MON 08/14/2017 at Nite

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>August 14, 2017    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 08/14/2017 22:13
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
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=12/B=9/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 Pam Campbell           Reeta Brendamour         A   2     .     .   |   1     .     .    101.00  60.12  2.41(OA)
 2 Donald Pollack         Bernice Pollack          C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     63.00  37.50
 3 David Elliott          Carla Runda              C   .     .     1   |   4     3     1     87.00  51.79  0.87(OC)
 4 Lewis Temples          Joan Mehl                B   4     2     .   |   2     1     .     95.50  56.85  1.35(OA)
 5 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A   .     .     .   |  5/7    .     .     86.50  51.49  0.20(SA)
 6 Gail Zimmer            Joseph Kammer            B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     82.50  49.11
 7 Patrick Lammers        Joanne Behr              B   .     .     .   |  5/7    4     .     86.50  51.49  0.25(SB)
 8 Pam Heckel             Margaret Decker          C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     74.50  44.35
 9 Joy Singerman          Sharon Kreitzer          B   5     3     .   |   3     2     .     94.00  55.95  1.02(OA)
10 Martin Petersen        Margaret Booker          B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     75.50  44.94
11 Doris Kehoe            Lilam Stanley            A   .     .     .   |  5/7    .     .     86.50  51.49  0.20(SA)
12 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Martin Gibler            B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     75.50  44.94

                                          Totals                                           1008.00


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>     5                             1     0     3-    7     2     6     3-
          50   ----  ----  ----  ---- -110  -200   -50   110  -100   100   -50

   2>     2                             5     2     7     2     2     2     6
        -140   ----  ----  ----  ---- -120  -140    50  -140  -140  -140  -110

   3>     4                             4     7     1     4     1     6     1
         170   ----  ----  ----  ----  170   420   100   170   100   200   100

   4>     6-     -                            3     3      -    6-    5     3
         100  -630   ----  ----  ----  ---- -600  -600  -630   100  -380  -600

   5>     3     2                             5     5      -    5     7      -
        -170  -400   ----  ----  ----  ---- -140  -140  -450  -140    50  -450

   6>     5-    1                             4     1     5-    7     1     3
         200  -110   ----  ----  ----  ----  100  -110   200   300  -110   -90

   7>     7     2     0                             5     3     4     6     1
         300  -110  -400   ----  ----  ----  ----  110  -100   -70   130  -200

   8>     2-    6-    2-                            2-    6-    2-    2-    2-
        -450    50  -450   ----  ----  ----  ---- -450    50  -450  -450  -450

   9>     7     1     5-                            0     5-    3     3     3
         800   100   500   ----  ----  ----  ---- -110   500   200   200   200

  10>     0     4     1     2                             6     3     6     6
        -300   150  -200  -100   ----  ----  ----  ----  600   110   600   600

  11>     2     2     2     6                             7     5     2     2
        -140  -140  -140    50   ----  ----  ----  ----  150   -50  -140  -140

  12>     2     2     2     4                             6-    0     6-    5
        -100  -100  -100   630   ----  ----  ----  ---- 1440  -200  1440   680

  13>     4-    4-    7     4-    1                             4-    1     1
        -140  -140  -110  -140  -170   ----  ----  ----  ---- -140  -170  -170

  14>     6-    3-    2     6-    1                             5     0     3-
         150   100    50   150  -120   ----  ----  ----  ----  110  -150   100

  15>     0     2     6-    5     6-                            4     2     2
        -480  -460    50  -430    50   ----  ----  ----  ---- -450  -460  -460

  16>     6     2-    6     6     0     2-                            2-    2-
         980   480   980   980   450   480   ----  ----  ----  ----  480   480

  17>     1     4     6     6     6     0                             2     3
        -400    50   100   100   100  -430   ----  ----  ----  ---- -150  -110

  18>     6     1     4     7     1     5                             3     1
         620   100   170   790   100   250   ----  ----  ----  ----  140   100

  19>     6-    4-    3     0     4-    6-    1-                            1-
         120   110   100   -50   110   120    90   ----  ----  ----  ----   90

  20>     4-    4-    0     7     3     1-    6                             1-
         140   140  -200   300   110  -130   200   ----  ----  ----  ---- -130

  21>     3     6     4-    1     4-    1     1                             7
        -430  -180  -210  -460  -210  -460  -460   ----  ----  ----  ---- -140

  22>     4     4     1-    1-    4     7     6     0
         -50   -50   -90   -90   -50   110   100  -110   ----  ----  ----  ----

  23>     5-    0     5-    7     1     2     3-    3-
         100  -200   100   130  -170  -140  -100  -100   ----  ----  ----  ----

  24>     7     3     3     0     6     3     3     3
         480   450   450   400   460   450   450   450   ----  ----  ----  ----

  25>           0     7     4-    3     6     1     2     4-
         -----1100   500   200   100   300  -110   -50   200   ----  ----  ----

  26>           0     6     7     2-    2-    2-    5     2-
         ---- -140   100   200  -110  -110  -110   -90  -110   ----  ----  ----

  27>           2-    2-    7     2-    6     2-    5     0
         ----  -50   -50   430   -50   150   -50    90  -100   ----  ----  ----

  28>                 6     0     2-    1     2-    4     7     5
         ----  ----   50  -180  -140  -150  -140  -110    90   -90   ----  ----

  29>                 1     1     5     3     5     1     7     5
         ----  ---- -630  -630  -600  -620  -600  -630  -170  -600   ----  ----

  30>                 2-    2-    2-    5     7     2-    6     0
         ----  ---- -450  -450  -450  -230    50  -450  -200  -480   ----  ----

  31>                       0     4     7     6     3     1-    1-    5
         ----  ----  ---- -300   110   620   600  -100  -200  -200   180   ----

  32>                       7     5     2-    1     5     0     2-    5
         ----  ----  ----  400   100   -90  -130   100  -600   -90   100   ----

  33>                       3     6     3     6     0     3     1     6
         ----  ----  ----  400   430   400   430   100   400   150   430   ----

  34>                             4     1     4     4     4     4     0     7
         ----  ----  ----  ----   50  -140    50    50    50    50  -430   150

  35>                             4     5-    2     7      -     -    5-    3
         ----  ----  ----  ---- -120   100  -170   300  -600  -600   100  -150

  36>                             7     1-    5     1-    4     1-    1-    6
         ----  ----  ----  ----  800   200   650   200   300   200   200   680



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>August 14, 2017    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 08/14/2017 22:13
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
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=12/B=8/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 Michael Lipp           Lanny Cai                A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     75.00  44.64
 2 Joanne Earls           Judith Lubow             B   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     81.00  48.21
 3 Cheryl Endres          Pamela Kennedy           C   .     .     3   |   .     .     2     77.50  46.13  0.49(OC)
 4 Dean Congbalay         William Cook             A   .     .     .   |   5     .     .     90.50  53.87  0.24(SA)
 5 Mike Burns             Charlie Kobida           B  6/7   4/5    .   |  3/4   2/3    .     91.00  54.17  0.67(OA)
 6 Ralph Terbrueggen      Dennis Schultz           A   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     82.50  49.11
 7 Janet Venosa           Al Venosa                B   1     1     .   |   1     1     .    103.50  61.61  3.21(OA)
 8 Joan Diers             Evelyn McCarthy          C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     71.00  42.26
 9 Joyce Tedrick          Annette Kereiakes        B  6/7   4/5    .   |  3/4   2/3    .     91.00  54.17  0.67(OA)
10 Herb Schapera          Robert Brown             A   3     .     .   |   2     .     .     98.00  58.33  1.81(OA)
11 Peggy Jervis           Pat Lindeman             C   .     .     .   |   .     .     .     69.00  41.07
12 Erin Oblinger          Betty Murdock            C   .     .     2   |   .     .     1     78.00  46.43  0.65(OC)

                                          Totals                                           1008.00


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>     2           3-          0           5           1     6     3-    7
         -50   ----   50   ---- -110   ----  100   ---- -100   110    50   200

   2>     5           0           5           5           5     2     1     5
         140   ----  -50   ----  140   ----  140   ----  140   120   110   140

   3>     3           6           3           6           1     3     6     0
        -170   ---- -100   ---- -170   ---- -100   ---- -200  -170  -100  -420

   4>     4     6-          6-           -          2           4     4      -
         600   630   ----  630   ---- -100   ----  380   ----  600   600  -100

   5>     2     5           6-          2           0           6-    2     4
         140   400   ----  450   ----  140   ----  -50   ----  450   140   170

   6>     6     6           1-          0           6           4     3     1-
         110   110   ---- -200   ---- -300   ----  110   ----   90  -100  -200

   7>     5     4     7           3           1           6           0     2
         110   100   400   ----   70   ---- -130   ----  200   ---- -300  -110

   8>      -     -    4-          4-          4-          4-          4-    4-
         -50   -50   450   ----  450   ----  450   ----  450   ----  450   450

   9>     6     1-    1-          4           4           4           0     7
        -100  -500  -500   ---- -200   ---- -200   ---- -200   ---- -800   110

  10>     1     6     4     5           1           1           7           3
        -600   200  -110   100   ---- -600   ---- -600   ----  300   ---- -150

  11>     0     5     2     1           5           5           5           5
        -150   140    50   -50   ----  140   ----  140   ----  140   ----  140

  12>      -    5     7     3            -          2           5           5
       -1440   100   200  -630   -----1440   ---- -680   ----  100   ----  100

  13>     0     2-    2-    6     6           6           2-          2-
         110   140   140   170   170   ----  170   ----  140   ----  140   ----

  14>     5     2      -    7     6           3-           -          3-
         -50  -110  -150   150   120   ---- -100   ---- -150   ---- -100   ----

  15>      -    3     2     5      -          5           7           5
         -50   450   430   460   -50   ----  460   ----  480   ----  460   ----

  16>           1     4-    7     4-    4-          1           4-          1
         ---- -980  -480  -450  -480  -480   ---- -980   ---- -480   ---- -980

  17>           1     5     1     4     7           6           3           1
         ---- -100   150  -100   110   430   ----  400   ----  -50   ---- -100

  18>           0     4     6     6     2           1           6           3
         ---- -790  -140  -100  -100  -250   ---- -620   ---- -100   ---- -170

  19>     7           2-    5-     -     -    5-          2-          4
          50   ---- -110   -90  -120  -120   -90   ---- -110   ---- -100   ----

  20>     0           4     5-    5-    2-    1           2-          7
        -300   ---- -110   130   130  -140  -200   ---- -140   ----  200   ----

  21>     6           2-    0     6     4     6           1           2-
         460   ----  210   140   460   430   460   ----  180   ----  210   ----

  22>           3           0     3     1     3     7           5-          5-
         ----   50   ---- -110    50  -100    50   110   ----   90   ----   90

  23>           6           5     1-    3-    7     3-          1-          0
         ----  170   ----  140  -100   100   200   100   ---- -100   ---- -130

  24>           1           4     0     4     4     4           4           7
         ---- -460   ---- -450  -480  -450  -450  -450   ---- -450   ---- -400

  25>     4           1           6     7     5     0     2-          2-
        -100   ---- -300   ----  110  1100    50  -500  -200   ---- -200   ----

  26>     4-          4-          4-    7     2     1     4-          0
         110   ----  110   ----  110   140    90  -100   110   ---- -200   ----

  27>     4-          1           4-    4-    2     4-    7           0
          50   ---- -150   ----   50    50   -90    50   100   ---- -430   ----

  28>           6           4-          3     1     0     7     2           4-
         ----  150   ----  140   ----  110   -50   -90   180    90   ----  140

  29>           4           2           6     6     0     6     2           2
         ----  620   ----  600   ----  630   630   170   630   600   ----  600

  30>           2           0           4-    4-    1     4-    7           4-
         ----  230   ----  -50   ----  450   450   200   450   480   ----  450

  31>     0           1           4           5-    7     5-    3     2
        -620   ---- -600   ----  100   ----  200   300   200  -110  -180   ----

  32>     4-          6           2           7     0     4-    2     2
          90   ----  130   ---- -100   ----  600  -400    90  -100  -100   ----

  33>     4           1           7           4     4     6     1     1
        -400   ---- -430   ---- -100   ---- -400  -400  -150  -430  -430   ----

  34>           3           3           3           3     3     7     6     0
         ----  -50   ----  -50   ----  -50   ----  -50   -50   430   140  -150

  35>           5           0           6-          6-    3     1-    1-    4
         ----  170   ---- -300   ----  600   ----  600   120  -100  -100   150

  36>           2           5-          3           5-    0     5-    5-    1
         ---- -650   ---- -200   ---- -300   ---- -200  -800  -200  -200  -680
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, August 14, 2017

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	5
♥	Q 9 3 2
♦	6 4
♣	J 9 5 4 3 2

♠	A 8 6 4
♥	J 8 6 5
♦	J 9 8
♣	7 6

N
W		E
S

♠	J 10 7 2
♥	K 4
♦	A K Q 10 5
♣	Q 8

♠	K Q 9 3
♥	A 10 7
♦	7 3 2
♣	A K 10

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

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

15 to 17
Garbage Stayman
I did something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♣	N	3	♦ A	110		7.00	0.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♠	E	−2	♣ A	100		6.00	1.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
2 ♠	E	−1	♣ A	50		5.00	2.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	1-Lipp-Cai
4 ♣	N	−1	♦ A		50	3.50	3.50	8-Heckel-Decker	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♣	N	−1	♦ A		50	3.50	3.50	12-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♣	S	−2	♣ 6		100	2.00	5.00	10-Petersen-Booker	7-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♦	E	3	♣ A		110	1.00	6.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	10-Schapera-Brown
2 ♠	S	−4	♥ 5		200	0.00	7.00	7-Lammers-Behr	12-Oblinger-Murdock

South is in a bind on this hand. They can't double 1 NT--they play that as showing a single-suited hand. They could sit there for a long time after East's 1 NT bid, grimacing and squirming, and then say "Oh heck, I don't know what to do!" and then snap their pass card on the table. That gets you a visit from the director, so that's not a good idea. A smooth past is best. North, knowing that their partner has a MOUNTAIN OF POINTS will (should) balance with 3 ♣ when the auction dies. Well done, North.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and two Diamonds, making three. East will lead the ♦ K (asking for count) and continue Diamonds. Once East has shown five Diamonds, four Spades, and two Clubs (auction and first five tricks) and West has shown up with the ♦ J and ♠ A (tricks three and six), declarer has a road map on the hand and will play East for ♥ Kx exactly.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A J 5
♥	10 8 4
♦	8 5 4
♣	J 7 3 2

♠	10 8 2
♥	A 7 6 2
♦	K J 9
♣	K Q 6

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 6 3
♥	Q J 9 5
♦	A Q 7
♣	10 8 5

♠	K 9 7 4
♥	K 3
♦	10 6 3 2
♣	A 9 4

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

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	E	−1	♦ 2	50		7.00	0.00	8-Heckel-Decker	3-Endres-Kennedy
1 ♥	E	2	♠ 4		110	6.00	1.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 NT	E	2	♦ 2		120	5.00	2.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	10-Schapera-Brown
1 ♥	E	3	♠ 4		140	2.00	5.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	1-Lipp-Cai
3 ♥	E	3	♠ 4		140	2.00	5.00	7-Lammers-Behr	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 ♥	E	3	♠ 4		140	2.00	5.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	E	3	♠ 4		140	2.00	5.00	10-Petersen-Booker	7-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♥	E	3	♠ 4		140	2.00	5.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes

E/W lose three Spade tricks and one Club, making three. North should lead a trump or the ♦ 5 (MUD). Spades is a frozen suit (i.e., whoever leads the suit first gives up a trick). With mirror distribution (i.e., length in all suits is the same between hands), declarer will be forced to start on Spades themselves. That said, some N/S pair will get frisky and start cashing Spade winners much to declarer's delight.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A Q 9 5 3
♥	4
♦	Q J 9 5 2
♣	J 8

♠	J 10 8
♥	10 6 5
♦	K 8
♣	Q 9 7 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	6 2
♥	A K Q J 8 7 3
♦	7 3
♣	K 3

♠	K 7 4
♥	9 2
♦	A 10 6 4
♣	A 10 4 2

NS 4♠; EW 3♥; NS 4♦; Par +420

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

Rule of 20 opener
Cuebid showing a limit raise or better in Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	N	4	♥ A	420		7.00	0.00	7-Lammers-Behr	12-Oblinger-Murdock
5 ♥	E	−2	♠ 4	200		6.00	1.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
3 ♠	N	4	♥ A	170		4.00	3.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	1-Lipp-Cai
3 ♠	N	4	♥ A	170		4.00	3.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	10-Schapera-Brown
3 ♠	N	4	♥ A	170		4.00	3.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	E	−1	♠ K	100		1.00	6.00	8-Heckel-Decker	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♥	E	−1	♠ 4	100		1.00	6.00	10-Petersen-Booker	7-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♥	E	−1	♠ 7	100		1.00	6.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Jervis-Lindeman

Once South makes a limit raise in Spades and the opponents bid Hearts, North's hand goes up in value exponentially (that's a Math word....it means LOTS). N/S lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. E/W don't have a good sacrifice in 5 ♥ because of the vulnerability. East will lead the ♥ K.

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	J 6
♥	5 4 2
♦	J 9 8
♣	J 9 7 5 4

♠	Q 10 8
♥	J 7 3
♦	A Q 3
♣	Q 10 8 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A 9 7 4
♥	K Q 8
♦	7 4 2
♣	A K 6

♠	K 5 3 2
♥	A 10 9 6
♦	K 10 6 5
♣	3

EW 3N; EW 3♠; EW 2♥; EW 3♣; EW 2♦; Par −600

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1 NT1	Pass
3 NT2	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Flat hand

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−1	♥ 6	100		6.50	0.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 NT	W	−1	♥ 6	100		6.50	0.50	10-Petersen-Booker	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
2 ♣×	E	3	♦ 5		380	5.00	2.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	E	3	♥ 6		600	3.00	4.00	7-Lammers-Behr	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	E	3	♥ 6		600	3.00	4.00	8-Heckel-Decker	1-Lipp-Cai
3 NT	E	3	♥ 6		600	3.00	4.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	10-Schapera-Brown
3 NT	E	4	♦ 5		630	0.50	6.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	E	4	♥ 6		630	0.50	6.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	4-Congbalay-Cook

When your partner opens 1 NT and you hold game-going values, you'll often want to try and find a major-suit fit. That said, if you're 3334 with no four-card major, DON'T TRY AND FIND A 5-3 MAJOR-SUIT FIT! PLAY IN NOTRUMP! Sorry that was so loud.

E/W take three Club tricks, two Diamonds, two Hearts, and two Spades, making three. South will lead one of their majors.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	8
♥	5
♦	9 7 5
♣	A Q 9 8 7 5 4 3

♠	K 10 9 3
♥	A 9 8 7 4 2
♦	10 4
♣	J

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 6 5
♥	Q J 10 6
♦	Q 3 2
♣	K 10

♠	Q 7 4 2
♥	K 3
♦	A K J 8 6
♣	6 2

EW 4♥; EW 3♠; NS 4♣; EW 1N; NS 1♦; Par −200: NS 5♣×−1

West	North	East	South
	4 ♣	Dbl	Rdbl
4 ♥	5 ♣	Dbl	Pass
Pass	Pass

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	W	−1	♠ 8	50		7.00	0.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♥	E	3	♠ 8		140	5.00	2.00	7-Lammers-Behr	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♥	W	3	♦ 9		140	5.00	2.00	8-Heckel-Decker	1-Lipp-Cai
3 ♥	E	3	♠ 8		140	5.00	2.00	10-Petersen-Booker	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 ♥	W	4	♠ 8		170	3.00	4.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 NT	S	−4	♠ 3		400	2.00	5.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♥	W	5	♣ A		450	0.50	6.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	4-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♥	W	5	♣ A		450	0.50	6.50	12-Vanstone-Gibler	10-Schapera-Brown

If N/S play NAMYATS, where a 4 ♣ opener shows a strong hand with running Hearts, North should open 3 ♣ instead. South's redouble in this auction, although not clearly defined, should be "Hey, I think we're making 4 ♣!" North with no defense at all against a Heart/Spade/Diamond contract, has an easy 5 ♣ bid.

N/S lose one Club trick, one Heart, and one Spade, down one doubled for –200. East may lead the ♥ Q. Declarer should not cover with dummy's ♥ K, because they want East to continue with another Heart. If they do, North will ruff, cash the ♣ A, lead to the ♦ J, cash the ♦ AK, and play a good Diamond pitching their ♠ 8 while East ruffs with the master trump. That version makes five....doubled.....for 12 octillion points. Heh.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 10 5 2
♥	J 6 4 2
♦	A 4
♣	6 3 2

♠	8 6 3
♥	9 7 5 3
♦	Q
♣	A J 9 8 4

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 7 4
♥	A Q 10
♦	K J 9 8 5 3
♣	—

♠	J 9
♥	K 8
♦	10 7 6 2
♣	K Q 10 7 5

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

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

Reverse
Alert, artificial Lebensohl bid asking partner to bid 3 ♣
I don't like Clubs, but I have extra Diamonds

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	E	−3	♣ 2	300		7.00	0.00	10-Petersen-Booker	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 NT	E	−2	♣ 6	200		5.50	1.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 NT	W	−2	♠ 2	200		5.50	1.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	4-Congbalay-Cook
3 ♦	E	−1	♠ J	100		4.00	3.00	7-Lammers-Behr	11-Jervis-Lindeman
1 ♦	E	2	♣ K		90	3.00	4.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	10-Schapera-Brown
2 ♦	E	3	♣ K		110	1.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Earls-Lubow
3 ♦	E	3	♠ J		110	1.00	6.00	8-Heckel-Decker	1-Lipp-Cai
2 ♦	E	3	♣ K		110	1.00	6.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	8-Diers-McCarthy

E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and two Diamonds, down one when declarer can't get to dummy to lead towards their hand. Oh well. South will have a tough time on opening lead, and will probably help declarer out by leading a black suit. A trump works, but who's leading a Diamond from ♦T762?

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 8 4 3
♥	J 3
♦	8 5
♣	A K Q J 8

♠	K Q J 7
♥	Q 9
♦	A Q 7 6
♣	7 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	10 9
♥	K 10 8 5 2
♦	3
♣	10 9 4 3 2

♠	6 5 2
♥	A 7 6 4
♦	K J 10 9 4 2
♣	—

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

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

What else?

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	W	−3	♣ K	300		7.00	0.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♦	S	4	♠ K	130		6.00	1.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	7-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♣	N	3	♦ 3	110		5.00	2.00	8-Heckel-Decker	12-Oblinger-Murdock
1 ♣	W	1	♣ A		70	4.00	3.00	10-Petersen-Booker	5-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	S	−1	♠ K		100	3.00	4.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	2-Earls-Lubow
2 ♠	W	2	♦ 8		110	2.00	5.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Lipp-Cai
2 ♣	N	−2	♦ 3		200	1.00	6.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
4 ♣	N	−4	♦ 3		400	0.00	7.00	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Endres-Kennedy

If South wants to play in 2 ♦, they're going to have to bid 2 ♦ over partner's 2 ♣ bid and (as fast as they can) put their bidding cards back in the box while saying "Your lead." to their RHO. Since that's frowned upon, 2 ♣ is probably going to be the final contract.

N/S take one Spade trick, one Heart, and five Clubs, down one. Their fifth Club trick will be the result of ruffing a Heart in their hand (duck a Heart, play a Heart to the ♥ A, and ruff with the ♣ 8). East will lead their ♦ 3, although they don't particularly want a ruff. West should return the ♠ K at trick two.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	A Q 5
♥	9 7 5
♦	Q J 7 3
♣	10 9 7

♠	K J 10 7 4 3 2
♥	A Q J 3
♦	—
♣	J 4

N
W		E
S

♠	9 8 6
♥	K 2
♦	A K 8 6 2
♣	A 5 2

♠	—
♥	10 8 6 4
♦	10 9 5 4
♣	K Q 8 6 3

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

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

RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
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	−1	♣ 10	50		6.50	0.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Lipp-Cai
6 ♠	W	−1	♣ 10	50		6.50	0.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	W	5	♥ 7		450	2.50	4.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	11-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 3		450	2.50	4.50	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 3		450	2.50	4.50	8-Heckel-Decker	12-Oblinger-Murdock
4 ♠	W	5	♦ Q		450	2.50	4.50	10-Petersen-Booker	5-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠	W	5	♦ 3		450	2.50	4.50	11-Kehoe-Stanley	7-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♠	W	5	♣ 10		450	2.50	4.50	12-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes

West should not show their void in response to their partner's keycard ask--it isn't useful since it's in a suit in which partner has shown length and strength. E/W lose two Spade tricks, making five. North will lead the ♣T, declarer will win in dummy with the ♣ A, pitch their losing Club on the ♦ A, and take the Spade finesse. Next hand.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A K 5 3
♥	A 10 5
♦	A 10 6 5 3
♣	5

♠	—
♥	7 4
♦	J 8 4 2
♣	A J 10 9 7 6 4

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 10 8 7 6 2
♥	K 6 3 2
♦	K
♣	3

♠	9 4
♥	Q J 9 8
♦	Q 9 7
♣	K Q 8 2

NS 4N; NS 2♥; NS 3♦; EW 1♠; EW 1♣; Par +430

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

Weak jump overcall
Negative

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠×	E	−3	♦ 7	800		7.00	0.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠×	E	−2	♣ K	500		5.50	1.50	3-Elliott-Runda	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♣×	W	−2	♥ A	500		5.50	1.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	2-Earls-Lubow
3 ♠	E	−2	♣ K	200		3.00	4.00	10-Petersen-Booker	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♠	E	−2	♦ Q	200		3.00	4.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	7-Venosa-Venosa
3 ♣	W	−2	♥ A	200		3.00	4.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
3 ♠	E	−1	♦ Q	100		1.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Lipp-Cai
2 ♠	E	2	♦ Q		110	0.00	7.00	8-Heckel-Decker	12-Oblinger-Murdock

Negative doubles promise four (or more) cards in the unbid major(s). The higher the level that you make a negative double, the more likely it is that you also have cards in unbid minor (if there is one).

N/S take two Spade tricks, three Hearts, four Diamonds, and one Club, making four. East will lead the ♠ Q, declarer will win in hand, cash the ♦ A (dropping the stiff ♦ K), play a Diamond to the ♦ Q, and give West their Diamond trick. West will return a Heart, ducked to East's ♥ K, and East will lead another high Spade. Declarer can safely knock out the ♣ A (East can't have the ♣ A after showing up with ♠ QJT ♥ K and ♦ K) and claim.

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 5 2
♥	A 4 3
♦	A Q 10 9 7
♣	K 3

♠	Q J 6 3
♥	9 8 6
♦	4
♣	J 8 6 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	9 4
♥	K 10 7 5 2
♦	J 8 3
♣	A Q 10

♠	A K 10 7
♥	Q J
♦	K 6 5 2
♣	9 7 4

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

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

Alert, game-forcing Diamond raise
Showing a stopper in Spades for notrump, denying a Heart stopper

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	3	♠ 4	600		6.00	1.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	1-Lipp-Cai
3 NT	N	3	♥ 5	600		6.00	1.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 NT	N	3	♥ 7	600		6.00	1.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Diers-McCarthy
1 NT	N	3	♥ 5	150		4.00	3.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 ♦	N	3	♥ 8	110		3.00	4.00	10-Petersen-Booker	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	N	−1	♠ 9		100	2.00	5.00	4-Temples-Mehl	4-Congbalay-Cook
5 ♦	S	−2	♠ Q		200	1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	N	−3	♥ 2		300	0.00	7.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	10-Schapera-Brown

North takes a bit of a risk bidding 3 NT with ♣ Kx, but 5 ♦ would be difficult as well. East is going to lead a Heart, and N/S will take two Spade tricks, two Hearts, and five Diamonds. If East forgets to lead a Heart, declarer will be a bit more uncomfortable. If East finds a Spade lead, declarer (on double-dummy lines) can win with the ♠ K, cash three Diamonds, cash the ♠ A, and put East back on lead with the ♥ Q. East, not wanting to exit with a Club, will return a Heart, and declarer will once again have their ninth trick.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	9 8
♥	10 7
♦	J 7 5 4
♣	A K J 6 3

♠	Q
♥	Q J 9 5 4 3 2
♦	A 8 2
♣	10 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 10 6 3
♥	A 8
♦	K 6 3
♣	8 4 2

♠	A 7 5 4 2
♥	K 6
♦	Q 10 9
♣	Q 9 7

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
3 ♥1	Pass	Pass	Dbl2
Pass	4 ♣	Dbl	Pass
Pass	Pass

Preemptive
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−3	♣ 7	150		7.00	0.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	1-Lipp-Cai
3 ♥	W	−1	♣ A	50		6.00	1.00	4-Temples-Mehl	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♠	N	−1	♣ 5		50	5.00	2.00	10-Petersen-Booker	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♥	W	3	♥ 10		140	2.00	5.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	10-Schapera-Brown
3 ♥	W	3	♣ A		140	2.00	5.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 ♥	W	3	♣ A		140	2.00	5.00	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Earls-Lubow
3 ♥	W	3	♣ A		140	2.00	5.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 ♥	W	3	♣ A		140	2.00	5.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Diers-McCarthy

There's no reason for South to bid 3 ♠ in the balancing seat, since they have support for all of the unbid suits. If their Spades were stronger--well, that would be different. East has a very reasonable matchpoint double--you would never double 4 ♣ in a team game, since the gain is minimal (+100 vs. +50) and the loss would be substantial if the contract made (–8 trillion vs. –130 or something along those lines).

N/S lose two Diamond tricks, one Heart, and one Spade, down one doubled for –100. East may lead the ♥ A.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 5 4
♥	2
♦	Q J 7
♣	K Q J 9 7 3

♠	9 7
♥	Q 10 5 3
♦	10 6 5
♣	A 10 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 8 6 3
♥	8 7 4
♦	9 8 2
♣	8 6 2

♠	K J 10 2
♥	A K J 9 6
♦	A K 4 3
♣	—

NS 6N; NS 6♠; NS 6♦; NS 5♥; NS 5♣; Par +1440

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♣	Pass	1 ♥
Pass	2 ♣	Pass	2 ♠
Pass	2 NT	Pass	6 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 NT	S	6	♠ 9	1440		6.50	0.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	1-Lipp-Cai
6 NT	N	6	♠ 3	1440		6.50	0.50	11-Kehoe-Stanley	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
5 ♠	N	6	♠ 6	680		5.00	2.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	S	4	♣ 4	630		4.00	3.00	4-Temples-Mehl	4-Congbalay-Cook
6 NT	N	−1	♥ 8		100	2.00	5.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	10-Schapera-Brown
6 ♣	N	−1	♠ 3		100	2.00	5.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	12-Oblinger-Murdock
6 NT	S	−1	♦ 6		100	2.00	5.00	3-Elliott-Runda	2-Earls-Lubow
6 ♥×	N	−1	♣ A		200	0.00	7.00	10-Petersen-Booker	3-Endres-Kennedy

South likes their hand. Remember--all new suits are forcing by an unpassed hand as long as opener hasn't done something silly like bid notrump. N/S take four Spade tricks, four Diamonds, two Clubs, and two Hearts, making six. East may lead a safe ♦ 9, although declarer will be MUCH happier if they lead a Spade away from the ♠ Q.

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 9 3
♥	A 4 3
♦	10 5 4
♣	J 9 8 3

♠	A Q 8 7 6 4 2
♥	10 7
♦	7
♣	K Q 4

N
W		E
S

♠	J
♥	J 9 6 5
♦	A Q 9 3 2
♣	10 5 2

♠	K 5
♥	K Q 8 2
♦	K J 8 6
♣	A 7 6

EW 2♠; NS 1♦; NS 1♣; Par −110

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 NT1
Dbl2	Pass	2 ♣3	Pass
2 ♠4	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, artificial DONT bid showing a single-suited hand
Alert, forced DONT response
Alert, showing an opening hand with Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	W	2	♦ 5		110	7.00	0.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Lipp-Cai
2 ♠	W	3	♣ 3		140	4.50	2.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
2 ♠	W	3	♠ 3		140	4.50	2.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠	W	3	♥ 3		140	4.50	2.50	4-Temples-Mehl	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	W	3	♥ A		140	4.50	2.50	10-Petersen-Booker	2-Earls-Lubow
2 ♠	W	4	♣ 9		170	1.00	6.00	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Burns-Kobida
2 ♠	W	4	♣ 3		170	1.00	6.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♠	W	4	♣ 3		170	1.00	6.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	7-Venosa-Venosa

West has two ways to bid Spades on this auction--an immediate 2 ♠ overcall showing a hand that's essentially a weak-two opener, or a double followed by 2 ♠ showing an opening hand. E/W lose two Heart tricks, one Spade, and two Clubs, making two--unless N/S misdefend which is quite possible. North should NOT lead a Club--it would be better to simply refuse to lead than to lead a Club.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	A 7 5
♥	J 5 4 3
♦	A J 10 9 3
♣	8

♠	K Q 9
♥	A Q 7 2
♦	7 5 2
♣	J 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	J 4 2
♥	K 10 8
♦	K 8 4
♣	K 7 6 5

♠	10 8 6 3
♥	9 6
♦	Q 6
♣	A Q 10 9 2

NS 1♠; EW 1♥; NS 1♦; Par +80

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	E	−3	♦ Q	150		6.50	0.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
3 ♣	W	−3	♦ A	150		6.50	0.50	4-Temples-Mehl	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	S	2	♠ K	110		5.00	2.00	10-Petersen-Booker	2-Earls-Lubow
1 NT	E	−2	♦ Q	100		3.50	3.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	11-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	E	−2	♦ Q	100		3.50	3.50	12-Vanstone-Gibler	7-Venosa-Venosa
1 NT	E	−1	♣ 9	50		2.00	5.00	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Lipp-Cai
1 NT	E	2	♦ Q		120	1.00	6.00	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♦	N	−3	♣ 5		150	0.00	7.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	4-Congbalay-Cook

When you're 3-3 in the minors with a notrump shaped hand, open 1 ♣ regardless of the relative strength of your suits.

South is going to lead the ♦ Q (high from a doubleton) and North will overtake with the ♦ A to continue the suit (i.e., they know that even if their partner has a singleton ♦ Q, their ♦ AJT9x will play for only one loser against East's supposed ♦ K864). Declarer will win the second Diamond (North has five on the auction) and try and steal a Spade trick, but North will hop with the ♠ A, cash their Diamonds (South signaling with the ♣ 2--upside-down attitude), and lead the ♣ 8 to partner's ♣ AQ tenace. Down one.

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A J 8
♥	10 9 5
♦	10 8 7 6 3
♣	8 5

♠	K Q 7 3
♥	A 7 4
♦	Q 5
♣	Q J 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	—
♥	K J 8 6 3
♦	A J 9 4 2
♣	A K 7

♠	10 9 6 5 4 2
♥	Q 2
♦	K
♣	10 9 6 3

EW 7♥; EW 6N; EW 6♦; EW 6♣; EW 2♠; Par −1510

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

Alert, artificial XYZ bid creating a game force and asking for more information
Showing a third Heart
Exclusion KCB for Hearts showing a void in Spades
1430 response showing 1 or 4 keycards outside of Spades
Do you have the ♥ Q?
I do not

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 NT	W	−1	♠ A	50		6.50	0.50	3-Elliott-Runda	1-Lipp-Cai
6 ♥	E	−1	♣ 10	50		6.50	0.50	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	W	4	♠ 8		430	5.00	2.00	4-Temples-Mehl	3-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♥	E	5	♦ K		450	4.00	3.00	10-Petersen-Booker	2-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	E	5	♠ 5		460	2.00	5.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	W	5	♦ 8		460	2.00	5.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	4-Congbalay-Cook
4 NT	W	5	♦ 3		460	2.00	5.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	7-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♥	E	6	♦ K		480	0.00	7.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes

E/W get to a very good slam, but it will take some luck to make. South's safest lead is the ♣T. Declarer will win in hand with the ♣ K and most likely end up taking two losing finesses in the red suits. Ugh. Double-dummy line to take all 13 tricks:

1) Win the ♣ K
2) Cash the ♦ A dropping the stiff ♦ K
3) ♥ K
4) Heart to the ♥ A dropping the now stiff ♥ Q
5) ♦ Q
6) Club to the ♣ A
7) Small Diamond ruffed in dummy with the ♥ 7
8) Spade ruff back to hand with the ♥ 6
9) ♥ J pulling North's last trump
10) ♥ 8
11) ♦ J
12) ♣ 7 to dummy's ♣ J
13) ♣ Q

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 10 9 5 2
♥	J
♦	K 6 2
♣	A J 10 8

♠	6
♥	Q 7 6 4
♦	A 7 5 3
♣	K 5 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	8 3
♥	K 10 8 5 3 2
♦	10 9 8
♣	7 6

♠	A K J 7 4
♥	A 9
♦	Q J 4
♣	Q 9 3

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	1 ♠1	Pass	2 NT2
Pass	3 ♥3	Pass	3 ♠4
Pass	4 NT5	Pass	5 ♦6
Pass	6 ♠7	Pass	Pass
Pass

Rule of 20 opener
Alert, artificial Jacoby 2 NT bid showing 16+ HCP
Alert, showing a singleton or void in Hearts
Giving North room to make control bids
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
We're off a keycard

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	N	6	♥ 8	980		6.00	1.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	8-Diers-McCarthy
6 ♠	N	6	♥ 5	980		6.00	1.00	3-Elliott-Runda	12-Oblinger-Murdock
6 ♠	N	6	♦ 10	980		6.00	1.00	4-Temples-Mehl	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	S	6	♣ 2	480		2.50	4.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Schapera-Brown
4 ♠	S	6	♥ 6	480		2.50	4.50	6-Zimmer-Kammer	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
4 ♠	S	6	♠ 6	480		2.50	4.50	11-Kehoe-Stanley	3-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	S	6	♥ 4	480		2.50	4.50	12-Vanstone-Gibler	5-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠	N	5	♦ 10	450		0.00	7.00	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Congbalay-Cook

Most people play that a Jacoby 2 NT response after partner's major-suit opening shows 4-card support (or better) and an opening hand. I recommend playing that it shows a hand that's at least a King bigger than that (16+ HCP). Why? It makes very little sense for a 12-13 HCP hand to take control and start asking the opening bidder questions. Often neither partner has enough information to (1) get to a good slam, or (2) avoid a bad one. With 16+ HCP, the pair is going to slam unless something is broken. Discuss this with your partner.

N/S lose one Diamond trick only when the ♣ K proves to be onside (phew). Most N/S pairs won't be in the slam, since many North players won't open with 11 HCP. East will lead the ♦T.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	10 8
♥	K J 9 7
♦	A 8 6 3
♣	A 10 8

♠	K 4
♥	A 4 3
♦	Q 9 5 2
♣	K 9 7 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 7 6 2
♥	5 2
♦	K J 7
♣	Q J 3

♠	Q 9 5 3
♥	Q 10 8 6
♦	10 4
♣	6 5 2

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

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

Showing 11-12 HCP and fewer than three Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−2	♥ 7	100		6.00	1.00	3-Elliott-Runda	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 NT	W	−2	♥ 7	100		6.00	1.00	4-Temples-Mehl	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♣	W	−2	♥ 7	100		6.00	1.00	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 NT	E	−1	♦ 10	50		4.00	3.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Schapera-Brown
1 ♠	E	2	♦ 10		110	3.00	4.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	N	−3	♣ Q		150	2.00	5.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	E	3	♦ 10		400	1.00	6.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	W	4	♠ 10		430	0.00	7.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz

E/W take three Club tricks, two Diamonds, one Heart, and two Spades, making two. South should lead the ♥ 6 on the auction. Some declarers will go down, since they'll assume that North has the ♠ Q, but they don't actually need more than two Spade tricks, so that's a practice finesse (a finesse where you take the same number of tricks if it wins as you do if it loses).

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A K 7 5
♥	A 9 4 3 2
♦	5 4
♣	7 6

♠	Q J 9 8 3
♥	K 8
♦	3 2
♣	A J 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	10 6 2
♥	J
♦	K Q 10 9 8 7 6
♣	K Q

♠	4
♥	Q 10 7 6 5
♦	A J
♣	10 8 5 4 2

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

West	North	East	South
		1 ♦	2 NT1
Dbl2	4 ♦3	Dbl4	4 ♥5
Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, artificial Unmichaels bid showing a two-suited hand with Clubs and an unknown major
Alert, interested in defending one or more of South's suits
What's your major, partner?
I like Diamonds
My major is Hearts

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥×	S	4	♦ 3	790		7.00	0.00	4-Temples-Mehl	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♥	N	4	♣ K	620		6.00	1.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	W	−5	♥ 3	250		5.00	2.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 ♥	S	4	♦ 3	170		4.00	3.00	3-Elliott-Runda	12-Oblinger-Murdock
2 ♥	S	3	♦ 3	140		3.00	4.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	3-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♦	E	−2	♠ 4	100		1.00	6.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Schapera-Brown
3 ♠	W	−2	♣ 7	100		1.00	6.00	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♠	W	−2	♦ 5	100		1.00	6.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	5-Burns-Kobida

It's fine to play that a 2 NT direct-seat overcall of a major shows a hand that's 5-5 (or better) in the minors with either sub-opening (5-11 HCP) values or a big hand (16+ HCP or equivalent playing strength). When the opponents open one of a minor, it seems silly to play that a 2 NT overcall always shows the other minor and Hearts. What about Spades? I hold Spades sometimes. Better is to play Unmichaels over a minor-suit opening. With Unmichaels, your 2 NT bid shows the other minor and an unknown major. Partner can cuebid opener's suit (at the appropriate level) to ask for your major. Your Unmichaels bid is alertable.

N/S lose two Club tricks and one Diamond (if they get the Hearts right). Missing ♥ KJ8, declarer has to decide whether to play for a singleton ♥ K or a singleton ♥ J. If they think the ♥ K is singleton, then they lay down the ♥ A. If they think the ♥ J is singleton in the East hand, they lead the ♥ Q smothering the ♥ J while finessing for the ♥ K. Playing the ♥ A first picks up a singleton ♥ K in either hand. Playing the ♥ Q first picks up a singleton ♥ J only in the East hand. The ♥ A is better......although not on this hand. Sigh.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A J 10
♥	Q 8
♦	8 7 3
♣	A Q J 9 5

♠	K 7 4
♥	J 10 5
♦	A 10
♣	K 10 6 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	9 6 3
♥	A 9 6 2
♦	Q J 6 4
♣	8 7

♠	Q 8 5 2
♥	K 7 4 3
♦	K 9 5 2
♣	3

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	N	2	♥ 2	120		6.50	0.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
1 NT	N	2	♦ 4	120		6.50	0.50	6-Zimmer-Kammer	5-Burns-Kobida
2 ♠	S	2	♦ A	110		4.50	2.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
1 ♦	S	3	♣ 6	110		4.50	2.50	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♣	W	−1	♥ 8	100		3.00	4.00	3-Elliott-Runda	11-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	N	1	♦ 4	90		1.50	5.50	7-Lammers-Behr	7-Venosa-Venosa
1 NT	N	1	♠ 3	90		1.50	5.50	12-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♠	N	−1	♦ Q		50	0.00	7.00	4-Temples-Mehl	1-Lipp-Cai

N/S take four Spade tricks, one Heart, two Clubs, and one Diamond, making two....maybe. East may lead the ♠ 9 on the auction looking for their partner's suit. This probably won't work, since they know that their partner has somewhere around 10 or 11 HCP on the auction, and West didn't overcall 1 ♠. That said, a Spade lead doesn't cost. If East leads a Heart, N/S might make three. A Diamond lead is fairly neutral, and some declarers may go insane and play the ♦ K from dummy (oops).

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 6 3
♥	A 9 8 3
♦	K J 8 6
♣	8 2

♠	J 5
♥	J 7 6
♦	9 5 4
♣	J 9 7 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 4 2
♥	Q
♦	A Q 10 3
♣	K Q 10 6

♠	K Q 9 7
♥	K 10 5 4 2
♦	7 2
♣	A 5

NS 3♥; EW 4♣; N 1♠; EW 1♦; Par −130

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

Bid a suit that doesn't look like a valentine
Shamrocks don't look like valentines

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	E	−3	♣ A	300		7.00	0.00	4-Temples-Mehl	1-Lipp-Cai
3 ♦	E	−2	♣ A	200		6.00	1.00	7-Lammers-Behr	7-Venosa-Venosa
3 ♥	S	3	♠ J	140		4.50	2.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
2 ♥	N	3	♣ K	140		4.50	2.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
2 ♥	S	2	♣ 4	110		3.00	4.00	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♣	E	4	♠ K		130	1.50	5.50	6-Zimmer-Kammer	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♣	E	4	♥ 2		130	1.50	5.50	12-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Congbalay-Cook
3 ♥	S	−2	♠ J		200	0.00	7.00	3-Elliott-Runda	11-Jervis-Lindeman

East's hand gets even stronger when N/S show a fit in Hearts. They calculate that they need partner to hold ♠ xx ♥ xxx ♦ xxx ♣ Jxxxx to make four as long as North has an honor card or two in Diamonds. How 'bout that.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Club, making four. N/S don't have a reasonable sacrifice in 4 ♥, since they'll play there doubled for –200. North may lead the ♥ A and switch to a Spade.

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K J 8 7
♥	9 6 4
♦	9 4 2
♣	K 7 3

♠	A 5 4 3
♥	Q 10 7
♦	K J 8 5
♣	Q 2

N
W		E
S

♠	9 6 2
♥	A K 8
♦	Q 7 3
♣	A J 10 4

♠	Q 10
♥	J 5 3 2
♦	A 10 6
♣	9 8 6 5

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

West	North	East	South
	Pass	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 ♠	W	3	♥ 6		140	7.00	0.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 NT	E	4	♥ 2		180	6.00	1.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
2 NT	E	5	♥ 2		210	4.50	2.50	3-Elliott-Runda	11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 NT	W	5	♥ 4		210	4.50	2.50	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	W	4	♥ 9		430	3.00	4.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 NT	E	5	♥ 2		460	1.00	6.00	4-Temples-Mehl	1-Lipp-Cai
3 NT	E	5	♥ 2		460	1.00	6.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	5-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	E	5	♥ 2		460	1.00	6.00	7-Lammers-Behr	7-Venosa-Venosa

If you play XYZ, take note of the West hand. Yes, they could certainly bid 2 ♦, artificial and game forcing after their partner's 1 NT rebid, but why? They know that they're going to be in 3 NT--why mess (SFW) around on the way?

E/W take three Heart tricks, three Diamonds, three Clubs, and one Spade, making four. North may lead a small Spade, and declarer will duck once to sever communications. When they knock out the Diamond Ace, they're pleased to see that it's South who wins the trick. Heh.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A K 6 5
♥	6 5
♦	A 10 6 3
♣	K 8 2

♠	Q 4
♥	9 7 4 3 2
♦	K J 9
♣	J 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	J 9 3 2
♥	A J
♦	8 2
♣	A Q 10 9 7

♠	10 8 7
♥	K Q 10 8
♦	Q 7 5 4
♣	5 4

W 3♣; EW 1N; N 2♦; E 2♣; N 1♠; S 1♦; Par −100: N 3♦×−1

West	North	East	South
		1 ♣	Pass
1 ♥	Dbl1	Pass2	2 ♦
Pass	Pass	Pass

Takeout for the two remaining suits showing an opening hand
Denying a third Heart

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	S	3	♠ Q	110		7.00	0.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♥	W	−1	♠ A	100		6.00	1.00	7-Lammers-Behr	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
2 ♦	S	−1	♠ 4		50	4.00	3.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♦	S	−1	♣ 3		50	4.00	3.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♥	N	−1	♥ A		50	4.00	3.00	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Earls-Lubow
1 NT	E	1	♦ 4		90	1.50	5.50	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Schapera-Brown
1 NT	W	1	♦ 3		90	1.50	5.50	4-Temples-Mehl	12-Oblinger-Murdock
2 ♣	E	3	♠ 7		110	0.00	7.00	8-Heckel-Decker	8-Diers-McCarthy

When East can't make a support redouble after North's double, West loses interest in the hand.

If West finds the impossible lead of the ♠ 4, they'll defeat the contract one trick. On any other lead, N/S take eight (or more) tricks. Why is the ♠ 4 so brutal? If West leads the ♠ Q, declarer can win and lead a Heart towards the ♥ KQ. East can hop, but they can't return another Spade without giving up their natural Spade trick. E/W are always going to get one Spade trick, one Heart, two Clubs, and one Diamond. They need to also get a Spade ruff (or Club ruff) to defeat 2 ♦.

Let's pretend that West leads the ♠ 4, won by declarer with the ♠ K in dummy. A small Heart towards the closed hand is next, East hopping with the ♥ A to return a small Spade to partner's ♠ Q and the ♠ A. Another Heart is led to the ♥ Q, and the ♦ Q is next, covered by the ♦ K and ♦ A. Declarer is now in a bind. They can lead a third Spade, but East will win with the ♠ J (West pitching a Club), and play a fourth Spade. West will ruff with the ♦ 9 and lead the ♣ J through dummy's ♣ K82 for two Club tricks. The ♦ J will be the sixth and final defensive trick.

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	J 8 7
♥	A 10 4
♦	K Q J 6
♣	Q 10 2

♠	A Q 6 3 2
♥	Q J 8 5
♦	8 4
♣	5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 4
♥	K 7 6 2
♦	5
♣	K J 8 6 3

♠	9 5
♥	9 3
♦	A 10 9 7 3 2
♣	A 9 7

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	1 ♦	Dbl1	3 ♦2
Dbl3	Pass	3 ♥	4 ♦
4 ♥	Pass	Pass	5 ♦
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

A bit light, but the right shape
Alert, artificial Flip-Flop bid showing a limit raise in Diamonds
Responsive double showing both majors

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦	N	4	♣ 6	130		7.00	0.00	4-Temples-Mehl	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 ♠	W	−1	♦ K	100		5.50	1.50	1-Campbell-Brendamour	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♠	W	−1	♦ K	100		5.50	1.50	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Schapera-Brown
4 ♦	S	−1	♥ Q		100	3.50	3.50	7-Lammers-Behr	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
4 ♦	N	−1	♠ K		100	3.50	3.50	8-Heckel-Decker	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♠	W	3	♦ K		140	2.00	5.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	4-Congbalay-Cook
3 ♠	W	4	♦ K		170	1.00	6.00	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♦	N	−2	♠ 4		200	0.00	7.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Venosa-Venosa

Don't forget about responsive doubles. A responsive double is (1) a double by advancer when their partner has either doubled or made an overcall, (2) the opponents are in a "fit" auction, (3) the level is 4 ♦ or lower, and (4) advancer has the values to bid at the current level. In this auction, when the opponents are bidding and raising a minor suit and East has doubled, West's double shows both majors and somewhere around 9-10 HCP or the equivalent in playing strength.

N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, and one Club, down two doubled for –500. That's a lot, but it's still less than 4 ♥ making four for –620. Note that 4 ♠ doesn't make but 4 ♥ does, once again demonstrating the power of 4-4 fits.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	K 10
♥	Q 10 8 4 2
♦	K
♣	Q 10 8 6 3

♠	A J 4 2
♥	J 6
♦	J 6 5 4
♣	J 7 5

N
W		E
S

♠	8 6 5 3
♥	7
♦	Q 10 9 7 2
♣	K 9 2

♠	Q 9 7
♥	A K 9 5 3
♦	A 8 3
♣	A 4

NS 5N; NS 5♥; NS 4♣; NS 1♠; NS 1♦; Par +460

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

A little too strong to open 1 NT
Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a 3+ card limit raise in Hearts
Can't imagine a hand opposite that would have play for slam

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	6	♣ 7	480		7.00	0.00	1-Campbell-Brendamour	5-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	S	5	♥ 6	460		6.00	1.00	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♥	S	5	♥ 6	450		3.00	4.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♥	N	5	♥ 6	450		3.00	4.00	3-Elliott-Runda	10-Schapera-Brown
4 ♥	S	5	♦ 4	450		3.00	4.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	4-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♥	S	5	♣ 5	450		3.00	4.00	7-Lammers-Behr	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
4 ♥	S	5	♠ A	450		3.00	4.00	8-Heckel-Decker	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	S	3	♦ 4	400		0.00	7.00	4-Temples-Mehl	12-Oblinger-Murdock

N/S lose one Spade trick and one Club, making five. 3 NT would score better, but how often do you play in 3 NT with a 10-card fit in a major? Me either (neither?). If West leads a small Club, N/S make six (Clubs is a frozen suit). A trump is best.

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 10 6 2
♥	A K J 3
♦	10 4 3 2
♣	6

♠	K J 8 5 4
♥	2
♦	A K 5
♣	A K 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	7
♥	Q 10 9 8 7 6 5
♦	8 7
♣	8 4 3

♠	Q 9 3
♥	4
♦	Q J 9 6
♣	Q J 10 9 7

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

West	North	East	South
	1 ♦	Pass	1 NT
Dbl1	Pass	2 ♥	3 ♦
Dbl2	Pass	3 ♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

All big hands start with a double
Ostensibly for penalty

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠×	W	−2	♥ A	500		7.00	0.00	3-Elliott-Runda	8-Diers-McCarthy
4 ♠	W	−3	♥ A	300		6.00	1.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♠	W	−2	♥ A	200		4.50	2.50	4-Temples-Mehl	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	W	−2	♠ 2	200		4.50	2.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
3 ♠	W	−1	♣ 6	100		3.00	4.00	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Lipp-Cai
3 ♦	N	−1	♠ 7		50	2.00	5.00	8-Heckel-Decker	7-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♠	W	2	♣ 6		110	1.00	6.00	7-Lammers-Behr	5-Burns-Kobida
5 ♦×	N	−5	♠ 7		1100	0.00	7.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz

East certainly is wise to bid their Hearts again--they have no problem playing across from a small singleton. E/W lose one Spade trick and three Hearts (declarer's slow Club loser goes away on dummy's ♠ K), making three. South may lead the ♣ Q. Declarer will win in dummy and immediately lead a Heart towards their hand covering any card that North plays.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	J 9 7
♥	Q 7
♦	A 8 7 5 2
♣	A 8 6

♠	K 2
♥	A 9 5 4 3
♦	K 3
♣	K Q 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8 6 5 3
♥	K 10
♦	Q J
♣	J 5 4 2

♠	A Q 4
♥	J 8 6 2
♦	10 9 6 4
♣	10 7

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	W	−2	♦ A	200		7.00	0.00	4-Temples-Mehl	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	E	−1	♥ 2	100		6.00	1.00	3-Elliott-Runda	8-Diers-McCarthy
1 NT	W	1	♦ 5		90	5.00	2.00	8-Heckel-Decker	7-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♠	W	2	♠ 7		110	2.50	4.50	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Lipp-Cai
2 ♣	W	3	♠ 7		110	2.50	4.50	6-Zimmer-Kammer	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♣	W	3	♠ 7		110	2.50	4.50	7-Lammers-Behr	5-Burns-Kobida
2 ♥	W	2	♠ J		110	2.50	4.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
2 ♠	W	3	♦ A		140	0.00	7.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz

E/W lose one Club trick, one Diamond, and one Spade, making four. North should lead the ♣ A and a second Club. If declarer tries to ruff their Hearts good, they'll make only nine tricks. On this layout, it works best to set up the Spades in dummy. Declarer should win the second Club in dummy and lead a Spade towards their hand, ducked by South. A second Spade is won cheaply by the opponents and a third Club is led, but declarer is in control. A Heart to the ♥ K is followed by a Spade ruff, and when the suit breaks 3-3, it's a simple matter to play the ♥ A, ruff a Heart to dummy, and cash two more Spade tricks (pitching Hearts). The ♦ A is the third defensive trick.

Board 27
South Deals
None Vul

♠	A 5
♥	K Q J 4 2
♦	A J 10 5
♣	10 5

♠	J 6 4 3 2
♥	3
♦	K 9 8
♣	K Q 6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	10 9
♥	A 10 9 8 6
♦	Q 4 3
♣	9 8 3

♠	K Q 8 7
♥	7 5
♦	7 6 2
♣	A J 7 4

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	1 ♥	Pass	1 ♠
Pass	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 NT	N	4	♥ 9	430		7.00	0.00	4-Temples-Mehl	11-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	N	3	♥ 8	150		6.00	1.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♦	N	2	♠ 10	90		5.00	2.00	8-Heckel-Decker	7-Venosa-Venosa
3 NT	N	−1	♥ 8		50	2.50	4.50	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 NT	N	−1	♥ 10		50	2.50	4.50	3-Elliott-Runda	8-Diers-McCarthy
2 NT	S	−1	♣ K		50	2.50	4.50	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Lipp-Cai
3 NT	N	−1	♥ 10		50	2.50	4.50	7-Lammers-Behr	5-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	S	−2	♠ 2		100	0.00	7.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes

South's 2 NT bid shows 10-11 HCP. N/S take three Spade tricks, two Hearts, three Diamonds, and one Club, making three. If West leads a Club, N/S might make four. A better lead would be the ♥ 3.

Board 28
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 8 7
♥	A 9 6
♦	A Q 9
♣	J 8 5 2

♠	Q 10 4
♥	K Q 10 3
♦	7
♣	K 10 9 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 3 2
♥	J 5 2
♦	6 5 4 3
♣	A 7

♠	9 6 5
♥	8 7 4
♦	K J 10 8 2
♣	Q 6

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

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

Showing 9-11 HCP

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	N	1	♠ 3	90		7.00	0.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	8-Diers-McCarthy
2 NT	E	−1	♦ 8	50		6.00	1.00	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Venosa-Venosa
1 NT	W	1	♣ 2		90	5.00	2.00	10-Petersen-Booker	10-Schapera-Brown
2 ♥	W	2	♦ A		110	4.00	3.00	8-Heckel-Decker	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 ♥	W	3	♠ 7		140	2.50	4.50	5-Lin-Hubka	12-Oblinger-Murdock
2 ♠	E	3	♣ Q		140	2.50	4.50	7-Lammers-Behr	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 NT	W	3	♠ 7		150	1.00	6.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	2-Earls-Lubow
1 NT	W	4	♣ 2		180	0.00	7.00	4-Temples-Mehl	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes

E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. North may lead the ♦ A and continue with the ♦ Q at trick two when partner signals encouragement. Declarer, figuring on North for only three Diamonds, can ruff the second Diamond with the ♥ 3, play a Club to the ♣ A and ruff a third Diamond in their hand before exiting with a trump. North wins, but with no Diamonds left has nothing better to do than to play a Heart to declarer's now stiff ♥ Q. A Spade to the ♠ A followed by the ♥ J pull the remaining trumps, and now it's a simple matter to play ♣ A, Club to the ♣ K (dropping the ♣ Q), and the ♣T to North's ♣ J. Declarer's can claim the remaining tricks when North is forced to return a black suit.

Board 29
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	9 6 3 2
♥	6 4
♦	7 5 4
♣	J 8 6 2

♠	J 5 4
♥	A 8 3
♦	A 10 8 2
♣	9 7 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q 10
♥	K 10 9 5
♦	3
♣	A K 4 3

♠	8 7
♥	Q J 7 2
♦	K Q J 9 6
♣	Q 10

EW 4N; EW 4♠; EW 4♥; EW 5♣; EW 3♦; Par −630

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 ♣	1 ♦
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	♦ K		170	7.00	0.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	W	3	♦ 4		600	5.00	2.00	5-Lin-Hubka	12-Oblinger-Murdock
3 NT	W	3	♦ 7		600	5.00	2.00	7-Lammers-Behr	4-Congbalay-Cook
3 NT	W	3	♠ 2		600	5.00	2.00	10-Petersen-Booker	10-Schapera-Brown
4 ♥	E	4	♦ K		620	3.00	4.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	2-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	W	4	♦ 4		630	1.00	6.00	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Venosa-Venosa
3 NT	W	4	♦ 4		630	1.00	6.00	4-Temples-Mehl	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
3 NT	W	4	♦ 4		630	1.00	6.00	8-Heckel-Decker	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz

E/W take four Spade tricks, two Hearts, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, making four. North will lead the ♦ 5 (MUD). Isn't MUD (Middle-Up-Down) reserved for leads in suit contracts? Usually, but it's also somewhat useful when leading partner's unsupported suit in notrump. Partner will have an easier time defending knowing that you don't have a doubleton.

Board 30
East Deals
None Vul

♠	10 7
♥	K 9 4
♦	K J 7 3
♣	6 5 3 2

♠	J 9 5
♥	8 7 2
♦	Q 10 5 4
♣	10 8 7

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 8 6 4 2
♥	A Q 3
♦	8
♣	A K Q

♠	Q 3
♥	J 10 6 5
♦	A 9 6 2
♣	J 9 4

EW 5♠; W 4N; E 3N; W 3♣; E 2♣; EW 1♥; EW 1♦; Par −450

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

Alert, artificial bid denying an A, K, or QQ
A trump fit but no 1st or 2nd round control in any side suit

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	E	−1	♦ A	50		7.00	0.00	7-Lammers-Behr	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 ♠	E	5	♥ J		200	6.00	1.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	8-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠	E	6	♥ J		230	5.00	2.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	E	5	♥ J		450	2.50	4.50	3-Elliott-Runda	7-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♠	E	5	♥ J		450	2.50	4.50	4-Temples-Mehl	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
4 ♠	E	5	♥ 5		450	2.50	4.50	5-Lin-Hubka	12-Oblinger-Murdock
4 ♠	E	5	♥ 5		450	2.50	4.50	8-Heckel-Decker	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
4 ♠	E	6	♥ J		480	0.00	7.00	10-Petersen-Booker	10-Schapera-Brown

E/W lose one Heart trick and one Diamond, making five. South will lead the ♥ J.

Board 31
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 8 4 3 2
♥	10 9 3
♦	J 8 5 4
♣	A

♠	10
♥	J 8 7 4
♦	10 3
♣	J 10 9 6 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 7 5
♥	K 2
♦	K 9 7 6 2
♣	K 4

♠	J 9 6
♥	A Q 6 5
♦	A Q
♣	Q 8 7 5

NS 4♠; NS 3N; N 3♥; S 2♥; N 3♦; S 2♦; NS 1♣; Par +620

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

15 to 17
Transfer

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	4	♦ 10	620		7.00	0.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	1-Lipp-Cai
3 NT	S	3	♣ J	600		6.00	1.00	7-Lammers-Behr	3-Endres-Kennedy
2 NT	S	4	♣ 9	180		5.00	2.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	11-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♠	S	2	♣ J	110		4.00	3.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Schapera-Brown
3 ♠	N	−1	♦ 6		100	3.00	4.00	8-Heckel-Decker	5-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠	S	−2	♣ J		200	1.50	5.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	7-Venosa-Venosa
2 NT	S	−2	♣ J		200	1.50	5.50	10-Petersen-Booker	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
3 NT	S	−3	♣ 6		300	0.00	7.00	4-Temples-Mehl	8-Diers-McCarthy

North is willing to call their hand game forcing due to their nice spot cards. N/S lose two Spade tricks and one Heart, making four. West will lead the ♣ J. The proper way to play the Spade suit is small towards the ♠ J on the first round.

Board 32
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 10 5
♥	K J
♦	5 4
♣	K 9 7 4 3 2

♠	7 6 4
♥	Q 10 5
♦	K Q 6 2
♣	A Q 10

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 2
♥	A 7 6 3
♦	10 8 7 3
♣	6 5

♠	Q 9 8 3
♥	9 8 4 2
♦	A J 9
♣	J 8

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

West	North	East	South
1 ♦	Pass	1 ♥	Pass
1 NT	Pass	2 ♣1	Pass
2 ♦2	Pass	2 NT3	Pass
3 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, artificial XYZ bid showing an invitational hand and asking partner to bid 2 ♦
Alert, artificial XYZ forced bid
Invitational in notrump

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	E	−4	♣ J	400		7.00	0.00	4-Temples-Mehl	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	W	−1	♣ 4	100		5.00	2.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Schapera-Brown
3 NT	E	−1	♠ 3	100		5.00	2.00	8-Heckel-Decker	5-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	E	−1	♠ 3	100		5.00	2.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	11-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	W	1	♣ 4		90	2.50	4.50	6-Zimmer-Kammer	1-Lipp-Cai
1 NT	W	1	♣ 4		90	2.50	4.50	10-Petersen-Booker	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
2 ♦	W	4	♠ J		130	1.00	6.00	7-Lammers-Behr	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	W	3	♠ J		600	0.00	7.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	7-Venosa-Venosa

West has a fairly easy raise to game with 13 HCP and two Tens. E/W take two Spade tricks, two Clubs, three Diamonds, and two Hearts, making three. North will probably lead a small Club.

Board 33
North Deals
None Vul

♠	A Q 10
♥	K 7 3 2
♦	K Q 9
♣	10 7 4

♠	J 9 8 3
♥	8 5
♦	10 5 3
♣	K 9 8 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K 5
♥	Q J 9 6 4
♦	8 6 4 2
♣	J 3

♠	7 6 4 2
♥	A 10
♦	A J 7
♣	A Q 6 2

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

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
3 NT	N	4	♥ Q	430		6.00	1.00	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Schapera-Brown
3 NT	N	4	♥ 6	430		6.00	1.00	7-Lammers-Behr	3-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	N	4	♥ 6	430		6.00	1.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	S	3	♣ 5	400		3.00	4.00	4-Temples-Mehl	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	S	3	♦ 10	400		3.00	4.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	1-Lipp-Cai
3 NT	N	3	♥ 6	400		3.00	4.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	7-Venosa-Venosa
1 NT	S	3	♣ 5	150		1.00	6.00	10-Petersen-Booker	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
2 ♥	E	−2	♠ 2	100		0.00	7.00	8-Heckel-Decker	5-Burns-Kobida

N/S take two Heart tricks, two Spades, three Diamonds, and two Clubs, making three. East may lead the ♥ Q.

Board 34
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	9 6
♥	J 10 8 6 4
♦	Q 10 9 6
♣	7 3

♠	A 8 7 2
♥	K 7 2
♦	8 5 4
♣	A Q 4

N
W		E
S

♠	J 5 4 3
♥	A 3
♦	A 7 3
♣	K 10 9 5

♠	K Q 10
♥	Q 9 5
♦	K J 2
♣	J 8 6 2

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

West	North	East	South
		1 ♣	Pass1
1 ♠	Pass	2 ♠	Pass
2 NT2	Pass	3 ♥3	Pass
4 ♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
Alert, artificial Wold 2 NT asking for more information about partner's hand
Alert, artificial Wold 2 NT response showing a minimum hand with four Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	W	−3	♥ J	150		7.00	0.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	12-Oblinger-Murdock
4 ♠	W	−1	♦ 10	50		4.00	3.00	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
4 ♠	W	−1	♥ J	50		4.00	3.00	7-Lammers-Behr	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	E	−1	♥ Q	50		4.00	3.00	8-Heckel-Decker	4-Congbalay-Cook
4 ♠	W	−1	♥ J	50		4.00	3.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
4 ♠	W	−1	♥ J	50		4.00	3.00	10-Petersen-Booker	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♠	W	3	♥ J		140	1.00	6.00	6-Zimmer-Kammer	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	E	4	♣ 2		430	0.00	7.00	11-Kehoe-Stanley	10-Schapera-Brown

E/W lose two Spade tricks and two Diamonds, down one. If North doesn't lead a Diamond, E/W might very well make four when one of declarer's small Diamonds goes on the long Club. That would entail declarer playing along double-dummy lines.

For instance, ♥ J to the ♥ A, duck a Spade, duck the Diamond switch, win the Diamond continuation in dummy with the ♦ A, run the ♣T, Spade to the ♠ A, ♣ A, ♣ Q, ♥ K, ruff a Heart in dummy, ♣ 9 pitching declarer's last Diamond, Diamond ruff, and trick 13 is a small trump to South's ♠ Q. Nicely played!

Board 35
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	7 6 5
♥	9 8
♦	A 9 8 6
♣	J 8 5 3

♠	10 2
♥	A Q 5 4 3
♦	K 10
♣	A 9 7 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 9 4 3
♥	10 7
♦	Q 7 4 3
♣	K 6

♠	K J 8
♥	K J 6 2
♦	J 5 2
♣	Q 10 4

EW 4♠; EW 3♥; EW 2N; EW 2♦; EW 2♣; Par −620

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 NT	W	−3	♣ 3	300		7.00	0.00	8-Heckel-Decker	4-Congbalay-Cook
2 NT	W	−1	♦ 6	100		5.50	1.50	6-Zimmer-Kammer	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	W	−1	♠ 5	100		5.50	1.50	11-Kehoe-Stanley	10-Schapera-Brown
2 NT	W	2	♣ 3		120	4.00	3.00	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
1 NT	W	3	♠ 6		150	3.00	4.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	12-Oblinger-Murdock
2 ♠	E	4	♦ 2		170	2.00	5.00	7-Lammers-Behr	2-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	E	3	♦ 2		600	0.50	6.50	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 NT	E	3	♥ 2		600	0.50	6.50	10-Petersen-Booker	8-Diers-McCarthy

If South leads the ♣ Q (unblocking) E/W will take only eight tricks. Any other lead will give them time to take nine.

Board 36
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	K 10 9 4 3
♥	8
♦	K Q 10 2
♣	K J 2

♠	Q
♥	K 10 5 3 2
♦	J
♣	A Q 8 7 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 7
♥	Q 7 6
♦	9 8 7 6 4
♣	10 9 6

♠	J 8 6 5 2
♥	A J 9 4
♦	A 5 3
♣	4

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

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

Splinter in support of Spades
Lead a Club

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♥×	W	−3	♠ 3	800		7.00	0.00	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Tedrick-Kereiakes
4 ♠	S	6	♦ J	680		6.00	1.00	12-Vanstone-Gibler	12-Oblinger-Murdock
4 ♠	N	5	♥ 6	650		5.00	2.00	7-Lammers-Behr	2-Earls-Lubow
4 ♥	W	−3	♠ 4	300		4.00	3.00	9-Singerman-Kreitzer	6-Terbrueggen-Schultz
3 ♠	N	5	♥ Q	200		1.50	5.50	6-Zimmer-Kammer	11-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠	N	5	♥ 6	200		1.50	5.50	8-Heckel-Decker	4-Congbalay-Cook
3 ♠	N	5	♥ Q	200		1.50	5.50	10-Petersen-Booker	8-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♠	N	5	♣ 10	200		1.50	5.50	11-Kehoe-Stanley	10-Schapera-Brown

N/S lose one Spade trick and one Club, making five. East will lead the ♣T.