EVENT>Wednesday Morning Pairs  |SESSION>Wednesday Mor|SECTION> A
------------------------,------ ------------,-------- --------------------------
DATE>December 13, 2017  |CLUB NO.>185264    | 12/13/2017 14:33
---------------------,-- ------------------- -------------,---------------------
DIR> Mike Lipp       |RATING>Club Masterpoint (80%, 80%, 70% Open)|MOVEMENT>ONE WINNER
------------,-------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
AVE>   60.0 |TOP>   5 |MP LIMITS>None/500/200   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
------------ --------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=13/B=10/C=5                     ,---,-------------------------,------,---------,
-------------------------------------------------|   |           Section       |      |Section  |
No Name                   Name                   |Flt|Rnk-A|Rnk-B|Rnk-C| Score | Pct  |Awards   |
------------------------------------------------- --- ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ ---------
 1 Patrick Lammers        Alex Grim                B    .     .     .     59.43  49.53
 2 Pam Heckel             Liz Lin                  C    .     .     .     43.09  35.91
 3 Ambrish Bansal         D. Thomas Terwilliger    A    1     .     .     76.11  63.43  1.04(A)
 4 Amy Gerowitz           Joanne Earls             A    .     .     .     61.60  51.33
 5 Diana Stuck            Gerri Heineman           B    .     .     .     45.14  37.62
 6 Robert Roark           Sharon Koster            B    5     3     .     64.23  53.53  0.40(B)
 7 Carol Wilson           Pam Campbell             A    2     .     .     71.31  59.43  0.73(A)
 8 Elaine Rothstein       Fran Hamilton            C    4     2     1     64.30  53.58  0.56(B)
 9 Donald Pollack         Herschell Levine         C    .     .     2     60.34  50.28  0.25(C)

11 Kathy Rice             Carol Scovic             C    .     .     .     56.00  46.67
12 Elizabeth LaMacchia    Nancy Hatch              C    .     .     .     51.40  42.83
13 Susan Stacy Vanstone   Cecilia Kloecker         B    3     1     .     66.50  55.42  0.80(B)
14 Patrick Hoffman        Fred Keyes               B    .     4     .     60.70  50.58  0.28(B)

                                          Totals                         780.15


                                          **PAIRS**
BOARD     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    10    11    12    13    14
  /
   1>   0.10  1.90        3.10              0.10  3.70  4.90        1.90  1.30  3.10  4.90
         -50* -400   ----  400*  ----  ---- -430  -150   430*  ---- -400   150*  400*   50

   2>     2-  0.10        0.10                2-    2-    2-        4.90    2-  4.90    2-
         400* -430   ----  -50*  ----  ---- -400  -400   400*  ----   50   400*  430* -400

   3>   1.30  1.30        4.90              3.70  3.70  1.30        0.10  1.30  3.70  3.70
         200* -650   ----  660*  ----  ---- -200  -200   200*  ---- -660   200*  650* -200

   4>   4.90  0.10              3.70  1.90  3.10  0.10  1.90        1.30  3.10        4.90
         100* -150*  ----  ----  130   110  -110* -100   110   ---- -130* -110*  ----  150

   5>   1.90  1.90              1.30  4.90  0.10  3.10  0.10        3.70  4.90        3.10
         150*  150*  ----  ---- -210   -90    90* -150  -400   ----  210*  400*  ---- -150

   6>   3.70  1.30              3.70  0.10  4.90  1.30  3.70        1.30  1.30        3.70
         170*  100*  ----  ---- -100  -620   620* -170  -100   ----  100*  100*  ---- -100

   7>         0.70  4.90  0.70        1.30    2-    2-  4.30        3.70        4.30  0.10
         ----  130*  630*  130*  ---- -170  -150   150* -130   ----  170*  ---- -130  -630

   8>         1.90  1.90  1.90        0.10  3.10  1.90  3.10        4.90        3.10  3.10
         ----   50*   50*   50*  ---- -100   -50    50*  -50   ----  100*  ----  -50   -50

   9>         3.70    2-  1.30        4.90  0.10  4.90  1.30        0.10        3.70    2-
         ----  120* -100* -200*  ----  300  -150   150* -120   ---- -300*  ----  200   100

  10>   1.30  4.30  3.70  4.90    2-              4.30  0.70              0.70    2-  0.10
        -110   100   110*  120*   90*  ----  ----  100  -100*  ----  ---- -100*  -90  -120

  11>   0.10  1.90  4.90  3.10  0.70              4.30  0.70              3.10  4.30  1.90
       -1010  -510  1010*  510*  480*  ----  ---- -480   480*  ----  ----  510* -480  -510

  12>   4.90  3.10  0.10  4.90  3.70              3.10  1.90              1.90  1.30  0.10
        -170  -400   170*  460*  430*  ----  ---- -400   400*  ----  ----  400* -430  -460

  13>   0.70        4.30          2-  3.70        4.90  4.30        0.10  0.70  1.30    2-
        -200*  ----  200   ---- -100*   80*  ----  120*  200   ---- -120  -200*  -80   100

  14>     2-          2-          2-  0.10        4.90    2-        0.10    2-  4.90    2-
          50*  ----  -50   ----   50* -110*  ----  150*  -50   ---- -150    50*  110   -50

  15>   4.90        3.10        1.90  1.90        1.90  0.10        3.10  1.90  3.10  3.10
         140*  ----  150   ---- -150* -150*  ---- -150* -140   ----  150  -150*  150   150

  16>     4     1     1-    5     3-    2     3-          5           0     0     1-    3
         100  -100* -660   200   660*  620*  660*  ----  680*  ---- -680  -200* -660  -620

  17>     3     2     5     4     0     4     5           3           2     1     0     1
         100  -100*  140   110  -140* PASS*   50*  ----  -90*  ----   90  -110*  -50  PASS

  18>     3     2     3     3     2     2     5           2           3     2     0     3
        -200   200* -200  -200   200*  200*  500*  ----  200*  ---- -200   200* -500  -200

  19>     5     4     1      -    2     4-    4-    2                 0     3     3      -
         480   170  -170*  -50  -150*   50*   50*  140   ----  ---- -480*  150  -140*  -50

  20>     1     2     3     0     0     5     2     4                 4     5     1     3
         110   140  -140* -200  -620*  200* -170*  200   ----  ---- -110*  620  -200*  170

  21>     1-    1-    3-    4     0     1     3-    1-                3-    5     3-    1-
        -100  -100   100*  130  -150* -130*  100* -100   ----  ----  100*  150   100* -100

  22>           1-    3     2     0     3-    5      -    4-          3-    1-     -    4-
         ----  450   480  -480* -100  -450*  100* -980*  980   ---- -450*  450  -980*  980

  23>           0     5     0     3-    2-    1     2-    3-          5     1-    4     1-
         ---- -800   660  -660*  630   100* -630*  100*  630   ----  800* -100   200* -100

  24>           1-    5     0     1-    3-    3-    1     1-          3-    1-    3-    4
         ----  -50   110  -110*  -50    50*   50*  -90*  -50   ----   50*  -50    50*   90

  25>   4.90        1.90  3.10  1.90  0.70  4.30  4.30              3.10  0.70  0.10
         450   ---- -200*  200  -200*  -50    50*   50*  ----  ----  200   -50  -450*  ----

  26>   0.70        4.30  3.70  1.30  3.70  1.30  1.30              0.70  3.70  4.30
        -620   ----  620* -170   170* -170   170*  170*  ----  ---- -620  -170   620*  ----

  27>   0.10          2-  3.70  1.30  4.90  3.70  0.10                2-  1.30  4.90
        -100   ----  -50*  110  -110*  140    50* -140*  ----  ----   50   -50   100*  ----
Wednesday Morning Pairs, Wednesday Mor, December 13, 2017

EVENT>Wednesday Bridge Club                                           |Page> 1
------------------------,---------------------,----------------------- ---------
DATE>December 13, 2017  |CLUB NO.>185264      | 12/13/2017 15:22
---------------------,-- --------------------- -----------,---------------------
DIR> Michael Lipp    |RATING>Club Masterpoint (100%, 80%, 60% Open)|GAME>WIN-LOSS
----------,---------- ,-------------------------,--------- ---------------------
ROUNDS> 6 |BDS/RD>  4 |MP LIMITS>None/500/100   |CLUB>Mike's Games At The CBC
---------- ----------- ------------------------- -------------------------------
PAIRS IN STRAT A=8/B=7/C=5
--------------------------,--------,----------------------,--------,-----,-------,-------,------------------,
                          | Master |                      | Master |     |       |       |   Overall Rank   |
 No Name                  | Points |Name                  | Points |  Flt|  Wins | Score |   A     B     C  |
-------------------------- -------- ---------------------- -------- ----- ------- ------- ------------------
  1 John Ramsay             0.32(B) Julian Magnus, Jr       0.32(B)   B      5      75.00    2     1     .
    Cincinnati OH                   Cincinnati OH

  2 Darleen Young           0.12    Natalie Crowe           0.12      B      2      56.00    .     .     .
    Mason OH                        Cleves OH

  3 Beth Wales              0.24(B) Kayla Springer          0.24(B)   C      3      63.00    3     2     1
    Cincinnati OH                   Cincinnati OH

  4 Connie Dow              0.12    Cathy Hollander         0.12      C      2      46.00    .     .     .


  5 Elmer Hubka             0.40(A) Thomas Deddens          0.40(A)   A      5      84.00    1     .     .
    Terrace Park OH                 Cincinnati OH

  6 Paul Tyndal             0.12    Jim Tewel               0.12      C      2      45.00    .     .     .
    Maineville OH                   Cincinnati OH

  7 Jeanne Bossart          0.12    Sharon Wright           0.12      C      2      54.00    .     .     .
    Cincinnati OH                   Loveland OH

  8 Rod Kaplan              0.18(B) Joe Moravec             0.18(B)   C      2      57.00    .     3     2
    Cincinnati OH

                                                                   TOTALS   23.00  480.00

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

EW 3N; EW 3; EW 2; EW 3; EW 2; Par −400

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 1Pass
2 Pass2 Pass
3 2Pass3 NTPass
PassPass  
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Running out of sensible bids

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−1 2504.900.1014-Hoffman-Keyes1-Lammers-Grim
2 NTW3 61503.701.308-Rothstein-Hamilton12-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 NTW3 J4001.903.102-Heckel-Lin13-Vanstone-Kloecker
3 NTW3 Q4001.903.1011-Rice-Scovic4-Gerowitz-Earls
3 NTW4 J4300.104.907-Wilson-Campbell9-Pollack-Levine

E/W take five Diamond tricks, one Spade, one Heart, and two Clubs (or one Club and a second Heart), making three. South may lead the  9 (top of four dead in notrump). North may go up with the  A, continue with the  Q, and declarer will grab the third round. Five rounds of Diamonds quickly follow, and South is pressed for discards. They'll most likely come down to  9  K4  AQ. Declarer now simply leads their  2 towards dummy, and South's goose is cooked. They're free to grab the  A and cash the  9 for the defense's fourth trick, but dummy's last three cards are the  KJ and  A.


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

EW 4N; EW 4; EW 4; EW 4; EW 4; Par −430

WestNorthEastSouth
  2 NT1Pass
3 2Pass3 NT3Pass
PassPass  
  1. 20 to 21
  2. Alert, artificial Puppet Stayman bid asking for a 4- or 5-card major
  3. Alert, artificial Puppet Stayman response denying a 4- or 5-card major

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−1 10504.900.1011-Rice-Scovic4-Gerowitz-Earls
3 NTE3 104002.502.507-Wilson-Campbell9-Pollack-Levine
3 NTW3 24002.502.508-Rothstein-Hamilton12-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 NTE3 104002.502.5014-Hoffman-Keyes1-Lammers-Grim
4 NTE4 64300.104.902-Heckel-Lin13-Vanstone-Kloecker

West has visions of a Spade slam if their partner has five Spades, but that doesn't pan out.

E/W take three Heart tricks, two Spades, two Clubs, and three Diamonds, making four. South may lead the T (a safe lead). Declarer will cover with the  J and win in their hand with the  A. A Diamond to the  A and a second Diamond goes to North's  K. North will most likely switch to a Club, declarer will play low, and South will win the  K. Declarer will concede a Spade to South at the end.


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

EW 5; EW 3N; EW 5; NS 1; NS 1; Par −650

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
PassPassDbl1Pass
1 2Pass2 3Pass
2 NTPass3 4Pass
4 PassPassPass
  1. All big hands start with double
  2. What else?
  3. Cuebid showing East's strongest hand
  4. Finally getting around to showing their suit

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 E5 22003.701.307-Wilson-Campbell9-Pollack-Levine
1 E5 22003.701.308-Rothstein-Hamilton12-LaMacchia-Hatch
2 E5 42003.701.3014-Hoffman-Keyes1-Lammers-Grim
4 W5 36501.303.702-Heckel-Lin13-Vanstone-Kloecker
3 NTE5 26600.104.9011-Rice-Scovic4-Gerowitz-Earls

Remember--Michaels cuebids are DIRECT SEAT CUEBIDS. A 2  bid by East at their first turn is not Michaels unless you and your partner have an unusual agreement. A lot of players play that a cuebid in the balancing seat is akin to a monster takeout double. Some play it as natural if opener has started with a minor. Discuss this with your partner.

E/W lose one Spade trick and one Diamond, making five. South may lead the  K.


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

NS 3; NS 1N; EW 1; NS 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPassPass1 
Dbl1 NTPass2 
PassPassPass 

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 S5 91504.900.1014-Hoffman-Keyes2-Heckel-Lin
2 S4 K1303.701.305-Stuck-Heineman11-Rice-Scovic
3 S3 K1101.903.106-Roark-Koster7-Wilson-Campbell
2 S3 K1101.903.109-Pollack-Levine12-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 NTS−1 61000.104.908-Rothstein-Hamilton1-Lammers-Grim

If West decides to "not make a minimum offshape takeout double," N/S would have sailed into 3 NT--down two for –200. West's double is close to being right, so I tucked it in there. The problem is it alerts N/S to potential issues in 3 NT, so they quietly sign off in 2 . Oops.

N/S lose one Spade trick, two Hearts, and one Club, making three. West may lead the  K (asking for count) and continue Hearts when partner shows an even number.


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

EW 2N; EW 2; EW 3; EW 3; EW 1; Par −120

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 Pass
1 Pass1 NTPass
PassPass  

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 E2 4904.900.106-Roark-Koster7-Wilson-Campbell
1 NTE3 21503.101.908-Rothstein-Hamilton1-Lammers-Grim
1 NTW3 Q1503.101.9014-Hoffman-Keyes2-Heckel-Lin
1 NTE5 22101.303.705-Stuck-Heineman11-Rice-Scovic
3 NTW3 A4000.104.909-Pollack-Levine12-LaMacchia-Hatch

The most likely scenario here is that E/W take four Diamond tricks, two Spades, and one Club. That said, the hand could turn quite interesting. Here's one possibility:

Let's say that South finds the magical lead of the  K and continues Hearts at trick two. After five rounds of Hearts, North exits with a Club and declarer hops with the  A. Four rounds of Diamonds quickly follow, and the position right before declarer plays their last Diamond is this:

Declarer:  87 T  Q
South:  QJ5  K
Dummy:  AKT3
North:  964  4

When declarer cashes the T (pitching dummy's small Spade), South has to decide between pitching their  K or shortening their Spades. Either one gives declarer the remaining tricks. Sweet!


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

EW 3; NS 4; EW 2; EW 1N; Par +130

WestNorthEastSouth
  1 Pass
2 2 NT13 Dbl2
Pass3Pass3 Pass
Pass43 NT5Dbl6Pass
PassRdbl7Pass4 8
PassPassPass 
  1. Pick a minor
  2. I don't want to pick a minor. I want to double Hearts.
  3. Losing interest in the auction
  4. Maybe we don't want to be in game after all
  5. Pick a minor you nutjob
  6. I don't think you can make 3 NT
  7. PICK A MINOR OR I'LL KICK YOU
  8. Fine

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
5 ×N−1 A1003.701.305-Stuck-Heineman11-Rice-Scovic
5 ×N−1 K1003.701.309-Pollack-Levine12-LaMacchia-Hatch
5 ×N−1 A1003.701.3014-Hoffman-Keyes2-Heckel-Lin
3 E4 101701.303.708-Rothstein-Hamilton1-Lammers-Grim
4 E4 106200.104.906-Roark-Koster7-Wilson-Campbell

Okay, that was crazy.

N/S lose two Spade tricks and one Club, making four. West may lead the  K and continue Spades at trick two. East will most likely overtake the second Spade to return a trump. Declarer will sneak in the  8 (or cover the  9 with the  A) and gain a valuable entry to their hand to lead a Club through West. West should play low on the Club lead, and declarer will win the  Q. Declarer can't afford to play a Club from dummy, so they'll play a small Diamond to the  A and lead the T. West will be limited to only one Club trick whether they fly with their  A or duck. Try it!


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

EW 6; EW 4; EW 2N; EW 3; EW 1; Par −1370

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 Pass11 NT2Pass
3 3Pass5 Pass
PassPass  
  1. Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
  2. Forcing
  3. Natural and game forcing

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 W4 31304.300.709-Pollack-Levine2-Heckel-Lin
2 W4 61304.300.7013-Vanstone-Kloecker4-Gerowitz-Earls
3 W5 Q1502.502.507-Wilson-Campbell8-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 W6 31701.303.706-Roark-Koster11-Rice-Scovic
3 NTE4 46300.104.9014-Hoffman-Keyes3-Bansal-Terwilliger

Although 6  makes, you don't want to be there if you're E/W, since you need Spades to be 3-3 and Clubs to be 2-2. That's somewhere around 18%.

E/W lose one Diamond trick, making six. North will lead a trump.


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

NS 2; NS 1N; NS 2; NS 1; EW 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 Pass1 
Pass1 Pass2 1
Pass2 2Pass2 NT3
PassPassPass 
  1. Alert, artificial XYZ bid asking partner to bid 2 
  2. Alert, artificial XYZ forced bid
  3. Showing an invitational hand in notrump

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 NTS−1 9503.101.907-Wilson-Campbell8-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTN−1 6503.101.909-Pollack-Levine2-Heckel-Lin
2 N−1 4503.101.9013-Vanstone-Kloecker4-Gerowitz-Earls
3 NTN−1 6503.101.9014-Hoffman-Keyes3-Bansal-Terwilliger
3 NTN−2 21000.104.906-Roark-Koster11-Rice-Scovic

N/S take two Club tricks, two Diamonds, two Hearts, and one Spade, down one. West may lead a small Club.


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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPassPass
1 Pass1 NT1Pass
2 2Pass2 Pass
2 NT3Pass3 NTPass
PassPass  
  1. Semi-forcing
  2. The best 2  bid ever
  3. Showing somewhere around 18 HCP

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTW−3 103004.900.106-Roark-Koster11-Rice-Scovic
4 W−2 92003.701.3013-Vanstone-Kloecker4-Gerowitz-Earls
3 NTE−1 61002.502.5014-Hoffman-Keyes3-Bansal-Terwilliger
1 NTE2 Q1201.303.709-Pollack-Levine2-Heckel-Lin
2 NTE3 91500.104.907-Wilson-Campbell8-Rothstein-Hamilton

West's hand is ALMOST a 3  rebid but not quite. They're able to show their extra values after partner's 2  "sign-off." East is happy to continue to game.

E/W take two Spade tricks, two Hearts, one Club, three Diamonds, and one more trick, making three on double-dummy lines. If South leads a small Heart (or any Heart for that matter), E/W will gain a third Heart trick immediately. The safest lead is a Diamond. On a Diamond lead, declarer (after peeking in North's hand) will rise with the  A and exit with the  4 to North's now stiff  K.

North may exit with the  9, but declarer can hop with the  K, cash the  A (remember the peek), cash the T, and play a Club to the dummy's  A (South playing low). The top two Spades are cashed followed by the  Q and a club exit to South's stiff  K. South, down to  QJ6, can take their two top Hearts, but trick 13 belongs to dummy's T.

If South does insert the  K on the first Club, declarer will rise with the  A, cash the  Q, and play off the  A,  K, and a third Spade. North can win cheaply and cash the  Q and  Q, but they'll be forced to play the T to dummy's  J at trick 13. Heh.


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

EW 2; NS 2; NS 3; NS 1N; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
  PassPass
1 1 Pass1 NT
PassPassPass 

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 NTW−1 61004.300.702-Heckel-Lin12-LaMacchia-Hatch
1 W−1 51004.300.708-Rothstein-Hamilton9-Pollack-Levine
1 NTW1 Q902.502.5013-Vanstone-Kloecker5-Stuck-Heineman
2 E2 71101.303.701-Lammers-Grim3-Bansal-Terwilliger
1 NTW2 Q1200.104.9014-Hoffman-Keyes4-Gerowitz-Earls

If West doubles 1 NT, East will likely bid 2 . That doesn't work out so well.

N/S take three Diamond tricks, one Club, two Hearts, and one Spade, making one. West may start with the  A and  K and exit with a small Spade (i.e., they need their partner to hold the  J).


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

EW 7N; EW 7; EW 7; EW 3; EW 3; Par −1520

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
1 Pass1 NT1Pass
2 2Pass3 3Pass
4 Pass4 4Pass
5 5Pass5 6Pass
5 7Pass6 8Pass
6 9PassPassPass
  1. Forcing
  2. Reverse
  3. Natural and game forcing
  4. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
  5. 1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
  6. Do you have the  Q?
  7. Yes and the  K
  8. Do you also have the  K?
  9. No, sorry....you should get a new partner

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 W6 K4804.300.708-Rothstein-Hamilton9-Pollack-Levine
4 W6 K4804.300.7013-Vanstone-Kloecker5-Stuck-Heineman
4 W7 105101.903.102-Heckel-Lin12-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 W7 K5101.903.1014-Hoffman-Keyes4-Gerowitz-Earls
6 E7 K10100.104.901-Lammers-Grim3-Bansal-Terwilliger

Nice auction! Once E/W have all the keycards, the  Q, and the  K, East wants to be in 7 NT if East has the  K as well (i.e., they can count 13 tricks if Hearts divide 3-2). Note that East's 6  bid is asking for the  K. If West has that card, they're required to bid 7  (East will correct to 7 NT). If not, they simply sign off in 6 .

E/W lose nothing, making seven. North will lead the  K. Declarer will win the  A in dummy, play a trump to the  A, and take the Club hook. When that wins, declarer will return to their hand with the  K, cash the  Q, and finesse again in Clubs. When both players follow, declarer can cash the  A, play off the two remaining Clubs (pitching Spades), and claim.


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

W 7; EW 7; EW 6N; E 6; EW 5; EW 4; Par −1510

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPass1 Pass
1 Pass3 1Pass
3 Pass4 Pass
4 NT2Pass5 3Pass
5 4Pass5 5Pass
6 PassPassPass
  1. Natural and game forcing
  2. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Spades
  3. 1430 response showing 0 or 3 keycards
  4. Do you have the  Q?
  5. Afraid not.....serves you right for the last hand

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 E6 J1704.900.101-Lammers-Grim3-Bansal-Terwilliger
3 NTW3 24003.101.902-Heckel-Lin12-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 NTE3 44003.101.908-Rothstein-Hamilton9-Pollack-Levine
3 NTW4 104301.303.7013-Vanstone-Kloecker5-Stuck-Heineman
3 NTE5 34600.104.9014-Hoffman-Keyes4-Gerowitz-Earls

West presumes that their partner has a third Spade for their raise to 4 , so they bid on. If West is able to see through the backs of the cards, they'll take all 13 tricks, but when they're unable to do this, there's no telling how many tricks they'll take. Here's the most interesting line:

If North leads a small Heart, declarer will win with the  K, cash the  A, play a Spade to the  K, T to the  J and  K, Spade to the  A (dropping the  Q),  J, T,  9 to the  Q and  A, and  8. This is the end position:

Declarer:  5  Q84
North:  J7  K9
Dummy: T6  2  A
South:  Q  J75

On the lead of the  2, declarer can pitch a small Club, but North is in trouble. A Heart discard allows declarer to ruff a Heart to their hand (simultaneously dropping the  Q and  J), play a Club to dummy's  A, and cash the winning T. A Club discard is no better as it allows declarer to play the  A (dropping North's stiff  K), ruff a Heart to their hand, and cash the  Q. Nicely played!


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

EW 2N; EW 2; EW 2; EW 2; EW 2; Par −120

WestNorthEastSouth
 Pass1 1Pass
1 Pass2 Pass
2 NTPassPassPass
  1. Rule of 20 opener

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−2 102004.300.703-Bansal-Terwilliger12-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 W−2 A2004.300.709-Pollack-Levine1-Lammers-Grim
2 W−1 51002.502.5014-Hoffman-Keyes5-Stuck-Heineman
1 W1 3801.303.7013-Vanstone-Kloecker6-Roark-Koster
2 NTE2 K1200.104.9011-Rice-Scovic8-Rothstein-Hamilton

E/W take two Club tricks, two Spades, three Hearts, and one Diamond, making two. North's safest lead is the  6. South will win the  K and exit with a Heart. Declarer will duck, North will win the trick with the  Q, and exit with another Heart. Declarer will win with dummy's  J and continue with a Club to South's  A. It's very possible that North might get endplayed later and have to lead a Spade away from their  K, but that's simply too sad to think about.


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

NS 1N; EW 2; NS 1; NS 1; Par −90

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 
PassPassPass 

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 S3 101104.900.1013-Vanstone-Kloecker6-Roark-Koster
2 NTS−1 7502.502.503-Bansal-Terwilliger12-LaMacchia-Hatch
2 S−1 4502.502.509-Pollack-Levine1-Lammers-Grim
3 NTN−1 3502.502.5014-Hoffman-Keyes5-Stuck-Heineman
3 NTS−3 81500.104.9011-Rice-Scovic8-Rothstein-Hamilton

N/S lose two Spade tricks, one Heart, two Diamonds, and one Club, making one. West may lead the  A and continue Diamonds at trick two for partner to clear the suit.


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

NS 5; NS 3; EW 3; NS 1N; EW 2; Par +300: EW 5×−2

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
1 2 2 3 
Pass5 5 Dbl
PassPassPass 

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 S5 Q1503.101.903-Bansal-Terwilliger12-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 S5 71503.101.9011-Rice-Scovic8-Rothstein-Hamilton
4 S5 71503.101.9013-Vanstone-Kloecker6-Roark-Koster
4 S5 A1503.101.9014-Hoffman-Keyes5-Stuck-Heineman
2 W3 61400.104.909-Pollack-Levine1-Lammers-Grim

E/W lose one Club trick, one Diamond, and two Spades, down two doubled for –300. That's MUCH better than 5  making for –600. North will lead the  4.


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

EW 6; EW 6; EW 1N; NS 1; EW 1; Par −1400: NS 7×−6

WestNorthEastSouth
1 1Pass2 Pass
3 2Pass4 3Pass
5 NT4Pass6 Pass
PassPass  
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Showing 4+ Diamonds
  3. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Diamonds
  4. 1430 response showing 1 or 3 keycards and a void in Hearts

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTE−2 42005.000.004-Gerowitz-Earls12-LaMacchia-Hatch
3 NTE−1 81004.001.001-Lammers-Grim2-Heckel-Lin
5 W6 86203.002.0014-Hoffman-Keyes6-Roark-Koster
3 NTE5 A6601.503.503-Bansal-Terwilliger5-Stuck-Heineman
3 NTW5 J6601.503.5013-Vanstone-Kloecker7-Wilson-Campbell
5 W6 86800.005.0011-Rice-Scovic9-Pollack-Levine

Nice auction! After East's 4  Kickback bid (asking for keycards in Diamonds), West's responses are as follows:

4  (first step) - 1 or 4
4 NT (second step) - 0 or 3
5  (third step) - 2 or 5 without the  Q
5  (fourth step) - 2 or 5 with the  Q
5  (fifth step) - 2 or 4 with a useful void somewhere
5  (sixth step) - 1 or 3 with a void in Spades
5 NT (seventh step) - 1 or 3 with a void in Hearts (the ask suit)
6  (eighth step) - 1 or 3 with a void in Clubs

Please review RKC Blackwood (Kickback) if you aren't 100% sure how to show useful voids.

E/W lose one Club trick, making six. If North wants to get an early start on their lunch, they'll lead the  A. Ummm......lunch.


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

NS 2; NS 1N; NS 1; NS 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPassPass
Pass   

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 N3 101405.000.003-Bansal-Terwilliger5-Stuck-Heineman
1 N2 101104.001.004-Gerowitz-Earls12-LaMacchia-Hatch
1 NTE−2 81003.002.001-Lammers-Grim2-Heckel-Lin
1 NTN1 10902.003.0011-Rice-Scovic9-Pollack-Levine
PassPass1.004.0014-Hoffman-Keyes6-Roark-Koster
2 N−1 10500.005.0013-Vanstone-Kloecker7-Wilson-Campbell

Next.


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

NS 2; EW 3; NS 1N; NS 2; NS 1; Par −110

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 
2 2 1Pass3 
PassPassPass 
  1. Showing 5+ Hearts and 10+ HCP (Five & Dime)

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 N−2 72003.002.001-Lammers-Grim2-Heckel-Lin
4 N−2 72003.002.003-Bansal-Terwilliger5-Stuck-Heineman
4 N−2 72003.002.004-Gerowitz-Earls12-LaMacchia-Hatch
4 N−2 32003.002.0011-Rice-Scovic9-Pollack-Levine
4 S−2 102003.002.0014-Hoffman-Keyes6-Roark-Koster
4 ×N−2 75000.005.0013-Vanstone-Kloecker7-Wilson-Campbell

West can't afford to double 3 , since they don't want their partner to bid Diamonds (or Spades).

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Club, and three Hearts (probably one ruff and two natural Heart tricks), down one. East will lead the  7. West will win the  A and continue Clubs to declarer's  K. Declarer's best line at this point is to cash the  A and play the  J to East's  A. East will exit with a Diamond for their partner to ruff, but the  K and  Q will be the only other defensive tricks.


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

NS 5; NS 4; NS 2N; NS 2; NS 1; Par +450

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
Pass2 NT1Pass3 2
Pass3 Pass3 NT
Pass4 PassPass
Pass   
  1. 20 to 21
  2. Transfer

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 S6 Q4805.000.001-Lammers-Grim11-Rice-Scovic
3 N4 31704.001.002-Heckel-Lin3-Bansal-Terwilliger
2 NTN3 21503.002.0012-LaMacchia-Hatch5-Stuck-Heineman
3 N3 41402.003.008-Rothstein-Hamilton13-Vanstone-Kloecker
3 NTN−1 2500.504.504-Gerowitz-Earls6-Roark-Koster
3 NTN−1 9500.504.5014-Hoffman-Keyes7-Wilson-Campbell

N/S lose one Diamond trick and one Heart, making five. East may lead the  K and declarer will likely duck. Declarer can win the low Heart continuation in their hand with the  A, play a Club to dummy's stiff  A, play a Spade to the  A, cash the  K (pitching dummy's last Heart), ruff a Club in dummy (dropping West's  Q), and play a Diamond towards their hand. If West ducks, declarer will win, pull two more rounds of trump, cash the T, ruff a Heart with dummy's last trump, and lead a Diamond towards their hand.

If West grabs the  A it's no better since they can't get to their partner's hand for a Club ruff. Declarer can win any continuation, pull trump, and claim.


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

NS 5; NS 5; NS 2N; EW 1; EW 1; Par +650

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1 1Pass21 
Dbl3Rdbl43 54 6
PassPassPass 
  1. Rule of 20 opener
  2. Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
  3. Alert, showing at least nine cards in the unbid suits with five Diamonds
  4. Alert, support redouble showing exactly three Spades
  5. I like Clubs
  6. I like Spades more

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 N4 A6205.000.0012-LaMacchia-Hatch5-Stuck-Heineman
2 N5 42004.001.008-Rothstein-Hamilton13-Vanstone-Kloecker
3 N4 A1703.002.0014-Hoffman-Keyes7-Wilson-Campbell
3 N3 71402.003.002-Heckel-Lin3-Bansal-Terwilliger
2 N2 A1101.004.001-Lammers-Grim11-Rice-Scovic
4 S−2 J2000.005.004-Gerowitz-Earls6-Roark-Koster

E/W play Sandwich NT, and they have the agreement that once you're a passed hand your Sandwich NT bid denies a fifth card in the higher-ranking suit. A double (by a passed hand) in the "sandwich position" guarantees a fifth card in the higher-ranking suit and four or more in the lower ranking suit. That's a good agreement. South's hand gains in value when their partner shows a third Spade, so they bid game.

N/S lose two Diamond tricks, making five. West may lead the  K and continue Diamonds at trick two. Declarer will ruff the third Diamond and lead a small Spade to the  A (dropping the stiff  K). It's a simple matter to finesse East multiple times in Spades and then cash six Heart tricks.


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

N 2; NS 3; NS 1N; NS 2; S 1; NS 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass11 
Pass2 PassPass
Pass   
  1. Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 NTS3 31505.000.0012-LaMacchia-Hatch5-Stuck-Heineman
2 N4 21304.001.004-Gerowitz-Earls6-Roark-Koster
1 NTN−1 21001.503.501-Lammers-Grim11-Rice-Scovic
1 NTS−1 101001.503.502-Heckel-Lin3-Bansal-Terwilliger
1 N−1 91001.503.508-Rothstein-Hamilton13-Vanstone-Kloecker
3 NTN−1 91001.503.5014-Hoffman-Keyes7-Wilson-Campbell

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Club, and two Diamonds (probably one ruff and one natural Diamond trick), making three. East won't enjoy being on lead and will probably choose the  8 (MUD).


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

NS 6; NS 5N; NS 3; EW 1; Par +980

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 
Pass3 1Dbl24 3
Pass4 NT4Pass5 5
Pass5 6Pass6 
PassPassPass 
  1. Alert, artificial Bergen Raise showing 4+ Hearts and a limit raise
  2. I like Clubs
  3. RKC Blackwood (Kickback) for Hearts
  4. 1430 response showing 1 or 4 keycards
  5. Do you have the  Q?
  6. Yes, and the  K

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
6 S6 89804.500.509-Pollack-Levine13-Vanstone-Kloecker
6 S6 99804.500.5014-Hoffman-Keyes8-Rothstein-Hamilton
5 S6 44803.002.003-Bansal-Terwilliger4-Gerowitz-Earls
4 S5 44501.503.502-Heckel-Lin11-Rice-Scovic
4 S5 84501.503.5012-LaMacchia-Hatch6-Roark-Koster
7 ×S−1 A1000.005.005-Stuck-Heineman7-Wilson-Campbell

South doesn't want to be in slam off a keycard and the  Q, so they ask North if they have it. North does, and the reasonable small slam is reached.

N/S lose one Diamond trick, making six. If West gets all excited and leads the  A, the hand will be over instantly as declarer can pitch their losing Club on dummy's  K. A more interesting lead is a small Club (remember, East did double for a Club lead). On a Club lead, declarer will win the  A, lead a trump to dummy's  K, and lead the  J. When East turns up with the  Q, declarer can pitch dummy's second Club on the  A and claim. Phew.


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

N 3; N 4; NS 2N; S 2; NS 2; S 3; NS 2; Par +140

WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass1
Pass1 1 2 2
Pass2 Pass3 
PassPassPass 
  1. Don't make a preemptive bid in first seat with a side 4-card major
  2. Showing 5+ Diamonds and 10-11 HCP (Five & Dime)

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
3 NTN5 26605.000.003-Bansal-Terwilliger4-Gerowitz-Earls
3 NTN4 26303.501.005-Stuck-Heineman7-Wilson-Campbell
3 NTN−2 26302003.504.009-Pollack-Levine13-Vanstone-Kloecker
3 N−1 51001.502.5012-LaMacchia-Hatch6-Roark-Koster
3 N−1 91001.502.5014-Hoffman-Keyes8-Rothstein-Hamilton
4 ×N−3 28000.005.002-Heckel-Lin11-Rice-Scovic

Some N/S pairs will get to 3 NT, but they won't like it there. N/S lose two Club tricks and two Spades, making three. West will lead the  5.


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

NS 2; NS 1N; NS 2; NS 2; NS 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
PassPassPass1 
Pass1 NT1Pass2 
Pass2 2PassPass
Pass   
  1. Semi-forcing
  2. Yuck

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
1 S2 K1105.000.003-Bansal-Terwilliger4-Gerowitz-Earls
1 NTN1 9904.001.0014-Hoffman-Keyes8-Rothstein-Hamilton
1 NTN−1 8501.503.502-Heckel-Lin11-Rice-Scovic
2 S−1 A501.503.505-Stuck-Heineman7-Wilson-Campbell
501.503.509-Pollack-Levine13-Vanstone-Kloecker
1 NTN−1 3501.503.5012-LaMacchia-Hatch6-Roark-Koster

North almost gives up Bridge when they have to rebid 2  with a singleton. Almost.

N/S take two Club tricks, one Heart, three Spades, and two Club ruffs, making two. West may lead the  5.


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

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

WestNorthEastSouth
 1 Pass1 
Pass1 NTPass2 1
Pass2 2Pass2 3
Pass4 PassPass
Pass   
  1. Alert, artificial XYZ bid asking partner to bid 2 
  2. Alert, artificial XYZ forced bid
  3. Showing an invitational hand with five Hearts

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
4 S5 J4504.900.101-Lammers-Grim13-Vanstone-Kloecker
2 S5 32003.101.904-Gerowitz-Earls5-Stuck-Heineman
2 S5 J2003.101.9011-Rice-Scovic3-Bansal-Terwilliger
3 NTN−1 5500.704.306-Roark-Koster8-Rothstein-Hamilton
3 NTN−1 5500.704.3012-LaMacchia-Hatch7-Wilson-Campbell

North has an easy 4  bid holding three trump, 14 HCP, and all primes (Aces and Kings).

N/S lose one Diamond trick and one Heart, making five. West may lead a small Club. Declarer will win in dummy with the  K and lead the  5 to the  Q. When the  A fails to drop a doubleton  K, declarer will lead their stiff  6. West will probably hop with the  A and continue Clubs, but declarer will win with the  A, cash the  K (pitching dummy's third Club), and ruff a Club. Repeated Spade leads through West's  K will pick up the suit for no losers, and the  K will be the only other defensive trick.


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

EW 4; E 2N; EW 2; S 3; W 1N; N 2; NS 2; Par −500: S 5×−2

WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 
2 1Pass4 2Pass
PassPass  
  1. Michaels
  2. Preemptive

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 W4 31703.701.304-Gerowitz-Earls5-Stuck-Heineman
3 W4 21703.701.306-Roark-Koster8-Rothstein-Hamilton
2 W4 21703.701.3012-LaMacchia-Hatch7-Wilson-Campbell
4 E4 A6200.704.301-Lammers-Grim13-Vanstone-Kloecker
4 W4 26200.704.3011-Rice-Scovic3-Bansal-Terwilliger

N/S have a great sacrifice in 5 , but it isn't easy to find on the vulnerability. East's hand has zero defensive value, so an immediate 4  raise makes a lot of sense.

E/W lose one Diamond trick, one Club, and one Spade, making four. North will lead the  2 (low from an honor) to South's T, and South will continue with the  K. It's a simple matter to lead a Club through South after pulling trump.


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

NS 2; NS 1N; EW 1; E 1; EW 1; Par +110

WestNorthEastSouth
   1 
Pass1 NT1Pass2 
PassPassPass 
  1. Forcing

ContractLeadScoreMatchpointsPairPair
    N-SE-WN-SE-WN-SE-W
2 S3 21404.900.106-Roark-Koster8-Rothstein-Hamilton
2 S2 101103.701.304-Gerowitz-Earls5-Stuck-Heineman
3 W−1 A502.502.5011-Rice-Scovic3-Bansal-Terwilliger
3 S−1 2501.303.7012-LaMacchia-Hatch7-Wilson-Campbell
2 S−2 21000.104.901-Lammers-Grim13-Vanstone-Kloecker

N/S lose one Diamond trick, two Clubs, and two Hearts, making two. If the defense doesn't play a trump before declarer gets in the lead, N/S will make an overtrick when declarer is able to ruff their third Heart in dummy. E/W should get this right. Did you?


WestNorthEastSouth
1 2 1Dbl2Rdbl3
2 PassPassPass
  1. Weak jump overcall
  2. Negative
  3. Expecting 2  to make

The vulnerability keeps South from bidding past the two level.

E/W lose three Spade tricks and one Diamond, making three. North may lead a small Heart. Declarer will win in their hand, ruff a Heart, play a Club to the  K, and ruff their last Heart. The T is run to North's  K, and North has nothing better to do than continue Clubs. Declarer will win the  Q, cash the  A (pitching a small Diamond), and repeat the Diamond hook. When the  J wins, declarer will exit with a trump to North's  Q. With no fast way to get to partner's hand for a Diamond ruff, North will probably exit with another Spade, but the  A and  K are the last tricks for the defense.


WestNorthEastSouth
 1 NT1Pass2 2
Pass2 2 Pass
PassPass  
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Transfer

South wants to take another call, but what? A double might be misconstrued as being for penalty, and a 3  bid would be game forcing. Rats.

E/W lose two Club tricks, two Diamonds, and one Heart, making two. South may lead a small Diamond.


WestNorthEastSouth
  3 13 
PassPassPass 
  1. Preemptive

N/S lose one Heart trick, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, down one. West will lead the  6. If the defense gets a Club ruff before declarer pulls trump, then N/S will lose only one Diamond trick when dummy's Clubs set up.


WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
PassPass1 NT1Pass
3 2Pass3 3Pass
3 NTPassPassPass
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Alert, artificial bid asking for a 5-card major
  3. Alert, artificial bid denying a 5-card major

West fishes for a 5-3 major-suit game, but when East doesn't have a five-card major is happy to play in 3 NT.

E/W take four Clubs tricks, three Hearts, one Diamond, and one Spade, making three.....if South leads a Spade. On a Heart lead (or any non-Spade lead), E/W will make four.


WestNorthEastSouth
1 Pass1 2 
2 13 24 Pass
PassPass  
  1. Showing a fourth Spade
  2. Weak jump raise

If South bids 5 , East will bid 5  on the vulnerability.

E/W lose one Heart trick and one Diamond, making five. South will lead the  K and switch to their stiff Club at trick two.


WestNorthEastSouth
 PassPass1 
Pass2 1Pass2 2
Pass3 NT3Pass4 
PassPassPass 
  1. Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a limit raise with 3+ Hearts
  2. Alert, artificial Drury bid showing a full opener and asking for more information about partner's hand
  3. Alert, artificial Drury bid showing 5+ Hearts and no singleton or void

N/S unfortunately get one level too high. Sigh.

N/S lose one Spade trick, one Heart, one Diamond, and one Club, down one. West may lead the  4 (MUD). As long as West avoids leading a Club or the  Q (ouch) on opening lead, E/W will prevail.


WestNorthEastSouth
  Pass1 NT1
Pass2 2Pass2 3
Pass3 4Pass3 NT5
PassPassPass 
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Asking for a 4-card major
  3. Denying a 4-card major
  4. Alert, artificial Smolen bid showing exactly four Spades and five Hearts
  5. Denying a third Heart

N/S take five Heart tricks, two Diamonds, and two Clubs, making three. West may lead the T.


WestNorthEastSouth
   Pass
Pass1 Pass12 
PassPassPass2 
  1. Don't make minimum offshape takeout doubles
  2. On the vulnerability

East would like to be in the auction, but not Red vs. White (i.e., vulnerable vs. not-vulnerable).

N/S lose one Spade trick, two Hearts, and one Club, making three. East may lead the  A (asking for attitude) and switch to a trump at trick two.


WestNorthEastSouth
PassPassPass1 NT1
Pass2 Pass2 
Pass2 NT2Pass3 NT
PassPassPass 
  1. 15 to 17
  2. Alert, may or may not have a 4-card major

North invites in notrump and South goes. Simple as that.

N/S take four Club tricks, four Diamonds, and three Spades......um, that's like eleventy-seven tricks. The problem is that West is going to lead the  A and continue with the  K and a third Heart to East. After five tricks have been played, declarer will claim down one (four Club tricks, one Diamond, and three Spades).