MON 07/24/2017 at Nite

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>July 24, 2017      |CLUB NO.>185264    | 07/24/2017 22:26
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>MITCHELL
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>  132.0 |TOP>  11 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=13/B=8/C=5                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Debbie Wiest           Joy Singerman            B    1     1     .    149.18  56.51  1.30(A)
 2 Donald Pollack         Bernice Pollack          C    .     .     .    118.24  44.79
 3 Kathy Rice             Cecilia Kloecker         C    5     .     2    131.94  49.98  0.26(A)
 4 Patrick Lammers        Carol Scovic             B    .     .     .    125.57  47.56
 5 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A    .     .     .    119.00  45.08
 6 Betty Murdock          Erin Oblinger            C    .     .     .    127.10  48.14
 7 Judy Crotty Hall       Carla Runda              C    4     3     1    140.19  53.10  0.46(A)
 8 Gail Zimmer            Joseph Kammer            B    2     2     .    147.45  55.85  0.91(A)
 9 Marilyn Prosise        Robert Prosise           A    .     .     .    128.87  48.81
10 Leonard Kanterman      James Jacobson           C    .     .     .    128.59  48.71
11 Martin Petersen        June Cushman             A    3     .     .    147.37  55.82  0.65(A)
12 Janet Page             Michael Lipp             A    .     .     .    120.52  45.65


                                          Totals                        1584.02


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>   8.23        8.23  3.32    5-  3.32 10.95  3.32  1.14  8.23  8.23  0.05
          50   ----   50  -120  -110  -120   100  -120  -130    50    50  -400   ----

   2>   8.77          5-  2.23  4.41 10.95  2.23  2.23  6.59  0.05  8.77  8.77
         660   ----  170  -100   140   690  -100  -100   620  -500   660   660   ----

   3>   3.86  0.05        7.68 10.41  1.14 10.41  7.68  3.86  7.68  3.86  3.86
         -50  -200   ----   90   200  -100   200    90   -50    90   -50   -50   ----

   4>   1.68  8.77        9.86  3.32  1.68  6.05 10.95  0.05  6.05  6.05  6.05
        -110    80   ----  100  -100  -110   -90   200  -120   -90   -90   -90   ----

   5>   4.95  2.23  3.32        0.05  9.32  6.59  4.95  1.14  7.68 10.95  9.32
        -140  -420  -170   ---- -570    50  -110  -140  -450   -90   100    50   ----

   6>   2.23  6.05  2.23       10.95  8.77  7.68  6.05  2.23  2.23  2.23  9.86
        -650  -620  -650   ----  200  -170  -200  -620  -650  -650  -650  -140   ----

   7>   7.14  1.68  1.68  1.68       10.95  7.14  7.14  7.14  1.68  7.14  7.14
        -630  -660  -660  -660   ---- -620  -630  -630  -630  -660  -630  -630   ----

   8>   2.23    5- 10.95  8.23        2.23  8.23  8.23  2.23  8.23  2.23  2.23
        -450  -430  -170  -420   ---- -450  -420  -420  -450  -420  -450  -450   ----

   9>  10.41  1.14  6.59  3.32  3.32        6.59  3.32  6.59  8.77 10.41  0.05
         140  -150   -50  -100  -100   ----  -50  -100   -50   110   140  -670   ----

  10>   8.23  3.86 10.95  0.59  3.86        3.86  8.23  3.86  9.86  6.59  0.59
         100   -90   200  -100   -90   ----  -90   100   -90   110    90  -100   ----

  11>   9.32    5-    5- 10.95  9.32  1.14        1.14    5-    5-    5-  1.14
        -140  -170  -170  -120  -140  -420   ---- -420  -170  -170  -170  -420   ----

  12>  10.41  7.14 10.41  3.86  2.23  0.05        1.14  7.14  3.86  7.14  7.14
         680   650   680   620   150  -200   ---- -100   650   620   650   650   ----

  13>  10.95  2.23  6.05  0.59  6.05  6.05  0.59        6.05  9.86  6.05  6.05
         100  -630  -620  -650  -620  -620  -650   ---- -620  -600  -620  -620   ----

  14>   8.77  7.68  1.68    5-    5-  0.05 10.95        9.86  3.32    5-  1.68
         130   120   -50   110   110  -100   400   ----  150    50   110   -50   ----

  15>   3.32  3.32  3.32  3.32  6.59  8.23  8.23 10.41       10.41  3.32  0.05
        -400  -400  -400  -400   -90    50    50   100   ----  100  -400  -430   ----

  16>   4.95  9.86  4.95  0.59  4.95  4.95  9.86  9.86        0.59  4.95  4.95
         130   150   130   110   130   130   150   150   ----  110   130   130   ----

  17>   9.86  6.59  3.32  9.86  1.14  1.14  1.14  9.86  7.68        4.95  4.95
         130   -50  -110   130  -140  -140  -140   130    50   ---- -100  -100   ----

  18>   6.05  8.23 10.95  2.23  2.23  8.23  2.23  6.05  2.23        2.23  9.86
        -110  -100   630  -200  -200  -100  -200  -110  -200   ---- -200   600   ----

  19>   6.59  0.05  2.23  9.86  7.68  4.95  8.77  4.95  2.23 10.95        2.23
         170  -150  -100   400   200   -50   300   -50  -100   500   ---- -100   ----

  20>   3.32  8.77  3.32  6.59  6.59 10.41  1.14  6.59 10.41  3.32        0.05
        -110   100  -110   -90   -90   200  -200   -90   200  -110   ---- -400   ----

  21>   7.14  9.32 10.95  1.68  1.68  9.32  0.05  4.95  4.95  7.14  3.32
        -110   -90    50  -150  -150   -90  -400  -120  -120  -110  -130   ----  ----

  22>   2.77  0.05  2.77  7.68  7.68  7.68  2.77  7.68 10.95  2.77  7.68
         480   460   480   510   510   510   480   510   980   480   510   ----  ----

  23>     3     7-    1-    7-    0     4-    4-   10     7-    1-   11     7-
        -130   100  -140   100  -500  -110  -110   200   100  -140   300   100   ----

  24>     5     5    10     2    10      -     -    5     8     5     5    10
         170   170   450   140   450   -50   -50   170   200   170   170   450   ----

  25>         3.86  1.68    5-  1.68  7.68 10.41  3.86  7.68  0.05 10.41  7.68
         ----  120    70   130    70   150   400   120   150  -100   400   150   ----

  26>         3.86  3.86 10.95  3.86  3.86  9.32  3.86  3.86  3.86  3.86  9.32
         ----  100   100   500   100   100   200   100   100   100   100   200   ----



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>July 24, 2017      |CLUB NO.>185264    | 07/24/2017 22:26
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
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 Patrick Hoffman        Robert Roark             B    .     .     .    127.08  48.14
 2 Darleen Young          Jan Thurnau              C    .     .     .    130.83  49.56
 3 John Williams          William Cook             B    1     1     .    176.31  66.78  1.30(A)
 4 Ralph Terbrueggen      Alex Grim                B    .     .     .    133.58  50.60
 5 Lewis Temples          Richard Koch             C    3     2     1    145.81  55.23  0.65(A)
 6 Tom Kereiakes          Annette Kereiakes        C    5     4     2    136.60  51.74  0.29(C)
 7 Linda Pretz            Joyce Tedrick            B    4     3     .    142.17  53.85  0.46(A)
 8 Evelyn McCarthy        Joan Diers               C    .     .     .     81.59  30.91
 9 Cheryl Endres          Pamela Kennedy           C    .     .     .    121.73  46.11
10 Stephen Felson         Robert Brown             A    .     .     .    136.06  51.54
11 Doris Kehoe            Lilam Stanley            A    .     .     .    110.48  41.85
12 Peggy Jervis           Pat Lindeman             C    .     .     .    126.69  47.99
13 Larry Newman           Dennis Schultz           A    2     .     .    147.49  55.87  0.91(A)

                                          Totals                        1716.42


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>   2.77  7.68        9.86  2.77  2.77  7.68  2.77    5- 10.95  7.68        0.05
         -50   120   ----  130   -50   -50   120   -50   110   400   120   ---- -100

   2>   2.23  8.77        4.41    5- 10.95  8.77  2.23  6.59  2.23  0.05        8.77
        -660   100   ---- -620  -170   500   100  -660  -140  -660  -690   ----  100

   3>   3.32 10.95  7.14        3.32  3.32  7.14  0.59  7.14  9.86        0.59  7.14
         -90   200    50   ----  -90   -90    50  -200    50   100   ---- -200    50

   4>   0.05  2.23 10.95        4.95  1.14  4.95  7.68  4.95  9.32        4.95  9.32
        -200   -80   120   ----   90  -100    90   100    90   110   ----   90   110

   5>   8.77  9.86  7.68  3.32        0.05 10.95  1.68  1.68        4.41  6.05  6.05
         420   450   170    90   ---- -100   570   -50   -50   ----  110   140   140

   6>   4.95  8.77  8.77  8.77        8.77  0.05  1.14  2.23        3.32  8.77  4.95
         620   650   650   650   ----  650  -200   140   170   ----  200   650   620

   7>   3.86  9.32  9.32  9.32  3.86        3.86  0.05        3.86  3.86  3.86  9.32
         630   660   660   660   630   ----  630   620   ----  630   630   630   660

   8>   8.77  0.05  2.77  2.77  8.77        8.77  8.77        2.77  8.77  2.77    5-
         450   170   420   420   450   ----  450   450   ----  420   450   420   430

   9>   4.41  2.23  7.68  0.59  7.68 10.95              4.41  0.59  7.68  9.86  4.41
          50  -110   100  -140   100   670   ----  ----   50  -140   100   150    50

  10>   0.05  1.14 10.41  4.41  7.14 10.41              7.14  2.77  2.77  7.14  7.14
        -200  -110   100   -90    90   100   ----  ----   90  -100  -100    90    90

  11>     5-  0.05    5-  1.68  9.86  9.86              1.68  9.86    5-    5-    5-
         170   120   170   140   420   420   ----  ----  140   420   170   170   170

  12>   7.14  7.14  3.86  8.77  3.86 10.95              0.59  9.86  3.86  3.86  0.59
        -620  -620  -650  -150  -650   200   ----  ---- -680   100  -650  -650  -680

  13>  10.41  4.95  4.95  4.95  4.95       10.41  0.05        8.77  4.95  4.95  1.14
         650   620   620   620   620   ----  650  -100   ----  630   620   620   600

  14>     5-    5-    5-  9.32 10.95        0.05  2.23        3.32  1.14  9.32  7.68
        -110  -110  -110    50   100   ---- -400  -130   ---- -120  -150    50   -50

  15>   7.68  4.41 10.95  2.77        2.77  7.68  0.59  7.68        7.68  0.59  7.68
         400    90   430   -50   ----  -50   400  -100   400   ----  400  -100   400

  16>   6.05  6.05  6.05  6.05        1.14  6.05  1.14  1.14        6.05 10.41 10.41
        -130  -130  -130  -130   ---- -150  -130  -150  -150   ---- -130  -110  -110

  17>   9.86  6.05  9.86        9.86  1.14  1.14  4.41  3.32  7.68        1.14  6.05
         140   100   140   ----  140  -130  -130    50   -50   110   ---- -130   100

  18>   8.77  1.14  2.77        8.77  4.95  4.95  2.77  8.77  0.05        8.77  8.77
         200  -600   100   ----  200   110   110   100   200  -630   ----  200   200

  19>   8.77  6.05        2.23  4.41  6.05 10.95  8.77  8.77  0.05  1.14        3.32
         100    50   ---- -300  -170    50   150   100   100  -500  -400   ---- -200

  20>  10.95  0.59        9.86  7.68  4.41  2.23  0.59  7.68  7.68  4.41        4.41
         400  -200   ----  200   110    90  -100  -200   110   110    90   ----   90

  21>   1.68       10.95  3.86  6.05  1.68  6.05  0.05  3.86  9.32  7.68  9.32
          90   ----  400   110   120    90   120   -50   110   150   130   150   ----

  22>   3.32        8.23  8.23  3.32 10.95  0.05  8.23  8.23  3.32  3.32  3.32
        -510   ---- -480  -480  -510  -460  -980  -480  -480  -510  -510  -510   ----

  23>           6-    8     1     3-    3-    9-    9-    3-    0    11     3-    6-
         ----  110   130  -200  -100  -100   140   140  -100  -300   500  -100   110

  24>          10-    6     6     6     3     1     6     9     6     1     1    10-
         ----   50  -170  -170  -170  -200  -450  -170  -140  -170  -450  -450    50

  25>   0.59        7.14  7.14  3.32  9.32 10.95    5-  0.59  9.32  3.32  3.32
        -400   ---- -120  -120  -150   -70   100  -130  -400   -70  -150  -150   ----

  26>   1.68        7.14  7.14  7.14  7.14  7.14  0.05  7.14  7.14  1.68  7.14
        -200   ---- -100  -100  -100  -100  -100  -500  -100  -100  -200  -100   ----
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, July 24, 2017

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	Q J 9
♥	8 5
♦	J 10 8 7
♣	10 9 6 4

♠	7 4 3 2
♥	A Q
♦	9 5 3 2
♣	Q 7 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A K
♥	9 7 6 3
♦	A K 6
♣	K J 8 3

♠	10 8 6 5
♥	K J 10 4 2
♦	Q 4
♣	A 5

EW 3N; EW 3♥; EW 4♦; EW 4♣; EW 2♠; Par −400

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 ♣	1 ♥
Dbl1	Pass	2 ♥2	Dbl3
2 NT4	Pass	3 NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

Negative showing exactly four Spades
Do you have Hearts stopped for notrump?
Please lead a Heart
Yes, I do

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣	E	−2	♥ J	100		10.95	0.05	7-Hall-Runda	13-Newman-Schultz
3 NT	E	−1	♥ J	50		8.23	2.77	1-Wiest-Singerman	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 NT	E	−1	♥ J	50		8.23	2.77	3-Rice-Kloecker	5-Temples-Koch
3 NT	E	−1	♥ J	50		8.23	2.77	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NT	W	−1	♥ 9	50		8.23	2.77	11-Petersen-Cushman	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♣	E	3	♠ 5		110	5.50	5.50	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Endres-Kennedy
1 NT	E	2	♥ 10		120	3.32	7.68	4-Lammers-Scovic	7-Pretz-Tedrick
1 NT	E	2	♥ 4		120	3.32	7.68	6-Murdock-Oblinger	11-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	E	2	♥ 4		120	3.32	7.68	8-Zimmer-Kammer	2-Young-Thurnau
3 ♣	E	4	♠ 5		130	1.14	9.86	9-Prosise-Prosise	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
3 NT	E	3	♥ J		400	0.05	10.95	12-Page-Lipp	10-Felson-Brown

E/W take two Spade tricks, two Hearts, two Diamonds, and three Clubs if they guess right in Clubs, making three. North will dutifully lead the ♥ 8, and declarer will win with the ♥ Q. The double-dummy line in Clubs is small from dummy to the ♣ Q and then low from both hands to drop the stiff ♣ A. It's a reasonable line.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 8 3 2
♥	A
♦	K 9
♣	A 10 9 8 7 4

♠	4
♥	J 10 8 7 5
♦	A 10 5 2
♣	6 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	10 9 7 6 5
♥	K Q 9
♦	Q J 3
♣	J 5

♠	A K Q
♥	6 4 3 2
♦	8 7 6 4
♣	K Q

NS 6♣; NS 5N; NS 5♠; EW 1♥; NS 1♦; Par +1100: EW 6♥×−5

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

Natural and game forcing
Showing a fourth Heart, not extra values
Natural showing four Spades (not Fourth-Suit Forcing)

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	6	♥ 9	690		10.95	0.05	6-Murdock-Oblinger	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	S	5	♥ 5	660		8.77	2.23	1-Wiest-Singerman	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 NT	S	5	♥ 7	660		8.77	2.23	11-Petersen-Cushman	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	S	5	♥ 7	660		8.77	2.23	12-Page-Lipp	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	N	4	♣ 5	620		6.59	4.41	9-Prosise-Prosise	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
3 ♣	N	6	♥ Q	170		5.50	5.50	3-Rice-Kloecker	5-Temples-Koch
2 ♠	N	3	♥ K	140		4.41	6.59	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	N	−1	♥ K		100	2.23	8.77	4-Lammers-Scovic	7-Pretz-Tedrick
4 ♠	N	−1	♥ K		100	2.23	8.77	7-Hall-Runda	13-Newman-Schultz
4 ♠	N	−1	♦ 3		100	2.23	8.77	8-Zimmer-Kammer	2-Young-Thurnau
4 ♠×	N	−2	♥ K		500	0.05	10.95	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

There's no such thing as a reverse in a 2/1 auction, so South's 2 ♥ bid merely shows a four-card suit. There's also no such thing as Fourth-Suit Forcing in a 2/1 auction. Doesn't North's 2 ♣ bid deny a four-card major? That's crazy talk. In 2/1 land, bid your hand as naturally as possible. If it turns out that North does have a four-card major (as they do on this hand), then they have longer Clubs. North is able to show 4-6 in the black suits by their third bid, and South, while tempted to look for a Club slam, decides to park in 3 NT.

N/S take four Spade tricks, six Clubs tricks, and one Heart, making five. West will lead the ♥ J. Declarer won't like it, but they're going to have to overtake the ♣ Q with the ♣ A, since they don't have any other quick entries to dummy. When the ♣ J falls, they'll breathe a sigh of relief.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 6 5 2
♥	9 4 3
♦	K 6 5 2
♣	K 6

♠	A K 9
♥	K J 5
♦	Q 10 8 7 4
♣	9 7

N
W		E
S

♠	10 7 3
♥	10 7 6 2
♦	9
♣	A J 8 5 2

♠	Q 8 4
♥	A Q 8
♦	A J 3
♣	Q 10 4 3

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

West	North	East	South
			1 NT1
Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	W	−2	♠ 2	200		10.41	0.59	5-Lin-Hubka	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♦	W	−2	♠ 2	200		10.41	0.59	7-Hall-Runda	12-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	S	1	♦ 4	90		7.68	3.32	4-Lammers-Scovic	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 NT	S	1	♦ 4	90		7.68	3.32	8-Zimmer-Kammer	1-Hoffman-Roark
1 NT	S	1	♦ 7	90		7.68	3.32	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	5-Temples-Koch
1 NT	N	−1	♦ 7		50	3.86	7.14	1-Wiest-Singerman	13-Newman-Schultz
2 ♠	N	−1	♦ 9		50	3.86	7.14	9-Prosise-Prosise	3-Williams-Cook
1 NT	S	−1	♦ 7		50	3.86	7.14	11-Petersen-Cushman	7-Pretz-Tedrick
2 NT	S	−1	♦ 7		50	3.86	7.14	12-Page-Lipp	9-Endres-Kennedy
1 NT	S	−2	♦ 7		100	1.14	9.86	6-Murdock-Oblinger	10-Felson-Brown
3 NT	S	−4	♦ 7		200	0.05	10.95	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Young-Thurnau

N/S take two Club tricks, two Spades, two Hearts, and two Diamonds, making two. If West leads a Diamond, N/S might make three. All leads for West are distasteful, but the ♣ 9 looks safest.

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 5
♥	K 10 9 2
♦	9 8 3
♣	Q 7 6 5

♠	J 9 8 2
♥	A 8 6 5
♦	7 5
♣	4 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 7
♥	7 3
♦	K Q J 4
♣	A 10 9 8

♠	K 6 4 3
♥	Q J 4
♦	A 10 6 2
♣	K J

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1 NT1	Pass
Pass	Pass

15 to 17

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	W	−2	♣ 5	200		10.95	0.05	8-Zimmer-Kammer	1-Hoffman-Roark
2 NT	E	−1	♦ 2	100		9.86	1.14	4-Lammers-Scovic	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 ♥	N	1	♦ J	80		8.77	2.23	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Young-Thurnau
1 NT	E	1	♦ 2		90	6.05	4.95	7-Hall-Runda	12-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	E	1	♥ Q		90	6.05	4.95	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	5-Temples-Koch
1 NT	E	1	♠ 3		90	6.05	4.95	11-Petersen-Cushman	7-Pretz-Tedrick
1 NT	E	1	♠ 3		90	6.05	4.95	12-Page-Lipp	9-Endres-Kennedy
1 ♦	S	−1	♥ A		100	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	E	2	♥ Q		110	1.68	9.32	1-Wiest-Singerman	13-Newman-Schultz
2 ♠	E	2	♥ Q		110	1.68	9.32	6-Murdock-Oblinger	10-Felson-Brown
					120	0.05	10.95	9-Prosise-Prosise	3-Williams-Cook

E/W take three Spade tricks, one Heart, two Diamonds, and one Club, making one. South may lead the ♥ Q.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K 5
♥	K J 7 2
♦	A 9
♣	K Q 7 5 3

♠	A J 10 8 6
♥	Q
♦	Q J 10 7 4 3
♣	6

N
W		E
S

♠	9 3 2
♥	A 9 6 4 3
♦	K 2
♣	A 8 2

♠	Q 7 4
♥	10 8 5
♦	8 6 5
♣	J 10 9 4

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

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

15 to 17
Alert, artificial DONT bid showing Diamonds and a higher-ranking suit
Alert, prefers either major to Diamonds
Alert, West's second suit is Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♥	E	−2	♣ J	100		10.95	0.05	11-Petersen-Cushman	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
5 ♦	W	−1	♣ K	50		9.32	1.68	6-Murdock-Oblinger	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦	W	−1	♣ K	50		9.32	1.68	12-Page-Lipp	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♦	E	2	♣ J		90	7.68	3.32	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♠	W	2	♣ K		110	6.59	4.41	7-Hall-Runda	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♠	W	3	♣ K		140	4.95	6.05	1-Wiest-Singerman	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♠	W	3	♣ K		140	4.95	6.05	8-Zimmer-Kammer	13-Newman-Schultz
2 ♠	W	4	♣ K		170	3.32	7.68	3-Rice-Kloecker	3-Williams-Cook
4 ♠	W	4	♦ A		420	2.23	8.77	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Hoffman-Roark
4 ♠	W	5	♣ K		450	1.14	9.86	9-Prosise-Prosise	2-Young-Thurnau
3 ♦×	W	4	♣ K		570	0.05	10.95	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Pretz-Tedrick

It's silly to think E/W will get to game--they're lucky to be in the auction at all. E/W lose one Spade trick and one Diamond, making five. North will lead the ♣ K. Declarer will win in dummy and immediately lead the ♠ 9 to North's ♠ K. North will probably continue with the ♣ Q, ruffed by declarer. The ♥ Q is taken in dummy with the ♥ A, and after finessing against South's ♠ Q and pulling the last trump, declarer will simply knock out the ♦ K and claim.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 7 5
♥	K J 10 6
♦	9
♣	A Q 9 8 4

♠	A K 8 6 4 3
♥	9
♦	A Q 8 7 4
♣	5

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 9
♥	A Q 8 3 2
♦	6 2
♣	J 6 3 2

♠	10 2
♥	7 5 4
♦	K J 10 5 3
♣	K 10 7

E 4N; EW 4♠; W 2N; EW 3♦; EW 1♥; E 1♣; Par −630

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

A bit of an overbid
Showing a doubleton Spade

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	W	−2	♥ J	200		10.95	0.05	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Pretz-Tedrick
2 ♠	W	3	♦ 9		140	9.86	1.14	12-Page-Lipp	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	W	4	♦ 9		170	8.77	2.23	6-Murdock-Oblinger	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	W	5	♦ 9		200	7.68	3.32	7-Hall-Runda	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	W	4	♣ A		620	6.05	4.95	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Hoffman-Roark
4 ♠	W	4	♦ 9		620	6.05	4.95	8-Zimmer-Kammer	13-Newman-Schultz
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 9		650	2.23	8.77	1-Wiest-Singerman	12-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 9		650	2.23	8.77	3-Rice-Kloecker	3-Williams-Cook
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 9		650	2.23	8.77	9-Prosise-Prosise	2-Young-Thurnau
					650	2.23	8.77	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 9		650	2.23	8.77	11-Petersen-Cushman	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

E/W lose one Club trick and two Diamonds, making four. North may lead their stiff ♦ 9. If declarer wins with the ♦ Q and takes the Heart hook in order to pitch their losing Club, they'll end up losing three Diamonds. That said, declarer should always take the Heart finesse, since they'll get extra pitches even if it loses to the ♥ K in the South hand.

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	J 8 6
♥	Q 9 8
♦	K Q 2
♣	J 8 7 4

♠	A K 2
♥	6 5 4 2
♦	A 5 4
♣	K Q 2

N
W		E
S

♠	7 5
♥	A K 7
♦	10 8 6
♣	A 10 9 6 5

♠	Q 10 9 4 3
♥	J 10 3
♦	J 9 7 3
♣	3

EW 4N; EW 4♥; EW 4♣; EW 2♦; Par −630

West	North	East	South
			Pass
1 NT1	Pass	3 ♣2	Pass
3 ♦3	Pass	3 NT4	Pass
Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, artificial bid asking if opener has a 5-card major
Alert, artificial response denying a 5-card major
No interest in checking to see if opener has a 4-card major

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	E	4	♣ 3		620	10.95	0.05	6-Murdock-Oblinger	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	W	4	♥ 8		630	7.14	3.86	1-Wiest-Singerman	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	W	4	♣ 4		630	7.14	3.86	7-Hall-Runda	10-Felson-Brown
3 NT	W	4	♣ 4		630	7.14	3.86	8-Zimmer-Kammer	12-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	W	4	♣ 4		630	7.14	3.86	9-Prosise-Prosise	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 NT	W	4	♣ 4		630	7.14	3.86	11-Petersen-Cushman	5-Temples-Koch
3 NT	W	4	♣ 4		630	7.14	3.86	12-Page-Lipp	7-Pretz-Tedrick
3 NT	W	5	♣ 4		660	1.68	9.32	2-Pollack-Pollack	13-Newman-Schultz
3 NT	W	5	♣ 4		660	1.68	9.32	3-Rice-Kloecker	2-Young-Thurnau
3 NT	W	5	♠ J		660	1.68	9.32	4-Lammers-Scovic	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
3 NT	W	5	♣ 4		660	1.68	9.32	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	3-Williams-Cook

E/W play that an immediate 3 ♣ bid over a 1 NT opener is Five-Card Stayman. This is preferable to playing it as Puppet Stayman in that it hides opener's shape when responder isn't interested in finding a four-card major.

E/W take two Spade tricks, two Hearts, one Diamond, and five Clubs, making four. Since declarer can't reasonably pick up ♣ Jxxx in the South hand, they should play the Club suit to protect against North holding ♣ J fourth. That means play the ♣ K and ♣ Q. When South shows out (their card on the second round of Clubs is not so much a Club), declarer will take the marked finesse against North.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	9 8 4 3
♥	9 8 4
♦	Q 9 3
♣	K 4 2

♠	10 7
♥	A Q 2
♦	A J 6
♣	Q 9 8 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q J 5 2
♥	K 10
♦	10 2
♣	J 10 7

♠	6
♥	J 7 6 5 3
♦	K 8 7 5 4
♣	A 5

EW 4N; EW 4♠; EW 4♣; Par −430

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	E	4	♠ 6		170	10.95	0.05	3-Rice-Kloecker	2-Young-Thurnau
4 ♠	E	4	♣ A		420	8.23	2.77	4-Lammers-Scovic	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
4 ♠	E	4	♣ A		420	8.23	2.77	7-Hall-Runda	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	E	4	♥ 7		420	8.23	2.77	8-Zimmer-Kammer	12-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	E	4	♣ A		420	8.23	2.77	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	3-Williams-Cook
3 NT	W	4	♠ 9		430	5.50	5.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	13-Newman-Schultz
4 ♠	E	5	♥ 6		450	2.23	8.77	1-Wiest-Singerman	11-Kehoe-Stanley
5 ♠	E	5	♥ 5		450	2.23	8.77	6-Murdock-Oblinger	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	E	5	♠ 6		450	2.23	8.77	9-Prosise-Prosise	1-Hoffman-Roark
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 4		450	2.23	8.77	11-Petersen-Cushman	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	E	5	♦ 5		450	2.23	8.77	12-Page-Lipp	7-Pretz-Tedrick

East has no reason to try and play the contract in Spades with (1) running Spades, (2) a partner that bid 1 NT, and (3) at least one honor (don't forget that the Ten is an honor!) in the other suits. If East imagines playing in 4 ♠, where is their 11th trick going to come from? Why 11? Well, if there are 10 tricks in a Spade contract, there are 10 tricks in notrump. Four notrump pays +430, while four Spades pays only +420. To come out ahead, E/W would need to take an extra (i.e. 11th) trick in Spades. This is why we took arithmetic in grade school.

E/W take three Heart tricks, six Spades, and one Club, making four. North needs to lead a red suit to hold E/W to ten tricks. If they lead a Club to South's ♣ A, and South accidentally returns a Club at trick two, E/W will make five. If North leads a "safe" Spade, declarer will win and play a Club. If South doesn't switch to a Diamond when in with the ♣ A, E/W again make five.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A Q 8 5 4
♥	A 8 4 3
♦	Q 9 8
♣	7

♠	K
♥	K Q
♦	J 4 3 2
♣	A Q 10 9 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	J 10 3 2
♥	J 10 5 2
♦	10 7
♣	J 5 3

♠	9 7 6
♥	9 7 6
♦	A K 6 5
♣	K 8 6

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

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

Forcing

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	N	3	♣ 3	140		10.41	0.59	1-Wiest-Singerman	10-Felson-Brown
2 ♠	N	3	♣ J	140		10.41	0.59	11-Petersen-Cushman	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♠	N	2	♦ 10	110		8.77	2.23	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	2-Young-Thurnau
4 ♠	N	−1	♦ 10		50	6.59	4.41	3-Rice-Kloecker	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 ♠	N	−1	♦ 7		50	6.59	4.41	7-Hall-Runda	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♠	N	−1	♣ 3		50	6.59	4.41	9-Prosise-Prosise	13-Newman-Schultz
3 ♠	N	−2	♣ J		100	3.32	7.68	4-Lammers-Scovic	3-Williams-Cook
4 ♠	N	−2	♣ 2		100	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♠	N	−2	♣ J		100	3.32	7.68	8-Zimmer-Kammer	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	N	−3	♣ 3		150	1.14	9.86	2-Pollack-Pollack	12-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♣×	W	3	♦ Q		670	0.05	10.95	12-Page-Lipp	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

The value of South's hand tumbles when West musters a 2 ♣ overcall, so they go low (they were planning on rebidding 3 ♠). N/S lose two Spade tricks, two Hearts, and one Club, making two. East will lead the ♣ 3 (low from an honor), and West will switch to the ♥ K at trick two. When the Spades misbehave, declarer will be glad they weren't in game (or three even).

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 5 3 2
♥	9
♦	Q J 10 9 8
♣	K J 9

♠	A J 4
♥	7 3
♦	A K
♣	Q 10 7 6 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 9 7 6
♥	K J 8 5 4
♦	7 2
♣	5 2

♠	K 10
♥	A Q 10 6 2
♦	6 5 4 3
♣	A 8

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

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

Do something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♣	W	−2	♥ 9	200		10.95	0.05	3-Rice-Kloecker	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 ♦	N	3	♣ 5	110		9.86	1.14	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	2-Young-Thurnau
2 ♣	W	−1	♥ 9	100		8.23	2.77	1-Wiest-Singerman	10-Felson-Brown
2 ♣	W	−1	♥ 9	100		8.23	2.77	8-Zimmer-Kammer	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♦	S	2	♣ 6	90		6.59	4.41	11-Petersen-Cushman	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♣	W	2	♥ 9		90	3.86	7.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♣	W	2	♥ 9		90	3.86	7.14	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Temples-Koch
2 ♣	W	2	♥ 9		90	3.86	7.14	7-Hall-Runda	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♣	W	2	♥ 9		90	3.86	7.14	9-Prosise-Prosise	13-Newman-Schultz
2 ♥	S	−1	♦ A		100	0.59	10.41	4-Lammers-Scovic	3-Williams-Cook
3 NT	S	−1	♣ 3		100	0.59	10.41	12-Page-Lipp	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

North should ignore their anemic Spade suit when South reopens with a double to bid their more robust Diamond suit. Besides, if South is allergic to Diamonds and has a few Spades, they can bid 2 ♠ themselves.

N/S lose two Diamond tricks and two Spades, making three if East finds a Spade lead. That's unlikely, since West bid Clubs. East will lead the ♣ 5, declarer will win in hand as cheaply as possible, and lead a trump. West will win and return a Club in case partner had a singleton, but declarer will win in dummy and play a second Diamond. When Diamonds break, declarer will be able to pitch one of dummy's Spades on the third Club, finesse against East's ♥ K, ruff two of their Spades and pitch their last on the ♥ A, making four.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	8 6
♥	A 2
♦	J 9 8 6 5
♣	Q J 8 7

♠	A 10 4
♥	Q 8 6 3
♦	K Q 10 4
♣	K 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 5
♥	J 10 9 7
♦	A 7
♣	9 6 3 2

♠	J 9 7 3 2
♥	K 5 4
♦	3 2
♣	A 10 4

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

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

Alert, artificial Wold 2 NT bid asking for more information about partner's raise
Alert, artificial Wold 2 NT response showing four Hearts and a maximum hand

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	E	2	♠ 3		120	10.95	0.05	4-Lammers-Scovic	2-Young-Thurnau
2 ♥	E	3	♠ 9		140	9.32	1.68	1-Wiest-Singerman	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♥	E	3	♠ 3		140	9.32	1.68	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♥	E	4	♦ 3		170	5.50	5.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♥	E	4	♦ 3		170	5.50	5.50	3-Rice-Kloecker	13-Newman-Schultz
3 ♥	W	4	♣ Q		170	5.50	5.50	9-Prosise-Prosise	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥	E	4	♦ 3		170	5.50	5.50	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	1-Hoffman-Roark
2 ♥	E	4	♠ 7		170	5.50	5.50	11-Petersen-Cushman	3-Williams-Cook
4 ♥	E	4	♠ 3		420	1.14	9.86	6-Murdock-Oblinger	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	E	4	♠ 7		420	1.14	9.86	8-Zimmer-Kammer	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	E	4	♦ 2		420	1.14	9.86	12-Page-Lipp	5-Temples-Koch

E/W lose two Heart tricks and one Club, making four. South may lead the ♦ 3.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q 10 2
♥	A J 6 4 3
♦	K 2
♣	Q 8 7

♠	—
♥	10 9 8 7 5
♦	A J 9 7 3
♣	A 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	9 8 4
♥	Q
♦	6 5 4
♣	K J 10 6 4 2

♠	A K J 7 6 5 3
♥	K 2
♦	Q 10 8
♣	9

NS 5♠; EW 4♣; EW 3♦; NS 1♥; Par +300: EW 6♣×−2

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♥	3 ♣1	3 ♠2
5 ♣	Pass	Pass	Dbl3
Pass	5 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

Weak jump overcall
Showing 5+ Spades and 10+ HCP
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	6	♥ 10	680		10.41	0.59	1-Wiest-Singerman	9-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♠	S	6	♦ A	680		10.41	0.59	3-Rice-Kloecker	13-Newman-Schultz
4 ♠	S	5	♣ A	650		7.14	3.86	2-Pollack-Pollack	11-Kehoe-Stanley
5 ♠	S	5	♣ A	650		7.14	3.86	9-Prosise-Prosise	12-Jervis-Lindeman
5 ♠	S	5	♣ A	650		7.14	3.86	11-Petersen-Cushman	3-Williams-Cook
4 ♠	S	5	♦ A	650		7.14	3.86	12-Page-Lipp	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	S	4	♥ 7	620		3.86	7.14	4-Lammers-Scovic	2-Young-Thurnau
4 ♠	S	4	♥ 10	620		3.86	7.14	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	1-Hoffman-Roark
5 ♣	E	−3	♥ A	150		2.23	8.77	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
5 ♠	S	−1	♣ A		100	1.14	9.86	8-Zimmer-Kammer	10-Felson-Brown
6 ♠×	S	−1	♣ A		200	0.05	10.95	6-Murdock-Oblinger	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

North doesn't quite have the hand to take a bid over 5 ♣, but is more than happy to show their third Spade when South doubles. Important: N/S are in a forcing auction after South's 3 ♠ response. That means that N/S will either end up playing the hand (as they do here) or double E/W in their final contract. North can therefore pass 5 ♣ knowing that their partner won't pass as well.

N/S lose one Club trick and one Diamond, making five. West will lead the ♣ A and probably cash out at trick two.

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 3
♥	7 6 2
♦	A J 9 6 3
♣	7 4 3

♠	Q 2
♥	K 5 4 3
♦	10 7 4
♣	A K 9 6

N
W		E
S

♠	K 9 8 7 6 4
♥	A Q 9
♦	K Q
♣	Q 10

♠	A J 5
♥	J 10 8
♦	8 5 2
♣	J 8 5 2

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−1	♦ 8	100		10.95	0.05	1-Wiest-Singerman	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	W	3	♦ 6		600	9.86	1.14	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	13-Newman-Schultz
4 ♠	E	4	♥ J		620	6.05	4.95	3-Rice-Kloecker	12-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	E	4	♥ J		620	6.05	4.95	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Williams-Cook
4 ♠	E	4	♥ J		620	6.05	4.95	6-Murdock-Oblinger	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	E	4	♥ J		620	6.05	4.95	9-Prosise-Prosise	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	E	4	♥ J		620	6.05	4.95	11-Petersen-Cushman	2-Young-Thurnau
4 ♠	E	4	♦ 5		620	6.05	4.95	12-Page-Lipp	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
3 NT	E	4	♥ J		630	2.23	8.77	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	E	5	♥ J		650	0.59	10.41	4-Lammers-Scovic	1-Hoffman-Roark
5 ♠	E	5	♥ J		650	0.59	10.41	7-Hall-Runda	7-Pretz-Tedrick

E/W lose two Spade tricks and one Diamond, making four. North may lead the ♥ 6 (MUD), although a trump isn't horrible.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	K 10
♥	K Q 7
♦	K Q 5 3
♣	A J 9 5

♠	A Q J 9 8
♥	A 9 2
♦	9 8 7 2
♣	8

N
W		E
S

♠	7 5 3
♥	8 6 5 3
♦	10 6
♣	Q 6 4 2

♠	6 4 2
♥	J 10 4
♦	A J 4
♣	K 10 7 3

NS 3N; NS 5♣; NS 3♥; NS 4♦; NS 2♠; Par +400

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

Light 3rd-seat opener
All strong hands start with a double
Alert, artificial BROMAD bid showing 0-6 HCP and exactly three Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣	S	5	♦ 8	400		10.95	0.05	7-Hall-Runda	7-Pretz-Tedrick
3 ♣	S	5	♣ 8	150		9.86	1.14	9-Prosise-Prosise	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♣	S	4	♠ A	130		8.77	2.23	1-Wiest-Singerman	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	N	2	♠ 5	120		7.68	3.32	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Felson-Brown
2 ♣	S	3	♦ 8	110		5.50	5.50	4-Lammers-Scovic	1-Hoffman-Roark
2 ♣	S	3	♦ 9	110		5.50	5.50	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Williams-Cook
2 ♣	S	3	♠ A	110		5.50	5.50	11-Petersen-Cushman	2-Young-Thurnau
2 ♠	W	−1	♥ K	50		3.32	7.68	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	13-Newman-Schultz
4 ♣	S	−1	♦ 9		50	1.68	9.32	3-Rice-Kloecker	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♦	N	−1	♠ 3		50	1.68	9.32	12-Page-Lipp	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
5 ♣	S	−2	♥ A		100	0.05	10.95	6-Murdock-Oblinger	5-Temples-Koch

When South is able to make a free bid of 3 ♣ over East's weak raise, North is emboldened enough to bid the notrump game. They're hoping that their partner holds something like ♠ J42. That doesn't pan out, but luckily N/S have nine tricks (almost) off the top. N/S take one Spade trick, four Diamonds, and four Clubs, making three. On the four rounds of Diamonds, declarer will (should) notice that West has four of them. When combined with the five Spades they hold, declarer should play East for longer Clubs by cashing the ♣ A and leading to the ♣T. East will lead the ♠ 7 (top of nothing in a supported suit).

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 5 4
♥	Q 9 7 4 3
♦	—
♣	J 6 5 4 3

♠	Q J 9 3
♥	A J
♦	A 8 5 4 2
♣	10 9

N
W		E
S

♠	8 6
♥	K 6 2
♦	K Q 7 6
♣	A Q 7 2

♠	K 10 7 2
♥	10 8 5
♦	J 10 9 3
♣	K 8

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
1 ♦	Pass1	2 ♦2	Pass
2 NT3	Pass	3 NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

Not quite a vulnerable 2 NT overcall
Alert, natural and game forcing
Alert, showing stoppers in both majors for notrump

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♦	W	−2	♥ 4	100		10.41	0.59	8-Zimmer-Kammer	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	E	−2	♥ 5	100		10.41	0.59	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	12-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	E	−1	♥ 5	50		8.23	2.77	6-Murdock-Oblinger	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
5 ♦	W	−1	♥ 4	50		8.23	2.77	7-Hall-Runda	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♣	E	2	♦ J		90	6.59	4.41	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Young-Thurnau
3 NT	E	3	♠ 2		400	3.32	7.68	1-Wiest-Singerman	7-Pretz-Tedrick
3 NT	W	3	♥ 7		400	3.32	7.68	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	E	3	♦ J		400	3.32	7.68	3-Rice-Kloecker	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	E	3	♦ 9		400	3.32	7.68	4-Lammers-Scovic	13-Newman-Schultz
3 NT	E	3	♠ 2		400	3.32	7.68	11-Petersen-Cushman	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 NT	E	4	♥ 5		430	0.05	10.95	12-Page-Lipp	3-Williams-Cook

E/W take four Diamond tricks, two Hearts, two Clubs, and one Spade, making three. If North leads a small Heart, E/W will make four. Yup....North is gonna lead a Heart.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A Q 4
♥	A J 10
♦	K J 8 7 6 2
♣	10

♠	J 3
♥	Q 9 8 5 2
♦	Q 5
♣	K Q 6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 8 7 5
♥	7 3
♦	A 9
♣	J 7 5 3

♠	9 6 2
♥	K 6 4
♦	10 4 3
♣	A 9 8 4

NS 4N; NS 4♦; N 1♠; NS 1♥; EW 1♣; Par +430

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	5	♠ 8	150		9.86	1.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦	N	5	♥ 3	150		9.86	1.14	7-Hall-Runda	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦	N	5	♠ 8	150		9.86	1.14	8-Zimmer-Kammer	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♦	N	4	♥ 7	130		4.95	6.05	1-Wiest-Singerman	7-Pretz-Tedrick
3 ♦	N	4	♠ K	130		4.95	6.05	3-Rice-Kloecker	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♦	N	4	♥ 7	130		4.95	6.05	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Young-Thurnau
3 ♦	N	4	♥ 3	130		4.95	6.05	6-Murdock-Oblinger	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♦	N	4	♠ 7	130		4.95	6.05	11-Petersen-Cushman	1-Hoffman-Roark
2 ♦	N	4	♥ 7	130		4.95	6.05	12-Page-Lipp	3-Williams-Cook
3 ♦	N	3	♥ 7	110		0.59	10.41	4-Lammers-Scovic	13-Newman-Schultz
2 ♦	N	3	♠ 5	110		0.59	10.41	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	12-Jervis-Lindeman

North should probably pass 2 ♦, but what the heck. N/S take five Diamond tricks, three Hearts, one Club, and one Spade, making four. If East leads a Spade, N/S will make five (see Board #15). Yup....it's gonna happen again.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	A
♥	A 6 5 2
♦	9 8 6 4 2
♣	9 3 2

♠	K J 9 8 5 4
♥	J 10
♦	Q 10 7
♣	A 7

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 6
♥	K Q 7 4 3
♦	5
♣	10 8 6 5

♠	7 3 2
♥	9 8
♦	A K J 3
♣	K Q J 4

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

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

Negative

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♦	S	4	♥ J	130		9.86	1.14	1-Wiest-Singerman	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♦	S	4	♣ A	130		9.86	1.14	4-Lammers-Scovic	12-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♦	S	4	♠ 8	130		9.86	1.14	8-Zimmer-Kammer	7-Pretz-Tedrick
3 ♠	W	−1	♦ 6	50		7.68	3.32	9-Prosise-Prosise	9-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♦	S	−1	♣ A		50	6.59	4.41	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-McCarthy-Diers
5 ♦×	S	−1	♠ 5		100	4.95	6.05	11-Petersen-Cushman	13-Newman-Schultz
2 NT	S	−2	♥ 4		100	4.95	6.05	12-Page-Lipp	2-Young-Thurnau
2 ♠	W	2	♣ 2		110	3.32	7.68	3-Rice-Kloecker	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	W	3	♦ 4		140	1.14	9.86	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 ♠	W	3	♦ 2		140	1.14	9.86	6-Murdock-Oblinger	3-Williams-Cook
2 ♠	W	3	♦ 9		140	1.14	9.86	7-Hall-Runda	5-Temples-Koch

North's hand gets better on the auction, since South is known to have 4+ Diamonds (they don't have four Hearts, so therefore they have four or more Diamonds), and they probably don't have any wasted values in Spades, since E/W are bidding Spades like there's no tomorrow.

N/S lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. West may lead the ♥ J.

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K 4 2
♥	Q J 4
♦	K Q 10 7 2
♣	J 4

♠	A J 9 3
♥	K 10 8 7 5
♦	5 4 3
♣	8

N
W		E
S

♠	10
♥	9 6
♦	A 8
♣	Q 10 9 7 6 5 3 2

♠	Q 8 7 6 5
♥	A 3 2
♦	J 9 6
♣	A K

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

West	North	East	South
		4 ♣1	4 ♠
Dbl2	Pass	Pass	Pass

Preemptive
For penalty

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	4	♣ 8	630		10.95	0.05	3-Rice-Kloecker	10-Felson-Brown
3 NT	S	3	♣ 8	600		9.86	1.14	12-Page-Lipp	2-Young-Thurnau
3 ♦	N	−1	♠ 10		100	8.23	2.77	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♠	S	−1	♥ 5		100	8.23	2.77	6-Murdock-Oblinger	3-Williams-Cook
3 ♣	E	3	♠ 6		110	6.05	4.95	1-Wiest-Singerman	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 ♣	E	3	♠ 8		110	6.05	4.95	8-Zimmer-Kammer	7-Pretz-Tedrick
4 ♦	N	−2	♠ 10		200	2.23	8.77	4-Lammers-Scovic	12-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	S	−2	♣ 8		200	2.23	8.77	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Hoffman-Roark
4 ♠	S	−2	♣ 8		200	2.23	8.77	7-Hall-Runda	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♠	S	−2	♣ 8		200	2.23	8.77	9-Prosise-Prosise	9-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠×	S	−1	♣ 8		200	2.23	8.77	11-Petersen-Cushman	13-Newman-Schultz

When your partner preempts, your doubles (as responder) are for penalty. Poor South. N/S lose one Diamond trick, one Heart, and two Spades, down one doubled for –200. It could have been much worse, since North didn't rate to have nearly as nice a hand.

West will probably lead the ♣ 8, although it's not wise. They have natural trump tricks, and a ruff is the last thing they want. That said, their partner did open 4 ♣. The proper way to play the Spades for two losers is to start with the ♠ Q (smothering the ♠T). West can win with the ♠ A, but when declarer is back in they can lead any Spade and squish either the ♠ J or ♠ 9 with the ♠ K. West's other high Spade will be a trick, but that's only two.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q J
♥	5
♦	A J 9 7 3
♣	K Q J 6 2

♠	A 10 7 6
♥	10
♦	K 8 2
♣	A 10 5 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	9 8 2
♥	A Q 9 3
♦	Q 10 4
♣	9 8 7

♠	K 5 4 3
♥	K J 8 7 6 4 2
♦	6 5
♣	—

NS 2♥; E 1♠; NS 1♦; EW 1♣; Par +110

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

Alert, Sandwich NT bid showing a hand with five Clubs and four Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	E	−5	♥ 8	500		10.95	0.05	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	10-Felson-Brown
3 NT	E	−4	♠ 3	400		9.86	1.14	4-Lammers-Scovic	11-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♠	E	−3	♦ 6	300		8.77	2.23	7-Hall-Runda	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♣	W	−2	♠ Q	200		7.68	3.32	5-Lin-Hubka	13-Newman-Schultz
3 ♥	S	4	♣ A	170		6.59	4.41	1-Wiest-Singerman	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♥	S	−1	♥ 10		50	4.95	6.05	6-Murdock-Oblinger	2-Young-Thurnau
3 ♥	S	−1	♦ 2		50	4.95	6.05	8-Zimmer-Kammer	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
4 ♥	S	−2	♠ 6		100	2.23	8.77	3-Rice-Kloecker	9-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♥	S	−2	♠ A		100	2.23	8.77	9-Prosise-Prosise	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	S	−2	♠ A		100	2.23	8.77	12-Page-Lipp	1-Hoffman-Roark
4 ♥	S	−3	♦ 2		150	0.05	10.95	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Pretz-Tedrick

West doesn't have quite enough to open vulnerable, but they get themselves back in the auction after N/S bid the red suits. E/W have the agreement that a Sandwich NT overcall, when the overcaller is a passed hand, shows five cards in the lower-ranking unbid suit and exactly four in the higher-ranking unbid suit. North will be furious that South didn't give them a chance to double 2 ♣ for penalties, but it's hard to fault South for rebidding their Hearts staring at seven of the suckers.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Diamond, and three Hearts, making two. If West leads the ♣ A, N/S will make three when declarer is able to pitch their slow Diamond loser on a high Club.

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A Q 9 5
♥	Q 7 5 3 2
♦	Q 10 6 2
♣	—

♠	10 4
♥	K
♦	K J 8 7 5 4
♣	A 10 7 6

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 8 7 6
♥	A 9 4
♦	A 9
♣	9 3 2

♠	3 2
♥	J 10 8 6
♦	3
♣	K Q J 8 5 4

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

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

Showing 5+ Spades
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠×	E	−1	♦ 3	200		10.41	0.59	6-Murdock-Oblinger	2-Young-Thurnau
3 ♠×	E	−1	♦ 3	200		10.41	0.59	9-Prosise-Prosise	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 ♠	E	−1	♥ J	100		8.77	2.23	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Pretz-Tedrick
2 ♦	W	2	♥ 2		90	6.59	4.41	4-Lammers-Scovic	11-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	W	1	♥ 3		90	6.59	4.41	5-Lin-Hubka	13-Newman-Schultz
1 NT	W	1	♥ 3		90	6.59	4.41	8-Zimmer-Kammer	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♦	W	3	♥ 2		110	3.32	7.68	1-Wiest-Singerman	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	W	3	♥ 3		110	3.32	7.68	3-Rice-Kloecker	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♦	W	3	♦ 2		110	3.32	7.68	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♥×	N	−1	♦ A		200	1.14	9.86	7-Hall-Runda	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
4 ♥	S	−4	♠ 10		400	0.05	10.95	12-Page-Lipp	1-Hoffman-Roark

South sneaks in a lead-directing Club bid over East's double. E/W lose one Spade trick, one Club, and two Diamonds, making three. It's possible for E/W to make four, but that would entail declarer leading a small Diamond to dummy's ♦ 9 on the first round of trumps--unlikely.

It's pretty much impossible for North to get to their partner's hand. If North leads a small Heart, declarer will win in their hand with the ♥ K and play the ♠T immediately towards dummy. North will hop with the ♠ A and play a second Spade. Declarer should insert dummy's ♠ J, and when it holds, their best (sane) line is the ♦ 9 to the ♦ K and a Diamond back to the ♦ A. South shows out, but two of declarer's Clubs can be thrown away on the ♠ K and ♥ A.

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	9 5
♥	K 8 6 4
♦	Q 9 7 5
♣	J 10 4

♠	Q 8 6 4
♥	3
♦	A J 10 6 3
♣	Q 9 6

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 3
♥	A Q 10 9 2
♦	8
♣	K 8 5 2

♠	A 10 7 2
♥	J 7 5
♦	K 4 2
♣	A 7 3

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

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

Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−1	♠ 2	50		10.95	0.05	3-Rice-Kloecker	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♣	E	2	♠ 2		90	9.32	1.68	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 NT	W	1	♦ 5		90	9.32	1.68	6-Murdock-Oblinger	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 ♣	E	3	♦ 2		110	7.14	3.86	1-Wiest-Singerman	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♠	W	2	♦ 5		110	7.14	3.86	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 NT	W	2	♠ 9		120	4.95	6.05	8-Zimmer-Kammer	5-Temples-Koch
2 NT	W	2	♦ 5		120	4.95	6.05	9-Prosise-Prosise	7-Pretz-Tedrick
2 ♣	E	4	♦ 2		130	3.32	7.68	11-Petersen-Cushman	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 NT	E	3	♦ 5		150	1.68	9.32	4-Lammers-Scovic	10-Felson-Brown
2 NT	W	3	♠ 5		150	1.68	9.32	5-Lin-Hubka	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♦	N	−4	♣ 2		400	0.05	10.95	7-Hall-Runda	3-Williams-Cook

West can't bid 2 ♦ at their second turn, since that would be Fourth-Suit Forcing (artificial and forcing to game). They're a point or two shy for a 2 NT bid, but nothing looks any better. E/W take two Spade tricks, two Hearts, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, making two. North may lead the ♦ 5, although nothing looks appetizing.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 10
♥	9 8 3
♦	A K 8 6
♣	A J 7 4

♠	9 8 2
♥	10 6
♦	Q J 10 3
♣	K 10 8 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K 7 6 4
♥	K 5
♦	9 7 5 4 2
♣	3 2

♠	A Q 5 3
♥	A Q J 7 4 2
♦	—
♣	Q 9 6

NS 7N; NS 7♥; NS 6♠; NS 6♣; NS 3♦; Par +1520

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♥	S	6	♣ 5	980		10.95	0.05	9-Prosise-Prosise	7-Pretz-Tedrick
5 ♥	S	7	♥ 6	510		7.68	3.32	4-Lammers-Scovic	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	S	7	♦ Q	510		7.68	3.32	5-Lin-Hubka	12-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥	S	7	♦ Q	510		7.68	3.32	6-Murdock-Oblinger	1-Hoffman-Roark
4 ♥	S	7	♠ 2	510		7.68	3.32	8-Zimmer-Kammer	5-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	S	7	♥ 10	510		7.68	3.32	11-Petersen-Cushman	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	N	6	♦ Q	480		2.77	8.23	1-Wiest-Singerman	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
4 ♥	S	6	♦ 10	480		2.77	8.23	3-Rice-Kloecker	8-McCarthy-Diers
4 ♥	S	6	♦ Q	480		2.77	8.23	7-Hall-Runda	3-Williams-Cook
4 ♥	S	6	♦ Q	480		2.77	8.23	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	N	5	♦ 4	460		0.05	10.95	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes

While this hand makes 7 ♥, it requires both the ♥ K and ♠ K to be onside. 6 ♥ would be good contract, but it's hard to fault N/S for not being there on the auction. West will lead the ♦ Q, declarer will win with the ♦ K (pitching a Club), and finesse against East's ♥ K. When the ♥ J wins, declarer will lead a Club to the ♣ J. When the ♣ J wins, declarer will lead another Heart to the ♥ A as trumps split 2-2. A Club to the ♣ A, the ♦ A (pitching a Spade), and the ♠ J are next, and when the ♠ K is in the slot, declarer can claim 13 tricks. Nicely played! E/W should claim that they would have bid the grand.....heh.

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	6 5 2
♥	Q 7 6 4
♦	A Q 10 4
♣	9 7

♠	10 4 3
♥	10
♦	K J 9 6 5
♣	A K 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A K J
♥	A 9 8 5 3 2
♦	8 7 3
♣	10

♠	Q 9 8 7
♥	K J
♦	2
♣	Q J 8 6 3 2

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

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

Rule of 20 opener
Alert, artificial Fourth-Suit bid forcing to game
Denying a third Heart, a fourth Spade, and a Spade stopper for notrump
Showing a sixth Heart
Gulp

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	W	−3	♣ 9	300		11.00	0.00	11-Petersen-Cushman	10-Felson-Brown
3 NT	E	−2	♠ 7	200		10.00	1.00	8-Zimmer-Kammer	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
3 ♦	W	−1	♣ 9	100		7.50	3.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	5-Temples-Koch
3 ♥	E	−1	♦ 2	100		7.50	3.50	4-Lammers-Scovic	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♥	E	−1	♦ 3	100		7.50	3.50	9-Prosise-Prosise	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NT	E	−1	♣ 2	100		7.50	3.50	12-Page-Lipp	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥	E	2	♣ Q		110	4.50	6.50	6-Murdock-Oblinger	13-Newman-Schultz
2 ♥	E	2	♦ 2		110	4.50	6.50	7-Hall-Runda	2-Young-Thurnau
3 ♦	W	4	♠ 5		130	3.00	8.00	1-Wiest-Singerman	3-Williams-Cook
2 ♥	E	3	♠ 7		140	1.50	9.50	3-Rice-Kloecker	7-Pretz-Tedrick
3 ♥	E	3	♦ 2		140	1.50	9.50	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♣×	S	−2	♥ 10		500	0.00	11.00	5-Lin-Hubka	11-Kehoe-Stanley

The moment West decided to open this hand, E/W were in trouble. That said, most players will happily open that hand--11 HCP, good spot cards, a bid and a comfortable rebid. Unfortunately, this time it means down two for –200. Ouch. North may lead the ♠ 6 or the ♣ 9--don't lead from gappy four-card suits against 3 NT unless absolutely necessary.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	K J 3
♥	10 5
♦	K Q 9 7
♣	J 10 8 6

♠	8 7 5
♥	J 6 4 2
♦	4 3
♣	A 7 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 2
♥	9 8 7
♦	A J 6 2
♣	K 9 5 4

♠	A 10 9 6 4
♥	A K Q 3
♦	10 8 5
♣	Q

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

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

Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a limit raise and 3+ Spades
Alert, artificial Drury bid asking for more information about responder's hand
Alert, artificial Drury bid showing exactly three Spades and no singleton or void

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	5	♥ 2	450		10.00	1.00	3-Rice-Kloecker	7-Pretz-Tedrick
4 ♠	S	5	♥ 2	450		10.00	1.00	5-Lin-Hubka	11-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	S	5	♥ 2	450		10.00	1.00	12-Page-Lipp	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♠	S	5	♦ 4	200		8.00	3.00	9-Prosise-Prosise	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
2 ♠	S	4	♠ 7	170		5.00	6.00	1-Wiest-Singerman	3-Williams-Cook
2 ♠	S	4	♦ 4	170		5.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	5-Temples-Koch
2 ♠	S	4	♦ 4	170		5.00	6.00	8-Zimmer-Kammer	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♠	S	4	♣ A	170		5.00	6.00	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 ♠	S	4	♦ 4	170		5.00	6.00	11-Petersen-Cushman	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	S	3	♦ 4	140		2.00	9.00	4-Lammers-Scovic	9-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	S	−1	♦ 4		50	0.50	10.50	6-Murdock-Oblinger	13-Newman-Schultz
4 ♠	S	−1	♠ 5		50	0.50	10.50	7-Hall-Runda	2-Young-Thurnau

South knows they're going to be in game once North shows a limit raise, but imagine how well their hand would play if partner had four Spades and a singleton Diamond? Once North denies that hand, South signs off in game.

N/S lose two Diamond tricks and one Club, making four as long as declarer guesses trumps correctly. Expect a lot of –50 scores. West may lead the ♦ 4.

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A K J 10
♥	A 2
♦	K 6 3 2
♣	A 7 6

♠	Q 7 4
♥	9 8 6 3
♦	9 8
♣	K Q 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	6 5 2
♥	K 10 4
♦	A J 7 5
♣	J 10 4

♠	9 8 3
♥	Q J 7 5
♦	Q 10 4
♣	9 8 3

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

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

South decides their spot cards are worth one point

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	♣ J	400		10.41	0.59	7-Hall-Runda	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 NT	N	3	♦ 5	400		10.41	0.59	11-Petersen-Cushman	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 NT	N	3	♦ 5	150		7.68	3.32	6-Murdock-Oblinger	12-Jervis-Lindeman
2 NT	N	3	♦ 5	150		7.68	3.32	9-Prosise-Prosise	5-Temples-Koch
2 NT	N	3	♣ J	150		7.68	3.32	12-Page-Lipp	11-Kehoe-Stanley
1 ♦	N	4	♥ 10	130		5.50	5.50	4-Lammers-Scovic	8-McCarthy-Diers
2 NT	N	2	♦ 5	120		3.86	7.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 NT	N	2	♠ 6	120		3.86	7.14	8-Zimmer-Kammer	3-Williams-Cook
1 ♣	N	1	♣ J	70		1.68	9.32	3-Rice-Kloecker	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
1 ♦	N	1	♠ 5	70		1.68	9.32	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Felson-Brown
3 NT	N	−2	♦ 5		100	0.05	10.95	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	7-Pretz-Tedrick

N/S take four Spade tricks, three Hearts, two Diamonds, and one Club, making three. The proper way to play the Hearts (missing the ♥T) is ♥ A and then small towards the ♥ QJ. East should lead the ♣ J.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	K J 3 2
♥	4 2
♦	Q 6 4
♣	A Q 10 3

♠	A 8 7
♥	K Q 5
♦	10 5 2
♣	K J 8 4

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 5 4
♥	A 9 6 3
♦	A K 3
♣	9 6 5

♠	10 9 6
♥	J 10 8 7
♦	J 9 8 7
♣	7 2

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

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

Open 1 ♣ when you're 3-3 in the minors

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣×	E	−2	♥ J	500		10.95	0.05	4-Lammers-Scovic	8-McCarthy-Diers
3 NT	W	−2	♠ 2	200		9.32	1.68	7-Hall-Runda	1-Hoffman-Roark
3 NT	W	−2	♠ 2	200		9.32	1.68	12-Page-Lipp	11-Kehoe-Stanley
2 NT	W	−1	♠ 3	100		3.86	7.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	4-Terbrueggen-Grim
2 ♣	E	−1	♥ J	100		3.86	7.14	3-Rice-Kloecker	6-Kereiakes-Kereiakes
3 NT	W	−1	♠ 2	100		3.86	7.14	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Felson-Brown
2 ♣	W	−1	♥ 4	100		3.86	7.14	6-Murdock-Oblinger	12-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	W	−1	♠ 2	100		3.86	7.14	8-Zimmer-Kammer	3-Williams-Cook
1 NT	W	−1	♠ 2	100		3.86	7.14	9-Prosise-Prosise	5-Temples-Koch
3 NT	W	−1	♠ 2	100		3.86	7.14	10-Kanterman-Jacobson	7-Pretz-Tedrick
3 NT	W	−1	♠ 2	100		3.86	7.14	11-Petersen-Cushman	9-Endres-Kennedy

E/W take two Diamond tricks, three Hearts, and two Spades, down two for –200. If North leads a Club, E/W will be down only one.

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

West's hand isn't really worth a second bid against a quiet partner, but East is allowed to have some values on the auction. It's difficult to take a bid with the East hand after North's 2 ♣ overcall if they (1) don't have four or more Spades, (2) don't have three Hearts, or (3) don't have five or more Diamonds and 10 or more points. What would you bid as East holding ♠ K83 ♥ 64 ♦ AJ54 ♣T954? 2 ♥ makes easily opposite that.

E/W lose two Heart tricks, two Spades, and two Clubs, down one as long as North doesn't lead the ♣ K. They shouldn't on the auction, since West is far more likely to hold the ♣ A than South.

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♠1	Pass	2 NT2
Pass	3 ♥3	Pass	4 NT4
Pass	5 ♥5	Pass	5 NT6
Pass	6 ♦7	Pass	7 ♠
Pass	Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 opener
Alert, artificial Jacoby 2 NT bid showing 4+ Spades and an opening hand or better
Singleton Heart
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards w/o the ♠ Q
Confirmation of all the keycards and asking for specific Kings
I have the ♦ K but not the ♣ K

The auction is easy in that South can count 13 tricks as long as they can ruff one Heart and one Diamond in partner's hand. They can.

East will lead the ♥ J, declarer will win with the ♥ A, pull trump in three rounds ending in dummy, play off the ♥ K and ♥ Q (throwing Clubs), ruff a Heart, return to dummy with the ♣ A, play a winning Heart (throwing another Club), play the ♦ 7 to the ♦ K, the ♦ 3 back to the ♦ A, and ruff the ♦ 8 with the ♠ 9, and claim. Nicely done!

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

When you discover you have a misfit, don't try and run away from partner's suit. As you can see here, that often turns out to be the only good place to play. E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and one Club, making three. If North leads the ♠ A and continues Spades, E/W will make five with only one trump loser and no Heart losers (declarer's losing Heart goes away on dummy's long Diamond). Oops.

West	North	East	South
		2 ♠	Pass
4 ♠	4 NT1	Pass	5 ♣
Pass	Pass	Pass

Pick a minor

North isn't trying to play in 4 NT on this auction--they simply want their partner to choose a suit (most likely a minor). If North bids 5 ♦ over South's 5 ♣ bid, South will correct to 5 ♥.

N/S lose one Club trick, making six. West will lead the ♠ 4. Declarer will ruff in dummy, cash the ♦ A, ruff a Diamond low, cash the ♣ A (noting the fall of the ♣ K), and lead a second Club towards dummy. West should grab the ♣ Q and play another Spade, but declarer can ruff again in dummy and cash the ♦ K. When Diamonds split 3-3, it's a simple matter to pull the last trump, and claim. If West had ruffed the ♦ A, then there would still be enough time to ruff another Diamond with declarer's last trump, return to dummy with a Spade ruff, and claim 11 tricks.

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

E/W take four Heart tricks, four Diamonds, and one Spade, making three. North may lead the ♠ 7, since East showed exactly four Spades (i.e., they didn't make an XYZ bid or do New-Minor Forcing). Declarer will win the ♠T with the ♠ K and cash out.

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

Alert, artificial Jacoby 2 NT bid showing 4+ Spades and an opening hand or better
Showing extra trump
1st or 2nd round control in Clubs
No 1st or 2nd round control in Diamonds or Hearts

South makes one move towards slam, but when North can't show a control in either red suit they park in game. N/S lose one Heart trick and one Diamond, making five. Unless......

A vicious lead from East would be a small Heart. Huh? Think about the auction from East's perspective. North doesn't have the ♥ K or a singleton Heart (they didn't bid 4 ♥). If South holds both the ♥ K and ♥ Q, then East will get their trick back. An underlead of the ♥ A may be the only way to beat the contract.

On the lead of the ♥ 2, what would you play from dummy if you were declarer? Would you hop with the ♥ K figuring that East underled the ♥ A? If you do, you're a better player than I am. Most declarers will play low, and West will win the ♥ Q much to their surprise. A Heart back to the ♥ A and a Heart ruff follow, and declarer still has to lose a Diamond trick to West's ♦ K. Down one. What just happened?!?!?!?

So the next time one of your instructors tells you to never underlead an Ace in a suit contract, show them this hand. That said, you should never underlead an Ace in a suit contract until you're good enough to know that the hand matches this one.

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

Don't rebid 3 ♦ if you're North when your partner passes. If you rebid 2 ♦ on an auction such as this one, you're showing a hand that would have rebid 3 ♦ if your partner had responded at the one level. When your partner passes your one-level opener, they have nothing. When you bid again at all, you're showing a big hand.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Club, one Diamond, and three Hearts, down one. If East doesn't find the Diamond lead, N/S will make two.

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

RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Diamonds
1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards w/ the ♦ Q

North's 4 ♥ (Kickback) bid is only slightly aggressive. N/S lose one Spade trick, making six. South's third Heart goes away on dummy's long Club after pulling trump. West will lead the ♠ Q.

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

N/S take five Spade tricks, two Hearts, one Diamond, and two Clubs, making four. West would be wise to lead a Spade--the only safe lead.

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

Rule of 20 opener
Alert, artificial Fourth-Suit bid forcing to game
Denying a third Spade, a Club stopper for notrump, and showing a fifth Diamond
RKC Blackwood (Minorwood) for Diamonds
1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards w/o the ♦ Q

E/W get to a good Diamond slam, losing only one Spade trick. North may lead the ♠ A and continue Spades when partner encourages. Declarer can ruff in their hand, pull trump in two rounds, play off the ♥ KQ and ♣ A, ruff a Spade to their hand, and run the remaining Hearts, pitching two Clubs and a Spade from dummy. Declarer will ruff their remaining Club in dummy at trick 13.