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%Created: Tue Aug  8 19:27:00 2023 +0100
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%HRTitleDate 2023.05.05
%HRTitleEvent "EBU Sims 27 July 2023, commentary by Graham Osborne"
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%PageFooter:0,0 "Sims. Commentary by Graham Osborne."
%PageFooter:0,1 "%n"
%PageFooter:0,2 "English Bridge Union"
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[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "1"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:9.AKJ98.AJ93.QT5 AT652.64.Q2.J432 QJ843.T52.864.A9 K7.Q73.KT75.K876"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "N"]
[Contract "2H"]
[Result ""]
{Heart partials seem the most likely result of the bidding on this deal,
perhaps reached in a couple of bids playing a 5-card major system.\n
With an awkward choice of lead maybe a trump looks safest. Now it is natural
for declarer to play \CA and another to ensure the ruff. West wins the King and
plays a second round of trumps. Declarer wins, discards a diamond on the \CQ
and plays \DA and a second round to East's Queen. Now East has to find the
tough play of underleading the \SA to get his partner in for another round of
trumps. Other defences such as a club to the King and a diamond may see
declarer making as many as 10 tricks.

If East-West step out of line and contest the partscore, the penalty will be at
least 300. For example, anyone for 2\S after 1\H – 2\H passed back to East?}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "87981879810011700117"]
[Auction "N"]
1H Pass 1S Pass
2D Pass 2H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 7
N  H 9
N  D 8
N  C 1
N NT 8
E  S 0
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 7
S  H 9
S  D 8
S  C 1
S NT 8
W  S 0
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "2"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:62.843.A974.Q653 QJT975.J962.T2.T A43.QT5.63.AJ982 K8.AK7.KQJ85.K74"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "4S"]
[Result ""]
{A club lead will sink 3NT, so it is vital to reach 4\S, where you can
eventually pitch your two heart losers on club and diamond winners. Tempting as
it might be to open 2\S, there are just too many flaws: the vulnerability, your
second seat position, and the 4-card heart suit. Over a 1\C opening, North is
too strong for 1NT, so starts with a double. 

When South shows a bit of life, game should be reached, and South should insist
on playing in his long suit, as his hand may be close to useless in 3NT. If
West opens an 11-count weak no-trump, North will double, and East may run with
some two-suited manoeuvre. The best descriptive bid now by South is 3\S,
suggesting a long spade suit but few high cards, and North has enough to raise
to game.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "7a9817a9810111701117"]
[Auction "E"]
Pass Pass 1C X
3C 3S Pass 3N
Pass 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  9
N  D  8
N  C  1
N NT  7
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  7
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H  9
S  D  8
S  C  1
S NT  7
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  7
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "3"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:AJT.Q4.KT873.AK9 975.KJ8.42.Q8654 643.AT762.A96.T2 KQ82.953.QJ5.J73"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "3NT"]
[Result ""]
{Most pairs will get to game here, either inviting after a strong no-trump
opening and transfer, or using checkback after the strong no-trump rebid.
Making game may prove tricky. After a low club lead, try the 10 from dummy in
case the lead is from the QJ. When it is covered by the Jack, duck and win the
second round.

If you judge that clubs are 5-3, then a reasonable line is to plan to build a
second spade trick for your ninth trick. So, cross to the \DA and finesse a
spade; if West wins and clears clubs, play \DK and another, hoping that East
has the long diamond, and you still have the \HA as an entry for a second spade
finesse. This works fine here as East has both spade honours and the long
diamond. To make 10 tricks you have to make the unnatural looking play of
attacking hearts first.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "a9aa8a9aa80011000110"]
[Auction "S"]
1D Pass 1H Pass
1N Pass 2C Pass
2D Pass 2H Pass
3N AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  9
N  H 10
N  D 10
N  C  8
N NT 10
E  S  0
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S  9
S  H 10
S  D 10
S  C  8
S NT 10
W  S  0
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  0
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "4"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:T.KT943.J6.AQJ95 AJ754.2.T8754.K7 KQ9632.A5.AQ93.T 8.QJ876.K2.86432"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "N"]
[Contract "1SX"]
[Result ""]
{If North is seduced by his 5-5 shape and chances a 1\S overcall, he may live
to regret it. West should re-open with a double as it is very likely his
partner has a penalty pass.

After a club to the Ace and a suit preference \CQ back, East can underlead his
\HA back to West's King. West can now play club winners through North.

This defence will lead to either three or four down, comfortably beating the
non-vulnerable game available as an alternative.

3NT should be okay, but finding the overtrick will probably be worth some
matchpoints. I expect most declarers to manage that as each suit the defence
plays will help declarer to some extent. 4\S as an alternative would usually be
okay but today will be scuppered by the bad trump break.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1111111111a9a99a9989"]
[Auction "W"]
1H 1S Pass Pass
X AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S  9
E  H 10
E  D  9
E  C  9
E NT 10
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S  9
W  H  9
W  D  8
W  C  9
W NT 10

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "5"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:A2.KJT954.3.KQJ2 KQJ8.62.AKJ84.A3 9.AQ8.T9765.9654 T76543.73.Q2.T87"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{A big double-fit hand, and any North-South pairs that find their way to 5\H
over 4\S can consider to have done very well.

After the 1\H opening, East is too strong to overcall with 2\D, so starts with
a double. West only has two points but, with six spades, his bid lays the
foundation for a potential save should the opponents bid 4\H, which looks quite
likely.

Defeating 4\S shouldn't be too difficult, as North on lead can either set up a
diamond ruff or a club trick for the defence's fourth trick. Any pair finding
their way to 5\H are likely to be doubled by East and end up with a top score.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71b1a71b1a0917109171"]
[Auction "N"]
1H X 2H 2S
4H 4S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H 11
N  D  1
N  C 10
N NT  7
E  S  9
E  H  1
E  D  7
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H 11
S  D  1
S  C 10
S NT  7
W  S  9
W  H  1
W  D  7
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "6"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:J973.Q6.J9.AQT43 T4.7.AKQT754.762 AKQ8.JT82.632.98 652.AK9543.8.KJ5"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "4D"]
[Result ""]
{Over his partner's gambling 3NT, North doesn't have quite enough to chance a
pass with only three low spades and no \CA. Although he 'knows' his partner's
suit is diamonds, 4\C is the traditional way to bail out as 4\D would ask if
the 3NT bidder has a singleton.

West has an easy lead and, providing he determines that only two spades are
cashing, a club is the natural switch at trick three and should lead to his
side getting all the tricks that they are due. A heavy 3\D opening may work
even better as nobody will have anything to say and will lead to NS playing a
level lower. I can't see many chances for East-West to find their spade fit,
except perhaps via an unsound 1\S overcall over a 1\D opening, or an equally
aggressive double by East if the auction starts 1\D-Pass-1\H.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01081010810911709117"]
[Auction "E"]
Pass 3N Pass 4C
Pass 4D AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 0
N  D 8
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 0
S  D 8
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 9
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "7"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:AJ5.AJ.AJT72.Q85 Q982.K98.K963.K2 643.76432.54.AJ4 KT7.QT5.Q8.T9763"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "1NT"]
[Result ""]
{There are three likely contracts on this hand: 1\D if North passes his
partner's opening, 1NT on the auction above, and 2\H when North transfers to
his suit after a strong NT opening. All of these contracts should make, as the
cards lie very well for North-South. 

Against 1NT on a spade to the King and Ace, declarer crosses to \CJ and plays a
diamond to the Jack and King. West has to play a heart now to stop declarer
making an overtrick, as otherwise declarer has the tempo to set up the diamond
suit. Indeed, continuing spades would lead to as many as nine tricks. Diamond
contracts should come to eight tricks, losing three tricks in the majors and
two in the trump suit. 

Those in 2\H contracts are in the best double dummy spot and, providing they go
after trumps immediately, should emerge with eight tricks: win a spade lead
with the Ace, play \HA and \HJ, and then, on regaining the lead, cross to dummy
with a club to split out the trumps.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71881718810011700110"]
[Auction "S"]
1D Pass 1H Pass
1N AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 8
N  C 1
N NT 7
E  S 0
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 8
S  C 1
S NT 7
W  S 0
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 0
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "8"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:93.J8632.K52.T95 AT87.QT9.JT96.A3 KQ54.AK7.A4.8762 J62.54.Q873.KQJ4"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "N"]
[Contract "1NTX"]
[Result ""]
{A subtly interesting pairs partscore board with lots of variations possible in
the auction. In the simplest scenario, North passes and East opens a strong
no-trump and eventually plays and makes 2\H after partner's transfer. If East
opens an Acol 1\S, then North will protect and play 1NT.

With all those tens and nines, many will already have opened the North hand in
second seat either with a weak no-trump or one of a minor, as system dictates.
East will double the 1NT opening which will either lead to 2\H, this time by
West, or maybe 1NT doubled if everyone passes.

No-trump contracts by North will make seven tricks unless East starts with
three rounds of hearts at the start.\n
Finally, if East overcalls 1NT over a natural 1\D opening then South may be
able to compete to 3\D over 2\H. This will fail by two tricks, but will be a
valuable 10 points less than defending 2\H.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "07177001770181001810"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass 1N X AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 7
N  H 1
N  D 7
N  C 7
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 8
E  D 1
E  C 0
E NT 0
S  S 0
S  H 1
S  D 7
S  C 7
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 8
W  D 1
W  C 0
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "9"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:.963.QT975.KQT65 QT942.AT75.K83.7 K875.842.AJ2.A43 AJ63.KQJ.64.J982"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "4C"]
[Result ""]
{Who knows what is right for North when partner opens a weak no trump. You
could pass and hope that partner has good spades, or that it is the opponents'
hand in spades, or guess to transfer to one of your minors. If you transfer to
clubs, that is your better suit, but if you have to do so via 2\S you allow an
easy double of your void. So maybe transferring to diamonds via 2NT is the
better choice, but could still look silly if partner has two little ones. In
the auction above, after East-West find their \S fit, North can bid 3NT to
suggest both minors having passed initially over 1NT. The contract rolls in
with the diamond finesse succeeding.

Maybe West with his great cards in the majors should blast 4\S, reasoning that
either it may make, or his opponents can make something in the minors. Here it
may well provoke North to save in five of a minor, enabling EW to go plus.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "011a9011a90971109711"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass Pass 1N Pass
Pass 2C Pass 3S
3N Pass 4C AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D 10
N  C  9
N NT  0
E  S  9
E  H  7
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D 10
S  C  9
S NT  0
W  S  9
W  H  7
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "10"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:Q94.83.KQ4.AQJ85 J.A752.76532.K73 AT32.KQJ.JT9.T94 K8765.T964.A8.62"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "E"]
[Contract "3NT"]
[Result ""]
{Many 4333 11-counts might pass a weak NT but here the minor suit honour
combinations are worth a bit extra so I would lean towards inviting, which here
would lead to the decent game.

A diamond lead will defeat the game, as declarer will lose the club finesse to
South, who can clear diamonds whilst still maintaining the \HA as an entry.

If instead South tries an initial heart lead, not unreasonable as East has
advertised length in the minors on this auction, then declarer will have the
tempo to get to nine tricks and earn himself a good score.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01701017018717887179"]
[Auction "E"]
1N Pass 2C Pass
2D Pass 2N Pass
3N AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 7
N  D 0
N  C 1
N NT 0
E  S 7
E  H 1
E  D 7
E  C 8
E NT 8
S  S 1
S  H 7
S  D 0
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 7
W  H 1
W  D 7
W  C 9
W NT 8

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "11"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "S:Q96.AJT42.KQ75.A T832..J8.KQ98732 A4.KQ95.AT32.JT5 KJ75.8763.964.64"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "6H"]
[Result ""]
{Forget reaching the double dummy par of 7\D, 6\H with just 30 HCP rates to be
a good score. Without intervention it is more straightforward as North can make
a Jacoby response, and then, if South shows shortage, North has a great hand
rich in controls with nothing wasted in clubs.

When West makes a nuisance of himself with a weak jump overcall (anyone for 4\C
which would make reaching slam nearly impossible?), North has room to show a
good raise, and South can bid 4\D to show some interest; or perhaps South has
just about enough to immediately Blackwood into the slam over 4\C, assuming
that most of his partner's high cards will be outside clubs.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "b7cc1b7cd11011810118"]
[Auction "S"]
1H 3C 4C Pass
4D Pass 4S Pass
4N Pass 5C Pass
5D Pass 6H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  7
N  H 12
N  D 12
N  C  1
N NT 11
E  S  0
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  8
E NT  1
S  S  7
S  H 12
S  D 13
S  C  1
S NT 11
W  S  0
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  8
W NT  1

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "12"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "W:65.7653.KQT.9764 K432.KJ98.82.Q83 T987.AQ4.J63.T52 AQJ.T2.A9754.AKJ"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "3NT"]
[Result ""]
{This should be everyone's 3NT, so will boil down to whether declarer emerges
with an overtrick. West has a natural lead of a club – perhaps the \C7, second
highest, if that is your arrangement – which will run round to declarer, who
will float the \H10 won by East's queen. 

There are a couple of clues to East that it is right to switch. Firstly, the
seven, a highish card, is quite likely to be from a weak suit; secondly, if
playing Smith Peters, West can follow to the first heart with the \H3 to
suggest a switch (the \H7 would suggest carrying on with a club). After the \D3
switch to the ten, West continues with the \DK, which should hold declarer to
the contract for a good score. 

If declarer ducks the \DK continuation, then West needs to be careful to cash
his partner's \HA.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "9a9999a9891111111111"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass Pass 1D
Pass 1H Pass 2N
Pass 3S Pass 3N
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  9
N  D  9
N  C  9
N NT  9
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S 10
S  H  9
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 ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "13"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "N:Q9764.AQ7.3.K843 K853.T954.AT9.Q5 AJ.K62.874.AT762 T2.J83.KQJ652.J9"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "5C"]
[Result ""]
{Careful bidding should avoid the hopeless 3NT, which is off the diamond suit.
When North supports clubs, South shows his heart stop, looking for 3NT, but
North can't oblige. This enables South to show his strong doubleton spade
support on the next round.

It looks a gamble for North to pass 4\S with only Queen to five, but it will
work on this layout. After ruffing the second round of diamonds, play a spade
to the Jack, cash the \SA, and then running clubs is good enough for 10 tricks.

Club games are more secure, and with both black suits behaving there are twelve
easy tricks by ruffing two diamonds in dummy and taking the spade finesse. I
expect making 620 one way or another will be above average.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "7a87c7a87c0100101001"]
[Auction "N"]
1S Pass 2C Pass
3C Pass 3H Pass
4C Pass 4S Pass
5C AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  8
N  D  7
N  C 12
N NT  7
E  S  1
E  H  0
E  D  0
E  C  1
E NT  0
S  S 10
S  H  8
S  D  7
S  C 12
S NT  7
W  S  1
W  H  0
W  D  0
W  C  1
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "14"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "E:KJ98632.QT2.2.Q9 Q4.987.KT4.K8652 T75.54.A95.JT743 A.AKJ63.QJ8763.A"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "4H"]
[Result ""]
{When East's pre-empt runs round to North it will be useful if his side are
playing non-leaping Michaels, whereby 4 of a minor after a 3-level opening
shows five in that minor and five in the other major. If you aren't playing
that, maybe you gamble 4\H, or double and hope to survive.

On a spade lead against 4\H, you win in dummy and have no convenient fast entry
to hand for the heart finesse. You can either cash \HAK and play on diamonds,
which leads to 11 tricks, or cash one top heart and then play a diamond to the
King, hoping diamonds are 2-2. On this layout the defence can collect a ruff
but at the expense of a trump trick, providing that declarer does not try to
cross to hand with a second round of diamonds for a heart finesse. 4\S is a
profitable save for East-West, down only 300 compared to the non-vulnerable
game, so North-South will have to take the push to the 5-level, and make it, to
emerge with a decent score.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01bb701bb70811008110"]
[Auction "E"]
3S Pass Pass 4D
Pass 4H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H 11
N  D 11
N  C  7
N NT  0
E  S  8
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S  1
S  H 11
S  D 11
S  C  7
S NT  0
W  S  8
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  0
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "15"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "S:AK982.T5.AT7.AT6 Q765.AJ92.Q.Q952 T4.63.J842.J8743 J3.KQ874.K9653.K"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "E"]
[Contract "3H"]
[Result ""]
{South is on lead with four cashing tricks, so defeating a heart game shouldn't
be too difficult.

It is tempting with the West hand to just raise partner's protective overcall
to game, but remember that partner might be weaker in this position, and a
closer look at your hand will reveal that your queens are suspect values,
making your hand less good than the point count suggests.

Well judged if you manage to avoid the failing game – you should be rewarded
with a good score.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "07108071087191171911"]
[Auction "S"]
1S Pass Pass 2H
Pass 2S Pass 3D
Pass 3H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 7
N  H 1
N  D 0
N  C 8
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 9
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 7
S  S 7
S  H 1
S  D 0
S  C 8
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 9
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 7

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "16"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "W:K2.K853.Q94.A764 Q83.T4.AJT72.KJT A754.A972.83.Q95 JT96.QJ6.K65.832"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "W"]
[Contract "1NT"]
[Result ""]
{The weak no trump should steal the pot. After a diamond lead collects five
tricks for the defence, declarer needs a miracle to make his contract. Playing
on hearts will set up a sixth trick for declarer but will usually lead to
defeat thereafter. However, if North has \CK and the suit splits 3-3, declarer
can set up two more tricks for the loss of only one to make his contract.

Strong no-trumpers will do better, as they will locate their heart fit and play
that strain in a partial. With the favourable club position and a 3-2 heart
split, nine tricks should be available.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "00171001717791877918"]
[Auction "W"]
1N AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 0
N  H 1
N  D 7
N  C 1
N NT 0
E  S 7
E  H 9
E  D 1
E  C 8
E NT 7
S  S 0
S  H 1
S  D 7
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 7
W  H 9
W  D 1
W  C 8
W NT 7

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "17"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:93.AT7.K964.T962 K4.K42.AQJ2.A543 JT8.QJ8653.87.Q7 AQ7652.9.T53.KJ8"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "W"]
[Contract "4S"]
[Result ""]
{4\S will be played from both sides, depending on whether East-West play a
strong or weak no trump.

Everything is favourable for declarer: spades are 3-2, the \HA is onside, and
both diamond and club finesses are right. So proper technique on, say, a
passive trump lead, will be unrewarded: Draw trumps and play a heart towards
the King first, because, if the Ace is onside, you don't need the club finesse.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1111111111cc8bbcc8bb"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass 1D Pass 1S
Pass 1N 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  8
E  D 11
E  C 11
E NT 12
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S 12
W  H  8
W  D 11
W  C 11
W NT 12

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "18"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:KJT4.AK973.A86.3 AQ73.JT2.Q94.QT5 986.Q64.T.987642 52.85.KJ7532.AKJ"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "N"]
[Contract "3D"]
[Result ""]
{It needs sharp defence to hold diamond contracts to ten tricks. East leads the
\HA and West encourages. East switches to his singleton club and then, after
winning the \DA, he can underlead to West’s \HQ to collect a club ruff.

It is actually East-West's hand in hearts, with nine tricks available. After,
say, a diamond lead, declarer can ruff a diamond, draw trumps in three rounds
and then concede two spade tricks.

But how do you get there? After North's 2\D bid, East has a good hand but
doesn't really have a good bid. He doesn't have a shapely enough hand for 2\S,
and Double would risk his partner bidding clubs.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71191711910891708817"]
[Auction "E"]
1H Pass Pass 2D
Pass 3D AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 1
N  D 9
N  C 1
N NT 7
E  S 8
E  H 9
E  D 1
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 1
S  D 9
S  C 1
S NT 7
W  S 8
W  H 8
W  D 1
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "19"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:AQ.QT97.A54.A984 KJT76.3.Q987.T62 942.J8542.K32.J3 853.AK6.JT6.KQ75"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "2H"]
[Result ""]
{The tempo of the auction after a strong no-trump, leaving East in the
protective seat, will probably enable North-South to buy the contract in 2\H.

After an Acol 1\H and a raise to the 2-level, an adventurous West will protect
with 2\S. Spade contracts play like a dream, requiring a club lead, setting up
a ruff, to hold declarer to eight tricks.

A diamond lead is best against a heart contract, not giving declarer anything
and working to establish a trick. Careful defence thereafter should hold
declarer to eight tricks. It is easy to see that an initial spade lead is bad
for the defence, but a club is too if declarer plays the spots off the cards,
as he can establish a second club winner for a diamond discard.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "01811018110817708177"]
[Auction "S"]
1N Pass 2D Pass
2H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 1
N  C 1
N NT 0
E  S 8
E  H 1
E  D 7
E  C 7
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 1
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 8
W  H 1
W  D 7
W  C 7
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "20"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:872.AQ863.QT73.2 J64.KJ.J8642.KQ9 QT3.T95.A9.T7643 AK95.742.K5.AJ85"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "3NT"]
[Result ""]
{Whether you play a strong or weak no-trump, this hand is likely to end up in
3NT by South.

West will lead a low heart and declarer will think he faces a nasty guess,
although in reality he can't go wrong here. Despite having a heart trick,
things are still fairly bleak for declarer, as there are only six other fast
tricks, four in clubs and two in spades. 

You have two realistic options: firstly, you can play a diamond, hoping East
has the \DA, the hearts are 4-4 and that the \SQ drops doubleton; the other
option is to take the double spade finesse, hoping East has exactly \SQ10x.
Neither is a very high chance, but the carding to trick one may suggest that
the hearts are 5-3, leading declarer to the winning option.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "9a79a9a79a1111111111"]
[Auction "W"]
Pass Pass Pass 1N
Pass 3N AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S 10
N  H  7
N  D  9
N  C 10
N NT  9
E  S  1
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  1
E NT  1
S  S 10
S  H  7
S  D  9
S  C 10
S NT  9
W  S  1
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  1
W NT  1

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "21"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:T3.J95.AJT6.Q754 AK7654.AT63.Q9.9 QJ82.742.743.AJ8 9.KQ8.K852.KT632"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "W"]
[Contract "3NT"]
[Result ""]
{Most pairs will reach a game, albeit probably 4\S or 3NT rather than the
double dummy cold 4\H.\n
4\S is probably the easiest to defeat, and that will be achieved as long as
South wins the \CA on the first round of the suit.

The defence should also be in control against 3NT provided that North doesn't
make the mistake of leading the \D6, which presents declarer with an undeserved
trick, rather than the \DJ.

The way to make 4\H on, say, a diamond to the ten and queen, is to cash the \SA
and ruff a spade with the \HK. Now \HQ and a heart to the 10 will lead to ten
tricks.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "011000110089a8889a88"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass 1S Pass 2C
Pass 2H Pass 2N
Pass 3S Pass 3N
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  0
N  C  0
N NT  0
E  S  9
E  H 10
E  D  8
E  C  8
E NT  8
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  0
S  C  0
S NT  0
W  S  9
W  H 10
W  D  8
W  C  8
W NT  8

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "22"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:J9863.KT.K2.A864 AKQ7.8.AQ843.972 42.J94.J975.QJT3 T5.AQ76532.T6.K5"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "N"]
[Contract "4H"]
[Result ""]
{Most pairs will reach 4\H, although it will be more difficult if East opens a
light 1\S. Some declarers will give the defence a chance to beat them. 

Say you win the spade lead in dummy (not daring to run it to the 10) and try
the heart finesse, losing. Now East can play the \SJ back, locking declarer in
dummy. If declarer tries the last spade winner in dummy, West ruffs with the
\H9. If declarer overruffs, then he ends up with two club losers, and if he
tries the effect of discarding the \C5, West can cross to partner's \CA, who
can then promote his \H10 by playing a fourth round of spades.

To make 11 tricks in hearts, declarer wins the spade lead and has to truffle
out that the \HK is offside and play the suit by cashing the Ace and ducking to
East's King.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "78b9707a810011000110"]
[Auction "E"]
Pass 1D Pass 1H
1S 1N Pass 4H
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  8
N  H 11
N  D  9
N  C  7
N NT  7
E  S  0
E  H  1
E  D  1
E  C  0
E NT  0
S  S  7
S  H 10
S  D  8
S  C  1
S NT  0
W  S  0
W  H  1
W  D  1
W  C  0
W NT  0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "23"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:Q8.AJT74.KQ.JT96 AJT42.K6.A75.KQ5 K3.Q95.J92.A7432 9765.832.T8643.8"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "3H"]
[Result ""]
{Playing 5-card majors, North will have the decision whether to go low with 2\H
or upgrade to a limit raise on the basis of the well positioned \SK. When the
auction comes back to West at the 2-level, he will protect with a double that
will push the opponents up a level. The \CK lead will eventually lead to a ruff
for his partner and hold declarer to eight tricks.

Acol players may choose 2\C over a 1\S overcall, which South will raise to 3\C.
If that ends the auction, it should be a good result for his side as the
contract will make, losing one trick in each suit.

Some Wests will start with a double and, after redouble - 1\S, his side will
still find their spade fit, pushing their opponents to the three level.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "71819718190818108181"]
[Auction "S"]
1H 1S 2H Pass
Pass X XX 2S
Pass Pass 3H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 1
N  C 9
N NT 7
E  S 8
E  H 1
E  D 8
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 1
S  C 9
S NT 7
W  S 8
W  H 1
W  D 8
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "24"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:J87.J2.AQ9862.76 T6532.KQ95.3.KT8 A.AT86.JT54.AQJ2 KQ94.743.K7.9543"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "W"]
[Contract "5D"]
[Result ""]
{If you have a weak 2\D opening in your armoury, then the West hand is perfect.

Slam looks unlikely from East's perspective unless perhaps partner has a
singleton heart, so it is sensible to bid what you think you can make.

Not for the first time in this set everything lies perfectly for declarer so,
after the winning diamond finesse, the heart loser can be discarded by
repeating the club finesse.

If you stumble into 3NT then, on a low spade lead, you need the diamond
finesse. When that works you have nine tricks. Do you settle for nine tricks or
risk the club finesse, gambling your contract for overtricks? It is probably
right to try the finesse, since those in diamonds will make 13 if the club
finesse is right and 12 if the finesse is wrong, unless a heart is led.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "0001000010b89d9b89d9"]
[Auction "W"]
2D Pass 5D AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  0
N  H  0
N  D  1
N  C  0
N NT  0
E  S  8
E  H  9
E  D 13
E  C  9
E NT 11
S  S  0
S  H  0
S  D  1
S  C  0
S NT  0
W  S  8
W  H  9
W  D 13
W  C  9
W NT 11

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "25"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:98754.K32.53.AK8 6.9865.KQT942.J6 AJT3.T74.AJ.9532 KQ2.AQJ.876.QT74"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "W"]
[Contract "3D"]
[Result ""]
{Passing the weak no-trump is far from obvious, but will work out better
because West has at least two stops in all the side suits.

Against a diamond partscore North leads the \CA and, after partner discourages,
has to find the non-obvious switch to a trump, which South can win to play a
heart through; otherwise, declarer can play on the black suits to establish
discards for his heart losers.

When West opens 1\C, North will probably overcall 1\S despite the poor suit and
his side are likely to buy the contract in 3\S. This will be a certain two down
on the \DK lead. How good a score that is will depend on whether declarers in
diamonds are mostly making 9 or 8 tricks.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "07110071108188781887"]
[Auction "N"]
Pass Pass Pass 1N
Pass 2N Pass 3D
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 7
N  H 1
N  D 1
N  C 0
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 8
E  D 8
E  C 7
E NT 8
S  S 7
S  H 1
S  D 1
S  C 0
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 8
W  D 8
W  C 7
W NT 8

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "26"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:KQ94.62.A84.KQ73 A876.AJ87.J65.54 53.KT5.KQ932.A96 JT2.Q943.T7.JT82"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "E"]
[Contract "3NT"]
[Result ""]
{If you adhere to the rule of fourth highest from your longest and strongest,
you will lead a heart, which will work out well here as it will establish four
tricks for the defence, and all North has to do is to keep his four clubs to
hold declarer to the contract.

Personally, I consider leading from a broken series of honours in a four-card
suit to be unattractive so would prefer the less successful spade. On a spade
lead declarer can run the diamonds and test clubs and, even when they don't
break, will end up with an extra trick in one of the majors and a useful
overtrick – possibly two overtricks if North errs by pitching a club on the
diamonds.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1111111111997ba997ba"]
[Auction "E"]
1N Pass 3N AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  1
N  C  1
N NT  1
E  S  9
E  H  7
E  D 11
E  C 10
E NT  9
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  1
S  C  1
S NT  1
W  S  9
W  H  7
W  D 11
W  C 10
W NT  9

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "27"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "S:AT5.J863.JT97.K9 Q763.T4.K842.532 J4.KQ9.653.AQT86 K982.A752.AQ.J74"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{Weak no-trumpers will probably steal the pot, but over a 1\C opening, East
will chance a take-out double to get his majors into the game, which may well
result in West playing in 2\S. Against 1NT which major would you lead? 

I would rate a heart as safer, but neither does much damage to declarer here. A
start with either \S2 or \H2 gives a ninth trick to declarer, but after a spade
to the queen and a spade return, it is not hard to imagine declarer making ten
tricks: declarer forces out the \HA and then if East establishes his long
spade, declarer will have his three overtricks, East having to find the near
impossible play of cashing \DAQ when he wins the \HA. Those EW pairs playing
2\S are already onto a good thing, but the icing on the cake will be to make
it. Not that unlikely!

Duck the \HK lead and North has to switch to a small club to defeat the
contract.

On a heart continuation, win and unblock two diamonds, ruff a heart, and cash
the \DK throwing a club. A fourth round of diamonds follows, ruffed in dummy,
and then cut loose with a club and make two spades in the endgame.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "81878818780711107111"]
[Auction "S"]
Pass 1N AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 1
N  H 8
N  D 7
N  C 8
N NT 8
E  S 7
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 1
E NT 0
S  S 1
S  H 8
S  D 7
S  C 8
S NT 8
W  S 7
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 1
W NT 0

[Event ""]
[Site ""]
[Date "2023.05.05"]
[Board "28"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "W:A.KJ54.KT54.A973 QT9542.A3.872.J8 KJ876.82.J9.6542 3.QT976.AQ63.KQT"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer "S"]
[Contract "2H"]
[Result ""]
{It is easy to imagine contracts being played in any strain with the exception
of diamonds, but probably very few will be made.

Whilst you might open a weak 2\S with the North hand, once the opponents strike
the first blow it becomes too risky and has less upside, and indeed here you
will probably suffer a penalty. The 2\H overcall isn't completely secure, with
only a poorish 5-card suit and the \DQ likely misplaced, so it would not be
unreasonable to pass and go quietly. 

After the \SA lead, West has to defend carefully by avoiding a diamond switch,
which would hand declarer his contract. Say you choose to open 1NT with the
West hand. This won't work too well as East will transfer to spades, South will
re-open with a double, and North won't find the winning action too hard.
Whatever happens I'll wager that the par contract of 2\C will not be final
contract at many tables.}
[BCFlags "1f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "00771077717111871118"]
[Auction "W"]
1D Pass 1S 2H
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\1R"]
N  S 0
N  H 7
N  D 7
N  C 1
N NT 0
E  S 1
E  H 1
E  D 1
E  C 8
E NT 7
S  S 7
S  H 7
S  D 7
S  C 1
S NT 0
W  S 1
W  H 1
W  D 1
W  C 8
W NT 7
