Hubka-Lin13-Barron-Pschesang
3 ♦S3♠ Q1101.0010.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr2-Zimmer-Kammer
4 ♥N−1♠ 6500.0011.003-Scovic-Messinger9-Jervis-Lindeman

N/S lose two Club tricks, making five....if they're a really good guesser. If they're the world's worst guesser, they'll make three. East will lead the ♠ 6. Declarer will win with the ♠ A and lead a Club towards dummy. That's often a good way to make the defenders play trump for you--pretend that you're trying to ruff some losers. If the defenders continue with Spades, declarer should pitch a Club and win with dummy's ♠ K and play a second Club. West will win with the ♣ K and lead another Spade. When East can't overruff the ♥T, the hand is an open book. Declarer can ruff their last Club with dummy's ♥ 6 and play the ♥ K and a Heart towards their hand. Now the ♥ A, ♥ J, ♦ A (unblocking the ♦T), and the ♦ 9 towards dummy playing the ♦ 4 when East fails to cover finishes off the hand. Nicely played!

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

EW 3♥; NS 1N; NS 2♣; NS 1♠; Par −140

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 ♣Pass1 ♠
Pass1 NTDbl1Pass
2 ♥PassPassPass
  1. Takeout for the unbid suits

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 NTS3♦ J15011.000.001-Roark-Koster5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠N2♦ 51109.002.003-Scovic-Messinger9-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♠S2♦ J1109.002.007-Singerman-Brendamour4-Ibarra-Campbell
2 ♠S2♦ J1109.002.008-Tedrick-Pretz6-Diers-McCarthy
1 NTS1♥ 9907.004.0012-Hoffman-Cook1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♣N−1♦ 61005.505.505-Hubka-Lin13-Barron-Pschesang
2 NTS−1♥ K1005.505.5013-Kehoe-Stanley3-Burns-Kobida
2 ♥W2♥ 101104.007.002-Elliott-Runda7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 ♥W3♠ J1403.008.004-Vanstone-Gibler11-Felson-Brown
2 ♠S−2♦ J2001.0010.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr2-Zimmer-Kammer
2 NTN−2♦ 82001.0010.009-Murdock-Oblinger8-Levine-Essig
3 NTS−2♦ J2001.0010.0010-Gupta-Joshi10-Earls-Duncan

East feels the auction dying out and pre-balances with a double. West is thrilled to be able to bid their nice Heart suit! E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Diamond, and one Club, making three. North may lead the ♠ J.

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

EW 3♥; NS 2♠; NS 2♣; EW 1♦; Par −140

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 ♠Pass1
1 NT2Pass2 ♣Pass
2 ♥3PassPassPass
  1. Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
  2. Forcing
  3. To play

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−5♣ 325011.000.002-Elliott-Runda6-Diers-McCarthy
2 NTW−2♣ 410010.001.008-Tedrick-Pretz5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥W−1♥ 10509.002.007-Singerman-Brendamour3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♣N−1♥ A1008.003.009-Murdock-Oblinger7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 ♥W3♠ 61407.004.001-Roark-Koster4-Ibarra-Campbell
2 ♥W4♦ 81705.006.004-Vanstone-Gibler10-Earls-Duncan
3 ♥W4♦ 81705.006.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♥W4♠ 31705.006.0010-Gupta-Joshi9-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NTS−2♥ 92001.509.503-Scovic-Messinger8-Levine-Essig
2 ♥W5♠ 32001.509.505-Hubka-Lin12-Prosise-Prosise
3 ♥W5♠ 32001.509.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes11-Felson-Brown
3 ♣N−2♠ A2001.509.5013-Kehoe-Stanley2-Zimmer-Kammer

When you open one of a major, partner bids 1 NT forcing, you rebid two of a lower-ranking suit, and partner now bids their suit, that's where they want to play the contract. Occasionally, you can give them a token raise or bid 2 NT with a strong opener (17 HCP or so), but that's not generally the case.

E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and two Clubs, making three. It's very hard for N/S to get into the auction in Spades when East opens 1 ♠. Stupid East. North may lead the ♦ 8.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 ♣
1 ♠Pass2 ♠Pass
PassPass  

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠×W−3♦ 880011.000.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♠W−2♣ J20010.001.008-Tedrick-Pretz5-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠W−1♣ 21008.003.002-Elliott-Runda6-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠W−1♣ J1008.003.007-Singerman-Brendamour3-Burns-Kobida
2 ♠W−1♦ 81008.003.0010-Gupta-Joshi9-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♦N2♠ 2906.005.009-Murdock-Oblinger7-Brown-Moskowitz
2 ♠W3♣ 21403.507.501-Roark-Koster4-Ibarra-Campbell
2 ♠W3♦ 81403.507.503-Scovic-Messinger8-Levine-Essig
2 ♠W3♣ J1403.507.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes11-Felson-Brown
2 ♠W3♣ 21403.507.5013-Kehoe-Stanley2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 ♠W4♥ 51700.5010.504-Vanstone-Gibler10-Earls-Duncan
2 ♠W4♣ 21700.5010.505-Hubka-Lin12-Prosise-Prosise

An unexciting auction that ends abruptly. If North leads a trump, E/W will be held to eight tricks losing one Spade trick, three Hearts, and one Club. Anything else, and declarer will have time to ruff two Hearts in dummy. South can't lead a trump when they're in with the ♥ A without giving up their natural trump trick. Let's assume that North leads the ♠ 9 (nothing looks better). If they lead a Club, E/W will make four (i.e., Clubs is a frozen suit).

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

NS 4N; NS 4♠; NS 4♥; NS 5♣; NS 2♦; Par +630

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♣
Pass1 ♦Pass1 ♥1
Pass1 NTPass2 NT2
Pass3 NTPassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, showing an unbalanced hand
  2. Showing extras

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN5♥ 366011.000.003-Scovic-Messinger7-Brown-Moskowitz
3 NTN4♠ 36308.502.507-Singerman-Brendamour2-Zimmer-Kammer
3 NTN4♥ 46308.502.509-Murdock-Oblinger6-Diers-McCarthy
3 NTN4♦ 36308.502.5010-Gupta-Joshi8-Levine-Essig
3 NTN4♦ 36308.502.5012-Hoffman-Cook12-Prosise-Prosise
3 NTN3♦ 36006.005.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr13-Barron-Pschesang
2 NTN5♥ 32105.006.002-Elliott-Runda5-Endres-Kennedy
1 NTN4♠ 31804.007.008-Tedrick-Pretz4-Ibarra-Campbell
3 ♥S4♣ 61703.008.001-Roark-Koster3-Burns-Kobida
2 NTN3♦ 31501.509.504-Vanstone-Gibler9-Jervis-Lindeman
2 NTN3♥ 31501.509.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes10-Earls-Duncan
2 NTN−1♥ 31000.0011.005-Hubka-Lin11-Felson-Brown

Most pairs will play in 1 NT, so don't feel too bad if that's where you ended up. N/S take four Club tricks, one Diamond, three Hearts, and two Spades, making four. Another way to look at it is that E/W take two Diamonds and one Spade. If East leads anything other than a Diamond, N/S will make five.

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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♠Pass1 NT1Pass
2 ♠Pass4 ♠Pass
PassPass  
  1. Forcing

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠W−1♣ 2509.002.002-Elliott-Runda5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠W−1♣ 2509.002.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr13-Barron-Pschesang
4 ♠W−1♣ 2509.002.007-Singerman-Brendamour2-Zimmer-Kammer
4 ♠W−1♥ 6509.002.0010-Gupta-Joshi8-Levine-Essig
4 ♠W−1♥ 4509.002.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes10-Earls-Duncan
2 ♠W3♥ 101405.505.503-Scovic-Messinger7-Brown-Moskowitz
2 ♠W3♣ 21405.505.505-Hubka-Lin11-Felson-Brown
2 ♠W4♥ 41704.007.004-Vanstone-Gibler9-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠W4♥ 64201.509.501-Roark-Koster3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠W4♦ 34201.509.508-Tedrick-Pretz4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♠W4♦ 34201.509.509-Murdock-Oblinger6-Diers-McCarthy
4 ♠W4♥ 64201.509.5012-Hoffman-Cook12-Prosise-Prosise

A reasonable contract that has no play. E/W lose a trick in each suit, down one. It's hard to imagine that someone will play in 3 NT, so expect a lot of –50 scores. North can lead either a small Heart or a small Club with no repercussions. A Spade or a Diamond will allow the contract to make. Don't do that. Naughty.

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

EW 4♥; NS 2♠; EW 3♦; EW 1N; NS 1♣; Par −300: NS 4♠×−2

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 ♣1 ♥1 ♠1
2 ♥2 ♠3 ♥3 ♠
4 ♥PassPass4 ♠
DblPassPassPass
  1. Showing 5+ Spades

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠S4♥ 942011.000.0012-Hoffman-Cook11-Felson-Brown
5 ♥×E−1♣ 320010.001.007-Singerman-Brendamour1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♠S3♥ 101409.002.004-Vanstone-Gibler8-Levine-Essig
4 ♠S−1♥ 3506.005.002-Elliott-Runda4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♠S−1♥ 10506.005.003-Scovic-Messinger6-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠S−1♥ 10506.005.005-Hubka-Lin10-Earls-Duncan
3 ♠S−1♥ 10506.005.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr12-Prosise-Prosise
4 ♠S−1♥ 3506.005.009-Murdock-Oblinger5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠S−2♦ 71001.509.508-Tedrick-Pretz3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠S−2♥ 101001.509.5010-Gupta-Joshi7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♠S−2♥ 101001.509.5011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes9-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠S−2♥ 101001.509.5013-Kehoe-Stanley13-Barron-Pschesang

N/S are able to compete to 4 ♠ on the vulnerability fully intending to go down a couple.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Heart, one Club, and two Diamonds, down two doubled for –300. As long as (1) West leads a Diamond, or (2) East switches to a Diamond when in with the ♥ K, or (3) West switches to a Diamond when in with the ♠ A, or (4) East switches to a Diamond when in with the ♣ K, E/W will collect their five tricks. Phew, that's a LOT of chances to get it right. That said, SOMEBODY in the room will forget to switch to a Diamond, and N/S will take nine tricks. Sniff.

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

NS 5♠; NS 4N; NS 5♣; NS 2♦; EW 1♥; Par +650

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 ♦12 ♣
Pass2 ♠Pass3 ♠
Pass4 ♠PassPass
Pass   
  1. If you EVER want to open a 12-point hand 2 ♦, this is the one

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 ♠N6♦ K68010.500.5010-Gupta-Joshi7-Brown-Moskowitz
4 ♠N6♥ 468010.500.5012-Hoffman-Cook11-Felson-Brown
4 ♠N5♦ K6509.002.0013-Kehoe-Stanley13-Barron-Pschesang
4 ♠N4♦ K6208.003.002-Elliott-Runda4-Ibarra-Campbell
4 ♥W−3♣ 83006.005.006-Magnus-Magnus, Jr12-Prosise-Prosise
4 ♥W−3♣ 83006.005.007-Singerman-Brendamour1-Temples-Lakes
3 ♥W−3♣ K3006.005.0011-Kereiakes-Kereiakes9-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♥W−2♣ 82004.007.005-Hubka-Lin10-Earls-Duncan
3 ♠N4♦ K1702.508.503-Scovic-Messinger6-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♣S6♦ 91702.508.509-Murdock-Oblinger5-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♣S5♦ 91500.5010.504-Vanstone-Gibler8-Levine-Essig
4 ♣S5♦ 91500.5010.508-Tedrick-Pretz3-Burns-Kobida

It's a good idea to play that a new suit by advancer after a two-level non-jump overcall (ex. 1 ♦-2 ♣-2 ♠) is forcing for one round. There isn't a space on the convention card for that idea, but talk it over with your partners. If West had responded 2 ♥ after 1 ♦-2 ♣, it would have shown 5+ Hearts and 10+ HCP. That's not what they hold.

N/S lose one Spade trick and one Diamond, making five. East will lead the ♦ K. Declarer will win in dummy, pull two rounds of trumps, and run Clubs until the defense ruffs in with the master trump.

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
Pass1 ♦Dbl11 ♥
Pass1 NT2 ♠Pass
PassPass  
  1. Planning to bid Spades at their next turn to show 17+ HCP

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, two Diamonds, and one Club, making two. South might lead the ♦ 6, although a Heart works better.

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♦3 ♥1Pass2Pass
Dbl3PassPassPass
  1. Would bid 4 ♥ at favorable vulnerability
  2. Would bid 3 NT at equal or unfavorable vulnerability
  3. Protecting partner who might be trap passing

Expect this one to be insane. Some North players, who forget to look at the vulnerability, will overcall 4 ♥. Some West players, who forget to look at the vulnerability, will (1) fail to open, or (2) fail to re-open with a double. Some East players, who forget to look at the vulnerability, will respond 3 ♠ after the 3 ♥ overcall.

In 3 ♥, N/S lose two Heart tricks, two Spades, one Diamond, and two Clubs, down three doubled for –800. Ouch.

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 ♣
Pass1 NT1PassPass
Pass   
  1. Showing 8-10 HCP after a 1 ♣ opener

This might be the world's friendliest hand. If N/S get really confused and bid to 4 ♠ (huh?), they'll lose two Heart tricks and one Club, making four on their combined 21 HCP and seven-card fit. That's crazy talk. In 1 NT, they'll lose four Heart tricks and the ♣ A, making two on any lead. If E/W make a pact to not lead Hearts, N/S will make four. Stupid pacts.

WestNorthEastSouth
  PassPass
1 ♠Pass2 ♦1Pass
4 ♠PassPassPass
  1. Alert, artificial bid showing 4+ Spades and 7-9 HCP

It's a good idea to play that a 2 ♣ bid by a passed hand after partner's major-suit opener is Drury showing a 3+ card limit raise. Using 2 ♣ to show 3- or 4-card raises frees 2 ♦ up to artificially show a constructive raise with 4-card support. Talk this over with your partner, and mark your convention card accordion (stupid auto-correct).

E/W lose one Heart trick and one Club, making five. North should probably lead a trump on the auction.

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♠1
2 ♥2Pass3 NTPass
PassPass  
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Showing a full opener

East, knowing that their partner has a full opener for their 2/1 overcall, happily bids game. E/W take three Heart tricks, two Spades, one Diamond, and two Clubs, down one. Oh well. South can pretty much close their eyes and lead anything in their hand (a breath mint? a tissue?), and it won't matter.

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass11 ♦Pass21 ♠
Pass2 ♣Pass3 ♣
PassPassPass 
  1. Not a vulnerable weak-two opener
  2. Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles

Some N/S pairs will try and play in 3 NT, but that's going to be awkward when Diamonds don't behave. In 3 ♣, N/S lose three Spade tricks, making four. East will lead the ♠ K (asking for count) and switch to a trump at trick two. Declarer should win in dummy, pull a second round of trump, and lead a Diamond towards their hand winning with the ♦ A. Now ♥T to the ♥ A and another Diamond. It does West no good to ruff, so they'll probably discard a small Heart. Declarer wins with the ♦ K and leads a third Diamond, ruffing in dummy. West can overruff and return a Heart, but declarer can ruff in hand, ruff a Diamond, ruff a Heart with their last trump, and play their two winning Diamonds. E/W will win a Spade trick at the end, making four.

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 ♥Pass2 ♥
Pass2 ♠1Pass4 ♥2
PassPassPass 
  1. Alert, artificial Kokish Game Try bid asking partner where they have help
  2. South has help everywhere

Playing Kokish Game Tries, opener doesn't have to divulge where they need help--they simply ask partner where they can provide help. Often, responder has no help at all and signs off at the three level. Just as often, responder has a maximum for their two-level response and jumps to game. In both these instances, the opponents will have to defend the hand with the minimum amount of information (um.....those guys like Hearts).

If East finds the killer lead of the ♠ K and another Spade, N/S will go down one. Stupid killer leads. If East defends passively and leads the ♦ Q, N/S will make four losing two Spade tricks and one Heart.

WestNorthEastSouth
  2 ♦12 ♥2
PassPassPass 
  1. Fine for a nonvulnerable weak-two opener
  2. Insane, but they get away with it

South's 2 ♥ overcall shows a full opener. South fully expects to apologize to partner for their indiscretion, but the Bridge gods are with them and 2 ♥ makes. Amazing. N/S lose two Diamond tricks, two Spades, and one Club, making two. West will lead the ♦ A and continue Diamonds at trick two.

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 ♦
Pass2 ♣Pass2 NT1
Pass3 NTPassPass2
Pass   
  1. Showing either 12-14 HCP or 18-19 HCP
  2. It wasn't 18-19

In 2/1 world, opener's 2 NT rebid shows either a minimum hand or a hand that was planning on rebidding 2 NT over partner's one-level response (18-19 HCP). How does responder figure out which hand it is? Well, with the baby hand, opener will pass when partner signs off in game. Guess what they won't do with the huge hand? Yup (well, yup as long as you said "They won't pass.")

N/S take two Spade tricks, one Heart, one Diamond, and four Clubs, down one. What defense beats 3 NT two tricks (as the hand record says)? Well, West can start with the ♥ K, that part isn't important. East, when they're in with the ♣ Q, has to put the ♦ J on the table. E/W will finish with two Heart tricks, one Club, two Diamonds, and one Spade, down two. Rats.

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass1 ♥Dbl1
3 ♥2Pass4 ♥Pass
PassPass  
  1. Wishes they had a fourth Spade
  2. Alert, BROMAD bid showing 4-card Heart support and 0-6 HCP

East has no reason not to bid game. What if West is broke? Okay, let's give West this hand: ♠ 5432 ♥ 7543 ♦ 432 ♣ 32. 4 ♥ still makes as long as (1) North has the ♥ K, (2) Hearts break 2-2, and (3) Clubs break 3-3. Is that too much to hope for?

E/W lose two Diamond tricks, making five. South will probably lead the ♦ K (asking for count) and continue Diamonds. After that it doesn't really matter. Declarer should try and avoid taking the "practice finesse" in Clubs--South doubled, so they're infinitely more likely to hold something like ♣ Qxxx or ♣ Qxx. Yes, you heard me....infinitely.