Monday 06/12/2017 - Common Game at Nite (17060623)

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>June 12, 2017      |CLUB NO.>185264    | 06/12/2017 22:17
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Championship (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=10/B=6/C=3                      ,---,-----------------,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |      Overall    |           Section       |      |Final    |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 John Altman Sr         Debbie Wiest             A   .     .     .   |   4     .     .     93.50  55.65  0.35(SA)
 2 Donald Pollack         Bernice Pollack          C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     53.50  31.85
 3 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C   .     .     2   |   .     .     1     87.00  51.79  0.65(OC)
 4 Joyce Tedrick          Joy Singerman            B  3/4    2     .   |   2     1     .    100.50  59.82  1.44(OA)
 5 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     75.50  44.94
 6 Robert Roark           Sharon Koster            B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     80.00  47.62
 7 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Sharon Kreitzer          A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     67.00  39.88
 8 Judith Lubow           Joanne Earls             B   5     3     .   |   3     2     .     99.50  59.23  0.92(OA)
 9 Annette Kereiakes      Tom Kereiakes            C   .     .     3   |   .     .     .     77.50  46.13  0.49(OC)
10 John Williams          Dennis Schultz           A   1     .     .   |   1     .     .    106.00  63.10  2.92(OA)

                                          Totals                                            840.00

Thanks to Bob Fisk for the expert analysis.


                              **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10
  /
   1>     4-                2     4-    2     0     7     2     6
         110   ----  ----  -50   110   -50  -510   300   -50   140

   2>     4                 2-    7      -    6     5     2-     -
        -400   ----  ---- -430    50  -460  -140  -210  -430  -460

   3>     4-                1-    1-    7     0     3     4-    6
         110   ----  ---- PASS  PASS   300   -50   100   110   200

   4>      -     -                4-    2-    6-    4-    2-    6-
        -110  -110   ----  ----  110  -100   630   110  -100   630

   5>     6     2-                4      -     -    5     2-    7
         100  -110   ----  ---- -100  -140  -140    50  -110   130

   6>     7     3-                3-    3-    0     3-    1     6
         500   100   ----  ----  100   100  -600   100  -500   200

   7>     1-    6-    6-                4     0     4     1-    4
        -110   200   200   ----  ----  100  -150   100  -110   100

   8>     5     4     3                 7     1-    1-    0     6
         120   100    50   ----  ----  800   -50   -50  -100   150

   9>     2     5     7                 6     2     2     2     2
        PASS   100   200   ----  ----  110  PASS  PASS  PASS  PASS

  10>     6-    4-    1     2                 0     3     6-    4-
         650   630   170   400   ----  ---- -200   620   650   630

  11>     1-    1-    1-    5                 1-    7     5     5
         -50   -50   -50   460   ----  ----  -50   990   460   460

  12>     3     1     5     0                 3     7     3     6
         150   -80   180  -100   ----  ----  150   600   150   200

  13>     7     2-    4     2-     -                6      -    5
         100  -200  -130  -200  -650   ----  ---- -100  -650  -110

  14>     2     2     4-    6     0                 2     4-    7
        -420  -420  -100   100  -450   ----  ---- -420  -100   550

  15>     2-    2-    5     7      -                5     5      -
        -430  -430  -400  -170  -460   ----  ---- -400  -400  -460

  16>     3     1     0     5-    3     7                 5-    3
        -170  -200  -620  -140  -170   -50   ----  ---- -140  -170

  17>     4-    0     1     7     4-    4-                2     4-
         -50  -200  -150   110   -50   -50   ----  ---- -100   -50

  18>     7     6     1     4-    2-    0                 2-    4-
         130   100  -110    50  -100  -170   ----  ---- -100    50

  19>     0     1-    5     7     1-    3     5                 5
         -50   140   420   800   140   200   420   ----  ----  420

  20>     5      -    5     5     5      -    5                 2
         100  -200   100   100   100  -200   100   ----  ---- -140

  21>     6     1-    7     1-    5     1-    1-                4
        -170  -430    50  -430  -400  -430  -430   ----  ---- -420

  22>     3     3     3     6     3     3     0     7
        -100  -100  -100   170  -100  -100  -150   430   ----  ----

  23>     3-     -     -    6     5     2     3-    7
        -100  -400  -400   200   110  -300  -100   300   ----  ----

  24>     4     1     6     6     6     3     1     1
         110  -200   140   140   140  -140  -200  -200   ----  ----

  25>           1-    4-    6     1-    1-    7     4-    1-
         ---- -140   -50   100  -140  -140   130   -50  -140   ----

  26>           0     3-    3-    3-    7     3-    3-    3-
         ---- -120  -110  -110  -110   100  -110  -110  -110   ----

  27>           1     4     6-    6-    1     4     1     4
         ---- -100   -50    90    90  -100   -50  -100   -50   ----

  28>                 7     4     0     2-    5     1     6     2-
         ----  ----  300    50  -170  -110   100  -140   140  -110

  29>                 1     3-    0     6-    3-    6-    3-    3-
         ----  ----  600   630   130   660   630   660   630   630

  30>                 1     0     2-    4     7     2-    6     5
         ----  ---- -520  -990  -510  -490   100  -510  -430  -450



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>June 12, 2017      |CLUB NO.>185264    | 06/12/2017 22:17
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Championship (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   84.0 |TOP>   7 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=10/B=7/C=4                      ,---,-----------------,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |      Overall    |           Section       |      |Final    |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Terri Mackey           Susan De Roos            C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     67.00  39.88
 2 Ben Fisk               Pam Campbell             B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     81.50  48.51
 3 Cheryl Endres          Pamela Kennedy           C   .     .     .   |   .     .     2     72.00  42.86  0.20(SC)
 4 Alex Grim              Ralph Terbrueggen        B   .     5     .   |   .     3     .     88.50  52.68  0.39(OB)
 5 Lewis Temples          Richard Koch             C   2     1     1   |   1     1     1    101.00  60.12  2.19(OA)
 6 Joseph Kammer          Gail Zimmer              B   6     4     .   |   3     2     .     99.00  58.93  0.69(OA)
 7 Doris Kehoe            Lilam Stanley            A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     86.00  51.19
 8 Margaret Booker        Charles Edwards          C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     54.00  32.14
 9 Dean Congbalay         William Cook             A  3/4    .     .   |   2     .     .    100.50  59.82  1.44(OA)
10 June Cushman           Martin Petersen          A   .     .     .   |   4     .     .     90.50  53.87  0.35(SA)

                                          Totals                                            840.00

Thanks to Bob Fisk for the expert analysis.


                              **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10
  /
   1>     2-          7           0     5     5     2-    1     5
        -110   ----  510   ---- -300    50    50  -110  -140    50

   2>     3           1           2     4-    4-    0     6-    6-
         400   ----  140   ----  210   430   430   -50   460   460

   3>     2-          7           4     5-    2-    5-    1     0
        -110   ----   50   ---- -100  PASS  -110  PASS  -200  -300

   4>      -    6-          2-          4-    2-     -    4-    6-
        -630   110   ---- -110   ----  100  -110  -630   100   110

   5>     6-    4-          2           4-    3     0     6-    1
         140   110   ----  -50   ----  110   100  -130   140  -100

   6>     7     3-          3-          6     3-    1     3-    0
         600  -100   ---- -100   ----  500  -100  -200  -100  -500

   7>      -    3      -          5-          3     3     5-    7
        -200  -100  -200   ----  110   ---- -100  -100   110   150

   8>     3     5-    4           7           1     0     2     5-
        -100    50   -50   ----  100   ---- -150  -800  -120    50

   9>     2     5     0           5           5     1     5     5
        -100  PASS  -200   ---- PASS   ---- PASS  -110  PASS  PASS

  10>     4     6      -    5           2-           -    7     2-
        -620  -170  -650  -400   ---- -630   ---- -650   200  -630

  11>     0     5-    2     2           2           5-    5-    5-
        -990    50  -460  -460   ---- -460   ----   50    50    50

  12>     0     2     4     7           1           4     4     6
        -600  -180  -150   100   ---- -200   ---- -150  -150    80

  13>     3     6-    4-    2     6-          0           4-    1
         130   650   200   110   650   ---- -100   ----  200   100

  14>     2-    2-    1     0     7           5           5     5
         100   100  -100  -550   450   ----  420   ----  420   420

  15>     2     2     0     6-    6-          4-          4-    2
         400   400   170   460   460   ----  430   ----  430   400

  16>     1-    1-    4     4     4     0           6           7
         140   140   170   170   170    50   ----  200   ----  620

  17>     5     0     2-    2-    2-    2-          7           6
         100  -110    50    50    50    50   ----  200   ----  150

  18>     4-    2-    2-    4-    0     7           1           6
         100   -50   -50   100  -130   170   ---- -100   ----  110

  19>     0     2     5-    7     4     5-    2           2
        -800  -420  -140    50  -200  -140  -420   ---- -420   ----

  20>     2     5     2     2     6-    6-    2           2
        -100   140  -100  -100   200   200  -100   ---- -100   ----

  21>     5-    3     2     1     5-    5-    5-          0
         430   420   400   170   430   430   430   ----  -50   ----

  22>           4     4     4     4     7     4     0           1
         ----  100   100   100   100   150   100  -430   ---- -170

  23>           2     3-    5     6-    3-    6-    0           1
         ---- -110   100   300   400   100   400  -300   ---- -200

  24>           1     3     4     6     6     1     6           1
         ---- -140  -110   140   200   200  -140   200   ---- -140

  25>     5-          5-    5-    0     2-    2-    1     5-
         140   ----  140   140  -130    50    50  -100   140   ----

  26>     3-          0     7     3-    3-    3-    3-    3-
         110   ---- -100   120   110   110   110   110   110   ----

  27>      -          6     6     3     3     6      -    3
         -90   ----  100   100    50    50   100   -90    50   ----

  28>           4-          2     0     6     3     1     7     4-
         ----  110   ---- -100  -300   140   -50  -140   170   110

  29>            -          3-    6      -    3-    3-    7     3-
         ---- -660   ---- -630  -600  -660  -630  -630  -130  -630

  30>           3           0     6     4-    7     1     4-    2
         ----  490   ---- -100   520   510   990   430   510   450
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, June 12, 2017

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	9 8
♥	A Q J 10 2
♦	8 3
♣	K Q 7 3

♠	K 6 5
♥	9
♦	Q 5 4
♣	A 9 6 5 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 10
♥	K 6 3
♦	K J 10 9 7 2
♣	J

♠	A 7 4 3 2
♥	8 7 5 4
♦	A 6
♣	10 8

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♦×	E	−2	♥ 4	300		7.00	0.00	8-Lubow-Earls	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♥	N	3	♣ J	140		6.00	1.00	10-Williams-Schultz	9-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♥	N	2	♠ Q	110		4.50	2.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	1-Mackey-De Roos
2 ♥	N	2	♣ J	110		4.50	2.50	5-Lin-Hubka	8-Booker-Edwards
4 ♥	N	−1	♣ J		50	2.00	5.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♥	N	−1	♦ J		50	2.00	5.00	6-Roark-Koster	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♥	N	−1	♦ K		50	2.00	5.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♦×	E	4	♥ 8		510	0.00	7.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	3-Endres-Kennedy

East can't quite double the final contract--they'll be happy enough they didn't goof and bid 4 ♦. N/S lose one Heart trick, one Spade, one Diamond, one Club, and one Club ruff, down one. East will lead their stiff ♣ J, but as long as declarer plays ♥ A and another trump when they're in with the ♠ A, they'll go down only one.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 5 3
♥	K 7 5
♦	K J 10 7 6
♣	8 5

♠	K 10 7
♥	J 10 6 2
♦	A 5
♣	A Q J 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 9 4
♥	A 9 4
♦	9 8 4 2
♣	K 6 2

♠	Q 8 6 2
♥	Q 8 3
♦	Q 3
♣	10 9 7 4

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

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

15 to 17

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−1	♦ J	50		7.00	0.00	5-Lin-Hubka	8-Booker-Edwards
3 ♥	W	3	♣ 8		140	6.00	1.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	3-Endres-Kennedy
1 NT	E	5	♠ 2		210	5.00	2.00	8-Lubow-Earls	5-Temples-Koch
3 NT	W	3	♦ J		400	4.00	3.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 NT	W	4	♦ 7		430	2.50	4.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	W	4	♦ J		430	2.50	4.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	W	5	♦ J		460	0.50	6.50	6-Roark-Koster	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	W	5	♦ J		460	0.50	6.50	10-Williams-Schultz	9-Congbalay-Cook

There's no reason to look for a 5-3 major-suit fit when you have a totally flat (3334) hand. E/W take two Spade tricks, three Hearts, one Diamond, and four Clubs, making four. North may lead the ♦ J, and declarer should duck the first trick. North will play a small Diamond at trick two, and declarer will win the ♦ A. The ♥ J is next and when the Hearts behave, the hand is over.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 10
♥	K 8 7 5 4
♦	K J 6 4
♣	J 6

♠	A 9 4
♥	A 10 6
♦	10 3
♣	Q 9 7 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	8 7 6 3 2
♥	Q J
♦	8 7 5 2
♣	A K

♠	K J 5
♥	9 3 2
♦	A Q 9
♣	10 8 5 2

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	Pass	Pass

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	E	−3	♥ 3	300		7.00	0.00	6-Roark-Koster	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♠	E	−2	♣ 2	200		6.00	1.00	10-Williams-Schultz	9-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♥	N	2	♣ A	110		4.50	2.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	1-Mackey-De Roos
2 ♥	N	2	♠ 8	110		4.50	2.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	W	−1	♥ 5	100		3.00	4.00	8-Lubow-Earls	5-Temples-Koch
Pass				Pass		1.50	5.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	6-Kammer-Zimmer
Pass				Pass		1.50	5.50	5-Lin-Hubka	8-Booker-Edwards
3 ♥	S	−1	♠ A		50	0.00	7.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	3-Endres-Kennedy

Some North players will open 1 ♥ in third seat, but that's suit is pretty awful. If they do, East should overcall 1 ♠ (ew), South will bid 2 ♥, and West will bid 2 ♠. Nothing makes.

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 7
♥	J 5
♦	A J 10 8 7
♣	J 10 7 3

♠	Q J 5 4
♥	K Q 10 6 2
♦	3 2
♣	K 9

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8 6 3
♥	4
♦	K 9 6
♣	Q 8 6 4 2

♠	K 9 2
♥	A 9 8 7 3
♦	Q 5 4
♣	A 5

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

West	North	East	South
Pass1	1 ♦2	Pass	1 ♥
Pass3	2 ♣	Pass	2 ♠4
Pass5	3 ♦6	Pass	3 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 hand but no comfortable rebid
Rule of 20 hand with a comfortable rebid
Really glad they didn't open 1 ♥
Alert, artificial fourth-suit forcing bid
REALLY glad they didn't open 1 ♥
Not willing to call ♠ Ax a stopper for notrump

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	4	♣ 4	630		6.50	0.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 NT	S	4	♥ K	630		6.50	0.50	10-Williams-Schultz	8-Booker-Edwards
2 ♦	N	3	♥ 4	110		4.50	2.50	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♦	N	3	♥ 4	110		4.50	2.50	8-Lubow-Earls	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
1 NT	N	−1	♠ 3		100	2.50	4.50	6-Roark-Koster	9-Congbalay-Cook
3 NT	N	−1	♠ 3		100	2.50	4.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	E	2	♦ 4		110	0.50	6.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	10-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♠	E	2	♥ A		110	0.50	6.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Fisk-Campbell

The final contract isn't all that bad--it just doesn't quite make. N/S take two Spade tricks, four Diamond tricks, one Club, and one Heart, down one. If West leads the ♥ Q (correct from ♥ KQTxx), South should grab it, since the combined ♥ J987 will get them their ninth trick if E/W aren't careful. Expect a few +600 scores for N/S.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K J 8
♥	K 10 4
♦	A 10 6
♣	J 9 6 4

♠	Q 10 9 5 4 2
♥	5
♦	K J 9 5
♣	3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	7 6
♥	A Q J 9 7 6
♦	Q 8 2
♣	A 10

♠	A 3
♥	8 3 2
♦	7 4 3
♣	K Q 8 7 5

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

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

Limit raise or better for Clubs

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♣	N	4	♠ 7	130		7.00	0.00	10-Williams-Schultz	8-Booker-Edwards
3 ♠×	W	−1	♣ 9	100		6.00	1.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	10-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♠	W	−1	♣ 4	50		5.00	2.00	8-Lubow-Earls	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 ♣	N	−1	♥ A		100	4.00	3.00	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♥	E	2	♣ 8		110	2.50	4.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Fisk-Campbell
2 ♥	E	2	♣ K		110	2.50	4.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♥	E	3	♣ K		140	0.50	6.50	6-Roark-Koster	9-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♠	W	3	♣ 4		140	0.50	6.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	1-Mackey-De Roos

Despite North's 2 NT bid, East should still lead the ♥ Q. It doesn't matter whether declarer holds up or not--East will still be able to take five Heart tricks and the ♣ A, down one. Oh well, E/W were making 2 ♥ anyway.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 5 4 3
♥	J 9 8 7 4
♦	—
♣	Q 10 9 6

♠	K Q 8
♥	A K 5 2
♦	K Q 7
♣	J 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	10
♥	Q 10 6
♦	A 10 9 8 4
♣	A K 7 3

♠	J 9 7 6 2
♥	3
♦	J 6 5 3 2
♣	8 4

EW 5N; EW 4♥; EW 5♦; EW 4♣; Par −660

West	North	East	South
		1 ♦	Pass
1 ♥	Pass	2 ♣	Pass
2 ♠1	Pass	3 ♦2	Pass
4 ♦3	Pass	4 NT4	Pass
6 ♦	Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, artificial fourth-suit forcing bid
Denying four Spades or a Spade stopper for notrump
RKC Blackwood (Minorwood) for Diamonds
1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards w/o the ♦ Q

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♥×	W	−2	♠ A	500		7.00	0.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	10-Cushman-Petersen
5 ♦	E	−2	♥ 3	200		6.00	1.00	10-Williams-Schultz	8-Booker-Edwards
6 ♥	W	−1	♠ A	100		3.50	3.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Fisk-Campbell
6 NT	W	−1	♠ A	100		3.50	3.50	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Kehoe-Stanley
6 NT	W	−1	♠ A	100		3.50	3.50	6-Roark-Koster	9-Congbalay-Cook
6 NT	W	−1	♥ 7	100		3.50	3.50	8-Lubow-Earls	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
4 ♠×	S	−3	♥ A		500	1.00	6.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	W	3	♣ 6		600	0.00	7.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	1-Mackey-De Roos

It's a pretty good slam needing only 3-2 Diamonds or the ♦ J to fall singleton. That's not happening. South should not double 6 ♦, since E/W may be able to run to 6 NT. In this case they can't, but South should still keep quiet. South should lead the ♥ 3.

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	K 10 6
♥	K Q J 7 3
♦	J 4
♣	8 6 3

♠	9 3
♥	9 8 6 2
♦	A K 7 5
♣	A K Q

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 7 4
♥	A 4
♦	Q 3 2
♣	9 7 4 2

♠	A 8 5 2
♥	10 5
♦	10 9 8 6
♣	J 10 5

EW 2N; EW 2♠; EW 3♦; EW 3♣; EW 1♥; Par −120

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

15 to 17
Showing four Spades and 8-9 HCP

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	W	−2	♥ K	200		6.50	0.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 NT	W	−2	♥ J	200		6.50	0.50	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	W	−1	♥ K	100		4.00	3.00	6-Roark-Koster	8-Booker-Edwards
3 NT	W	−1	♥ K	100		4.00	3.00	8-Lubow-Earls	2-Fisk-Campbell
3 NT	W	−1	♥ K	100		4.00	3.00	10-Williams-Schultz	7-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♣	W	3	♥ K		110	1.50	5.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	9-Congbalay-Cook
1 ♠	E	2	♥ 5		110	1.50	5.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Temples-Koch
2 NT	W	3	♥ K		150	0.00	7.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	10-Cushman-Petersen

Since E/W play four-suit transfers, East has to explicitly show their four-card Spade suit on this auction. 2 ♠ is 100% forcing, and opener should (1) bid 2 NT with a minimum hand and fewer than four Spades, (2) bid 3 ♠ with a minimum hand and four Spades, (3) bid 3 NT with a maximum hand and fewer than four Spades, or (4) bid 4 ♠ with a maximum hand and four Spades.

E/W take four Club tricks, three Diamonds, and one Heart, making two. North will lead the ♥ K (the ♥ 3 would work better, but it's wrong), and declarer will cash out.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	10 9 2
♥	K J
♦	K J 9 8
♣	A K 6 4

♠	Q J 6 4 3
♥	9 6 5
♦	4 3
♣	10 7 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 8 7
♥	A 10 7 4
♦	A 6 2
♣	8 2

♠	5
♥	Q 8 3 2
♦	Q 10 7 5
♣	Q J 9 3

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 NT1	Pass2	Pass
Pass

15 to 17
No reason to take a call

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♣×	E	−4	♠ 5	800		7.00	0.00	6-Roark-Koster	8-Booker-Edwards
1 NT	N	3	♥ 4	150		6.00	1.00	10-Williams-Schultz	7-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	N	2	♥ 4	120		5.00	2.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	9-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♠	E	−2	♦ 10	100		4.00	3.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 ♠	W	−1	♣ A	50		3.00	4.00	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Endres-Kennedy
1 NT	N	−1	♠ A		50	1.50	5.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	10-Cushman-Petersen
1 NT	N	−1	♣ 8		50	1.50	5.50	8-Lubow-Earls	2-Fisk-Campbell
1 NT	N	−2	♠ 8		100	0.00	7.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Temples-Koch

East's hand is exactly why a penalty double of a strong notrump (15-17) is a bad idea. Let's assume they double for penalty. Here's how the auction would go:

Pass - 1 NT - Double (for penalty) - Pass! (Alert, responder is asking opener to redouble)
Pass - Redouble! (Alert, forced bid) - Pass - 2 ♣ (bidding four-card suits up the line)

At this point, E/W will be unable to get a positive score, and they were beating 1 NT. Good pairs will have a run-out system in place over doubles of 1 NT. Get used to it.

East will lead the ♠ A, West will encourage, and E/W will take the first seven tricks, down one.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K 10 8 7 5
♥	K 9 2
♦	K 8 5
♣	Q 4

♠	J 6 2
♥	A Q 8 3
♦	J 7
♣	K 9 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 3
♥	7 5 4
♦	A 9 6 3 2
♣	A 6 3

♠	A 9 4
♥	J 10 6
♦	Q 10 4
♣	J 10 8 7

NS 2♠; NS 1N; NS 1♦; NS 1♣; Par +110

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	Pass
Pass

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	E	−2	♠ A	200		7.00	0.00	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	N	2	♦ 3	110		6.00	1.00	6-Roark-Koster	8-Booker-Edwards
2 ♦	E	−1	♠ A	100		5.00	2.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Mackey-De Roos
Pass				Pass		2.00	5.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	9-Congbalay-Cook
Pass				Pass		2.00	5.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	10-Cushman-Petersen
Pass				Pass		2.00	5.00	8-Lubow-Earls	2-Fisk-Campbell
Pass				Pass		2.00	5.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Temples-Koch
Pass				Pass		2.00	5.00	10-Williams-Schultz	7-Kehoe-Stanley

Two pass outs in nine boards? Ask for 22% of your money back (that's $1.54 for the arithmetically challenged).

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	K
♥	9 5 2
♦	A K Q 7
♣	K J 10 6 5

♠	J 5 4 2
♥	8 3
♦	9 8 6 4
♣	Q 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 9 3
♥	A 6 4
♦	5 3 2
♣	A 4 2

♠	A 8 7 6
♥	K Q J 10 7
♦	J 10
♣	8 7

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

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

Alert, artificial 2 ♦ bid showing 11-15 HCP, exactly five Hearts, and exactly four Spades
Alert, artificial response asking opener for more information
Alert, showing a minimum hand with 4-5-2-2 shape

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	5	♠ 2	650		6.50	0.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	8-Booker-Edwards
4 ♥	S	5	♣ 3	650		6.50	0.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	N	4	♠ 3	630		4.50	2.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	N	4	♠ 3	630		4.50	2.50	10-Williams-Schultz	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	S	4	♦ 9	620		3.00	4.00	8-Lubow-Earls	1-Mackey-De Roos
2 ♠	E	−4	♦ J	400		2.00	5.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 ♥	S	4	♥ 8	170		1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Fisk-Campbell
6 ♥×	S	−1	♣ 3		200	0.00	7.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	9-Congbalay-Cook

Flannery is a convention that uses an opening bid of 2 ♦ (sometimes 2 ♥ by partnership agreement) to show 11-15 HCP, exactly four Spades, and exactly five Hearts. This is a hand shape that's difficult to bid if you open 1 ♥, often requiring that opener rebid a two-card Club suit after a forcing 1 NT response. Responder will bid 2 ♥ or 2 ♠ with no interest in game, make a preemptive raise with good trumps and sub-par values, or bid 2 NT to ask for more information. Here's how opener should respond to the 2 NT inquiry:

3 ♣ - 4513 shape (bidding 3 ♣ to show exactly three Clubs)
3 ♦ - 4531 shape (bidding 3 ♦ to show exactly three Diamonds)
3 ♥ - 4522 shape with minimum values (11 - 13 HCP)
3 ♠ - 4522 shape with maximum values (13+ - 15 HCP)
3 NT - 4522 shape, maximum values, and at least half their HCP in the minors
4 ♣ - 4504 shape (bidding 4 ♣ to show exactly four Clubs)
4 ♦ - 4540 shape (bidding 4 ♦ to show exactly four Diamonds)

N/S lose one Club trick and one Heart, making five. West may lead a trump.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	10 9 8 3
♥	K Q 5
♦	K 10 8 7
♣	A 10

♠	Q 6
♥	J 8 7 6 3
♦	Q J 9 2
♣	4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 7 4
♥	10 9
♦	6 5 4
♣	9 8 7 2

♠	A 5 2
♥	A 4 2
♦	A 3
♣	K Q J 6 5

NS 5N; NS 5♠; NS 5♦; NS 5♣; NS 3♥; Par +460

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

Showing 18-19 HCP

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 NT	N	6	♥ 10	990		7.00	0.00	8-Lubow-Earls	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 NT	S	5	♥ 8	460		5.00	2.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 NT	S	5	♦ Q	460		5.00	2.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	S	5	♥ 6	460		5.00	2.00	10-Williams-Schultz	6-Kammer-Zimmer
6 NT	S	−1	♥ 6		50	1.50	5.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	8-Booker-Edwards
6 NT	S	−1	♦ Q		50	1.50	5.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Cushman-Petersen
6 NT	N	−1	♥ 10		50	1.50	5.50	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Fisk-Campbell
6 NT	S	−1	♣ 9		50	1.50	5.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	9-Congbalay-Cook

North doesn't have quite enough to invite a notrump slam. N/S take five Club tricks, three Hearts, two Diamonds, and one Spade, making five. West will probably lead a small Heart, and declarer should win and duck a small Spade in case a squeeze develops. It doesn't, so 11 tricks is the limit.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K 10 7
♥	K Q 8 4
♦	10 8 2
♣	A 10 4

♠	Q 8 5 2
♥	A 10
♦	A Q J
♣	J 7 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	9 4 3
♥	7 6 5 3
♦	9 6 5 3
♣	8 3

♠	A J 6
♥	J 9 2
♦	K 7 4
♣	K Q 9 6

NS 4N; NS 4♥; NS 3♠; NS 4♣; NS 2♦; Par +630

West	North	East	South
1 ♣	Pass	Pass	1 NT1
Pass	2 ♣	Pass	2 ♦
Pass	2 NT2	Pass	3 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

11 to 14
Alert, may or may not have a 4-card major

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	♣ 8	600		7.00	0.00	8-Lubow-Earls	1-Mackey-De Roos
2 ♥	S	5	♣ 2	200		6.00	1.00	10-Williams-Schultz	6-Kammer-Zimmer
1 NT	N	4	♣ 8	180		5.00	2.00	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Fisk-Campbell
1 ♣	W	−3	♦ 4	150		3.00	4.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	8-Booker-Edwards
1 ♣	W	−3	♥ 2	150		3.00	4.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	9-Congbalay-Cook
1 NT	N	3	♦ 3	150		3.00	4.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Endres-Kennedy
1 ♠	W	1	♥ J		80	1.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	N	−1	♣ 8		100	0.00	7.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	4-Grim-Terbrueggen

North invites in notrump and South, with a total maximum for their balancing 1 NT overcall, happily accepts. N/S take three Heart tricks, three Spades, one Diamond, and three Clubs, making four. West may lead the ♠ 2.

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	4 2
♥	J 9
♦	8 7 4
♣	A Q J 10 6 4

♠	A K 3
♥	Q 5 2
♦	A Q 10 5 3 2
♣	8

N
W		E
S

♠	J 8 7 6
♥	A 10 8 7 6
♦	9 6
♣	9 3

♠	Q 10 9 5
♥	K 4 3
♦	K J
♣	K 7 5 2

EW 5♥; E 5♦; EW 3♠; W 4♦; EW 1N; NS 2♣; Par −650

West	North	East	South
	Pass1	Pass	1 ♣
1 ♦	3 ♣2	Pass	Pass
Dbl3	Pass	4 ♣4	Pass5
4 ♥	5 ♣	Pass	Pass
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

Not a vulnerable 3 ♣ preempt
Weak jump raise
Do something smart, partner
Pick a major
Don't lead a Club

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	W	−1	♠ 4	100		7.00	0.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	7-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♣	S	−1	♠ A		100	6.00	1.00	8-Lubow-Earls	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♦	W	3	♠ 4		110	5.00	2.00	10-Williams-Schultz	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 ♦	W	4	♣ A		130	4.00	3.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Mackey-De Roos
4 ♣	S	−2	♠ A		200	2.50	4.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♣	S	−2	♥ 2		200	2.50	4.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	3-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥	E	5	♣ 2		650	0.50	6.50	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	E	5	♣ 2		650	0.50	6.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Fisk-Campbell

North is wise to treat their hand as preemptive on the auction--their hand is worthless in any non-Club contract. West's hand becomes huge when their partner can bid and still double at the three level.

N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and two Clubs, down two doubled for –500. West will lead the ♠ A and switch to the ♥ 2 at trick two when partner discourages. When in with the ♥ A, East has an easy switch to the ♦ 9, and West will cash out.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	9 4
♥	J 9 2
♦	Q 7 4 3 2
♣	A 8 7

♠	Q 10 2
♥	A K 8 5
♦	A K 10 8 6
♣	5

N
W		E
S

♠	A 7
♥	Q 10 7 6 4 3
♦	J 9 5
♣	K 3

♠	K J 8 6 5 3
♥	—
♦	—
♣	Q J 10 9 6 4 2

EW 5♥; EW 4N; NS 4♠; NS 5♣; EW 4♦; Par −100: NS 5♠×−1; NS 6♣×−1

West	North	East	South
		Pass1	Pass2
1 ♦	Pass	1 ♥	Dbl3
4 ♣4	Dbl5	4 ♥	5 ♣
5 ♥	Pass	Pass	6 ♣
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

Two side features (Ace or King) discourage a 2 ♥ opening
What else?
Partner, pick a black suit
Splinter in support of Hearts
That's the black suit I like better

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣×	N	5	♥ 6	550		7.00	0.00	10-Williams-Schultz	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
5 ♦×	W	−1	♣ A	100		6.00	1.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	3-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♣×	S	−1	♥ A		100	4.50	2.50	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Mackey-De Roos
6 ♣×	S	−1	♦ K		100	4.50	2.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Fisk-Campbell
4 ♥	E	4	♣ Q		420	2.00	5.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	7-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	E	4	♣ Q		420	2.00	5.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♥	E	4	♣ Q		420	2.00	5.00	8-Lubow-Earls	10-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	E	5	♣ Q		450	0.00	7.00	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Temples-Koch

Fun hand!! N/S lose one Club trick and one Spade, down one doubled for –100. Sweet. West will lead the ♥ K (asking for count). Declarer will ruff and play a small Club towards the ♣ A (remember--West showed a singleton or void with their Splinter bid). When West plays small, declarer will go up with the ♣ A and lead a Spade towards their hand. East should play low, and declarer may guess wrong, but –100 or –300 will both be good results for N/S since E/W can make +650 in Hearts.

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q 7 2
♥	J 9 6 3
♦	Q 8 5 3
♣	Q 6

♠	K J 5 3
♥	K 5 2
♦	9
♣	A K 10 8 5

N
W		E
S

♠	8 6
♥	A 10
♦	A K 10 4
♣	J 9 4 3 2

♠	A 10 9 4
♥	Q 8 7 4
♦	J 7 6 2
♣	7

EW 6♣; EW 4N; EW 3♠; EW 2♥; EW 2♦; Par −920

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

Not quite strong enough to reverse into 2 ♠
Alert, artificial XYZ bid creating a game force

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♣	W	6	♦ 3		170	7.00	0.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	W	3	♦ 3		400	5.00	2.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 NT	W	3	♥ 3		400	5.00	2.00	8-Lubow-Earls	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	W	3	♦ 3		400	5.00	2.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Fisk-Campbell
3 NT	E	4	♠ 4		430	2.50	4.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	E	4	♠ 4		430	2.50	4.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Congbalay-Cook
3 NT	E	5	♠ 4		460	0.50	6.50	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Temples-Koch
3 NT	E	5	♥ 4		460	0.50	6.50	10-Williams-Schultz	4-Grim-Terbrueggen

It's difficult for E/W to get to the fairly good 6 ♣ slam, but since it depends on a guess in Spades, we'll pretend they would have gotten it wrong. E/W take five Clubs tricks, two Diamonds, two Hearts, and one Spade, making four. North may lead a small Heart.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	10 9 7 3
♥	6 2
♦	A 9 8 2
♣	K Q J

♠	K 2
♥	K J 10 9 8 5
♦	5 4
♣	A 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 5
♥	Q 7
♦	K 7 3
♣	9 8 7 6 3

♠	J 8 6 4
♥	A 4 3
♦	Q J 10 6
♣	10 5

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

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

Rule of 20 opener
Forcing
Showing a two-card limit raise in Hearts

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	N	−1	♥ Q		50	7.00	0.00	6-Roark-Koster	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♥	W	3	♣ K		140	5.50	1.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	2-Fisk-Campbell
2 ♥	W	3	♣ K		140	5.50	1.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	1-Mackey-De Roos
2 ♥	W	4	♣ K		170	3.00	4.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♥	W	4	♣ K		170	3.00	4.00	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
2 ♥	W	4	♠ 10		170	3.00	4.00	10-Williams-Schultz	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♥	W	5	♣ K		200	1.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-Booker-Edwards
4 ♥	W	4	♣ K		620	0.00	7.00	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Cushman-Petersen

E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. North will lead the ♣ K, but declarer can pitch their third Club on dummy's ♠ Q before drawing trump.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	K J 6 4
♥	A K 4
♦	Q 6 5
♣	K Q J

♠	Q 5 3
♥	Q 9 3
♦	A 8
♣	A 9 8 6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 9 7
♥	J
♦	K J 10 7 4 2
♣	7 3

♠	8 2
♥	10 8 7 6 5 2
♦	9 3
♣	10 5 4

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

West	North	East	South
	1 ♣	1 ♦	Pass
2 ♣1	Dbl2	Pass3	2 ♥
2 NT	Dbl	3 ♦	Pass
Pass	Pass

Forcing
Showing extras
Showing a minimum overcall

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	S	2	♦ A	110		7.00	0.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	2-Fisk-Campbell
3 ♥	S	−1	♦ A		50	4.50	2.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	5-Temples-Koch
1 ♣	N	−1	♠ J		50	4.50	2.50	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 ♥	N	−1	♣ 7		50	4.50	2.50	6-Roark-Koster	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♥	S	−1	♦ A		50	4.50	2.50	10-Williams-Schultz	3-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥	S	−2	♦ A		100	2.00	5.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	1-Mackey-De Roos
2 NT	N	−3	♦ J		150	1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Cushman-Petersen
2 NT	N	−4	♦ 7		200	0.00	7.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-Booker-Edwards

When an unpassed advancer makes a cuebid of opener's suit, it doesn't always show support for their partner's overcall. Sometimes advancer simply needs a forcing bid. E/W would have loved to play in 2 NT doubled (or redoubled), but you can't fault West for running to 3 ♦.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Club, making four. South will lead the ♣ 4 (low from an honor).

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	9 8 7
♥	J 7
♦	K 8 6 5 4 2
♣	J 7

♠	J 5 3
♥	K 8 6 5 3
♦	J 7
♣	9 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 2
♥	Q 4 2
♦	9 3
♣	A Q 4 3 2

♠	Q 10 6 4
♥	A 10 9
♦	A Q 10
♣	K 10 8

NS 2N; NS 2♠; NS 3♦; EW 1♥; E 1♣; Par +120

West	North	East	South
		1 NT1	Pass2
2 ♦3	Dbl4	2 ♥5	3 ♦
Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
See earlier hand
Transfer
Please lead a Diamond
Showing 3+ Hearts

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	4	♠ A	130		7.00	0.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	5-Temples-Koch
2 NT	E	−2	♠ 10	100		6.00	1.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-Booker-Edwards
2 ♥	E	−1	♥ 9	50		4.50	2.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	2-Fisk-Campbell
2 ♥	E	−1	♠ 4	50		4.50	2.50	10-Williams-Schultz	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	S	−1	♥ 5		100	2.50	4.50	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
4 ♦	N	−1	♠ A		100	2.50	4.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	1-Mackey-De Roos
2 ♥	E	2	♠ 4		110	1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Cushman-Petersen
2 ♥	W	4	♠ 4		170	0.00	7.00	6-Roark-Koster	6-Kammer-Zimmer

When the opponents double a Jacoby Transfer bid, opener shows 3+ cards in support by actually accepting the transfer. With only two cards in partner's suit, opener should pass. Responder can redouble if they want opener to complete the transfer.

N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and one Club, making three. West might lead the ♥ 5.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 10 8 7 6
♥	Q
♦	A 5 4
♣	K 9 7 5

♠	5 3 2
♥	K 7
♦	Q J 10 9 6 3
♣	3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	J
♥	J 10 8 5 3
♦	K 8 2
♣	A Q 10 4

♠	A K 9 4
♥	A 9 6 4 2
♦	7
♣	J 8 6

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

West	North	East	South
			2 ♦1
Pass	2 NT2	Pass	3 ♣3
Pass	4 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, artificial bid showing 11 to 15 HCP, exactly five Hearts, and exactly four Spades
Alert, artificial bid asking for more information about opener's hand
Alert, showing 4-5-1-3 shape

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♦×	W	−3	♥ Q	800		7.00	0.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	1-Mackey-De Roos
4 ♠	N	4	♦ 2	420		5.00	2.00	3-Elliott-Runda	9-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♠	N	4	♥ 5	420		5.00	2.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	7-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	N	4	♠ J	420		5.00	2.00	10-Williams-Schultz	2-Fisk-Campbell
3 ♠	N	5	♣ A	200		3.00	4.00	6-Roark-Koster	5-Temples-Koch
2 ♠	N	3	♥ J	140		1.50	5.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♠	N	3	♥ J	140		1.50	5.50	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	N	−1	♥ 3		50	0.00	7.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	4-Grim-Terbrueggen

South's 2 ♦ bid is Flannery (discussed in detail on board #10). North shows an invitational hand or better in support, South shows a singleton Diamond (i.e., three Clubs), and North bids game. N/S lose three Club tricks on a cross-ruff. East's best lead is the ♠ J, but the hand is essentially over at that point--one Spade trick, two red-suit Aces, and seven ruffs.

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 4 3
♥	K 9 8 3
♦	10 9 7 2
♣	6 2

♠	9 8
♥	A 10 7 6 5
♦	K J 8
♣	J 7 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 6 5 2
♥	J 4 2
♦	A
♣	K 10 9 5

♠	Q J 7
♥	Q
♦	Q 6 5 4 3
♣	A Q 8 4

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	Pass	3 ♦1	Pass2
3 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Western cue asking for a Diamond stopper for notrump
Don't lead a Diamond

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	W	−1	♦ 10	100		5.00	2.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 NT	W	−1	♦ 2	100		5.00	2.00	3-Elliott-Runda	9-Congbalay-Cook
2 NT	W	−1	♦ 2	100		5.00	2.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 ♥	W	−1	♦ 2	100		5.00	2.00	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	W	−1	♦ 10	100		5.00	2.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♥	W	3	♦ 10		140	2.00	5.00	10-Williams-Schultz	2-Fisk-Campbell
2 NT	S	−2	♠ 9		200	0.50	6.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♦	S	−2	♠ 9		200	0.50	6.50	6-Roark-Koster	5-Temples-Koch

With good values in the other suits, weak Hearts, and the ♦ A, East decides that 3 NT will be easier than 4 ♥ if partner has a Diamond stopper. E/W take four Spade tricks, one Heart, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, making three. North will lead the ♣ 6 on the auction, since South didn't double for a Diamond lead.

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 10 7
♥	Q 5 3 2
♦	9
♣	K 8 6 5 4

♠	Q 9 6 4
♥	8
♦	Q J 7 6 5
♣	Q J 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K 5 3
♥	A K 10 9 7
♦	A K 8 3
♣	A

♠	A 8 2
♥	J 6 4
♦	10 4 2
♣	10 9 7 2

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

West	North	East	South
	Pass	2 ♣	Pass
2 ♦1	Pass	2 ♥	Pass
2 ♠	Pass	3 ♦	Pass
4 ♦	Pass	4 ♥2	Pass
4 NT3	Pass	5 ♣4	Pass
5 NT5	Pass	6 ♦	Pass
Pass	Pass

Showing an A, K, or QQ
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Diamonds
1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
Do you have the ♦ Q?
Yes, but no side-suit Kings

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	W	−1	♦ 9	50		7.00	0.00	3-Elliott-Runda	9-Congbalay-Cook
3 ♦	E	6	♣ 2		170	6.00	1.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 NT	W	3	♣ 5		400	5.00	2.00	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♦	W	6	♣ 5		420	4.00	3.00	10-Williams-Schultz	2-Fisk-Campbell
3 NT	W	4	♣ 6		430	1.50	5.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	E	4	♣ 10		430	1.50	5.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 NT	W	4	♣ 4		430	1.50	5.50	6-Roark-Koster	5-Temples-Koch
3 NT	W	4	♦ 9		430	1.50	5.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	7-Kehoe-Stanley

E/W get to a nice slam in Diamonds. E/W lose one Spade trick, making six. North will probably lead the ♠ J, and South might grab the ♠ A, although ducking would be better. Would you duck knowing that West held the ♠ Q?

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A J 5 3
♥	A K 10 5 3
♦	6 2
♣	8 4

♠	9 8 7
♥	8 7
♦	K 10 9 5 3
♣	10 7 5

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 6 4
♥	Q J 6
♦	J 8 7 4
♣	A K

♠	K 2
♥	9 4 2
♦	A Q
♣	Q J 9 6 3 2

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

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

Weak jump raise
Responsive double showing both majors

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	4	♣ 10	430		7.00	0.00	8-Lubow-Earls	8-Booker-Edwards
3 ♥	N	4	♣ A	170		6.00	1.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	10-Cushman-Petersen
4 ♥	N	−2	♣ A		100	3.00	4.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♥	N	−2	♣ K		100	3.00	4.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	N	−2	♦ J		100	3.00	4.00	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	N	−2	♦ 4		100	3.00	4.00	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Fisk-Campbell
4 ♥	N	−2	♣ A		100	3.00	4.00	6-Roark-Koster	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
4 ♥	N	−3	♦ 8		150	0.00	7.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	6-Kammer-Zimmer

South is wise to pass partner's responsive double on this auction with two Diamond honors and no four-card major. North should have roughly 10+ HCP to double at this level. E/W lose two Heart tricks, two Spades, one Diamond, and a Spade ruff with the ♦ Q, down two doubled for –500. Ouch. South's best lead is the ♠ K, although they'll have a second shot at getting the defense right they lead the ♣ Q.

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 7
♥	Q J 10 9 6
♦	A J 4 3 2
♣	5

♠	9 4 3
♥	A 7 5
♦	10 8 7 6
♣	A 9 7

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 5
♥	K 8 3 2
♦	K Q
♣	J 8 4 3

♠	A J 10 6 2
♥	4
♦	9 5
♣	K Q 10 6 2

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

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

Rule of 20 opener
Forcing

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♣	E	−3	♥ 4	300		7.00	0.00	8-Lubow-Earls	8-Booker-Edwards
1 NT	W	−2	♥ Q	200		6.00	1.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	10-Cushman-Petersen
1 ♠	S	2	♠ 4	110		5.00	2.00	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Fisk-Campbell
3 ♠	S	−1	♦ 6		100	3.50	3.50	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♠	S	−1	♦ 6		100	3.50	3.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	S	−3	♦ 6		300	2.00	5.00	6-Roark-Koster	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 NT	S	−4	♦ 6		400	0.50	6.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	5-Temples-Koch
3 NT	N	−4	♣ 3		400	0.50	6.50	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kehoe-Stanley

North, realizing that the hand is a total misfit unless partner can take a third bid, parks in 2 ♠. N/S lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, one Spade, and two Clubs, making two. West will lead a trump.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	K Q J 9
♥	J 8 7
♦	J 8 7 6 4
♣	6

♠	7 3
♥	A K Q 4
♦	10 9
♣	A J 9 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8
♥	6 5 3 2
♦	A 5 3
♣	K 8 7 3

♠	A 6 5 4 2
♥	10 9
♦	K Q 2
♣	Q 10 4

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	S	3	♥ A	140		6.00	1.00	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♠	S	3	♥ A	140		6.00	1.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♠	S	3	♥ A	140		6.00	1.00	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Fisk-Campbell
2 ♦	S	3	♣ 8	110		4.00	3.00	1-Altman Sr-Wiest	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♥	E	3	♦ K		140	3.00	4.00	6-Roark-Koster	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 ♥	W	5	♣ 6		200	1.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♥	E	5	♦ K		200	1.00	6.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♥	E	5	♦ K		200	1.00	6.00	8-Lubow-Earls	8-Booker-Edwards

N/S have to be careful not to push E/W into a 4 ♥ sacrifice--whoops, it made. N/S lose two Heart tricks, one Diamond, and one Club, making three. West will lead the ♥ K (asking for count).

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K 9 6 5 4
♥	3
♦	A 8 7
♣	Q J 9 5

♠	A 8
♥	A Q J 8 2
♦	K 9
♣	10 7 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 7 3
♥	K 10 9 7
♦	5 4 2
♣	6 4

♠	10 2
♥	6 5 4
♦	Q J 10 6 3
♣	A K 8

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

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

Weak jump raise

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♦	S	4	♥ A	130		7.00	0.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	W	−1	♦ A	100		6.00	1.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	8-Booker-Edwards
4 ♦	S	−1	♥ A		50	4.50	2.50	3-Elliott-Runda	6-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	N	−1	♥ K		50	4.50	2.50	8-Lubow-Earls	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♥	W	3	♠ 5		140	1.50	5.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
2 ♥	W	3	♠ 5		140	1.50	5.50	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 ♥	W	3	♣ Q		140	1.50	5.50	6-Roark-Koster	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♥	W	3	♥ 3		140	1.50	5.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Congbalay-Cook

E/W lose one Spade trick, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, down one. North may lead the ♣ Q, and South will overtake in order to return the ♦ Q. If North does double 3 ♥, South can't go wrong no matter what they do--3 ♠ gets them +140, 4 ♦ gets them +130, and Pass gets them +200. All are better than +100.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	K Q J 8 5
♥	J 10 6
♦	8
♣	Q 10 6 4

♠	6 2
♥	A 4 2
♦	A K J 7 6 3
♣	K 7

N
W		E
S

♠	9 7 3
♥	Q 8 5
♦	Q 9 4
♣	A 9 8 5

♠	A 10 4
♥	K 9 7 3
♦	10 5 2
♣	J 3 2

EW 2N; NS 2♠; EW 3♦; NS 1♥; NS 1♣; Par −120

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♦	W	−1	♠ K	100		7.00	0.00	6-Roark-Koster	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♦	W	3	♠ K		110	3.50	3.50	3-Elliott-Runda	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♦	W	3	♠ K		110	3.50	3.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	8-Booker-Edwards
3 ♦	W	3	♠ K		110	3.50	3.50	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 ♦	W	3	♠ K		110	3.50	3.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	W	3	♠ K		110	3.50	3.50	8-Lubow-Earls	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♦	W	3	♠ K		110	3.50	3.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Congbalay-Cook
1 NT	W	2	♠ K		120	0.00	7.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	4-Grim-Terbrueggen

Don't be afraid to raise partner's 1 ♦ or 1 ♣ opener with three-card support after an overcall--most of the time partner will have a five-card suit (or better). E/W lose two Spade tricks and two Hearts, making three. North will lead the ♠ K.

Board 27
South Deals
None Vul

♠	K Q 10 7 3
♥	J 8
♦	A 10 9 6
♣	J 8

♠	J 8 5 2
♥	Q 9 2
♦	Q 8
♣	A Q 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A 4
♥	K 10 5 4
♦	7 4 2
♣	10 9 7 3

♠	9 6
♥	A 7 6 3
♦	K J 5 3
♣	K 4 2

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

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

Showing 11 HCP and fewer than three Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	S	1	♠ 2	90		6.50	0.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	8-Booker-Edwards
1 NT	S	1	♣ 5	90		6.50	0.50	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Mackey-De Roos
3 ♠	N	−1	♣ 10		50	4.00	3.00	3-Elliott-Runda	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 NT	S	−1	♣ 5		50	4.00	3.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	5-Temples-Koch
2 ♥	S	−1	♠ 2		50	4.00	3.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♠	N	−2	♣ 10		100	1.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
2 NT	S	−2	♣ 5		100	1.00	6.00	6-Roark-Koster	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 NT	N	−2	♦ 10		100	1.00	6.00	8-Lubow-Earls	7-Kehoe-Stanley

A 2 NT response by a passed hand after a one-level opener shows exactly 11 HCP. South, although they have better Diamonds than Spades, goes back to 3 ♠ because Matchpoints is stupid (i.e., +140 is greater than +130).

N/S lose one Spade trick (finessing twice against the ♠ J), one Heart, and two Clubs, making three. East will lead the ♣T, and declarer will play low from dummy. If West takes the ♣ Q and cashes the ♣ A, N/S will make four when North's slow Heart loser gets pitched on the ♣ K. Oops.

Board 28
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A Q 3
♥	A K 6
♦	K J 10 5 4 2
♣	2

♠	K 8
♥	Q 5 3
♦	Q 6 3
♣	A J 8 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	J 6 2
♥	10 9 8 7 2
♦	A
♣	K 9 7 4

♠	10 9 7 5 4
♥	J 4
♦	9 8 7
♣	Q 10 5

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

West	North	East	South
1 ♣	Dbl1	1 ♥	1 ♠
Dbl2	2 ♦	2 ♥	Pass
Pass	2 ♠	3 ♥	4 ♦
Pass	Pass	Pass

Big hands start with a double
Alert, support double showing exactly three Hearts

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥×	E	−2	♦ 9	300		7.00	0.00	3-Elliott-Runda	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♠	S	3	♥ 3	140		6.00	1.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Booker-Edwards
4 ♣	W	−2	♥ A	100		5.00	2.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 ♥	E	−1	♦ 8	50		4.00	3.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	7-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♥	E	2	♦ 8		110	2.50	4.50	6-Roark-Koster	2-Fisk-Campbell
2 ♥	E	2	♦ 8		110	2.50	4.50	10-Williams-Schultz	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 ♥	E	3	♦ 7		140	1.00	6.00	8-Lubow-Earls	6-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♥	E	4	♦ 9		170	0.00	7.00	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Congbalay-Cook

If South had stronger Spades--♠ KT9xx perhaps--then 3 ♠ would be a better bid over 3 ♥. N/S lose one Spade trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. East may lead the ♥T.

Board 29
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q J 10
♥	Q J 7 6
♦	K 4 3
♣	J 7 3

♠	8 7 4
♥	A 8 5
♦	A 9 7
♣	10 9 8 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K 6 5 3 2
♥	10 4 3
♦	Q J 10 8
♣	4

♠	A 9
♥	K 9 2
♦	6 5 2
♣	A K Q 6 2

NS 4N; NS 3♥; NS 4♣; NS 1♦; Par +630

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

15 to 17
Alert, artificial bid asking for a 5-card major
Alert, denying a 5-card major

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	5	♠ 8	660		6.50	0.50	6-Roark-Koster	2-Fisk-Campbell
3 NT	S	5	♣ 10	660		6.50	0.50	8-Lubow-Earls	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	S	4	♣ 8	630		3.50	3.50	4-Tedrick-Singerman	7-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	S	4	♣ 5	630		3.50	3.50	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 NT	S	4	♣ 5	630		3.50	3.50	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Booker-Edwards
3 NT	S	4	♣ 10	630		3.50	3.50	10-Williams-Schultz	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	S	3	♣ 5	600		1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♣	S	4	♠ 7	130		0.00	7.00	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Congbalay-Cook

North isn't looking to play in a 4-4 Heart fit with 3433 shape--they're trying to play in a 5-4 Heart fit. When South denies a 5-card major, North bids game in notrump.

N/S take two Spade tricks, three Hearts, five Clubs, and one Diamond, making four. West could torture declarer by leading the ♦ 9 (declarer needs to duck and win the continuation therefore blocking the Diamond suit). I doubt that any West is that vicious (i.e., incompetent).

Board 30
East Deals
None Vul

♠	7 3
♥	9 8 7 3
♦	J 9 8 7 3
♣	Q 3

♠	A Q 10 9 5
♥	4 2
♦	A K 4
♣	9 7 5

N
W		E
S

♠	6 4
♥	A K Q J 5
♦	6 2
♣	A K 6 2

♠	K J 8 2
♥	10 6
♦	Q 10 5
♣	J 10 8 4

EW 7N; EW 7♠; EW 7♥; EW 5♣; EW 4♦; Par −1520

West	North	East	South
		1 ♥	Pass
1 ♠	Pass	2 ♣1	Pass
2 ♦2	Pass	3 ♣3	Pass
3 NT	Pass	4 NT4	Pass
Pass	Pass

A little too weak to bid 3 ♣
Alert, artificial fourth-suit forcing bid
Denying four Diamonds or a Diamond stopper for notrump
Quantitative raise inviting a notrump slam

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 NT	W	−2	♦ 3	100		7.00	0.00	7-Vanstone-Kreitzer	4-Grim-Terbrueggen
3 NT	E	4	♣ J		430	6.00	1.00	9-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Booker-Edwards
4 ♥	E	5	♠ 2		450	5.00	2.00	10-Williams-Schultz	10-Cushman-Petersen
3 NT	E	6	♠ 2		490	4.00	3.00	6-Roark-Koster	2-Fisk-Campbell
4 ♥	E	7	♦ 5		510	2.50	4.50	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♥	E	7	♣ J		510	2.50	4.50	8-Lubow-Earls	6-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	E	7	♠ 2		520	1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	5-Temples-Koch
6 NT	W	6	♦ 7		990	0.00	7.00	4-Tedrick-Singerman	7-Kehoe-Stanley

East invites slam, but West, with a minimum opener politely declines. Unfortunately, E/W take all 13 tricks when the ♠ KJ are "in the slot." North may lead a "safe" ♥ 9.

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

Do something smart, partner

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and three Clubs, making two. North may lead the ♠ J, and declarer will know that North holds ♠ JTxx.

West	North	East	South
2 ♥	Pass	3 ♥	Dbl
Pass	Pass1	Pass

4 ♦ seems silly

North wisely passes their partner's takeout double on the vulnerability. E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, one Diamond, and two Clubs, down two doubled for –500.