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%Created: Mon Oct 31 18:19:28 2022 +0000
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%HRTitleDate 2022.09.13
%HRTitleEvent "2022 Lords Vs Commons"
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[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "1"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:K643.T9743.6.A84 J75.KJ.AQJT3.652 AT92.Q2.97542.Q7 Q8.A865.K8.KJT93"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{A straight-forward auction to the normal 3NT contract. 

With the Q\C onside, there is no way to defeat the contract and the only lead
to hold declarer to nine tricks is a spade, establishing a third trick in the
suit ready to cash when in with the A\C.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[Description "R1"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0801108011917a9917a9"]
[OptimumScore "NS -300"]
[ParContract "NS 4SX-2"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass 1NT =1= Pass 2C
Pass 2D Pass 3NT
AP
[Note "1: Weak"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  0
N  S  8
N  H  0
N  D  1
N  C  1
S NT  0
S  S  8
S  H  0
S  D  1
S  C  1
E NT  9
E  S  1
E  H  7
E  D 10
E  C  9
W NT  9
W  S  1
W  H  7
W  D 10
W  C  9

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "2"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:6542.KQJ7643.2.J Q87.9.Q7654.K432 3.AT85.JT98.A865 AKJT9.2.AK3.QT97"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{This hand will become awkward for North on the likely auction given above.
Should you bid 4\S or double? Double looks the most flexible and will work if
partner can pass, or if they hold a long minor to call. 

If South holds four spades they will probably call 4\S, so to overcall 4\S only
rates to win over a double when South holds precisely three spades. Here South
holds three spades and overcalling 4\S is the winning action and if East-West
defend, East will need to guess to lead the right singleton to defeat the
contract.

5\D will be defeated by one or two tricks, depending on if the defence can find
their club ruff, but since East-West can make 5\H, that is no disaster.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0919a0919a01b1101b11"]
[Auction "E"]
3H Pass 4H X
Pass 5D X AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  9
N  H  1
N  D  9
N  C 10
N NT  0
E  S  1
E  H 11
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  9
S  H  1
S  D  9
S  C 10
S NT  0
W  S  1
W  H 11
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "3"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:KQ2.75.T865.T862 T943.J6.A94.KQ53 A65.AKT8.J7.AJ74 J87.Q9432.KQ32.9"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{If South responds 1NT to North’s 1\H, that will be raised to 2NT. The clubs
lie favourably for declarer with the nine falling singleton so eight tricks
will not prove problematic.

If South passes 1\H, West might protect with a double, and now East has a
decision. Pass is an option, but you know that partner doesn’t have opening
values, which makes it more likely that declarer will succeed. However trying
1NT or 2\D, with the minority of high cards, and vulnerable, doesn’t look too
tempting either, so I would pass and hope it goes one down. On this deal,
declarer will make the contract for certain, but it is still your cheapest
option.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "88779887790000100001"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass Pass 1H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 8
N  H 7
N  D 7
N  C 9
N NT 8
E  S 0
E  H 0
E  D 0
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 8
S  H 7
S  D 7
S  C 9
S NT 8
W  S 0
W  H 0
W  D 0
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "4"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:T43.8.AJ972.AJ52 QJ85.A952.T4.QT9 A762.KJT4.85.863 K9.Q763.KQ63.K74"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{A quiet auction, but the play has some interest.

The likely diamond lead will be won by the ten in dummy. Declarer may play on
either major, but probably spades, preserving the A\H as a certain entry to
dummy later. This works well for declarer when the 10\S falls in three rounds,
giving three tricks in the suit, and at least one further trick in each of the
others means the contract will make.

If declarer starts with ace and another heart, East will win, and the break
will be revealed. East can play through a diamond and West will establish the
suit. Declarer will play on spades, East winning the second round and getting
off play with a heart. This leaves declarer a guess in clubs to make the
contract, but declarer should know that West holds the ace, since otherwise
East would have opened the bidding.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy
}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "77811778110010000100"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass Pass 1NT =1=
AP
[Note "1: Weak"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 7
N  H 8
N  D 1
N  C 1
N NT 7
E  S 0
E  H 1
E  D 0
E  C 0
E NT 0
S  S 7
S  H 8
S  D 1
S  C 1
S NT 7
W  S 0
W  H 1
W  D 0
W  C 0
W NT 0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "5"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:KQ84.AQJ875.5.A7 T2.T943.KT32.Q86 J75.K2.AQ764.J93 A963.6.J98.KT542"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{4\H looks like a normal game although slam is not far away and declarer will
probably emerge with ten or eleven tricks. The bidding is likely to have
pin-pointed a club lead and declarer will probably lose a trick in that suit as
well as the A\S, and possibly also a long spade in the end. 

There will be some who get to 3NT which is a lot less comfortable on a club
lead. There are only eight tricks, and declarer will need to look carefully at
the carding in clubs to form a view as to whether they are four-four or
five-three as this will determine whether it is safe to drive out the A\S for
the contract. On this layout it is not, and the only way to succeed is to risk
a diamond finesse.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "9ac879ac871111111111"]
[Auction "N"]
1H Pass 2D Pass
2S Pass 3C Pass
3H Pass 4H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H 12
N  D  8
N  C  7
N NT  9
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S 10
S  H 12
S  D  8
S  C  7
S NT  9
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  1

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "6"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:KQ74.AKJ6..AJT42 65.T9542.754.853 J932.Q8.KQ832.Q9 AT8.73.AJT96.K76"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{If West responds 1\S to partner’s 1\C, opener will make a splinter bid. Since
2\D is a reverse, 3\D would be a splinter and therefore 4• here should show a
void. None of this will interest West. Although holding a few values, they
aren’t good ones for slam – too much in diamonds, poor trumps and no aces.

As it turns out, slam is not terrible, although not good either. It needs the
club finesse and trumps to come in. When everything works, the bold bidders
will be rewarded.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1111111111aca8cbca8c"]
[Auction "E"]
1C Pass 1S Pass
4D Pass 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S 12
E  H 10
E  D  8
E  C 12
E NT 10
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S 12
W  H 10
W  D  8
W  C 12
W NT 11

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "7"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:AT4.AQT.AJT2.T43 KQ8653.K985.K9.9 2.743.Q87.KJ8752 J97.J62.6543.AQ6"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{This will be a part-score battle which East-West are likely to win despite
having the minority of points since they hold the spade suit. In the auction
above North is not strong enough to introduce the club suit at the two-level so
has to make do with a simple raise to 2\D. When East competes to 2\S, South can
show a strong NT-type of hand with a double, but when West makes a pre-emptive
raise to 3\S, everyone has said their bit and should give up.

There are just two hearts, a trump and a diamond to take against 3\S so it
should make.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01189011897971179711"]
[Auction "S"]
1D 1S 2D 2S
X 3S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 1
N  D 8
N  C 9
N NT 0
E  S 9
E  H 7
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 7
S  S 1
S  H 1
S  D 8
S  C 9
S NT 0
W  S 9
W  H 7
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 7

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "8"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:J8.J.T9532.K9642 KQ9.AK973.Q86.AQ A5.T864.AJ4.T853 T76432.Q52.K7.J7"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{The auction above is normal enough and will get you to a good game. 3NT is
dangerous since you would be in trouble if one defender held Jxx in spades,
since the defence would have time to set up the clubs before your spades were
established. On this layout, however, 3NT is an easy make.

4\S is safe enough even if the defence find their heart ruff, which is what
they would need to do to hold the contract to ten tricks.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "baa11baa111117711177"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass 2NT Pass 3H
Pass 3S Pass 4S
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H 10
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT 11
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  7
E  C  7
E NT  1
S  S 10
S  H 10
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT 11
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  7
W  C  7
W NT  1

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "9"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:JT6.75.KQJ642.53 AQ97.KT84..J8742 843.Q9.T983.AKQT K52.AJ632.A75.96"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What would you open the North cards first in hand? 

The hand is ideal for pre-empting since you have no defence, but a good suit.
The vulnerability also makes a pre-empt attractive, so although only holding
six of the suit, you should be opening 3\D on this hand. 

This causes problems for the opponents, and you might even steal the contract.
The East hand is very minimal for a take-out double, but with such good shape,
it should be coming in. Your partner will certainly up the ante to 5\D, whether
or not East enters the auction, but if East finds the double, West will be able
to compete to 5\H or double 5\D.

5\Dis actually pretty expensive, given the mirror shapes in the majors, but
since 5\H is an easy make, going for 800 is not a catastrophe.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0117101171aab199ab19"]
[Auction "N"]
3D X 5D 5H
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  7
N  C  1
N NT  0
E  S 10
E  H 11
E  D  1
E  C  9
E NT 10
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  7
S  C  1
S NT  0
W  S 10
W  H 11
W  D  1
W  C  9
W NT  9

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "10"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:QT.K73.AQT93.KT7 A97.AQ962.765.94 J43.T4.KJ84.Q852 K8652.J85.2.AJ63"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{The auction is likely to subside in 1NT by East unless South or North find a
way in. If they do they will make nine or ten tricks in either majors,
depending on the view taken in hearts. The best percentage play is to lead the
jack, and, if covered by the king, win and finesse the ten. This doesn’t work
on the layout but since you are unlikely to reach game, it is just an
overtrick.

Meanwhile, defending 1NT, South will probably begin with a heart. Declarer is
up to six tricks now and might cash them, or attempt to slip through a club for
a seventh trick. If that is tried, and defence will need to be awake, and take
the ace, their four heart tricks and two spade tricks to defeat it.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[Description "R2"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "8aa178aa170118001180"]
[OptimumScore "NS 620"]
[ParContract "NS 4H=; NS 4S="]
[Auction "E"]
1NT =1= AP
[Note "1: Weak"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  8
N  S 10
N  H 10
N  D  1
N  C  7
S NT  8
S  S 10
S  H 10
S  D  1
S  C  7
E NT  0
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  8
E  C  0
W NT  0
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  8
W  C  0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "11"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "S:9864.2.KJT65.963 2.KQT9874.9.K752 JT.J53.A7432.T84 AKQ753.A6.Q8.AQJ"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What a hand East holds facing partner’s 3\H opening! 

However it is not easy to know how to proceed. The auction above is all
more-or-less natural, and West should be happy to co-operate. Having opened 3\H
non-vulnerable, the hand is a lot better than it might have been.

The slam is a great contract, but it might be hard to reach.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "11171111718bc1c8bc1c"]
[OptimumScore "EW 980"]
[ParContract "EW 6H="]
[Auction "S"]
Pass 3H Pass 3S
Pass 4C Pass 5H
Pass 6H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  1
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  7
N  C  1
S NT  1
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  7
S  C  1
E NT  8
E  S 11
E  H 12
E  D  1
E  C 12
W NT  8
W  S 11
W  H 12
W  D  1
W  C 12

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "12"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:.Q654.864.AJT542 AQJT65.7.AT753.8 8743.KT8.J2.KQ63 K92.AJ932.KQ9.97"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{It is normal to open this shapely East hand, however when partner responds
2\H, you are not strong enough to reverse into 3\D, so must rebid your spades.
Holding six such good ones, however, this is not a problem, and West will raise
you to game.

West’s diamond cards are gold dust, and when the suit divides there are twelve
easy tricks. Slam is actually a very good contract indeed since it doesn’t even
need diamonds to come in if trumps are two-two, and will even succeed if
neither suit divides if the same hand holds the length in both.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01019010197c7a17c7b1"]
[OptimumScore "NS -800"]
[ParContract "NS 7CX-4"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass 1S Pass 2H
Pass 2S Pass 4S
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  0
N  S  1
N  H  0
N  D  1
N  C  9
S NT  0
S  S  1
S  H  0
S  D  1
S  C  9
E NT  7
E  S 12
E  H  7
E  D 10
E  C  1
W NT  7
W  S 12
W  H  7
W  D 11
W  C  1

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "13"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "N:AQJ7.Q.AJ75.Q852 64.A632.KT82.K43 T85.KJT94.3.AT96 K932.875.Q964.J7"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{3NT is a good contract here, but you are just short of the point count so I
don’t expect the majority to reach it.

The solidity of the heart suit provides four tricks, and with the spade finesse
working as well, nine tricks are a certainty. The most awkward lead for
declarer is a diamond, but since this will be North’s first bid suit, you may
well avoid one. On the auction given above, clubs becomes the unbid suit and if
West were to try the J\C, this turns out very badly for the defence and
declarer will be able to make twelve tricks.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "aab8b9aa8b0100101001"]
[Auction "N"]
1D Pass 1H Pass
1S Pass 1NT AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H 11
N  D  8
N  C 11
N NT 10
E  S  1
E  H  0
E  D  0
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H 10
S  D  8
S  C 11
S NT  9
W  S  1
W  H  0
W  D  0
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "14"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "E:AK94.QJ762.A.A52 J865.AK8.J54.T94 Q732.T94.KQ9.J63 T.53.T87632.KQ87"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{4\S is the normal contract here, but it can be defeated on the unlikely lead
of 5\H, since North can take a ruff and South still has a certain trump trick.

On the more normal lead of K\C, declarer can succeed, but the play becomes
interesting. After winning the A\C, declarer will try a top spade from dummy
and spot the ten from North. Now cash the A\D and try a low spade towards hand.
If South puts in the eight, you can win, cash the diamonds discarding clubs and
set out establishing the hearts. The best South can do is force declarer to
ruff clubs in dummy twice, but now leading a third and fourth round of hearts
enables declarer to score the seven of trumps. 

If South doesn’t insert the eight on the second round of trumps, declarer must
put in the seven to succeed! There is not much reason to get it right since
North’s 10 can easily be a bluff with, for example, J108.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "11181111819991799917"]
[Auction "E"]
1H Pass 1S Pass
4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 1
N  D 8
N  C 1
N NT 1
E  S 9
E  H 9
E  D 1
E  C 7
E NT 9
S  S 1
S  H 1
S  D 8
S  C 1
S NT 1
W  S 9
W  H 9
W  D 1
W  C 7
W NT 9

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "15"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "S:AQ943.T82.T5.Q73 T87.975.986.A865 J5.AQ64.K72.T942 K62.KJ3.AQJ43.KJ"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Not much action on this board. The only possible variations to the auction
above will arise if South makes a sporting vulnerable overcall of 1\S, or if
West misguidedly responds to 1\D.

In 1\D, South is unable to find a good lead, but a club or a heart look the
most likely. A club gives least away since it is unclear how to reach dummy’s
ace. Declarer will win and play out the ace and queen of trumps, which North
will probably duck to deny the entry. Now declarer should cash the K\C before
playing a third trump, leaving North unable to prevent an eighth trick. 

The alternative of taking the second trump and playing through a spade,
collecting the ruff doesn’t fare any better since the trump is now an entry to
the club for a heart discard, and to lead towards the hearts.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[Description "R2"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "07717077107118171181"]
[OptimumScore "EW 90"]
[ParContract "EW 1N=; EW 2D="]
[Auction "S"]
Pass Pass Pass 1D
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 0
N  S 7
N  H 7
N  D 1
N  C 7
S NT 0
S  S 7
S  H 7
S  D 1
S  C 0
E NT 7
E  S 1
E  H 1
E  D 8
E  C 1
W NT 7
W  S 1
W  H 1
W  D 8
W  C 1

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "16"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:A94.K32.AJ765.AQ J86.Q975.QT8.874 K2.JT86.943.J532 QT753.A4.K2.KT96"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Would you respond to 1\D with the South cards? The danger is that partner will
hold a good hand and you will get too high. You are happy enough in 1\D,
holding three-card support so I would pass. West will protect with 1\S, and now
North has a choice between a double and 1NT. I prefer double as the spade
stopper is not ideal, and the contract might be better played by partner, if
they are able to bid 1NT, with the potential spade lead coming round to them. 

Over your take-out double, South has options, but will probably settle for what
is a certain seven-card fit at least and return to 2\D.

In 2\D, you can take a spade ruff in dummy and also take the club finesse,
leaving you just two heart tricks and two trumps to lose.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71897718970711007110"]
[OptimumScore "NS 110"]
[ParContract "NS 3D="]
[Auction "N"]
1D Pass Pass 1S
X Pass 2D AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N NT 7
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 9
N  C 7
S NT 7
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 9
S  C 7
E NT 0
E  S 7
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 0
W NT 0
W  S 7
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "17"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:6.KJ53.JT63.Q542 QJ9873.Q8.Q5.K76 KT.A76.A98.AJT83 A542.T942.K742.9"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{There will be some variety here. Despite holding ten points, the East hand
looks more like a weak two than a one opener, and South will probably double
this. Now West should raise directly to 4\S, making life hard for the opponents
to get to their optimum contract.

If East-West are in spades, they should escape for one down with the aid of the
trump finesse. Meanwhile, if North-South find their way to 5\C, they might need
to take the odd good view to succeed, however with one diamond finesse being
enough to bring in the suit for three tricks it might just come home.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "7199ba1aab0911109111"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass 2S =1= X 4S
AP
[Note "1: Weak"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  9
N  D  9
N  C 11
N NT  7
E  S  9
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H 10
S  D 10
S  C 11
S NT 10
W  S  9
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "18"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:A42.A73.AJ543.97 J953.JT52.862.T8 T8.KQ964.T97.AJ5 KQ76.8.KQ.KQ6432"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{North will certainly want to be in the auction after 1NT pass 2\D, and will
probably settle for showing the six-card club suit. East and South will pass,
and now West will be reluctant to let the auction go, and may try a take-out
double. This works well when East is able to compete to 3\H.

On the likely club lead from the South hand, declarer will probably end up
losing one trick in each suit to emerge with nine tricks.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "071180711881ab191bb1"]
[Auction "E"]
1NT =1= Pass 2D 3C
Pass Pass X Pass
3H AP
[Note "1: Weak"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C  8
N NT  0
E  S  1
E  H 10
E  D 11
E  C  1
E NT  8
S  S  7
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  8
S NT  0
W  S  1
W  H 11
W  D 11
W  C  1
W NT  9

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "19"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:QJ83.K5.AKT6.A76 AK7.J982.8542.J9 9542.QT63.97.KQT T6.A74.QJ3.85432"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{On the auction above, South’s 2NT shows about 17-18 with only four spades,
whereas a game try in a new suit promises five. North is relatively minimum
with bad trumps so is likely to sign off in 3\S.

In 3\S, declarer has nine tricks if trumps behave so will attempt to lead twice
towards the QJ in hand. All is well when East holds 10x, and now declarer can
try for an overtrick by ruffing out the \DQJ or by taking a finesse in hearts.
Both work so ten tricks will be made.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "9a8899a8890100001000"]
[Auction "S"]
1S Pass 2S Pass
2NT Pass 3S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  8
N  D  8
N  C  9
N NT  9
E  S  1
E  H  0
E  D  0
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H  8
S  D  8
S  C  9
S NT  9
W  S  1
W  H  0
W  D  0
W  C  0
W NT  0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "20"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:AQ.K2.KT874.AJ82 J9632.JT93.62.K7 KT54.A75.AQJ.T95 87.Q864.953.Q643"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Slam is very good on these combined hands. There are eleven top tricks in
either diamonds or NTs, and the twelfth can be established by taking two
finesses in clubs. Without the 9\C, however, it is significantly worse, so
these contracts are not always easy to reach with any degree of confidence. 

Well done to anyone who bid it!

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1111111111ca9ccca9cc"]
[Auction "W"]
1D Pass 1S Pass
2C Pass 2H 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 10
E  H  9
E  D 12
E  C 12
E NT 12
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S 10
W  H  9
W  D 12
W  C 12
W NT 12

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "21"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:K9.QT62.T9.K9843 J4.K94.K5432.T72 Q83.J753.J7.AQJ6 AT7652.A8.AQ86.5"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{When you hold a six-four shape with a higher-ranking six-card suit such as the
West hand, it is best to repeat your six-card suit over 1NT if you are minimum,
and bid your four-card suit with a few extra values. Now if partner rebids 2NT,
showing an invitational hand, the minimum hand can bid the four-card suit,
non-forcing, and offering a choice. 

The hand with extra values shows the sixth card in the opening major and it is
forcing. Here, West is clearly showing extras to bid on over 3\D, and with five
diamonds and Jx in support of spades, East might have a go at game.

Declarer might well lose two trump tricks in practice, but even so, 4\S is
still making.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01717017178b1b18b1b1"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass Pass Pass 1S
Pass 1NT Pass 2D
Pass 3D Pass 3S
Pass 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  7
N  D  1
N  C  7
N NT  0
E  S 11
E  H  1
E  D 11
E  C  1
E NT  8
S  S  1
S  H  7
S  D  1
S  C  7
S NT  0
W  S 11
W  H  1
W  D 11
W  C  1
W NT  8

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "22"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:AT642.KJ4.K974.5 J.Q65.JT653.AKQT 975.T82.AQ8.J743 KQ83.A973.2.9862"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{East will open 1\S and South should make a take-out double. Ideally you would
like to have four hearts, but it isn’t a guarantee and here it is the only call
you can really make. West will probably show a few values with 1NT, and North
holds a good hand in context, however a free bid of 2\H is enough (“free”
meaning that you didn’t have to call once West had bid 1NT).

On the hand you are sufficiently high. The trumps are favourably placed for you
but the clubs don’t break, giving you three trump tricks, two spades and three
clubs for eight.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71819718190710107101"]
[Auction "E"]
1S X 1NT 2H
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 1
N  C 9
N NT 7
E  S 7
E  H 1
E  D 0
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 1
S  C 9
S NT 7
W  S 7
W  H 1
W  D 0
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "23"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:A.JT86.KQ8432.K2 KJ87.A753.75.Q85 Q96.K.AJ96.AJT63 T5432.Q942.T.974"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{6\D is an excellent slam. On the auction above, 3\His a splinter bid, agreeing
diamonds. This is great news for South since all but one of those hearts losers
will be ruffed in dummy. 3\S and 4\Care cue bids, at which point South can try
Roman Keycard Blackwood. North owns up to two keycards, so there is just one
missing, and South will bid the slam.

With clubs setting up pretty easily, or heart ruffs taken in dummy, all routes
lead to twelve tricks.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "b78ccb78cc1111111111"]
[Auction "S"]
1D Pass 2C Pass
2D Pass 3H Pass
3S Pass 4C Pass
4NT Pass 5H Pass
6D AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H  8
N  D 12
N  C 12
N NT 11
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S  7
S  H  8
S  D 12
S  C 12
S NT 11
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  1

[Event "2022 House of Lords Vs House of Commons"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2022.09.15"]
[Board "24"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:873.KJ4.64.98653 J642.9.K752.QT74 AQT9.T753.AT.KJ2 K5.AQ862.QJ983.A"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{What call do you make with the South cards over East’s 1NT? If you have a
method to show a red two-suiter, you may choose that, but if you don’t, you
might opt to double rather than bid your five-card heart suit, given your
overall strength and relative weakness in the hearts. When West removes to 2\C
and your partner doubles, however, you will want to show your suits rather than
defend, and so bid 2\H. Partner has a few values, but no support so may try
2NT, giving you the opportunity to show your second suit, which partner is very
happy to leave.

When trumps divide and the K\H ruffs down, and the A\S is onside
(unsurprisingly), you can make eleven tricks, but it is a bit of a push to bid
it.

Sponsored by Lord Stanley Kalms.\n
Held at the House of Lords, 27th Oct '22\n
Commentary by Heather Dhondy}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "717b1717b10001000010"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass 1NT =1= X
2C X Pass 2H
Pass 2NT Pass 3D
AP
[Note "1: Weak"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  7
N  D 11
N  C  1
N NT  7
E  S  0
E  H  0
E  D  1
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H  7
S  D 11
S  C  1
S NT  7
W  S  0
W  H  0
W  D  1
W  C  0
W NT  0
