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%HRTitleDate 2021.10.04
%HRTitleEvent "2021_LORDSVS"
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[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "1"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:95.K862.KJ873.64 J6.A953.AT4.Q753 AT4.J7.Q95.AKT98 KQ8732.QT4.62.J2"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Although North-South can make 3\D, they are unlikely to reach it as bidding
over 1NT-2\S is risky with no guarantee of a fit.

In 2\S, the defence can take two club tricks and one in each of the other
suits, but depending on the lead and how the defence goes, a diamond trick
might disappear on Q\C.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71198711980871108711"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass Pass 1N 2S
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 1
N  D 9
N  C 8
N NT 7
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 7
W  S 8
W  H 7
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "2"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:952.AJT4.A86.Q54 QT73.92.KQT53.A3 KJ.Q8765.4.JT862 A864.K3.J972.K97"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Do you open the South cards second in hand? It is marginal, but I would, and
if you do, the auction will start 1\D-1\S-2\S, and now how does North proceed?
With eleven points and a double fit you will want to make a try, and the best
way to do this is to show the diamond fit. North, however will not be
interested and will return to 3\S (passing 3\D is not an option as it is
forcing).

In practice you are likely to be okay in 3\S since the only way to defeat it is
by scoring two diamond ruffs in the West hand to go with the diamond and two
hearts.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "08191081910191a0191a"]
[Auction "E"]
Pass 1D Pass 1S
Pass 2S Pass 3D
Pass 3S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  8
N  H  1
N  D  9
N  C  1
N NT  0
E  S  1
E  H  9
E  D  1
E  C 10
E NT  0
S  S  8
S  H  1
S  D  9
S  C  1
S NT  0
W  S  1
W  H  9
W  D  1
W  C 10
W NT  0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "3"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:QJ82.94.QJ752.T3 A.A87.T3.AKJ9742 KT76.T652.K986.Q 9543.KQJ3.A4.865"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{This is a tricky hand to bid, and getting to a slam at all is not bad going
even though there are thirteen top tricks.

If you open 1\C and partner responds 1\H, what do you rebid? 3\Cis rather an
underbid, and is likely to end up in 3NT, but do you want to by-pass 3NT? 4\C
is more likely to get the job done along the lines of the auction above.

Alternatively, if you are playing a version of Benjamin Acol this could just\n
be your day.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1711117111d1d1dd1d1d"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass 1C Pass 1H
Pass 4C Pass 4D
Pass 4NT Pass 5D
Pass 5NT Pass 7C
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S  1
E  H 13
E  D  1
E  C 13
E NT 13
S  S  7
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S  1
W  H 13
W  D  1
W  C 13
W NT 13

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "4"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:84.KQJ53.AK.J742 T2.AT6.QT986.AKQ AQJ6.874.J43.T85 K9753.92.752.963"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What action do you take with the North cards after a 1\H opening by West? The
options are between 1NT and pass. Your suit is not good enough to consider an
overcall of 2\D and in any case 1NT is a much better description of your
strength and shape.

If you pass, East-West will wind up in 2\H, which will make exactly.

If you overcall 1NT, your side will compete to 2\S. This is likely to fail by
one trick, having three red suit losers and a likely three trump tricks to go
with it.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "07181071817181771817"]
[Auction "W"]
1H 1NT Pass 2H
Pass 2S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 7
N  H 1
N  D 8
N  C 1
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 8
E  D 1
E  C 7
E NT 7
S  S 7
S  H 1
S  D 8
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 8
W  D 1
W  C 7
W NT 7

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "5"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:Q.A96.A64.KJ9863 AT9732.KQ2.KQ.Q7 KJ85.85.JT85.AT4 64.JT743.9732.52"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{North-South can make a rather fortunate 3NT, but are unlikely to reach it
since the values are not there.

They can also make 5\C since East attacks one red suit on the opening lead, but
declarer plays a spade and will discard the two losers in the other red suit on
dummy’s spades. It is, however, most likely that the hand will be played in a
club part-score making eleven tricks.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "9779b9779b0001100011"]
[Auction "N"]
1C 1S 1NT Pass
2C 2S 3C AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  7
N  D  9
N  C 11
N NT  9
E  S  0
E  H  0
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  7
S  H  7
S  D  9
S  C 11
S NT  9
W  S  0
W  H  0
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "6"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:QT95.QJT8.AKJ86. A7.643.953.Q8543 6432.AK52.T742.7 KJ8.97.Q.AKJT962"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{This is a lively board, with East-West able to make game in either major, and
North-South having a very cheap sacrifice in clubs, holding a twelve card fit.

East-West will do well to stop off and double 5\C rather than take the push,
since 5\H fails on a spade ruff, and 5\S can fail if the defence lead hearts
and get a ruff in that suit.

Meanwhile 5\C has three obvious red suit losers for one down. I expect most
tables to find this sacrifice as the vulnerability suggests it.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0111a0111a1aaa11aaa1"]
[Auction "E"]
1D Pass 1H 2C
4C 5C Pass Pass
X AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C 10
N NT  0
E  S 10
E  H 10
E  D 10
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C 10
S NT  0
W  S 10
W  H 10
W  D 10
W  C  1
W NT  1

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "7"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:.J2.KQ653.KQJ976 Q653.754.T97.A52 T98.KT9.J84.T843 AKJ742.AQ863.A2."]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Another lively board, where East-West can make 6\S, but are not likely to
reach it unless they are pushed there. It requires a heart finesse, and given
that South is the opening bidder that is odds against, but it works.

If South winds up in clubs, there are two minor suit losers to go with the two
heart losers when the AQ are sitting over the king.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0118901179aca11aca11"]
[Auction "S"]
1C Pass Pass 2C
2D 2S 3C 4C
5C X Pass 5D
Pass 5S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  8
N  C  9
N NT  0
E  S 12
E  H 10
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT 10
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  7
S  C  9
S NT  0
W  S 12
W  H 10
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT 10

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "8"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:QJ42.KJ4.AT9.743 86.93.QJ432.QJ82 A953.AT5.K85.T65 KT7.Q8762.76.AK9"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{From one extreme to the other, a very quiet board. I expect South to play 1NT
at most tables, and receive a spade lead. This established eight tricks for the
defence, and declarer can do little except take the four club tricks and the
spade for two down.

If South elects to open 1\H, North will respond 1NT and play there, probably on
the same lead, and with the same result.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01088010888871188711"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass Pass 1N
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 0
N  D 8
N  C 8
N NT 0
E  S 8
E  H 7
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 8
S  S 1
S  H 0
S  D 8
S  C 8
S NT 0
W  S 8
W  H 7
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 8

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "9"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:AQT95.J875.QJ.54 .AKT92.AKT.98632 K874.Q6.987432.7 J632.43.65.AKQJT"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What do you respond to 1\H with the West cards? The test is whether you are
worth a second bid if partner simply rebids their suit. If you are, you can
respond 2\C and rebid 2\S if partner bids 2\H. If you are too weak for this you
should respond 1\S. Here you are worth a second bid (just) so respond 2\C. 

This is very exciting news for partner who might simply rebid 5NT asking for
club honours, alternatively you can make a splinter bid of 3\S and bid 5NT when
partner shows some interest (5\C would be West’s weakest action but your trumps
are too good for this).

7\C is an excellent contract, and well done if you reach it. Establishing the
fifth heart will get you to thirteen tricks.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "071710717181b1d81b1d"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass 1H Pass 2C
Pass 3S =1= Pass 4C
Pass 5NT Pass 7C
AP
[Note "1: Splinter"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  1
N  D  7
N  C  1
N NT  0
E  S  1
E  H 11
E  D  1
E  C 13
E NT  8
S  S  7
S  H  1
S  D  7
S  C  1
S NT  0
W  S  1
W  H 11
W  D  1
W  C 13
W NT  8

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "10"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:986.Q2.J4.T98764 K43.KT9873.6532. A2.65.AKQ8.AKQJ5 QJT75.AJ4.T97.32"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{West has an awkward hand to bid over South’s 2\H, but despite not holding
spades, there is little option but to begin with a double, and to double again
over North’s pre-emptive raise to 3\H. You will be worried about partner
bidding spades, but pleasantly surprised when they show clubs.

You might as well have a go at 5\C and apologise if you are making exactly ten
tricks. Here, however, it is not a problem to make eleven.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1791117911711ab7119b"]
[Auction "E"]
Pass 2H X 3H
Pass Pass X Pass
4C Pass 5C AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  9
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D 10
E  C 11
E NT  7
S  S  7
S  H  9
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  9
W  C 11
W NT  7

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "11"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "S:73.A62.842.AT653 8.KQ854.J953.KJ9 AKJT95.3.AKT7.Q2 Q642.JT97.Q6.874"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What rebid do you make with the North cards after 1\S-1NT? I would bid 2\D,
intending to catch up on the next round unless partner passes. There is a
slight risk of missing game, but it might help to reach the right game. Here
when partner corrects to 2\S, I’m happy enough to have a go at 4\S.

Two aces in dummy are perfect for me, however there is still something left in
the play on a heart lead. You will probably take the trump finesse, and the
defence do best to play a club to the king and return a club. How do you now
avoid two diamond losers? 

Did you notice the the 7\S was an entry to dummy? You can use it to discard a
diamond on the A\C.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "8a1aa8a1a90181101811"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass Pass 1S Pass
1NT Pass 2D Pass
2S Pass 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  1
N  D 10
N  C 10
N NT  8
E  S  1
E  H  8
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H  1
S  D 10
S  C  9
S NT  8
W  S  1
W  H  8
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "12"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "W:T4.T8653.9732.43 AKJ98.QJ.54.AKT5 Q76.A42.AQT8.Q82 532.K97.KJ6.J976"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{You have a combined 26 count and an eight-card major suit fit, however 4\S has
an unavoidable loser in each suit. On this layout, the key is to reach 3NT, and
the auction above is a possible route.

However on different layouts of the opposing cards, 4\S could be a better
contract so it’s all a bit of guess. Those reaching and making 3NT can consider
themselves a bit fortunate.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "99789997891111111111"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass 1S Pass 1NT
Pass 2C Pass 2S
Pass 2NT Pass 3NT
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 9
N  H 7
N  D 8
N  C 9
N NT 9
E  S 1
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 1
S  S 9
S  H 7
S  D 8
S  C 9
S NT 9
W  S 1
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 1

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "13"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "N:K654.AJ642.A9.AJ J98.T7.KJ73.K432 Q732.Q983.Q8.T97 AT.K5.T6542.Q865"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{How do you proceed with the North cards after partner raises your 1\H to two?
You are worth an invite to game and your best descriptive bid is a long suit
game try of 2\S. Holding the South cards, however, nothing is going to entice
you accept a try.

Superficially, there appears to be just one loser in each of the side suits,
however getting to dummy is problematic and even 3\H may fail depending on how
declarer guesses the play.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "8a911899110118801189"]
[Auction "N"]
1H Pass 2H Pass
2S Pass 3H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  9
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  8
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  8
E  C  8
E NT  0
S  S  9
S  H  9
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  8
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  8
W  C  9
W NT  0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "14"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "E:K742.Q9.AJT984.6 Q.T742.652.AJT82 JT9653.K8.73.K95 A8.AJ653.KQ.Q743"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Do you open the East hand, and if so, with what? 1\D, 2\D (if weak) or pass
are all possible. I prefer to open 1\D with such a good suit, especially
nonvulnerable when a weak two bid might be significantly weaker than this.

With everyone getting involved in the auction, North-South might struggle to
find 4\H, but it is an excellent contract, and makes despite the club finesse
failing. Of course, East-West have a cheap sacrifice since 4\S will go either
one or two down depending on how declarer guesses the play, but that may not be
so obvious to find either.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01a1a01a1a7918179181"]
[Auction "E"]
1D Pass 1S X
2S 3C 3S X
Pass 4H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H 10
N  D  1
N  C 10
N NT  0
E  S  9
E  H  1
E  D  8
E  C  1
E NT  7
S  S  1
S  H 10
S  D  1
S  C 10
S NT  0
W  S  9
W  H  1
W  D  8
W  C  1
W NT  7

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "15"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "S:8.QJT642.KQ62.A7 AK62.75.AJ7.KQ95 Q7.AK8.T953.T842 JT9543.93.84.J63"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{The auction will be competitive with both sides able to make nine tricks in
their respective major suit. 4\H is not a bad contract, and only fails as there
are two diamond losers. The compensation is that 3\S is making by East-West, so
bidding to 4\H is a sacrifice.

East-West will do well to stay low on this board. 4\S has four losers provided
the defence attack diamonds after cashing their hearts.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01991019910911709117"]
[Auction "S"]
1H X 2H 2S
3H X Pass 3S
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 9
N  D 9
N  C 1
N NT 0
E  S 9
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 9
S  D 9
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 9
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "16"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "W:K765.T2.AJ.J5432 QT3.AJ93.97.Q986 84.KQ54.KQ8632.T AJ92.876.T54.AK7"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{On this hand, West must respond 1\S (see board 9) as there is not enough
strength for two bids, and pass partner’s 2\D rebid.

Playing a diamond part-score is the best result East-West can obtain, and they
are likely to end up with nine tricks, losing a club, a spade and probably two
hearts. Although it looks superficially as if you can restrict your heart
losers to one, there is a little too much to do and insufficient entries to
dummy.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "08717087177119171191"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass 1D Pass
1S Pass 2D AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 8
N  H 7
N  D 1
N  C 7
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 1
E  D 9
E  C 1
E NT 7
S  S 8
S  H 7
S  D 1
S  C 7
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 1
W  D 9
W  C 1
W NT 7

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "17"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:QT93.Q6.AKJ97.53 8.KJT842.T8.AQ64 AKJ2.5.Q632.KT87 7654.A973.54.J92"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{4\S is a likely contract for North-South which has few problems despite the
trump break. On two rounds of hearts you can ruff and have ten tricks. You will
make an overtrick if you cross to hand and lead a club towards the king before
drawing trumps, however this is not without risk so you may just settle for an
easy ten.

If East-West venture to 5\H, they are just two down for a slightly profitable
sacrifice, and if that pushes the opponents on to 5\S, they will have to take a
chance on the clubs.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0b1b70b1b70191001910"]
[Auction "N"]
1D 1H X 3H
Pass Pass X Pass
3S Pass 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 11
N  H  1
N  D 11
N  C  7
N NT  0
E  S  1
E  H  9
E  D  1
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S 11
S  H  1
S  D 11
S  C  7
S NT  0
W  S  1
W  H  9
W  D  1
W  C  0
W NT  0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "18"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:A53.KJ852.A93.AJ J98..QJT5.KQ8763 42.AT63.K72.T954 KQT76.Q974.864.2"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{4\H is an excellent contract, but the bad trump break makes it a little
precarious. On a club lead, declarer will be fine if a low heart is led from
the East hand at trick two. Once the trump break is discovered you can switch
back to clubs, and later trump a spade in dummy.

A diamond lead will give declarer a much tougher time, and you are likely to
fail unless you know about the trump position (for example if North is unwise
enough to double).

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "071070710791a8191a81"]
[Auction "E"]
1H Pass 2H Pass
2S Pass 3C Pass
4H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  1
N  D  0
N  C  7
N NT  0
E  S  1
E  H 10
E  D  8
E  C  1
E NT  9
S  S  7
S  H  1
S  D  0
S  C  7
S NT  0
W  S  1
W  H 10
W  D  8
W  C  1
W NT  9

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "19"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:9.QJT2.872.87652 K64.A94.AK65.KT3 AQT732.876.T9.94 J85.K53.QJ43.AQJ"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What call do you make with the East cards after partner’s 1\D and a weak jump
overcall of 2\S from North? It is useful to play a cue bid of the opponent’s
suit as an unassuming cue bid, whether it is facing an overcall or an opening
bid. Without support you can make a negative double or call a suit.

Over East’s 3\S bid, West has an easy call of 3NT which will end the auction.

What should North lead? You may not fancy leading from your broken suit round
to declarer’s spades, and given the absence of a negative double from East I
would be inclined to lead a heart. It makes little difference, however, since
declarer has nine tricks and can always develop a tenth in spades provided the
heart is ducked.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1111111111a7998a79a8"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass 1D 2S 3S
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  7
E  H  9
E  D  9
E  C  8
E NT 10
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S  7
W  H  9
W  D 10
W  C  8
W NT 10

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "20"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:T953.JT843.AK5.9 J8.Q65.QT8632.A2 A742.2.J7.JT7654 KQ6.AK97.94.KQ83"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{If you are playing 2\D as weak, you may have an auction like the one above. If
not, South will show a strong NT and North will have a go at 3NT.

Although 3NT can be made it is not likely to since it needs declarer to play a
diamond to the queen.

If South has shown hearts in the auction, West will lead a spade, and this
establishes two spade tricks to go with the three diamonds if declarer makes
the normal play of running the nine. If West leads the J\H, East will need to
switch to spades when in with the J\D and there is still time to beat the
contract.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "91897918971111111111"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass 2D Pass 2NT
Pass 3C Pass 3NT
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 9
N  C 7
N NT 9
E  S 1
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 1
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 9
S  C 7
S NT 9
W  S 1
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 1

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "21"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:AQ4.AK72.QT54.65 K76.Q4.AKJ6.KQ93 852.8653.72.AJ82 JT93.JT9.983.T74"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{The bidding will start with 1\H and a double by East, and I would expect South
to make a stretched raise to 2\H. The question is if East backs in with a
second double. There are extra values present, but the heart holding is poor.

In 2\H, declarer appears to have six losers, however East cannot attack spades,
and declarer will be able to lead toward the clubs in dummy, ducking if East
splits their honours, and discard a spade on a club.

If East-West compete to 2\S on the auction above, declarer will find themselves
unable to get to hand to take a spade finesse and so will lose two trumps,
together with two hearts and two clubs for one down.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71871018110710707107"]
[Auction "N"]
1H X 2H Pass
Pass X Pass 2S
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 7
N  C 1
N NT 7
E  S 7
E  H 1
E  D 0
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 1
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 7
W  H 1
W  D 0
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "22"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:T74.T.A96432.KQ7 8.Q9752.KQJ8.T42 AKJ93.J86.T75.J6 Q652.AK43..A9853"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Some North-Souths may reach 4\H on this deal, which is close to making and may
do so at some tables. It takes a club lead to beat it since otherwise declarer
can discard a club on the K\D. It doesn’t matter that this ruffing finesse
fails since two further clubs will be discarded and the defence, unable to get
three rounds of trumps played, will watch declarer play a cross-ruff.

If the defence get to their two club tricks after a club lead, declarer will
end up one trick short.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "81919819190818108181"]
[Auction "E"]
2D Pass 3D X
Pass 3H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 9
N  D 1
N  C 9
N NT 8
E  S 8
E  H 1
E  D 8
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 9
S  D 1
S  C 9
S NT 8
W  S 8
W  H 1
W  D 8
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "23"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:87.T8652.932.852 QJ42.97.86.AKQJT AK6.AQ4.QT4.9743 T953.KJ3.AKJ75.6"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What call do you make with the North cards after West’s 1\C opening? It is a
tricky problem and pass, 1NT or double are all possible, but none are ideal.
You are a little strong to pass, lacking in club stoppers for 1NT, and the
wrong shape for a double. On the hand it doesn’t matter much since the
opponents will sweep you aside and bid on to their spade game in all\n
probability, although they might stop off and take a penalty from 2\H which
will fail by three tricks.

In 4\S, declarer has an easy ten tricks. The defence can’t even test declarer
with a low heart since it is impossible to misguess.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0101001010aa899aa899"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass 1C 1NT X
2H 2S Pass 4S
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  0
N  D  1
N  C  0
N NT  0
E  S 10
E  H  8
E  D  9
E  C  9
E NT 10
S  S  1
S  H  0
S  D  1
S  C  0
S NT  0
W  S 10
W  H  8
W  D  9
W  C  9
W NT 10

[Event "House of Lords v House of Commons 2021"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2021.10.04"]
[Board "24"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:Q8.AK9876.Q3.852 J632.T5.A952.T43 AT.Q4.JT4.AKJ976 K9754.J32.K876.Q"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What call do you make with the East card after 1\H-2\C-2\H? You could simply
try 3NT, but it might be a poor contract if partner has a singleton diamond,
for example. You could guess to bid 4\H, but partner hasn’t guaranteed six here
since they could have 5\H4\S and not be strong\n
enough to reverse. You can’t bid 3\C unless you are playing two over one as
game-forcing and are left with temporising with 3\D. Once partner shows six
hearts you are happy enough to play in game there.

There is little for the defence to do against 3NT or 4\H. Unless they begin
with a diamond lead (unlikely in either contract), and cash two tricks,
declarer will wrap up all thirteen.

<b>House of Lords v House of Commons 2021</b>\n
Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms. <i>Commentary by Heather Dhondy.</i>
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1718117181b1b1bb1b1b"]
[Auction "W"]
1H Pass 2C Pass
2H Pass 3D Pass
3H Pass 3S Pass
4C Pass 4H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  1
N  D  8
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S  1
E  H 11
E  D  1
E  C 11
E NT 11
S  S  7
S  H  1
S  D  8
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S  1
W  H 11
W  D  1
W  C 11
W NT 11
