EVENT>Wednesday Morning Pairs  |SESSION>Wednesday Mor|SECTION> A N-S
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>November 29, 2017  |CLUB NO.>185264    | 11/29/2017 15:01
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Potter Orr      |RATING>Club Masterpoint (80%, 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=9/B=6/C=1                       ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Rica Hodesh            Judith Lucas             B    1     1     .    105.25  62.65  0.72(A)
 2 Sharon Koster          Mike Burns               B    4     .     .     85.76  51.05  0.25(A)
 3 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Cecilia Kloecker         A    .     .     .     80.93  48.17
 4 Kathy Rice             Carol Scovic             B    .     .     .     79.50  47.32
 5 Barry Wauligman        Joy Singerman            B    3     2     .     89.92  53.52  0.36(A)
 6 Arun Gupta             Bhupen Joshi             A    .     .     .     71.98  42.85
 7 Donald Pollack         Herschell Levine         B    .     .     .     82.41  49.05
 8 Elizabeth LaMacchia    John P LaMacchia         C    .     .     .     66.48  39.57
 9 Patrick Hoffman        Steve Messinger          A    2     .     .     96.30  57.32  0.50(A)

                                          Totals                         758.53


                           **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9
  /
   1>   6.36        4.64  1.21        2.93  6.36  2.93  0.07
         420   ----  170   110   ----  140   420   140  -150

   2>   6.36        4.64  2.93        2.93  6.36  1.21  0.07
         140   ----  100    50   ----   50   140  -100  -140

   3>   6.93        4.07  4.07        4.07  0.07  1.21  4.07
         980   ----  480   480   ----  480   -50   450   480

   4>         5.79        4.64  1.21  1.21  1.21  6.93    3-
         ----  110   ----  100  -110  -110  -110   120    90

   5>         6.36          3-  1.21  0.07  6.36    3-    3-
         ---- -420   ---- -450  -480  -980  -420  -450  -450

   6>         1.79        6.36  1.79  1.79  4.64  6.36  1.79
         ---- -600   ----  100  -600  -600  -130   100  -600

   7>     3-  4.17  4.17        4.17        0.83  0.83  6.83
         AVE   140   140   ----  140   ---- -200  -200   600

   8>   2.93  2.93  6.36        0.07        2.93  2.93  6.36
        -130  -130   -50   ---- -150   ---- -130  -130   -50

   9>     3-    3-    3-          3-          3-  0.07  6.93
        -620  -620  -620   ---- -620   ---- -620  -650   200

  10>   0.07        4.07  4.07        4.07  6.93  1.21  4.07
        -100   ----  620   620   ----  620   650   170   620

  11>   5.79        6.93  1.79        1.79  1.79  1.79  4.64
        -170   ----  -90  -420   ---- -420  -420  -420  -200

  12>   6.93        0.07  5.21        5.21  1.21  2.93  2.93
         660   ---- -100   630   ----  630   120   600   600

  13>   0.07  4.64  1.79  4.64  4.64              1.79  6.93
        -500  -100  -200  -100  -100   ----  ---- -200   600

  14>   4.64  2.93  0.07  2.93  6.36              6.36  1.21
        -110  -120  -170  -120    50   ----  ----   50  -140

  15>   5.79  0.07  1.79  1.79  4.07              4.07  6.93
        -140  -450  -420  -420  -170   ----  ---- -170    50

  16>   6.93  4.07        4.07  2.36  1.21        0.07  5.79
         300  -110   ---- -110  -120  -150   ---- -600   100

  17>   6.93  0.07        1.21  5.79  4.07        2.36  4.07
         420   -50   ----   90   140   120   ----  110   120

  18>   5.79  1.79        0.07  4.07  6.93        1.79  4.07
         150  -100   ---- -200   120   180   ---- -100   120

  19>     2     5-    2     2     5-    5-    0           5-
         460   490   460   460   490   490   420   ----  490

  20>     4     4     4     4     4     0     4           4
        1430  1430  1430  1430  1430  -100  1430   ---- 1430

  21>     2-    7     4     0     5-    2-    5-          1
        -170   100  -130  -480    50  -170    50   ---- -420

  22>     3-  6.36    3-        6.36    3-  0.07  1.21
         990  1020   990   ---- 1020   990   -50   200   ----

  23>   2.36  2.36  2.36        0.07  4.64  6.93  5.79
        -130  -130  -130   ---- -600  -120   -90  -110   ----

  24>   5.21  1.21    3-        6.93  1.21  5.21  1.21
          50  -450  -420   ----  100  -450    50  -450   ----

  25>         0.64  5.21  5.21  2.36  5.21  5.21  0.64
         ----  400   480   480   450   480   480   400   ----

  26>         2.93  0.07  5.79  2.93  2.93  2.93  6.93
         ---- -100  -200   110  -100  -100  -100   200   ----

  27>         6.93  4.07  4.07  5.79  1.21  0.07  2.36
         ----  430   130   130   400   -50  -100   110   ----



EVENT>Wednesday Morning Pairs  |SESSION>Wednesday Mor|SECTION> A E-W
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>November 29, 2017  |CLUB NO.>185264    | 11/29/2017 15:01
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Potter Orr      |RATING>Club Masterpoint (80%, 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=9/B=4/C=3                       ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Reeta Brendamour       Pam Campbell             A    1     .     .     99.80  59.40  0.72(A)
 2 Stephen Baldwin        James Eger               B    .     1     .     84.37  50.22  0.32(B)
 3 Elaine Rothstein       Fran Hamilton            C    .     2     1     77.12  45.90  0.22(B)
 4 Alex Grim              Patrick Lammers          A    4     .     .     84.67  50.40  0.25(A)
 5 Darleen Young          Natalie Crowe            C    .     .     .     65.36  38.90
 6 Fred Keyes             Nancy Hatch              C    .     .     .     67.26  40.04
 7 Gerri Heineman         Diana Stuck              A    3     .     .     95.75  56.99  0.36(A)
 8 D. Thomas Terwilliger  Ambrish Bansal           A    2     .     .     97.66  58.13  0.50(A)


                                          Totals                         671.99


                           **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9
  /
   1>   0.64  4.07        0.64  2.36  4.07  5.79  6.93
        -420  -140   ---- -420  -170  -140  -110   150   ----

   2>   0.64  4.07        0.64  2.36  5.79  4.07  6.93
        -140   -50   ---- -140  -100   100   -50   140   ----

   3>   0.07  2.93        6.93  2.93  5.79  2.93  2.93
        -980  -480   ----   50  -480  -450  -480  -480   ----

   4>   5.79  1.21  5.79        0.07  2.36    3-  5.79
         110  -110   110   ---- -120  -100   -90   110   ----

   5>   6.93  0.64  0.64          3-    3-    3-  5.79
         980   420   420   ----  450   450   450   480   ----

   6>   5.21  5.21  2.36        0.64  0.64  5.21  5.21
         600   600   130   ---- -100  -100   600   600   ----

   7>   2.83  6.17  2.83  6.17        0.17  2.83    3-
        -140   200  -140   200   ---- -600  -140   AVE   ----

   8>   4.07  4.07  0.64  4.07        0.64  6.93  4.07
         130   130    50   130   ----   50   150   130   ----

   9>     3-    3-    3-  6.93        0.07    3-    3-
         620   620   620   650   ---- -200   620   620   ----

  10>   0.07  2.93  5.79  2.93  2.93        6.93  2.93
        -650  -620  -170  -620  -620   ----  100  -620   ----

  11>   5.21  0.07  5.21  5.21  2.36        1.21  5.21
         420    90   420   420   200   ----  170   420   ----

  12>   5.79  6.93  4.07  1.79  4.07        0.07  1.79
        -120   100  -600  -630  -600   ---- -660  -630   ----

  13>   5.21  5.21  2.36  0.07  2.36  6.93        2.36
         200   200   100  -600   100   500   ----  100   ----

  14>   6.93  0.64  4.07  5.79  0.64  2.36        4.07
         170   -50   120   140   -50   110   ----  120   ----

  15>   5.21  2.93  5.21  0.07  2.93  1.21        6.93
         420   170   420   -50   170   140   ----  450   ----

  16>   6.93  2.93  1.21  4.64  0.07  5.79  2.93
         600   110  -100   120  -300   150   110   ----  ----

  17>   4.64  5.79  2.93  1.21  0.07  2.93  6.93
        -110   -90  -120  -140  -420  -120    50   ----  ----

  18>   5.21  6.93  2.93  2.93  1.21  0.07  5.21
         100   200  -120  -120  -150  -180   100   ----  ----

  19>     5     1-    1-    5     1-    1-    7     5
        -460  -490  -490  -460  -490  -490  -420  -460   ----

  20>     3     3     3     3     7     3     3     3
       -1430 -1430 -1430 -1430   100 -1430 -1430 -1430   ----

  21>     7     6     1-    4-    4-    0     1-    3
         480   420   -50   170   170  -100   -50   130   ----

  22>         0.64    3-    3-  0.64  6.93    3-  5.79
         -----1020  -990  -990 -1020    50  -990  -200   ----

  23>         6.93  4.64  2.36  4.64  0.07  4.64  1.21
         ----  600   130   120   130    90   130   110   ----

  24>         0.07  1.79  5.79  5.79  1.79    3-  5.79
         ---- -100   -50   450   450   -50   420   450   ----

  25>   4.64        1.79  6.36  1.79  1.79  6.36  1.79
        -450   ---- -480  -400  -480  -480  -400  -480   ----

  26>   4.07        4.07  4.07  4.07  6.93  0.07  1.21
         100   ----  100   100   100   200  -200  -110   ----

  27>   1.21        5.79  0.07  6.93  2.93  4.64  2.93
        -400   ----   50  -430   100  -130  -110  -130   ----
Wednesday Morning Pairs, Wednesday Mor, November 29, 2017

EVENT>Wednesday Bridge Club                                           |Page> 1
------------------------,---------------------,----------------------- ---------
DATE>November 29, 2017  |CLUB NO.>185264      | 11/29/2017 15:07
---------------------,-- --------------------- -----------,---------------------
DIR> Potter Orr      |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 70% Open)|GAME>WIN-LOSS
----------,---------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
ROUNDS> 6 |BDS/RD>  4 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
---------- ----------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=10/B=6/C=6
--------------------------,--------,----------------------,--------,-----,-------,-------,------------------,
                          | Master |                      | Master |     |       |       |   Overall Rank   |
 No Name                  | Points |Name                  | Points |  Flt|  Wins | Score |   A     B     C  |
-------------------------- -------- ---------------------- -------- ----- ------- ------- ------------------
  1 Julian Magnus, Jr       0.21(A) John Ramsay             0.21(A)   C      3      66.00    4     .     .
    Cincinnati OH                   Cincinnati OH

  2 Rod Kaplan              0.12    Patricia Ruge           0.12      C      2      42.00    .     .     .
    Cincinnati OH                   Cincinnati OH

  3 Kay Mulford             0.21    Alison Gorski           0.21      A      3.50   50.00    .     .     .
    Cincinnati OH                   Cin, OH

  4 Beth Wales              0.12    Kayla Springer          0.12      C      2      47.00    .     .     .
    Cincinnati OH                   Cincinnati OH

  5 Elmer Hubka             0.50(A) Thomas Deddens          0.50(A)   A      5      81.00    1     .     .
    Terrace Park OH                 Cincinnati OH

  6 Jim Tewel               0.38(A) Paul Tyndal             0.38(A)   C      5      80.00    2     1     1
    Cincinnati OH                   Maineville OH

  7 Nancy Willis            0.15    Alice Lucas             0.15      A      2.50   55.00    .     .     .
    Cincinnati OH                   Cin. O OH

  8 Sharon Wright           0.24    Jeanne Brossart         0.24      C      4      64.00    .     .     .
    Loveland OH

  9 Diane Hawkins           0.28(A) Ginny Myers             0.28(A)   C      4      69.00    3     2     2
    Cincinnati OH

 10 Pam Heckel                      Potter Orr                        A      0      24.00    .     .     .
    Wyoming OH                      Cincinnati OH

                                                                   TOTALS   31.00  578.00

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul
J 8
9
K 6 5 2
Q 10 7 4 3 2
7 4 3
6 3 2
Q J 8
K J 9 5
N
WE
S
K 9 5
A 10 7 4
10 7 4 3
A 6
A Q 10 6 2
K Q J 8 5
A 9
8

NS 4; NS 4; NS 3N; NS 3; NS 2; Par +420

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 
Pass1 NT1Pass3 2
Pass3 NTPass4 
Pass4 PassPass
Pass   
  1. Semi-forcing
  2. Game-forcing jump shift

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 S4 54206.360.641-Hodesh-Lucas1-Brendamour-Campbell
4 N4 Q4206.360.647-Pollack-Levine4-Grim-Lammers
1 S4 21704.642.363-Vanstone-Kloecker5-Young-Crowe
2 S3 Q1402.934.076-Gupta-Joshi2-Baldwin-Eger
2 S3 51402.934.078-LaMacchia-LaMacchia6-Keyes-Hatch
1 S2 J1101.215.794-Rice-Scovic7-Heineman-Stuck
3 NTN−3 31500.076.939-Hoffman-Messinger8-Terwilliger-Bansal

North isn't in love with either of South's suits, but they clearly like Spades more than Hearts.

N/S lose one Club trick and two Hearts, making four. West may lead a trump. If declarer inserts dummy's  J, East should cover. After pulling trump, declarer may go to the board with the  K and lead the  9. East should not hop with the  A. If they do, N/S will end up with eleven tricks (that's more than ten). Sniff.


Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul
7 4 3 2
K 9
7 5 4 2
10 9 5
Q 8
10 5 4
J 8 6 3
K J 6 3
N
WE
S
J 6
Q J 8 7 6 3
A K Q
8 2
A K 10 9 5
A 2
10 9
A Q 7 4

NS 3; NS 2N; EW 2; NS 2; Par +140

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 Dbl1
2 2Pass2 2 
PassPassPass 
  1. All big hands start with double
  2. Alert, artificial BROMAD bid showing exactly three Hearts and 7-9 HCP

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 S3 41406.360.641-Hodesh-Lucas1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 N3 101406.360.647-Pollack-Levine4-Grim-Lammers
4 ×E−1 31004.642.363-Vanstone-Kloecker5-Young-Crowe
3 E−1 A502.934.074-Rice-Scovic7-Heineman-Stuck
3 E−1 K502.934.076-Gupta-Joshi2-Baldwin-Eger
4 S−1 101001.215.798-LaMacchia-LaMacchia6-Keyes-Hatch
2 E3 K1400.076.939-Hoffman-Messinger8-Terwilliger-Bansal

South doubles and then bids 2  to show 17-19 HCP and Spades. North knows that South can't have 20 or more points, since South would have cuebid 3  (or possibly jumped to 3 ) with that hand.

N/S lose two Diamond tricks and two Clubs, making three. West will lead the  4 (small from an honor).


Board 3
South Deals
E-W Vul
J 9 7 4
K 7
J 9 8 6
K J 6
6 5
J 8 6 5 3
K 7 3
10 4 2
N
WE
S
Q 2
9 4
A Q 10 5 2
9 8 7 5
A K 10 8 3
A Q 10 2
4
A Q 3

NS 6; NS 3; NS 2N; NS 3; NS 1; Par +980

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
Pass3 1Dbl24 NT3
Pass5 4Dbl55 6
Pass5 7PassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, artificial Bergen raise showing 4+ Spades and 7-9 HCP
  2. I like Diamonds
  3. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
  4. 1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
  5. I still like Diamonds
  6. Do you have the  Q?
  7. No, I'm going to go eat worms...

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 N6 39806.930.071-Hodesh-Lucas1-Brendamour-Campbell
4 S6 74804.072.933-Vanstone-Kloecker5-Young-Crowe
4 S6 64804.072.934-Rice-Scovic7-Heineman-Stuck
4 S6 54804.072.936-Gupta-Joshi2-Baldwin-Eger
4 S6 104804.072.939-Hoffman-Messinger8-Terwilliger-Bansal
4 S5 54501.215.798-LaMacchia-LaMacchia6-Keyes-Hatch
3 NTS−1 3500.076.937-Pollack-Levine4-Grim-Lammers

N/S don't particularly want to be in slam off one keycards and the  Q. N/S lose one Diamond trick, making six. West will lead the  3 (small from an honor). Declarer can't really go wrong in the trump suit--if they play for the drop, yay--if they finesse East for the  Q, yay. Either way ends in yay.


Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul
Q J 9 3
A K
Q 10 7 5 2
J 7
A 8 4 2
J 5
A 9 8 3
10 4 2
N
WE
S
K 10 7 6
Q 7 6 3
K 4
A 6 5
5
10 9 8 4 2
J 6
K Q 9 8 3

EW 2; EW 1N; NS 2; NS 1; Par −110

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 Dbl1 1
2 2PassPassPass
  1. Wants to bid 1 
  2. Showing 9-11 HCP

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 NTN2 61206.930.078-LaMacchia-LaMacchia5-Young-Crowe
2 N3 A1105.791.212-Koster-Burns2-Baldwin-Eger
2 W−1 A1004.642.364-Rice-Scovic6-Keyes-Hatch
2 N2 5903.503.509-Hoffman-Messinger7-Heineman-Stuck
2 W2 A1101.215.795-Wauligman-Singerman8-Terwilliger-Bansal
1 E2 K1101.215.796-Gupta-Joshi1-Brendamour-Campbell
2 W2 A1101.215.797-Pollack-Levine3-Rothstein-Hamilton

Don't feel obligated to take a bid at the one level when your partner opens and your RHO makes a takeout double. You should bid a suit if you want to. Simple as that.

E/W lose two Heart tricks, two Clubs, and one Spade, making two. If North starts with their high Hearts before switching to a Club, declarer will be able to pitch one of their losing Clubs on the  Q. The problem with that is that North will ruff that trick. All roads...


Board 5
North Deals
N-S Vul
J 6
J 6 5 2
A 8 6 5
Q 9 7
A Q 4
A Q 7
3 2
A J 8 5 2
N
WE
S
K 10 8 7 3 2
10 3
K J 10
K 6
9 5
K 9 8 4
Q 9 7 4
10 4 3

EW 6; EW 5N; EW 5; EW 3; EW 2; Par −980

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass2 1Pass
2 NT2Pass3 3Pass
4 PassPassPass
  1. Weak-two bid
  2. Artificial Ogust bid asking for more information about opener's hand
  3. Alert, artificial Ogust response showing a good hand and a bad suit

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 E4 54206.360.642-Koster-Burns2-Baldwin-Eger
4 E4 94206.360.647-Pollack-Levine3-Rothstein-Hamilton
4 E5 104503.503.504-Rice-Scovic6-Keyes-Hatch
4 W5 24503.503.508-LaMacchia-LaMacchia5-Young-Crowe
4 E5 74503.503.509-Hoffman-Messinger7-Heineman-Stuck
4 E6 54801.215.795-Wauligman-Singerman8-Terwilliger-Bansal
6 E6 99800.076.936-Gupta-Joshi1-Brendamour-Campbell

East shouldn't really open 2  with two defensive features (Aces or Kings), but it sure looks like a 2  opener so they do.

E/W lose one Diamond, making six. North may lead a trump, since the other three suits are disastrous (a Club lead lets declarer make seven, the  A solves any guesses declarer may have in that suit and makes the Heart finesse unnecessary, and the  2 looks bonkers).


Board 6
East Deals
E-W Vul
10 9 8 5
Q 5 3 2
9 8 7 4
7
A 4 2
A K 8 4
Q 3 2
10 8 2
N
WE
S
7 6
J 6
A 5
A Q J 9 6 5 4
K Q J 3
10 9 7
K J 10 6
K 3

EW 3N; EW 5; EW 2; EW 1; EW 1; Par −600

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 Dbl
Rdbl1 12 Pass
3 NTPassPassPass
  1. Not showing values, just doesn't want to play in 1  redoubled

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 E−1 K1006.360.644-Rice-Scovic6-Keyes-Hatch
5 E−1 K1006.360.648-LaMacchia-LaMacchia5-Young-Crowe
3 E4 K1304.642.367-Pollack-Levine3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTW3 106001.795.212-Koster-Burns2-Baldwin-Eger
3 NTW3 56001.795.215-Wauligman-Singerman8-Terwilliger-Bansal
3 NTW3 106001.795.216-Gupta-Joshi1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 NTW3 106001.795.219-Hoffman-Messinger7-Heineman-Stuck

East's 2  rebid shows zero interest in defending any N/S contract, otherwise they'd allow the 1  bid to ride around to their partner. E/W are in a forcing auction the moment that West redoubles, meaning that N/S will not be allowed to win the contract, and if they do, they'll be playing there doubled.

E/W lose three Spade tricks and one Club, making three. North will lead the T. Declarer will take the  A on the third round of Spades and play the T to the  A trying to drop a stiff  K. When that doesn't happen, declarer will simply knock out the  K and claim after N/S cash another round of Spades.


Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul
8 4 2
K J 7 4
A Q 10 8
K 2
7 5
Q 8
9 7 6 5
A J 7 5 4
N
WE
S
Q 6 3
A 10 9 2
K J 4
9 6 3
A K J 10 9
6 5 3
3 2
Q 10 8

NS 3N; NS 3; NS 2; NS 1; EW 1; Par +600

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
Pass1 Pass1 
Pass1 NTPass2 1
Pass2 2Pass2 3
PassPassPass 
  1. Alert, artificial XYZ bid asking partner to bid 2 
  2. Alert, artificial XYZ forced bid
  3. Showing an invitational hand with five Spades

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN3 26006.830.179-Hoffman-Messinger6-Keyes-Hatch
2 S3 71404.172.832-Koster-Burns1-Brendamour-Campbell
2 S3 A1404.172.833-Vanstone-Kloecker3-Rothstein-Hamilton
2 S3 51404.172.835-Wauligman-Singerman7-Heineman-Stuck
PassAveAve3.503.501-Hodesh-Lucas8-Terwilliger-Bansal
4 S−2 52000.836.177-Pollack-Levine2-Baldwin-Eger
4 S−2 72000.836.178-LaMacchia-LaMacchia4-Grim-Lammers

North is tempted to bid 2 NT (or 3 NT) over their partner's 2  bid, but they don't. Sniff.

N/S lose one Diamond trick, two Hearts, and one Club, making three. West will lead the  7 (MUD and beer card).


Board 8
West Deals
None Vul
Q J 10 2
A J 6
9 4 2
7 4 3
A 9 8 6 3
K 9 4
Q J 8
A J
N
WE
S
K
10 7
10 7 3
Q 10 9 8 6 5 2
7 5 4
Q 8 5 3 2
A K 6 5
K

EW 3N; NS 2; EW 3; NS 1; Par −300: NS 4×−2

WestNorthEastSouth
1 NT1Pass2 2Pass
2 NT3Pass3 Pass
PassPass  
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Alert, artificial Four-Suit Transfer bid asking partner to bid 3 
  3. Alert, artificial Four-Suit Transfer response denying Axx, Kxx, Qxx, or xxxx in Clubs

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 S−1 A506.360.643-Vanstone-Kloecker3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 N−1 K506.360.649-Hoffman-Messinger6-Keyes-Hatch
3 E4 K1302.934.071-Hodesh-Lucas8-Terwilliger-Bansal
3 E4 A1302.934.072-Koster-Burns1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 W4 91302.934.077-Pollack-Levine2-Baldwin-Eger
3 E4 A1302.934.078-LaMacchia-LaMacchia4-Grim-Lammers
4 N−3 K1500.076.935-Wauligman-Singerman7-Heineman-Stuck

E/W take seven Club tricks, one Spade, and one more trick depending on North's lead, making three. If North leads the  Q, declarer will take the first nine tricks with  K,  A (dropping the stiff  K),  A, and six more Clubs. If North leads a small Heart, declarer will take the first 10 tricks with  K,  K, see above. If North leads the  9, South will win with the  K and return a small Heart. North will win with the  J and return the  4 to South's  A. Declarer will again play low on the Heart return, and the  A is the last defensive trick. A Club lead is nice and neutral, and declare may get in trouble untangling their tricks.


Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul
Q 9 8 7
10 5 3
J 9 6
A Q 3
J 10 6 4
A K J 2
K 10 3
6 4
N
WE
S
A K 5 3
Q 9 8
A Q 7 5
8 5
2
7 6 4
8 4 2
K J 10 9 7 2

EW 5; EW 4; EW 5; EW 1N; EW 1; Par −650

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 NT1Pass
2 Pass2 Pass
4 PassPassPass
  1. 15 to 17

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−2 J2006.930.079-Hoffman-Messinger6-Keyes-Hatch
4 E4 K6203.503.501-Hodesh-Lucas8-Terwilliger-Bansal
4 E4 J6203.503.502-Koster-Burns1-Brendamour-Campbell
4 E4 66203.503.503-Vanstone-Kloecker3-Rothstein-Hamilton
4 E4 66203.503.505-Wauligman-Singerman7-Heineman-Stuck
4 E4 J6203.503.507-Pollack-Levine2-Baldwin-Eger
4 E5 56500.076.938-LaMacchia-LaMacchia4-Grim-Lammers

E/W lose two Club tricks and one Spade, making four.....as long as North leads the  A and continues Clubs at trick two. Um, that's not gonna happen.

North may lead the  6 (low from an honor). Declarer will win cheaply in their hand and run the  J. North should cover, declarer will win the  K, and cash the  A to reveal the 4-1 split. Declarer should now cash the T and run four rounds of Hearts. On the last Heart, North is free to ruff with their last trump, but declarer will pitch one of dummy's losing Clubs, making five. Declarer can obtain the same result by playing off four rounds of Diamonds pitching a losing Club from the closed hand.


Board 10
East Deals
Both Vul
5 3
A 4 3
K Q 10
A Q J 6 4
Q J
J 7 2
A 6 4 3
8 7 3 2
N
WE
S
K 10 8 7 4
10
J 9 5 2
K 9 5
A 9 6 2
K Q 9 8 6 5
8 7
10

NS 5; NS 4N; NS 2; NS 3; NS 1; Par +650

WestNorthEastSouth
  PassPass1
Pass1 NT2Pass2 
Pass2 Pass4 3
Pass4 PassPass
Pass   
  1. Don't make a weak-two bid with a side four-card major
  2. 15 to 17
  3. Delayed Texas Transfer

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 S5 Q6506.930.077-Pollack-Levine1-Brendamour-Campbell
4 S4 26204.072.933-Vanstone-Kloecker2-Baldwin-Eger
4 S4 76204.072.934-Rice-Scovic4-Grim-Lammers
4 N4 106204.072.936-Gupta-Joshi8-Terwilliger-Bansal
4 N4 46204.072.939-Hoffman-Messinger5-Young-Crowe
2 S4 21701.215.798-LaMacchia-LaMacchia3-Rothstein-Hamilton
6 N−1 A1000.076.931-Hodesh-Lucas7-Heineman-Stuck

If North has a four-card Spade suit, South wants to play in 4 . If North doesn't have four Spades, South wants to play in 4 . Simple as that.

N/S lose one Spade trick and one Diamond, making five. East may lead the  7 (fourth highest from an honor). South will win in dummy with the  A and immediately play a Diamond towards the closed hand. West will duck and when the  K holds, declarer has some options. One is to cash the  A and try a ruffing finesse against East's supposed  K. If East doesn't cover the  Q, declarer will simply pitch dummy's losing Diamond. If East does cover, declarer will ruff in dummy and play another Diamond towards their hand. West has to hop this time and cash the  Q, but that's the last trick for the defense as declarer can win any return, pull trump, and pitch dummy's losing Spades on the  Q and  J.


Board 11
South Deals
None Vul
Q 10 2
A 8 5 3 2
J 8
7 6 3
A 8 5
10 7 4
K Q 10 7 5
A 5
N
WE
S
K J 9 4 3
9 6
A
Q 10 8 4 2
7 6
K Q J
9 6 4 3 2
K J 9

EW 4; EW 2N; EW 3; EW 2; NS 1; Par −420

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 Pass1 Pass
1 NTPass2 1Pass
2 2Pass2 3Pass
4 PassPassPass
  1. Alert, artificial XYZ bid asking partner to bid 2 
  2. Alert, artificial XYZ forced bid
  3. Showing an invitational hand with five Spades

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 W2 6906.930.073-Vanstone-Kloecker2-Baldwin-Eger
2 E4 K1705.791.211-Hodesh-Lucas7-Heineman-Stuck
2 E5 K2004.642.369-Hoffman-Messinger5-Young-Crowe
4 E4 K4201.795.214-Rice-Scovic4-Grim-Lammers
4 E4 K4201.795.216-Gupta-Joshi8-Terwilliger-Bansal
4 E4 K4201.795.217-Pollack-Levine1-Brendamour-Campbell
4 E4 24201.795.218-LaMacchia-LaMacchia3-Rothstein-Hamilton

West's hand, with a five-card side suit and primes (i.e., Aces and Kings), has an easy raise to game. E/W lose two Heart tricks and one Club, making four. South will lead the  K and continue Hearts at trick two. If North overtakes the second Heart to put a Club on the table, declarer will play low and win the  A on the board when South inserts the  9. A second Club goes to South's  J, but declarer now has the timing to ruff a Club in dummy and claim when the Spade hook works. Who needs those stupid Diamonds in dummy anyway?


Board 12
West Deals
N-S Vul
J 4
A 7 4 2
Q 6 3 2
Q J 10
10 7 5
K Q 9 5
9 7 5
5 4 2
N
WE
S
A Q 9 6 3
8 3
10 8 4
K 9 7
K 8 2
J 10 6
A K J
A 8 6 3

NS 4N; NS 4; NS 4; NS 4; NS 2; Par +630

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPassPass1 NT1
Pass2 Pass2 
Pass3 NTPassPass
Pass   
  1. 15 to 17

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS5 56606.930.071-Hodesh-Lucas7-Heineman-Stuck
3 NTS4 56305.211.794-Rice-Scovic4-Grim-Lammers
3 NTS4 56305.211.796-Gupta-Joshi8-Terwilliger-Bansal
3 NTS3 96002.934.078-LaMacchia-LaMacchia3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTS3 56002.934.079-Hoffman-Messinger5-Young-Crowe
2 NTS2 101201.215.797-Pollack-Levine1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 NTS−1 51000.076.933-Vanstone-Kloecker2-Baldwin-Eger

N/S take four Diamond tricks, four Clubs, one Heart, and one Spade, making four...if West leads a Spade. If West leads a small Heart, N/S will take 11 tricks when declarer wins in their hand with the T, unblocks the Diamonds, plays a Heart to dummy's  A and runs the  Q. If East covers the first or second Club, declarer can win with the  A, return to dummy with a high Club, cash any remaining high Clubs (i.e., if East covers the first round), and lead a Spade towards the  K. If East ducks the first two rounds of Clubs, declarer can lead a Spade towards their hand before cashing the  A. When the  K falls under the  A, declarer again has 11 tricks.


Board 13
North Deals
Both Vul
K J
8 6 4
9
A K Q 9 8 3 2
8 7 4 3 2
9 7 3
K 10 7 4
5
N
WE
S
10
A J 5
A J 8 5
J 10 7 6 4
A Q 9 6 5
K Q 10 2
Q 6 3 2

NS 3; NS 3; NS 2N; NS 3; EW 1; Par +140

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass1 
Pass2 Pass2 
Pass3 Pass3 NT
PassPassPass 

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS3 86006.930.079-Hoffman-Messinger4-Grim-Lammers
4 S−1 51004.642.362-Koster-Burns8-Terwilliger-Bansal
3 NTN−1 J1004.642.364-Rice-Scovic3-Rothstein-Hamilton
5 N−1 A1004.642.365-Wauligman-Singerman5-Young-Crowe
3 NTS−2 42001.795.213-Vanstone-Kloecker1-Brendamour-Campbell
4 S−2 32001.795.218-LaMacchia-LaMacchia2-Baldwin-Eger
5 ×N−2 A5000.076.931-Hodesh-Lucas6-Keyes-Hatch

Next time you think that points are the best indicator of whether or not game makes, take a look at this board. 13 opposite 13 with no game to be found.

E/W take four Diamond tricks and the  A, down one. West will lead the  4, and East will win the  A. It's typically correct to lead back the original fourth best card in the suit partner has led, but what does East know on this hand?

Let's see.....South started with five Spades and four Hearts (East wasn't asleep during the auction) and then bid 3 NT when North rebid Clubs a third time. The  9 was in dummy, so it might be better to play back the  J on this hand so (1) the suit doesn't block if West has a fifth Diamond, and (2) West doesn't have to find the Heart switch for a second Diamond lead through South. If you can hand-hold your partner on defense, do it.


Board 14
East Deals
None Vul
J 10 5
K J 10 3
A 4 3
J 10 8
4 2
A Q 8 6 2
7 5
K 7 4 2
N
WE
S
A K Q 7 6
5
K 9 8 2
Q 9 6
9 8 3
9 7 4
Q J 10 6
A 5 3

EW 3; EW 2N; EW 2; EW 3; EW 2; Par −140

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 Pass
1 NT1Pass2 Pass
2 PassPassPass
  1. Forcing

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTW−1 J506.360.645-Wauligman-Singerman5-Young-Crowe
3 NTE−1 Q506.360.648-LaMacchia-LaMacchia2-Baldwin-Eger
2 E2 Q1104.642.361-Hodesh-Lucas6-Keyes-Hatch
2 NTW2 J1202.934.072-Koster-Burns8-Terwilliger-Bansal
2 NTE2 Q1202.934.074-Rice-Scovic3-Rothstein-Hamilton
2 W3 81401.215.799-Hoffman-Messinger4-Grim-Lammers
2 E4 Q1700.076.933-Vanstone-Kloecker1-Brendamour-Campbell

E/W take five Spade tricks, one Diamond, one Heart, and two Clubs, making three. If South doesn't lead a trump, E/W will take ten tricks when one of declarer's Diamonds can be ruffed in dummy. South will lead the  Q.

On a Diamond lead, North will win the  A and return a trump. Declarer will win in their hand, cash the  K, ruff a Diamond, cash the  A, ruff a Heart, and pull two more rounds of trump (pitching a Heart and a Club from dummy). A small Club towards dummy is next, and South suddenly has a problem. If they hop with the  A, they'll give declarer two Club tricks and a trump for 10 tricks in total. If they play low, it's no better as declarer will win with the  K in dummy, ruff a Heart to their hand (removing South's last Heart), and exit with a Diamond to South's now stiff  J. South can cash their  A, but declarer's  Q will be their tenth trick. Nicely played!

Note to South: Lead a trump.


Board 15
South Deals
N-S Vul
9 6 5 3
10 9 8 2
J 8 3
Q 6
K Q 8 4
K Q 6
K 7 6 5 4
2
N
WE
S
A J 7 2
J 7 5
10
A J 7 5 4
10
A 4 3
A Q 9 2
K 10 9 8 3

EW 5; EW 2N; EW 2; EW 2; EW 1; Par −450

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
DblPass2 1Pass
2 Pass2 Pass
4 PassPassPass
  1. Showing 12+ HCP

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
Pass506.930.079-Hoffman-Messinger4-Grim-Lammers
3 E3 101405.791.211-Hodesh-Lucas6-Keyes-Hatch
3 W4 31704.072.935-Wauligman-Singerman5-Young-Crowe
3 E4 A1704.072.938-LaMacchia-LaMacchia2-Baldwin-Eger
4 E4 104201.795.213-Vanstone-Kloecker1-Brendamour-Campbell
4 E4 A4201.795.214-Rice-Scovic3-Rothstein-Hamilton
4 W5 Q4500.076.932-Koster-Burns8-Terwilliger-Bansal

Your LHO opens at the one level, your partner makes a takeout double, and your RHO passes. What are your options? Well, with 0-8 HCP, you simply bid your best suit (with an emphasis on majors) as cheaply as possible. With 7-10 HCP, stoppers and length in the suit bid to your left, and no four-card major, it's reasonable to bid 1 NT. With 9-11 HCP, you should jump in your best suit (again, emphasis on the majors). With 12+ HCP, you'll start with a cuebid of the enemy suit.

East, on this hand, has 11 HCP, a five-card suit (albeit the enemy's suit), and a ruffing value. Their hand easily evaluates to a twelve count. Once East starts with a cuebid, E/W have no trouble getting to the excellent Spade game.

E/W take two Heart tricks, one Club, one Diamond, one Spade, three Club ruffs, and three Diamond ruffs, making five. South may lead the  A and continue Hearts, although a Club or a trump would have the same result.


Board 16
West Deals
E-W Vul
10 8 6 5 3
5 3
J 6
A Q 10 5
A Q 4
A J 9 4
10 9 7 2
9 7
N
WE
S
K 9 7
Q 7 6
A K 4 3
J 4 2
J 2
K 10 8 2
Q 8 5
K 8 6 3

EW 3N; EW 3; EW 4; EW 1; NS 1; Par −500: NS 4×−3

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass1 Pass
1 Pass1 NTPass
2 1Dbl22 3Pass
2 NT4PassPassPass
  1. Alert, artificial XYZ bid asking partner to bid 2 
  2. I like Clubs
  3. Alert, artificial XYZ forced bid
  4. Showing in invitational hand in notrump

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 W−3 A3006.930.071-Hodesh-Lucas5-Young-Crowe
3 W−1 31005.791.219-Hoffman-Messinger3-Rothstein-Hamilton
2 E3 J1104.072.932-Koster-Burns7-Heineman-Stuck
3 E3 J1104.072.934-Rice-Scovic2-Baldwin-Eger
2 NTE2 J1202.364.645-Wauligman-Singerman4-Grim-Lammers
3 N−3 K1501.215.796-Gupta-Joshi6-Keyes-Hatch
3 NTE3 26000.076.938-LaMacchia-LaMacchia1-Brendamour-Campbell

West invites, but East, with a flat 13 count, has no interest. E/W take three Spade tricks, four Hearts, and two Diamonds, making three. South will lead the  3, and N/S will take the first four tricks. The Heart suit is amazingly friendly with  KT8x in front of  AJ9x. Sweet.


Board 17
North Deals
None Vul
3
A K 8 7 4
K 6 5
7 6 5 4
K J 7 4
5 3
Q 10 8 4 2
Q 10
N
WE
S
9 8 5
J 9 6
J 9
A K J 8 2
A Q 10 6 2
Q 10 2
A 7 3
9 3

NS 3; NS 2N; NS 1; NS 1; Par +140

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 
Pass2 1PassPass
Pass   
  1. Showing 5+ Hearts and 10-11 HCP (Five & Dime)

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 N4 A4206.930.071-Hodesh-Lucas5-Young-Crowe
2 N3 A1405.791.215-Wauligman-Singerman4-Grim-Lammers
1 NTN2 A1204.072.936-Gupta-Joshi6-Keyes-Hatch
1 NTN2 K1204.072.939-Hoffman-Messinger3-Rothstein-Hamilton
2 N2 21102.364.648-LaMacchia-LaMacchia1-Brendamour-Campbell
1 NTN1 A901.215.794-Rice-Scovic2-Baldwin-Eger
1 NTN−1 A500.076.932-Koster-Burns7-Heineman-Stuck

N/S lose three Club tricks and one Diamond, making three. East will lead the  K (asking for count) and switch to a trump at trick two.


Board 18
East Deals
N-S Vul
10 7 5
Q 8 6
Q 5 3
A J 9 5
Q J 6 4
A 9 3
K 10 7 2
8 6
N
WE
S
K 9 8 2
7 5 4 2
J 6
Q 7 4
A 3
K J 10
A 9 8 4
K 10 3 2

NS 4; NS 2N; NS 3; EW 1; NS 1; Par +130

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 NT1
Pass2 Pass2 
Pass2 NT2PassPass
Pass   
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Alert, may or may not have a 4-card major

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 NTS4 81806.930.076-Gupta-Joshi6-Keyes-Hatch
1 NTS3 101505.791.211-Hodesh-Lucas5-Young-Crowe
2 NTS2 41204.072.935-Wauligman-Singerman4-Grim-Lammers
1 NTN2 21204.072.939-Hoffman-Messinger3-Rothstein-Hamilton
2 NTS−1 21001.795.212-Koster-Burns7-Heineman-Stuck
2 NTN−1 21001.795.218-LaMacchia-LaMacchia1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 NTS−2 42000.076.934-Rice-Scovic2-Baldwin-Eger

N/S take one Spade trick, two Hearts, four Clubs, and one Diamond, making two...if they correctly guess the location of the  Q. West may lead the  4.


Board 19
South Deals
E-W Vul
K 9
K Q J 10 7 5
Q 9 5 3
K
J 10 4 2
9 8 6 2
K 10 7
6 5
N
WE
S
8 3
A 4 3
J 4
J 10 9 7 4 2
A Q 7 6 5
A 8 6 2
A Q 8 3

S 6N; NS 6; S 6; NS 6; N 5N; N 5; NS 3; Par +990

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
Pass2 Pass3 
Pass4 Pass5 
Pass6 PassPass
Pass   

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS6 K4905.501.502-Koster-Burns6-Keyes-Hatch
5 NTN6 J4905.501.505-Wauligman-Singerman3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTN6 64905.501.506-Gupta-Joshi5-Young-Crowe
3 NTN6 J4905.501.509-Hoffman-Messinger2-Baldwin-Eger
3 NTS5 74602.005.001-Hodesh-Lucas4-Grim-Lammers
3 NTN5 34602.005.003-Vanstone-Kloecker8-Terwilliger-Bansal
3 NTS5 74602.005.004-Rice-Scovic1-Brendamour-Campbell
5 N6 94200.007.007-Pollack-Levine7-Heineman-Stuck

I have absolutely no idea how this auction should go. I love that 6  makes, but only if South is the first one to bid Hearts. Yup, that'll happen. If North bids Hearts every single time all the way to 6 , it's possible that South will correct to 6 NT out of frustration. That's a good contract!

N/S lose one Diamond trick, making six. 6 NT (from the South) would be infinitely easier to play, since N/S can take three Spade tricks, five Hearts, one Diamond, and three Clubs. West may lead the  J. Declarer should win in dummy and immediately ruff out the  A. A small Diamond towards the  Q is next, and if West ducks (not entirely unreasonable), declarer can win with the  Q, play a Diamond to the  A, a Club back to the  K, and start cashing high Hearts. West will have to follow to three rounds at which point declarer will have pitched one Club and two Spades reducing their hand to  AQ  8  AQ. A Spade back to declarer's hand, and a heap many black winners ensue. West can ruff at their leisure. Nicely played!


Board 20
West Deals
Both Vul
A K 9 8 5 4
Q 10 8 5
6
A Q
J 9 7 4
Q 9 7 4 3
J 8 7 3
N
WE
S
Q 7 3
3
10 8 5 2
10 9 6 5 2
J 10 6 2
A K 6 2
A K J
K 4

NS 6N; NS 6; NS 6; NS 1; Par +1440

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 Pass2 NT1
Pass3 2Pass4 NT3
Pass5 4Pass5 5
Pass5 NT6Pass7 NT
PassPassPass 
  1. Alert, artificial Jacoby 2 NT bid showing 4+ Spades and game-going values or better
  2. Alert, artificial Jacoby 2 NT response showing a singleton or void in Diamonds
  3. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
  4. 1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
  5. Do you have the  Q?
  6. Sort of but no side-suit Kings

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 N6 314304.003.001-Hodesh-Lucas4-Grim-Lammers
6 N6 314304.003.002-Koster-Burns6-Keyes-Hatch
6 N6 314304.003.003-Vanstone-Kloecker8-Terwilliger-Bansal
6 N6 314304.003.004-Rice-Scovic1-Brendamour-Campbell
6 N6 214304.003.005-Wauligman-Singerman3-Rothstein-Hamilton
6 N6 314304.003.007-Pollack-Levine7-Heineman-Stuck
6 N6 314304.003.009-Hoffman-Messinger2-Baldwin-Eger
7 N−1 31000.007.006-Gupta-Joshi5-Young-Crowe

When your partner asks you if you have the Queen of trump, and you have a known 10-card fit with the AK, go ahead and say you have it. Yes, if trumps split 3-0 and the Queen is behind the AK you'll be sad, but if my math (er, arithmetic) is correct, that only happens one time in 12,000 (roughly).

If you're in 7 NT on this hand, you have my admiration and my sympathy. If you're in 4 , you simply have my sympathy.


Board 21
North Deals
N-S Vul
A Q J 7 3 2
K 8
J 3 2
10 7
4
A Q J 10 7 2
A 8 4
J 5 3
N
WE
S
K 9 5
5
K 10 7 6 5
A K 6 2
10 8 6
9 6 4 3
Q 9
Q 9 8 4

EW 4; EW 5; EW 4; EW 1N; EW 1; Par −420

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 12 Pass2
2 Pass3 Pass
4 PassPassPass
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. On the vulnerability

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−2 61007.000.002-Koster-Burns6-Keyes-Hatch
5 E−1 8505.501.505-Wauligman-Singerman3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTE−1 6505.501.507-Pollack-Levine7-Heineman-Stuck
4 E4 81304.003.003-Vanstone-Kloecker8-Terwilliger-Bansal
3 W4 A1702.504.501-Hodesh-Lucas4-Grim-Lammers
3 W4 101702.504.506-Gupta-Joshi5-Young-Crowe
4 W4 104201.006.009-Hoffman-Messinger2-Baldwin-Eger
4 W6 104800.007.004-Rice-Scovic1-Brendamour-Campbell

West has a Heart suit that can play opposite a small singleton (perhaps the  5), so their 4  bid is quite reasonable.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Heart, and one Club, making four. Declarer's slow Diamond loser (or their slow Club loser) can be pitched on dummy's  K. North may lead the T. Declarer will win in dummy, play a Diamond to the  A, and lead the  4 towards dummy. North will hop with the  A and continue Clubs, but declarer will rise with the  K and pitch their losing Club on the  K. The Heart finesse loses to North's  K, but declarer can win any return, pull trump, and concede a Diamond.


Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul
A K J 8
A 10 5
A 5
K J 8 2
10 4 2
K 3 2
9 7 6
7 6 5 4
N
WE
S
Q 7 5
9 8 7 6 4
J 8 4 2
10
9 6 3
Q J
K Q 10 3
A Q 9 3

NS 7N; NS 7; NS 7; NS 6; NS 5; Par +1520

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 
Pass1 Pass1 NT
Pass6 NTPassPass
Pass   

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 NTS7 310206.360.642-Koster-Burns5-Young-Crowe
6 NTN7 610206.360.645-Wauligman-Singerman2-Baldwin-Eger
6 NTN6 29903.503.501-Hodesh-Lucas3-Rothstein-Hamilton
6 NTS6 79903.503.503-Vanstone-Kloecker7-Heineman-Stuck
6 NTN6 109903.503.506-Gupta-Joshi4-Grim-Lammers
1 N5 102001.215.798-LaMacchia-LaMacchia8-Terwilliger-Bansal
6 NTN−1 6500.076.937-Pollack-Levine6-Keyes-Hatch

If you're in 7 NT on this hand, you're a loon. N/S take four Club tricks, four Diamonds, three Hearts, and two Spades, making seven....when two finesses work. If declarer takes the wrong finesse (i.e., the Spade one), they'll make six. Heh. West will lead the  7 (top of nothing in a four-card suit against a notrump contract).


Board 23
South Deals
Both Vul
A J 10 4
J 4 2
10 8 6
7 6 3
8 6
A K Q 7 3
J 4
A 10 8 2
N
WE
S
K 9 7 2
10
Q 7 3 2
K J 5 4
Q 5 3
9 8 6 5
A K 9 5
Q 9

EW 3; EW 4; EW 2N; EW 2; EW 2; Par −140

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 Pass1 Pass
2 Pass3 Pass
PassPass  

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 NTE1 A906.930.077-Pollack-Levine6-Keyes-Hatch
3 W3 61105.791.218-LaMacchia-LaMacchia8-Terwilliger-Bansal
1 NTW2 71204.642.366-Gupta-Joshi4-Grim-Lammers
3 W4 21302.364.641-Hodesh-Lucas3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 W4 31302.364.642-Koster-Burns5-Young-Crowe
2 W4 71302.364.643-Vanstone-Kloecker7-Heineman-Stuck
3 NTW3 106000.076.935-Wauligman-Singerman2-Baldwin-Eger

E/W lose two Diamond tricks and one Spade, making four.....if declarer finds the  Q. North may lead a trump (FOUND IT!!!!!).


Board 24
West Deals
None Vul
5 4 2
J 3
A K 10 9 7
Q 6 3
K Q J 9 7 3
A K 10 9 2
2
7
N
WE
S
10 8
6
J 8 6 3
A K 10 9 8 5
A 6
Q 8 7 5 4
Q 5 4
J 4 2

EW 4; EW 2; E 1N; EW 2; Par −420

WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass1 NT1Pass
3 2Pass3 Pass
4 PassPassPass
  1. Forcing
  2. Game-forcing and natural

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 W−2 A1006.930.075-Wauligman-Singerman2-Baldwin-Eger
4 W−1 2505.211.791-Hodesh-Lucas3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTE−1 4505.211.797-Pollack-Levine6-Keyes-Hatch
4 W4 K4203.503.503-Vanstone-Kloecker7-Heineman-Stuck
4 W5 J4501.215.792-Koster-Burns5-Young-Crowe
4 W5 K4501.215.796-Gupta-Joshi4-Grim-Lammers
4 W5 J4501.215.798-LaMacchia-LaMacchia8-Terwilliger-Bansal

West's 3  jump shift is a bit pushy, but that's a very strong offensive hand.

E/W lose one Spade trick, one Diamond, and one Heart, making four. North may lead the  K (asking for count) and switch to a trump at trick two. South will win the  A and continue Spades. Declarer will win, pull the last trump, play the  7 to the  A, cash the  K pitching their small Heart, and start playing Hearts from the top hoping against hope that either the  J or the  Q will fall doubleton. Phew.


Board 25
North Deals
E-W Vul
J 9
A Q 10 8 6 3
K 9 6
A J
A 10 5
9 2
10 5 4 3 2
9 5 3
N
WE
S
8 4 3
J 7 5
Q 7
K Q 10 4 2
K Q 7 6 2
K 4
A J 8
8 7 6

NS 5; NS 5; NS 4N; NS 3; NS 2; Par +450

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass1 
Pass2 Pass3 1
Pass3 NTPass4 
PassPassPass 
  1. Natural and forcing

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 N6 Q4805.211.793-Vanstone-Kloecker6-Keyes-Hatch
4 N6 34805.211.794-Rice-Scovic8-Terwilliger-Bansal
4 N6 44805.211.796-Gupta-Joshi3-Rothstein-Hamilton
4 N6 34805.211.797-Pollack-Levine5-Young-Crowe
4 N5 K4502.364.645-Wauligman-Singerman1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 NTS3 K4000.646.362-Koster-Burns4-Grim-Lammers
3 NTN3 K4000.646.368-LaMacchia-LaMacchia7-Heineman-Stuck

South sneaks in a 3  bid to see if North has a third Spade. When that doesn't pan out, South parks in 4 . N/S lose one Spade trick and one Club, making five.....as long as East leads the  K. Spoiler alert--East will lead the  K.


Board 26
East Deals
Both Vul
6 3
K J 2
Q 6 3
K Q J 3 2
K Q 10 5
A 9 6
K 4
10 9 8 5
N
WE
S
A 9 7 4
10 7 5 4
8 7 5
7 6
J 8 2
Q 8 3
A J 10 9 2
A 4

NS 3; NS 3; NS 1N; EW 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 
Dbl2 1Pass2 
Pass3 PassPass
Pass   
  1. Five or more Clubs and 10 or more HCP (Five & Dime)

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 E−2 A2006.930.078-LaMacchia-LaMacchia7-Heineman-Stuck
3 S3 K1105.791.214-Rice-Scovic8-Terwilliger-Bansal
3 NTN−1 41002.934.072-Koster-Burns4-Grim-Lammers
3 NTN−1 41002.934.075-Wauligman-Singerman1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 NTN−1 41002.934.076-Gupta-Joshi3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 S−1 K1002.934.077-Pollack-Levine5-Young-Crowe
3 NTN−2 42000.076.933-Vanstone-Kloecker6-Keyes-Hatch

There's no reason for N/S to press on to game on this hand--they should be content with a positive score. You may be axing "Why didn't North redouble? Don't they have 10+ HCP? Is it time for lunch?"

A better rule of thumb than "Redouble with 10+ HCP" is "Redouble with 10+ HCP unless the opponents can embarrass you by bidding something that you can't double." What is North supposed to do if the auction goes 1  - Double - Redouble - 1  - Pass - Pass - ?? If they double this, E/W may very well make 1  doubled with an overtrick. Oops. I suppose they could bid 2  with their second bid, but they've let E/W have a conversation at a low level which only helps them defend better. An immediate 2  bid by North seems correct.

N/S lose one Diamond trick, one Heart, and two Spades, making three. West may lead the  K.


Board 27
South Deals
None Vul
7 4 3
Q 8
A K 10 6 4 3
K Q
J 5
J 10 4
J 9 8 5
10 9 7 5
N
WE
S
Q 10 9 8
A 9 6 3
7
A 8 4 2
A K 6 2
K 7 5 2
Q 2
J 6 3

NS 4N; NS 5; N 3; S 2; NS 1; N 1; Par +430

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
Pass1 Pass1 NT1
Pass3 NTPassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, may be hiding one or more 4-card majors

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTS4 J4306.930.072-Koster-Burns4-Grim-Lammers
3 NTN3 104005.791.215-Wauligman-Singerman1-Brendamour-Campbell
3 N4 81304.072.933-Vanstone-Kloecker6-Keyes-Hatch
2 N4 71304.072.934-Rice-Scovic8-Terwilliger-Bansal
1 N3 81102.364.648-LaMacchia-LaMacchia7-Heineman-Stuck
3 NTS−1 4501.215.796-Gupta-Joshi3-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTS−2 J1000.076.937-Pollack-Levine5-Young-Crowe

N/S are Walshists. What does that mean? It means that they'll bypass bidding 1  after 1  to bid a four-card major unless they have longer Diamonds and an opening hand. With that agreement, there's no reason for South to show a four-card major after 1  - 1 .

N/S take two Spade tricks, one Heart, six Diamonds, and one Club, making four.....if they guess to finesse West for the  J. West may lead the  J.


WestNorthEastSouth
1 NT1Pass2 Pass
2 Pass3 NTPass
PassPass  
  1. 15 to 17

If North wasn't vulnerable, they might have tried a 2  DONT overcall (Diamonds and a higher-ranking suit). Vulnerable? I think not.

E/W take four Spade tricks, two Clubs, one Heart, and two Diamonds, making three. North will lead the  K.


WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass4 1
Pass4 PassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, game-going hand with 4+ Spades and a singleton or void in Hearts (Splinter)

N/S lose one Club trick and one Diamond, making five. East will lead their stiff  6.


WestNorthEastSouth
  1 Pass
2 PassPassPass

E/W lose one Spade trick, three Hearts, and one Club, making two. South may lead a trump.


WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 1 NT1Pass2 2
Pass3 3PassPass
Pass   
  1. 15 to 18
  2. Alert, artificial Four-Suit Transfer bid asking partner to bid 3 
  3. Alert, artificial Four-Suit Transfer response showing Axx, Kxx, Qxx, or xxxx in Clubs

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Diamond, and one Club, making four. East will lead the  2 (low from an honor).


WestNorthEastSouth
PassPassPass1 
1 2 1Pass2 NT
PassPassPass 
  1. Cuebid showing a limit raise in Clubs

South doesn't much care for North showing a nice Club raise, since South's Clubs are crap (that's a Bridge term). N/S take two Club tricks, two Diamonds, two Hearts, and two Spades, making two. West will lead the  Q.


WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass1 
3 13 5 5 
PassPass6 Dbl
Pass6 PassPass
Dbl2PassPassPass
  1. Weak jump overcall
  2. Lightner double asking for an unusual lead

Fun auction! West's final double is asking for an unusual lead--usually dummy's first-bid suit (Hearts in this case). If East obeys and leads a Heart, 6  will be down one. If East says "My partner is an idiot, so I'm going to lead a Club!", 6  makes (doubled) when declarer pitches one of their Heart losers on the  A. Heh.


WestNorthEastSouth
  PassPass
1 Pass11 NTPass
Pass2 23 3Dbl4
PassPassPass 
  1. What else?
  2. What else?
  3. What else?
  4. What else?

E/W take three Heart tricks, one Diamond, and four Clubs, down one doubled for –100. Unfortunately, that's not quite as good as allowing N/S to make 2  (–90). Oh well. South will lead their stiff  3.


WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
1 1 12 2Pass
2 33 3 Pass
PassPass  
  1. Showing 5+ Spades
  2. Cuebid showing a limit raise or better in Hearts
  3. Denying an opening hand

E/W lose one Diamond trick, two Clubs, and a Spade ruff, making three. South will lead their stiff  Q.


WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass1 Pass
1 NTPassPassPass

E/W take four Spade tricks, two Clubs, and one Diamond, making one. North may lead the  8.