1:

?

...............K109

...............A763

...............A10873

...............4

A8754.....................QJ32

J1085......................KQ92

54............................K

103..........................K875

...............6

...............4

...............QJ962

...............AQJ962

?

If North passes, East usually opens 1C and that likely keeps South out of the auction for a round, but 2NT is clear from South after P-1C-P-1S; P-2S (not to mention that North could certainly double on the second round of that auction). The pair that allowed West to play 2S made me wonder if either of them had a pulse. Another West was allowed to play 3S, but at least the third West to declare got pushed into 4Sx. N-S pairs that pushed on and took the bid were evenly divided between playing game and playing in partials: 3C S twice, 3D N, 4D N and 5D N four times.

?

Club contracts are held to ten tricks by a diamond lead, as West still has the spade ace as an entry to give East a diamond ruff. One declarer took eleven tricks and one nine. Except for Boric, who were allowed to defend 5D N -1 (a ruffing finesse in clubs to go with the trump finesse?), diamond contracts took eleven tricks when declarer finessed or twelve when declarer dropped the offside singleton king. The latter line of play has an increased chance of success from East's competition. Randi took their expected seven tricks for the N-S top defending 4Sx -4.

?

Harold, one of two Norths to play 5D +1, had an interesting time of it. East did not see Harold's 1D opening bid and "opened" with a three-suited 2D. In the ensuing confusion East explained the hand, a nice gesture but more than was technically required. Taking 2D as a Michaels cue-bid (presumably what West expected) would have made the finesse even more attractive. East could have held a void diamond but knowing that the hand held opening values inclined Harold to the successful drop instead.

?

4Sx W -4

5D N +1 (2)

5D N =

4D N +2

3C S +2; 3D N +2

3C S =

3S W -2

2S W -1

5D N -1

?

2:

?

...............AKJ

...............Q105

...............10743

...............743

754.........................Q8632

982.........................J6

A86.........................K52

QJ106.....................K52

...............109

...............AK743

...............QJ9

...............A98

?

Several Norths raised 1H only to 2H and this ended the auction four times. The heart queen is at full value but the flat pattern is a negative. One E-W pair came in - perhaps after a pre-balance from East? - and eventually played 3Sx E. When North did more the resulting contracts were 3H S and 4H S five times. 3NT N looks like the winner of the bidding contests; if anyone is to get there North may have to opt for 2NT as the rebid after a 1NT forcing response. 1H-1NT; 2C-2NT will almost surely be accepted, East will lead a spade, and +600 ought to be N-S top.

?

3NT is superiour to 4H mainly because of the diamonds. The suit will not come in, but at least there is no chance of an opposing ruff. With 3-3 diamonds hearts can take nine tricks, but declarer in 4H may well finish -2 after a club lead, trying to make the contract with a losing spade finesse. Leigh Ann made 4H for the N-S top, while Gel and Jerik posted 4H -2 and Glynneth were E-W top defending 4H -3, getting an extra trick somewhere. The heart partials had a 3-2 split of taking nine tricks against eight. Jane, in 3Sx, could have finished -3 but managed an above-average score with a result of -1; the defence avoided diamond leads for too long and then North played the jack on the first spade instead of winning, each move bumping up declarer's outcome by one trick.

?

4H S =

2H S +1 (2); 3H S =

2H S = (2)

3Sx E -1

4H S -1

4H S -2 (2)

4H S -3

?

3:

?

...............A94

...............J

...............8432

...............QJ1064

QJ63......................10852

109542...................AKQ3

Q10.........................76

98...........................K72

...............K7

...............876

...............AKJ95

...............A53

?

1NT from South could have been left in, especially as Carl was not playing, for those who recall the time he fooled Muriel Romero by making a DONT overcall against her with only two HCP. That happened thrice. We had a remote chance of a rainbow hand; there was a spade fit, but no sensible way to get there unless West shows both majors and East fears a spade ruff in hearts. (Of course here N-S can get a ruff against either major, but there are many hands with two fits on which one must play either in the weaker suit or the stronger to avoid a ruff.) Probably most Wests did not want to come in at the vulnerability on the weak hand, although 2H W was played once. If more Wests had come in, we doubtless would have seen at least one N-S pair in 3C. 2NT S was played thrice, presumably after a declined invitation. One South declared 3D (plausible after a 1D opening bid), with three pairs in the ill-fated 3NT, twice by South and once by North. If South does open 1D instead of 1NT, North does not want to be playing inverted raises. The hand is too weak for 2D, the trumps too weak for 3D. 2C is out of the question, leaving either 1NT or a quirky 1S (if South raises, a 4-3 fit with a singleton heart in the hand with the tripleton may well play prettily). After 1D-P-1NT, whether East came in or not, 3NT N just requires South to make pendulum invitation (a term that just came to me for when a player underbids and then overbids in the same auction).

?

Steve took the twelve tricks that were there in 3D with both minors behaving. With nobody getting to 5D (reasonable but very hard to find in a minor with South's balanced hand and North's minimal support, although it seems that diamonds might be reached via 1NT-2H-X (negative). Marie had the good luck not to receive a heart lead; she took ten tricks for N-S top. The other contracts in no-trumps took eight tricks six times and seven tricks twice. With four scores of +120 and one +170 that put considerable significance on Gernot's 2H contract, which could have been set two tricks. Happily for Lernot, after two rounds of diamonds South did not find the switch to the spade king, resulting in 2H -1 for the middle score.

?

1NT S +3

3D S +3

1NT S +1 (2); 2NT S = (2)

2H W -1

2NT S -1; 3NT N -1; 3NT S -1

3NT S -2

?

4:

?

...............AJ9

...............10876

...............J1043

...............J2

Q6..........................K75432

954.........................K

K62.........................Q975

K9653.....................Q10

...............108

...............AQJ32

...............A8

...............A874

?

The outlier here was 2H S. East must really dislike being vulnerable to pass two rounds running. Otherwise there were three camps. About a third of the Souths were afraid to come in over 2S, making 2S E the contract thrice. When South overcalled 3H, there was a 4-3 division with leaving it there just more popular than going to game.

?

It helps South if East has opened spades; West will lead the spade queen and declarer will get pulled into the right line of drawing trumps. Left to one's own devices South may try to ruff a club before drawing trumps, allowing East to overruff. A club lead could make it quite difficult for declarer if West ducks the first spade, but finessing will still see Soth home. Six of the eight declarers in hearts took ten tricks, Tracy and Sandi making 4H to share the N-S top while Conndy set the contract. Declarer drew trumps and did not take the spade finesse. There was a ruffing finesse available on the third club but dummy ruffed. 2S could have been set by force if dummy is cut off before the third (and perhaps fourth) club is ready for a discard. As this was not an easy find we saw Larry (St) posting 2S = and Bob 2S +1 for the top two E-W scores.

?

4H S = (2)

3H S +1 (4)

2H S +1

2S E -1

4H S -1

2S E =

2S E +1

?

5:

?

...............Q975

...............9

...............KQ854

...............762

106...........................AK

432...........................AKQJ1087

AJ72.........................106

A983.........................J5

...............J8432

...............65

...............93

...............KQ104

?

Finally a hand on which I could unequivocally defend a 2C opening bid on under 20 HCP (I frequently get complaints in the non-virtual-club BBO games that someone opened 2C on insufficient values and usually there's at least questionable rounding involved). East has a classic within-one-trick of game hand; had Tracy been East instead of South he would surely have opened 2C. There may have been one or two 2C opening bids, as two E-W pairs played 5H E; West really ought to give at least a look for slam if East does start with 2C. One N-S pair somehow found a way into the auction and finished in 4Sx S. The majority contract was 4H E after 1H-1NT; 4H, although one East, playing matchpoints to the max, opted to raise West to 3NT instead - don't try this at IMPs.

?

4Sx cannot be set more than two tricks by force - on?most other boards this would have been brilliant but 4Sx -2 gave Lernot the E-W top because of the vulnerability. Gene's bravery in raising Del's 1NT response to 3NT was rewarded not only in the minor aces but in North's holding a natural diamond lead. Del scored 90% for 3NT +3. Jim and Bob took twelve tricks in 4H, which is much harder, as there is no line of defence that jumps out at one resulting in giving declarer a trick.

?

4H E +1 (5); 5H E = (2)

4H E +2 (2)

3NT W +3

4Sx S -2

?

6:

...............53

...............875

...............AKJ832

...............K6

984..........................AKJ2

1042.........................AQ93

Q1064......................7

A105.........................J832

...............Q1076

...............KJ6

...............95

...............Q974

?

This hand marked a downfall for three pairs. One East had to open a catchall 1D (due to an artificial 1C); as this had limited HCP, West passed 1D and North was delighted to let it sit. Two pairs opened a three-suited 2D. One West decided to gamble that East held four diamonds and passed rather than going to 2H. Again happy, happy North. The other West to respond to 2D duly bid 2H and then presumably East could not resist going on to 3H over North's 3D, a bit undisciplined, even with an absolute maximum. Otherwise much rides on whether West responds 1D or 1NT to 1C. 1D keeps North quiet and may lead to 1NT W, played three times. It is hard to imagine North's not coming in with 2D over a 1NT response; 2D N was played thrice and 2Dx N once. The final contract was 2H E, suggesting 1C-P-1NT-2D; 2H.

?

If West has bid 1D along the way to 1NT it seems possible for North to find the major lead that holds declarer to five tricks with two diamond finesses. N-S can take nine tricks in diamonds, easier done on defence than declaring. 1NT W saw declarer overperforming by a trick or two, with Doug making 1NT (only one other contract was made). In diamonds Harold became the only other successful declarer, taking his par nine tricks playing 2D N +1. The other declaring Norths took only six or seven tricks. It was easier for N-S defending; both 1D and 2D finished -4, giving Leighry and Pharah a tie for N-S top. E-W could take eight tricks in hearts but the defence not surprisingly received the benefit of declarer's not expecting the honours to lie so badly, leading to 2H -2 and 3H -3.

?

1D E -4; 2D E -4

3H W -3

2H E -2

2D N +1

1NT W -1 (2)

2D N -1

1NT W =

2Dx N -1; 2D N -2

?

?

7:

?

...............J2

...............1062

...............K1083

...............Q1074

AK......................Q10873

AKJ873..............Q5

54........................762

K96.....................AJ3

...............9654

...............94

...............AQJ9

...............852

?

West has a big hand and it looks as if we could get everyone into 4H. We almost did. 4H W was played nine times. Jerik played 4H E because of Jim's 1H response to 1C, showing normal responding values but with fewer than three controls. That at least put slam out of play at once and just led to 4H E instead of 4H W. The last contract was the slightly wonkier 4S E - perhaps after 1H-1S; 3C-3S; 4S. The West hand is probably good enough for 3C or at least feels closer to 3C than to 3H with the heavy ace and king content.

?

Sometimes hands with one suit wide open make bad matchpoint hands for Precision pairs, but here East's lack of positive heart support will probably stop E-W from getting into an asking bid sequence that would pinpoint the diamond lead for N-S. N-S can take their two tricks after a diamond lead against 4H and three tricks against 4S if dummy is forced to ruff the third diamond. But who would lead a diamond? With North holding K10xx in diamonds and Q10xx in clubs, the club lead seems safer if the auction has not contained either minor - a control bid in clubs could draw North a map for a diamond lead. Marcia, Sarah and Peach found the diamond lead from North. Sandi also found the diamond lead against 4S but settled for 85% when the force was not found. Seven declarers took all thirteen tricks after a non-diamnd lead.

?

4H W +1 (3); 4S E +1

4H E +3; 4H W +3 (6)

?

8:

?

...............QJ6

...............J10763

...............QJ54

...............J

742.........................A108

A42.........................85

762..........................A98

10974......................K8632

...............K953

...............KQ9

...............K103

...............AQ5

?

1C from East in third seat (or perhaps not) and 1NT from South. Then it just becomes a question whether N-S find their three-aces-missing game (the tricks are too slow for 3NT, although give South the club ten and this would be an interesting hand for bidding competitions) with a side question of whether E-W have a 4-2 split in either spades or diamonds and can negotiate a ruff. Only Troward, Leighry and Heve reached 4H (the ever-dfferent Heve did so from the North side; all other contracts were declared by South, although against Heve West raised to 2C over 1NT). Leigh Ann liked the hand enough to pre-accept partner's transfer with 3H, which came through strongly this time. 2H S was played seven times and one pair tried 3NT S anyway.

?

West led a club against Judy but did not continue the suit in the middle of the hand, leading to a make and a big escape. With the 3-3 splits in spades and diamonds all the heart contracts took exactly ten tricks.

?

4H N =; 4H S = (2)

3NT S =

2H S +2 (7)

?

9:

?

...............10875

...............QJ72

...............J6

...............953

J942..........................A63

108............................AK94

Q54............................K9873

8764...........................J

...............KQ

...............653

...............A102

...............AKQ102

?

P-1D-X-P; 1H-P and then South bids either 1NT or 2C (an original 1NT overcall is possible), perhaps ending the auction; if South bids 2C East might come in with a balancing double. 1NT S was only played twice and 2C never at all. Besides 1NT S, contracts were 2D E, 2S W, 2NT S twice, 3C S thrice and 3D E twice.

?

Club contracts result in eight tricks unless West leads a diamond and East allows North a heart trick later in the hand. Whether an immediate heart ruff is taken or not does not matter so long as East does not lead a high heart from hand. The diamond lead doesn't matter so much in itself, as South can always trump a diamond in dummy, although a spade lead and continuation just gives declarer less time. But all three Souths made 3C. 1NT is held to seven tricks by a spade lead or heart lead and spade switch. Again, though, West usually led a diamond, with Dianne posting 2NT S +1 while Rita and Sandi took eight tricks. Dianne received a diamond lead and then at the end East cashed the heart king before establishing the hand's last diamond. All three declarers in diamonds took nine tricks, the par result. East loses one spade, one club and two diamonds, the second diamond loser being so soft and slow that it usually gets traded for anything else North-South pick up. The only thing is to play the spade ace on the first or second round and not to run the jack. 2S is held to seven tricks by the lead of a black suit but even there Cindy took eight tricks to tie Gene, Larry (Sh) and Jane for E-W top.

?

2NT S +1

1NT S +1; 2NT S =

3C S = (3)

1NT S =

2D E +1; 2S W = 3D E = (2)

?

10:

?

...............1076

...............A9864

...............A6

...............A82

942.........................QJ85

J753........................Q10

J85..........................Q932

KQ10.......................753

...............AK3

...............K2

...............K1074

...............J964

?

Once again we almost got everyone into the same contract. It looks as if South will open 1D and rebid 1NT over a response of 1H, eventually reaching 3NT whether North invites or goes there directly. 3NT S was reached nine times, with one contract of 2NT N and one of 2NT S.

?

The heart spots make all the difference. 3NT comes to nine tricks when the suit establishes four winners, East's Q10 doubleton working as well as a 3-3 split. But most declarers finessed one of the middle hearts on the second round, not taking full advantage of the layout. One declarer took only seven tricks, six took eight, three took nine and Sandi was N-S top in 3NT +1, the overtrick coming when West left the spades too long and continued diamonds until it was too late.

?

3NT S +1

3NT S = (3)

2NT N =; 2NT S =

3NT S -1 (4)

3NT S -2

?

11:

?

...............753

...............A9874

...............AK6

...............K2

9842....................Q6

Q53......................KJ62

8...........................Q942

AJ1065.................843

...............AKJ10

...............10

...............J10753

...............Q97

?

We came close again to getting everyone into the same contract. I could see 1NT S if South passes as dealer and then takes a conservative position later in the auction with North also taking the conservative view. But the only pair to stop in 1NT had North in the declaring seat. 3NT N was played nine times along with 3NT S once, perhaps via 1D-1H; 1S-2C; 2NT-3NT.

?

E-W are rather lucky about which opponent holds three clubs and which holds the doubleton; that allows a club lead from either side of the table to set 3NT because East has the entry in the diamond queen or a heart (declarer needs the finesse). However, there must have been numerous auctions without any bids in diamonds, as 3NT N was only set four times, the par -1 against Boric, Glotin and Lernot, -3 against Larbot when declarer kept trying different measures and dug the hole deeper. Rich made the contract after a diamond lead but not only did two others do the same but Dianne, Henry and Betty took ten tricks in 3NT to share the top, likely after E-W went after hearts.

?

3NT N +1 (2); 3NT S +1

3NT N = (3)

1NT N +3

3NT N -1 (3)

3NT N -3

?

12:

?

...............J32

...............1087

...............Q63

...............QJ106

Q104.......................A9

KQ96......................A543

K8...........................J109542

K974........................5

...............K8765

...............J2

...............A7

...............A832

?

This seems to give advantage to those who bypass a longer diamond suit to answer in a four-card major. Whether East responds 1D or 1H South overcalls 1S. If West passes then North might raise to 2S and unless West will take a double as showing hearts that suit doesn't get into the auction. After 1C-P-1H-1S; 2H-2S, East can get in an invitation. Even if North passes it may be hard to get the hearts in for some E-W pairs, as shown by some of our contracts: 2D E twice, 2NT W, 3H E four times, 3S S and 4H E thrice. Jerik had an uncontested auction which really helped them as the hearts came in late: 1D-2D; 2NT-3H; 4H after their catchall 1D opening.

?

As North never gains the lead, a heart or diamond contract declared by East can take ten tricks. At most declarer has to be careful to lead diamonds early enough and play to the king first rather than run the jack. Only Heve of all the pairs defending hearts held declarer to nine tricks, and only one other heart declarer was held to the par ten - to hold East to ten tricks South would have to lead ace and another club and push clubs through when gaining the lead with the first diamond. Carol and Mark posted +450 in 4H +1 to tie for E-W top. In diamonds declarer has to lead a club through South before North gets in with the trump queen; one diamond declarer took ten tricks and one nine. Eight tricks are the limit in no-trumps; Ritold were N-S top defending 2NT W -1. Against spades West has to lead a heart to East so that East can lead the club through South and then reach West in time for a club ruff. Lernot did not quite find that exotic defence but still scored well for having pushed N-S to 3S -2 because of the vulnerability.

?

2NT W -1

2D E +1

2D E +2

3H E =

3H E +2 (3); 3S S -2

4H E =

4H E +1 (2)

?

13:

?

...............105

...............AJ52

...............AK6

...............QJ83

Q8764....................AKJ

3.............................KQ8

98754.....................103

54...........................A10962

...............932

...............109764

...............QJ2

...............K7

?

Here we have a deal that favours pairs who can make a penalty double of a 1NT opening bid. North opens 1NT, and if East cannot double to show equivalent-plus values then we have 1NT-P-2D-P; 2H, over which East is actually more handcuffed than West. 3C could be on a non-fit and is a huge risk vulnerable. West knows that East has to hold at least 13 HCP and is likely stronger and has the distribution to tempt one into 2S; East is at least close to North in values and therefore is almost surely balanced. But it is certainly much easier to find a 2S bid if East can double 1NT. 2H N was left in seven times. 3H N was played twice, more likely after a competitive auction than through a preaccepting 3H from North. Two Easts declared 2S after identical auctions; North opened 1C, allowing East to overcall 1NT, after which West was able to transfer. North was on the same spot as East over a transfer by South - coming in with a balancing double when South had passed up multiple chances to raise clubs or even make a non-forcing bid over 1NT carries considerable risk.

?

All the heart contracts took the same eight tricks after the trumps misbehaved - good luck for Jerik and Conndy who were defending 3H rather than 2H. As simple as 2H is 2S is almost equally complex. Declarer threatens to ruff the third diamond and come to nine tricks but can use the hearts and clubs if N-S allow time. There are numerous different paths to eight tricks; Gloria took eight tricks and Larry (Sh) managed nine for the E-W top.

?

2H N = (7)

3H N -1 (2)

2S E =

2S E +1

?

14:

?

...............1095

...............A1075

...............5

...............87632

A832......................KQ4

842.........................K963

J10432....................986

9.............................KQJ

...............J76

...............QJ

...............AKQ7

...............A1054

?

1C-1NT and then does either West or North come in? Usually not; 1NT S was played seven times. Two Souths did not overcall 1NT and the contract became 1NT E. One West played 2D, likely after opting to come in after a 1NT overcall with a non-forcing 2D. The last West played 2S; maybe South doubled 1C, West bid 1S and East raised instead of rebidding 1NT.

?

The lead often matters when both sides play in 1NT but here it did not affect the par result of seven tricks for E-W. The declarers as a whole did better than par. Boric, defending 1NT S -2, were the only defending pair to better par, which was matched by Lark defending 1NT S -1 and by Jim defending 1NT E =. At the other tables in no-trumps, declarer overperformed. Tracy, Marie and Judy made 1NT S, Sandi and Sally played 1NT S +1 and Larry (Sh) 1NT E +2 - after four rounds of diamonds and two spades, South on lead led a club instead of a heart or the third spade. Both 2D and 2S could have been defeated, but both contracts were made by Gernot and Doug.

??

1NT S +1 (2)

1NT S = (3)

1NT S -1

1NT E =; 2D W =

1NT S -2

2S W =

1NT E +2

?

15:

?

...............Q84

...............9753

...............965

...............A107

K62...........................5

AK2...........................10864

KQJ10.......................842

864............................K9532

...............AJ10973

...............QJ

...............A73

...............QJ

?

N-S likely start with 1S-2S whatever West does over 1S (pass, double or 1NT). Does West balance? Usually not, despite the favourable vulnerability. 2S S was left in eight times. Two Souths were pushed to 3S. The one time E-W played the hand the contract was 3D W.

?

The hand is quite kind to E-W with the black aces onside and the heart queen-jack dropping. Nine tricks would be available in either clubs or diamonds; in 3D the best line of play if N-S start with two rounds of spades is to ruff the second spade in dummy, saving the king. If N-S go after trumps East's heart eight is the key card, allowing declarer to finesse on the third round and discard a loser on the fourth. Pally were allowed to set 3D, an important result, as the hand does not play well in spades - after the standout lead of a diamond, declarer has four losers in the red suits and both black suit finesses fail. Eight declarers in spades took exactly seven tricks, giving Larbot and Jerik a tie for E-W top with the magic score of +200 defending 3S -2. Tracy and Steve were both allowed to make 2S, Steve when, after a diamond and a spade, East ducked the club queen.?

?

2S S = (2)

3D W -1

2S S -1 (6)

3S S -2 (2)

?

16:

?

...............J432

...............J

...............K109

...............AQ1084

A86.........................Q1095

Q.............................K8653

QJ8742...................653

K92..........................7

...............K7

...............A109742

...............A

...............J653

?

West might open 1D, pass or even open 2D. North might overcall 2C over 1D or pass; if North bids 2C East might make a negative double but likely won't although South likely bids 2H over whatever East does. 1D-P-1H likely shuts out of the auction, so that contracts can range from 2D W to 5C N on only one or two reasonably close decisions. We finished with contracts of 2D W twice, 2H S, 2NT N, 3C N, 3D W, 3H S, 3NT N, 4C N, 5C N and 5Cx N.

?

Diamonds can be held to six tricks by a heart lead - dummy's trumps can be drawn without any club ruffs and West locked in hand until N-S collect seven tricks. Not surprisingly, N-S rarely untangled their trumps in time on defence, so that the diamond declarers all scored at least average, with Lee E-W top in 2D +1 and Jatin second in 2D =. Eric was middle escaping in 3D -1 after South won the heart lead with the ace and returned a heart rather than a diamond. Hearts come to nine tricks if declarer refrains from discarding a spade too soon, but neither declarer in hearts managed to cope in a straightforward manner with the 5-1 split; both took only eight tricks.Clubs can be held to ten tricks; the hearts do not establish and North will have to lead a spade at some point. A ruffing finesse in hearts will provide two discards for one loser but North will still lose two spades; trying to ruff losers allows West an overruff. Two club contracts yielded ten tricks but two yielded eleven, including Howard's 5Cx = for the N-S top. 3NT can make but only if South wins the first heart with the ace. After a diamond lead from East declarer has to be quick and avoid spades. Rich took nine tricks in 2NT while Conndy defended 3NT -1.

?

5Cx N =

2NT N +1; 3C S +2

4C N =

2H S =

3D W -1

3H S -1; 3NT N -1; 5C N -1

2D W =

2D W +1

?

17:

?

...............Q4

...............A8

...............J10854

...............K1087

AJ107...................K985

Q...........................K1063

AKQ976................2

64..........................A932

...............632

...............J97542

...............3

...............QJ5

?

While a cheeky 2H opening in third seat from South might lead to 3NT E the hand was always declared by West. Usually West opened 1D in fourth seat and rebid 1S after a 1H response. Everyone got to game - 3NT W, 4S W eight times and 5S W twice.

?

It takes a club lead to hold spades to eleven tricks by force, but declarer usually had trouble taking so many. Even after a diamond lead twelve tricks are possible if not probable. Declarer can ruff two diamonds with the nine and eight of spades while dropping the offside doubleton queen and along the way discarding the club loser on the established king of hearts. Erik did manage twelve tricks after a diamond lead but Richard, Lee and Gernot all scored 80% in 4S +1. Three declarers took only nine tricks, with Troward N-S top defending 5S -2. 3NT could take only nine tricks even if declarer guessed the spades correctly (and had a nasty surprise with the diamonds splitting badly); Leighry set it one trick to be one of the three pairs scoring 80% for +100.

?

5S W -2

3NT W -1; 4S W -1 (2)

4S W = (3)

4S W +1 (3)

5S W +1

?

18:

?

...............KJ106

...............84

...............109

...............Q8762

Q............................9732

K953......................A6

Q62........................AK8753

AJ1054...................9

...............A854

...............QJ1072

...............J4

...............K3

?

Presumably 1D from East and then most probably some form of game invitation from West. West presumably responds 1H to 1D and then over 1S may bid the aggressive 2C or else choose between 2NT and 3D for an invitation. One West bid only 2D, ending the auction. Of the other partials, 2NT W was played twice and 3D E thrice. Just under half the pairs reached game, all 3NT, four times from the West side and once from the East.

?

3NT has better chances than one might think. Not only is there the 4-4 split that actually exists, but even if spades split 5-3 or 6-2 opening leader must find the lead and even then the suit might block. Here the 4-4 split was all declarer needed. It did not seem to matter whether the lead was a spade or not as declarer was sure to run the nine top tricks. Everyone took nine tricks except for Jatin, who took a tenth in this two-card ending:

?

..........K

..........----

..........----

..........Q

----.............97

95...............----

----..............----

----..............----

..........8

..........Q

..........----

..........----

?

The no-trumps partials both took nine tricks as well. Eleven tricks were available in diamonds without declarer's being too on point; it was not necessary to take the ruffing finesse in clubs on the third round if two entries to dummy still remain, but there was also the chance of an overruff if declarer held off on drawing trumps. One declarer took eleven tricks in diamonds but Ritold and Troward defended 3D +1 to tie for N-S top.

?

3D E +1 (3)

2D E +3; 2NT W +1 (2)

3NT E =; 3NT W = (3)

3NT W +1

1:

?

...............4

...............Q987

...............1096542

...............53

1063.........................AJ

J6.............................AK1052

AQJ..........................87

AKQ62.....................J987

...............KQ98752

...............43

...............K3

...............104

?

Left to their own devices, E-W might reach 6C. The auction would start 1H-2C; 3C and then West might bid 3D. If East then bids 3S instead of 3NT the fair 6C might be reached. As the hand is South will come in with 3S or at least 2S over 1H and then West will be pushed. 3S might be too effective if anything. If West bids 4C either East or West may end up driving to 6C just out of knowing that 5C is not likely to score well. Contracts were 3Sx S twice, 3NT E, 3NT W(!), 5C E, 5C W four times, 6C E and 6C W. Pauise were the pair in 6C E after the auction P-1H-3S-X; P-4C-P-6C.

?

Without a spade lead, declarer in 6C needs only one of two finesses to work at worst. If North does lead a spade, declarer will need the heart finesse to work and either the diamond finesse or the hearts to split no worse than 4-2. Here with both red suits sitting kindly declarer can take all the tricks in clubs, which was duly done five times. Louise, in 6C E, did not have to risk the heart finesse. When trumps split 2-2, she had a cold twelve tricks by establishing dummy's spade ten. 3Sx can be set four tricks by force but not quite five. Jacob was E-W top in 6C W +1; N-S top was shared between Fivy and Jemer on 5C = and 3NT =.

?

3NT W =; 5C W =

5C E +2; 5C W +2 (3)

3NT E +4

3Sx S -3

3Sx S -4

6C W =

6C E +1

?

2:

?

...............43

...............10952

...............AQ108

...............J53

J5...........................AQ97

8.............................K74

KJ643.....................975

K10542...................AQ8

...............K10862

...............AQJ63

...............2

...............96

?

1NT from East and then it is a question of how (or just perhaps if) South competes. If South shows both majors, North may well compete in hearts despite the vulnerability, although it may be tempting to leave West in diamonds if that is how West proceeds over South. West gets stuck not being able to show invitational values (except perhaps against a Landy 2C, allowing a 2NT relay to 3C followed by 3D instead of bidding a direct 2D), and East may get pushed into 3NT; the stoppers are there but there are not enough fast tricks. Contracts were 1NT E, 2H S, 2NT E, 3C E, 3C W, 3Hx N, 3NT E thrice, 4D W and 4Hx N (the last auction being 1NT-2D-X-2H; 3NT-4H-P-P; X).

?

N-S can take eight tricks by force against no-trumps, although six was quite a fair outcome. With East marked with the majority of high cards, it is not shocking that the layout allows a make of 4H, although declarer has to be dedicated to the correct line of ruffing spades as quickly as possible, especially against a trump lead (declarer can bypass the diamond finesse - with 3-1 trumps South just gets back to hand in time to draw the last trump and cash the thirteenth spade for trick number ten). Homer made 4Hx for the N-S top; E-W top was Wendric's defending 3Hx -1.

?

4Hx N =

4D W -3

2H S =

3NT E -2 (2)

3C E -1; 3C W -1; 3NT E -1

1NT E =

2NT E =

3Hx N -1

?

3:

?

...............AQ

...............KQJ94

...............Q2

...............KJ85

976........................J10854

A82........................1063

J10863..................97

Q4.........................A93

...............K32

...............75

...............AK54

...............10762

?

N-S could easily have reached 3NT S at every table. If North rebid 2C instead of 2NT after P-1H; 1NT, there was a chance of finishing elsewhere. 3NT S was played eight times, along with 2C N, 3H N and 4C N.

?

Declarer can take eleven tricks in no-trumps by force, although West can give declarer a little anxiety by ducking the first two rounds of hearts. Also the play is complicated by the entry difficulty to the South hand; declarer needs to lead a low club to the jack early in order to benefit from the onside doubleton queen. Fay, Jeff and Jeanne took eleven tricks to split the N-S top. The other five declarers in 3NT took ten for the middle score. Jamob were one of the pairs defending 3NT +1; declarer was still in with a chance at the end of the hand, not having touched clubs, but cashed the spade king at trick eleven instead of taking the club finesse.

?

3NT S +2 (3)

3NT S +1 (5)

4C N +1

3H N =

2C N +2

?

4:

?

...............Q643

...............K2

...............AK87

...............Q105

A5..........................J109

AQ65.....................J87

J1063.....................942

KJ7........................A862

...............K872

...............10943

...............Q5

...............932

?

West's 1NT opening bid should save North from doing anything to get N-S into trouble. We could have seen 1NT W at almost every table and it was the contract eight times. One North declared 2S one way or another and East declared twice, once in 1NT and once in 2NT.

?

N-S can take seven tricks against no-trumps by force. If West declares it is harder; North must lead a diamond to South, who must return a spade through the ace, giving N-S three tricks each in spades and diamonds with at least a heart sure to come. This one fell out half and half, with four Wests in 1NT being set and four making the contract. East took six tricks in both no-trumps contracts declared and Henry made 2S N. Jemer, who defended 2NT E -2, were N-S top; E-W top was Pauls's in 1NT W +2. N-S began with three rounds of diamonds, the second and third rounds each giving up a trick, followed by North's club switch to give Paul his second overtrick.

?

2NT E -2

2S N =

1NT E -1; 1NT W -1 (4)

1NT W = (2)

1NT W +2 (2)

?

5:

?

...............A75

...............J5

...............A52

...............KJ532

KJ942.......................Q1063

2................................AQ63

J963..........................84

A76............................Q94

...............8

...............K109874

...............KQ107

...............108

?

The auction seemed likely to start 1C-P-1H-1S; P-3S, putting South under a good deal of pressure. The hand is low on HCP but has the loser count to bid 4H. If East bids 2H instead South can bid 3H and then let 3S go knowing that the hand has at least showed some values. A few tables stopped below 3S and there were more contracts doubled than undoubled: 2S W, 3Dx S, 3Hx S, 3S W twice, 3Sx W, 4H S twice, 4Hx S, 4Sx E and 4Sx W.

?

Only three contracts made. In hearts East can duck two leads through from North and, with the diamonds also splitting badly, even a correct guess in clubs does not allow declarer to force more than nine tricks. All declarers in hearts were defeated, with two taking nine tricks and two eight, a good thing for Ritold, who had doubled 3H. Jacbot could not force more than -1 against 3Dx but were allowed -3 for the E-W top, beating out the three declarers who were allowed a ninth trick in a spade contract. One of these, Victoria, received a heart lead instead of the needed spade or diamond. N-S top was shared three ways on +300 by Jarilee and Glynneth, who defended 4Sx, with Jevin, who defended 3Sx. Declarer in spades starts with only four sure losers but, even if North does not draw East's trumps, declarer will still need to avoid a club ruff or an overruff in a major.

?

3Sx W -2; 4Sx E -2; 4Sx W -2

4H S -1

2S W +1; 3S W = (2)

3Hx S -1; 4Hx S -1; 4H S -2

3Dx S -3

?

6:

?

...............A9

...............KQ52

...............J854

...............K84

873..........................KQ64

1064........................987

AKQ97.....................632

A9............................J72

...............J1052

...............AJ3

...............10

...............Q10653

?

?

I thought P-P-1D-P; 1S-P-1NT would be more popular than it turned out to be. West only declared 1NT twice. North declared that contract once on an auction I don't think I'd want to know. There were likely some takeout doubles and perhaps one or two overcalls. Above 1NT, contracts were 2D W twice, 2H N twice, 2S E thrice and 3C S.

?

1NT favoured the defence regardless of who declared. A diamond lead allowed E-W to establish the suit for a fifth trick or even for West to push a spade through North's ace for both a fifth and a sixth. When West declared, a club or heart lead allowed N-S to establish nine tricks and West could force no more. Gareth made 1NT N and Study managed the N-S top defending 1NT W -2, +200 being all they needed for the top score. Jacob received a diamond lead, after which he was head for -1 the whole hand until N-S crashed the club king and queen at trick twelve. Spades could have been held to six tricks but one declarer took seven while Jamie and NJ took eight. This was a little surprising as there was not really much South could do on the hand. Jeff and Karlene took the par nine tricks in hearts. 2D W was also set the par -1 both times. Finally Jeanne, the lone declare in clubs, took the expected nine tricks.?

?

1NT W -2

2H N +1 (2)

3C S =

2D W -1 (2); 2S E -1

1NT N =

1NT W =

2S E = (2)

?

7:

?

...............965

...............AQ109

...............A5

...............A762

AQ1074.................K82

854........................J762

K82........................Q10943

103.........................5

...............J3

...............K3

...............J76

...............KQJ984

?

If South does not open the bidding, North opens 1C and the side may reach 3NT N if West never gets in a spade bid. This does not bode well for E-W, however, as East?will likely lead a diamond instead without the guidance of an overcall. If West opens 2S East may carry on to 3S or South will balance with 3C and North will likely let it go, or at most make some sort of move to see if South has a spade stopper and let 4C rest. If South opens 1C, West overcalls 1S but North is unlikely to be kept out of game. Contracts were 3C N, 3C S twice, 3NT S twice, 4C S and 5C S five times.

?

3NT is quickly set by a spade lead. 5C can be made by force but will likely be set if the lead is a spade. Marilee and Judy (P) made 5C, and Jeff, who received a heart lead, took the easy twelve tricks. The club partials all yielded eleven tricks; E-W top was split between?Leobot and Pauise against 3NT -1 with Linbot?and Michbot against 5C -1.

?

5C S +1

5C S = (2)

3C N +2; 3C S +2 (2); 4C S +1

3NT S -1 (2); 5C S -1 (2)

?

8:

?

...............A

...............AKJ64

...............KQ72

...............AJ6

87642..................K5

95.........................Q8732

----.......................A109643

1098743...............----

...............QJ1093

...............10

...............J85

...............KQ52

?

North has a tricky time on the opening bid with a choice between 1H and 2C. If East comes in either red suit can be serious trouble even at the two-level. Slam is likely enough after 2C with South's holding enough values to justify going beyond game, with 3NT the probable destination after 1H. N-S could potentially make game in either major despite the 5-1 suits along with game in no-trumps, and might manage slam in the minors. Usually people managed to stop in time; Contracts were 3NT N thrice, 3NT S thrice, 4S S, 4NT N twice, 6Cx N and 6NT N.

?

With the wild E-W distribution, no-trumps turned out to be the only safe denomination. There was not quite a way to take twelve tricks unless West held Q532 in hearts and covered the ten, but one would not do so if South were declaring, seeing that the whole suit would establish. All the declarers in no-trumps took eleven tricks except for the two results of 3NT = posted against Pauise and Michbot. 4S does not look too bad but the horrendous splits allow E-W to take the first five tricks; Leobot added a sixth trick. 6C has play looking at only the two hands but the layout is grim, with Linbot taking five tricks against 6Cx for +800 and the E-W top.

?

3NT N +2 (2); 3NT S +2 (2)

4H N +1 (2)

3NT N =; 3NT S =

6NT N -1

4S S -3

6Cx N -4

?

9:

?

...............QJ875

...............63

...............2

...............98542

K102.......................A4

A9542.....................KQ87

876..........................AQ95

Q6...........................AJ10

...............963

...............J10

...............KJ1043

...............K73

?

This was the fiendish hand of the set. East opens 2NT and West has a transfer into hearts. There is no serious chance of reaching slam unless East can show a doubleton spade along with four-card support for hearts. We came as close to getting everyone into the same contract here as we would, with 3NT E twice and 4H E nine times. 6H might be reached playing Precision, but would be wrong-sided played by West.

?

Against 3NT a spade lead from South holds declarer to ten tricks at most. Any other lead allows an eleventh. Hearts played by East can take twelve tricks but requires sparkling play against a passive lead. Declarer has to ruff the third spade after taking one high trumps from the East hand then draw trumps in two rounds ending in the West hand. At this point either minor queen will lead to twelve tricks (or thirteen) three-fourths of the time, but the double dummy line is to finesse a lower diamond. South is endplayed and has to lead into dummy, and then declarer can find a squeeze of South in the two minors, winning South's return in the East hand and cashing the ace in the other minor, then returning to the West hand with the heart nine to run the last two hearts, keeping either the diamond eight or club queen as one threat and club AJ or diamond Ax as the other. It's not an easy squeeze to find, as North could easily hold the club king. A diamond or club lead from South gives declarer an easier twelve tricks; four declarers posted +680. Jacob was E-W top in 3NT E +3 after a low diamond lead and then diamond continuation from South after winning the club finesse. Mahn were N-S top wen East took only ten tricks in 4H.

?

4H E =

4H E +1 (4)

3NT E +2

4H E +2 (4)

3NT E +3

?

10:

?

...............----

...............KJ74

...............AK9876

...............K72

KQJ62....................109854

Q10965...................8

4..............................Q53

Q10.........................AJ85

...............A73

...............A32

...............J102

...............9643

?

Does West open in third seat? It would be nice for pairs with an opening bid to show both majors. North will overcall in diamonds if West opens anything and then it is off to the races. If West stays quiet once we start P-P-P-1D; P-1NT, after which another pass could well lead to 3NT S. If spades ever make their way into the auction E-W get to 4S and then it will be a question of whether N-S go on to 5D or not. We finished with a 6-5 split, contracts of 4S W four times, 4Sx W, 5D N four times and 5Dx N twice.

?

Either suit yields ten tricks. Spade contracts are straightforward, making or failing on the club finesse. Diamonds are a little trickier; declarer comes to ten tricks with North declaring, as there is no way to prevent a discard of a club on the spade ace and then ruffing the fourth heart without East's being able to draw South's third trump. Gareth made 5D and Mike made 5Dx after East led the club ace either right away or when in with the diamond queen. Two declarers somehow missed the timing and lost a fourth trick. Everyone in spades took ten tricks except against Jarilee. Their double of 4S could well have backfired but worked to their advantage, as a nervous declarer went down after the infamous lurker check, drawing trumps but then playing another round just to be sure.

?

5Dx N =

5D N =

4Sx W -1

5D N -1

5D N -2 (2); 5Dx N -1

4S W = (4)

?

11:

?

...............J6

...............983

...............Q103

...............K10986

K9842....................Q7

AK52......................J10

J4...........................K972

Q4..........................AJ753

...............A1053

...............Q764

...............A865

...............2

?

With South dealer, this looks like one of those hands destined for 2NT via the E-W auction 1S-1NT; 2H-2NT. (Had East dealt and passed, West might prefer to take the side's chances in 1NT.) We could consider this a sort of Goldilocks hand with four conservative Easts giving preference to 2S, three optimistic Wests accepting the invitation and going to 3NT, and four invitations declined with a contract of 2NT E.

?

for the most part this was a resounding win for the conservatives. A heart lead holds no-trumps to seven tricks because it kills the entry situation for E-W to be able to establish the spades. Declarers in no-trumps took six tricks twice, seven tricks four times and ten tricks once - by Linda. Play began diamond, club, diamond, diamond, with each diamond lead costing N-S one trick. Linda was E-W top and Minn N-S top defending 3NT E -3. Spade contracts can take nine tricks by force, mostly because North is more or less endplayed on opening lead. Three declarers did take nine tricks; Fivy were allowed to hold declarer to eight.

?

3NT E -3

2NT E -2; 3NT E -2 (2)

2NT E -1 (2)

2S W =

2S W +1 (3)

2NT E +2

?

12:

?

...............A64

...............QJ8

...............A1097

...............A72

K2............................J1075

A1063.......................97542

QJ63........................85

KJ10.........................64

...............Q983

...............K

...............K42

...............Q9853

?

I find this one puzzling. Is there a plausible alternative to 1D from West, 1NT from North and South's eventually reaching 3NT? Nothing else makes much sense to me but only six pairs played 3NT N, with lower contracts of 1NT N, 2C S, 2H W (which makes some sense if North is stuck over a weak 1NT opening bid; I strongly advise pairs to use a double of a weak 1NT as strength-showing rather than for some form of takeout)., 2NT N and 3C S; the N-S partials likely resulting from a takeout double?

?

Although the N-S pairs to miss game avoided a trap (3NT is set by a heart lead; West cannot be put under any pressure), four of the six declarers in that contract made it. Mike was even N-S top taking an overtrick after a spade opening lead and eventually a diamond from West at trick seven when a heart would at least have held him to the contract. Ritold were E-W top defending 3NT N -3; against Pauise declarer also went to extremes when the clubs didn't oblige and finished -2. 2H W could have been set but Jacob made it. Clubs yielded the par ten tricks to Jeanne; Linbot held declarer to eight.

?

3NT N +1

3NT N = (3)

3C S +1

1NT N =; 2C S =

2NT N -1

2H W =

3NT N -2

3NT N -3

?

13:

?

...............Q10

...............432

...............KQ97

...............A843

A975......................J86432

A10765..................98

----.........................J8543

K975......................----

...............K

...............KQJ

...............A1062

...............QJ1062

?

Can spades ever get into the auction here? If East passes and South opens 1NT, West may show both majors and East bids 4S in a flash, this being the sort of hand that could easily have a double game swing.?4S might also be reached after a 1D opening bid and a takeout double. A pass over 1NT from West likely leads to 3NT S, which can also be reached after P-P-1C-1H; 2H. Contracts in either minor are also possible. We ended with 3C S thrice, 3D N, 3Dx S, 3NT S thrice, 4S W, 5D N and 5D S.

?

Diamond contracts look nasty but do better played by North, as West can lead a club and give East three ruffs. Henry made 3D N; Kevin took ten tricks in 5D -1; Vinj were E-W top defending 3Dx S -2. Ten tricks were par in clubs, the result twice with Jamob holding the contract to nine. The nine of clubs was a key card, preventing both 5C and 3NT from making. But 3NT required a spade lead; Fay and Marilee took ten tricks after a heart lead, although Wendric did manage the par -1 on defence. 4S takes eleven tricks but not on the gaudy cross-ruffing. The hearts establish; if the opening lead is a diamond, forcing West to ruff, declarer must suck a heart at once.

?

3NT S +1 (2)

4S W -2

3C S +1 (2)

3C S =; 3D N =

3NT S -1; 5D N -1

5D S -2

3Dx S -2

?

14:

?

...............AJ52

...............AJ62

...............98

...............K86

107.......................KQ98

984.......................K103

A1075...................Q42

AQ74....................932

...............643

...............Q75

...............KJ63

...............J105

?

1C from North in fourth seat and then do E-W ever get into the auction? They have half the points but neither has an easy in.?Some?Easts found the suit good enough to come in with 1S, ending the auction twice and leading to 1NT W, a contract also played twice by South and thrice by North. The higher contracts were 2C N, 2Dx W (I have no idea how that happened) and 3H N.

?

The layout favours E-W. No-trumps technically suits the defence; E-W get?eight tricks if West leads spades through North before N-S get hearts started. North or South can be held to five tricks, West to seven. But, as i often the case, all the declarers overperformed. 1NT was never defeated. Jacob took eight tricks declaring as West, as did Mike as North and Lynn (G). Lynn's overtrick came when West led a diamond at trick five instead of a heart or spade. 1NT was the only contract to make; all the other contracts scored +100 for the defence. John bettered par by one trick playing 3H N -2; 1S E could have been made by force.

?

1NT N +1; 1NT S +1

1S E -2; 2Dx W -1

1NT N = (2); 1NT S =

1S E -1

2C N -2; 3H N -2

1NT W +1

?

15:

?

...............Q983

...............AJ54

...............1093

...............85

AK64....................1052

96.........................KQ72

J8.........................Q64

AK983..................J102

...............J7

...............1083

...............AK752

...............Q76

?

After last board's Tribute to 1NT we seemed headed for 1NT E via 1C-1H; 1S-1NT unless South were to come in with 2D. We only saw 1NT E twice and 1NT W thrice - did West open 1NT. Two Wests disliked the diamonds enough to go on to 2C over 1NT. One South overcalled 2D and played the hand there. The three higher contracts were 2S W, 2NT W and 3C W, the first and third making some sense after a 2D overcall and the second after a 1NT opening bid and an optimistic response.

?

A diamond lead holds no-trumps to eight tricks the easy way, although declarer might manage not to do any better against passive defence. +120 is the highest declaring score that can be forced; nine tricks are straightforward in clubs and eight not so straightforward in spades. 2D S can be -2 for the E-W top if E-W are able to make sure of two heart tricks without allowing declarer a discard. Clubs never matched par; Fivy were N-S top defending 3C W -1 while Paul scored well playing 2C W +2. The no-trumps partials took seven tricks, eight tricks twice, nine trcisk and ten tricks twice. Linda and Jacob tied for E-W top in 1NT +3, Linda from the East side and Jacob from the West. North gave Jacob two tricks, one with a diamond discard at trick seven and the other with a spade lead at trick nine, at both points on which a heart could have been played instead. Martin took his eight tricks in 2S for close to a middle score. Leigh Ann was able to pull out a seventh trick in 2D to save 80%. My guess is that the opening lead was a spade and that Leigh Ann was able to get two discards on the spade queen and nine, East's trumping the nine just using the defence's natural trump trick.

?

3C W -1

1NT W =

2D S -1

2S W =; 2C W +1

1NT E +1

2C W +2

1NT W +2; 2NT W +1

1NT E +3; 1NT W +3

?

16:

?

...............98

...............AK1086

...............10

...............AKJ82

K753.....................QJ64

4............................QJ52

AKQ874................J52

63..........................Q4

...............A102

...............973

...............963

...............10975

?

The HCP were about evenly divided. Even at reverse vulnerability the North hand can justify an Unusual 2NT; at favourable vulnerability with so much potential offensively and good defensive potential as well I would favour a double planning to follow with hearts, as North is not especially afraid of E-W's getting the auction to a high level in spades. A constructive game bid is not unlikely and North can carry on over just about any E-W auction, perhaps the trickiest being 1D-X-1S-P; 3S, which is about what the West hand is worth; I'd probably rather bid 4S than 2S if I could be sure partner wouldn't take flight and go for slam. On this layout, if North doubles East bids either 1H or 1NT; the former slows North's ambitions. If North overcalls 1H, East may make a negative double, bid 1S or try 1NT. E-W did not often outbid N-S; contracts were 2H N, 2NT N(oops!), 3C N, 3C S, 3H N twice, 3S W, 4H N thrice and 4S E.

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With clubs 2-2 and the bad trump split, declarer has nine tricks in hearts, the outcome at all six tables playing in that suit. Club contracts take an extra trick, as there is only one heart loser. That happened both time clubs were played. Spade contracts can be held to eight tricks if North gets a diamond ruff. Fivy managed this for N-S top defending 4S -2; Paul made 3S for E-W top. Jamob had a remarkably easy time setting 2NT and picked up another trick for an extra 15% in the score.

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4S E -2

2H N +1; 3H N = (2)

3C N +1; 3C S +1

4H N -1 (3)

2NT N -2

3S W =

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17:

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...............93

...............A98753

...............A

...............J1087

J752........................Q1064

Q4...........................J62

K54.........................QJ106

Q542.......................A9

...............AK8

...............K10

...............98732

...............K63

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If North opens 2H it probably goes around. Then again, P-P-1D-P; 1H-P-1NT-P; 2H is about equally plausible, although North has the loser count for more. In the end, 2H N was attempted seven times. Higher contracts were 2NT S, 3H N twice and 4H S after the auction P-1D; 1H-1NT; 3H-4H.

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The Losing Trick Count proves to be right on the spot this time; in 4H North loses one trump and two clubs. Ten tricks were taken at seven tables, with JP (2H +3) overperforming as declarer, Jamob and Leobot (2H +1) on defence. No-trumps get interesting; an early diamond lead not only establishes a minimum of five tricks for the defence but at the same time prevents declarer from cashing the three long hearts. After that E-W ought to come to seven tricks. After a spade lead declarer can force an eighth trick, while a club lead and any return but a diamond lets declarer come to nine, the table result in 2NT +1.

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4H S =

2H N +3

2H N +2 (4); 3H N +1 (2)

2NT S +1

2H N +1 (2)

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18:

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...............AJ10653

...............85432

...............96

...............----

984...........................Q7

AQJ..........................109

K10...........................AJ73

KQ973......................AJ654

...............K2

...............K76

...............Q8542

...............1082

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We finished with a trap for E-W. If East opens, West drives to game and may well respond with an immediate 3NT. An inverted raise in clubs gives the side the chance to find they have no spade stopper and then 5C becomes the likely contract - at least there was a good escape available. If East passes West opens 1NT and then it becomes a question of whether North comes in on the 6-5 distribution. If not, East likely just jumps to 3NT. If North does come in E-W have a fighting chance to find their way to 5C. Six of the eleven E-W pairs walked into the trap and declared 3NT W. Other contracts were 3C E, 5C E, 5C W twice and 6C E.

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3Nt is -2 against any spade lead except the ace. Minn, Leighry, Glynneth, Study and Jemer took their six tricks and split the N-S top. Only Michelle did not receive the killing lead and emerged with ten tricks for the E-W top. Club contracts could have been held to eleven tricks by a spade lead. Wendy could have been E-W top in 5C +1, with Elizabeth following in 5C =. Karleta managed to set 5C when declarer unnecessarily ran the diamond ten for a finesse.

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3NT W -2 (5)

5C E -1; 6C E -1

3C E +1

5C W =

5C W +1

3NT W +1

Okay; thanks for letting me know.

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RT

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Oh, that's right, it's a Wednesday.

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