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%HRTitleDate 2022.12.06
%HRTitleEvent "ISLINGTON"
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[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "1"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:JT3.632.AQ65.QJ5 A754.AK987.73.98 986.J5.T94.AKT63 KQ2.QT4.KJ82.742"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{A fairly routine one to start with. I’m sure we all open the East hand and
West looks pretty middle of the road for an invitational raise.

The diamonds are offside but everything else breaks. I would expect a fair
amount of unanimity here. It’s just possible that strong two over one fans will
have a problem. In that style the West hand isn’t quite worth 2\D so you may
fall back on a top-heavy 1NT and it’s not inconceivable that East will pass.
Now all hinges on the lead. North would be very unwise to try a diamond but
either black suit looks reasonable. The clubs are stronger but no-one has bid
spades. A club gets you seven tricks in defence and a spade four. Top or bottom?}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01107011070997109971"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass 1H Pass 2D
Pass 2H Pass 3H
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 1
N  D 0
N  C 7
N NT 0
E  S 9
E  H 9
E  D 7
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 1
S  D 0
S  C 7
S NT 0
W  S 9
W  H 9
W  D 7
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "2"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:K754.AT973.T5.A8 AJ83.Q2.873.KT93 962.865.9.J76542 QT.KJ4.AKQJ642.Q"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Is East going to be dealt minimum 4522 hands every board?  This time it’s
passed round to North. What’s your poison?

It really doesn’t seem likely that you are going to play this hand anywhere
other than 3NT, so you might as well save time and energy. Moreover, why tell
them any more than they need to know?

A heart lead threatens to disrupt communications, but it seems that most will
make eleven tricks. If East were to start with a very passive diamond the
defenders are subjected to a lot of discards, but it’s unlikely to make a
difference to the result.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "ba7b8ba7b81111111111"]
[Auction "E"]
1H Pass Pass 3NT
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  7
N  D 11
N  C  8
N NT 11
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S 10
S  H  7
S  D 11
S  C  8
S NT 11
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  1

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "3"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:KJT85.92.4.KQT72 A2.A7.KT9.A98543 Q964.QJT54.Q82.J 73.K863.AJ7653.6"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{This is a bit more interesting! I strongly believe that you should open the
South hand, especially at this vulnerability. 1\S rather violates the principle
of preparedness, but it is at least harder to overcall than 1\C. As it happens,
West wouldn’t be in the least interested of bidding over 1\C! 3\S should go one
down, a good result for North-South.

It’s all quite different if South passes. West opens 1\C, North should have
nothing to say, and East responds 1\D. South probably overcalls and West can
make a support double, showing three cards in partner’s suit. East-West may
well get to game now. 5\D is easy; indeed, it looks as though you can make six
on a giant cross-ruff. 3NT depends on how you play the diamonds.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0801108011a17c8a17c8"]
[Auction "S"]
1S 2C 3S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  8
N  H  0
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  0
E  S  1
E  H  7
E  D 12
E  C  8
E NT 10
S  S  8
S  H  0
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  0
W  S  1
W  H  7
W  D 12
W  C  8
W NT 10

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "4"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:JT9762.5.Q64.KJ7 4.J8742.32.AQ964 KQ3.T963.KJ8.852 A85.AKQ.AT975.T3"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{2\S is not a thing of great beauty, but why not? If East raises, South has
little option but to have a pot at 3NT.

Because of the very lucky club position, you can actually make twelve tricks,
by way of five hearts, five clubs and the other two aces. In practice you’ll
almost certainly duck two rounds of spades and then, assuming you trust West to
have a six card suit, you can cash three hearts and run the ten of clubs. It
holds, but might East be holding up? If that’s the case you’d better settle for
nine tricks.

If you’re lucky, East isn’t a good enough player for you to suspect subterfuge.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "c1cacc1cac0711107111"]
[Auction "W"]
2S Pass 3S 3NT
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H 12
N  D 10
N  C 12
N NT 12
E  S  7
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H 12
S  D 10
S  C 12
S NT 12
W  S  7
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "5"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:T64.AK4.K765.K82 AJ87.T9.J98.Q954 53.J32.Q432.AJ63 KQ92.Q8765.AT.T7"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{North has a completely down the middle weak no trump and West will compete,
either with 2\C to show both majors, as in Multi Landy, or 2\D (Aspro) showing
spades and another. With both majors most Aspro players anchor to the shorter.
Whichever system you play, East has an obvious 2\S bid.

Played by East, a diamond is the most challenging lead, threatening to shorten
dummy’s trumps before the hearts are set up. But the very favourable lie of
both majors means there should be no problems in the play.

As we can see, North-South can make 2NT or 3\D, provided they guess the
diamonds correctly (you should, given that West has nine cards in the majors).
However, I can’t see them competing over 2\S.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "81198811980871108711"]
[Auction "N"]
1NT Pass Pass 2C
Pass 2S AP
[BCNote ""]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 1
N  D 9
N  C 8
N NT 8
E  S 8
E  H 7
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 1
S  D 9
S  C 8
S NT 8
W  S 8
W  H 7
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "6"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:KQ96.J953.AK9.K7 A87432.A76.72.64 JT.82.QT6.AQ9532 5.KQT4.J8543.JT8"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Playing a weak no trump, East should start with 1\H, otherwise the suit could
be lost. South has a pretty revolting weak jump overcall; you wouldn’t consider
it at any different vulnerability.

However, it does give West a problem   Are you prepared to bid a forcing 3\C
or, better, an off-centre double? Either should get partner to bid the obvious
3NT but it’s more than likely that a number of Wests will bottle it.

What West can’t do, of course, is have a think and pass. There would be no
justification in East bidding again and a Director would surely disallow it.

There are four defensive tricks against 3NT but hardly anyone will find them,
given the heart opening.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "00001000019777997779"]
[Auction "E"]
1H 2S +
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 0
N  H 0
N  D 0
N  C 1
N NT 0
E  S 7
E  H 7
E  D 7
E  C 9
E NT 9
S  S 0
S  H 0
S  D 0
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 7
W  H 7
W  D 7
W  C 9
W NT 9

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "7"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:AK94.62.85.JT865 J5.K873.AKJ732.Q QT876.AT5.Q.A973 32.QJ94.T964.K42"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{After a straightforward start to the auction, what should South bid? It’s
undoubtedly too good for a single raise and most players treat a double raise
as pre-emptive, so that doesn’t do the hand justice either. Maybe you fall back
on an unassuming cue bid in diamonds.

West will undoubtedly compete in hearts. That is good news for North; you are
short in diamonds and now you know partner has no more than two hearts. Game
looks a possibility. It’ll be interesting to see how many pairs bid 4\S and, if
so, how many East-West pairs find the save in diamonds.  If they choose to save
in hearts, North can lead a diamond and get a ruff for 800.

It’ll be galling for those East-West pairs who find a good save, only to
discover they get a lousy score anyway, if hardly any North-South pairs bid
game.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "7a11a7a11a0189101891"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass 1D 1S X
+
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C 10
N NT  7
E  S  1
E  H  8
E  D  9
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C 10
S NT  7
W  S  1
W  H  8
W  D  9
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "8"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:Q73.T42.KT76.KQJ A864.J6.943.A832 KT9.873.QJ.T7654 J52.AKQ95.A852.9"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{It’s mandatory for North to give “false preference” to hearts; South will
certainly have five of them and, more often than not, only four diamonds.
Moreover, hearts score more than diamonds. South is close to making a game try,
pinpointing the distribution with a continuation of 2\S but, at match points,
discretion is the better part of valour.

Most of the points will depend on the play. On the obvious club lead you win
and duck a diamond. If the defenders continue clubs you ruff, play ace and
another diamond, and you can’t be prevented from making nine tricks.

Say the defenders switch to a trump at trick three. Draw trumps and duck a
spade. East plays a second diamond and is allowed to win.  Later you duck
another spade and your last diamond goes away.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "89981899810111701117"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass Pass 1H
Pass 1S Pass 2D
Pass 2H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 9
N  H 9
N  D 8
N  C 1
N NT 8
E  S 1
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 9
S  H 9
S  D 8
S  C 1
S NT 8
W  S 1
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "9"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:AJ983.742.A3.A94 Q754.AQ8.986.753 T62.KT96.KQ.KT86 K.J53.JT7542.QJ2"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Oh, the perennial problem of whether to suppress a five card major and stress
the general nature of the hand by opening 1NT.  It’s a close decision this
time.

If you start with 1NT, partner will invite game, via Stayman, and North
probably accepts. A diamond lead would put paid to 3NT but anything else lets
it through.

4\S would be a real battle. On a diamond lead you win in dummy and play a
trump. When the king appears you have to win. The plan is to set up the
thirteenth heart for a club discard but, whether the defence try to force you
or to get at a club trick themselves, you have to time it perfectly. An initial
club lead would put the defence in charge.

South can make 4\S as West can’t lead a club but that ain’t gonna happen.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "899198a9190117101171"]
[Auction "N"]
+
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  9
N  H  9
N  D  1
N  C  9
N NT  8
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  7
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H  9
S  D  1
S  C  9
S NT  8
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  7
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "10"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:KT9.986543.T.J42 A72.A.A853.AKT98 J84.KQJT2.KJ642. Q653.7.Q97.Q7653"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Well, this is a fine can of worms. South has a huge hand but it’s not worth
more than 1\C. Many would treat the West hand as a two suited overcall, though
some partnerships, including mine, use two suited overcalls as either quite
weak or strong, and this one is somewhere in between. North shows four spades
and East jumps to game. South still has a huge hand and says so.

Whilst South’s double is a strong suggestion to defend it isn’t “hands off” and
certainly won’t include a string of hearts. With five clubs and no defence
North is justified in removing it.

The par score is for East-West to double 5\C and collect 200 but it’s easy to
see many pairs being reluctant to do so.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "8818a8918a01a1101a11"]
[Auction "E"]
Pass 1C 1H X
4H X Pass 5C
+
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  8
N  H  1
N  D  8
N  C 10
N NT  8
E  S  1
E  H 10
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  9
S  H  1
S  D  8
S  C 10
S NT  8
W  S  1
W  H 10
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "11"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "S:KT9754.6.Q763.AQ A63.AK72.95.7643 J8.QJT.AKT42.JT2 Q2.98543.J8.K985"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{This one provides scope for both North and South to show some judgment. The
first two bids are obvious but South has an interesting decision on the second
round. In terms of losing trick count and trick taking potential it’s a little
too strong for a single raise and not ideal for any number of spades.

After 4\D it’s North’s turn. You have rather too many losers to underwrite 5\D.
Partner will have at least five spades so that could be the answer. And so it
is.

If South were to make a weaker rebid it’s not inconceivable to see them missing
game altogether. Despite the twelve points, North can’t be too confident. If
North does bid on, 3NT is an option but, as it happens, not a good one.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "8b1b18b1b10171701017"]
[Auction "S"]
1S Pass 2D Pass
4D Pass 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 11
N  H  1
N  D 11
N  C  1
N NT  8
E  S  1
E  H  7
E  D  1
E  C  7
E NT  0
S  S 11
S  H  1
S  D 11
S  C  1
S NT  8
W  S  1
W  H  0
W  D  1
W  C  7
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "12"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "W:QT872.Q4.765.J63 K65.65.AKJT.T952 943.KJT32.Q82.A8 AJ.A987.943.KQ74"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Not vulnerable, North might upgrade that hand to a weak no trump, but not at
this vulnerability. It’s certainly wise for East to open at the score, which
temporarily (?) silences South. For similar reasons, West scrapes up a response
and it’s back to South.

You can’t just lie down and let non-vulnerable opponents take you for a ride.
If you are going to bid, 1NT looks the obvious choice.

On a heart lead there are eight potential tricks. Say you win the second round,
play a diamond to dummy and a club. If East ducks you have a problem. The
answer is to cross to the king of spades, giving up any prospects there, and
play another club.

On a not unlikely spade lead you can get an extra trick.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "81899817990001100011"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass 1H Pass
1S Pass Pass 1NT
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 9
N  C 9
N NT 8
E  S 0
E  H 0
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 7
S  D 9
S  C 9
S NT 8
W  S 0
W  H 0
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "13"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "N:J.Q.8432.AQ97532 AT842.J4.AQ6.KT6 KQ95.AT983.KJT9. 763.K7652.75.J84"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{With a bit of extra shape, North has a very sound pre-empt; not vulnerable,
you might even have tried 4\C. Now, are you going to bid as East?

Either 3\S or 3NT is fraught with danger, but we know players hate giving in to
a pre-empt. If you do stick your neck out, I prefer 3NT.

Will South wield the axe? It looks a good proposition; after all, where are
they going for tricks? In this case, not very far, though there will be a lot
of ebb and flow in the play.

And all that trouble to stop North-South from playing a contract they can’t
even make, though in practice I expect they usually would. It takes an unlikely
diamond lead and subsequent defensive ruff to beat 3\C.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "878a8778a80001100011"]
[Auction "N"]
3C +
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  8
N  D 10
N  C  8
N NT  8
E  S  0
E  H  0
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  7
S  H  8
S  D 10
S  C  8
S NT  7
W  S  0
W  H  0
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "14"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "E:AKJ84.QJ9.62.873 Q932..T94.AJT642 5.AKT876543.K5.K T76.2.AQJ873.Q95"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What a lot of interesting decisions we’re getting today! East has another
marginal opening but most of us will bid, and quite right too. Get your
retaliation in first. South hasn’t really got a bid either, but does so for the
same reason. Conversely, West has a real hand.

With some support in clubs to fall back on, North decides to mention the
diamonds. East has heart support but decides that’s enough for now. South
raises and West, of course, isn’t done yet.

It looks right for North-South to take the sacrifice and indeed it is. As West
you can only gnash your teeth; many will bid on but you shouldn’t make 5\H.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "171aa171aa01a1101a11"]
[Auction "E"]
1S 2C 2H 3D
Pass 4D 4H 5D
Pass Pass +
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  1
N  D 10
N  C 10
N NT  1
E  S  1
E  H 10
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  7
S  H  1
S  D 10
S  C 10
S NT  1
W  S  1
W  H 10
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "15"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "S:J63.543.9762.J95 94.JT86.KQ83.T87 AKQ85.KQ97.J.KQ2 T72.A2.AT54.A643"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Most will pass out 1\S as West, but a real tiger doesn’t throw in the towel
(sorry, mixing my metaphors). North scents blood but South is having none of
it. East’s 2NT is not natural but suggests two possible places to play.

North has to play with great imagination to make 3\S. If the defence lead
diamonds you start by playing top clubs, hoping to force a second entry to
dummy. When East doesn’t play ball and ducks twice, you have to play for a
doubleton ace of hearts, leading low from hand twice. Without a helpful heart
lead, most Norths will go down in 3\S, showing how important it is to make
opponents play a level higher than they wish to.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "79711797110118701187"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass Pass 1S Pass
Pass X XX Pass
2S Pass Pass 2NT
Pass 3D 3S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 9
N  H 7
N  D 1
N  C 1
N NT 7
E  S 1
E  H 1
E  D 8
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 9
S  H 7
S  D 1
S  C 1
S NT 7
W  S 1
W  H 1
W  D 8
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "16"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "W:Q652.JT874.752.9 AKJ3.KQ3.AJ8.AJ5 T8.9652.Q93.KQT7 974.A.KT64.86432"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{AJx is a poor holding, needing a lot of help from partner to develop tricks,
so I would treat the North hand as weaker than its nominal 23 points. It’s
academic here, as all roads will lead to 3NT.

A not unreasonable top club lead is fatal for the defence. Declarer can win and
force out East’s other two club winners making eleven tricks with a successful
finesse in spades or diamonds. On a neutral heart lead you probably start with
a club to the jack and queen.  When the clubs don’t break you have to read the
cards well to make the same eleven tricks.

Mind you, it looks clear to finesse both suits the right way, unless the
defenders can somehow persuade declarer that the queen of spades might be
doubleton offside.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "bb9bbbb9ba1111111111"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 11
N  H  9
N  D 11
N  C 11
N NT 11
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S 11
S  H  9
S  D 11
S  C 10
S NT 11
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  1

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "17"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:QJ3.4.KJT86.K974 AK5.J976.Q54.AT6 T92.AKQ85.A73.52 8764.T32.92.QJ83"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Yet another marginal opening bid and, once again, I would lean towards
bidding, which propels North-South to a somewhat precarious game. It’s unlikely
on this bidding that either North or South has four spades, so East may start
with a neutral defence of ace king and another, even though partner probably
has no entry.

You can make 3NT by guessing the diamonds, but the odds favour playing West for
the queen. If you play ace and low to the jack, East can win and put paid to
any awkward discarding problem by switching to a heart. If, as East, you just
passively return a diamond you can be subjected to a so-called “squeeze without
the count”, whereby you can’t keep a heart stop without coming down to a bare
ace of clubs.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "919a7718970001000010"]
[Auction "N"]
1D Pass 1H Pass
2C Pass 2S Pass
2NT Pass 3NT AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  9
N  D 10
N  C  7
N NT  9
E  S  0
E  H  0
E  D  1
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H  8
S  D  9
S  C  7
S NT  7
W  S  0
W  H  0
W  D  1
W  C  0
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "18"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:AKT2.J8.763.KJT2 J86.KQ72.QT95.A4 Q53.95.K84.Q9753 974.AT643.AJ2.86"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Ah, the strange vagaries of match points. One should make every effort not to
let opponents play in a weak no trump, but there are just too many downsides
for North to get in the act, vulnerable against not, with only one possible
place to play. On some auctions when East can’t open 1NT, North-South will be
able to compete. They won’t bid game but will make 170 in a heart part score.

So what happens to East’s 1NT? The defence can take ten tricks for a penalty of
200, better than they would have got from bidding a part score in hearts. But
an inaccurate or over-passive defence and you lose a whole bundle of match
points.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "91aa191aa10011700117"]
[Auction "E"]
1NT AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H 10
N  D 10
N  C  1
N NT  9
E  S  0
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  7
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H 10
S  D 10
S  C  1
S NT  9
W  S  0
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  7
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "19"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:KT9.Q95.KQJT2.K9 Q4.843.A6543.QJ4 AJ652.JT72.8.A75 873.AK6.97.T8632"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{With a powerful five card suit and great intermediates, South is far too good
for a weak no trump. Strong no trumpers will surely upgrade it.

On this auction North uses checkback and South shows lower range (of 15-17)
with three spades and North bids game. It’s a bit of a disappointment to find
it’s on the spade guess, but most will get that right.

Actually, with the spades coming in, you might as well be in no trumps, so long
as you take care to knock out the ace of diamonds before cutting off your
entries to hand. If North knew South’s diamonds were very strong you just might
forego checkback and simply raise to 3NT, a better spot as it happens.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "aa997aa9970110001100"]
[Auction "S"]
1D Pass 1S Pass
1NT Pass 2C Pass
2S Pass 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  9
N  D  9
N  C  7
N NT 10
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  0
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H  9
S  D  9
S  C  7
S NT 10
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  0
W  C  0
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "20"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:AQ76.Q8.A84.KQJ6 KT84.J963.T2.874 92.AKT72.Q95.T32 J53.54.KJ763.A95"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Playing a weak no trump, East is just about worth a 2\H response. If you
imagine West having a balanced 15 count you’d probably want to be in game.

West has quite a bit more than that, as it happens. On this auction North will
lead a minor suit, but which one? The ten of diamonds allows declarer to build
a second trick in due course, whereas on a club South will simply go passive
and return the suit.

Declarer will have a hard time on that defence, but an even harder one if South
withholds the ace of clubs, denying declarer an entry to dummy. There will be
many twists and turns. If you can divine from the passive lead that North has
length in the majors you might get the hearts right, for a very good score.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1111111111a8a8aa8b7a"]
[Auction "W"]
1S Pass 2H Pass
2NT Pass 3NT AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S  8
E  H 10
E  D  8
E  C 10
E NT 10
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S  8
W  H 11
W  D  7
W  C 10
W NT 10

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "21"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:AQ9.AT52.KQ85.AQ 7.J943.JT94.J842 KT5.KQ.762.T9653 J86432.876.A3.K7"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Once again a near-universal 3NT contract, but with plenty to play for. As
South has denied any interest in the majors, East might just choose to lead a
heart, but most will be swayed by the diamond sequence, which does declarer no
harm at all.

It looks as though you can use dummy’s three entries in the majors to finesse
the queen of clubs, cash the ace, cross to dummy again and force out the jack
for an easy eleven tricks.

In practice you didn’t need the help at trick one as three spades, three
hearts, one diamond and four clubs still add up to eleven. It just needs a bit
more sorting out.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "baababaaba1111111111"]
[Auction "N"]
2NT Pass 3NT AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H 10
N  D 11
N  C 10
N NT 11
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S 10
S  H 10
S  D 11
S  C 10
S NT 11
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  1

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "22"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:AQT872..943.7653 K3.J9632.KQJ7.JT J9.AQ854.865.A84 654.KT7.AT2.KQ92"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Bridge can be a cruel game sometimes. East has a rock-solid weak two;
non-vulnerable you might be even more aggressive. South hasn’t quite enough to
bid, but what about North? It’s a horribly flat hand but, more often than not,
one side or other can make something.

Not this time, I’m afraid. Having been so restrained on the first round, you
can hardly blame South for bidding game, even though it is only a protective
double. West rubs salt in the wounds.

Tipped off by the double, South might take a deep finesse in trumps by
finessing the 7 on the first round and escape for just one down. But East can
scupper that plan by ducking the first round of spades and effecting a trump
promotion.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01898018880711007110"]
[Auction "E"]
2S Pass Pass X
Pass 4H X AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 9
N  C 8
N NT 0
E  S 7
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 0
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 8
S  C 8
S NT 0
W  S 7
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 0
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "23"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:K94.A.AK6.KT9754 AQ.K9854.J43.A32 JT63.Q63.8752.J8 8752.JT72.QT9.Q6"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Ever heard of trap bidding? Here’s a perfect example and it’s one of my pet
hates. East may know about the competitive principle “bid to the level of the
fit” but is too cowardly to do so. What’s the outcome? South can compete at the
two level but is conscious that partner may have been forced to bid with a very
weak hand and only four spades. Hence the second double, which says in effect
“I can’t bid 3\S myself so I’m giving you the option”. “No thanks”, says North.
“Let’s take our chances in defence.”

See what happens if East bids 3\H on the first round. South still doubles but
North doesn’t have the same information and will probably play “safe” and bid
3\S. Not so safe, as it happens, as neither side can make nine tricks.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "78187781870181101811"]
[Auction "S"]
1C 1H Pass 2H
X Pass 2S 3H
X AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 8
N  H 1
N  D 8
N  C 7
N NT 7
E  S 1
E  H 8
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 8
S  H 1
S  D 8
S  C 7
S NT 7
W  S 1
W  H 8
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "24"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:KT843.6543.93.A8 AQJ.K8.872.T9752 976.JT97.K6.KJ43 52.AQ2.AQJT54.Q6"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{I’ve put in another bid that may have popular support but, once again, I don’t
approve. There’s little point in West trying to be a nuisance; the horse has
bolted. North knows that partner doesn’t have spades, and one tends not to open
a minimum hand in fourth seat without something there, so North stretches a
little to 2NT.

With both finesses working, you can make twelve tricks unless the defenders
lead clubs. They’re not going to on this auction but, to be fair, not on many
others either.

490 will be a very common score.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "a88baa88ba0001100011"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass Pass 1D
1S 2NT Pass 3NT
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  8
N  H  8
N  D 11
N  C 10
N NT 10
E  S  0
E  H  0
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  8
S  H  8
S  D 11
S  C 10
S NT 10
W  S  0
W  H  0
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "25"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:63.K962.J763.QJ2 J98742.Q.Q52.753 5.AJT87543.98.96 AKQT..AKT4.AKT84"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Wow! The auction I’ve given is a bit tongue in cheek but then, does anyone
have an idea of how this should go?

If East were to open a weak 2\S then surely West would drive to a grand slam,
maybe putting in the odd smokescreen in a vain attempt to get doubled. But I
really don’t like it, second in hand, vulnerable, with a terrible suit. It’s
left for South to open proceedings.

As West, are you scared that your double will be passed out when you can make a
slam? You shouldn’t be; it’s essentially for takeout and partner can see the
vulnerability too. North would like to raise the ante but not too much; you
don’t want to force them into a slam. What next? Who knows!}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "11811118111d1ac1d1ac"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass Pass 4H X
5H Pass Pass X
Pass 5S Pass 6H
Pass 7S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  8
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S 13
E  H  1
E  D 10
E  C 12
E NT  1
S  S  1
S  H  8
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S 13
W  H  1
W  D 10
W  C 12
W NT  1

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "26"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:9.KJ98542.7.A863 KJT5.Q.AKQ82.752 Q763.T63.T95.J94 A842.A7.J643.KQT"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Has the computer got stuck on spectacular competitive auctions in the majors?
This one is a rather more modest offering. East’s pre-empt is not textbook,
with an ace on the side, but a reasonable choice. South’s double is clear and
it’s a moot point whether West should bid. Again you may push opponents to a
slam they can make. The upside of supporting hearts is that it takes away
North’s possible cue bid. North has a good hand but too many losers to get
excited and there the case may rest.

It’s possible to make twelve tricks on the lie of the trumps, even after an
inspired lead of the king of hearts, and most pairs would be delighted with 680.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "ac1c9ac1c91181011810"]
[Auction "E"]
3H X 4H 4S
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 12
N  H  1
N  D 12
N  C  9
N NT 10
E  S  1
E  H  8
E  D  1
E  C  0
E NT  1
S  S 12
S  H  1
S  D 12
S  C  9
S NT 10
W  S  1
W  H  8
W  D  1
W  C  0
W NT  1

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "27"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "S:J984.J8.64.KQ652 AT75.QT632.A8.97 K32.AK.QJT932.J3 Q6.9754.K75.AT84"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{That’s a pretty meagre opening bid but I’m sticking to the policy of
aggression. North has a very sound overcall. Anyone for 1NT on the North hand?
It will make a lot of tricks if South has a diamond honour but not many
otherwise. East is worth nearly two-and-a-half hearts. It’s not quite a raise
to three and has too much defence for a pre-emptive raise, so 2\H it is.

South is in an interesting situation. Double is for takeout and suggests values
in the other suits or a good raise in diamonds. It’s a bit thin but, as usual,
you don’t want to sell out at the two level. Over to West; you just can’t stop
yourself, can you? But all is well; partner has a good hand and nothing
untoward happens.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "00180001807191171911"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass 1H 2D 2H
X 3H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 0
N  H 1
N  D 8
N  C 0
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 9
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 7
S  S 0
S  H 1
S  D 8
S  C 0
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 9
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 7

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.12.06"]
[Board "28"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "W:832.AKQ2.J98.AKQ .65.AQT764.J8754 KQ5.T9873.52.963 AJT9764.J4.K3.T2"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{North’s is a pretty wild jump overcall, vulnerable against not, but stressing
the main suit is a better choice than an unusual no trump. East is fully
justified in competing – after all, you would have made a pre-emptive raise in
an uncontested auction. It’s not inconceivable for South to compete in spades,
but it could backfire badly if, as is the case, partner doesn’t like them. Now
what about West? We have nineteen points and partner has supported. What could
be more obvious than bidding game?

Here’s what. If North finds the lead of ace and another diamond it’s carnage.
South continues with ace and another spade, North ruffs and continues with the
queen of diamonds. That gets the defence two more ruffs, unless declarer has
the wit to discard the remaining top spade on the third diamond. It all depends
who has that pesky jack of hearts. On a passive lead there are still only nine
tricks.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "07187071870171101811"]
[Auction "W"]
1H 3D 3H Pass
+
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 7
N  H 1
N  D 8
N  C 7
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 7
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 7
S  H 1
S  D 8
S  C 7
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 8
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 0
