MON 08/28/2017 at Nite

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>August 28, 2017    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 08/28/2017 22:36
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
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=4                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Debbie Wiest           John Altman Sr           A    .     .     .    132.95  50.36
 2 Donald Pollack         Bernice Pollack          C    .     .     .    106.15  40.21
 3 Kathy Rice             Cecilia Kloecker         C    2     2     1    154.96  58.70  0.91(A)
 4 Arun Gupta             Nalin Mehta              A    5     .     .    138.91  52.62  0.26(A)
 5 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A    3     .     .    148.05  56.08  0.65(A)
 6 Judith Lubow           Patrick Lammers          B    .     .     .    137.27  52.00
 7 Joyce Tedrick          Joy Singerman            B    .     .     .    133.74  50.66
 8 Joseph Kammer          Gail Zimmer              B    1     1     .    158.23  59.94  1.30(A)
 9 Patrick Hoffman        Lanny Cai                B    .     .     .    131.28  49.73
10 Annette Kereiakes      Tom Kereiakes            C    4     3     2    141.75  53.69  0.46(A)
11 Pamela Kennedy         Cheryl Endres            C    .     .     .     97.59  36.97
12 Martin Petersen        June Cushman             A    .     .     .    103.37  39.16


                                          Totals                        1584.25


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>   2.77        2.77  2.77 10.95  8.23  2.77  8.23  6.59  9.86  2.77  2.77
        -420   ---- -420  -420    90  -170  -420  -170  -200    50  -420  -420   ----

   2>  10.41       10.41  1.14  2.77  8.23  6.05  8.23  6.05  4.41  0.05  2.77
         170   ----  170  -100    50   140   110   140   110   100  -200    50   ----

   3>   8.23  3.86        9.86  8.23  1.68  3.86  6.05 10.95  6.05  0.05  1.68
         430   200   ----  500   430   -50   200   400   800   400  -150   -50   ----

   4>   4.41  0.59       10.95  6.59  6.59  2.77  9.32  9.32  6.59  0.59  2.77
        -120  -180   ----  200   -80   -80  -150   100   100   -80  -180  -150   ----

   5>   0.05  2.23  1.14        6.59 10.41  3.86 10.41  6.59  8.77  3.86  6.59
        -140  -100  -110   ----  100   150    50   150   100   130    50   100   ----

   6>   8.23  9.86  4.41        8.23  1.14  6.59  4.41  1.14  4.41  1.14 10.95
         100   300   -50   ----  100  -100    90   -50  -100   -50  -100   470   ----

   7>   3.32  0.05  9.86  7.68        9.86  1.68  9.86    5-  1.68    5-    5-
        -660  -690   100  -620   ----  100  -680   100  -650  -680  -650  -650   ----

   8>   3.32  8.77  8.77  3.32        0.05 10.95  1.14  6.05  3.32  8.77  6.05
         -50   170   170   -50   ---- -150   230  -100   140   -50   170   140   ----

   9>     5-  8.23  8.23  0.59  0.59       10.95  9.86  6.59  2.23  4.41  3.32
        -140  -100  -100  -620  -620   ----  200   -50  -130  -500  -150  -170   ----

  10>  10.41  3.86  3.86 10.41  8.23        8.23  3.86  3.86  0.05  3.86  3.86
         300   100   100   300   200   ----  200   100   100  -690   100   100   ----

  11>   1.68  1.68  6.59  4.95  3.32  0.05        4.95 10.95  8.77  8.77  8.77
         -90   -90   100    50   -50  -150   ----   50   130   110   110   110   ----

  12>  10.95  2.23  6.59  9.86  0.05  6.59        2.23  6.59  6.59  2.23  6.59
        -200  -480  -450  -420  -800  -450   ---- -480  -450  -450  -480  -450   ----

  13>   2.23  4.41 10.95  7.68  7.68  3.32  7.68        0.59  7.68  0.59  7.68
         100   620  1430   680   680   200   680   ---- -650   680  -650   680   ----

  14>   1.14  0.05 10.41  4.41 10.41  8.77  7.14        4.41  2.23  4.41  7.14
        -130  -300   300    50   300   140   100   ----   50   -50    50   100   ----

  15>   2.23  7.14  7.14  7.14 10.95  0.59  7.14  7.14        3.32  7.14  0.59
         -90    50    50    50   120  -200    50    50   ----  -80    50  -200   ----

  16>   1.68  1.68  1.68  1.68  4.95  7.68  7.68 10.41       10.41  4.95  7.68
        -100  -100  -100  -100   -50   170   170   420   ----  420   -50   170   ----

  17>  10.95  0.59  3.86  9.32  0.59  6.59  6.59  6.59  9.32        3.86  2.23
         550   110   150   430   110   400   400   400   430   ----  150   130   ----

  18>   0.05  9.86  7.68  4.95 10.95  7.68  1.14  3.32  4.95        7.68  2.23
        -920   100    50  -200   500    50  -800  -400  -200   ----   50  -500   ----

  19>  10.95  4.41  8.23  8.23  4.41  0.59  6.59  4.41  0.59  9.86        2.23
         480   140   420   420   140   -50   230   140   -50   450   ----  120   ----

  20>   7.30  3.10  3.10    8-  3.10        9.70 10.90  0.10  6.10        3.10
        -100  -150  -150   100  -150    NP   140   200  -170  -130   ---- -150   ----

  21>   4.41  0.05 10.41  8.23 10.41  3.32    5-  6.59  1.14  8.23  2.23
         110  -500   620   170   620   100   140   150  -200   170  -100   ----  ----

  22>   8.23  4.41 10.41  0.05 10.41  4.41  4.41  4.41  8.23  4.41  1.14
         100  -140   200  -300   200  -140  -140  -140   100  -140  -150   ----  ----

  23>     4-   10     4-    4-   11     4-    4-    4-    4-    4-    4-    4-
        PASS   100  PASS  PASS   120  PASS  PASS  PASS  PASS  PASS  PASS  PASS   ----

  24>    10     7     3-    5-    1    11     3-    5-    9     8     1     1
         300   110    90   100    50   500    90   100   150   120    50    50   ----

  25>         4.95  0.05  7.14  3.32  9.86  1.14  8.77  4.95  7.14 10.95  2.23
         ---- -140  -650  -100  -170   100  -620   -50  -140  -100   200  -200   ----

  26>         7.14 10.41  0.05  3.32 10.41  3.32  7.14  3.32  7.14  7.14  1.14
         ----   90   110  -300  -100   110  -100    90  -100    90    90  -200   ----



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>August 28, 2017    |CLUB NO.>185264    | 08/28/2017 22:36
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
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=7/C=2                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 John Meinking          Betty Murdock            A    .     .     .    131.12  49.67
 2 Robert Prosise         Joanne Earls             A    4     .     .    151.65  57.44  0.46(A)
 3 Mike Burns             Charlie Kobida           B    .     .     .    118.07  44.72
 4 Robert Roark           Pam Campbell             A    .     .     .    130.29  49.35
 5 Janet Venosa           Al Venosa                B    .     .     .    112.79  42.72
 6 Herb Schapera          Ralph Terbrueggen        A    .     .     .    129.33  48.99
 7 Daniel Koppenhafer     JoAnne Essig             B    1     1     .    156.31  59.21  1.30(A)
 8 Lewis Temples          Richard Koch             C    5     3     1    135.64  51.38  0.28(B)
 9 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Martin Gibler            B    .     .     .    114.89  43.52
10 Stephen Felson         Robert Brown             A    3     .     .    152.83  57.89  0.65(A)
11 John Williams          William Cook             B    2     2     .    154.40  58.48  0.91(A)
12 Doris Kehoe            Lilam Stanley            A    .     .     .     98.74  37.40
13 Peggy Jervis           Pat Lindeman             C    .     .     .    130.90  49.58

                                          Totals                        1716.96


                                       **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13
  /
   1>   8.23  2.77        4.41  8.23  1.14  8.23  8.23  0.05  8.23  2.77        8.23
         420   170   ----  200   420   -50   420   420   -90   420   170   ----  420

   2>   0.59  2.77        4.95  0.59  6.59  9.86 10.95  8.23  8.23  2.77        4.95
        -170  -140   ---- -110  -170  -100   100   200   -50   -50  -140   ---- -110

   3>   4.95  7.14  0.05        4.95  1.14 10.95  2.77  9.32  9.32        7.14  2.77
        -400  -200  -800   ---- -400  -500   150  -430    50    50   ---- -200  -430

   4>   1.68 10.41  1.68        4.41  0.05 10.41  4.41  8.23  4.41        8.23  6.59
        -100   180  -100   ----   80  -200   180    80   150    80   ----  150   120

   5>   8.77  4.41  9.86  2.23        7.14  4.41  4.41  0.59        7.14 10.95  0.59
         100  -100   110  -130   ----  -50  -100  -100  -150   ----  -50   140  -150

   6>   1.14  9.86  6.59  6.59        9.86  2.77  0.05  9.86        4.41  2.77  6.59
        -300   100    50    50   ----  100  -100  -470   100   ----  -90  -100    50

   7>     5-  1.14  9.32  3.32    5-          5-  1.14        9.32  7.68  1.14 10.95
         650  -100   680   620   650   ----  650  -100   ----  680   660  -100   690

   8>   4.95  2.23  7.68  7.68  2.23        4.95 10.95        0.05  7.68  9.86  2.23
        -140  -170    50    50  -170   ---- -140   150   ---- -230    50   100  -170

   9>   2.77  8.77 10.41  6.59 10.41  7.68              0.05    5-  1.14  2.77  4.41
         100   500   620   150   620   170   ----  ---- -200   140    50   100   130

  10>   7.14 10.95  0.59  7.14  2.77  7.14              2.77  0.59  7.14  7.14  7.14
        -100   690  -300  -100  -200  -100   ----  ---- -200  -300  -100  -100  -100

  11>   2.23  6.05  2.23  7.68  2.23 10.95              9.32  6.05  9.32  0.05  4.41
        -110   -50  -110    50  -110   150   ----  ----   90   -50    90  -130  -100

  12>   4.41  1.14  8.77 10.95  4.41  4.41              0.05  8.77  8.77  4.41  4.41
         450   420   480   800   450   450   ----  ----  200   480   480   450   450

  13>   3.32 10.41  3.32  3.32  7.68        3.32  8.77        6.59 10.41  0.05  3.32
        -680   650  -680  -680  -200   ---- -680  -100   ---- -620   650 -1430  -680

  14>   6.59  6.59  0.59  3.86  2.23        3.86  9.86       10.95  6.59  0.59  8.77
         -50   -50  -300  -100  -140   ---- -100   130   ----  300   -50  -300    50

  15>   3.86  0.05 10.41 10.41        3.86  8.77  3.86  3.86        3.86  7.68  3.86
         -50  -120   200   200   ----  -50    90   -50   -50   ----  -50    80   -50

  16>   6.05  6.05  3.32  3.32        3.32  9.32  0.59  9.32        9.32  0.59  9.32
          50    50  -170  -170   ---- -170   100  -420   100   ----  100  -420   100

  17>  10.41  8.77  4.41        4.41  0.05  4.41 10.41  1.68  7.14        1.68  7.14
        -110  -130  -400   ---- -400  -550  -400  -110  -430  -150   ---- -430  -150

  18>   0.05  8.77  3.32        9.86 10.95  7.68  1.14  6.05  3.32        6.05  3.32
        -500   500   -50   ----  800   920   400  -100   200   -50   ----  200   -50

  19>   8.77 10.41        4.41  0.05  6.59  6.59 10.41  2.77  1.14  2.77        6.59
        -120    50   ---- -230  -480  -140  -140    50  -420  -450  -420   ---- -140

  20>   7.90              1.30  3.70  0.10  7.90 10.90  7.90  4.90    2-        7.90
         150    NP   ---- -140   100  -200   150   170   150   130  -100   ----  150

  21>   7.68          5-  6.59  4.41 10.95  9.86  0.59  2.77  2.77  8.77  0.59
        -100   ---- -140  -110  -150   500   200  -620  -170  -170   100  -620   ----

  22>   6.59        6.59  2.77  6.59  6.59  2.77  0.59  6.59 10.95  9.86  0.59
         140   ----  140  -100   140   140  -100  -200   140   300   150  -200   ----

  23>           6-    6-    6-    1     6-    6-    6-    6-    6-    0     6-    6-
         ---- PASS  PASS  PASS  -100  PASS  PASS  PASS  PASS  PASS  -120  PASS  PASS

  24>           7-    1     5-    4     2     7-    3     5-   10    10    10     0
         ----  -90  -300  -100  -110  -150   -90  -120  -100   -50   -50   -50  -500

  25>   9.86        2.23  6.05  6.05 10.95  3.86  3.86  0.05  7.68  8.77  1.14
         620   ----   50   140   140   650   100   100  -200   170   200  -100   ----

  26>   7.68        3.86  3.86  7.68  0.59  3.86 10.95  3.86  7.68  9.86  0.59
         100   ----  -90   -90   100  -110   -90   300   -90   100   200  -110   ----
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, August 28, 2017

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	8 2
♥	5 4
♦	K Q 10 9 7 4
♣	7 4 3

♠	Q 4
♥	J 8 7 6
♦	A 8 5 3
♣	A 10 8

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 10 9
♥	K 10 9 3 2
♦	2
♣	K J 9

♠	K 7 6 5 3
♥	A Q
♦	J 6
♣	Q 6 5 2

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

West	North	East	South
	Pass1	2 ♦2	Pass
2 NT3	Pass	3 ♣4	Pass
4 ♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Unable to bid 2 ♦ as a weak-two bid
Alert, artificial Flannery bid showing 11-15 HCP, four Spades, and five Hearts
Alert, artificial bid asking for more information about partner's hand
Alert, artificial bid showing exactly three Clubs (4513 shape)

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	N	2	♠ J	90		10.95	0.05	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♥	W	−1	♥ 5	50		9.86	1.14	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
2 ♥	E	4	♦ K		170	8.23	2.77	6-Lubow-Lammers	11-Williams-Cook
3 ♥	E	4	♣ 2		170	8.23	2.77	8-Kammer-Zimmer	2-Prosise-Earls
3 ♥	E	5	♠ 7		200	6.59	4.41	9-Hoffman-Cai	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♥	E	4	♦ J		420	2.77	8.23	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	1-Meinking-Murdock
4 ♥	E	4	♦ J		420	2.77	8.23	3-Rice-Kloecker	5-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♥	E	4	♦ J		420	2.77	8.23	4-Gupta-Mehta	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♥	E	4	♣ 2		420	2.77	8.23	7-Tedrick-Singerman	13-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♥	W	4	♦ K		420	2.77	8.23	11-Kennedy-Endres	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	E	4	♣ 2		420	2.77	8.23	12-Petersen-Cushman	10-Felson-Brown

N/S also play Flannery, so North doesn't have a weak-two bid available to them. If they did open 2 ♦, East would double, and E/W would coast into their 4 ♥ contract. All roads.....

E/W lose one Spade trick and two Hearts, making four if North leads a Spade. On a Diamond lead (much more likely), it's possible for South to get endplayed and have to give E/W either a ruff-sluff or lead a Spade away from the ♠ K, although that's probably not going to happen.

If North leads the ♦ K, declarer will win the ♦ A, ruff a Diamond in dummy, play three rounds of Clubs (finessing South for the ♣ Q) and exit with a trump. South can win the ♥ Q and cash another high Heart but then has to either lead a Spade or a Club. On the likely Club lead, declarer can pitch a Spade from their hand and ruff in dummy. Now the ♠ A and repeated ruffing finesses against South's ♠ K bring in the Spades without a loss.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K Q
♥	K 10 8 5
♦	6 4
♣	Q 9 8 7 6

♠	J 7 5 3
♥	9 7 6
♦	A K Q
♣	A 10 2

N
W		E
S

♠	9 6 4 2
♥	4 2
♦	10 9 7 5
♣	K J 3

♠	A 10 8
♥	A Q J 3
♦	J 8 3 2
♣	5 4

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

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♦
Pass1	1 ♥	Pass	2 ♥
Dbl2	Pass	2 ♠	Pass
Pass	3 ♥	Pass	Pass
3 ♠	Pass	Pass	Dbl
Pass	Pass	Pass

Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	N	4	♣ 3	170		10.41	0.59	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 ♥	N	4	♠ 9	170		10.41	0.59	3-Rice-Kloecker	5-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♥	N	3	♠ 6	140		8.23	2.77	6-Lubow-Lammers	11-Williams-Cook
2 ♥	N	3	♣ 3	140		8.23	2.77	8-Kammer-Zimmer	2-Prosise-Earls
2 ♥	N	2	♠ 9	110		6.05	4.95	7-Tedrick-Singerman	13-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥	N	2	♠ 6	110		6.05	4.95	9-Hoffman-Cai	4-Roark-Campbell
3 ♠	W	−2	♦ 6	100		4.41	6.59	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
2 ♠	E	−1	♣ 5	50		2.77	8.23	5-Lin-Hubka	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♠	E	−1	♥ 4	50		2.77	8.23	12-Petersen-Cushman	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	N	−1	♦ 10		100	1.14	9.86	4-Gupta-Mehta	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
3 ♣	N	−2	♠ 4		200	0.05	10.95	11-Kennedy-Endres	8-Temples-Koch

West should pass the first time through the auction with a flat hand. When the auction appears to be dying, and with favorable vulnerability, West invites partner to take a bid by doubling 2 ♥ and E/W find a nice 3 ♠ sacrifice.

E/W lose three Spade tricks and two Hearts, down one doubled for –100. North may lead the ♥ 5.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K J 5 4 2
♥	—
♦	J 10 9 7 4 2
♣	A 3

♠	Q 10 6 3
♥	Q 10 9 8 7 6 4
♦	5
♣	6

N
W		E
S

♠	A 9
♥	A 3 2
♦	K 8 6
♣	9 8 7 4 2

♠	8 7
♥	K J 5
♦	A Q 3
♣	K Q J 10 5

NS 6♦; NS 4N; NS 4♠; EW 3♥; NS 4♣; Par +800: EW 6♥×−3

West	North	East	South
			1 NT1
3 ♥2	Dbl3	4 ♥	5 ♣
Pass	5 ♦4	Pass	Pass
Pass

15 to 17
Showing 7+ Hearts
Negative for the unbid suits
Showing a hand with Diamonds and Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥×	W	−3	♣ A	800		10.95	0.05	9-Hoffman-Cai	3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♥×	W	−2	♦ J	500		9.86	1.14	4-Gupta-Mehta	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
3 NT	S	4	♥ 7	430		8.23	2.77	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	S	4	♥ 10	430		8.23	2.77	5-Lin-Hubka	8-Temples-Koch
3 NT	S	3	♥ 10	400		6.05	4.95	8-Kammer-Zimmer	1-Meinking-Murdock
3 NT	S	3	♥ 10	400		6.05	4.95	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♥×	W	−1	♣ A	200		3.86	7.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Prosise-Earls
4 ♥	W	−2	♦ J	200		3.86	7.14	7-Tedrick-Singerman	12-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	N	−1	♥ A		50	1.68	9.32	6-Lubow-Lammers	10-Felson-Brown
3 NT	S	−1	♥ 10		50	1.68	9.32	12-Petersen-Cushman	9-Vanstone-Gibler
5 ♣	S	−3	♦ 5		150	0.05	10.95	11-Kennedy-Endres	7-Koppenhafer-Essig

What fun! N/S play that a double of a two-level overcall after a 1 NT opening is primarily for penalty, but a double of a three-level overcall after a 1 NT opening is negative (i.e., for takeout). That's a reasonable agreement, although many pairs are now playing doubles after partner opens 1 NT as negative at all levels.

N/S lose one Spade trick, making six. East may lead the ♥ A, but it doesn't really matter since the Spade loser won't go away. It will make it easier to get the Spades right though, when declarer ruffs the ♥ A, pulls three rounds of trumps, plays off five rounds of Clubs (pitching three Spades), and throws another Spade on the good ♥ K.

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	6 3 2
♥	—
♦	A J 10 9 8
♣	Q 9 8 7 3

♠	Q J 10 9 7
♥	K 10 3 2
♦	Q 4 3
♣	J

N
W		E
S

♠	A 5
♥	J 9 8 5
♦	7 6 2
♣	A K 10 5

♠	K 8 4
♥	A Q 7 6 4
♦	K 5
♣	6 4 2

NS 3♣; NS 1N; NS 2♦; EW 1♥; Par +110

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

Showing 5+ Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	W	−2	♦ A	200		10.95	0.05	4-Gupta-Mehta	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
2 ♠	W	−1	♣ 9	100		9.32	1.68	8-Kammer-Zimmer	1-Meinking-Murdock
1 ♠	W	−1	♦ A	100		9.32	1.68	9-Hoffman-Cai	3-Burns-Kobida
1 ♠	W	1	♦ J		80	6.59	4.41	5-Lin-Hubka	8-Temples-Koch
1 ♠	W	1	♣ 9		80	6.59	4.41	6-Lubow-Lammers	10-Felson-Brown
1 ♠	W	1	♠ 2		80	6.59	4.41	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Venosa-Venosa
2 NT	E	2	♥ 6		120	4.41	6.59	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	13-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	E	3	♥ 6		150	2.77	8.23	7-Tedrick-Singerman	12-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	E	3	♥ 6		150	2.77	8.23	12-Petersen-Cushman	9-Vanstone-Gibler
1 NT	E	4	♥ 6		180	0.59	10.41	2-Pollack-Pollack	2-Prosise-Earls
1 NT	E	4	♥ 6		180	0.59	10.41	11-Kennedy-Endres	7-Koppenhafer-Essig

Why does West's 1 ♠ bid on this auction guarantee five or more Spades? Well, if they had only four Spades, they'd make a negative double. This is true only after a 1x - 1 ♥ auction (i.e., if the auction had gone 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ a 1 ♠ bid by responder would be ambiguous).

E/W lose five Diamond tricks, one Spade, and one Heart, down one. South should not lead a Heart on the auction--the ♦ K looks better, although few will find it.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A Q J 2
♥	K 8 4
♦	8 4
♣	K 10 8 7

♠	K 9 5
♥	A 7 3
♦	J 6 5
♣	Q 6 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8 3
♥	Q J 9 5 2
♦	K Q 9 3 2
♣	—

♠	7 6 4
♥	10 6
♦	A 10 7
♣	A J 9 5 2

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

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

Alert, artificial Unmichaels bid showing a min/max hand with Diamonds and an unspecified major
Alert, artificial Unusual vs. Unusual cuebid showing a limit raise or better in Clubs

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	E	−3	♣ A	150		10.41	0.59	6-Lubow-Lammers	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♣	N	5	♥ 2	150		10.41	0.59	8-Kammer-Zimmer	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♣	N	4	♥ Q	130		8.77	2.23	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♥	E	−2	♠ 4	100		6.59	4.41	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♥	W	−2	♣ 7	100		6.59	4.41	9-Hoffman-Cai	2-Prosise-Earls
4 ♥	E	−2	♣ A	100		6.59	4.41	12-Petersen-Cushman	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♥	E	−1	♣ A	50		3.86	7.14	7-Tedrick-Singerman	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♦	E	−1	♣ 5	50		3.86	7.14	11-Kennedy-Endres	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
4 ♣	N	−1	♥ Q		100	2.23	8.77	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 ♥	E	2	♠ 6		110	1.14	9.86	3-Rice-Kloecker	3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	E	3	♦ 8		140	0.05	10.95	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	12-Kehoe-Stanley

N/S lose one Heart trick and two Diamonds (or one Heart, one Diamond, and a trump). East will lead the ♦ K.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 9 2
♥	J 9 2
♦	7
♣	A Q J 8 6 5

♠	Q J 5
♥	A K 8 7 4
♦	9
♣	K 10 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	8 7 6 3
♥	Q 3
♦	A 10 5 4 2
♣	4 2

♠	K 10 4
♥	10 6 5
♦	K Q J 8 6 3
♣	7

NS 2♦; W 1♠; EW 1♥; NS 1♣; Par +90

West	North	East	South
		Pass	Pass
1 ♥	2 ♣1	Pass2	2 ♦
Pass	3 ♣	Pass	Pass
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass

Showing a full opener
Too weak to make a negative double at the two level vulnerable

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦×	N	3	♥ K	470		10.95	0.05	12-Petersen-Cushman	8-Temples-Koch
2 ♥	W	−3	♦ 7	300		9.86	1.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 ♥	W	−1	♦ 7	100		8.23	2.77	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	12-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♥	W	−1	♦ 7	100		8.23	2.77	5-Lin-Hubka	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♦	S	2	♥ A	90		6.59	4.41	7-Tedrick-Singerman	11-Williams-Cook
3 ♣	N	−1	♥ Q		50	4.41	6.59	3-Rice-Kloecker	3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♦	S	−1	♥ K		50	4.41	6.59	8-Kammer-Zimmer	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♣	N	−1	♥ Q		50	4.41	6.59	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	4-Roark-Campbell
2 ♦×	S	−1	♥ A		100	1.14	9.86	6-Lubow-Lammers	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♦	S	−2	♥ A		100	1.14	9.86	9-Hoffman-Cai	2-Prosise-Earls
3 ♣×	N	−1	♥ Q		100	1.14	9.86	11-Kennedy-Endres	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen

South's 2 ♦ bid over partner's 2/1 overcall is typically played as forcing for one round. That's unfortunate on this auction, because South would like nothing better than to bid 2 ♦, quickly put their bidding cards back in the box, turn to their RHO, and say "Your lead."

N/S lose three Heart tricks, two Clubs, and one Diamond, down two doubled for –300. East will lead the ♥ Q and continue Hearts when partner encourages.

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 6 3
♥	3
♦	K 10 9 2
♣	A 10 7 6 3

♠	A K Q 5
♥	A 10 7
♦	7 6
♣	Q 8 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	7 4 2
♥	K Q 8 5 4
♦	A Q 5
♣	K J

♠	J 10 9
♥	J 9 6 2
♦	J 8 4 3
♣	9 4

EW 6N; EW 6♠; EW 6♥; EW 3♦; EW 3♣; Par −1440

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

15 to 17
Transfer
Fishing for 3-card Heart support
Control bid showing 1st or 2nd round control in Clubs
Denying a Diamond control
RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
1430 response showing 2 or 5 keycards w/o the ♥ Q
Off a keycard

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♥	W	−1	♣ A	100		9.86	1.14	3-Rice-Kloecker	2-Prosise-Earls
6 ♥	W	−1	♦ 2	100		9.86	1.14	6-Lubow-Lammers	8-Temples-Koch
6 NT	W	−1	♠ 6	100		9.86	1.14	8-Kammer-Zimmer	12-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	W	4	♣ A		620	7.68	3.32	4-Gupta-Mehta	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♥	W	5	♥ 3		650	5.50	5.50	9-Hoffman-Cai	1-Meinking-Murdock
4 ♥	W	5	♦ 10		650	5.50	5.50	11-Kennedy-Endres	5-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♥	W	5	♠ 6		650	5.50	5.50	12-Petersen-Cushman	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
3 NT	E	5	♠ 6		660	3.32	7.68	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	11-Williams-Cook
5 ♥	W	6	♥ 3		680	1.68	9.32	7-Tedrick-Singerman	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	W	6	♥ 3		680	1.68	9.32	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	E	6	♦ 3		690	0.05	10.95	2-Pollack-Pollack	13-Jervis-Lindeman

East's 4 ♣ control bid denies 1st or 2nd round control in Spades. East takes a chance bidding keycard after West's 4 ♥ bid, but it's hard to imagine a 1 NT opener that doesn't have a Diamond control or a Spade control (possibly ♠ QJT ♥ AJ7 ♦ JT98 ♣ AQ3). That would simply be too sad.

If North leads a trump (or cashes the ♣ A and then leads a trump), the hand is too easy. If they don't lead a trump, declarer will probably get the hand wrong when they play for 3-2 Hearts. Oh well. While the Diamond finesse is "on," it probably doesn't need to be taken, since dummy's two Diamonds can be pitched on the ♣ Q and the long Spade.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	8 7 3
♥	A K 10 8 4 3
♦	6 5 3
♣	6

♠	K J 10 6
♥	6
♦	A K 10 8 7
♣	5 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q
♥	9 7 5 2
♦	Q 9 4 2
♣	9 8 3

♠	9 5 4 2
♥	Q J
♦	J
♣	A K Q J 10 7

EW 3♦; NS 2♣; NS 1♥; Par −110

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

Rule of 20 opener
Weak jump overcall

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	N	6	♦ 2	230		10.95	0.05	7-Tedrick-Singerman	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♣	S	6	♦ K	170		8.77	2.23	2-Pollack-Pollack	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♣	S	6	♥ 6	170		8.77	2.23	3-Rice-Kloecker	2-Prosise-Earls
3 ♣	S	6	♦ A	170		8.77	2.23	11-Kennedy-Endres	5-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♥	N	3	♦ 2	140		6.05	4.95	9-Hoffman-Cai	1-Meinking-Murdock
3 ♥	N	3	♦ 2	140		6.05	4.95	12-Petersen-Cushman	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♥	N	−1	♦ 2		50	3.32	7.68	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♥	N	−1	♦ 2		50	3.32	7.68	4-Gupta-Mehta	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♥	N	−1	♦ 2		50	3.32	7.68	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	N	−2	♦ Q		100	1.14	9.86	8-Kammer-Zimmer	12-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♥	N	−3	♦ 4		150	0.05	10.95	6-Lubow-Lammers	8-Temples-Koch

Poor South. That's a lovely Club suit, but they never get to mention it. E/W lose one Heart trick and three Clubs, making three. North may lead a high Heart, but they'd better switch to a Club at trick two or at least one of dummy's Club losers will go bye-bye on the good Spades. Oops.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q J 9 7
♥	K J 9
♦	Q J 10 8 5 3
♣	—

♠	A K 8 4 3
♥	6 5 3
♦	6 2
♣	A 10 3

N
W		E
S

♠	6 2
♥	A Q 10 7
♦	A
♣	K 9 8 7 6 4

♠	10 5
♥	8 4 2
♦	K 9 7 4
♣	Q J 5 2

EW 6♥; EW 6♣; EW 4♠; EW 3N; NS 1♦; Par −1400: NS 7♦×−6

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

Rule of 20 opener
Showing a full opener
Forcing for one round

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−2	♦ 4	200		10.95	0.05	7-Tedrick-Singerman	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♦	N	−1	♠ 6		50	9.86	1.14	8-Kammer-Zimmer	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♦	N	−2	♣ 4		100	8.23	2.77	2-Pollack-Pollack	12-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♦	N	−2	♦ A		100	8.23	2.77	3-Rice-Kloecker	1-Meinking-Murdock
3 ♣	E	4	♦ 4		130	6.59	4.41	9-Hoffman-Cai	13-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♠	W	3	♦ Q		140	5.50	5.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♣	E	5	♦ 4		150	4.41	6.59	11-Kennedy-Endres	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♣	E	6	♦ 4		170	3.32	7.68	12-Petersen-Cushman	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
5 ♦×	N	−3	♠ 2		500	2.23	8.77	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Prosise-Earls
5 ♣	E	6	♦ K		620	0.59	10.41	4-Gupta-Mehta	3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♠	W	4	♦ Q		620	0.59	10.41	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Venosa-Venosa

Again, it's a good idea to play new suits by advancer as forcing for one round if their partner has overcalled at the two level. Nuff said.

E/W lose one Club trick, making six. South will lead the ♦ 4. The best way to play the Club suit is small towards the ♣ K (i.e., South is more likely than North to have Club length). When North shows out, declarer can lead through South's ♣ QJ to hold their Club losers to one.

As South is marked with the ♦ K (on the lead) and the ♣ QJ, North will hold ♠ QJ, ♥ KJ, and ♦ QJ to justify their first-seat opener. With that in mind, it's a simple matter to finesse twice in Hearts.

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	9 7 5 4
♥	A J 10 9 6
♦	9 6
♣	A J

♠	A K Q
♥	K 3
♦	K 8 3
♣	K Q 9 8 5

N
W		E
S

♠	10 8 3 2
♥	7 5 4 2
♦	A J
♣	10 7 3

♠	J 6
♥	Q 8
♦	Q 10 7 5 4 2
♣	6 4 2

W 3♠; EW 4♣; W 2N; E 2♠; E 1N; EW 1♥; NS 1♦; Par −140

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

Puppet Stayman
Alert, artificial Puppet Stayman response denying a 4- or 5-card major

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−3	♥ J	300		10.41	0.59	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	10-Felson-Brown
5 NT	W	−3	♥ J	300		10.41	0.59	4-Gupta-Mehta	3-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	W	−2	♥ 10	200		8.23	2.77	5-Lin-Hubka	5-Venosa-Venosa
3 NT	W	−2	♥ J	200		8.23	2.77	7-Tedrick-Singerman	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	W	−1	♥ 9	100		3.86	7.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	12-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	W	−1	♥ 9	100		3.86	7.14	3-Rice-Kloecker	1-Meinking-Murdock
3 NT	W	−1	♥ J	100		3.86	7.14	8-Kammer-Zimmer	11-Williams-Cook
2 NT	W	−1	♥ J	100		3.86	7.14	9-Hoffman-Cai	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 NT	W	−1	♥ J	100		3.86	7.14	11-Kennedy-Endres	4-Roark-Campbell
3 NT	W	−1	♥ J	100		3.86	7.14	12-Petersen-Cushman	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
3 NT	W	6	♥ J		690	0.05	10.95	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Prosise-Earls

E/W take four Club tricks, two Diamonds, four Spades, and one Heart, making five......except that N/S will take four Heart tricks and one Club first. Stupid N/S. North will lead the ♥ J, South will cover with the ♥ Q (unblocking), and declarer will win the ♥ K.

Declarer can choose to cash the high Spades (noting the fall of the ♠ J), play a Diamond to the ♦ A, cash the ♠T, and play a Diamond back to the ♦ K, but that's only seven tricks. Seven does not equal nine (check my math with your calculator if you're not convinced). Needing additional tricks, declarer will have to hope for a blockage in Hearts and put a Club on the table at trick two. North will gobble this up and cash out.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	A J 8
♥	10 8 6 5
♦	Q J 9 7
♣	K 5

♠	K 6 5
♥	Q 7 4 2
♦	5 4
♣	A 9 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 7 4 2
♥	K 9
♦	K 10 2
♣	Q J 8 2

♠	10 9 3
♥	A J 3
♦	A 8 6 3
♣	10 7 6

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	1 ♦1	Pass2	1 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

Light third-seat opener
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
1 ♦	N	4	♣ Q	130		10.95	0.05	9-Hoffman-Cai	12-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♦	N	3	♣ Q	110		8.77	2.23	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 ♦	N	3	♠ 2	110		8.77	2.23	11-Kennedy-Endres	3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♦	N	3	♠ 2	110		8.77	2.23	12-Petersen-Cushman	5-Venosa-Venosa
1 NT	E	−2	♦ 3	100		6.59	4.41	3-Rice-Kloecker	13-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT	E	−1	♦ 3	50		4.95	6.05	4-Gupta-Mehta	2-Prosise-Earls
1 NT	W	−1	♦ Q	50		4.95	6.05	8-Kammer-Zimmer	10-Felson-Brown
2 ♦	N	−1	♠ 2		50	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Roark-Campbell
1 NT	W	1	♦ 7		90	1.68	9.32	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	9-Vanstone-Gibler
2 ♣	E	2	♠ 10		90	1.68	9.32	2-Pollack-Pollack	11-Williams-Cook
2 NT	S	−3	♣ 3		150	0.05	10.95	6-Lubow-Lammers	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen

N/S take two Spade tricks, three Diamonds, two Hearts, and one Club, making two (or looking at if from the other side, E/W take three Club tricks, one Diamond, and one Spade). West may lead the ♥ 2.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	—
♥	Q J 9 3 2
♦	9 7 2
♣	J 10 5 4 2

♠	A Q 7 5
♥	7 5 4
♦	K 10 8 6 5
♣	3

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 10 3 2
♥	A 8
♦	Q J
♣	A Q 9 7

♠	9 8 6 4
♥	K 10 6
♦	A 4 3
♣	K 8 6

EW 5♠; EW 2N; EW 3♦; NS 1♥; NS 1♣; Par −450

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

Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a 3+ card limit raise in Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	E	5	♥ 6		200	10.95	0.05	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♠	E	4	♠ 9		420	9.86	1.14	4-Gupta-Mehta	2-Prosise-Earls
4 ♠	E	5	♠ 4		450	6.59	4.41	3-Rice-Kloecker	13-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♠	E	5	♦ A		450	6.59	4.41	6-Lubow-Lammers	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
4 ♠	E	5	♥ 6		450	6.59	4.41	9-Hoffman-Cai	12-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	E	5	♥ 6		450	6.59	4.41	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	1-Meinking-Murdock
4 ♠	E	5	♥ 6		450	6.59	4.41	12-Petersen-Cushman	5-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♠	E	6	♣ 8		480	2.23	8.77	2-Pollack-Pollack	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♠	E	6	♠ 9		480	2.23	8.77	8-Kammer-Zimmer	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	E	6	♦ 3		480	2.23	8.77	11-Kennedy-Endres	3-Burns-Kobida
4 ♥×	S	−3	♣ 3		800	0.05	10.95	5-Lin-Hubka	4-Roark-Campbell

E/W lose one Heart trick and one Diamond, making five. South may lead a trump.

Dummy (West) is the master hand. What does that mean? Master hand refers to the hand that's easier to look at and count losers and where tricks are coming from. Looking at the East hand, it's hard to figure out what to do with all those Clubs once trumps have been pulled. Looking at the West hand, that's irrelevant. One Heart will have to be ruffed and Diamonds established before trump are pulled. Once that's been decided, the hand plays itself (not literally....that would be scary).

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	9 6 4 2
♥	—
♦	8 7 6 5 3
♣	A Q 10 9

♠	J 7
♥	A K J 8 5 3 2
♦	J 4
♣	6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	—
♥	Q 10 9 7 4
♦	K Q 10
♣	K 8 7 5 3

♠	A K Q 10 8 5 3
♥	6
♦	A 9 2
♣	J 4

NS 5♠; EW 5♥; N 5♦; S 4♦; EW 1♣; Par +200: EW 6♥×−1

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1 ♥1	4 ♠2
5 ♥3	5 ♠4	Pass	Pass
6 ♥5	Pass	Pass	Dbl6
Pass	Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 opener
Expecting to make
Expecting to make
Expecting to make
Expecting to make
Expecting to make

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♠	S	6	♥ A	1430		10.95	0.05	3-Rice-Kloecker	12-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	S	6	♥ K	680		7.68	3.32	4-Gupta-Mehta	1-Meinking-Murdock
4 ♠	S	6	♥ A	680		7.68	3.32	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Burns-Kobida
5 ♠	S	6	♥ A	680		7.68	3.32	7-Tedrick-Singerman	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
5 ♠	N	6	♥ A	680		7.68	3.32	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	13-Jervis-Lindeman
5 ♠	S	6	♥ A	680		7.68	3.32	12-Petersen-Cushman	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♠	S	4	♦ J	620		4.41	6.59	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Felson-Brown
6 ♥×	W	−1	♦ A	200		3.32	7.68	6-Lubow-Lammers	5-Venosa-Venosa
6 ♥	E	−1	♦ A	100		2.23	8.77	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	8-Temples-Koch
5 ♥	E	5	♠ A		650	0.59	10.41	9-Hoffman-Cai	11-Williams-Cook
5 ♥	E	5	♠ A		650	0.59	10.41	11-Kennedy-Endres	2-Prosise-Earls

South isn't sure at all whether 6 ♥ is making, since either East or West figures to have a Spade void (maybe both do). E/W lose one Club trick and one Diamond, down one doubled for –200. That's better than –650 for 5 ♠ making five. The lead doesn't really matter, since the two minor-suit losers aren't going anywhere.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	8 7 6 5 2
♥	Q 4 2
♦	10 9 4 3
♣	5

♠	K 9
♥	J 8
♦	5
♣	K Q J 10 9 8 7 4

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 4
♥	10 7
♦	K Q J 7 6 2
♣	A 2

♠	A 10 3
♥	A K 9 6 5 3
♦	A 8
♣	6 3

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

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

Do you have a Heart stopper for notrump?
I like Hearts

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣×	W	−2	♥ 2	300		10.41	0.59	3-Rice-Kloecker	12-Kehoe-Stanley
5 ♣×	W	−2	♥ 2	300		10.41	0.59	5-Lin-Hubka	3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	S	3	♦ 5	140		8.77	2.23	6-Lubow-Lammers	5-Venosa-Venosa
5 ♣×	W	−1	♥ Q	100		7.14	3.86	7-Tedrick-Singerman	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
5 ♣	W	−2	♥ 2	100		7.14	3.86	12-Petersen-Cushman	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♣	W	−1	♥ Q	50		4.41	6.59	4-Gupta-Mehta	1-Meinking-Murdock
4 ♣	W	−1	♠ 8	50		4.41	6.59	9-Hoffman-Cai	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♣	W	−1	♥ 2	50		4.41	6.59	11-Kennedy-Endres	2-Prosise-Earls
4 ♥	N	−1	♦ 5		50	2.23	8.77	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♣	W	4	♥ 2		130	1.14	9.86	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	8-Temples-Koch
5 ♥×	S	−2	♦ 5		300	0.05	10.95	2-Pollack-Pollack	10-Felson-Brown

E/W lose one Diamond trick, two Hearts, and one Spade, down one doubled for –100. North will lead the ♥ 2 (small from an honor) and South will cash out.

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 10 7
♥	10 3 2
♦	A 9 6
♣	K 7 5 3

♠	4
♥	Q 9 8 7 6
♦	K Q 8 7
♣	9 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q 9 8 6
♥	J 5 4
♦	J 4
♣	A J 6

♠	J 5 3 2
♥	A K
♦	10 5 3 2
♣	Q 10 8

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

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

Semi-forcing

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	S	2	♦ 7	120		10.95	0.05	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Prosise-Earls
1 NT	W	−1	♣ 5	50		7.14	3.86	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Vanstone-Gibler
1 NT	W	−1	♣ 3	50		7.14	3.86	3-Rice-Kloecker	11-Williams-Cook
2 ♥	W	−1	♦ A	50		7.14	3.86	4-Gupta-Mehta	13-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥	W	−1	♥ 2	50		7.14	3.86	7-Tedrick-Singerman	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
2 ♥	W	−1	♥ 2	50		7.14	3.86	8-Kammer-Zimmer	8-Temples-Koch
2 ♥	W	−1	♣ 3	50		7.14	3.86	11-Kennedy-Endres	1-Meinking-Murdock
1 ♠	E	1	♥ A		80	3.32	7.68	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	12-Kehoe-Stanley
1 NT	W	1	♣ 3		90	2.23	8.77	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
1 NT	S	−2	♠ 4		200	0.59	10.41	6-Lubow-Lammers	4-Roark-Campbell
2 ♦	N	−2	♠ 4		200	0.59	10.41	12-Petersen-Cushman	3-Burns-Kobida

E/W struggle, and by the grace of God manage to go down only one (or more). North, with no idea what to lead, might start with a small Club.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A J 10 8 6 3
♥	A Q 2
♦	Q 10
♣	Q 2

♠	K
♥	J 5
♦	A 6 3 2
♣	A 10 9 8 7 4

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 9 7 5 4 2
♥	10
♦	K J 9 5
♣	6 3

♠	—
♥	K 9 8 7 6 4 3
♦	8 7 4
♣	K J 5

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

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

Non-forcing constructive

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	S	4	♣ A	420		10.41	0.59	8-Kammer-Zimmer	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	S	4	♣ A	420		10.41	0.59	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	12-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♥	S	4	♠ K	170		7.68	3.32	6-Lubow-Lammers	4-Roark-Campbell
3 ♥	S	4	♠ K	170		7.68	3.32	7-Tedrick-Singerman	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
3 ♥	S	4	♣ A	170		7.68	3.32	12-Petersen-Cushman	3-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	S	−1	♦ 2		50	4.95	6.05	5-Lin-Hubka	2-Prosise-Earls
2 ♠	N	−1	♥ 10		50	4.95	6.05	11-Kennedy-Endres	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 ♠	N	−2	♦ 5		100	1.68	9.32	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♠	N	−2	♣ 6		100	1.68	9.32	2-Pollack-Pollack	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 ♠	N	−2	♣ 6		100	1.68	9.32	3-Rice-Kloecker	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♠	N	−2	♣ 6		100	1.68	9.32	4-Gupta-Mehta	13-Jervis-Lindeman

N/S play that a new suit by advancer after a one-level overcall is non-forcing constructive. What does that mean? It means that North is free to pass if they want, but that South's bid is an attempt to move the auction forward. North, with a maximum 1 ♠ overcall, is all too happy to raise Hearts, and South has an easy 4 ♥ call.

N/S lose two Diamond tricks and one Club, making four. West may lead one of their minor-suit aces. If E/W don't get their Diamond tricks right off the bat, they may go away on the Spades.

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	K Q
♥	10 6
♦	10 9 8
♣	A K J 7 5 3

♠	J 4 3 2
♥	A 8 7 2
♦	A K Q
♣	10 4

N
W		E
S

♠	10 9 6
♥	J 9 4 3
♦	7 5 4 2
♣	9 6

♠	A 8 7 5
♥	K Q 5
♦	J 6 3
♣	Q 8 2

NS 3N; NS 2♠; NS 3♣; Par +400

West	North	East	South
	1 ♣	Pass	1 ♠
Pass1	2 ♣	Pass	3 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

No hurry to get in the auction

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT×	N	3	♦ A	550		10.95	0.05	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
3 NT	S	4	♦ A	430		9.32	1.68	4-Gupta-Mehta	12-Kehoe-Stanley
3 NT	S	4	♥ 7	430		9.32	1.68	9-Hoffman-Cai	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	S	3	♦ A	400		6.59	4.41	6-Lubow-Lammers	3-Burns-Kobida
3 NT	S	3	♦ A	400		6.59	4.41	7-Tedrick-Singerman	5-Venosa-Venosa
3 NT	S	3	♦ A	400		6.59	4.41	8-Kammer-Zimmer	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 NT	S	3	♦ A	150		3.86	7.14	3-Rice-Kloecker	10-Felson-Brown
2 NT	S	3	♦ Q	150		3.86	7.14	11-Kennedy-Endres	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♣	N	4	♣ 6	130		2.23	8.77	12-Petersen-Cushman	2-Prosise-Earls
3 ♣	N	3	♥ 4	110		0.59	10.41	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♣	N	3	♥ 3	110		0.59	10.41	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Meinking-Murdock

West has a hand that will gladly take a bid if the N/S auction peters out. As it is....

N/S take three Spade tricks and six Clubs, making three. West will take their top four tricks right away and then look around for more. Declarer should show their hand while West is pondering what to do.

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K 7
♥	Q J 10 9 8 7 6
♦	8 6 3
♣	5

♠	J 9 8 2
♥	—
♦	Q J 10 5 4 2
♣	A 8 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 3
♥	A K 4 3
♦	9
♣	K Q J 10 2

♠	10 6 5 4
♥	5 2
♦	A K 7
♣	9 7 6 3

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

West	North	East	South
		1 ♣	Pass
1 ♠	Pass1	2 ♥2	Pass
3 ♦3	Pass	3 NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

On the vulnerability
Reverse
Natural and game forcing

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 NT×	E	−3	♦ A	500		10.95	0.05	5-Lin-Hubka	1-Meinking-Murdock
6 ♠	W	−2	♣ 5	100		9.86	1.14	2-Pollack-Pollack	8-Temples-Koch
5 NT	E	−1	♥ 5	50		7.68	3.32	3-Rice-Kloecker	10-Felson-Brown
6 NT	E	−1	♦ A	50		7.68	3.32	6-Lubow-Lammers	3-Burns-Kobida
5 ♣	E	−1	♥ 2	50		7.68	3.32	11-Kennedy-Endres	13-Jervis-Lindeman
3 ♠	W	5	♥ Q		200	4.95	6.05	4-Gupta-Mehta	12-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♥	N	−2	♦ 9		200	4.95	6.05	9-Hoffman-Cai	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	E	3	♥ 5		400	3.32	7.68	8-Kammer-Zimmer	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♥×	N	−2	♦ 9		500	2.23	8.77	12-Petersen-Cushman	2-Prosise-Earls
3 ♥×	N	−3	♣ K		800	1.14	9.86	7-Tedrick-Singerman	5-Venosa-Venosa
6 ♣	E	6	♦ A		920	0.05	10.95	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen

E/W take five Club tricks, two Hearts, and four Spades, making five. It's not an easy hand to make, as declarer has to get the Spades right (small to the ♠ Q, ♠ A dropping the doubleton ♠ K, and then finessing back against South's ♠T6) on their only entry to dummy (the ♣ A). If South starts with ♦ A and ♦ K, then the hand is over (five Club tricks, four Diamonds, and whatever other major-suit honor cards are left in the end). A Spade lead is more likely.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 7 2
♥	Q 7 4 3
♦	A 7 5 2
♣	J 6

♠	Q 8
♥	9 8 6
♦	K J 8 6 3
♣	5 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 6 5 4
♥	K J
♦	Q 10 9 4
♣	Q 7

♠	10 9 3
♥	A 10 5 2
♦	—
♣	A K 10 9 8 4

NS 5♥; NS 3N; NS 5♣; EW 2♦; Par +450

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

Enough of this nonsense

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♥	N	6	♦ 4	480		10.95	0.05	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	5-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♥	N	5	♦ 9	450		9.86	1.14	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	10-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	N	4	♦ 10	420		8.23	2.77	3-Rice-Kloecker	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♥	N	4	♦ 10	420		8.23	2.77	4-Gupta-Mehta	11-Williams-Cook
2 ♥	N	6	♦ 2	230		6.59	4.41	7-Tedrick-Singerman	4-Roark-Campbell
3 ♥	N	3	♦ 10	140		4.41	6.59	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♥	N	3	♠ 5	140		4.41	6.59	5-Lin-Hubka	13-Jervis-Lindeman
2 ♥	N	3	♦ 10	140		4.41	6.59	8-Kammer-Zimmer	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
2 NT	N	2	♠ 5	120		2.23	8.77	12-Petersen-Cushman	1-Meinking-Murdock
6 ♥	N	−1	♦ 10		50	0.59	10.41	6-Lubow-Lammers	2-Prosise-Earls
4 ♥	N	−1	♦ 4		50	0.59	10.41	9-Hoffman-Cai	8-Temples-Koch

N/S lose one Heart trick and one Spade, making five. East will probably lead the ♦T.

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	K 7 2
♥	Q J 8 7 6 4
♦	K 5
♣	4 3

♠	Q J 6
♥	K 9 2
♦	J 3 2
♣	A 9 8 6

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 8 3
♥	3
♦	Q 8
♣	K Q J 7 5 2

♠	9 5 4
♥	A 10 5
♦	A 10 9 7 6 4
♣	10

EW 4N; EW 4♠; EW 4♣; NS 2♥; NS 1♦; Par −630

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

Weak two bid

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
6 ♣	W	−2	♣ 4	200		10.90	0.10	8-Kammer-Zimmer	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
2 ♥	N	3	♣ K	140		9.70	1.30	7-Tedrick-Singerman	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♣	E	−1	♥ A	100		8.50	2.50	4-Gupta-Mehta	11-Williams-Cook
3 ♥	N	−1	♣ K		100	7.30	3.70	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	5-Venosa-Venosa
4 ♣	E	4	♥ A		130	6.10	4.90	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♣	E	5	♦ A		150	3.10	7.90	2-Pollack-Pollack	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
3 ♣	E	5	♣ 10		150	3.10	7.90	3-Rice-Kloecker	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♣	E	5	♥ A		150	3.10	7.90	5-Lin-Hubka	13-Jervis-Lindeman
4 ♣	E	5	♥ A		150	3.10	7.90	12-Petersen-Cushman	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 ♠	E	4	♥ A		170	0.10	10.90	9-Hoffman-Cai	8-Temples-Koch

West gambles on 3 NT, and it pays off. E/W lose one Heart trick and two Diamonds, making four. If N/S don't take their tricks right away, E/W will make five (four Spade tricks, six Club tricks, and one Heart). If North leads a Heart, it should be a small one--not the ♥ Q from ♥ QJ8.

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q J 9 2
♥	A K J 5 3 2
♦	6 5
♣	J

♠	10 5 4
♥	Q 9 4
♦	K 4 3 2
♣	10 6 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A K 7 6
♥	10
♦	Q J 9
♣	A 9 8 7 5

♠	8 3
♥	8 7 6
♦	A 10 8 7
♣	K Q 4 3

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

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

Alert, artificial BROMAD bid showing 7-9 HCP and exactly three Hearts

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	N	4	♠ A	620		10.41	0.59	3-Rice-Kloecker	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♥	N	4	♠ A	620		10.41	0.59	5-Lin-Hubka	12-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♥	N	4	♠ A	170		8.23	2.77	4-Gupta-Mehta	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♥	N	4	♠ A	170		8.23	2.77	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♦	W	−3	♥ A	150		6.59	4.41	8-Kammer-Zimmer	5-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♥	N	3	♥ 10	140		5.50	5.50	7-Tedrick-Singerman	3-Burns-Kobida
2 ♥	N	2	♠ K	110		4.41	6.59	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♠	E	−2	♣ K	100		3.32	7.68	6-Lubow-Lammers	1-Meinking-Murdock
4 ♥	N	−1	♠ A		100	2.23	8.77	11-Kennedy-Endres	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♥	N	−2	♦ Q		200	1.14	9.86	9-Hoffman-Cai	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
4 ♥×	N	−2	♠ A		500	0.05	10.95	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen

N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Diamond, and one Club, making three. East may lead the ♠ K (asking for count) and switch to the ♦ Q at trick two when West shows an odd number of Spades.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	6
♥	A Q J 10 3
♦	J 9 3 2
♣	10 9 6

♠	10
♥	7 5 4
♦	8 5 4
♣	A Q 7 4 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q J 8 5 3
♥	K 9
♦	10 7 6
♣	8

♠	9 7 4 2
♥	8 6 2
♦	A K Q
♣	K J 5

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

West	North	East	South
		1 ♠	Pass1
1 NT2	Pass	3 ♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
Forcing

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	E	−2	♦ A	200		10.41	0.59	3-Rice-Kloecker	8-Temples-Koch
4 ♠×	E	−1	♦ A	200		10.41	0.59	5-Lin-Hubka	12-Kehoe-Stanley
4 ♠	E	−1	♦ A	100		8.23	2.77	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	4-Roark-Campbell
4 ♠	E	−1	♦ A	100		8.23	2.77	9-Hoffman-Cai	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
3 ♠	E	3	♦ A		140	4.41	6.59	2-Pollack-Pollack	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
3 ♠	E	3	♦ A		140	4.41	6.59	6-Lubow-Lammers	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 ♠	E	3	♦ A		140	4.41	6.59	7-Tedrick-Singerman	3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♠	E	3	♥ 6		140	4.41	6.59	8-Kammer-Zimmer	5-Venosa-Venosa
2 ♠	E	3	♠ 2		140	4.41	6.59	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♥	N	−3	♠ A		150	1.14	9.86	11-Kennedy-Endres	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♥×	N	−2	♠ A		300	0.05	10.95	4-Gupta-Mehta	10-Felson-Brown

E/W lose one Heart trick and three Diamonds, making three. South will cash their high Diamonds and switch to the ♣ 5 to put pressure on declarer if they're thinking about taking the Club hook. Declarer will give it some thought but will probably rise with the ♣ A and lead a Heart towards the ♥ K. When that holds, they'll pull trump and claim.

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	6 5 4 2
♥	K 9 4
♦	A 9 6 2
♣	Q J

♠	K 8
♥	A 8 7
♦	Q 10 7
♣	8 7 6 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 10 3
♥	J 5 2
♦	J 8 5
♣	K 5 3

♠	Q 9 7
♥	Q 10 6 3
♦	K 4 3
♣	A 10 9

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

West	North	East	South
			Pass
Pass	Pass	Pass

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	S	2	♣ 8	120		11.00	0.00	5-Lin-Hubka	11-Williams-Cook
3 ♣	E	−1	♣ 10	100		10.00	1.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	5-Venosa-Venosa
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	3-Burns-Kobida
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	3-Rice-Kloecker	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	4-Gupta-Mehta	9-Vanstone-Gibler
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	6-Lubow-Lammers	13-Jervis-Lindeman
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	7-Tedrick-Singerman	2-Prosise-Earls
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	8-Kammer-Zimmer	4-Roark-Campbell
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	9-Hoffman-Cai	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Temples-Koch
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	11-Kennedy-Endres	10-Felson-Brown
Pass				Pass		4.50	6.50	12-Petersen-Cushman	12-Kehoe-Stanley

Bridge would be more interesting if the auction didn't end after four passes but kept on going until somebody opened. I suppose the first one to crack on this hand would be South. After P-P-P-P-P-P-P-P South would probably open 1 ♣. The auction would continue with P-1 ♠-P-1 NT-P-P-P, and N/S would end up making two for +120.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	8 3
♥	A Q
♦	A K J 8 7
♣	8 6 5 4

♠	9 4 2
♥	10 9 7 2
♦	9 5
♣	Q J 10 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q J 6
♥	K 6 5 3
♦	Q 10 6
♣	A 9

♠	A 10 7 5
♥	J 8 4
♦	4 3 2
♣	K 7 2

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

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

15 to 18

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT×	E	−3	♥ J	500		11.00	0.00	6-Lubow-Lammers	13-Jervis-Lindeman
1 NT×	E	−2	♦ 4	300		10.00	1.00	1-Wiest-Altman Sr	3-Burns-Kobida
3 ♥	W	−3	♦ A	150		9.00	2.00	9-Hoffman-Cai	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
1 NT	N	2	♠ K	120		8.00	3.00	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	N	3	♥ 3	110		7.00	4.00	2-Pollack-Pollack	5-Venosa-Venosa
3 ♥	W	−2	♦ A	100		5.50	5.50	4-Gupta-Mehta	9-Vanstone-Gibler
1 NT	E	−2	♦ 3	100		5.50	5.50	8-Kammer-Zimmer	4-Roark-Campbell
2 ♦	N	2	♠ K	90		3.50	7.50	3-Rice-Kloecker	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
1 NT	N	1	♠ K	90		3.50	7.50	7-Tedrick-Singerman	2-Prosise-Earls
1 NT	E	−1	♠ 5	50		1.00	10.00	5-Lin-Hubka	11-Williams-Cook
1 NT	E	−1	♦ 3	50		1.00	10.00	11-Kennedy-Endres	10-Felson-Brown
1 NT	E	−1	♠ 5	50		1.00	10.00	12-Petersen-Cushman	12-Kehoe-Stanley

South will lead the ♦ 3 (MUD in partner's unsupported suit in a notrump contract), and North will cash the ♦ K and ♦ A and exit with the ♦ 8 (middle remaining card to show an entry in Hearts, the middle of the remaining suits). When in with the ♠ A or ♣ K, South will lead the ♥ 4 and N/S will take two more Diamond tricks. If N/S are careful, E/W will end up with only one Club trick, two Spades, one Heart, and one Diamond, down two for –100. That's actually not a bad score, since N/S can make 2 NT their way for +120.

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	J 9 5 3 2
♥	—
♦	J 8 7 2
♣	K 4 3 2

♠	10 8
♥	A 9 4
♦	Q 10 5
♣	A Q J 9 8

N
W		E
S

♠	A 7 6 4
♥	J 10 8 7 3 2
♦	A 6
♣	10

♠	K Q
♥	K Q 6 5
♦	K 9 4 3
♣	7 6 5

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

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

Showing a full opener

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♣	W	−2	♦ 2	200		10.95	0.05	11-Kennedy-Endres	9-Vanstone-Gibler
4 ♥	E	−1	♦ 3	100		9.86	1.14	6-Lubow-Lammers	12-Kehoe-Stanley
3 ♦	S	−1	♠ 10		50	8.77	2.23	8-Kammer-Zimmer	3-Burns-Kobida
2 ♠	N	−2	♣ 10		100	7.14	3.86	4-Gupta-Mehta	8-Temples-Koch
3 ♦	S	−2	♥ A		100	7.14	3.86	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♥	W	3	♦ 2		140	4.95	6.05	2-Pollack-Pollack	4-Roark-Campbell
3 ♥	E	3	♠ K		140	4.95	6.05	9-Hoffman-Cai	5-Venosa-Venosa
3 ♥	E	4	♠ K		170	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♥	E	5	♦ 3		200	2.23	8.77	12-Petersen-Cushman	11-Williams-Cook
4 ♥	E	4	♠ K		620	1.14	9.86	7-Tedrick-Singerman	1-Meinking-Murdock
4 ♥	E	5	♠ K		650	0.05	10.95	3-Rice-Kloecker	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen

E/W play that a new suit by advancer after a two-level overcall is forcing for one round. E/W lose two Heart tricks and one Spade, making four. South may lead the ♠ K. Declarer will win the ♠ A and play back another Spade to South's ♠ Q. South should continue with a small trump to cut down on Spade ruffs, but declarer will win in their hand and lead a third Spade. It does West no good to ruff, so they'll discard a Club, and declarer will ruff with the ♥ 9. The ♣ A and ♣ Q are next, North covering with the ♣ K and declarer ruffing low. Now a Heart to the stiff ♥ A leads to this position with the lead in dummy:

East: ♥ JT8 ♠ 7 ♦ A6
South: ♥ KQ ♦ K943
Dummy: ♦ QT5 ♣ J98
North: ♠ J9 ♦ J87 ♣ 3

Declarer now leads the good ♣ J pitching the ♠ 7 from their hand. South is free to ruff with a high trump, but if they do, they'll either have to lead away from their ♦ K immediately or after they cash their other high trump. Nicely played!

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q 9 4 3
♥	K Q
♦	10 2
♣	A Q 8 7 3

♠	J 8 6 5
♥	6 2
♦	Q J 8 7 5
♣	10 9

N
W		E
S

♠	A 7
♥	A J 7 5 4
♦	A 6
♣	J 6 5 4

♠	K 10 2
♥	10 9 8 3
♦	K 9 4 3
♣	K 2

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♣	N	3	♦ A	110		10.41	0.59	3-Rice-Kloecker	6-Schapera-Terbrueggen
2 ♣	N	3	♦ A	110		10.41	0.59	6-Lubow-Lammers	12-Kehoe-Stanley
2 ♣	N	2	♥ A	90		7.14	3.86	2-Pollack-Pollack	4-Roark-Campbell
2 ♣	N	2	♥ A	90		7.14	3.86	8-Kammer-Zimmer	3-Burns-Kobida
2 ♣	N	2	♣ 4	90		7.14	3.86	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Koppenhafer-Essig
2 ♣	N	2	♦ A	90		7.14	3.86	11-Kennedy-Endres	9-Vanstone-Gibler
3 NT	N	−1	♥ 5		100	3.32	7.68	5-Lin-Hubka	10-Felson-Brown
3 ♣	N	−1	♥ A		100	3.32	7.68	7-Tedrick-Singerman	1-Meinking-Murdock
2 NT	N	−1	♥ 2		100	3.32	7.68	9-Hoffman-Cai	5-Venosa-Venosa
2 NT	S	−2	♥ 6		200	1.14	9.86	12-Petersen-Cushman	11-Williams-Cook
3 ♦	S	−3	♥ 6		300	0.05	10.95	4-Gupta-Mehta	8-Temples-Koch

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Heart, one Diamond, and one Club, making three. East may lead the ♦ A and continue Diamonds at trick two.

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

E/W lose one Spade trick and two Diamonds, making four. North will lead the ♥ 3 to dummy's ♥ A, and declarer will lead a trump. North will win with the ♦ K and lead another Heart, but declarer can ruff in their hand and continue with Diamonds. South wins the ♦ A, but declarer is in control and can easily set up the Spades and get to dummy with a Club ruff.

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

Do you have a Heart stopper for notrump?

North will lead a small Heart, and declarer will hold up for one round and win trick two. With a six-card Heart suit, North is likely to hold the ♦ K and ♣ K (i.e., they didn't make a preemptive 2 ♥ overcall), so declarer's best line for nine tricks is to play them for a stiff ♣ K. When that turns out to be the case, declarer can take the rest of the tricks. Isn't Bridge easy?

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

Alert, artificial XYZ bid creating a game force
Showing three Spades and fewer than four Hearts

N/S lose one Diamond trick and one Club, making five. West may lead a trump. Declarer can win in hand cheaply, lead a Club to the ♣ A, and run the ♥ Q. When that holds, they'll continue with another Heart, and East should duck again. A Heart is now ruffed in dummy with the ♠ A, and the ♠ 9 to the ♠ Q allows declarer to finish pulling trump. A Diamond and Club will be conceded at tricks 12 and 13.

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

Alert, artificial Snapdragon double showing 5+ Spades, exactly two Hearts, and around 8-10 HCP
Showing an extra Spade

Although it makes four, N/S don't particularly want to be there in matchpoints needing 2-2 Spades, the ♥ K onside, and the ♣ A onside. Let's see.....that's around a 12% game. N/S lose one Spade trick, one Club, and one Diamond, making four. East may lead a trump.

West	North	East	South
			1 ♠
Pass	3 ♦1	4 NT2	5 ♥3
6 ♣	Pass	Pass	Dbl
Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, artificial Bergen raise showing 7-9 HCP and 4+ Spades
Partner, pick a minor
Showing a second suit

E/W lose one Spade trick and two Diamonds, down two doubled for –300. That's far better than 5 ♥ making for –650. North will lead the ♠ 8 (top of nothing in a supported suit).

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

When West doesn't make a negative double (showing Hearts), East parks in 3 NT. E/W take four Diamond tricks, three Hearts, one Spade, and one Club, making three. South will lead a small Spade.

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

Weak jump raise

N/S lose one Diamond trick and one Club, making five. West will lead the ♦ A and switch to a Club when East follows with the ♦ 3 (lowest spot card in an obvious switch situation asking for the lower ranking side suit, Clubs in this case).

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

Rule of 20 opener

East's 1 NT bid shows 7-10 HCP and values in the opponent's suit(s). E/W take four Club tricks, one Diamond, two Hearts, and one Spade, making two. South will lead the ♦ K, and declarer will duck twice. The ♥ 4 is next to the ♥ Q followed by the ♣ K (dropping the ♣T) and the ♣ 7 to the ♣ Q and ♣ A. On the next two rounds of Clubs, South (unwilling to part with a Diamond or a Heart) will pitch their two Spades. With North marked for all the remaining Spades, it's a simple matter to lead twice towards the ♠ Q for E/W's eighth trick.

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

North should have bid one more time. E/W lose one Diamond trick and two Spades, making four. If North wants to be cute, they'll lead the ♦ 8.

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

20 to 21
Puppet Stayman
Alert, artificial Puppet Stayman response showing one or two 4-card majors and denying a 5-card major
No interest in playing in a 4-4 Heart fit with a flat hand

When you have a flat (4333) hand, don't try and play in a 4-4 major-suit fit. North, on this hand, was looking for a five-card Heart suit in their partner's hand. When that didn't pan out, they parked in 3 NT.

N/S take three Spade tricks, four Hearts, three Diamonds, and one Club, making five although many pairs will take only ten tricks. The double-dummy line to making 11 tricks is to win the opening Diamond lead with the ♦ J and play a small Club from both hands (?!?!?!?). East can win and when Clubs are returned, declarer again has to duck. When the ♣ A turns up doubleton, the ♣ K is declarer's 11th trick. Um, right. MUCH more likely is declarer will cash the first ten tricks and punt.