Monday 11/06/2017 - Common Game at Nite (17110623)

EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>November 6, 2017   |CLUB NO.>185264    | 11/06/2017 22:16
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (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=5                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Liz Lin                Elmer Hubka              A    5     .     .     82.57  49.15  0.24(A)
 2 Carol Markham          J Thomas Markham         C    .     .     .     68.93  41.03
 3 Kevin Henry            Joy Singerman            B    1     1     .    107.92  64.24  1.20(A)
 4 Bernice Pollack        Donald Pollack           C    .     .     .     71.49  42.55
 5 Richard Koch           Lewis Temples            B    .     .     .     77.84  46.33
 6 Pam Campbell           Monica Ibarra            B    4     3     .     88.30  52.56  0.42(A)
 7 Joyce Tedrick          Linda Pretz              A    2     .     .    106.65  63.48  0.84(A)
 8 John Ramsay            Julian Magnus, Jr        C    .     4     2     78.94  46.99  0.25(B)
 9 Joanne Oppelt          Tim Oppelt               C    3     2     1     95.29  56.72  0.60(A)
10 Annette Kereiakes      Tom Kereiakes            C    .     .     .     69.21  41.20
11 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Martin Gibler            B    .     .     .     76.86  45.75


                                          Totals                         924.00


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>   1.21                          6.93    3-    3-    3-  0.07  5.79
        -650   ----  ----  ----  ---- -200  -480  -480  -480  -750  -300   ----

   2>   6.36                          4.64  6.36  0.07  2.93  2.93  1.21
         600   ----  ----  ----  ----  300   600  -110   120   120    50   ----

   3>   6.93                          0.07  5.79  2.93  1.21  4.64  2.93
         300   ----  ----  ----  ---- -140   200  -100  -120   -90  -100   ----

   4>   1.21  4.64                          4.64  0.07  4.64  4.64  4.64
         680   710   ----  ----  ----  ----  710  -200   710   710   710   ----

   5>   2.36  2.36                          6.36  2.36  6.36  2.36  2.36
        -990  -990   ----  ----  ----  ---- -490  -990  -490  -990  -990   ----

   6>   5.21  1.79                          5.21  1.79  6.93  1.79  1.79
         110   -50   ----  ----  ----  ----  110   -50   150   -50   -50   ----

   7>   1.79  5.79  4.64                          6.93  1.79  1.79  1.79
        -200   200  -100   ----  ----  ----  ----  300  -200  -200  -200   ----

   8>   5.79  0.64  6.93                          2.93  4.64  0.64  2.93
         -50  -150   110   ----  ----  ----  ---- -110   -90  -150  -110   ----

   9>   5.79  2.93  0.64                          6.93  2.93  4.64  0.64
         200   100  -140   ----  ----  ----  ----  300   100   130  -140   ----

  10>   2.36  2.36  0.07  5.79                          2.36  5.79  5.79
        -200  -200  -300  -100   ----  ----  ----  ---- -200  -100  -100   ----

  11>   5.79  0.07  4.07  4.07                          6.93  1.79  1.79
         460   -50   430   430   ----  ----  ----  ----  490   400   400   ----

  12>   1.79  4.64  4.64  4.64                          6.93  0.07  1.79
          50   100   100   100   ----  ----  ----  ----  200  -120    50   ----

  13>     3-  6.93    3-    3-  0.07                            3-    3-
        -620  -170  -620  -620  -630   ----  ----  ----  ---- -620  -620   ----

  14>   4.64  4.64  6.93  0.64  2.36                          4.64  0.64
        -170  -170   100  -450  -200   ----  ----  ----  ---- -170  -450   ----

  15>   4.07  4.07  4.07  0.07  4.07                          4.07  4.07
         620   620   620  -100   620   ----  ----  ----  ----  620   620   ----

  16>   5.21    3-  6.93  1.21  0.07  2.36                          5.21
         420   200   450   140   -50   170   ----  ----  ----  ----  420   ----

  17>   2.36  0.07  5.21  5.21  5.21  1.21                          5.21
         420   110   450   450   450   200   ----  ----  ----  ----  450   ----

  18>   0.64  4.64  6.36  6.36  0.64  2.93                          2.93
        -460  -400   100   100  -460  -430   ----  ----  ----  ---- -430   ----

  19>   1.21  2.36  0.07  6.93  4.07  5.79  4.07
         420   430   -50   490   450   460   450   ----  ----  ----  ----  ----

  20>   1.21  5.79  6.93    3-  4.64  2.36  0.07
        -110   300   400   100   200  -100  -300   ----  ----  ----  ----  ----

  21>   4.64  1.21  6.93  0.07  5.79    3-  2.36
         100  -130   150  -200   140    50  -110   ----  ----  ----  ----  ----

  22>     5     1     5     2     0     5     5     5
         480   420   480   450   170   480   480   480   ----  ----  ----  ----

  23>      -    5     5     2     5     7      -    3
        -100   620   620   170   620   660  -100   600   ----  ----  ----  ----

  24>     3     3     3      -    5      -    7     6
        -140  -140  -140  -170  -100  -170   300    50   ----  ----  ----  ----

  25>           1     6     0     3-    6     2     3-    6
         ----  -50   170  -100   140   170   110   140   170   ----  ----  ----

  26>           0     5     6     3     3     1     7     3
         ---- -400   200   300   100   100  -110   400   100   ----  ----  ----

  27>            -    3     6      -    6     6     3     3
         ----  140   170   420   140   420   420   170   170   ----  ----  ----

  28>                 6     6     6     1     3     0     3     3
         ----  ----  150   150   150   110   130  -300   130   130   ----  ----

  29>                 1     0     3-    3-    6-    3-    6-    3-
         ----  ----  600  -200   630   630   660   630   660   630   ----  ----

  30>                 6     2     4     3     5     0     1     7
         ----  ----  100  -180  -150  -170  -140  -430  -200   150   ----  ----

  31>                       2     4-    1     6-    6-    3     0     4-
         ----  ----  ----  140   600   110   660   660   150  -100   600   ----

  32>                       3     1     1     7     5     4     6     1
         ----  ----  ----  110   -50   -50   450   180   140   420   -50   ----

  33>                       0     5     3     6     3     7     1     3
         ----  ----  ---- -430  -100  -400    50  -400   100  -420  -400   ----

  34>                           0.07  5.79  6.93    3-    3-    3-  1.21
         ----  ----  ----  ---- -450   100   670    50    50    50  -140   ----

  35>                           4.64  5.79    3-  2.36  0.64  0.64  6.93
         ----  ----  ----  ----  100   110   -50   -90  -100  -100   200   ----

  36>                           5.21  6.93  2.36  0.07    3-  1.21  5.21
         ----  ----  ----  ----  140   170    80  -400   110  -100   140   ----



EVENT>Monday Night Bridge      |SESSION>Monday Eve   |SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>November 6, 2017   |CLUB NO.>185264    | 11/06/2017 22:16
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (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=4                      ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Patrick Hoffman        Lanny Cai                B    .     4     .     86.70  51.61  0.25(B)
 2 Patrick Lammers        Alex Grim                B    .     .     .     85.79  51.07
 3 Nalin Mehta            Chandu Budev             B    .     .     .     75.08  44.69
 4 Joseph Kammer          Gail Zimmer              B    .     .     .     77.15  45.92
 5 Herb Behr              Ralph Terbrueggen        A    2     .     .     93.87  55.88  0.84(A)
 6 Stephen Felson         Robert Brown             A    1     .     .    111.14  66.15  1.20(A)
 7 Joan Diers             Evelyn McCarthy          C    5     3     2     89.14  53.06  0.36(B)
 8 Joanne Earls           Judith Lubow             B    3     1     .     92.74  55.20  0.72(B)
 9 Cheryl Endres          Pamela Kennedy           C    4     2     1     89.81  53.46  0.50(B)
10 Rod Kaplan             Patricia Ruge            C    .     .     .     76.41  45.48
11 Amy Connett            Pat Lindeman             C    .     .     .     55.82  33.23
12 Joseph Muenks          Greg Chrzanowski         A    .     .     .     71.10  42.32

                                          Totals                        1004.75


                                    **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12
  /
   1>   5.79          3-          3-        6.93        1.21  0.07          3-
         650   ----  480   ----  480   ----  750   ----  300   200   ----  480

   2>   0.64        6.93        4.07        4.07        5.79  2.36        0.64
        -600   ----  110   ---- -120   ---- -120   ----  -50  -300   ---- -600

   3>   0.07        4.07        5.79        2.36        4.07  6.93        1.21
        -300   ----  100   ----  120   ----   90   ----  100   140   ---- -200

   4>   6.93  2.36        2.36        2.36        2.36              2.36  5.79
         200  -710   ---- -710   ---- -710   ---- -710   ----  ---- -710  -680

   5>   4.64  4.64        0.64        4.64        4.64              0.64  4.64
         990   990   ----  490   ----  990   ----  990   ----  ----  490   990

   6>   5.21  5.21        0.07        5.21        5.21              1.79  1.79
          50    50   ---- -150   ----   50   ----   50   ----  ---- -110  -110

   7>   1.21  5.21  2.36        5.21        5.21                    5.21  0.07
        -200   200   100   ----  200   ----  200   ----  ----  ----  200  -300

   8>   6.36  2.36  0.07        6.36        4.07                    1.21  4.07
         150    90  -110   ----  150   ----  110   ----  ----  ----   50   110

   9>   4.07  4.07  6.36        2.36        6.36                    1.21  0.07
        -100  -100   140   ---- -130   ----  140   ----  ----  ---- -200  -300

  10>   4.64  6.93  1.21  1.21        1.21                    4.64        4.64
         200   300   100   100   ----  100   ----  ----  ----  200   ----  200

  11>   0.07  2.93  5.21  2.93        5.21                    1.21        6.93
        -490  -430  -400  -430   ---- -400   ----  ----  ---- -460   ----   50

  12>   0.07  2.36  6.93  2.36        5.21                    5.21        2.36
        -200  -100   120  -100   ----  -50   ----  ----  ----  -50   ---- -100

  13>     3-    3-    3-    3-  6.93                      3-        0.07
         620   620   620   620   630   ----  ----  ----  620   ----  170   ----

  14>   0.07  2.36  6.36  6.36  4.64                    2.36        2.36
        -100   170   450   450   200   ----  ----  ----  170   ----  170   ----

  15>   2.93  2.93  6.93  2.93  2.93                    2.93        2.93
        -620  -620   100  -620  -620   ----  ----  ---- -620   ---- -620   ----

  16>         5.79  1.79  6.93        4.64        1.79          3-        0.07
         ---- -140  -420    50   ---- -170   ---- -420   ---- -200   ---- -450

  17>         1.79  1.79  1.79        5.79        4.64        6.93        1.79
         ---- -450  -450  -450   ---- -200   ---- -420   ---- -110   ---- -450

  18>         0.64  4.07  6.36        4.07        6.36        2.36        0.64
         ---- -100   430   460   ----  430   ----  460   ----  400   ---- -100

  19>   0.07        2.93        1.21  5.79  2.93        4.64        6.93
        -490   ---- -450   ---- -460  -420  -450   ---- -430   ----   50   ----

  20>     3-        2.36        4.64  5.79  6.93        1.21        0.07
        -100   ---- -200   ----  100   110   300   ---- -300   ---- -400   ----

  21>   6.93        1.21          3-  2.36  4.64        5.79        0.07
         200   ---- -140   ----  -50  -100   110   ----  130   ---- -150   ----

  22>           7           2     2     2     6     2           2           5
         ---- -170   ---- -480  -480  -480  -420  -480   ---- -480   ---- -450

  23>           2           0     6-    6-    2     4           2           5
         ---- -620   ---- -660   100   100  -620  -600   ---- -620   ---- -170

  24>           2           6-    4     0     4     1           4           6-
         ----  100   ----  170   140  -300   140   -50   ----  140   ----  170

  25>     3-          1           5     6     3-    1     1           7
        -140   ---- -170   ---- -110    50  -140  -170  -170   ----  100   ----

  26>     4           4           6     7     0     2     4           1
        -100   ---- -100   ----  110   400  -400  -200  -100   ---- -300   ----

  27>     6-          1           1     6-    4     4     4           1
        -140   ---- -420   ---- -420  -140  -170  -170  -170   ---- -420   ----

  28>           6           4           7     1     4     1     4           1
         ---- -110   ---- -130   ----  300  -150  -130  -150  -130   ---- -150

  29>           3-           -          3-    6      -    7     3-          3-
         ---- -630   ---- -660   ---- -630  -600  -660   200  -630   ---- -630

  30>           4           2           7     1     6     5     0           3
         ----  170   ----  140   ----  430  -100   200   180  -150   ----  150

  31>     6            -           -          4     5     7     2-    2-
        -110   ---- -660   ---- -660   ---- -150  -140   100  -600  -600   ----

  32>     6           0           2           3     4     1     6     6
          50   ---- -450   ---- -180   ---- -140  -110  -420    50    50   ----

  33>     4           1           4           0     7     6     2     4
         400   ----  -50   ----  400   ---- -100   430   420   100   400   ----

  34>         0.07          3-          3-          3-  6.93  5.79  1.21
         ---- -670   ----  -50   ----  -50   ----  -50   450   140  -100   ----

  35>           3-        4.64        6.36        6.36  2.36  0.07  1.21
         ----   50   ----   90   ----  100   ----  100  -100  -200  -110   ----

  36>         4.64        6.93          3-        5.79  1.79  1.79  0.07
         ----  -80   ----  400   ---- -110   ----  100  -140  -140  -170   ----
Monday Night Bridge, Monday Eve, November 6, 2017

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 5 4
♥	—
♦	Q 8 6 2
♣	K 9 8 6 5 2

♠	A J 8 3
♥	K 10 9 7 5 4 2
♦	7 4
♣	—

N
W		E
S

♠	6
♥	J 8 6 3
♦	A K 5 3
♣	Q 10 7 3

♠	K 10 9 7 2
♥	A Q
♦	J 10 9
♣	A J 4

EW 6♥; S 2♠; NS 3♣; EW 1N; N 1♠; Par −800: S 6♠×−4; NS 7♣×−4

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1 NT1
3 ♥	Dbl2	4 ♥	4 ♠
Dbl3	Pass	5 ♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Negative
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	W	5	♣ 6		200	6.93	0.07	6-Campbell-Ibarra	10-Kaplan-Ruge
4 ♠×	S	−2	♦ 7		300	5.79	1.21	11-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Endres-Kennedy
5 ♥	W	6	♣ 2		480	3.50	3.50	7-Tedrick-Pretz	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
5 ♥	W	6	♠ 4		480	3.50	3.50	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	3-Mehta-Budev
5 ♥	W	6	♠ 4		480	3.50	3.50	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
5 ♥×	E	5	♠ 4		650	1.21	5.79	1-Lin-Hubka	1-Hoffman-Cai
5 ♥×	W	6	♠ 4		750	0.07	6.93	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Diers-McCarthy

East, knowing that North is void in Hearts, has an easy 5 ♥ bid. How do they know that North is void? Did they peek in North's hand? They didn't need to peek, since they know how to count to 13. Partner's 3 ♥ bid shows seven Hearts, East has four in their hand, and South has two for their 1 NT opening. 13 – 7 – 4 – 2 = 0. Nice.

E/W lose one Heart trick, making six. 18 total points, and 12 tricks are there for the taking. The next time you think that you need 30+ points (or more) for a slam, review this hand. North will lead the ♠ 4. Declarer will win the ♠ K with the ♠ A, ruff a Spade in dummy, ruff a Club, and ruff another Spade. When North's ♠ Q falls, declarer can lead a Heart towards their hand and claim.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	K J 5 4
♥	A K 6 3
♦	6
♣	A K Q 5

♠	Q 3
♥	Q J 10 8 4 2
♦	8 5 4 3
♣	6

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 8 6 2
♥	—
♦	A Q J 10 2
♣	9 8 3

♠	9 7
♥	9 7 5
♦	K 9 7
♣	J 10 7 4 2

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

West	North	East	South
		1 ♠	Pass
1 NT1	Pass2	2 ♦	Pass
Pass	Dbl3	3 ♦	Pass
Pass	Dbl4	Pass	4 ♣
Pass	Pass	Pass

Forcing
What else?
Bid a round suit, partner
Bid a round suit, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♣	N	5	♠ A	600		6.36	0.64	1-Lin-Hubka	1-Hoffman-Cai
3 NT	N	3	♠ 6	600		6.36	0.64	7-Tedrick-Pretz	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
3 ♠×	E	−2	♦ 6	300		4.64	2.36	6-Campbell-Ibarra	10-Kaplan-Ruge
2 NT	N	2	♦ A	120		2.93	4.07	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
2 NT	N	2	♦ 10	120		2.93	4.07	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♦	E	−1	♣ J	50		1.21	5.79	11-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	E	2	♣ J		110	0.07	6.93	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	3-Mehta-Budev

North has no reason to be in the auction the first time around, since West's 1 NT bid is forcing. When the auction dies in 2 ♦, North comes alive. East, knowing that their partner has at least four Diamonds for their pass of 2 ♦, is happy to bid 3 ♦. North, knowing that East's 3 ♦ bid isn't based on strength as much as it is on length in Diamonds, is happy to double again. This is not a penalty double--South has yet to bid.

If West finds the ♥ Q lead, N/S will be down one. If West leads one of partner's suits, N/S will make four. Expect West to lead the ♦ 5 (MUD). N/S lose one Spade trick, one Diamond, and one Heart, making four.

Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	4
♥	10 9 8 5
♦	10 8 5
♣	Q J 9 6 5

♠	A 8 3
♥	A J 3 2
♦	J 7 6 4
♣	K 4

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 5 2
♥	Q 7 6 4
♦	A 2
♣	10 7 2

♠	Q J 9 7 6
♥	K
♦	K Q 9 3
♣	A 8 3

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

West	North	East	South
			1 ♠
Pass1	Pass	Pass

Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	W	−3	♠ 4	300		6.93	0.07	1-Lin-Hubka	1-Hoffman-Cai
2 NT	W	−2	♣ 6	200		5.79	1.21	7-Tedrick-Pretz	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
2 ♦	E	2	♥ K		90	4.64	2.36	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	7-Diers-McCarthy
1 ♠	S	−2	♦ 4		100	2.93	4.07	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	3-Mehta-Budev
1 ♠	S	−2	♦ 4		100	2.93	4.07	11-Vanstone-Gibler	9-Endres-Kennedy
1 NT	E	2	♠ 6		120	1.21	5.79	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
3 ♥	E	3	♦ K		140	0.07	6.93	6-Campbell-Ibarra	10-Kaplan-Ruge

East isn't strong enough to bid 1 NT in the balancing seat, since that would show 11-14 HCP. They also don't have a hand that can make a takeout double. Oh well....

N/S lose four Spade tricks, one Heart, one Club, and one Diamond, down two. West may lead the ♦ 4.

Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 7
♥	Q 10 9 5 4 2
♦	—
♣	K Q 9 8 3

♠	Q J 9 8 4 2
♥	J 8
♦	K J 6 3
♣	2

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 3
♥	6
♦	A Q 9 8 7 5
♣	J 7 5

♠	6 5
♥	A K 7 3
♦	10 4 2
♣	A 10 6 4

NS 7♥; NS 7♣; EW 3♠; EW 4♦; NS 1N; Par +1100: EW 7♠×−4

West	North	East	South
Pass1	1 ♥	Pass2	3 ♣3
Pass	3 ♦4	Pass	4 ♣5
Pass	5 ♦6	Pass	5 ♠7
Pass	7 ♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

Not quite a vulnerable weak two bid
Not quite a vulnerable weak jump overcall
Alert, artificial Bergen raise showing 4+ Hearts and a limit raise
Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Diamonds
Showing 1st or 2nd round control in Clubs while denying 1st or 2nd round control in Spades
RKC Blackwood (Exclusion showing a void in Diamonds) for Hearts
1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards outside of Diamonds

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	N	7	♠ 3	710		4.64	2.36	2-Markham-Markham	2-Lammers-Grim
4 ♥	N	7	♠ 3	710		4.64	2.36	7-Tedrick-Pretz	11-Connett-Lindeman
5 ♥	N	7	♠ 3	710		4.64	2.36	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	4-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♥	S	7	♣ 2	710		4.64	2.36	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♥	N	7	♠ 3	710		4.64	2.36	11-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Earls-Lubow
5 ♥	N	6	♠ 3	680		1.21	5.79	1-Lin-Hubka	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
3 ♠	W	5	♣ K		200	0.07	6.93	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	1-Hoffman-Cai

Nice auction! North knows that South's 4 ♣ bid is showing the ♣ A, since South didn't make a splinter bid in Clubs. N/S take six Heart tricks, five Clubs, one Spade, and a Spade ruff in dummy, making seven. East will lead a trump.

Again, for you "point counters." N/S have 22 HCP. They bid and made a grand. Heh.

Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	9 7 6 5 4
♥	10 5 4 3 2
♦	Q
♣	7 2

♠	A J 8 3
♥	J 9 6
♦	K 9 6 2
♣	A 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K 2
♥	A K Q
♦	A J 10 5
♣	K 10 9 4

♠	Q 10
♥	8 7
♦	8 7 4 3
♣	Q J 8 6 3

EW 7♦; EW 6N; EW 5♠; EW 5♥; EW 5♣; Par −1440

West	North	East	South
	Pass	2 NT1	Pass
4 ♣2	Pass	4 ♠3	Pass
6 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

20 to 21
Gerber
Gerber response showing two Aces

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	6	♣ 6		490	6.36	0.64	7-Tedrick-Pretz	11-Connett-Lindeman
3 NT	E	6	♣ Q		490	6.36	0.64	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	4-Kammer-Zimmer
6 NT	E	6	♣ Q		990	2.36	4.64	1-Lin-Hubka	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
6 NT	E	6	♣ 6		990	2.36	4.64	2-Markham-Markham	2-Lammers-Grim
6 NT	E	6	♣ Q		990	2.36	4.64	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	1-Hoffman-Cai
6 NT	E	6	♣ Q		990	2.36	4.64	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Felson-Brown
6 NT	E	6	♠ 10		990	2.36	4.64	11-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Earls-Lubow

E/W take three Spade tricks, three Hearts, four Diamonds, and two Clubs, making six. South may lead the ♣ Q.

Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	Q 4 3
♥	9 6 4 3
♦	Q 9 8
♣	K 7 4

♠	J 6
♥	A 10 5
♦	A 7 4 2
♣	9 8 5 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K 9 8
♥	K Q 7
♦	J 10 6 5
♣	J 10 6

♠	A 10 7 5 2
♥	J 8 2
♦	K 3
♣	A Q 3

NS 2♠; NS 1♥; EW 1♦; EW 1♣; Par +110

West	North	East	South
		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
1 NT	N	3	♦ 5	150		6.93	0.07	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	4-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	S	2	♠ J	110		5.21	1.79	1-Lin-Hubka	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
2 ♠	S	2	♣ 9	110		5.21	1.79	7-Tedrick-Pretz	11-Connett-Lindeman
2 ♠	S	−1	♣ 9		50	1.79	5.21	2-Markham-Markham	2-Lammers-Grim
3 ♠	S	−1	♦ A		50	1.79	5.21	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	1-Hoffman-Cai
2 ♠	S	−1	♣ 9		50	1.79	5.21	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♠	S	−1	♣ 9		50	1.79	5.21	11-Vanstone-Gibler	8-Earls-Lubow

N/S lose one Spade trick, three Hearts, and one Diamond, making two. West may lead the ♣ 8 (MUD). A reasonable way to play the Spade suit is to cash the ♠ A and then lead towards the ♠ Qx in dummy. When the ♠ J appears and Spades break 3-2, N/S will have only one trump loser.

Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	7 4
♥	Q 9 6 2
♦	K 7 5 4
♣	K 9 7

♠	Q 9 8 5
♥	K J 10 3
♦	Q 10 2
♣	5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 3
♥	8 7 4
♦	A J 9 3
♣	A 8 6 4

♠	K J 10 6 2
♥	A 5
♦	8 6
♣	Q J 10 2

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

West	North	East	South
			1 ♠1
Pass	1 NT2	Dbl3	Pass4
2 ♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Rule of 20 opener
Forcing
Takeout of Spades
Showing a minimum hand

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♦	E	−3	♥ A	300		6.93	0.07	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
2 ♦	E	−2	♣ Q	200		5.79	1.21	2-Markham-Markham	1-Hoffman-Cai
2 ♠	S	−1	♣ 5		100	4.64	2.36	3-Henry-Singerman	3-Mehta-Budev
2 ♠	S	−2	♦ Q		200	1.79	5.21	1-Lin-Hubka	11-Connett-Lindeman
2 ♠	S	−2	♦ 2		200	1.79	5.21	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	2-Lammers-Grim
2 ♠	S	−2	♣ 3		200	1.79	5.21	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
2 NT	N	−2	♦ 9		200	1.79	5.21	11-Vanstone-Gibler	7-Diers-McCarthy

West has a choice between passing and bidding 2 ♥--both have their merits. E/W lose two Heart tricks, one Club, one Spade, and a Spade ruff, making two. North will lead the ♠ 7.

Board 8
West Deals
None Vul

♠	A Q 2
♥	J 3 2
♦	A J 9 5 4
♣	Q 3

♠	7 6 3
♥	K Q 7 5
♦	8 7
♣	10 5 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K J
♥	9 6
♦	K Q 10 6 3
♣	A K J 7

♠	10 9 8 5 4
♥	A 10 8 4
♦	2
♣	9 8 6

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

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

15 to 17
Pick a minor, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	S	2	♦ 8	110		6.93	0.07	3-Henry-Singerman	3-Mehta-Budev
2 ♠	S	−1	♦ 8		50	5.79	1.21	1-Lin-Hubka	11-Connett-Lindeman
1 NT	E	1	♠ 10		90	4.64	2.36	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	2-Lammers-Grim
3 ♣	E	3	♦ 2		110	2.93	4.07	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
2 ♣	E	3	♦ 2		110	2.93	4.07	11-Vanstone-Gibler	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♦	N	−3	♣ A		150	0.64	6.36	2-Markham-Markham	1-Hoffman-Cai
2 ♦	N	−3	♥ 6		150	0.64	6.36	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Behr-Terbrueggen

East has the wrong hand shape to take a call the first time through, but when the auction dies at 2 ♠, a 2 NT bid asking for partner's best minor does the trick. Note South's 2 ♣ Garbage Stayman call. If you have a weak hand with one four-card major and one five-card major, don't simply choose your five-card major and pass partner's response. Bid 2 ♣ and pass if partner shows a four-card major, or bid your 5-card major if partner bids 2 ♦. Easy peasy.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, one Diamond, and a Diamond ruff, making three. North should lead their ♦ A, since East is marked with Diamond length and South has only four minor-suit cards.

Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 10
♥	5 4 3 2
♦	A J 8 4
♣	10 8 6

♠	Q 5 2
♥	K 10 9 8 7 6
♦	6
♣	K 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	9 8 7 6 4
♥	A
♦	3 2
♣	A Q J 7 2

♠	K J 3
♥	Q J
♦	K Q 10 9 7 5
♣	9 4

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

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

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	E	−3	♦ K	300		6.93	0.07	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
4 ♠	E	−2	♥ Q	200		5.79	1.21	1-Lin-Hubka	11-Connett-Lindeman
4 ♦	S	4	♠ 2	130		4.64	2.36	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
4 ♠	E	−1	♥ Q	100		2.93	4.07	2-Markham-Markham	1-Hoffman-Cai
4 ♠	E	−1	♦ K	100		2.93	4.07	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	2-Lammers-Grim
2 ♠	E	3	♦ K		140	0.64	6.36	3-Henry-Singerman	3-Mehta-Budev
3 ♠	E	3	♦ K		140	0.64	6.36	11-Vanstone-Gibler	7-Diers-McCarthy

N/S lose two Club tricks and two Hearts, making three. West may lead the ♠ 2 (low from an honor).

Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	Q J 10 9 8 7 6
♥	Q J 4
♦	K
♣	Q 8

♠	5 4
♥	A K 7 6 2
♦	J 9 4
♣	A 10 3

N
W		E
S

♠	2
♥	8 5
♦	A 8 7 6 3
♣	K 9 5 4 2

♠	A K 3
♥	10 9 3
♦	Q 10 5 2
♣	J 7 6

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

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

Negative showing both minors
Do something smart, partner

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	N	−1	♥ 8		100	5.79	1.21	4-Pollack-Pollack	4-Kammer-Zimmer
2 ♠	N	−1	♥ 8		100	5.79	1.21	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Mehta-Budev
2 ♠	N	−1	♥ 8		100	5.79	1.21	11-Vanstone-Gibler	6-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	N	−2	♥ 8		200	2.36	4.64	1-Lin-Hubka	10-Kaplan-Ruge
3 ♠	N	−2	♥ 8		200	2.36	4.64	2-Markham-Markham	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
3 ♠	N	−2	♥ 8		200	2.36	4.64	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	1-Hoffman-Cai
4 ♠	N	−3	♥ 8		300	0.07	6.93	3-Henry-Singerman	2-Lammers-Grim

It's hard to fault North for their 3 ♠ bid, since they know they have a 10+ card fit with partner. Oh well....

N/S lose two Heart tricks, one Diamond, two Clubs, and a Heart ruff, down two for –200. Oops. East will lead the ♥ 8 to West's ♥ K. West will cash the ♥ A and return the ♥ 2 asking for a Club return. East will ruff the third Heart, cash the ♦ A and ♣ K, and exit with a Club to partner's ♣ A.

Board 11
South Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 7
♥	A K Q J 5
♦	K J 10 4
♣	4 3

♠	8 4
♥	10 4 3
♦	8 6 5
♣	J 10 9 7 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 6 2
♥	9 8 6 2
♦	A 9 3
♣	A 8

♠	A J 9 5 3
♥	7
♦	Q 7 2
♣	K Q 6 2

NS 5N; NS 5♥; NS 4♠; NS 5♦; NS 3♣; Par +460

West	North	East	South
			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	6	♦ 3	490		6.93	0.07	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	1-Hoffman-Cai
3 NT	S	5	♣ 7	460		5.79	1.21	1-Lin-Hubka	10-Kaplan-Ruge
3 NT	N	4	♠ 2	430		4.07	2.93	3-Henry-Singerman	2-Lammers-Grim
3 NT	S	4	♣ J	430		4.07	2.93	4-Pollack-Pollack	4-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	S	3	♣ J	400		1.79	5.21	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Mehta-Budev
3 NT	N	3	♦ 3	400		1.79	5.21	11-Vanstone-Gibler	6-Felson-Brown
5 ♠	S	−1	♣ J		50	0.07	6.93	2-Markham-Markham	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski

E/W will take their two Aces. West will lead the ♣ J.

Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 10
♥	Q 9 7 5
♦	A J
♣	9 8 7 6 4

♠	6 4 3
♥	A J
♦	Q 8 6 4 3
♣	A Q 2

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 7 2
♥	K 8 4 2
♦	9 2
♣	K J 5

♠	Q 9 8 5
♥	10 6 3
♦	K 10 7 5
♣	10 3

W 1N; EW 1♠; NS 1♥; EW 1♦; EW 1♣; Par −90

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

Alert, artificial XYZ bid asking partner to bid 2 ♦
Alert, artificial XYZ forced bid

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−4	♣ 9	200		6.93	0.07	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	1-Hoffman-Cai
2 NT	W	−2	♣ 6	100		4.64	2.36	2-Markham-Markham	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
2 NT	W	−2	♣ 6	100		4.64	2.36	3-Henry-Singerman	2-Lammers-Grim
2 NT	W	−2	♣ 9	100		4.64	2.36	4-Pollack-Pollack	4-Kammer-Zimmer
2 NT	W	−1	♣ 9	50		1.79	5.21	1-Lin-Hubka	10-Kaplan-Ruge
2 NT	W	−1	♥ 5	50		1.79	5.21	11-Vanstone-Gibler	6-Felson-Brown
2 NT	W	2	♣ 9		120	0.07	6.93	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	3-Mehta-Budev

East shows an invitational hand with four Spades, and West parks in 2 NT. E/W take one Spade trick, two Hearts, one Diamond, and three Clubs, down one. North may lead a small Club.

Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	8 2
♥	J 10 9 7 3
♦	A J 5 2
♣	7 2

♠	A 9 5 3
♥	Q 8 4
♦	Q 8 7
♣	Q 9 3

N
W		E
S

♠	K Q J 10 7
♥	K 5
♦	K 6
♣	K J 10 8

♠	6 4
♥	A 6 2
♦	10 9 4 3
♣	A 6 5 4

EW 4♠; E 2N; W 1N; EW 2♣; NS 1♥; NS 1♦; Par −620

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

Alert, artificial Bergen raise showing 4+ Spades and 10-12 HCP

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
2 ♠	E	4	♦ 10		170	6.93	0.07	2-Markham-Markham	11-Connett-Lindeman
4 ♠	E	4	♦ 9		620	3.50	3.50	1-Lin-Hubka	9-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	E	4	♦ 10		620	3.50	3.50	3-Henry-Singerman	1-Hoffman-Cai
4 ♠	E	4	♦ 10		620	3.50	3.50	4-Pollack-Pollack	3-Mehta-Budev
4 ♠	E	4	♦ 10		620	3.50	3.50	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Lammers-Grim
4 ♠	E	4	♦ 10		620	3.50	3.50	11-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	E	4	♣ 6		630	0.07	6.93	5-Koch-Temples	5-Behr-Terbrueggen

E/W lose one Heart trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. This will be the flattest board of the night (famous last words). South may lead the ♦T.

Board 14
East Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 9
♥	Q 2
♦	K Q 9 5 4
♣	J 10 8 7

♠	K 6 4
♥	A J 10 8 7
♦	J 3
♣	A 9 5

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10 8 5 3
♥	K 6 3
♦	8
♣	K 6 4 3

♠	J 7 2
♥	9 5 4
♦	A 10 7 6 2
♣	Q 2

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

West	North	East	South
		Pass	Pass
1 ♥	Pass	2 ♣1	Pass
2 ♦2	Pass	3 ♦3	Dbl4
4 ♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a limit raise with 3+ Hearts
Alert, artificial Drury bid asking for more information
Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a singleton or void in Diamonds and exactly three trump
Please lead a Diamond

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♥	W	−2	♣ J	100		6.93	0.07	3-Henry-Singerman	1-Hoffman-Cai
3 ♥	W	4	♦ 5		170	4.64	2.36	1-Lin-Hubka	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	E	4	♣ Q		170	4.64	2.36	2-Markham-Markham	11-Connett-Lindeman
2 ♥	W	4	♣ J		170	4.64	2.36	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Lammers-Grim
3 ♥	W	5	♠ Q		200	2.36	4.64	5-Koch-Temples	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
4 ♥	W	5	♦ 9		450	0.64	6.36	4-Pollack-Pollack	3-Mehta-Budev
4 ♥	W	5	♠ Q		450	0.64	6.36	11-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Kammer-Zimmer

E/W lose one Spade trick and one Diamond, making five....as long as they find the ♥ Q. North will lead the ♦ K.

Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q J 10 9 6 3
♥	6 4
♦	A J 7 6
♣	6

♠	7 4
♥	K 9 5 2
♦	9
♣	K J 8 5 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A 5
♥	A 10 7 3
♦	8 5 3 2
♣	10 9 7

♠	K 8 2
♥	Q J 8
♦	K Q 10 4
♣	A Q 3

NS 3♠; NS 4♦; EW 3♣; EW 1♥; Par +130

West	North	East	South
			1 NT1
Dbl2	2 ♥3	Dbl4	2 ♠5
Pass	3 ♠6	Pass	4 ♠
Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, artificial DONT bid showing a single-suited hand
Transfer
If your suit is Hearts, please bid it
Showing 3+ Spades
Showing an invitational hand with 6+ Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	4	♦ 9	620		4.07	2.93	1-Lin-Hubka	9-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	N	4	♣ 7	620		4.07	2.93	2-Markham-Markham	11-Connett-Lindeman
4 ♠	S	4	♥ 5	620		4.07	2.93	3-Henry-Singerman	1-Hoffman-Cai
4 ♠	S	4	♦ 9	620		4.07	2.93	5-Koch-Temples	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
4 ♠	N	4	♣ 10	620		4.07	2.93	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	2-Lammers-Grim
4 ♠	S	4	♦ 9	620		4.07	2.93	11-Vanstone-Gibler	4-Kammer-Zimmer
5 ♠	S	−1	♦ 9		100	0.07	6.93	4-Pollack-Pollack	3-Mehta-Budev

Since South could have passed after East's double, their 2 ♠ bid shows 3+ Spades. N/S lose one Spade trick, two Hearts, and a Diamond ruff for down one. West will lead their stiff ♦ 9. When in with the ♠ A, East should cash the ♥ A before exiting with a Diamond. That way West will have no trouble cashing the ♥ K after ruffing the second Diamond.

Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A 8 7 5 3
♥	2
♦	A K 4
♣	A 8 7 3

♠	Q J 10
♥	8 7 6 5
♦	J
♣	Q J 5 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠	9 6
♥	A K J 9 3
♦	10 7 6 5 3
♣	9

♠	K 4 2
♥	Q 10 4
♦	Q 9 8 2
♣	K 10 6

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

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

Michaels
Alert, Unusual vs. Unusual 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	♥ K	450		6.93	0.07	3-Henry-Singerman	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
4 ♠	N	4	♣ 9	420		5.21	1.79	1-Lin-Hubka	8-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	N	4	♥ K	420		5.21	1.79	11-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Mehta-Budev
2 ♠	N	5	♥ K	200		3.50	3.50	2-Markham-Markham	10-Kaplan-Ruge
2 ♠	N	4	♣ 9	170		2.36	4.64	6-Campbell-Ibarra	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♠	N	3	♥ A	140		1.21	5.79	4-Pollack-Pollack	2-Lammers-Grim
2 ♠	N	−1	♥ A		50	0.07	6.93	5-Koch-Temples	4-Kammer-Zimmer

Note South's 3 ♥ cuebid. East has essentially overcalled 2 ♥ and two of a mystery minor with their Michaels cuebid. If East had overcalled 2 ♥, South would have cuebid 3 ♥ to show a limit raise or better for their partner's Spades. Playing Unusual vs. Unusual, the same cuebid still applies. Also, note West's pass of 3 ♥. Although they like Hearts, they have two reasons to be quiet--(1) they're vulnerable and (2) they don't want a Heart lead.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Club, making four. East will lead the ♥ K (asking for count) and switch to their stiff ♣ 9 at trick two, although it's feasible that they'll continue with the ♥ A when their partner shows an even number of Hearts (i.e., it's hard to imagine that West has four Hearts).

Board 17
North Deals
None Vul

♠	K 9 7
♥	A K Q J 7 6
♦	10
♣	K Q J

♠	Q J 8 5 2
♥	10
♦	A J 8 3 2
♣	6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	4 3
♥	9 8 5 2
♦	9 6 5
♣	A 10 5 2

♠	A 10 6
♥	4 3
♦	K Q 7 4
♣	9 8 7 4

NS 5♥; NS 4N; NS 2♠; NS 3♣; Par +450

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

Forcing
Creative reverse
Game forcing and natural
Showing a sixth Heart

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
5 ♥	N	5	♠ 4	450		5.21	1.79	3-Henry-Singerman	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
4 ♥	N	5	♠ 4	450		5.21	1.79	4-Pollack-Pollack	2-Lammers-Grim
4 ♥	N	5	♦ 9	450		5.21	1.79	5-Koch-Temples	4-Kammer-Zimmer
5 ♥	N	5	♦ 6	450		5.21	1.79	11-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Mehta-Budev
4 ♥	N	4	♠ 4	420		2.36	4.64	1-Lin-Hubka	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♥	N	5	♦ 6	200		1.21	5.79	6-Campbell-Ibarra	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♣	N	3	♠ 4	110		0.07	6.93	2-Markham-Markham	10-Kaplan-Ruge

Nice auction! North, knowing that their partner can't have a fourth Spade, invents a reverse to force their partner to take another bid (i.e., 3 ♥ would not be forcing). When South creates a game force with their 3 ♦ bid, North can comfortably show their sixth Heart at the three level.

N/S lose one Diamond and one Club, making five. East may lead a trump.

Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	A 8 6 5
♥	9 7 6 4 3
♦	10 6 4
♣	7

♠	K 3 2
♥	Q
♦	K J 8 7 5
♣	K 9 8 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q 10 9 7
♥	A J 5 2
♦	A Q
♣	Q 6 4

♠	J 4
♥	K 10 8
♦	9 3 2
♣	A J 10 5 2

EW 4N; EW 4♠; EW 4♦; EW 3♣; EW 1♥; Par −430

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

15 to 17
Alert, artificial bid showing 3-1-4-5 or 3-1-5-4 shape and game-going values or better

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−2	♣ J	100		6.36	0.64	3-Henry-Singerman	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
3 NT	E	−2	♣ 5	100		6.36	0.64	4-Pollack-Pollack	2-Lammers-Grim
3 NT	E	3	♣ J		400	4.64	2.36	2-Markham-Markham	10-Kaplan-Ruge
3 NT	E	4	♣ J		430	2.93	4.07	6-Campbell-Ibarra	6-Felson-Brown
3 NT	E	4	♥ 10		430	2.93	4.07	11-Vanstone-Gibler	3-Mehta-Budev
3 NT	E	5	♣ 5		460	0.64	6.36	1-Lin-Hubka	8-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	E	5	♣ J		460	0.64	6.36	5-Koch-Temples	4-Kammer-Zimmer

E/W play that an immediate 3 ♥ or 3 ♠ bid after partner's 1 NT opening shows a singleton in the major bid, three cards in the other major, 5-4 (or 4-5) in the minors, and game-going values or better. Seems right. East has an easy 3 NT bid.

E/W take five Diamond tricks, three Spades, one Heart, and one Club, making four. South may lead the ♣ J.

Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K J 10 5 4
♥	K J
♦	A 7 3
♣	Q 9 2

♠	Q 9
♥	7 5 4 3 2
♦	K 10 6 4 2
♣	4

N
W		E
S

♠	A 7 6
♥	9 6
♦	J 9 8
♣	10 8 7 6 3

♠	8 3 2
♥	A Q 10 8
♦	Q 5
♣	A K J 5

S 6N; NS 5♠; N 4N; NS 3♥; NS 4♣; NS 2♦; Par +990

West	North	East	South
			1 NT1
Pass2	2 ♥3	Pass	2 ♠
Pass	3 NT	Pass	4 ♠
Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Not quite a vulnerable overcall
Transfer

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	6	♣ 6	490		6.93	0.07	4-Pollack-Pollack	1-Hoffman-Cai
3 NT	S	5	♦ 4	460		5.79	1.21	6-Campbell-Ibarra	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
5 ♠	N	5	♣ 10	450		4.07	2.93	5-Koch-Temples	3-Mehta-Budev
4 ♠	S	5	♣ 4	450		4.07	2.93	7-Tedrick-Pretz	7-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	N	4	♦ 9	430		2.36	4.64	2-Markham-Markham	9-Endres-Kennedy
4 ♠	N	4	♦ J	420		1.21	5.79	1-Lin-Hubka	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	S	−1	♣ 4		50	0.07	6.93	3-Henry-Singerman	11-Connett-Lindeman

North's 3 NT rebid shows exactly five Spades and game-going values. South has an easy correction to 4 ♠, although notrump pays better with West unable to lead away from their ♦ K.

N/S lose one Spade trick and a Club ruff, making five. West will lead their stiff ♣ 4. South will win in hand and immediately finesse against West's supposed ♠ Q. East will win the ♠ A and return a Club for West to ruff. Declarer will claim when they regain the lead.

Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	K 10 6 2
♥	9
♦	Q 9 8 6 4 3
♣	A 2

♠	A Q 8 4 3
♥	7
♦	A 7
♣	9 8 7 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	9 7
♥	K Q 10 8 6
♦	J 10 5 2
♣	K J

♠	J 5
♥	A J 5 4 3 2
♦	K
♣	Q 10 4 3

NS 1N; N 1♥; NS 1♦; NS 1♣; Par +90

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

Rule of 20 opener
Forcing

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	W	−4	♦ 6	400		6.93	0.07	3-Henry-Singerman	11-Connett-Lindeman
2 ♠	W	−3	♦ 6	300		5.79	1.21	2-Markham-Markham	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 NT	E	−2	♥ 5	200		4.64	2.36	5-Koch-Temples	3-Mehta-Budev
2 ♠	W	−1	♥ 9	100		3.50	3.50	4-Pollack-Pollack	1-Hoffman-Cai
3 NT	N	−1	♥ 2		100	2.36	4.64	6-Campbell-Ibarra	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
2 ♠	E	2	♦ K		110	1.21	5.79	1-Lin-Hubka	6-Felson-Brown
2 ♥	S	−3	♦ A		300	0.07	6.93	7-Tedrick-Pretz	7-Diers-McCarthy

If South had passed, West would have been forced to take another bid (i.e., their partner's forcing notrump bid is forcing.....duh). When South interjects 2 ♥, West has no reason to bid 3 ♣--that would show extra shape or extra values. If East wants to double for penalty in the passout seat for penalty, they'll need to pause an extra long time, glare at South, ask North is South's 2 ♥ bid could be made with a very weak suit or as few as four cards, and then snap their double card on the table while saying "Your lead, partner." Yep, that'll work.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Diamond, two Clubs, and three Hearts, down two for –200. Ouch. West may lead the ♣ 8 (MUD).

Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul

♠	4
♥	A Q 9 4 2
♦	J 3
♣	Q 10 6 5 2

♠	K 7 5
♥	K J 10 3
♦	K 9 8 7 5
♣	K

N
W		E
S

♠	A 10
♥	8 7
♦	A 10 6
♣	J 9 8 7 4 3

♠	Q J 9 8 6 3 2
♥	6 5
♦	Q 4 2
♣	A

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

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

Preemptive

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♦	W	−3	♠ 4	150		6.93	0.07	3-Henry-Singerman	11-Connett-Lindeman
3 ♠	N	3	♦ 5	140		5.79	1.21	5-Koch-Temples	3-Mehta-Budev
5 ♦	W	−2	♠ 4	100		4.64	2.36	1-Lin-Hubka	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♦	W	−1	♠ 4	50		3.50	3.50	6-Campbell-Ibarra	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
3 ♦	W	3	♠ 4		110	2.36	4.64	7-Tedrick-Pretz	7-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♦	W	4	♠ 4		130	1.21	5.79	2-Markham-Markham	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♠	S	−2	♣ K		200	0.07	6.93	4-Pollack-Pollack	1-Hoffman-Cai

N/S lose two Diamond tricks, two Spades, and a Club ruff, down one. West will lead their stiff ♣ K.

Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K Q J 10 6
♥	3
♦	K J 8 5
♣	K 10 9

♠	3
♥	A K 7 6 4
♦	Q 9 4
♣	A 8 7 2

N
W		E
S

♠	8 5
♥	J 10 9
♦	7 6 3
♣	Q J 6 5 4

♠	A 9 7 4 2
♥	Q 8 5 2
♦	A 10 2
♣	3

NS 5♠; S 4N; S 5♦; N 4♦; N 1N; S 1♥; EW 1♣; Par +450

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

Not quite a vulnerable 2 ♥ bid
Cuebid showing a limit raise in Spades
Showing a full opener

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	6	♥ A	480		5.00	2.00	1-Lin-Hubka	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
4 ♠	S	6	♥ A	480		5.00	2.00	3-Henry-Singerman	10-Kaplan-Ruge
4 ♠	N	6	♥ J	480		5.00	2.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	4-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	N	6	♥ J	480		5.00	2.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	N	6	♥ J	480		5.00	2.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	8-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	N	5	♥ J	450		2.00	5.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
4 ♠	N	4	♥ J	420		1.00	6.00	2-Markham-Markham	7-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♠	N	4	♥ J	170		0.00	7.00	5-Koch-Temples	2-Lammers-Grim

If South wasn't already a passed hand, their 2 ♥ bid would be forcing but would not guarantee a fit for partner's overcalled suit--they may simply need to invent a forcing bid before clarifying their holding. That's not true once they're a passed hand--their 2 ♥ cuebid on this auction shows a limit raise in Spades. Nuff said.

N/S lose one Heart trick and one Club, making five. East will lead the ♥ J. Declarer will ruff the Heart continuation, pull trump in two rounds ending in dummy, and lead the ♣ 3 towards their hand. West will rise with the ♣ A, and declarer will be able to pitch dummy's third Diamond on the good ♣ K. The Diamond finesse is a practice finesse, meaning that you'll take the same number of tricks if the finesse wins as you would if you hadn't taken the finesse in the first place.

Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul

♠	A K 10 7 5
♥	A J 4
♦	J 10 6 5
♣	3

♠	6
♥	8 7 6 2
♦	K Q 7 4 2
♣	10 6 4

N
W		E
S

♠	J 8 4 2
♥	5 3
♦	3
♣	A Q J 9 8 7

♠	Q 9 3
♥	K Q 10 9
♦	A 9 8
♣	K 5 2

NS 5N; NS 5♠; NS 5♥; NS 3♦; Par +660

West	North	East	South
			1 ♣
Pass	1 ♠	Pass	1 NT
Pass	2 ♦1	Pass	2 ♥2
Pass	2 NT3	Pass	3 ♠4
Pass	4 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, artificial XYZ bid creating a game force
Showing four Hearts but not denying a third Spade
Treading water
Showing a third Spade

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	S	5	♦ 4	660		7.00	0.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	4-Kammer-Zimmer
4 ♠	N	4	♦ 3	620		5.00	2.00	2-Markham-Markham	7-Diers-McCarthy
4 ♠	N	4	♦ 3	620		5.00	2.00	3-Henry-Singerman	10-Kaplan-Ruge
4 ♠	N	4	♦ 3	620		5.00	2.00	5-Koch-Temples	2-Lammers-Grim
3 NT	S	3	♣ 3	600		3.00	4.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♥	S	4	♠ 6	170		2.00	5.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
4 ♥	S	−1	♣ 10		100	0.50	6.50	1-Lin-Hubka	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
4 ♠	N	−1	♦ 3		100	0.50	6.50	7-Tedrick-Pretz	6-Felson-Brown

If you play XYZ, don't instinctively bid 2 ♦ to create a game force unless you (1) need more information from partner before placing the contract or (2) need to share more information with partner. On this hand, North needed to find out whether their partner had a third Spade.

N/S lose one Club trick, one Diamond, and a Diamond ruff, making four. East will lead their stiff ♦ 3. If declarer hops with the ♦ A, they'll need to be clairvoyant to avoid losing a trump trick. If they somehow manage to bring in the trump suit without a loss, they can lead a Club towards dummy's ♣ K and pitch two Diamonds on the fourth Heart and the ♣ K losing only a Diamond and a Club. That's unlikely, so expect quite a few +620 scores.

Board 24
West Deals
None Vul

♠	10 4 3
♥	10 4 3
♦	K 5 4
♣	A 7 4 2

♠	A 8 7 5 2
♥	K J
♦	10 6
♣	Q 9 6 5

N
W		E
S

♠	K J 9
♥	Q 8 5
♦	J 9 8 3
♣	K J 10

♠	Q 6
♥	A 9 7 6 2
♦	A Q 7 2
♣	8 3

EW 3♠; NS 2♥; EW 1N; EW 2♣; Par −140

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

Hoping the opponents don't find their Spade fit
Oops

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠×	E	−2	♥ 10	300		7.00	0.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	6-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	W	−1	♥ 3	50		6.00	1.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♥	S	−2	♣ 5		100	5.00	2.00	5-Koch-Temples	2-Lammers-Grim
2 ♠	W	3	♥ 3		140	3.00	4.00	1-Lin-Hubka	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
1 ♠	W	3	♥ 3		140	3.00	4.00	2-Markham-Markham	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠	W	3	♥ 3		140	3.00	4.00	3-Henry-Singerman	10-Kaplan-Ruge
1 ♠	W	4	♥ 10		170	0.50	6.50	4-Pollack-Pollack	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
2 ♠	W	4	♥ 3		170	0.50	6.50	6-Campbell-Ibarra	4-Kammer-Zimmer

If South forgets to open, they'll be very happy. E/W lose one Heart trick, two Diamonds, and one Club, making three. North will lead the ♥ 3 (low from an honor......poor ♥T, nobody thinks of you as an honor).

Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul

♠	A K Q 8 6
♥	Q 7 5
♦	K 9 6
♣	9 2

♠	3 2
♥	K 9 8 4
♦	A 4 3 2
♣	10 8 3

N
W		E
S

♠	J 10 7
♥	J 10 6 3
♦	Q J 5
♣	A K 5

♠	9 5 4
♥	A 2
♦	10 8 7
♣	Q J 7 6 4

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

West	North	East	South
	1 ♠	Pass1	2 ♠2
Pass	Pass	Pass

Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
Constructive raise

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♠	N	4	♣ A	170		6.00	1.00	3-Henry-Singerman	8-Earls-Lubow
2 ♠	N	4	♣ K	170		6.00	1.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	3-Mehta-Budev
2 ♠	N	4	♣ A	170		6.00	1.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	N	3	♣ A	140		3.50	3.50	5-Koch-Temples	1-Hoffman-Cai
2 ♠	N	3	♣ A	140		3.50	3.50	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠	N	2	♣ A	110		2.00	5.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
3 ♠	N	−1	♣ A		50	1.00	6.00	2-Markham-Markham	6-Felson-Brown
4 ♠	N	−2	♥ 6		100	0.00	7.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	11-Connett-Lindeman

If South's hand was ♠ 954 ♥ A32 ♦T87 ♣ Q764, they'd be well served to bid 1 NT (forcing) over their partner's 1 ♠ opening and then support at the two level when it gets back to them. With that in mind, South's immediate raise to the two level is a "constructive" raise (i.e., not a pile of shinola).

N/S lose one Heart trick, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, making two. East may lead the ♣ A (asking for attitude) and switch to the ♦ Q or ♥ J at trick two.

Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul

♠	A 8 4
♥	6
♦	Q 5 4 3
♣	K Q 8 7 5

♠	Q 3
♥	5 4 2
♦	A J 9 7 2
♣	J 10 9

N
W		E
S

♠	K 9 7 5
♥	K Q 8 7 3
♦	10
♣	A 3 2

♠	J 10 6 2
♥	A J 10 9
♦	K 8 6
♣	6 4

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

West	North	East	South
		2 ♦1	Pass
2 ♥2	Dbl3	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, artificial Flannery bid showing exactly four Spades, five Hearts, and 11-15 HCP
Alert, non-forcing
For takeout

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−4	♣ 6	400		7.00	0.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	7-Diers-McCarthy
4 ♥	E	−3	♣ 6	300		6.00	1.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	11-Connett-Lindeman
3 ♥	E	−2	♠ J	200		5.00	2.00	3-Henry-Singerman	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♥	E	−1	♣ 6	100		3.00	4.00	5-Koch-Temples	1-Hoffman-Cai
2 ♥	E	−1	♦ 6	100		3.00	4.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	3-Mehta-Budev
2 ♥	E	−1	♣ 6	100		3.00	4.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♥	E	2	♣ 6		110	1.00	6.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
3 ♣	N	−4	♥ K		400	0.00	7.00	2-Markham-Markham	6-Felson-Brown

If E/W don't play Flannery, the auction may go 1 ♥ - Pass - 2 ♥ - Double - Pass - Pass - Pass. All roads.....

E/W lose two Spade tricks, one Club, and three Hearts, down one doubled for –200. South may lead the ♣ 6.

Board 27
South Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 10 5 3
♥	J 10 9 4
♦	K J 6 5
♣	Q

♠	8 7 4
♥	A K 5
♦	A Q
♣	J 9 7 5 3

N
W		E
S

♠	6 2
♥	Q 8 3 2
♦	9 8 4
♣	10 8 6 2

♠	A K J 9
♥	7 6
♦	10 7 3 2
♣	A K 4

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

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

15 to 17

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	4	♥ K	420		6.00	1.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	11-Connett-Lindeman
4 ♠	S	4	♥ K	420		6.00	1.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	3-Mehta-Budev
4 ♠	S	4	♥ A	420		6.00	1.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
3 ♠	S	4	♥ A	170		3.00	4.00	3-Henry-Singerman	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♠	N	4	♥ 8	170		3.00	4.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠	N	4	♠ 4	170		3.00	4.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♠	S	3	♥ A	140		0.50	6.50	2-Markham-Markham	6-Felson-Brown
3 ♠	N	3	♣ 8	140		0.50	6.50	5-Koch-Temples	1-Hoffman-Cai

North's hand is easily game going in either a suit contract or in a notrump contract (♠T, ♥T9, three four-card suits). N/S lose two Heart tricks and one Diamonds, making four. West will lead the ♥ A (asking for attitude) and continue Hearts at trick two.

Board 28
West Deals
N-S Vul

♠	10 9 4
♥	7
♦	A K 10 9 8 6 5
♣	7 6

♠	K
♥	K Q J 6 3
♦	4 3 2
♣	K Q 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	Q J 7 5 2
♥	5 4
♦	Q J
♣	J 9 5 2

♠	A 8 6 3
♥	A 10 9 8 2
♦	7
♣	A 10 8

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

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

Weak jump overcall

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	W	−3	♦ A	150		6.00	1.00	3-Henry-Singerman	7-Diers-McCarthy
3 ♦	N	5	♥ 4	150		6.00	1.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♠	E	−3	♦ 7	150		6.00	1.00	5-Koch-Temples	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
3 ♦	N	4	♦ Q	130		3.00	4.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kammer-Zimmer
3 ♦	N	4	♥ 5	130		3.00	4.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♦	N	4	♥ 5	130		3.00	4.00	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	10-Kaplan-Ruge
3 ♦	N	3	♥ 5	110		1.00	6.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	2-Lammers-Grim
3 ♥	S	−3	♦ 4		300	0.00	7.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	6-Felson-Brown

If South had a second Diamond (or better yet a third one), they'd have an easy 3 NT bid. With a singleton? There's no reason for South to think that North's suit is running, and it wouldn't be except for the doubleton ♦ QJ in the East hand. N/S lose two Spades and one Club, making four. East will lead the ♥ 5.

Board 29
North Deals
Both Vul

♠	K 7 5
♥	A 2
♦	K Q 7 2
♣	K J 10 4

♠	A 6 2
♥	10 8 7
♦	J 6 5 3
♣	Q 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	J 9 8 4 3
♥	K 6 5 3
♦	8
♣	9 8 7

♠	Q 10
♥	Q J 9 4
♦	A 10 9 4
♣	A 6 5

NS 5N; NS 4♥; NS 5♦; NS 5♣; NS 3♠; Par +660

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

15 to 17

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	5	♠ J	660		6.50	0.50	7-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	N	5	♠ 4	660		6.50	0.50	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	8-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	N	4	♥ 3	630		3.50	3.50	5-Koch-Temples	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
3 NT	N	4	♠ J	630		3.50	3.50	6-Campbell-Ibarra	2-Lammers-Grim
3 NT	N	4	♠ 4	630		3.50	3.50	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	6-Felson-Brown
3 NT	N	4	♠ 3	630		3.50	3.50	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	10-Kaplan-Ruge
3 NT	N	3	♠ 8	600		1.00	6.00	3-Henry-Singerman	7-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	N	−2	♠ 4		200	0.00	7.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	9-Endres-Kennedy

N/S take three Heart tricks, four Diamonds, three Clubs, and one Spade, making five. If East leads a small Spade (likely), N/S still won't make six, since there will always be a Spade loser and a Heart loser.

Board 30
East Deals
None Vul

♠	Q 9 5
♥	K Q 10 7
♦	9 5 3
♣	K 7 2

♠	K 6 4
♥	A 6 3
♦	A Q 7
♣	A J 5 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 10 3 2
♥	J 2
♦	10 6 2
♣	10 8 3

♠	8 7
♥	9 8 5 4
♦	K J 8 4
♣	Q 9 6

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

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

Showing 18-19 HCP
Alert, artificial Wolff Sign-Off bid asking partner to bid 3 ♦
Alert, artificial Wolff Sign-Off forced bid
Showing a weakish hand with five Spades

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	E	−3	♦ 4	150		7.00	0.00	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	10-Kaplan-Ruge
4 ♠	E	−2	♥ 9	100		6.00	1.00	3-Henry-Singerman	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠	W	3	♥ K		140	5.00	2.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	4-Kammer-Zimmer
2 NT	W	3	♥ 7		150	4.00	3.00	5-Koch-Temples	12-Muenks-Chrzanowski
3 ♠	W	4	♥ K		170	3.00	4.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	2-Lammers-Grim
2 NT	W	4	♥ 7		180	2.00	5.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♠	E	5	♥ 4		200	1.00	6.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	8-Earls-Lubow
3 NT	W	4	♥ 7		430	0.00	7.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	6-Felson-Brown

If you're in game on this hand, you're an incredible optimist. To make game you need (1) to find the ♠ Q, (2) for South to have the ♦ K, and (3) for Clubs to be 3-3 so you can get rid of your slow Diamond loser. Gulp.

E/W lose one Heart trick and two Clubs, making four. South may lead a trump.

Board 31
South Deals
N-S Vul

♠	Q J 6 5 2
♥	Q 10 5
♦	Q 6
♣	A 8 2

♠	A 7 4
♥	K 7 6
♦	J 9 8 7 2
♣	9 7

N
W		E
S

♠	10 9 8 3
♥	J 9 8 3 2
♦	K
♣	Q 10 4

♠	K
♥	A 4
♦	A 10 5 4 3
♣	K J 6 5 3

NS 5N; NS 5♣; NS 3♠; NS 2♥; NS 3♦; Par +660

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

Showing right around 11 HCP

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 NT	N	5	♥ 3	660		6.50	0.50	7-Tedrick-Pretz	3-Mehta-Budev
3 NT	N	5	♥ 2	660		6.50	0.50	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
3 NT	S	3	♦ 7	600		4.50	2.50	5-Koch-Temples	10-Kaplan-Ruge
3 NT	N	3	♥ 8	600		4.50	2.50	11-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Connett-Lindeman
3 ♣	S	5	♦ 7	150		3.00	4.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠	N	3	♥ 3	140		2.00	5.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♣	S	3	♣ 7	110		1.00	6.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	1-Hoffman-Cai
3 ♦	S	−1	♣ 9		100	0.00	7.00	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Endres-Kennedy

South's 2 ♣ bid is wide ranging. South can have as few as 11 HCP or as many as 18 (i.e., a hand that isn't quite a jump shift). North's 2 NT bid is forward going and should show 11 HCP or 10 HCP with a five-card suit.

N/S lose one Heart trick and one Spade, making five. East will probably lead a small Heart.

Board 32
West Deals
E-W Vul

♠	K 8 7
♥	Q 6 4 2
♦	A J 4 3
♣	Q J

♠	9 5 2
♥	10 7
♦	7 6
♣	A 9 8 6 3 2

N
W		E
S

♠	3
♥	A K 9 8 5
♦	Q 8 5 2
♣	K 10 5

♠	A Q J 10 6 4
♥	J 3
♦	K 10 9
♣	7 4

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

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

Showing 5+ Spades
Invitational

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
4 ♠	S	5	♥ 10	450		7.00	0.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	3-Mehta-Budev
4 ♠	S	4	♥ 10	420		6.00	1.00	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Endres-Kennedy
1 NT	N	4	♥ A	180		5.00	2.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
1 ♠	S	3	♣ A	140		4.00	3.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	7-Diers-McCarthy
2 ♠	S	2	♥ 10	110		3.00	4.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	8-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	S	−1	♣ A		50	1.00	6.00	5-Koch-Temples	10-Kaplan-Ruge
4 ♠	S	−1	♥ 10		50	1.00	6.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	1-Hoffman-Cai
4 ♠	S	−1	♥ 10		50	1.00	6.00	11-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Connett-Lindeman

South would bid 4 ♠ at IMPs (i.e., in a team game), but there's no reason to overbid in matchpoints where positive scores are rewarded. North, with wasted values in Clubs and poor spot cards has an easy pass.

N/S lose two Heart tricks and two Clubs, making three. East will lead the ♥ K (asking for count). Even if East doesn't find the Club switch at trick three, N/S will still lose four tricks, since East's ♦ Q will keep declarer from pitching a losing Club from dummy.

Board 33
North Deals
None Vul

♠	8
♥	6 5 3
♦	K Q 8 7 5
♣	Q 9 5 2

♠	A 6 4
♥	K Q J 2
♦	J 10 6 4
♣	J 6

N
W		E
S

♠	K 10 5 3
♥	A 7 4
♦	A 2
♣	A 10 7 4

♠	Q J 9 7 2
♥	10 9 8
♦	9 3
♣	K 8 3

EW 4♥; EW 3N; EW 3♠; EW 3♣; EW 2♦; Par −420

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

15 to 17
Alert, artificial bid asking for a five-card major
Alert, artificial response denying a five-card major
Alert, showing exactly three Spades and four Hearts

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♥	W	−2	♠ 8	100		7.00	0.00	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	7-Diers-McCarthy
3 NT	E	−1	♥ 10	50		6.00	1.00	7-Tedrick-Pretz	3-Mehta-Budev
1 ♠×	S	−1	♣ J		100	5.00	2.00	5-Koch-Temples	10-Kaplan-Ruge
3 NT	E	3	♠ Q		400	3.00	4.00	6-Campbell-Ibarra	1-Hoffman-Cai
3 NT	E	3	♥ 10		400	3.00	4.00	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	5-Behr-Terbrueggen
3 NT	W	3	♦ 5		400	3.00	4.00	11-Vanstone-Gibler	11-Connett-Lindeman
4 ♥	W	4	♠ 8		420	1.00	6.00	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 NT	E	4	♥ 10		430	0.00	7.00	4-Pollack-Pollack	8-Earls-Lubow

E/W take four heart tricks, two Spades, two Diamonds, and one Club, making three. Both Diamonds and Clubs are frozen suits, meaning that if either side leads that suit, the opponents will gain a trick. South will probably lead the ♠ Q. Declarer will win in their hand with the ♠ K, cash four Heart tricks (pitching a Spade from their hand), cash the ♦ A, and exit with a Diamond to the ♦T. North will win the ♦ Q, but any card they play now will give declarer their ninth trick. Try it!

Board 34
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	7
♥	Q 8 6 2
♦	A Q 5 4 3
♣	K 5 2

♠	K Q 10 8
♥	A 5 4 3
♦	9
♣	J 8 4 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A J 3
♥	K J 10
♦	8 2
♣	A Q 10 9 6

♠	9 6 5 4 2
♥	9 7
♦	K J 10 7 6
♣	7

EW 6♣; EW 5♥; EW 4♠; EW 2N; NS 3♦; Par −800: NS 6♦×−3

West	North	East	South
		1 NT1	2 ♦2
3 ♦3	Dbl4	Pass	Pass
Rdbl5	Pass	4 ♣6	Pass
5 ♣	Pass	Pass	Pass

15 to 17
Alert, DONT bid showing Diamonds and a higher-ranking suit
Cuebid as Stayman asking for a 4-card major
I like Diamonds
Do something smart, partner
Showing length in Clubs and no Diamond stopper for notrump (or for penalty)

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
3 ♦×	N	3	♥ 10	670		6.93	0.07	7-Tedrick-Pretz	2-Lammers-Grim
4 ♠	W	−2	♦ 3	100		5.79	1.21	6-Campbell-Ibarra	11-Connett-Lindeman
3 NT	E	−1	♦ 7	50		3.50	3.50	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	4-Kammer-Zimmer
3 NT	E	−1	♦ J	50		3.50	3.50	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	6-Felson-Brown
3 NT	E	−1	♦ J	50		3.50	3.50	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Earls-Lubow
3 ♠	W	3	♣ 2		140	1.21	5.79	11-Vanstone-Gibler	10-Kaplan-Ruge
4 ♥	W	5	♠ 7		450	0.07	6.93	5-Koch-Temples	9-Endres-Kennedy

Although game in Hearts would pay more, it's quite reasonable for E/W to avoid a Moysian (4-3) fit on this deal, since they're 100% sure they're getting a bad trump split (i.e., South has either five Spades or five Hearts). N/S have no reason to sacrifice in 5 ♦ when vulnerable, since E/W's Club game is worth less than 5 ♦ doubled down two (i.e., –400 for N/S is better than –500).

E/W lose one Diamond trick, making five. There's no reason for declarer to take the Heart finesse, since their losing Heart goes away on dummy's fourth Spade.

Board 35
South Deals
E-W Vul

♠	7 5 4 3
♥	A K 10 9
♦	8 7
♣	J 7 3

♠	6 2
♥	Q 8 4 3
♦	J 9 6 4
♣	A Q 10

N
W		E
S

♠	A Q 10 9 8
♥	7 5
♦	Q 5 2
♣	K 8 4

♠	K J
♥	J 6 2
♦	A K 10 3
♣	9 6 5 2

NS 1N; EW 1♠; NS 1♥; NS 1♣; Par +90

West	North	East	South
			1 ♦
Pass	1 ♥	1 ♠	Dbl1
Pass	1 NT2	Pass	Pass
Pass

Alert, support double
What else?

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 NT	W	−2	♥ K	200		6.93	0.07	11-Vanstone-Gibler	10-Kaplan-Ruge
2 ♥	N	2	♣ 2	110		5.79	1.21	6-Campbell-Ibarra	11-Connett-Lindeman
2 NT	W	−1	♥ 9	100		4.64	2.36	5-Koch-Temples	9-Endres-Kennedy
2 ♥	N	−1	♣ 4		50	3.50	3.50	7-Tedrick-Pretz	2-Lammers-Grim
1 NT	W	1	♥ 9		90	2.36	4.64	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	4-Kammer-Zimmer
1 NT	S	−2	♠ 6		100	0.64	6.36	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	6-Felson-Brown
3 ♥	N	−2	♣ 4		100	0.64	6.36	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Earls-Lubow

North is sort of stuck for a rebid and 1 NT seems reasonable. Even if East is able to cash five Spade tricks, that still leaves eight more tricks that N/S have a chance of winning.

N/S take four Heart tricks, one Spade, and two Diamonds, making one. East will lead a "small" Spade (they should try dropping their lead on the floor and in the interest of saving time announce "small Spade" before they place it back on the table).

Board 36
West Deals
Both Vul

♠	10 6 4
♥	K 5 4 2
♦	10 8 7 5 3
♣	7

♠	9 5 3
♥	Q J 6
♦	K Q 4
♣	K 9 6 3

N
W		E
S

♠	7 2
♥	A 8 7 3
♦	9 6 2
♣	A J 4 2

♠	A K Q J 8
♥	10 9
♦	A J
♣	Q 10 8 5

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

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	Pass	1 ♠
Pass1	Pass	Dbl	2 ♣
Pass	2 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles

Contract			Lead	Score		Matchpoints		Pair	Pair
				N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W	N-S	E-W
1 ♠	S	4	♦ 4	170		6.93	0.07	6-Campbell-Ibarra	11-Connett-Lindeman
1 ♠	S	3	♦ K	140		5.21	1.79	5-Koch-Temples	9-Endres-Kennedy
3 ♠	S	3	♥ Q	140		5.21	1.79	11-Vanstone-Gibler	10-Kaplan-Ruge
2 ♠	S	2	♣ 3	110		3.50	3.50	9-Oppelt-Oppelt	6-Felson-Brown
1 ♠	S	1	♥ Q	80		2.36	4.64	7-Tedrick-Pretz	2-Lammers-Grim
2 ♠	S	−1	♥ Q		100	1.21	5.79	10-Kereiakes-Kereiakes	8-Earls-Lubow
4 ♠	S	−4	♦ K		400	0.07	6.93	8-Ramsay-Magnus, Jr	4-Kammer-Zimmer

N/S lose two Heart tricks, one Diamond, and three Clubs, as long as E/W lead trump at almost every opportunity. If E/W get sloppy, declarer will be able to ruff two Clubs in dummy. West will lead a trump. Declarer will win in their hand and lead a small Club, won by East with the ♣ J and another trump hits the table. Declarer can win in their hand, but they'll be limited to only one Club ruff.