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%Creator: BridgeComposer Version 5.107.1
%Created: Wed Jun  5 16:57:47 2024 -0400
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%HRTitleDate 2024.05.29
%HRTitleEvent "Educational Foundation Fundraiser July 2024"
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[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "1"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:5.AK5.T982.QJ943 AT962.Q76.K6.AT5 KQJ.J9432.7.K862 8743.T8.AQJ543.7"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{

<b>AUCTION</b>\n
When East opens 1\S West has a raft of plausible choices. They could raise to
2\S, 3\S, or even 4\S. Alternatively if playing Bergen Raises West could treat
the hand as a mixed raise. All we can predict for sure is that this hand is NOT
a preemptive raise! Everything else makes sense. East will surely reject any
invitation; but one way or another, I suspect more pairs will play at the
three-level or higher than stop safely in 2\S. Given that North should double a
simple raise to 2\S, E/W rate to push themselves or be pushed to 3\S.

<b>PLAY</b>\n
South will surely lead a top spade against - say - 3\S.  The trump lead
suggests the 3-1 break, so East rates to win and play on diamonds at once. When
South ruffs and shifts to a heart, the defenders will surely take their four
tricks. Given how many chances South has to get this right, I'd expect N/S to
take their four tricks at almost every table.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>\n
Bergen raises are a method of showing limit, mixed and preemptive raises after
a major-suit opener. Most efficiently used in non-competitive auctions, one can
use the jump as preemptive with call of 3\C and 3\D for limit (10-11 HCP) and
Mixed (6-9 HCP) each with 4+ trumps. I could tell you why 3\C should be the
weaker hand and 3\D the stronger...but then I'd have to kill you.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "54749547498949389493"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS -100"]
[ParContract "NS 4CX-1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\5;H\5;D\6;C"]
N NT  5 5     AK    T982   QJ943
N  S  4 5     AK    T982   QJ943
N  H  9 -     AK    -      -
N  D  4 5     AK    T982   QJ943
N  C 10 5     AK    -      -
S  H  9 -     J9432 -      -
S  C 10 KQJ   9432  -      -
E NT  8 AT962 Q76   K      AT5
E  S  9 AT962 Q76   K6     A
E  H  6 A     -     K6     A
E  C  4 -     -     K6     AT5
W NT  8 8743  T8    543    7
W  H  6 8743  -     AQJ543 7
W  C  4 -     -     AQJ543 7
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 5
N  S 4
N  H 7
N  D 4
N  C 9
S NT 5
S  S 4
S  H 7
S  D 4
S  C 9
E NT 8
E  S 9
E  H 4
E  D 9
E  C 3
W NT 8
W  S 9
W  H 4
W  D 9
W  C 3

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "2"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:AJ6.J43.A98.AQ98 Q852.9.KJ73.T743 KT973.QT72.QT2.6 4.AK865.654.KJ52"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

West's hand is worth no more than an invitation facing a strong no-trump,
though one might fall in love with all those 10s and drive the hand to game via
Smolen in an attempt to describe it precisely, accepting an overbid by about a
jack to reach the best strain. As to an invitational sequence, Stayman then 2\S
is played by some as an unbalanced invitation with five spades. If you do not
have that in your toolkit it isn't a bad idea at Pairs to use this sequence to
settle in 2\S when no major-suit fit comes to life.

<b>PLAY</b>

I never claimed to be a good predictor, even with the sight of all four hands.
Here East's club spots mean that 3NT plays like a dream, while spades loses out
to heart ruffs. Of course if East is declarer South might not lead a heart; and
if so, ten tricks come home in 4\S .

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>\n
The best use for Stayman then two of a major is the subject of considerable
discussion. A simple (and I say sensible) option is to use Stayman then 2\H as
non-invitational with both majors -- opener corrects to 2\S  if 3=2 in the
majors. Stayman then 2\S  over 2\H or 2\D can be played as an unbalanced
invitation with five spades and a second suit.
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "33556335569987799877"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW 400"]
[ParContract "EW 3N="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\5;H\5;D\3;C"]
N NT  4 -     -     654 KJ52
N  S  4 -     AK    -   -
N  D  6 4     AK    -   -
N  C  6 4     AK865 654 52
S NT  4 -     -     -   743
S  S  4 -     9     -   -
S  H  5 Q852  9     -   T743
S  D  6 Q852  9     -   -
S  C  6 Q852  9     J73 T743
E NT 10 AJ6   -     -   -
E  S 10 AJ    -     A   -
E  H  8 AJ6   43    A98 A
E  D  8 -     -     A98 A
E  C  7 J6    J43   A98 -
W NT 10 T973  72    -   -
W  S 10 T973  -     T2  6
W  H  8 KT973 QT72  T2  6
W  D  8 -     -     T2  6
W  C  7 K     QT72  T2  6
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 3
N  S 3
N  H 5
N  D 5
N  C 6
S NT 3
S  S 3
S  H 5
S  D 5
S  C 6
E NT 9
E  S 9
E  H 8
E  D 7
E  C 7
W NT 9
W  S 9
W  H 8
W  D 7
W  C 7

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "3"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:T963.8.9842.AQ52 J7.A5.AQ.KT98763 AK854.JT973.JT.J Q2.KQ642.K7653.4"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

A few Wests will open 1NT. More will open 1\C; now a sizeable percentage of the
Norths in this field will make a Michaels Cuebid. That sets East an unusual
problem since they no longer want to bid hearts -- and in any event that call
should be used as artificial here. East might bid 2\D, whereupon South could
and should jump to 3\S, meaning it as shape not high-cards. With more, there
are various cuebids at their disposal. Now can E/W work out to let South play
there? I suspect not -- especially after a 1NT opener from West. With the
balance of high-cards you'd expect West to compete further -- and even if they
do not, East may act again.

<b>PLAY</b>

If the defenders lead trumps against 3\S declarer will duck a heart to West,
win the trump return and ruff out hearts, coming to no fewer than 10 tricks.
The defenders need to cash their red-suit winners and lead a third diamond to
promote a trump trick -- in theory. However, I predict many declarers will find
a way to hold themselves to fewer than nine tricks after a club lead. West's
contract of 4\C is more likely to emerge with nine tricks than eight.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>\n
Since you asked, I suggest after the opponents use either a Michaels Cuebid or
an Unusual No-trump, the higher of the cuebids (if below three of your
partner's suit) should show a limit raise or better, while the other cuebid
shows invitational or better values in the fourth suit. A bid of the fourth
suit is natural and non-forcing; approximately a good weak two in strength.
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "69554796646377863778"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 140"]
[ParContract "NS 2S+1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\4;H\5;D\5;C"]
N NT  7 AK   JT973 JT    -
N  S 10 AK   -     -     J
N  H  6 AK   JT973 JT    -
N  D  6 AK   JT973 JT    -
N  C  5 AK   JT973 -     J
S NT  7 T963 8     9842  -
S  S 10 T963 -     -     A
S  H  6 T963 8     9842  -
S  D  6 T963 8     9842  -
S  C  5 T963 8     -     A
E NT  7 -    -     -     4
E  S  4 -    KQ642 K7653 -
E  H  8 -    -     -     4
E  D  8 -    -     -     4
E  C  9 -    -     7653  -
W  S  4 -    A5    AQ    -
W  C  9 -    -     AQ    -
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 6
N  S 9
N  H 5
N  D 5
N  C 4
S NT 7
S  S 9
S  H 6
S  D 6
S  C 4
E NT 6
E  S 3
E  H 7
E  D 7
E  C 8
W NT 6
W  S 3
W  H 7
W  D 7
W  C 8

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "4"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:K862.632.76.KJ32 QJ75.T75.985.AQ6 AT94.AKJ84.KQ.95 3.Q9.AJT432.T874"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

In third seat I hope no East will open a strong no-trump. Were they to do so,
it might end the auction, and on a diamond lead declarer would need to find the
\HQ or go down like a stone.\n
Conversely, after a 1\H opener and a (sporting!) 3\D overcall East might find
himself in 4\H, not a hopeless contract but apparently doomed today on the
rocks of some unlucky placement of cards..

<b>PLAY</b>

In 4\H on a singleton spade lead declarer will surely lead a club up, and
eventually lose three+ tricks in the black suits -- not to mention having to
find the \HQ... and why would they? This seems a very hard hand for E/W to
construct an auction to stay sensibly low.


<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

5-4-2-2 is a distribution that tends to play better at suits. Try to avoid
opening 1NT with a decent five-card major and this shape. And in my book, when
you hold a five-card minor and four spades you rate to be able to show the hand
by bidding the suits. At worst, you will surely postpone any awkward decision
to the third round.


}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "44486444868995789957"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW 140"]
[ParContract "EW 2H+1; EW 2S+1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\1R;S\4;H\3;D\6;C"]
N NT 5 -    -   985    -
N  S 4 QJ75 T75 985    -
N  H 4 QJ   T75 985    -
N  C 6 QJ75 T75 985    -
S NT 5 -    -   AJT432 T874
E NT 9 T94  AK  -      -
E  S 9 T94  AK  KQ     95
E  H 9 A    AK  KQ     95
E  D 5 AT94 AK  KQ     -
E  C 7 A    AK  KQ     5
W NT 9 K862 632 -      -
W  H 9 862  632 76     KJ32
W  D 5 K862 632 76     -
W  C 7 862  632 76     KJ
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 4
N  S 4
N  H 4
N  D 8
N  C 6
S NT 4
S  S 4
S  H 4
S  D 8
S  C 6
E NT 8
E  S 9
E  H 9
E  D 5
E  C 7
W NT 8
W  S 9
W  H 9
W  D 5
W  C 7

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "5"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:K92.A3.KQJ98.J65 654.K95.632.KT82 AT83.Q842.A754.Q QJ7.JT76.T.A9743"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>\n
If North upgrades their hand into a strong no-trump (it is only about a ten
short per the Kaplan-Rubens evaluator) a Stayman auction to 3NT will see East
on lead.  This isn't the world's silliest contract but you'd far rather be in
5\D, which is unbreakable as the cards lie. After a more normal 1\Dopener it is
far from easy to get to the suit game (or even 3NT by South, which has
considerably more practical chances).


<b>PLAY</b>\n
On a blind auction to 3NT by North I freely admit I'd lead the spade six not a
club. Is that disastrous? Not necessarily. Declarer may fail to appreciate the
position and take two spade finesses for down two not one! However if he runs
the diamonds before committing himself the defenders may let go of too many
clubs.


<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

If you are interested in an objective hand-valuation tool try:
https://www.jeff-goldsmith.com/cgi-bin/knr.cgi?hand=. The late Jeff Goldsmith
specifically designed this as a free tool for anyone interested in improving
their own (and their partner's) evaluating skills.
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "8a7b58a7b55362853628"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 600"]
[ParContract "NS 5D="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\4;H\4;D\5;C"]
N NT  8 K92  A    KQJ98 J65
S  S 10 AT83 842  A754  Q
S  H  7 AT83 842  A754  Q
S  D 11 AT83 842  A754  Q
S  C  5 AT83 842  A754  Q
E NT  5 654  -    632   T82
E  S  3 654  -    632   KT82
E  H  6 654  -    632   T82
E  D  2 654  95   632   KT82
E  C  8 654  -    632   T82
W NT  5 -    JT76 T     A
W  S  3 -    JT76 T     A9743
W  H  6 -    JT76 T     A
W  D  2 QJ   JT76 T     A9743
W  C  8 -    JT76 T     A
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  8
N  S 10
N  H  7
N  D 11
N  C  5
S NT  8
S  S 10
S  H  7
S  D 11
S  C  5
E NT  5
E  S  3
E  H  6
E  D  2
E  C  8
W NT  5
W  S  3
W  H  6
W  D  2
W  C  8

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "6"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:QT9.KT95.Q6.9842 K8.AQJ872.T2.Q73 A753.43.AKJ7.KT6 J642.6.98543.AJ5"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

When West doubles South's 1\H opener, some Norths will pass, others will bid
1\S. East should in either case bid 1NT, and I'd expect to see many if not most
Souths competing to 2\H. What now? If East has bid 1NT freely, West might
double 2\H to show extras, otherwise South might well buy the hand in 2\H.

<b>PLAY</b>

Against 1NT the lead of the \HQ will travel round to the king, and declarer
might well broach spades by leading the queen, generating at least eight tricks
for their side. By contrast 2\H will be a more challenging spot. If West leads
a trump, East will put in the nine, and declarer may well exit in diamonds. If
they lead the 10, the defenders may have to be just a little careful to set the
contract at all.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

As a general rule, a hand that makes a takeout double can NOT make a low-level
penalty double of that suit at their next turn. Such a double is either pure
takeout or it is extras, suggesting three cards in partner's suit (if there is
one).

}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "56765567668767787677"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW 120"]
[ParContract "EW 2N="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\1R;S\4;H\3;D\5;C"]
N NT 5 642  6   98543 A5
N  S 6 -    6   98543 J
N  D 6 642  6   98543 AJ
N  C 6 -    6   98543 -
S NT 5 K8   -   T2    Q73
S  S 6 -    -   T2    Q73
S  H 7 K8   A   T2    Q73
S  D 6 K8   -   T2    Q73
S  C 6 -    -   T2    -
E NT 8 QT9  T95 Q6    9842
E  H 6 -    T9  Q6    9842
E  D 7 QT9  T95 Q6    9842
E  C 8 -    -   -     9842
W NT 8 753  43  AKJ7  -
W  S 7 A753 43  AKJ7  -
W  H 6 -    43  AKJ7  -
W  D 7 753  43  AKJ7  -
W  C 7 -    43  AKJ7  KT6
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 5
N  S 6
N  H 7
N  D 6
N  C 5
S NT 5
S  S 6
S  H 7
S  D 6
S  C 6
E NT 8
E  S 7
E  H 6
E  D 7
E  C 7
W NT 8
W  S 7
W  H 6
W  D 7
W  C 7

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "7"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:765.JT86.J865.87 A43.K9532.KQT.54 KJT92.A.A72.Q932 Q8.Q74.943.AKJT6"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

When the bidding starts with West opening 1\H and North overcalling 1\S you can
see a very good case for East driving to 4\H . An indirect approach of bidding
2\C then cuebidding spades might get West to 3NT, an excellent spot by
comparison. East might consider only inviting game if facing a light opener or
playing a strong club, I suppose?

<b>PLAY</b>\n
In 4\H North might guess to lead a club. If they do and declarer misguesses by
putting up the ace, they will need to cross to hand with a diamond, in order to
tackle hearts from the West hand to guard against this very distribution. When
North scores the \DA and plays a second club, declarer can survive by
finessing, coming to hand cheaply in diamonds, taking a third diamond, then
leading a heart up. When North wins they are endplayed to lead a black suit.
Declarer's spade loser goes away either on the clubs or the \S Q.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

The fancy have decided to use the call of 2NT in response to a major-suit
opener or overcall to show a limit raise or better in competition with four+
trumps. If East plays this style, the idea of cue-bidding at the first turn to
show a limit raise or better with three trumps, planning to respect a sign-off
but to go to game facing any sign of life, might work well here.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "36342353429798a97a8b"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW 620"]
[ParContract "W 4H="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\5;H\4;D\4;C"]
N NT  4 KJT92 -    -    -
N  S  6 -     A    A72  Q932
N  D  5 KJT92 -    -    -
S NT  4 765   -    -    -
S  S  6 -     JT86 J865 87
S  H  4 765   -    -    -
S  D  5 765   -    -    -
S  C  3 765   -    -    -
E NT 10 -     Q74  943  -
E  S  7 Q8    74   943  AK
E  H 10 -     74   943  -
E  D  9 -     74   943  -
E  C 11 -     74   943  -
W NT 10 -     9532 KQ   54
W  S  8 43    -    -    -
W  H 10 -     9532 KQ   54
W  D  9 -     9532 KQ   54
W  C 11 -     9532 KQ   54
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  3
N  S  6
N  H  3
N  D  4
N  C  2
S NT  3
S  S  5
S  H  3
S  D  4
S  C  2
E NT  9
E  S  7
E  H  9
E  D  8
E  C 10
W NT  9
W  S  7
W  H 10
W  D  8
W  C 11

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "8"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:K65.KQ6.J4.KQ986 QT73.J54.Q873.73 J98.A873.T6.T542 A42.T92.AK952.AJ"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

When South hears 1\C to their left and 1\H to their right, they must come in,
of course, but the field will be split between those who make a simple overcall
in diamonds, and those who risk a 1NT call (perhaps planning a retreat if
doubled?). The 2\D call will see most Wests able to make a support double to
show three hearts, and North must raise directly to 3\D. South might be tempted
to look for 3NT but today discretion is the better part of valor.

<b>PLAY</b>

Against 3\D whether the defenders lead a top club or top heart declarer will
draw trumps and exit in either clubs or hearts, meaning that the defenders will
eventually have to broach spades. That facilitates declarer's holding the
losers in that suit to one, for down one. 1NT appears to have seven tricks and
no more; it looks hard to endplay the defense -- but after four rounds of
hearts West might fall victim to a squeeze-endplay.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

Support doubles are part of what the well-dressed bridge-player has at their
disposal. In the hypothetical auction where South bids diamonds, a heart raise
shows four, double shows three.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "78484784845484854848"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW -100"]
[ParContract "EW 3CX-1; EW 3HX-1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\1R;S\3;H\4;D\5;C"]
N NT 8 T73 -    Q873  -
N  S 9 T73 -    Q873  -
N  H 5 T73 -    Q873  -
N  D 9 T73 -    Q873  -
N  C 5 T73 -    Q873  -
S NT 8 A42 -    AK952 -
S  S 9 A42 -    AK952 -
S  H 5 A42 -    AK952 -
S  D 9 A42 -    AK952 -
S  C 5 A42 -    AK952 -
E NT 6 -   A873 -     T542
E  S 5 -   A873 -     T542
E  H 9 -   A873 -     T542
E  D 5 -   A873 -     T542
E  C 9 -   A873 -     T542
W NT 6 -   KQ6  -     KQ
W  S 5 -   KQ6  -     KQ
W  H 9 -   KQ6  -     KQ
W  D 5 -   KQ6  -     KQ
W  C 9 -   KQ6  -     KQ
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 7
N  S 8
N  H 4
N  D 8
N  C 4
S NT 7
S  S 8
S  H 4
S  D 8
S  C 4
E NT 5
E  S 4
E  H 8
E  D 4
E  C 8
W NT 5
W  S 4
W  H 8
W  D 4
W  C 8

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "9"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:T95.T64.654.QJ96 Q876.K8.J93.KT43 K32.A72.AQ87.A52 AJ4.QJ953.KT2.87"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

The vast majority of Souths who play a strong no-trump will open one. There is
almost never a reason to upgrade a 4-3-3-3 pattern, I believe. At most tables
that will end the auction (neither West nor East really has enough shape to act
unless 'on tilt').

<b>PLAY</b>

You can imagine West leading a top heart ducked, then a second heart ducked to
East's king.  It looks natural for East to shift to diamonds; if declarer
finesses, then West will win and clear hearts, giving suit preference to East
for spades. Now if declarer innocently plays \CA and another club, East can win
and play spades. If declarer misguesses and plays the king, they will be held
to three tricks. 

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

While one might consider balancing on 5-3-3-2 pattern, I strongly recommend not
doing so in direct seat. Balanced hands tend to do better defending, except
perhaps with nobody vulnerable.\n
Also note that the heart West plays at trick two may carry suit preference
implications.
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "55455554558898888888"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW 140"]
[ParContract "E 1H+2"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\1R;S\4;H\5;D\4;C"]
N NT 5 T9   T64   654  QJ96
N  S 5 -    T64   654  QJ
N  H 5 -    -     -    QJ
S NT 5 -    A72   87   A52
S  S 5 -    72    AQ87 -
S  H 4 32   A72   AQ87 A52
E NT 8 Q876 K8    J93  -
E  H 9 876  K8    J93  -
E  D 8 876  K8    J93  -
E  C 8 -    -     J93  -
W NT 8 AJ   QJ953 -    87
W  S 8 AJ4  QJ953 -    87
W  H 9 -    QJ953 -    -
W  D 8 -    QJ953 -    87
W  C 8 -    53    -    87
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 5
N  S 5
N  H 4
N  D 5
N  C 5
S NT 5
S  S 5
S  H 4
S  D 5
S  C 5
E NT 8
E  S 8
E  H 9
E  D 8
E  C 8
W NT 8
W  S 8
W  H 8
W  D 8
W  C 8

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "10"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:AJ52.965.2.T9764 KQT7.J72.T98.Q52 4.AKQ43.763.KJ83 9863.T8.AKQJ54.A"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

Some Norths will double a 1\H opener to their right, but this looks like a 2\D
overcall to me. I plan to come back in again at any sensible level available to
me but I need to emphasize diamonds first. If my partner gets the chance to
raise diamonds I might guess well and bid spades next (planning to play 3NT or
4\S if that is what partner proposes). As it is, I might well get to 4\S here.

<b>PLAY</b>\n
E/W make a lot of tricks in clubs or hearts with a combined 18-count, N/S far
fewer with their 22 HCP (but only on very accurate defense to 4\S). Against
that game the defenders rate to lead and continue hearts -- not best. North
ruffs the third heart and runs the \S9, East ducks twice and wins the third to
play a club, but declarer is in control, thanks to the diamond entry to dummy.
Either East must lead or West must shift to diamonds to disrupt declarer's
entry to dummy to draw the last trump. This also requires East to duck the \SA
twice then tap declarer in hearts.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

When weighing up whether to double or overcall, bear in mind that these days
two-level overcalls are meant to be taken seriously. They show decent hands and
decent long suits. Random five-card suits can be bid at the one-level, but not
the two-level.
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "783927839263a3b63a3b"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS -500"]
[ParContract "NS 5DX-2"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\4;H\3;D\6;C"]
N  S 10 9863 -   -      A
N  D 10 -    -   AKQJ54 A
S NT  7 KQ   J72 T98    Q52
S  S 10 KQ   -   -      Q52
S  D 10 -    -   T98    Q52
E NT  6 A    965 2      T9764
E  S  5 -    -   2      -
E  H 10 A    965 2      T9764
E  D  4 A    965 -      -
E  C 11 A    965 2      T9764
W NT  6 4    AKQ 763    J83
W  S  5 -    -   763    -
W  H 10 4    AKQ 763    J83
W  D  4 4    AKQ -      -
W  C 11 4    AKQ 763    J83
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  7
N  S  8
N  H  3
N  D  9
N  C  2
S NT  7
S  S  8
S  H  3
S  D  9
S  C  2
E NT  6
E  S  3
E  H 10
E  D  3
E  C 11
W NT  6
W  S  3
W  H 10
W  D  3
W  C 11

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "11"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "S:J74.J4.K42.KQ985 98652.QT6.76.J62 3.K87532.AJ83.A3 AKQT.A9.QT95.T74"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

When South hears East double partner's 1\H opener a 2\C call may be available
-- whether one plays it as a one-round force or not.  If South instead
redoubles -- perhaps because 2\C is used as artificial? -- West can either bid
1\S (or perhaps 2\S if they have had their Wheaties this morning)? In either
case, you'd imagine North will compete in diamonds, and I'd expect South to
give false preference to hearts. If East competes in spades too high, their
side can be doubled.  

<b>PLAY</b>

After two rounds of spades against a heart contract, North will ruff and lead a
heart towards the jack. Assuming West wins and continues spades, declarer can
duck a heart and come to ten tricks.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

After North hears their partner redouble, it is often difficult for them to
differentiate shapely hands. Direct actions tend to show shape rather than high
cards, but that doesn't always help you to tell partner which of 5-4, 5-5 or
6-4 shape you started with. My partial solution to the problem? Use pass as
forcing and direct actions or jumps as shape not high cards. 
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "85988859785724457245"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 140"]
[ParContract "NS 3H="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\5;H;D\4;C"]
N NT  8 3     - AJ83 A3
N  S  6 -     - A83  A3
N  H 11 -     - -    A
N  D  9 -     - -    A
S NT  8 J74   - K42  KQ985
S  S  6 -     - K42  KQ985
S  H 11 -     - -    985
S  D  9 -     - -    985
S  C  9 -     4 -    -
E NT  5 AKQ   A -    T74
E  S  8 AKQ   - -    -
E  H  4 AKQ   - -    -
E  D  5 AKQ   - -    -
E  C  5 AKQ   - -    T74
W  S  8 98652 - -    -
W  H  4 98652 - 76   -
W  D  6 -     - 76   -
W  C  5 98652 - 76   J62
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 8
N  S 5
N  H 9
N  D 8
N  C 8
S NT 8
S  S 5
S  H 9
S  D 7
S  C 8
E NT 5
E  S 7
E  H 2
E  D 4
E  C 4
W NT 5
W  S 7
W  H 2
W  D 4
W  C 5

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "12"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "W:T752.963.JT3.AQ7 J96.KJ8.5.KJT854 KQ43.AQ42.9742.9 A8.T75.AKQ86.632"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

In third seat East will have to choose at most tables between opening one of
the three four-card suits. Opening 1\D may silence South, but South doesn't
have a clear action after either major-suit opener. One way or another, E/W
rate to find some kind of fit in one major or the other (spades plays
painlessly for seven tricks) but North may back in with their clubs, where they
figure to come to nine or ten tricks.

<b>PLAY</b>

Against 2\S by West a diamond lead will see the defenders lead four rounds of
diamonds, which should allow the defenders to take six tricks. In clubs by
North the best lead is a spade. Declarer can take 10 tricks at double dummy,
but if they win and pitch spades on the top diamonds they are likely to lose two
trumps and two hearts.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

Even if you play five-card majors, I am not brave enough to pass the East hand
in third seat. I'd open 1\H for the lead and hope we can find spades if we
belong there. Opening 1\S may well lose the hearts.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "7678a7678a5765367653"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 130"]
[ParContract "NS 3C+1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\4;H\3;D\4;C"]
N NT  7 96   KJ8 5    KJT854
N  S  6 -    KJ8 5    -
N  H  7 -    KJ  5    -
N  D  8 J96  KJ8 5    -
N  C 10 96   KJ  5    -
S NT  8 -    -   -    632
S  S  6 -    T75 AKQ  632
S  H  7 -    75  AKQ  632
S  D  8 A8   T75 AKQ  632
S  C 10 A    75  AKQ  632
E NT  6 -    -   742  -
E  S  7 KQ43 A   9742 9
E  H  6 KQ   A42 9742 9
E  D  5 KQ   A42 742  9
E  C  3 KQ   A   9742 9
W NT  6 -    963 JT   -
W  S  7 T752 963 JT3  A
W  H  6 T752 963 JT3  A
W  D  5 T752 963 JT   AQ7
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  7
N  S  6
N  H  7
N  D  8
N  C 10
S NT  7
S  S  6
S  H  7
S  D  8
S  C 10
E NT  5
E  S  7
E  H  6
E  D  5
E  C  3
W NT  6
W  S  7
W  H  6
W  D  5
W  C  3

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "13"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "N:4.KJ85432.AT7.64 KJ7652.AQ.QJ86.9 AQT.96.942.AJ853 983.T7.K53.KQT72"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

The North hand looks like a normal vulnerable 3\H preempt. If you wait for the
perfect hand to act, you will remain silent forever. East can overcall 3\S,
leaving South with a tough call. A penalty double looks premature (and indeed
you might get to defend 4\Sx if you pass!). Raising to 4\H looks equally
optimistic, so passing looks in order. Now West might raise to 4\S or pass. I
can see both sides of this, but the club values are potentially valueless if
either my partner or my LHO have a singleton, so I think pass is right.

<b>PLAY</b>

Declaring 3\S on a heart lead, East will win and play a club. South might as
well win and return a club -- the diamond ace surely isn't going away. In due
course declarer will come to eight tricks by playing a trump himself. Even if
doubled in 3\S (and tipped off about the trump break) East cannot quite arrange
a trump reduction to endplay South in trumps.

<b>PASSING THOUGHT</b>

I assume when partner acts over a preempt they place me with 8 HCP and two
trumps. The West hand is on the cusp for a raise -- change the club king to the
ace and bidding on would seem right.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "55956559568848788487"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 140"]
[ParContract "NS 3H="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\1R;S\6;H\2;D\4;C"]
S NT 5 -      96 942  AJ853
S  S 5 -      96 942  A
S  H 9 -      96 942  AJ853
S  D 5 A      96 942  AJ853
S  C 6 -      96 942  A53
E NT 8 KJ7652 -  QJ86 9
E  S 8 KJ7652 -  QJ86 9
E  H 4 KJ7652 -  QJ86 9
E  D 8 KJ7652 -  QJ   9
E  C 7 KJ7652 -  QJ86 9
W NT 8 983    T7 K53  -
W  H 4 983    T7 K53  KQ
W  D 8 983    T7 53   KQ
W  C 7 983    T7 K53  KQ
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 5
N  S 5
N  H 9
N  D 5
N  C 6
S NT 5
S  S 5
S  H 9
S  D 5
S  C 6
E NT 8
E  S 8
E  H 4
E  D 8
E  C 7
W NT 8
W  S 8
W  H 4
W  D 8
W  C 7

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "14"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "E:J7.T542.643.AKT8 KT432.Q.AJT97.Q7 Q85.AK976.Q52.92 A96.J83.K8.J6543"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

There are perfectly nice and otherwise respectable people who would overcall
2\H over 1\S. I urge you not to show your contempt for them out loud; a quiet
inward smile and a pitying shake of the head should suffice. Assuming West
passes over 1\S they should end up defending 2\S rather than risking -300 in a
high-level heart contract when partner takes them seriously.

<b>PLAY</b>

Against 2\S when West leads a top heart East should discourage, especially if
your partnership plays the lead of a king asks for count. But whatever
side-suit West tries next, other than attempting to cash a second heart, the
defenders seem highly likely to score three side-suit winners and a trump. The
second overtrick will be worth a bushel of matchpoints.


<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

All partnerships should have firm agreements as to how East follows at trick
one when partner leads an ace-king and dummy has honor-third or fourth. I
suggest reserving encouragement for a doubleton, and if playing standard
signals use lowest from three, second lowest from four.


}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "79598795985474564745"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 140"]
[ParContract "NS 2S+1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\1R;S\4;H\4;D\4;C"]
N NT 7 A96  83   K8   6543
N  H 6 A    -    K    -
N  D 9 -    J83  -    6543
N  C 8 -    83   K    6543
S NT 8 -    -    JT97 -
S  H 6 T432 -    JT97 -
S  D 9 -    Q    JT97 Q7
S  C 8 -    Q    JT97 -
E NT 6 -    T542 -    AK
E  S 4 -    T542 643  AK
E  H 8 -    T542 -    AK
E  D 4 J7   T542 643  AK
W NT 6 -    AK   -    92
W  S 4 -    AK   Q52  92
W  H 8 -    AK   -    92
W  D 4 Q85  AK   Q52  92
W  C 5 Q85  AK   Q52  92
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 7
N  S 9
N  H 5
N  D 9
N  C 8
S NT 7
S  S 9
S  H 5
S  D 9
S  C 8
E NT 5
E  S 4
E  H 7
E  D 4
E  C 5
W NT 6
W  S 4
W  H 7
W  D 4
W  C 5

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "15"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "S:.AKT743.QJ843.T5 AKT8543.8.5.Q874 QJ6.QJ95.7.KJ632 972.62.AKT962.A9"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

Most Souths will open 1\H rather than experimenting with high levels of
preemption. Whatever South chooses, West will bid 4\S, and North may well bid
one more for the road. That sets East a vicious problem. Yes, Ed Manfield's
dictum of the five-level belongs to the opponents is a sound one, but...is this
the exception?

<b>PLAY</b>

As usual, Manfield was right -- in a sense. 5\S goes down after a heart lead on
the bad trump break, (and would not be cold even if the suit split) while after
a diamond lead West will probably cash one trump to find the bad news, then go
to the club ace to pitch the heart on the diamond winner. North can ruff and
play a trump, after which the contract will come down to guessing how to play
clubs. The ruffing finesse against the jack succeeds today.


<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>\n
Some tables will be allowed to make 5\H, if declarer successfully runs the club
10, and West forgets to cover....and yet covering the ten is a play that would
be absurd in that it solves declarer's club guess were the club nine and ten
switched. Bridge is a difficult game.
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "72a6772a676a3756a375"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS -200"]
[ParContract "NS 5HX-1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\7;H\6;D\4;C"]
N NT  7 QJ      QJ95   7    KJ632
N  S  3 -       QJ95   -    -
N  D  6 QJ6     QJ95   7    -
N  C  8 -       QJ95   -    -
S  S  3 -       AKT743 -    -
S  D  6 -       AKT743 QJ43 T5
S  C  8 -       AKT743 -    -
E NT  6 972     62     AK   -
E  S 11 972     -      AK   A
E  H  3 972     62     AK   -
E  D  7 972     62     AKT9 A
E  C  6 972     -      AK   -
W NT  6 AKT8543 8      5    -
W  S 11 AK      -      5    Q4
W  H  3 AK      8      5    -
W  D  7 -       8      5    Q874
W  C  6 -       -      5    -
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  7
N  S  2
N  H 10
N  D  6
N  C  7
S NT  7
S  S  2
S  H 10
S  D  6
S  C  7
E NT  6
E  S 10
E  H  3
E  D  7
E  C  5
W NT  6
W  S 10
W  H  3
W  D  7
W  C  5

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "16"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "W:AQJ.KJ85432.8.94 T92.T.QJ52.QJT73 K8654.A9.AK7.A52 73.Q76.T9643.K86"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

After an auction starting 1\H-1\S-2\H East will want to take charge via
Blackwood. If West denies the \HQ, then 6\H is the likely final contract, if
West thinks the seventh heart constitutes possession of the queen, they may end
up in seven. 

<b>PLAY</b>

Today North has an alternative to a passive trump lead (luckily enough).
Declarer will have no reason to guess trumps that I can see.\n
Curiously, while 7\S looks an acceptable spot, you are likely to go down, I
believe. You would win the minor suit lead and cash two trumps, after which it
looks best to play the \HAK. This works when hearts break or the same hand has
two spades and one heart. Not tonight, Josephine.


<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

The safety play in 6\H, which you might follow at teams, is to win the club
lead, cash the diamond winners to pitch the club loser, then ruff a club to
hand and lead a heart towards the \HA-9, intending to insert the nine if North
follows small. When the \H10 appears, it is fractionally better in abstract to
win the \HA then play for the drop -- unless you believe North has long clubs,
when the needle shifts.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0006500065ddd67ddd67"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW 2220"]
[ParContract "EW 7N="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\5;H\7;D\5;C"]
N  D  7 -     -       QJ52  QJT73
N  C  6 -     -       -     QJT73
S  D  7 -     -       T9643 K86
S  C  6 -     -       -     K86
E NT 13 K8654 A9      AK    A
E  S 13 K8654 A       AK    A
E  H 13 K8654 A9      AK    A
E  D  7 K8654 A9      -     -
E  C  8 K8654 A9      AK    -
W NT 13 AQJ   J85432  8     94
W  S 13 AQJ   85432   8     94
W  H 13 AQJ   J85432  8     94
W  D  7 AQJ   J85432  -     -
W  C  8 AQJ   KJ85432 8     -
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  0
N  S  0
N  H  0
N  D  6
N  C  5
S NT  0
S  S  0
S  H  0
S  D  6
S  C  5
E NT 13
E  S 13
E  H 13
E  D  6
E  C  7
W NT 13
W  S 13
W  H 13
W  D  6
W  C  7

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "17"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:QJ5.Q97.Q942.653 943.6.765.AQT872 KT86.K832.AT83.9 A72.AJT54.KJ.KJ4"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

Some will open the East hand 3\C, making it easy for West to convert to 3NT. At
other tables South may deem their hand worthy of an opening bid (I'd guess with
no confidence that more will open 1\D rather than a major) but if West
overcalls 1NT, or doubles and hears their partner bid clubs, EW may still be
able to get to 3NT. It will not be easy, since when North raises the opener
East may bid clubs, but won't be able to get their playing strength across
below 3NT.

<b>PLAY</b>

Depending on South's choice of opening bid, North's opening lead against 3NT
may make West's task trivial or very hard. On a diamond lead West has nine
tricks, on a heart lead at least that number. But after the lead of \SQ, West
will have to guess diamonds. I suspect more will do so than will fail.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

Imagine North leading the \SQ, ducked, then the \SJ, overtaken. If West ducks
again (they shouldn't) a shift to the \H8 -- to discourage a continuation --
followed by a reversion to spades, sets the game.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "46673466739675a9675a"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW 400"]
[ParContract "EW 3N="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\4;H\5;D\4;C"]
N  S  7 QJ5  -     -    -
N  H  6 QJ5  -     Q942 653
N  D  8 -    -     Q942 -
N  C  3 QJ5  -     Q942 653
S  S  7 KT86 -     -    -
S  H  6 KT86 32    AT83 9
S  D  8 -    -     A    -
S  C  3 KT86 32    AT83 9
E  S  7 -    6     765  AQT872
E  D  6 943  6     -    AQT872
W NT  9 A72  A     -    KJ4
W  S  7 -    A     -    KJ4
W  H  7 A72  AJT54 -    KJ4
W  D  6 A    A     -    KJ4
W  C 10 A72  AJT54 -    KJ4
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  4
N  S  6
N  H  6
N  D  7
N  C  3
S NT  4
S  S  6
S  H  6
S  D  7
S  C  3
E NT  9
E  S  6
E  H  7
E  D  5
E  C 10
W NT  9
W  S  6
W  H  7
W  D  5
W  C 10

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "18"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:AK.T432.K9872.97 T7.KJ5.T6543.AJ6 QJ65432.Q98.Q.53 98.A76.AJ.KQT842"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

In third seat any West who opens less than 3\S will be presented with a white
feather and have their epaulettes ceremonially removed. Should North risk
overcalling (or indeed hitting the jackpot with a stopperless 3NT call)? I
don't think so, but Your Opinion May Vary. If North passes then that will end
the auction.

<b>PLAY</b>

The defense have five winners against 3\S and will surely take them at pretty
much every table. Note that 4\C is cold but who will be able to stop there?


<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

An increasingly popular convention is to give up on bidding four of a minor
over a three-level preempt as a natural call. Non-Leaping Michaels means that
the bid shows a major-minor two-suiter, typically at least 5-5. That would make
bidding this hand even harder!}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "a578aa578a3855338553"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "EW -500"]
[ParContract "EW 5SX-3"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\7;H\4;D\4;C"]
N NT 10 98      A76  A    KQT842
N  S  5 98      A76  A    KQT842
N  H  8 -       76   -    KQT842
N  D  8 98      76   A    KQT842
N  C 10 98      A76  A    KQT842
S NT 10 T7      KJ5  6543 AJ6
S  H  8 -       K    -    AJ6
S  D  8 T7      K    6543 AJ6
S  C 10 T7      KJ5  6543 AJ6
E NT  3 AK      T432 9872 97
E  H  6 AK      -    9872 -
E  D  5 AK      T432 9872 97
E  C  3 AK      T432 9872 97
W  S  8 QJ65432 -    Q    53
W  H  6 QJ65432 -    Q    -
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT 10
N  S  5
N  H  7
N  D  8
N  C 10
S NT 10
S  S  5
S  H  7
S  D  8
S  C 10
E NT  3
E  S  8
E  H  5
E  D  5
E  C  3
W NT  3
W  S  8
W  H  5
W  D  5
W  C  3

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "19"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:QJ8.Q87.Q53.AQ92 KT2.965.97.87654 74.K43.AJ8642.K3 A9653.AJT2.KT.JT"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>

After South opens 1\C you could make some sort of a case for North responding
with an invitational 2NT -- but since that could easily lead to 2NT down with
6\Dplayable, maybe not such a good case. Assuming a normal 1\D response from
North, East will double or bid spades, and now N/S may be steered towards a
partscore in diamonds. E/W may compete to 3\S, though, after which no one has
much of a double.

<b>PLAY</b>

Against a diamond partscore the defenders must cash their three side-suit
winners early or declarer may guess to cash \DA and run the clubs, pitching
spades. After that, the fall of the club honors will allow declarer to make ten
tricks.


<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

If East plans to compete a second time I can see why they might begin with a
1\S call. But since I would not be sure I will get a second chance, and do not
want my partner to lead a spade from two small rather than a heart from
\HQxxxx, I think doubling 1\D is sensible.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "76697756974773647736"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 110"]
[ParContract "NS 2D+1"]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\5;H\3;D\6;C"]
N NT  9 -     -   AJ8642 K3
N  S  6 74    -   -      K3
N  D 10 -     -   A      K
S NT  9 -     -   Q53    AQ92
S  S  6 -     -   -      AQ92
S  H  6 -     Q87 Q53    AQ92
S  D 10 -     -   Q53    2
S  C  7 -     87  Q53    AQ2
E NT  6 A9653 -   -      -
E  H  7 A9653 -   -      JT
E  D  4 A9653 A   -      -
E  C  6 A9653 -   -      JT
W NT  6 T2    965 -      -
W  S  8 -     965 97     -
W  D  4 KT2   965 -      -
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 7
N  S 6
N  H 6
N  D 9
N  C 7
S NT 7
S  S 5
S  H 6
S  D 9
S  C 7
E NT 4
E  S 7
E  H 7
E  D 3
E  C 6
W NT 4
W  S 7
W  H 7
W  D 3
W  C 6

[Event "Spark! 2024. Commentary by Barry Rigal and Richard Fleet"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "20"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:72.T8765.T.AK964 K98543..J8742.QT AQJT6.AQ2.Q5.J82 .KJ943.AK963.753"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{<b>AUCTION</b>\n
Have you ever seen a commentator give up and say he has no idea what rates to
be the final contract on a board? Cometh the board cometh the man...this is a
deal where both sides might find themselves in spades, or hearts. Somewhat
surprisingly in that context, both hearts and spades play acceptably for E/W;
however the N/S diamond fit makes ten tricks because the heart honors in East
ruff down. I expect to see big penalties and few undoubled making contracts on
this deal.

<b>PLAY</b>

If N/S get to diamonds after North has passed and South has shown a two suiter,
the defenders do best to cash two clubs and play a spade. Declarer ruffs, then
ruffs hearts to dummy and uses the top trumps as re-entries to hand to ruff out
hearts.

<b>PASSING THOUGHTS</b>

We've all seen worse (though not much) and unluckier actions than North
preempting in second seat vulnerable. If they do, then West may let them off
the hook by doubling. East will pass for penalties happily, but South may view
to redouble and find diamonds. If he passes out 2\Sx, both North and South may
be calling for a new partner at the end of the deal.
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "454a3454a38892887838"]
[Generator "BridgeComposer Version 5.102"]
[OptimumScore "NS 130"]
[ParContract "NS 4D="]
[OptimumOpeningLeadTable "Leader;Denomination\2R;Result\2R;S\6;H\5;D\5;C"]
N NT  5 -      -     J8742 -
N  S  6 98543  -     -     -
N  H  5 98543  -     -     -
N  C  5 K98543 -     J8742 -
S NT  5 -      -     AK    -
S  S  5 -      KJ943 AK    753
S  H  4 -      KJ943 AK    753
S  D 11 -      943   -     -
S  C  5 -      KJ943 AK    -
E NT  9 -      A     -     J82
E  S  8 -      -     Q5    J82
E  H  9 -      -     Q     J82
E  D  3 -      -     Q5    J82
E  C 10 -      -     -     J82
W NT  9 72     T8765 -     AK
W  S  8 -      -     T     AK
W  H  9 -      -     T     AK
W  D  3 72     -     T     AK
W  C 10 -      -     -     AK
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  4
N  S  5
N  H  4
N  D 10
N  C  3
S NT  4
S  S  5
S  H  4
S  D 10
S  C  3
E NT  8
E  S  8
E  H  9
E  D  2
E  C  8
W NT  8
W  S  7
W  H  8
W  D  3
W  C  8
