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1:

?

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

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

...............KQ76542

...............10865

10942.........................J75

Q1087........................A963

----.............................A1098

AK432.......................Q7?

...............AKQ83

...............J542

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

...............J9

?

3D opened by North seems likely to end the auction unless West finds a reopening double that risks being taken as showing a bigger hand. Had West been dealer and passed reopening with a double would have been a low-risk move, the hand clearly being limited by not having opened the bidding. One North opened 3D and played the hand there. One North not only passed as dealer but passed South's 1S. The other two N-S pairs somehow found themselves in 3NT S, a huge overbid.

?

3NT could have been set five tricks but Jamob and Ritold were both content with -4 to tie for E-W top. Breta bettered par by a trick in 1S S -1. Kevin made 3D N; he could have been defeated but E-W began with three rounds of clubs instead of cashing their heart trick off the top or after either of the first two clubs. The third club gave East a choice between ruffing high and surrendering a trump trick or allowing South to ruff and letting declarer cash the high spades at once.

?

3D N =

1S S -1

3NT S -4 (2)

?

2:

?

...............AKQ1053

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

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

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

?642.............................987

J952............................A73

AQ83...........................K10642

108..............................62

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

...............K1086

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

...............AK7543

?

One South opened 3C, probably making it a bit too difficult to find the winning spot of 4S, even at the vulnerability. North raised to 4C, ending the auction. The other Souths opened 1C, all auctions leading to 4S N.

?

All contracts provided a straightforward ten tricks, with three top losers in the red suits. N-S could run twelve tricks after any deviation. As i turned out only Ritold held declarer (in 4S) to eleven tricks. The other three declarers all took twelve. Karlene played 4S +2 (as did Kevin); East found the diamond lead but West made the reasonable trump switch in case North had begun with king to three or more. Jamob were E-W top defending 4C +2.

?

4S N +2 (2)

4S N +1

4C S +2

?

3:

?

...............10432

...............106

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

...............AQ765

AKJ7........................Q86

Q874........................K53

K986........................J103

9...............................K1032

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

...............AJ92

...............A754

...............J84

?

P-1D-P-1NT seemed like ending the auction but that only happened twice. One East somehow got all the way up into 3NT. At the fourth table North was lured by the vulnerability into a 2C overcall in the balancing position. Neither vulnerable would have been more appealing, as then the chance of a good score from defending would have gone down. East, with a maximum 1NT response and good clubs, doubled for penalty; West left the double in.

?

2Cx can make by force; declarer threatens to discard a red loser on the other red suit and ruff the third and fourth spades. E-W can force their two red tricks only by giving up a trump trick; diamond to king, heart to king and ace, diamond to queen is followed by a club and either East must let South in with the jack or East has to win the king prematurely at the cost of a trump trick. Ritold posted 2Cx -1 when declarer decided to play Harold for K109x (x) and finessed the eight on the first club. Par in no-trumps was seven tricks. Haorge held 1NT to seven tricks for a good score; Jevin were N-S top defending 3NT -1. Gareth was E-W top in 1NT +2. The key play came at trick six when North ducked a diamond led from dummy; playing the queen would have led to -1 as N-S would have still had time to work on the clubs.

?

3NT E -1

1NT E =

2Cx N -1

1NT E +2

?

Leaders: Jevin 8.5; Ritold-Jamob 6.5; Karleta-Garbot 4.5

?

4:

?

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

...............A652

...............K1075

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

Q4............................983

KQ107......................J984

J9642.......................A3

Q9............................10654?

...............A752

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

...............Q8

...............AJ8732

?

N-S have the values for game. Two pairs reached the expected 4S, both declared by South. The other two pairs played 3NT N, possibly rebidding 2NT after 1D-2C. Jevin were one of the pairs in 3NT. Even playing four-card majors there was still a chance of reaching 4S after 1H-2C; the follow-up could have been 2D-2S Fourth Suit Forcing, raised to 3S by North to show four in the suit. It is possible, though, that North might anticipate a spade lead and bid no-trumps to give the holding a good position.

?

A heart lead holds declarer to nine tricks in no-trumps. Ritold did so for the E-W top, but Kevin, having opened 1H, avoided heart leads. After a club lead from East and a duck when Kevin continued with a diamond he had eleven tricks. Declarer could force twelve tricks in hearts with a successful guess in trumps. Haolrge held declarer to eleven tricks but Bob took his twelve for N-S top; there is time to ruff a club in the North hand to establish the suit and establish a diamond trick as well.

?

4S S +2

3NT N +2

4S S +1

3NT N =

?

5:

?

...............AJ103

...............K942

...............A83

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

K862......................Q75

73...........................108

KQ942...................J10

Q8..........................K106543?

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

...............AQJ65

...............765

...............J72

?

North opens 1NT and can easily jump to 3H when South transfers with 2D, That led to 4H N thrice. The other contract was 2NT N, which does not make a lot of sense, although North might pass if South raises 1NT to 2NT.

?

4H makes if declarer begins with the simple expedient of ducking the first trick if East gets off to the best opening lead of a diamond. With careful defence the spades provide only one discard. But with the first diamond ducked West never gains the lead to cash the second diamond winner and South's third diamond is discarded on a spade. Even without a diamond lead declarer did not always find a winning line of play. After a club lead Leighry still defeated 4H when, on the third round of spades, North took a ruffing finesse and lost to West's king. Garbot also defeated 4H, which was made only by Jamie. In 2NT Karlene needed only to play safely for eight tricks to score 2/3, although ten tricks were possible.

?

4H N =

2N N =

4H N -1 (2)

?

6:

?

...............A104

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

...............864

...............K732

K9...........................QJ7652

K872.......................43

Q2...........................J953

A8654.....................10

...............83

...............Q1095

...............AK107

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

?

A 2S opening bid from East may have ended the auction; this happened once. Twice South opened 1D, leading to 3NT N, although 2NT N seems quite possible. At the last table, North opened 1C and passed South's response of 1H.

?

Technically declarer can force ten tricks in no-trumps by finessing the diamonds twice through East, not a realistic line to expect declarer to find. Jamie took nine tricks with three tricks each in hearts and clubs to go with the other three top winners. Leighry defeated 3NT after a spade lead put declarer under pressure and the timing was mishandled. 2S -1 was possible but Harold made it for E-W top: after two diamonds and two hearts North led the heart ace instead of getting rid of West's trumps. Declarer could force nine tricks in hearts even against a club lead and ruff, followed by a spade. A diamond to the ace is followed by a repeated trump finesse. Having ruffed, East discards on the second heart. Then South's club winner is cleared, followed by a third heart to the ace, a discard of the spade loser on the fourth club, then a spade ruff and the diamond king for nine tricks. George did not need the ninth trick; 1H +1 still scored 2/3.

?

3NT N =

1H S +1

3NT N -1

2S E =

?

Leaders: Jamob 15.5, Ritold 13.5, Jevin 12, Garbot 10

?

7:

?

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

...............J1082

...............KJ5

...............J985

J10432.................Q87?

Q74.......................K53

AQ4......................1093

74.........................Q1063

...............A95

...............A96

...............8762

...............AK2

?

This seemed headed for 2NT S after a 1NT opening bid and an invitation after Stayman. But this only occurred once. One North went on to 3NT, impressed by the intermediates. Another South opened 1C, producing 1C-1S-X-2S. The incomprehensible contract was 3H S.

?

Declarer can force nine tricks in no-trumps, but needs to finesse the clubs twice through East in order to do so; after a spade lead the is insufficient time to play both red suits. But risking the finesse's losing to West is unappealing; in both 2NT and 3NT declarer took eight tricks. Declarer in hearts has one extra stopper in the form of the fourth trump and eleven tricks are unstoppable with the divided heart honours, the 3-3 hearts, the diamond ace and queen both onside, the 3-3 diamonds, and the onside queen-ten of clubs. Gareth took nine tricks, still good enough for N-S top. 2S could have been three tricks down for what would have been N-S top, but Jeff emerged with nine tricks for E-W top after four bits of help - an opening diamond lead, a misclick crashing the spade honours and then South's leading each of the top two clubs.

?

3H S =

2NT S =

3NT S -1

2S W +1

?

8:

?

...............J82

...............QJ97

...............K4

...............Q1065

A103........................Q

AK103.....................852

J963........................AQ82

43............................AJ872?

...............K97654

...............64

...............1075

...............K9

?

This hand seemed headed for 3NT: 1D-2C; 2NT-3NT or perhaps after an inverted raise in diamonds from East. 3NT W was played twice; West also declared both 3D and 5D. Had South had a chance to bid 2S things might have been different.

?

3NT W yields nine tricks. Declarer finesses the diamond queen and leads the ace, dropping the king, and North is squeezed on the fourth diamond, being forced either to allow East's clubs or West's hearts to establish or to block the spades even harder by discarding the eight-spot. Diamonds are trickier; declarer can be held to ten tricks by a spade or club lead. After a heart (or trump) lead, the key is to duck a club and, while drawing trumps, ruff the third club and then discard a heart on the fourth, saving the diamond jack to draw the ten. A spade lead lets N-S force East to ruff a spade too early; a club lead forces the ruff of the third club to come too soon. Rita made 5D after a heart lead; all other three declarers matched par. Jamob were N-S top defending 3D +1.

?

3D W +1

3NT W = (2); 5D W =

?

9:

?

...............KJ3

...............AJ93

...............KQ3

...............642

Q9..........................108642

64...........................Q72

AJ654.....................1097

K975.......................AQ

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

...............K1085

...............82

...............J1083

?

Does East or West ever get into the auction? Usually it happened, although it can happen in different ways. East might come in with 1S on the first round or with 2S after 1m-1H; 2H. West might balance with either 3D or 2NT leading to 3D. One South was left unmolested in 2H; the other three N-S pairs all took the push to 3H.

?

The Law was on target. N-S can take nine tricks in hearts; E-W can take seven in diamonds or six in spades. This would have made defending profitable rather than accepting the push on only eight trumps. All four declarers in hearts took eight tricks. Against Study declarer guessed the trumps correctly but either miscounted or misclicked, leading the third round low to the queen instead of dropping it. Breta, the declarer in 2H, also had nine tricks well in sight for much of the hand but did not need the ninth and settled for eight for the N-S top.

?

2H S =

3H S -1 (3)

?

10:

?

...............J42

...............AJ83

...............A642

...............102

Q95..........................A63

KQ76........................952

J53...........................KQ107

Q65..........................A87?

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

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

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

...............KJ943

?

This one was finally universal. 1D-1H; 1NT across the board.

?

Declarer can take eight tricks by force, but it is unlikely. After a club lead dummy's queen much win and declarer must start spades at once - indeed even playing the third spade if South ducks the second. But declarer can hardly know that this is the only way to erase South's entry to the good clubs. Harold was E-W top in 1NT +1, although presumably not on that line. Two declarers took the more usual seven tricks. Jamob defeated 1NT for the E-W top on a club lead when both dummy and declarer ducked the opening lead.

?

1NT E -1

1N E = (2)

1NT E +1

?

11:

?

...............J8

...............KJ876

...............943

...............K108

A76......................K42

32........................AQ104

AQJ1052.............87

A3........................J765

...............Q10953

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

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

...............Q942

?

This hand was confusing as only one pair reached game. Three of the four Wests seriously undervalued the opening hand. After P-P-1D-1H; 1NT-P, one West passed and another rebid only 2D, ending the auction. At a third table North did not overcall and West apparently rebid 1NT over East's 1H response, also ending the auction. Only one pair produced the expected auction P-P-1D-1H; 1NT-P-3D-P; 3NT. The key is West's holding seven almost sure winning tricks, which generally merits a jump rebid. Consider how little is needed for game - 3NT is a claimer if East holds the ace of hearts and the diamond Kx.

?

The success of all the finesses in the red suits lets declarer take twelve tricks in either diamonds or no-trumps. Jeff took twelve tricks in 1NT W to save a score of 2/3. The other declarers all settled for eleven tricks, giving Ritold the E-W top for being the only pair in 3NT.

?

2D W +3

1NT E +4

1NT W +5

3NT E +2

?

12:

?

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

...............Q985

...............AJ73

...............QJ104

A10982.................KJ765

AK63.....................107

109........................Q8

63..........................K972?

...............Q3

...............J42

...............K6542

...............A85

?

After 1S from West, East had a choice between 3S and 4S. This one was evenly divided, two of each contract.

?

The duplication in diamonds with the two doubletons and the wastage of the queen (give East KJxxx xx xx KQxx and 4S goes from about 44.5% to nearly 89%) hurts chances in 4S, although it is still all right if the club ace is onside. With the ace offside, the 3S bidders won out, giving Rita and Jeff a tie for E-W top in 3S =, Study and Jamob a tie for N-S top defending 4S -1.

?

4S W -1 (2)

3S W = (2)

?

Leaders: Jamob 30, Jevin 25, Ritold 24, Garbot 20

?

13:

?

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

...............AK108

...............A952

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

AQ86......................1095

J7432......................Q

----..........................KJ10876

AJ92.......................743?

...............K732

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

...............Q43

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

?

1NT opened by North was left in once. Two Easts showed the diamonds, resulting in 2D E and 2S W. One North opened 1D, curiously resulting in the highest contract of 3D E when East entered the auction later.

?

Karleta were E-W top defending 1NT =; declarer can take eight tricks by force with a correct guess of the hearts; West gets endplayed and has to allow four heart tricks to go with two diamonds and one trick in each black suit. 2S goes one down - declarer cannot quite take two ruffs in each hand and lead clubs through South twice even if N-S do not lead two rounds of spades. Jevin took the par six tricks defending 2S -1 for the middle score. Declarer can take eight tricks in diamonds but has to be very careful to get enough ruffs in hand not to get stuck losing a trick to North's diamond nine, which means not taking heart ruffs too early (allowing N-S to force a ruff. South cannot be kept from scoring the spade king; the key is to force that before it can do North serious good to discard a club). The ideal end position is not to start the trumps until trick ten when East is down to KJ108 in trumps and N-S will have to allow declarer a finesse of the eight-spot. Both declarers in diamonds took seven tricks, giving Haorge N-S top defending 3D -2 when declarer let Hank win the first spade with the jack.

?

3D E -2

2D E -1; 2S E -1

1NT N =

?

14:

?

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

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

...............AQ96

...............KQJ543

Q107..........................AJ9652

1082..........................KQ3

K832.........................75

976............................102

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

...............AJ964

...............J104

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

?

2S from East potentially discombobulates N-S a little.?The trap is that the auction could start 2S-3H; if North cannot bid 3S as a generic force then the hand will have to bid 4C and it will become virtually impossible to play game in no-trumps. Will N-S get to game after 2S-P-P-3C? Perhaps not, although South might bid 3NT over 3C. Contracts were 3H S, 3NT S twice and 4H S. Fortunately West resisted any temptation to sacrifice in 4S, which would have been down one trick too many.

?

Curiously, heart contracts are held to ten tricks by a spade lead (either E-W are able to force North to ruff or will be able to cash a second spade trick when in with their trump winner), but against 3NT it takes a heart lead to hold declarer to eleven tricks because there are four diamond winners available to go with the six clubs. At IMPs declarer would likely be content to cash out for nine tricks after a spade lead but at matchpoints declarer likely takes the diamond finesse. George was N-S top in 3NT +3 after a spade lead. Judy was next in 3NT +2. Jevin were E-W top holding 3H to ten tricks, as did Jamob against 4H.

?

3NT S +3

3NT S +2

4H S =

3H S +1

?

15:

?

...............AQ7542

...............A942

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

...............7

6..............................K108

KQ8.........................76

KQ1064...................932

A1096......................J8543

...............J93

...............J1053

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

...............KQ2

?

P-1D-1S-P starts the auction. When South passed, West doubled and East took the chance of defending. When South raised North looked for game, whether or not West came in over 2S. A 3H bid might have led to 4H N. One North stopped in 3S. The other two N-S pairs went to 4S, playing there once and drawing a sacrifice in 5Cx W once.

?

A heart contract would have worked out terribly unluckily; with no entry to dummy to take the trump finesse, declarer would have had to play hearts from hand, eventually coming to eight tricks at most. Declarer cannot take the trump finesse in spades, but that does not hurt as the finesse fails anyway. Spade contracts take nine tricks, although North must duck if the lead is a heart to the queen; ducking forces East to lead to the club ace to score the heart ruff and then North's diamond loser goes away on the second club. Jamob defeated 3S after a diamond lead and club continuation by North instead of a spade; Leighry were E-W top defending 4S -2. The club sacrifice turned out to be a phantom; Ritold bettered par by one trick, although 5Cx -2 would have scored the same 2/3 as the actual -3. Steve was the only spade declarer to take the par nine tricks and he needed the second overtrick to score +560 for 1Sx +2 to beat the +500 defending 5Cx -3.

?

1Sx N +2

5Cx W -3

3S N -1

4S N -2

?

Leaders: Jamob 35.5, Jevin 30.5, Ritold 27.5, Garbot 23.5

?

16:

?

...............KQ7542

...............K93

...............10963

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

J...............................10963

1074.........................Q62

A8742......................Q

AJ102......................Q9764

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

...............AJ85

...............KJ5

...............K853

?

If North passes we finish in 4S S after a 1NT opening bid and a Texas transfer, but it appears that never happened. 4S N was played three times after a 2S opening bid. At the fourth table South opted for 3NT instead.

?

A club lead CAN set 3NT but that is unlikely to happen. The key is for West to lead an intermediate club, after which, if South wins, the bad spade break prevents declarer from cashing more than eight top tricks. If South ducks the first club then West must lead the club deuce to East's nine, forcing South to win so that E-W can cash four clubs on gaining the lead. Declarer in 3NT took nine tricks when West shifted to a heart after winning the first trick with an intermediate club, but that was good enough to give Jamob E-W top. 4S looks good for the defence after the diamond queen/king/ace and a ruff but then when East follows West's suit preference signal and leads a club North ruffs. As there is a sure trump loser it turns out not to matter whether or not E-W even take the diamond ruff. Hank, Henry and Steve all took eleven tricks in 4S to score 2/3.?

?

4S N +1 (3)

3NT S =

?

17:

?

...............QJ10

...............AK9

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

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

----..........................8764

108753....................Q42

AK8765...................J109

105..........................KQ4?

...............AK9532

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

...............Q

...............J976

?

Left to themselves, N-S would seem headed to 4S, apparently making on the 3-2 club split. West can provide effective interference: 1C-P-1S-2NT (unless that shows specifically the minors, as some pairs use the bid, since one can double and some pairs use 1NT for takeout in that situation at all). As the Support Double is generally not used beyond a 2H overcall North will pass. East bids 3H and then it is not quite clear how forward-going or competitive South's 3S bid is, as there is no room. South likely will not want to do more not knowing there is a fit and North may not divine South's invitational values. Contracts were 3S S twice, 4Dx W and 4S S.

?

Diamond contracts take nine tricks if South gets a heart ruff. Bob played the par 4Dx -1 to score 2/3. Spades can take ten tricks but declarers were spooked by the 4-0 trump split after a diamond force. It turns out that, if South ruffs the second diamond, draws trumps, loses a club and then takes a second diamond force, the second club loser can be surrendered and East will be out of diamonds, but the threat was enough to convince both declarers in 3S to settle for nine tricks, which still gave Leigh Ann and Judy a tie for N-S top. Jevin defeated 4S when declarer cashed the hearts too early, setting up a trick for East's queen when in with the third club and giving Jevin the E-W top.

?

3S S = (2)

4Dx W -1

4S S -1

?

18:

?

...............87

...............J9

...............AKJ76

...............KJ108

AJ9642................1053

K85......................AQ432

9...........................1084

AQ7......................65?

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

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

...............Q532

...............9432

?

1S from West and North either overcalls 2D at once or balances with 3D over 1S-2S. West pushes on to 3S, which became the contract three times. The last contract was 4D N. West is really close to an invitation (it would be reasonable for West to invite after East's raise to 2S; the ninth trump will usually be quite useful) and the secondary fit in hearts makes 4S a great spot, as difficult as it is to divine when responder has only the values for a single raise of a major despite the strong side suit.

?

It takes a low diamond lead (the only way for South to push a club through before the trump winner is gone) to hold spades to ten tricks; Breta and Bob took eleven tricks after a high diamond lead.?Par in diamonds was nine tricks; declarer mismanaged entries and finished -2 against Jevin, giving Jevin a tie for E-W top with Bob and Breta. Study finished their big comeback with N-S top holding 3S to ten tricks.

?

Final: Jamob 42.5, Jevin 36.5, Ritold 29.5

?

3S W +1

3S W +2 (2); 4D N -2

1:

?

...............KQ9863

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

...............KQ3

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

107............................4

A1042.......................KQJ7

1095..........................82

Q542.........................KJ10873?

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

...............86

...............AJ764

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

?

We began with a simple enough game with only a question of whether or not E-W would sacrifice. 1S-2C-3C may have kept West quiet, as only two N-S pairs were pushed to the five-level. It is possible if 3C shows a limit raise or better that bidding 4C will help North accept the invitation, and if North is not going to accept then an immediate 5C could be precipitate. North might have high hopes. Slam is cold opposite Axxx x Axxxx xxx and one may be able to steal 6S opposite something like Jxxx Ax AJxxx xx; North may show the club control with 4C and then retire to 4S over 4D. South will pass with no control of hearts. Contracts were 4S N eight times and 5S N twice.

?

It surprised me that four of the ten declarers took twelve tricks. Even without the road map of N-S's showing controls, East has a perfectly natural heart lead from KQJx . I can only suppose that having a suit bid and raised hypnotizes some people on opening lead. Connie, Kent, Larry (St) and Marcia were the lucky Norths not to receive a heart opening lead. Laurie, Gareth, Sarah, Betty, Rich and Harold found the winning lead and held declarer to eleven tricks. Note that, if the North hand were changed to KQxxxx Axx KQx x, declarer would take twelve tricks against either lead and we might be sending the hand in to a bidding contest; North would need KQxxxxx Ax KQx x for the club lead to gain a trick and with that holding I hope every North would have been in 6S.

?

4S N +2 (3); 5S N +1

4S N +1 (5); 5S N =

?

2:

?

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

...............KQJ105

...............K92

...............A842

J10863......................AKQ7542

7632..........................A

A106..........................J54

Q................................J9?

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

...............984

...............Q873

...............K107653

?

1S from East (the hand is a trick short of a 2C opener) likely keeps South quiet at this vulnerability and then 4S from West likely does the same to North. That is too bad as, even at the adverse vulnerability either 5C or 5H can only be set one trick and E-W have to dance around a bit to find the ruff for the third trick; East must lead a club against 5Hx while against 5Cx the defence must find a heart lead and diamond switch. Only one N-S pair found the five-level and pushed East to 5S; everyone else was able to play 4S.

?

While E-W have to manoeuvre to hold a N-S contract to ten tricks, all N-S have to do is avoid either breaking the diamond suit or either defender discarding down to three cards in the suit. Here South has no clear-cut lead, alas. A heart is the most passive lead, least likely to give anything away, but the E-W hands could be something like:

?

Axxxx.....KQxxx

Jxxxx......KQx

xxx..........Axx

----..........xx

?

when a diamond lead would be the only way to prevent declarer from taking twelve tricks. A 1M-4M auction is less likely to reward passive leads than an auction with a splinter raise, but this time that was just what happened. South led a diamond against Ken, Jim and Betty and gave those three declarers an eleventh trick, especially helpful to Jim, who had been pushed to 5S. Three tricks were banked by Louff, Heve, Kerry, Jurcia, Gel, Boric and Marudy.

?

4S E = (7)

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

?

3:

?

...............32

...............KQJ5

...............Q1042

...............Q32

10986.....................KQ4

3.............................A10987

AKJ........................5

10984.....................K765

...............AJ75

...............642

...............9876

...............AJ

?

I did not get to check but suspect that Bob borrowed a page from Jevin and opened 1H in third seat. He ended up declaring 2H, a highly likely contract if Eric replied with Drury, and I don't see North's playing the hand in 2H if East opens 1H. Three Easts opened 1H and left in West's response of 1S. Three other Easts rebid 2C and played the hand there. That left three one-off E-W contracts of 2H E, 3C E and 3NT W.

?

Neither side can make any contract in hearts by force. The opening lead allows the defence to take seven tricks. Against 2H N, a diamond lead leads to -2 if West avoids giving East a diamond ruff and instead leads a heart through North so that East's ace will take an honour and East can draw trumps for two losers before North can organize a ruff of the third club. When East declares a spade lead allows N-S two ruffs, one in each black suit. The spade ruff can be prevented by cashing the top diamonds for a discard but then North gains control of the hand by forcing East in diamonds. Lernot were one of only two N-S pairs to go plus defending 2H E -1; Bob also bettered par as a trick by declarer to score 7/9 playing 2H N -1. Black-suit leads help N-S against spades or no-trumps as well. No-trumps can be held to six tricks, spades to seven. Vioebe did not extract the maximum but still tied for N-S top defending 3NT -1. Kerry scored well holding 1S to the par seven tricks. In club contracts par was nine tricks. Harold, Laurie and Jim took nine tricks declaring in clubs to tie Carol and Sandi in 1S +1. Ken was E-W top in 2C +2 when South trumped trick eleven instead of letting North do so.

?

2H E -1; 3NT W -1

2H N -1

1S W =

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

2C E +2

?

4:

?

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

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

...............AKJ84

...............A97

92...........................KJ854

K762.......................AQJ1043

932..........................6

J1064......................8?

...............AQ3

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

...............Q1075

...............KQ532

?

After 1D-2D South might bid 2H to show a good hand with clubs or 2S to show an invitational-or-better raise if the pair plays Unusual-Over-Unusual, or perhaps 2S to show good values with that suit stopped. With the extra distributional values, East is likely to keep going, potentially making the auction tricky for North. Several auctions had unfortunate conclusions for N-S, with contracts of 3Hx W, 3S S, 4D N twice, 4H E, 4H W, 4Hx W and 5D N thrice.

?

In diamonds N-S have an easy twelve tricks by establishing clubs with a ruff; the double spade stopper allows declarer to use the thirteenth club. Connie and Gene played 5D +1; Larry (St) dropped a trick but still scored well just for being in 5D =. E-W have nine tricks in hearts and everyone took them, giving Marie E-W top in 3Hx W =. 3S was always going down, Keianne eventually finishing with -2, although anything from -1 to -7 would have scored 8/9.

?

5D N +1 (2)

5D N =

4Hx W -1

4D N +2 (2)

4H E -1; 4H W -1

3S S -2

3Hx W =

?

5:

?

...............A10964

...............AQ32

...............964

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

QJ73............................852

1054.............................KJ9876

A1073...........................52

105...............................A9?

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

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

...............KQJ8

...............QJ876432

?

South would likely much rather have East open the bidding than North. One South doubled a 3H overcall and North left the double in. One other East declared, playing 4Hx. At the other tables South declared in either 4C or 5C, 5C winning out by a 5-3 margin.

?

Against hearts, N-S can take six tricks just by not letting declarer lead trumps enough times from the West hand, winning the ace if the ten is led and ducking if West leads low. Both declarers in hearts finished -2, although 4Hx -3 would still have beaten 5C =. Clubs can be held to ten tricks but West has to find the opening lead of a low diamond to allow East to force a ruff. Only Jerik were able to take three tricks on defence for the E-W top defending 4C =. 5C = split the N-S top between Geoff, Larry (Sh), Gernot, Eric and Martin.?

?

5C S = (5)

3Hx E -2; 4Hx E -2

4C S +1 (2)

4C S =

?

6:

?

...............K982

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

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

...............AQJ76

AJ76...........................543

Q102...........................AJ654

QJ85...........................AK1072

K4............................... ----

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

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

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

...............1098532

?

Even if E-W make 2NT raises on three-card support, if anything that only encourages North to overcall 3C, allowing a 5C sacrifice. Otherwise, one way or another E-W seem headed for 4H if they don't get pushed to the five-level - quite the theme of the early rounds. Most auctions did reach the five-level this time and all ended in game; contracts were 3NT W, 4H E thrice, 5Cx N twice, 5D W, 5H E twice and 6H E when one partner thought the other was encouraging slam rather than just taking a push.

?

The spade blockage allows declarer an eleventh trick in diamonds but no more than ten are available in hearts as North will eventually have to come to a second spade trick. Everyone in hearts took ten tricks (4H = for Harold, Ken and Medvigy) while Marie played 5D W =. Finessing in trumps would have taken nine tricks for N-S but both declarers played the ace first, sharing the middle score on -500. Vioebe took their par six tricks against 3NT W when the heart finesse failed to tie Kerry's 6H -2 for N-S top.

?

4H E = (3)

5D W =

5Cx N -3 (2)

5H E -1 (2)

3NT W -2; 6H E -2

?

7:

?

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

...............AK532

...............A104

...............Q932

Q754.........................K108632

86.............................Q94

K976.........................QJ5

AKJ...........................4?

...............J9

...............J103

...............832

...............108765

?

P-1D-1H-1S; P-2S and then North almost certainly pushes the auction up higher and it is just a question of how high North pushes or East in particular goes. Contracts were 2S E, 3S E five times, 4S E thrice and 5Sx E.

?

Par in spades was nine tricks. Nobody took more. Gel were N-S top defending 5Sx -2. Three pairs of defenders held declarer to eight tricks, Boric by starting with three rounds of hearts against 3S. Had East's heart queen been a lower card declarer would likely have come to nine tricks anyway by leading a low spade from West after ruffing the third round. But when East won the queen, declarer let the queen win, then led a spade to queen and ace, letting Bob push through a fourth heart and promote Eric's spade jack. Remembering North's showing almost all the strength of the defence might have convinced declarer to save West's spade queen. Sarah, Betty and Ken shared E-W top in 3S E =.

?

5Sx E -2

3S E -1 (2); 4S E -1 (3)

2S E =

3S E = (3)

?

8:

?

...............AK64

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

...............K952

...............K92

QJ2.......................10

Q...........................KJ6543

AQ73.....................J10864

AQJ104.................3?

...............98753

...............A1072

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

...............8765

?

West opens 1C; North may overcall 1S, which likely sees South going directly to 4S. Eight auctions ended in games, with contracts of 3NT W thrice, 4D W twice, 4H E twice, 4S N twice and 4S S (North beginning with a double rather than 1S).

?

A club lead holds spade contracts to eight tricks - even if declarer reads West for the remaining three trumps after the ruffing finesse declarer cannot draw trumps anyway. Bob escaped with 4S N -1; the other 4S declarers were the par 4S -2. None of the games should have made. With hearts 4-2, East in 4H should lose two trumps, one spade and a diamond. Jim made 4H for E-W top. The second heart loser goes away in 4D =, posted by Rita for a 7/9 score. A spade lead holds 3NT to six tricks, which is where Lynn was headed for most of the hand until suddenly at trick nine North led a club when her three winners in the suit were stranded. Conndy and Marudy both posted 3NT -2 to share N-S top.

?

3NT W -2 (2); 4H E -2

4D W -1

4S N -1

4S N -2; 4S S -2

4D W =

3NT W =

4H E =

?

9:

?

...............KQJ4

...............KJ53

...............106

...............J106

53.............................108

10964.......................AQ872

J7.............................KQ43

AKQ85.....................93?

...............A9762

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

...............A9852

...............742

?

North might well open 1S in third seat or East might violate the Rule of Fifteen in fourth seat at one's own peril. Lernot/Keianne passed out. When anyone did open the bidding most of the auctions ended in game. Contracts were 2S S, 3H E, 3S S, 4H E, 4S N four times and 4Sx S. North might have declared in spades either by opening 1S rather than 1C, or if East opened 1H and South made a Michaels cue-bid.

?

The 3-3 clubs hold spade contracts to nine tricks and declarer takes ten only if East leads a heart. Hearts take ten tricks if East takes the double finesse though North, although finessing the queen first offers a slightly better chance of drawing trumps without a loser in the suit. Laurie played 4H E = for the E-W top; Rich scored well playing 3H E =. Kent received the opening lead of the heart ace and made 4S for a double game swing. All of the other three 4S N contracts finished -1. Two declarers in spades took eight tricks, giving Mirol a score of 8/9 defending 4Sx S -2. Medbot produced the best defensive trick result of six, posting 3S -2 when North on lead at trick seven made a lurker check and followed with a heart instead of a diamond.

?

4S N =

2S S =

Passed Out

4S N -1 (3)

3S S -2

3H E =

4Sx S -2

4H E =

?

10:

?

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

...............AK742

...............76

...............Q1084

KJ743.......................Q82

J85............................----

108............................AQ9432

962............................A753

...............A96

...............Q10963

...............KJ5

...............KJ

?

1D-1H-1S and then it became a Battle of the Majors. The most common contract was only 3H S, with the other six contracts all at game - 4H S twice, 4S W thrice and 4Sx W. Most of the 4H bids from North that occurred pressured East into 4S.

?

A spade lead holds heart contracts to ten tricks; declarer does not have the time to establish the clubs. Declaring results ranged from nine tricks to eleven, Gernot and Martin both making 4H. Spade contracts can be held to seven tricks. This was only done once, but to maximum effect when Kerry defended 4Sx -3 for the N-S top. 4S -2 was posted twice for the middle score. Phyllis made 4S to create another double game swing. The play went: heart ace ruffed, diamond ace, diamond to jack, spade ace, spade, leaving the club ace in dummy as the entry to the good diamond after Phyllis ruffed the third round.

?

4Sx W -3

4H S = (2)

3H S +2 (2); 4S W -2 (2)

3H S +1

3H S =

4S W =

?

11:

?

...............AK1072

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

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

...............1098

6.............................J9

A4...........................QJ62

A543.......................K9872

AK5432...................Q7?

...............Q8543

...............10985

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

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

?

This deal turned out to be far more difficult than it looked. After P-1C-1S-X 3S may strike the right balance as one wants to let E-W have the bid in 4m. If West bids 4C East likely passes; 4D is a little more encouraging as East has well-fitting cards in the minors but the lack of control of either major is a concern. Contracts were 3D W, 3S N thrice, 4C W thrice, 4D W twice and 5C W.

?

With 2-2 diamonds and 3-2 clubs there are twelve tricks in either minor; especially with West declaring and the chance of a heart lead from South to give declarer a guess well down. Diamonds would score higher in a bidding contest, being perhaps able to cope with 4-1 clubs. Heve held declarer to eleven tricks; all the other Wests took twelve. Par in spades was seven tricks, losing one spade, one heart and two tricks in each minor. All three declarers bettered par, almost surely with a ruff-and-discard in diamonds, although it made almost no difference. Larry (St) was N-S top in 3S -1; Medbot were the only E-W pair in game after P-1C-1S-X; 3S-4C-P-5C.

?

3S N -1

3S N -2 (2)

3D W +3; 4C W +2 (3); 4D W +2 (2)

5C W +1

?

12:

?

...............J10986

...............K5

...............1053

...............987

A7...............................KQ5

873.............................AQ6

A762...........................984

A532...........................KQJ4

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

...............J10942

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

...............106

?

Easts managed to restrain themselves and not look for slam even when West opened the bidding at most tables. One pair played 1NT E on the auction 1D-1NT. Everyone else played 3NT, with East declaring eight times and West once.

?

A heart lead is required to hold declarer to ten tricks. When East declared South led a heart every time and declarer took the par ten tricks. Connie had to lead from the North side and understandably did not lead a heart. However, declarer perhaps forgot that the game was matchpoints - top was available by ducking two diamonds and deriving the benefit of the 3-3 split but West cashed out for nine tricks and Conndy scored 8/9.

?

1NT E +3

3NT W =

3NT E +1 (8)

?

13:

?

...............KJ3

...............QJ1097

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

...............AJ10

A93..........................Q87

K8............................54

974...........................AKJ1063

Q8743......................96?

...............10642

...............A632

...............82

...............K52

?

1H-2D-3H likely ends the auction; South's raising to 2H should not; either East or West might compete. With nine-card fits for both sides, 3H seemed likely to be the most popular contract and it was - 2H N thrice, 3D E, 3H N five times and 4D E.

?

The Law turned out to underperform, with eighteen total trumps and par of only seventeen tricks. That each side held 2-2 in the other side's suit and that N-S in particular had practically identical hand patterns presumably made most of the difference. Everyone in hearts took the par eight tricks, creating a three-way tie for N-S top between Kent, Bob and Judy (P). Louff took ther par four tricks against 4D to score 6/9. Harold was going to be E-W top in 3D = anyway but made an overtrick when North, down to QJ10 in hearts and AJ10 in clubs, led a heart for a ruff-and-discard when N-S needed to cash two club winners.

?

2H N = (3)

4D E -1

3H N -1 (5)

3D E +1

?

14:

?

...............A10

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

...............KJ65

...............K107

9872........................KJ64

43............................Q985

10874......................32

J94..........................A62?

...............Q53

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

...............AQ9

...............Q853

?

3NT was played at nine tables out of ten. Perhaps a little surprisingly North declared five times and South four, Marduy appropriately comprising the casting vote with a 2D opening bid and transfer response. The last auction was P-2NT; 4C-4S; 6NT. North's decision to upgrade the hand to a 2NT opening bid would have been approved by Mr Bergen. The hand had three aces and no queens, with strong intermediates. South's Gerber was just an overvaluation of the hand.

?

Eleven tricks can be taken regardless of which hand declares, even if West leads a spade, as the clubs behave perfectly. Bob and Judy (P) took twelve tricks as North; after a spade lead from East there is a squeeze if declarer establishes club s first and East does not duck two rounds, which would make it impossible to cash the minor winners ending in the South hand. Mirol were E-W top taking their par two tricks against 6NT -1. Connie also took eleven tricks in 3NT N +2. Four declarers took ten tricks, two from each side, and two Souths declared 3NT =. Against Matty, after spades from the beginning, declarer finessed in hearts instead of playing clubs and nine tricks were all that could be forced. Ritold and Randi tied for E-W top on -400.

?

3NT N +3 (2)

3NT N +2

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

3NT S = (2)

6NT N -1

?

15:

?

...............KJ1096

...............76

...............AQ984

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

AQ753........................84

5.................................QJ98

K75.............................10

K852...........................AJ10763?

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

...............AK10432

...............J632

...............Q9

?

South usually opened 2H, and West usually overcalled 2S, although 2H was left in once. 2S ended the auction four times. One North broke tempo to pass, over which South bid 3H. West found the action dubious, but was quite pleased after getting a look at the substantial trump holding in dummy. One East bid clubs, eventually playing 5C. The other three auctions ended at the four-level, 4D S, 4H S and 4Hx S.

?

Despite North's fearsome trump holding West can escape with seven tricks in a spade contract; North gets endplayed and the forces eventually work in West's favour over North. The table results, though, were less happy for declarer in 2S, with -2 the best result. Marudy and Heve posted 2S -4 and Conndy 2S -5 for the N-S top. Against Marudy West led the club king at trick five instead of a low club, then made the fatal error of leading a spade at trick nine when a club would have led to -2 and a diamond to -3. Par in hearts was nine tricks, with declarers in the partials taking nine and ten while the declarers in game took seven and eight. This gave Keianne E-W top defending 4Hx -3. In club declarer could lose one trick in each side suit for -1 but Louff managed -3. 5D can make but declarer has to play East for the heart queen-jack to do so; 4D N = was a reasonable result for Bob.

?

2S W -5

2S W -4 (2)

3H S +1

5C E -3

2H S +1

4D N =

2S W -2

4H S -2

4Hx S -3

?

16:

?

...............K9854

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

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

...............AQJ75

Q............................A107

A972......................QJ1063

Q8632....................AJ109

642.........................K

...............J632

...............K5

...............K75

...............10983

?

This was another Battle of the Majors. E-W may find 4H if East has a chance to make a trial bid in either spades or diamonds; if North opens 1S the bidding reaches 3S quickly but that may push West into 4H and North then into a 4S sacrifice. Contracts were 2Sx N, 3H E twice, 3S N thrice, 4H E twice, 5H E and 5Sx N.

?

In spades North may get lucky due to the lack of entries to the South hand. Perfect defence can bring in six tricks for E-W; East leads the club king as opening lead or a shift after the diamond ace and then West can be given the lead twice in hearts for ruffs. Only Randi produced the best line of defence, necessary for them defending 2Sx -1. The three 3S contracts all finished -1 and 5Sx -2 against Conndy. Par in hearts was eleven tricks, losing a diamond and a club. Four of the five declarers in hearts took eleven tricks, with Michele and Laurie scoring +650 to share E-W top. Marudy defended 4H -1; the diamond queen was run to the king at trick seven, blocking the suit; then at trick nine West ruffed instead of East, which would have allowed the heart finesse.

?

4H E -1

3S N -1 (3)

2Sx N -1

3H E +2 (2)

5Sx N -2

4H E +1; 5H E =

?

17:

?

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

...............K1072

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

...............J9432

AQ54......................K873

QJ96.......................A83

J102........................A654

AQ...........................K7

...............10962

...............54

...............KQ8

...............10865

?

With 30 HCP and a 4-4 spade fit between them E-W might have been in danger of overextending and looking for slam. Fortunately 14 HCP for opener and 16 for responder was much better than 15-15 would have been. As it was only one pair ventured to 6NT after West channeled Pat Ardolino and went to Gerber on the second round. The main contract was 4S E, played six times. Two Easts declared 3NT after a 1NT rebid instead of 1S, according to partnership style, when West decided to stay in no-trumps rather than check back for a spade fit. One West declared 4S after a 1NT rebid as well.

?

The club wastage and bad trump split put 4S in jeopardy. East declaring can force ten tricks, taking two hearts and clubs along with one spade, won in dummy. West then runs the diamond jack to South. A ruff-and-discard or diamond return gives up the tenth trick easily. A high spade return lets declarer draw trumps but that is a trap. West has to win the queen to follow with ace and a third diamond, the only way to reach the fourth and winning diamond. South is on lead with declarer needing three tricks:

?

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

...............107

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

...............J9

54......................K8

96......................8

----.....................6

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

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

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

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

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

?

Now the ruff-and-discard works as before and a low spade leaves East on lead rather than West after the fourth round - to be able to cash the thirteenth diamond.

?

4S W can be sunk by a diamond lead; South can then be endplayed only once instead of twice and a high spade leaves declarer unable to draw trumps and cash the last diamond. Louff duly defeated 4S W. Heve were the only pair to defeat 4S E despite the endplay's being hard to find, largely because South has the natural opening lead of a diamond. Sarah, Betty, Rich, Ken and Laurie all made 4S to score 6/9. In 3NT against a club lead declarer has to pull together three heart tricks to come to nine before the clubs are ready to go. Conndy held 3NT to nine tricks for a good score but Harold was E-W top in 3NT +2 after a diamond lead instead of a club.

?

6NT E -3

4S E -1; 4S W -1

3NT E =

4S E = (5)

3NT E +2

?

18:

?

...............J1073

...............A63

...............984

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

Q965.....................AK4

KQ104...................8

52..........................AKJ763

QJ7........................K94

...............82

...............J9752

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

...............10863

?

Everyone ended in 3NT. East might have rebid 3D after 1D-1H, which would likely have elicited 3NT from West. East might have upgraded the suit to a 3NT rebid or possibly rebid 2NT. Everyone finished in 3NT, with a surprisingly close 6-4 margin of West's declaring.

?

Looking at just the E-W hands one would want West to declare; heart leads through from South could be uncomfortable but with North on lead there is a solid double stop. With no chance of a length winner in hearts or clubs establishing in time, declarer has ten or eleven tricks depending on whether the diamond finesse is taken or the queen is dropped. Betty and Carol dropped the queen to tie for E-W top; -430 scored 5.5/9 for Conndy, Louff, Heve, Lernot, Gel, Vioebe, Boric and Marudy.

?

3NT E +1 (3); 3NT W +1 (5)

3NT E +2; 3NT W +2

1:

?

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

...............AK53

...............A54

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

A10........................QJ6

QJ1082..................6

862........................KQJ1097

753.........................A98

...............K97532

...............974

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

...............J62

?

1NT from North and then often competition from East. If the diamond suit were spades and N-S were vulnerable, I would likely opt for a pass at matchpoints, as defending 1NT would be appealing with so many tricks in hand and one can always come in with 2S if 1NT is pulled. Waiting is often dodgy, but many is the +200 I have recorded defending for a fine score. One East let North declare 2S. 3D was played twice (doubled once). One South began with a Texas transfer, an optimistic valuation; the contract was 4S N. The last auction saw both sides pushing and N-S took the final push to 5S N.

?

E-W have nine tricks in diamonds. N-S can remove the club ace from the East hand or draw two rounds of trumps, but not both. The spade finesse succeeds and the third spade is ruffed with dummy's eight-spot or six-spot - two spades, the club ace and six tricks with trumps. Ritold dodged a bullet against 3Dx - Rita led a spade and declarer played dummy's ace, finishing -1. Spade contracts are held to eight tricks by a?heart lead; even if declarer guesses to duck in trumps West has the entries and timing to pull off a ruffing finesse in hearts and win the third round of the suit. Judy (P) was N-S top for being left in 2S =; Elott were E-W top for taking their five defensive tricks against 4S. Louise saved a matchpoint by salvaging 5S -1.

?

2S N =

3Dx E -1

3D E -1

5S N -1

4S N -2

?

2:

?

...............K984

...............A96

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

...............Q42

63...........................AQJ2

Q83........................K104

AKJ6......................9543

10873.....................A6?

...............1075

...............J752

...............Q7

...............KJ95

?

1D from East and then either 2D or 1NT from West. Both 1NT W and 2D E were the contract twice. The last contract was 2NT W after East came in over 1NT for some reason and there were a few more bids.

?

In no-trumps declarer can take ten tricks with the spades and diamonds both so kind. South gets squeezed on the fourth diamond, but it is not an easy read and the three declarers in 1NT and 2NT still all scored 75% for taking nine tricks. This gave the declarers in 2D a chance for a flat board, as South gets squeezed in diamonds for eleven tricks but the squeeze was missed again, giving Wendric and Marudy a share of N-S top on -130 while Lynn, Henry and Elizabeth shared the E-W top on +150.

?

2D E +2 (2)

1NT W +2 (2); 2NT W +1

?

Leaders: Marudy 7.5, Elott 7, Glynneth 6, Wendric 5.5, Ritold-Leighry 4

?

3:

?

...............K832

...............873

...............Q6

...............A842

954.........................AQJ10

1064.......................K52

10873.....................KJ42

Q95.........................76?

...............76

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

...............A95

...............KJ103

?

This looked like 1NT from South, settling into 2NT after Stayman and a declined invitation. That happened four times. The last auction was 1C-P-1S-3NT, East apparently misreading who opened the bidding.

?

Wendric could have posted 3NT -6 but set their sights on -2, which was still quite good enough at the vulnerability to give them the top board. The suits are evenly divided, spades and diamonds favouring E-W, clubs and hearts favouring N-S. A diamond lead holds South to nine tricks with a good club guess; declarer has to cash out. Paul, Lynn and Rita all made 2NT for the middle score. Study were E-W top defending 2NT -3 after a diamond lead to the ace and then a club to the ace as well.

?

3NT E -2

2NT S = (3)

2NT S -3

?

4:

?

...............K105

...............A6432

...............864

...............86

Q3..........................A9874

Q1087....................J

Q1093....................AK52

Q103......................K92?

...............J62

...............K95

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

...............AJ754

?

P-P-1S-P; 1NT-P-2D (if South overcalled 2C West made a negative double. Did West leave 2D in or give a false preference to 2S? 2D won out by a 4-1 margin.

?

The par score was +110 in both suits. It is slightly easier in diamonds; South has to lead a club, which threatens a ruff for North and forces declarer to draw trumps at once, after which the spades cannot be established and cashed. The club ruff cannot be prevented against 2S, in which contract there si a second spade loser with that suit as trumps. Judy (P) made 2S as expected for the middle score, even with Leigh Ann and Steve in 2D +1. Jeanne took a tenth trick in 2D after a trump lead for the E-W top; Glynneth held Elott to eight tricks for N-S top.

?

2D E =

2D E = (2); 2S E =

2D E +2

?

Leaders: Glynneth 12, Wendric 11.5, Leighry 11, Marudy 9.5, Elott 9, Jeanj 8.5

?

5:

?

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

...............Q97543

...............KJ

...............964

965..............................8732

AJ8..............................2

6532............................Q1084

A87..............................KQ102

...............AQJ4

...............K106

...............A97

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

?

Two Norths opened 2H and declared 4H when South found North with a hand in the upper range. Two Souths opened 1NT and eventually declared 2NT and 3NT, North opting to treat the hand as balanced. At the fifth table South opened 1m and passed North's 1H response, a deep position.

?

With North's holding the bad luck to hold doubletons in spades and diamonds rather than a shortage in clubs game had no play. With a heart guess nine tricks were possible in hearts, eight in no-trumps. All three games finished -2 when declarer tried to drop the heart jack on the second round. This gave Elott, Jeanj and Marudy a tie for E-W top. Breta matched their 75% score playing 2NT -1. Gareth was the lucky North left in 1H; he even took ten tricks after a spade lead for N-S top.

?

1H N +3

2NT S -1

3NT S -2; 4H N -2 (2)

?

6:

?

...............AKJ1074

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

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

...............AKQ1083

82............................Q953

KQ8654...................J32

J1075.......................AK

6...............................J974?

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

...............A97

...............Q986432

...............52

?

North as dealer would have opened 2C, very likely bidding spades and then 6C to give South a choice of the two contracts; slam has play opposite a Yarborough with low doubletons in the black suits or three-card support in either. Unfortunately both South and West had a chance to speak before North, making the auction more complicated. Two Norths tried to force with 3S and were left there and two played 4S. The only slam auction was P-2D-2H-6C.

?

With South's heart ace working either 6C or 6S has a fine chance of making. The club jack should drop over 70% of the time and the spades have a fine chance of coming in for one loser at worst. On this layout even with the 4-1 trumps declarer can make 6C by taking the ruffing finesse in spades after drawing one trump. Unfortunately declarer did not find this line, which had potential downsides (if East held xx in spades and Jxx in clubs the ruffing finesse in spades would lead to a set when the contract would have made by more straightforward play); Marudy posted 6C -2 for E-W top. Declarer had enough control of the hand to take eleven tricks in spades. Gareth was in danger of going down in 4S but took twelve tricks after East switched to a club after taking the spade queen. Louise played 4S N +1; in 3S one declarer took the par eleven tricks and one took nine.

?

4S N +2

4S N +1

3S N +2

3S N =

6C N -2

?

Leaders: Glynneth 20, Marudy 16.5, Wendric 15.5, Jeanj 13.5, Elott 13

?

7:

?

...............A962

...............AQ53

...............K5

...............AJ4

KQ83.....................J104

K10982..................J74

A103......................42

6.............................108732?

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

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

...............QJ9876

...............KQ95

?

2D from South. One West tried to use Mihaels with 5-4 majors but got passed by East in 3D. Another West doubled and North did not redouble. This was not fatal but the auction 2D-X-P-3C; P-3H-4D was not enough; that ended the auction. One North finished in 3C by some obscure path; the other two tables played in the nice, normal 3NT N.

?

A spade lead would have held 3NT N to nine tricks but Leigh Ann received a club lead and Scott the heart jack rather than the spade jack; they both took twelve tricks. +690 was bettered for the N-S top by the +700 scored by Ritold defending 3D -7 (it could have been -8 but they did not need it). Declarer took the par twelve tricks in 4D S (if the lead is a spade eleven are safe and twelve a risk; a non-spade lead allows declarer to take the heart finesse essentially for free); Jeanj bettered par by one trick defending 3C N = for E-W top.

?

3D W -7

3NT N +3 (2)

4D S +2

3C N =

?

8:

?

...............Q9743

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

...............A92

...............83

52...............................----

A10.............................K9743

K543...........................QJ87

A9742.........................QJ106?

...............AKJ1086

...............652

...............106

...............K5

?

South likely bids 2S whether West opens or not. In first or second seat the hand can open 1S but, opposite a passed partner, 2S is more obstructive in third seat and shows more than usual values in fourth. Whatever happens North is almost sure to raise to 4S. Once North overcalled 1S when West opened 1C and South raised to 4S. One North thought the hand belonged to E-W and left in 4C W; the other contracts were 4S N, 4S S twice and 5S S.

?

N-S are trump-rich but poor in having almost identical hand patterns and no singleton in either hand. Leading the heart ace lets E-W take six tricks, the result posted by Jeanj and Study against 4S. After the lead of ace and another club, Henry was only two down in 5S to score 75%. Rita was N-S top, making 4S after the same start when East gave her a ruff-and-discard later in the hand. Despite holding only 20 HCP between the East and West hands, the onside club king and lack of diamond ruff gives declarer in clubs twelve tricks. -170 beat par for N-S, but, as nobody doubled spade contracts, playing 4C +2 gave Wendy the E-W top.

?

4S S =

5S S -2

4S N -3; 4S S -3

4C W +2

?

Leaders: Wendric 22.5, Glynneth 21, Jeanj 20, Marudy 19, Elott 17, Leighry 16.5

?

9:

?

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

...............J8762

...............Q3

...............KJ10965

K1032........................A854

1094...........................AKQ5

K862..........................A74

A4...............................Q7?

...............QJ976

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

...............J1095

...............832

?

Marudy began with the Mexican 2D. Another pair began with 1C from East. 1D-P-1S gives North a chance to bid 2NT for hearts and clubs. East unfortunately has a raise to 4S. Contracts were 3NT E, 3NT W and 4S W thrice.

?

3NT W is right-sided, as North cannot lead a club with profit; a club lead from South against 3NT forces declarer to guess the hearts and cash out nine tricks; 3NT W against a red-suit lead can lead to ten tricks, although both declarers finished with nine, a third spade trick exchanged for the fourth heart trick. The 5-0 trump split sinks 4S if North avoids a club lead. A club lead from South picks up a defensive trick in that suit and N-S must come to either a diamond trick or two ruffs and a natural spade trick. Two pairs posted 4S -1; Glynneth were N-S top defending 4S -2; after a heart to the ace declarer led a spade to the king and that was that. The two Judys tied for E-W top making 3NT.

?

4S W -2

4S W -1 (2)

3NT E =; 3NT W =

?

10:

?

...............10872

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

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

...............K10863

----.........................AKJ965

A10974..................J63

K97643..................Q10

42...........................QJ

...............Q43

...............K85

...............J82

...............A975

?

1S-1NT; 2S for E-W. Does West move? Four Wests did not and East played 2S. One West tried 3D and East went to 3NT.

?

3NT is down off the top with five club tricks; eventually declarer can force no more than six. Marudy eventually posted 3NT -4 for N-S top. A heart ruff lets N-S hold 2S to seven tricks. Otherwise declarer can draw trumps for one loser by guessing that the queen will crash on the third round rather than the ten. Marudy were second N-S defending 2S -1. Steve and Karlene made 2S; Harold even made an overtrick when N-S never established their heart trick and he was able to run the diamonds.

?

3NT W -4

2S E -1

2S E = (2)

2S E +1

?

Leaders: Glynneth-Wendric 25, Jeanj 24.5, Elott-Marudy 22.5, Leighry 20.5

?

11:

?

...............32

...............Q6

...............KQ973

...............J542

A1087.......................KJ64

A953.........................K1087

AJ.............................8542

A93...........................6

...............Q95

...............J42

...............106

...............KQ1087

?

East had the right pattern to try 2C over 1NT despite not holding invitational values if West rebid 2D. One East left 1NT in; the other four all responded 2C. Wendric were the only pair to reach game after 1NT-2C; 2H-3H; 4H. The other contracts were 2H W, 2S W and 3H W.

?

East can easily ruff both club losers in any major contract. Declarer takes eleven tricks with a correct guess in spades, ten otherwise. Wendy made 4H for E-W top. Elott were N-S top defending 2H +2. Declarers in 2S and 3H guessed the spades correctly and took eleven tricks, particularly easy to do in 4S after two ruffs in the East hand. A club lead holds 1NT to eight tricks but Breta took ten after a diamond lead to save a matchpoint.

?

2H W +2

1NT W +3

2S W +3; 3H W +2

4H W =

?

12:

?

...............62

...............Q87

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

...............AJ98643

KJ987........................A543

K................................J1064

10753.........................984

K105..........................Q2?

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

...............A9532

...............AKQJ2

...............7

?

North opened 3C, a little light perhaps at unfavourable vulnerability. It was likely this vulnerability that convinced South to go looking. 3H led to 4H twice. One South went directly to 3NT. The other two contracts were 5C N, once after a 3D response and a 4C rebid from North.

?

Passing 3C was the last chance N-S had for a plus score; the heart losers go away on diamonds. Spade leads are the way to go against any contract; declarer is held to eight tricks in no-trumps, nine in hearts or clubs. NJ and Henry declared 4H -1 to tie for N-S top. 3NT finished -2 when declarer did not drop the heart king. One declarer in 5C finished -2; Wendric were E-W top defending 5C -3 when the heart opening lead was ducked.

?

4H S -1 (2)

3NT S -2; 5C N -2

5C N -3

?

Leaders: Wendric 33, Jeanj 31, Glynneth-Elott 28, Marudy 27.5, Leighry 25.5

?

13:

?

...............87

...............865

...............54

...............K106432

Q1063.......................AJ952

Q32...........................7

1097..........................AQJ8632

AQ5...........................----?

...............K4

...............AKJ1094

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

...............J987

?

Every E-W pair finished in 4S. Some Easts began with 1S; after 2H from South West was on the edge, but, even if West showed an invitational hand with 3H and East bid the club void, West's denial of control of either red suit lets East stop comfortably in 4S. I like a 1D opening bid better; the playing strength of the hand is sufficient for a reverse and, requiring so little to make game in one suit or the other, it's important to describe the distribution accurately. Everyone stopped in 4S, thrice by East and twice by West, although East's always declaring would have been no surprise, as 1D-1H-X probably leads to East's declaring as well.

?

There is a sure loser in each major. Will declarer drop the offside diamond king? Nobody did. Four declarers posted 4S =. Harold made an overtrick when South led a heart and switched to the diamond king.

?

4S E = (3); 4S W =

4S W +1

?

14:

?

...............K983

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

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

...............J10654

A1074....................Q652

76..........................10982

QJ1052..................63

93..........................K72?

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

...............AJ543

...............K874

...............AQ8

?

It looked as if everyone would end up in 3NT. 1H-1S or 2C; 2D-3NT would have done well enough, but 3NT was declared four times by South. The fifth contract was 4H S.

?

The hand is a sufficient double fit to take twelve tricks in either no-trumps or hearts, although an opening diamond lead has to be won in the South hand. North's hearts are cleared, then the clubs. In hearts there is the further complication that the trumps must be drawn after the second club. Rita was the only declarer to negotiate all the pitfalls in 3NT +3. Against Leighry South ran the heart jack at trick five and even went down in 4H. Karleta took four tricks against 3NT; the other defenders took three.

?

3NT S +3

3NT S +1 (2)

3NT S =

4H S -1

?

Leaders: Jeanj-Wendric 36, Glynneth-Marudy-Leighry 31, Elott 30.5

?

15:

?

...............102

...............AK76

...............KJ763

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

AK64....................983

Q10952.................J84

52..........................A10

K2.........................Q8654

...............QJ75

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

...............Q984

...............A973

?

Flannery would have worked well this time for E-W, as 2D-P-2H would not have confirmed a fit. South or North might have acted but action was much more clear after P-1H-P-2H (a 2D overcall would naturally have been raised). In the end contracts were 2H W, 3D N twice and 3H W twice.

?

The spade spots are just good enough to defeat 2H, but 3D makes comfortably, losing two spades and one trick in each minor. All three pairs defending against hearts took six tricks, giving Breta the E-W top playing 2H -1. Judy (P) took her nine tricks in 3D to score +110 against +100. Eric was N-S top taking an overtrick; after two rounds of diamonds and a spade to West, West missed the last chance to establish the club trick and played a heart instead.

?

3D N +1

3D N =

3H W -2 (2)

2H W -1

?

16:

?

...............76543

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

...............Q

...............K93

----...........................AQ

AJ64........................Q2

A1032......................KJ8654

J10762.....................Q54

...............KJ10982

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

...............97

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

?

The auction is most likely to start P-P-1D-2S; X-4S. Then what? Do E-W defend 4Sx or keep going in diamonds? Contracts were 4D E, 4Sx S, 5D E twice and 6Dx E after N-S went on to 5S and E-W took the push.

?

Declarer in spades takes nine tricks; in diamonds, ten. Spades has four straightforward losers - one spade, two hearts and one diamond. In diamonds N-S get two club and either the heart king or a club ruff, but not both. Gareth was E-W top in 4D =; Pauise were N-S top defending 6Dx -2. Ritold scored 75% choosing to defend 4Sx -1 instead of pushing on to 5D.

?

6Dx E -2

5D E -1 (2)

4Sx S -1

4D E =

?

Leaders: Wendric 41, Jeanj 40, Glynneth 36, Leighry 35, Elott 34.5, Marudy 34

?

17:

?

...............AJ74

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

...............A3

...............QJ10983

Q92.................................K8653

7......................................AJ4

QJ962.............................K1084

AK52...............................6?

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

...............KQ1098652

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

...............74

?

After 1C-1S, South bids 4H if that is not a splinter and West likely bids 4S. This was left in once and doubled once. Three Souths pushed on to 5H, which was left in once, doubled once and redoubled once.

?

Declarer makes 4S easily enough. One heart is discarded, another is ruffed, and after the first trump goes to ten, queen and ace, declarer leads low to the nine and jack to avoid a third loser. Leigh Ann made 4Sx and Jeanne made 4S. If E-W established a diamond in time there were four losers in hearts. Breta was always N-S top in 5H undoubled and bettered par by a trick after play began club, heart heart. The other declarers in hearts took nine tricks. This gave Ritold E-W top defending 5Hxx -2 for +600, just bettering Leigh Ann's +590 in 4Sx =.

?

5H S -1

5Hx S -2

4S E =

4Sx E =

5Hxx S -2

?

18:

?

...............Q1095

...............J10652

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

...............976

J4...........................82

K4..........................A98

K9743....................Q652

KQ104....................AJ32?

...............AK763

...............Q73

...............AJ8

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

?

West usually came in over South's 1S opening bid and the vulnerability appears to have scared North off competing to 3S for the most part, if East would even have let that sit. Contracts were 2D W, 3D W twice, 3S S and 4D W.

?

E-W need to find a heart ruff before losing the lead to hold spades to eight tricks. In diamonds declarer can take ten tricks by finessing in trumps. Breta made 3S after a club lead and trump switch for N-S top. The declarers in 3D both took ten tricks; those in 2D and 4D took nine. Leighry and Elott tied for E-W top in 3D +1; Pauise scored 75% defending 4D -1.

?

3S S =

4D W -1

2D W +1

3D W +1 (2)

?

Final: Jeanj 44, Wendric 42.5, Leighry 41.5, Elott 39, Marudy 37.5, Glynneth 36

1:

?

...............AQ1063

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

...............109843

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

542..........................J8

105..........................KQ983

AQJ65.....................K7

Q86.........................K754

...............K97

...............AJ742

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

...............A932

?

We began with a hand that almost became a Battle of the Majors. Left to themselves, E-W will bid 1H-1NT; 2C-2H; that contract was played six times. North may have come in with spades; 2S N was played four times. Two auctions pushed t the three-level, ending in 3C E and 3S S, the latter perhaps after North chose a cue-bid.

?

N-S get a nice layout with nine easy tricks. If declarer is allowed seven winners with spades (and the shortages are favourably place) then ten tricks come in at a canter. West may be just well enough positioned with two hearts and three clubs to be able to trump South's winner on the third round of clubs and keep the trick total down without a trump opening lead. Whatever happened, though, all Norths in spades except one took ten tricks. This scored 8.5/11 for Marian, Cindy, Gareth and Jim. Declarer underperformed against Pally and posted 2S =. E-W could force only six tricks in either hearts or clubs. Half the declarers in 2H matched par and posted -2 to score 8/11. Declarer has a sure trick in each minor and, between the fourth club and the trumps, picks up four more. Sarah and Ruth tied for E-W top playing 2H -1. Two East declarers underperformed, with Lernot defending 2H E -3 and Mally on N-S top defending 3C E -4. -3 was par in 3C but East ruffed a diamond in hand instead of discarding a heart on it at trick eight.

?

3C E -4

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

2H E -3

2S N =

2H E -2 (3)

2H E -1 (2)

?

2:

?

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

...............42

...............642

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

AKJ..........................6532

J10876.....................53

J3.............................Q74

KQ7..........................AJ83

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

...............AKQ9

...............AK1098

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

?

South has a lovely hand and keeps going after P-1D-1H-P; P. Unfortunately North has an awful hand and will want out as quickly as possible. The lowest contract, 1S S, resulted from Jerik's Big Club system. West might well have stayed out of the auction; if so then South's 1S rebid after 1C-1D was unfortunate. Higher contracts were 2D S twice, 2H W twice, 3D S six times and 3NT S after South began with a three-suited 2D underbid, as that opening bid is limited to hands below the strength of a reverse.

?

Declarer can force nine tricks in diamonds but has to change tack to do so. Assume West starts with a club force; declarer cannot just alternate rounds of spades with club forces but must lead the top three hearts at once, discarding a spade from dummy. East ruffs and has nothing better to do than return a trump. South wins and now needs to duck a spade to West, keeping the chance of establishing spades in play. Dummy declines to ruff West's fourth heart, leaving West on lead (E-W having taken three tricks) with:

?

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

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

...............64

...............10965

AK..........................65

J.............................----

J.............................Q

Q7..........................AJ8

...............Q98

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

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

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

?

The threat is to score all five of the remaining N-S trumps. If West leads a trump, South wins, ruffs a spade and a club, then gives West the third spade and is left with two winners. If West leads the heart and East ruffs, South overruffs and can crossruff the next four tricks. East can discard a spade on the heart jack; South then ruffs, ruffs a spade and then draws the last two trumps and surrenders the spade as before.

?

This seems hard to find, but defenders are so wary of a forcing defence that only one declarer took fewer than nine tricks with Eric taking ten and Dib eleven for the top two N-S scores. Paun scored 10/11 in a three-way tie for E-W top defending 3D -2 when declarer kept leading diamonds instead of majors. In hearts E-W can force seven tricks but both declarers were held to six, though it made no difference. In spades N-S can take seven tricks off the top after a club lead. West can draw two rounds of trumps and then force South in clubs to hold 1S S to six tricks. Declarer tried to cash the top three hearts, losing control of the hand and allowing Ritold to post 1S -2. Cinbot could have been outright top defending 3NT (which can be -4; there are seven top trick and if South does not discard a spade a winner in one of the red suits can be established) but still managed -2 and the three-way tie with Paun and Ritold.

?

3D S +2

2D S +2; 3D S +1

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

2H W -2 (2)

1S S -2; 3D S -2; 3NT S -2

?

3:

?

...............A3

...............A3

...............KQJ72

...............10854

KQ852...................J764

Q1092....................KJ75

A6..........................94

Q9..........................KJ7

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

...............864

...............10853

...............A632

?

One West played 2S, showing timidity from North; the hand can surely balance even after an original pass. If North overcalls South likely raises and E-W reach at least 3S. East is on the heavy end of a single raise. N-S pushed on and played 4D thrice, 5Dx once as a sacrifice. 3S W was played six times and 4S W once. The relative merits/demerits of competing to 4m over 3M with nine trumps opposite nine would make for an interesting article if I can convince Bill or perhaps Adam Parrish to write it. It is rather less clear-cut than three-over-two with eight-against-eight.

?

The Law underperforms here because nobody has a singleton; both sides hold a 5-4-2-2 hand opposite 4-4-3-2 with 5-4 in one suit and 2-2 in the opponents' suit. A diamond lead meant that E-W took nine tricks in spades every time. Diamonds should have yielded eight tricks to declarer. Matty picked up a third undertrick to score 10/11 when declarer in 4D indulged in a lurker check at trick eleven (or else misclicked). Sarip were E-W top defending 5Dx -3; Jerik N-S top defending 4S -1.

?

4S W -1

4D N -2 (2)

2S W +1; 3S W = (6)

4D N -3

5Dx N -3

?

4:

?

...............7

...............Q954

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

...............KJ7652

A842........................Q9653

AK73........................J86

AJ7...........................1085

109...........................43

...............KJ10

...............102

...............KQ942

...............AQ8

?

West opened 1NT and declared in spades at every table but two. Contracts were 2S W four times, 3S W six times (the hand is fine for pre-acceptance), 2H W after an opening bid other than 1NT when West got to bid 2H as a "reverse" on the second round and 4H E once after some sort of misunderstanding, I'll guess within a competitive auction.

?

N-S could have made 3C had they ever played that contract. West can force eight tricks in spades by bringing about a ruff-and-discard. The ace of trumps is cashed after a diamond. West can then eliminate both minors and cash two hearts at leisure before giving South the second trump. However, there is no particular reason to play the hand that way, and declarers in spades took seven tricks instead of eight eight times out of ten. Sally and Rich both played 2S =. Par in hearts was only six tricks. Mallys picked up an extra undertrick for 4H E -5 and N-S top; E-W top was Phoebe's playing 2H W +1. At trick four North ruffed a spade that South was going to win, turning -3 into +1 in one fell swoop as the ruff was with the queen (misclick?).

?

4H E -5

3S W -2 (6)

2S W -1 (2)

2S W = (2)

2H W +1

?

5:

?

...............Q64

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

...............9864

...............AQ75

10985.....................K2

AKJ6......................1072

K2..........................QJ753

K32........................J98

...............AJ73

...............Q985

...............A10

...............1064

?

Some Souths opened light in third seat, and indeed a gruesome 1C at least once. Otherwise West opened 1C; the auction 1C-1NT occurred in both directions! 1NT was declared by every player but South, although 1C-1D (denying a four-card major); 1NT could also have been bid in both directions. Contracts were 1NT E twice, 1NT N twice, 1NTx N, 1NT W thrice, 2D E, 2NT W, 3C S and 3D E.

?

The black suits in particular are so favourable to N-S that they have an easy seven tricks regardless of declarer; I am almost surprised that par is not eight, but after N-S get their diamond ace and six black tricks they have to give E-W something helpful, especially as North has all the black winners and cannot stick West on lead with the fourth spade. Four declarers matched par, most notably Jim in 1NTx N = for the N-S top. For N-S overperformers, Carthurl defended 1NT W -3, John played 1NT N +1 and Heve defended 1NT E -2. Heve rallied on the hand; declarer was on the way to eight tricks when a diamond lead at trick nine gave up two tricks and another was ceded when dummy unguarded the spades a trick later. E-W overperformances were Cindy (X)'s 1NT E = and Sarip's 1NT N -1, Sarip tying for E-W top. Declaring in a suit worked poorly; both Easts in 2D could have taken seven tricks but managed only six, while Ruise took their par five tricks against 3C to tie for E-W top.

?

1NTx N =

1NT W -3

1NT N +1

1NT E -2; 2D E -2; 2NT W -2; 3D E -2

1NT W -1 (2)

1NT E =

1NT N -1; 3C S -1

?

6:

?

...............AKQ10

...............AK872

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

...............Q7

8642.......................J7

9.............................J1054

864.........................A107

J9843.....................AK65?

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

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

...............KJ953

...............102

?

East opened 1C and a good many Norths balanced with 1H rather than a double. This led to 1H N five times, neither South nor West thinking it wise to continue. 4H N was reached four times; one auction being 1C-P-P-1H; P-2H-P-4H. Other contracts were 2H N and 3H N twice, likely after a double. How much North devalues the doubleton queens has considerable effect on the result of the auction.

?

With East having opened 1C North has no qualms about establishing the diamonds before drawing trumps, the plan being to discard the spade ten on the third diamond after reaching dummy with the heart queen on the third round. East should not hold five diamonds and West cannot hold the ace, eliminating the chance of an unpleasant surprise in the diamond suit. Unfortunately there is nothing to be done about the 4-1 hearts with East holding the four. Everyone took the par nine tricks; with the spades behaving there was no logical alternative outcome.

?

1H N +2 (5); 2H N +1; 3H N = (2)

4H N -1 (4)

?

7:

?

...............AJ9874

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

...............Q108

...............K8

K5.............................32

10754........................AKJ86

J732..........................AK6

1072..........................A54?

...............Q106

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

...............954

...............QJ963

?

I expected P-P-2S-3H or possibly double planning to follow with 3H and then perhaps 3S from South. One North in an auction I saw opened 1S; I have no idea why. East bid 2S and told N-S later that it was a mistake - but at least did not say so in table chat. That auction ended after South raised to 3S. 3H by East tended to end the auction. When East doubled it was tough after West bid 3H, even if the pair used a 2NT relay to show a poor hand. Contracts were 3H E thrice, 3S N twice, 3Sx N, 4H E twice and 4H W four times.

?

4H E sinks under a spade lead through the king. 4H W turns out to be unstoppable because the North hand is too good! Toughest defence is a trump lead. West takes the ace and king and then has to play North for Kx in clubs and the diamond queen by coming back to hand in trumps to lead a club through. North unblocks the king - dummy ducks and wins the second club with the ace. Then follow the three diamonds from the top. If North unblocks the queen, the thirteenth diamond takes care of one black loser and West loses only dummy's remaining two black cards and the club king. If North keeps the queen, it wins the third round but then North must lead spades and East's third club is discarded on the diamond jack. Sandi and Leigh Ann were the only Wests to make 4H, tying for E-W top. Sandi almost got the play exactly right; she played the diamonds after drawing trumps but then North thought clubs were the threat and exited in spades, not a bad declaring effort at the table. Betty was the only East to take ten tricks in hearts; most declarers took nine and Garbot defended 3H -1. Perfect defence against spades keeps declarer out of dummy and forces North to lead trumps from hand and lose six tricks; Pally produced the optimal defence against 3S to tie Dibian's 3Sx -1 and score 8.5/11.

?

3H E -1; 4H E -1 (2); 4H W -1 (2)

3S N -1

3H E =

3H E +1

3S N -2; 3Sx N -1

4H W = (2)

?

8:

?

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

...............A97653

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

...............83

1086432...............KJ

K8.........................QJ4

106........................AQJ985

KQ2.......................A10?

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

...............102

...............K743

...............J97654

?

If West opens 2S with this Marge Fiedler Special it seems hard to keep East out of 4S. If West passes North might open 2H despite the poor trumps and four-card spade suit. East overcalls either diamonds or no-trumps, presumably diamonds from the way the contracts went. If the auction begins P-P, East starts with 1D and then 2NT seems a natural follow-up, with 3D second choice. Contracts were 3D E twice, 3NT E, 3NT W, 4D E, 4S W six times and 5Cx S.

?

The ill-fated 4S ran into three trump losers to go with the heart ace and losing diamond finesse; a diamond lead holds declarer to eight tricks and Pheileen managed even better defending 4S -3 for the N-S top. Two declarers got to discard the diamond loser on the third heart and go only -1 for a middle score. Against diamonds South can pick up a spade ruff to hold E-W to nine tricks; Raden even defeated 3D one trick when declarer did not overruff a club on trick six. Ritold were E-W top taking their par seven tricks against 5Cx for +1100. E-W are best off in 3NT, which has ten easy tricks that were taken by Sarah and Jatin.

?

4S W -3

4S W -2 (3)

3D E -1; 4D E -1; 4S W -1 (2)

3D E =

3NT E +1; 3NT W +1

5Cx S -5

?

9:

?

...............AQJ96

...............1064

...............K9

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

108754.......................K32

AK..............................9853

A6...............................10

J842...........................KQ1097

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

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

...............QJ875432

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

?

Three Souths passed North's 1S opening bid and ended the auction. Four Souths responded 1NT forcing and were able to declare 2D - very low for a hand with a rare 8-4-1-0 hand pattern! One South played 2NT, declining to take it out after North went there, perhaps on the third round of the auction. Two souths played 3D. Higher contracts were 4S N and 5Dx S. It's hard to generalize about auctions with freak hands. South might bid 1S-3D playing weak jump shifts, or North might upgrade to a 1NT opening bid and probably get into trouble.

?

Diamonds yield a straightforward ten tricks, although Ruise held declarer to nine - heart ruff? Par in either no-trumps or spades was five tricks. Ritold matched par defending 4S -5 for the E-W top. Pally were second defending 1S -3 when declarer led the spade queen at trick five instead of a club or heart. 1S -1 and 2NT -1 scored 7/11 for the defence.

?

2D S +2 (5)

3D S =

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

5Dx S -1

1S N -3

4S N -5

?

10:

?

...............Q73

...............A4

...............A1032

...............10954

K95.........................10864

QJ93.......................1086

J4............................K86

AK87.......................632?

...............AJ2

...............K752

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

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

?

P-1D-X-XX? That is followed by two more passes, 1H from West and then perhaps a double from South. Maybe East will bid 1S; N-S may declare in diamonds or no-trumps and will probably be able to stop below game. Nobody played in hearts as it happened; contracts were 1NT N twice, 2D S four times, 2S E, 2NT S, 3D S twice, 3NT N and 3NT S.

?

E-W can establish either major against no-trumps to hold declarer to seven tricks. Ray made 3NT when West won a spade lead with the king and then took the top two clubs, each dropping one trick. Jim took nine tricks in 1NT N and John eight, but Glotin took their par six tricks to post 3NT S -2 for the E-W top. Dibian scored 10/11 taking their par eight tricks against 2S E -3; at least not doubling only cost them one matchpoint. Par in diamonds was nine tricks. East may not have to find the spade switch when in with the king of diamonds, but it certainly helps. Phyllis (H) and Gareth took ten tricks; the other four declarers in diamonds matched par.

?

3NT N =

2S E -3

1NT N +2

2D S +2 (2)

1NT N +1

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

2NT S -1

3NT S -2

?

11:

?

...............AQ7432

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

...............AQ103

...............42

8.............................6

10764.....................Q853

654.........................972

108763...................AKQJ5?

...............KJ1095

...............AKJ2

...............KJ8

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

?

How many pairs would reach the slam? It turned out to be exactly half - 6S S six times, 4S S five times and one sad 4H N, adding to our list of unrecognized splinters. The North hand is too good for a splinter raise when South opens 1S anyway. 2NT is much better. East overcalls 3C (the Jacoby raise positively invites overcalls, especially 3m; with the opponents committed to 4M they are hardly likely to be able to double 3m for profit and likely have a hard time finding the double when they can defend. Here the E-W mirror distribution lets N-S take eight tricks defending clubs, but not enough for 3Cx to be worth defending) and then N-S may regret it if they have not discussed what to do over Jacoby and interference. I like agreeing that passing an overcall shows shortage in that suit and that 4M shows a minimum without control of it. There are various ways to go from there.

?

Glotin picked up the easy E-W top defending 4H -2. Everyone else took twelve tricks in spades except for Mallys, who took all thirteen. Their auction had been 1S-2NT; 3C-3D; 3H-4H; 4NT-5C; 6S, Phyllis showing the club shortage followed by various controls before the key card ask and signoff. Note the lack of a 3C overcall, resulting in West's making a different opening lead. The other auction I noted was Conndy's: 1S-P-2NT-3C; 4NT-P-6S. Connie liked the opening hand enough to ask directly over 3C, clearly implying an honour control or singleton in the suit; with a hand such as KJxxx AKQJ KJ xx she could have jumped to 5S to ask for control of clubs. Cindy was able to go to 6S over the 5C raise (yes, 5Cx could have been set more than slam but with a known eleven-card fit); Connie had to hold enough for slam to be worth 4NT. Connie, Phyllis (H), Gernot, Eric and NJ all scored 8/11 in 6S =.

?

6S S +1

6S S = (5)

4S S +2 (4); 5S S +1

4H N -2

?

12:

?

...............AJ109832

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

...............64

...............Q753

654................................K

1094..............................QJ82

1072..............................AJ98

KJ84.............................A1092

...............Q7

...............AK7653

...............KQ53

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

?

3S from North, raised to 4S by South. 4S N was played nine times. East might have doubled, leading to trouble if South redoubled, as North might then have made a penalty double of 4C for profit despite the vulnerability. One double of 3S went around; another led to 4Dx E. The last contract was 5S N after a push.

?

4Dx W would have a good theoretical chance of declarer's taking seven tricks but with East declaring North could get a heart ruff and then switch to a club. Dibian managed -5 but were denied N-S top when John picked up eleven tricks in 3Sx. This cannot be prevented, although most declarers took the spade finesse and lost a third trick. The play holds a slight trap for declarer; if a heart is led and declarer discards two diamonds on the heart ace-king and leads a club, a spade from West finessed leaves declarer only able to ruff one club and 4S is set, losing three clubs and the trump king. Paun defeated 4S for the E-W top. Cindy played 5S = and saved 8.5 matchpoints.

?

3Sx N +2

4Dx E -5

5S N =

4S N = (8)

4S N -1

?

13:

?

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

...............KQ975

...............K1093

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

KJ9...........................Q1086

J4..............................A63

8742..........................AQ6

J964..........................1075?

...............A742

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

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

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

?

1H from North and almost certainly only 2H from South, whether or not East doubled. Seven times 2H was left in. Against Randi, Paun, Ritold, Sarip and Leighry the contract was 3H with a balance from East if N-S did not get to that level after Southern optimism. The balance might be 2S, East having already declined to overcall 1S over 1H.

?

A trump lead should allow N-S to hold 2S to six tricks for a profit, although with both vulnerable South might try a sporting penalty double. The spade lead is also right for E-W against a heart contract, establishing the defensive winner in that suit before North can unblock the clubs. This holds declarer to nine tricks. Against a club lead declarer does not want to take the discard right away, as that loses a tempo and allows a profitable spade force. The discard can be taken after E-W have to lead spades themselves. All declarers went plus, with a trick distribution of 2/7/2/1 from eight to eleven, more than half the tables matching par. Mark, N-S top in 3H +2, picked up one trick from the club lead, then the other overtrick when let the diamond nine-spot sneak past at trick eight. John and Jim scored 9.5/11 for +170; Pally and Vioebe tied for E-W top on -110.?

?

3H N +2

2H N +2 (2)

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

2H N = (2)

?

14:

?

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

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

...............A1076

...............AK85

987.....................AQ4

AJ10542.............K87

5.........................KJ43

964.....................Q32?

...............KJ102

...............Q9

...............Q982

...............J107

?

All the Easts except Paul opened 1NT. One South came in with 2D and what perhaps was intended as a Stolen Bid double was left in. One North somehow ended up in 4C. One West liked the suit enough to start with a Texas transfer leading to 4H E but only one other West liked the hand enough to go to 3H, leaving 2H E seven times.

?

The layout is mixed. A club lead holds declarer to eight tricks because North wins and shifts to a spade; then N-S get their five tricks before a discard on a diamond can be organized. Of the ten contracts in hearts, four declarers took eight tricks, five took nine and Henry took ten after a spade lead. Dib played 2Dx +1 for the N-S top, bettering par by one trick. Ruise took their par six tricks against 4C -3 to score 10/11 for +150.

?

2Dx S +1

3H E -1; 4H E -1

2H E = (3)

2H E +1 (3); 2H W +1

4C N -3

2H E +2

?

15:

?

...............Q762

...............A1096532

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

...............103

1084..............................AK93

KQ4...............................87

643................................1098

K764..............................J985?

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

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

...............AKQJ752

...............AQ2

?

South has the first choice in the auction after 1D-1H. The most likely calls are 3C, 3D and 3NT; North might pull any of the above to 4H. Contracts were 3NT N, 3NT S, 4H N seven times, 5D S twice and 7NTx S after the auction 1D-1H; 3D-3S; 4NT-5C; 7NT-P-P-X.

?

Louise may have remembered the hand on which, against Shirley Fruchter, she raised her partner's 1NT opening bid to 6NT only to run to 7D when Shirley doubled and make it when opening leader did not lead the suit in which Shirley held the ace-king. Fortunately her choice of lead against 7NTx made no difference; Ruise scored the +1100 that made their day against 7NTx -4. North got a lucky break in hearts; West had to hold a doubleton honour or both honours to two or three and 4H just made for all seven declarers in the contract. Connie was N-S top in 3NT S +2 after a spade lead. East continued with a second and then a third spade, each surrendering a trick. Jurcia took their par of four tricks against 3NT N to score 8/11. As was the case with hearts, par in diamonds was ten tricks, though a difficult ten tricks; Sarip and Paun both posted -2 to score 9.5/11.

?

3NT S +2

4H N = (7)

3NT N =

5D S -2 (2)

7NTx S -4

?

16:

?

...............A3

...............KQ82

...............AQ10

...............AJ108

86............................Q974

109643....................5

K42..........................965

K32..........................Q9764

...............KJ1052

...............AJ7

...............J873

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

?

2NT from North; would South move? The answer was almost unanimously no. 3NT N was played ten times, after either a transfer or Puppet/Muppet Stayman. One South insisted on spades, ending in 4S N. Only Connie ventured beyond game, inviting slam with 4NT, but the auction ended there.

?

With the kind diamond position and the spade Qxxx with East, North had twelve tricks in either spades or no-trumps. The opening lead of a low club allows declarer to take all thirteen tricks on a squeeze of East. However, as that requires the first diamond led from dummy to be the jack, the squeeze never materialized. John was N-S top in 3NT +4 after a low club lead and some extra help. Eileen, Marian, Mark, Gareth and Steve all took twelve tricks. 4S +2 scored 6/11 for the defence. The two declarers in no-trumps took eleven tricks, two took ten and one took nine when declarer was cashing out and accidentally led the losing spade jack at trick eleven.

?

3NT N +4

3NT N +3 (5)

4S N +2

3NT N +2; 4NT N +1

3NT N +1 (2)

3NT N =

?

17:

?

...............AK107

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

...............Q106

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

QJ9652..................43

J2...........................K10865

9875.......................----

6.............................AK10975

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

...............A3

...............AKJ432

...............Q842

?

1D from North and possibly 2NT from East. If so, South has to choose between bidding game and offering to defend with a double of 2NT. If South doubles, North can double a 3H or 3S bid from West for penalty; if 2NTx is passed to East for a 3C removal, South doubles. If East merely overcalls 1H or 2C, South drives to game in diamonds or no-trumps. Contracts were 3NT N thrice, 3NT S, 4D N twice, 4D S, 4NT S, 5Cx E and 5D N thrice.

?

In no-trumps by North, East needs to lead a spade to cut communications. If East begins with three rounds of clubs, South wins the club queen, then declarer runs diamonds and finally cashes North's two spades, squeezing East before South has to discard. Arthur took eleven tricks in 3NT N after East began with three rounds of clubs; the other three declarers in 3NT and the one declarer in 4NT all still scored 8/11 taking ten tricks. In clubs East can be held to six tricks, so that 3Cx -3 will outscore game. Defending 5Cx Jerik bettered par by one trick to collect the biggest penalty of the day, -6 for +1400. Par in diamonds was eleven tricksif right-sided; North declaring must be able to ruff two clubs. If South declares, West can lead a trump and ruff the second club to lead a second trump, after which South ruffs the third club but has no way to run the trumps in hand without spoiling the squeeze. Paun held 4D N to ten tricks for E-W top.

?

5Cx E -6

3NT N +2

3NT N +1 (2); 3NT S +1; 4NT S =

5D N = (3)

4D N +1; 4D S +1

4D N =

?

18:

?

...............K9

...............J109872

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

...............1052

Q42......................J8653

----........................54

K95.......................AQ1043

AKQJ983..............6

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

...............AKQ63

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

...............74

?

We closed with a monster fit. P-1H-2C-4H (the lack of a shortage at most tables, although two partials (3H and 4C) were played. The auction never ended in 4H. One West doubled 4H. 5C W was played five times along with 5Cx W twice and 5H S twice.

?

The play was simple in hearts - N-S had four losers and a ll the heart contracts yielded nine tricks. In 5C and 5Cx everything rode on whether North was in IMPs mode or concentrated on matchpoints. The opening lead of the spade king was high risk and high reward. It has the best chance of setting 5C as, opposite a minimum of five hearts, the heart lead is unlikely to accomplish much. At the tables nobody ventured the spade king and all the declarers in clubs took twelve tricks. Cindy (X) and Marie tied for top in 5Cx +1; NJ was N-S top playing 3H S =.

?

3H S =

4C W +2

4Hx S-1; 5H S -2 (2)

5C W +1 (5)

5Cx W +1 (2)

1:

?

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

...............103

...............KQ103

...............AK973

AKJ982................6

A82......................KQ7

4...........................AJ87652

865.......................Q10

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

...............J9654

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

...............J42

?

A fair amount may seem to depend on whether North opens 1C or 1D. East will come in with 1D over 1C, but West bid spades with considerable vigour and declared in spades at every table, 2S twice and 4S four times.

?

West can take ten tricks in spades by scoring six trump tricks to go with three hearts and a diamond. This requires trumping diamonds in hand three times along with the complication of not being able to cash three hearts. The layout is interesting; if N-S force East to ruff a club West will drop the spade queen perforce. Will West spurn the finesse if N-S ostentatiously avoid the force? Marudy and Jamob shared N-S top defending 4S -2 but all four other declarers took at least ten tricks. Mary was E-W top in 4S +1; South trumped an early diamond after North began with two clubs; discarding South's third club would have kept the result at =.

?

4S W -2 (2)

2S W +2

2S W +3

4S W =

4S W +1

?

2:

?

...............QJ74

...............A752

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

...............KQJ2

52.........................63

Q8........................K643

Q109762..............AK3

976.......................10543

...............AK1098

...............J109

...............J84

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

?

1S from South and North has a maximum hand for a splinter raise of 4D. This is good news for South in that South has no big wastage in diamonds but the hand is still a balanced minimum. Cinbot reached 6S on the auction 1S-4D; 5C-5H; 5S-6S. Four pairs stopped in 4S S and one in 3S S.

?

With spades 2-2 and North's holding four clubs, twelve tricks always come in if there is no declaring error. A heart lead, however, forces declarer to draw trumps first before playing clubs. Had trumps split 3-1 a heart lead would have given the defence an excellent chance to prevail but a diamond lead allows 6S to make even if trumps split 4-0. One declarer in 4S took only eleven tricks but everyone else took twelve, giving Cindy's +1430 the N-S top and Ritold's -230 the E-W top.

?

6S S =

4S S +2 (3)

4S S +1

3S S +3

?

3:

?

...............KJ10

...............A3

...............QJ108

...............K1043

83..........................Q742

1086......................QJ542

K72........................A54

Q8762....................9

...............A965

...............K97

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

...............AJ5

?

Surprisingly only two N-S pairs reached game here. Showing the danger of changing one's mind in mid-auction, one South opened 1C but then passed North's response of 1D. One auction apparently was opened by North who then passed South's 1NT response. Another pair opted to defend 2Hx E and one auction ended in 2NT N - possibly a misunderstanding about the auction 1C-2NT? That just left two Norths in 3NT.

?

A heart lead against no-trumps puts declarer in a bit of a crunch. There is no time to set up the diamonds; declarer needs seven tricks from the black suits. At least the clubs can be misguessed but East must be played for the queen of spades. Wendric were E-W top defending 1NT S +1 but the other declarers in no-trumps took nine or ten tricks, ten if West unguarded the clubs of the run of the spades. Zia saved 2Hx -1 for 2/5 matchpoints; the contract was headed for -3 and -800 but after a diamond lead and club switch South played another club and gave declarer a big lead in timing. Ten tricks in diamonds was the par result; declarer took eleven to tie 2NT +1.

?

3NT N +1 (2)

2Hx E -1

1D N +4; 2NT N +1

1NT S +1

?

4:

?

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

...............AKJ62

...............106542

...............7

J632........................AK4

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

Q..............................J983

KQJ86.....................A982?

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

...............1053

...............AK7

...............1054

?

One pair ended in 2S W, quite likely after a support double by East: P-P-1D-P; 1S-2H-X and West will return to 2S. Had East opened 1C instead West might likely have chosen 3C over the double rather than trying a seven-card fit with a weak four-card suit. Everyone else finished in some number of no-trumps: 1NT E thrice, 1NT W(!) and 3NT W, though I imagine more Norths would have been willing to interfere over a 1C opening bid when both five-card suits would have been unbid.

?

3C would have been an easy make; 2S also makes, although with a little more difficulty. There are three top losers in the red suits; if declarer trumps the third heart there are two spade losers and trying to draw trumps loses a third heart. Bob played 2S W = for a 60% score. Against no-trumps N-S can cash seven tricks off the top with the heart Qx in the East hand dropping. That result was easily obtained when West declared, giving Pave the N-S top defending 3NT -3. When East declared 1NT Harold took seven tricks, Eric and Laura eight to tie for E-W top. Eric received a heart lead to North, but North, fearing South would not unblock the queen from Qxx, returned a low heart at trick two.

?

3NT W -3

1NT W -1

1NT E =

2S W =

1NT E +1 (2)

?

5:

?

...............Q863

...............AK10963

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

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

J10542.......................K

87...............................J542

J953...........................Q1074

K8..............................Q732?

...............A97

...............Q

...............A862

...............J10964

?

After 1H-1NT; 2H, South usually liked the singleton queen enough to raise with it, resulting in 4H N at three tables. One pair stopped in 3H N and one South misclicked and passed 1H, leaving only one to try a 2NT rebid, leading to declaring 3NT.

?

In hearts declarer can park the low club on the diamond ace. The spades, despite the 5-1 split, behave kindly enough to hold losers in the suit to one - the ace drops the king and then declarer leads through West. After a club lead declarer takes?a different tack and establishes the clubs; after a heart lead declarer comes to hand in diamonds and draws all the trumps. If the lead is a spade declarer just clears the diamond king, crosses back to the heart queen, discards the losing club and then leads a spade through West, finessing if West plays low. Eleven tricks, but nobody took them except for the declarer in 1H.. Karlene and Judy (P) took ten tricks in 4H N to tie for top. In no-trumps a diamond lead holds declarer to ten tricks; declarer does not have time to lose a heart and a black-suit trick. Judy (R) took nine tricks for a 60% score. E-W top went to Tombot defending 4H -1.

?

4H N = (2)

3NT S =

1H N +4

3H N =

4H N -1

?

6:

?

...............Q62

...............KJ

...............AJ

...............AJ10972

874............................K9

Q87642.....................10953

432............................Q76

8................................KQ64

...............AJ1053

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

...............K10985

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

?

I'm fairly sure Jevin would have reached the reasonable 6S here. The key is that South has solid intermediates and a good Losing Trick Count. Only one pair ventured beyond 4S, due entirely to North, on the auction 1S-2C; 2D-4NT; 5H-5S; it would have helped had North bid 2S first to set the trump suit before asking. South can give at least mild encouragement.

?

With both diamonds and spades behaving South can take all thirteen tricks in spades - club ace, heart ace, diamond ace, heart king, then probably a spade finesse and then either drawing trumps and guessing diamonds or ruffing the third diamond before leading another spade. Thirteen tricks. We ended with four declarers - Judy (R), Mary, Breta and Martin - taking twelve tricks for a 70% score. Tombot held declarer to eleven tricks and Laubot to ten for the E-W top.

?

4S S +2 (3); 5S S +1

4S S +1

4S S =

?

7:

?

...............842

...............Q10543

...............J732

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

97............................QJ10

J7............................AK62

K98.........................10654

QJ8753...................102

...............AK653

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

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

...............K964

?

What does South do after 1S-2S? We saw it all - pass, 3C, 3S and 4S. 3C seems best and then North surely accepts. Contracts were evenly divided - 2S twice, 3S twice and 4S twice.

?

Unfortunately for N-S their assets are badly meshed. AKxxx Kx AQ xxxx for South or Qxx xxxxx Jxxx A for North would give a much stronger chance of ten tricks; as is, declarer needs the diamond finesse and 3-2 trumps. The trumps behave; the diamonds do not. The E-W doubletons in clubs and hearts make things interesting. If a club is led, declarer likely takes the diamond finesse, losing, and then three rounds of hearts will establish at least a fifth trick for E-W. Breta was N-S top in 3S =. Three declarers took eight tricks and two took seven; E-W top was shared between Wendric and Laubot defending 4S -2; -1 scored 60% for N-S.

?

3S S =

2S S -1 (2); 3S S -1

4S S -2 (2)

?

8:

?

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

...............7532

...............J64

...............KQ65

----............................Q10872

AJ84.........................K106

Q752.........................K3

AJ842.......................1093?

...............AKJ654

...............Q9

...............A1098

...............7

?

South may be able to overcall a natural 2S after 1D-P-1Sl partnerships ought to clarify the meanings of X, 1NT, 2D, 2S and 2NT on this auction. Quite a few pairs play both 2D and 2S as natural, in which case South can overcall 2S comfortably enough; RHO's holding four trumps holds no terrors. One South passed and West rebid 1NT, playing the hand there. Another West rebid 2D and was left there, although 1D-1S; 2C-2D is another possible auction. One South overcalled 2S and was left there; another 2S overcall was doubled by West for takeout and East opted to defend. Higher contracts were 3Sx S and 3NT W.

?

Defending 2Sx looks great. A diamond lead from West puts E-W on the track for two heart winners, one diamond, one club, two diamond ruffs and still a spade, Against Breta in 2S undoubled, however, the defence began well enough - club ace, diamond to king and ace, diamond to queen. But then West led a second club, allowing Breta nine tricks. Mary took nine tricks in 2Sx for the N-S top. Cinbot produced close to optimal defence for the E-W top defending 3Sx -2. The two E-W no-trumps contracts finished -1 and -3 but declarer took four and eight tricks, not six and six; 1NT -3 against Ritold and 3NT -1 for Tommy; par was seven tricks after a spade or diamond lead. Declarer's read of the heart suit was significant. Nobody matched par in any contract; Laura scored 60% in 2D -2 when she could have been -1.

?

2S x S +1

1NT W -3

2S S +1

2D W -2

3NT W -1

3Sx S -2

?

9:

?

...............9652

...............AJ75

...............8542

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

K3..........................AQJ4

KQ62.....................1093

QJ1076..................9

Q3..........................K10972?

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

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

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

...............J8654

?

I thought we might see at least one 2NT contract after P-P-P-1D; P-1S-P-1NT; P-2NT, but we never did. Three Easts passed 1NT; two Wests went on to 3NT. The sixth contract was 2D W after a 2D rebid; East might have tried 2NT.

?

Declarer in diamonds takes seven tricks; neither side can quite do everything needed to force a different result. In this case, though, Pave defended slightly too actively and allowed 2D to make but they were still N-S top. Declarer is held to eight tricks in no-trumps with reasonable defensive care; when in with the first diamond, South leads a heart and North ducks; then comes another heart when South is in with the second diamond and N-S have five tricks. But only Tombot held declarer to eight tricks; the other four declarers all took nine, likely after a heart lead, as was the case for Wendy, who shared E-W top with Bob.

?

2D W =

1NT W +1

1NT W +2 (2)

3NT W = (2)

?

10:

?

...............A3

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

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

...............AJ1054

KJ42............................Q10985

J5.................................K

AK984.........................QJ107

86.................................KQ9?

...............76

...............AQ109432

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

...............732

?

If East passes, N-S might steal the bid in 4H via P-3H-P-4H. After a 1S opening bid from East West gets to 4S. P-3H-P-P leads to 3S from East (or a double) and again E-W reach 4S.

?

Neither 4H nor 4S quite makes. 4H has below even chances, needing the hearts and clubs to behave. 4s depends on whether or not South can get a diamond ruff. The natural lead of or even switch to the singleton diamond seems likely to lead to -1, but only Study and Ritold achieved that result. Cindy made 4S after the defence began with two rounds of hearts; 4S = scored 70% for Cindy, Laura, Judy (P) and Karlene.

?

4S E -1 (2)

4S E = (4)

?

11:

?

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

...............AQ10632

...............10953

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

J63..............................AQ852

K985...........................74

AK2.............................Q7

K107............................Q985

...............K74

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

...............J864

...............A6432

?

We start P-1C-2H and then likely 2S or possibly double from East. One South raised to 3H on the singleton jack, ending the auction. Other contracts were 2NT W, 3S E twice and 4S E twice.

?

The layout is brutal to spade contracts. With optimal defence N-S get two club ruffs and six tricks total, but this requires South to ruff a heart that can be won by North, although declarer can go wrong. The four results in spades averaged out at par, with Wendric's 4S -3 and Zibot's 3S -3 tied for E-W top. 4S -2 and 3S -2 shared the middle score. Cindy?finessed the ten on the first club for 2NT -1 instead of +1 but still scored 80%. The play is most interesting in hearts. One West ducked the heart jack, giving North an opportunity to score all six trumps separately and finish with eight tricks. Declarer was headed for 3H -1 but eventually led the heart ace. Even -1 would still have given Pave the E-W top for defending instead of declaring on this nightmare hand.

?

3S E -3; 4S E -3

3S E -2; 4S E -2

2NT W -1

3H N -2

?

?

?

12:

?

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

...............A3

...............32

...............K10985432

AQJ5................................K7632

10852...............................KQ9

Q6....................................AK108

Q76...................................J?

...............1098

...............J764

...............J9754

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

?

Does North open 3C or 4C? 3C elicits either a double or a 3S overcall from East and then E-W get to 4S. 4C ended the auction once and was doubled, also ending the auction, once. East played 4S thrice and West once.

?

Eric was the lucky North to play 4C undoubled -2 for N-S top, losing four tricks in the side suits and one trump. Judy (P) was the East to double 4C and Martin the West to pass, collecting +500 and E-W top. Declarer can take eleven tricks in spades, although South has a chance at an overruff after club ace, heart ace and club back. Study scored 80% against 4S = when East ruffed the second club low; the other three declarers in 4S all took eleven tricks.

?

4C N -2

4S E =

4S E +1 (3)

4Cx N -2

?

13:

?

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

...............109874

...............AKJ43

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

K87............................AQ9542

Q62............................KJ3

Q105...........................98

8632...........................Q9?

...............J106

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

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

...............AK1054

?

After 1S-2S from E-W North might make a responsive double if South overcalled 2C and do something (3D? 2NT? double?) if South passed. Nobody played at the two-level; contracts were 3C S, 3S E, 3Sx E, 4H N and 4S E twice. Pushing East to 3S ought to be enough.

?

E-W have five top losers in spades; all four spade contracts yielded eight tricks. Clubs can take ten tricks, although declarer may need to be careful about keeping control. 3C = was a reasonable result for the one declarer there and +1 would not have scored any better. 4H is defeated if E-W force North twice in hearts before trumps are drawn. North then cannot afford to draw the third trump. Harold made 4H when East led a diamond in the middle of the hand instead of forcing with the third round of spades, which would have forced Harold to allow the last to E-W trumps to score separately.

?

4H N =

3Sx E -1; 4S E -2 (2)

3C S =

3S E -1

?

14:

?

...............KQ8

...............103

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

...............K8432

A9643........................1072

AJ75...........................K982

AK7............................86432

J.................................6

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

...............Q64

...............Q9

...............AQ10975

?

West likely overcalls 1S over a possible 1C opening bid and doubles a 3C opening bid. One West got to declare 3Sx after 1S-2C-P-P; 2H-P-2S-3C; 3S-X (a downside of the 1C opening bid on iffy top values) but South declared in clubs at all the other tables: 2C, 3C twice, 4C and 4Cx.

?

In spades (or hearts) with the hearts behaving the 1-1 clubs stop N-S from any effective forcing defence and allow declarer nine tricks. Cindy duly made 3Sx for E-W top. South has five top losers in clubs, and eight tricks was the result every time except that Zia escaped in 4C -1 to score 60%. Being allowed to play 2C = gave Tommy N-S top.

?

2C S =

3C S -1 (2); 4C S -1

4Cx S -2

3Sx W =

?

15:

?

...............K764

...............J72

...............108742

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

----..........................Q832

K94.........................85

AKQ5......................J96

AQ8753...................KJ96

...............AJ1095

...............AQ1063

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

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

?

The auction appears likely to start 1S-X-3S-P. If South passes West may well double again (or bid 4C) and then East has to resist the temptation to pass. N-S appear to hold nine trumps; this hand is not going to be able to do much if the opponents can cross-ruff. Contracts were 3Sx S (West doubled after having starte with 2C, making East's pass rather worse), 4C W thrice, 5C W and 5Cx W. The South who doubled 5C complained, thinking that E-W were colluding, but the auction had had a 2C overcall from West and a raise from East; West, with a Losing Trick Count of three, could hardly do less than go to game.

?

Spades took nine tricks; clubs took twelve. Boric were N-S top in 3Sx =. Only one table deviated from par; one South let the first heart go through to the king allowing 4C +3, but -190 just scored 60% instead of 80%.

?

Spades

?

3Cx S =

4C W +2 (2)

4C W +3

5C W +1

5Cx W +1

?

16:

?

...............QJ94

...............K107

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

...............Q10975

105..........................AK762

J432........................AQ95

A10753....................J4

43............................J2

...............83

...............86

...............Q9862

...............AK86

?

1S from East ended the auction thrice when West passed and North saw no reason to try to improve the contract, a wise decision. When West responded 1NT East rebid hearts and the auction got dragged to the three-level, with contracts of 3C N and 3H E twice.

?

Ten tricks are perfectly possible in hearts; declarer can ruff two spades in dummy while drawing trumps and lose only two clubs and a diamond. Judy (P) duly took her ten tricks in 3H for E-W top but Ritold were allowed to defeat 3H for an 80% score. E-W have five top tricks against clubs but have to get a heart lead from West. Eric made 3C when East began with the top spades and then switched to the heart ace. In spades declarer lacked the entries for two heart finesses and could only force seven tricks, the result at two tables but an assist from the defence allowed Nancy an eighth.

?

3C N =

3H E -1

1S E = (2)

1S E +1

3H E +1

?

17:

?

...............Q7

...............107

...............A862

...............KQ932

AJ942....................1053

865........................AJ932

QJ..........................1073

J54.........................86

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

...............KQ4

...............K954

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

?

1C-3NT or P-1NT; 3NT. Everyone played in 3NT S.

?

West's spade lead allows a relatively simple forced set but the entire field was caught up in Last Round Madness. NOBODY set 3NT. Declarer has nothing to stop E-W; if dummy wins the spade lead with the queen East gets in with the heart ace or diamond ten and pushes another spade through the king. If declarer ducks the first spade in both hands West ducks a second spade. East has to rise with the heart ace on the first round to prevent declarer from running nine tricks. Judy (R) took eleven after sneaking a heart trick when East unguarded the diamonds on the running clubs. Laura also took eleven tricks to tie for N-S top; allowing 3NT = was actually E-W top for Karleta, as the other three declarers all took ten tricks.

?

3NT S +2 (2)

3NT S +1 (3)

3NT S =

?

18:

?

...............KJ873

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

...............J7542

...............A10

2........................10954

QJ10974............A652

KQ3...................98

Q82....................K43

...............AQ6

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

...............A106

...............J9765

?

After P-1C-2H, North may try 2S or may double. Had North been a passed hand 2S would have been fine. East likely goes to 4H, perhaps not being sure whether the hand wants to push N-S into 4S or not. Contracts were 2S N, 3S N, 4H W, 4S N twice and 5H W.

?

With a correct guess in clubs (which should happen unless N-S open 1C on doubletons, giving declarer a guess which opponent to play for Ax) declarer takes nine tricks in hearts; Jamob and Laubot scored 70% defending 4H -2 and 5H -2. The 4-1 trump split and diamond ten trapped most of the declarers in spades. Suppose East leads ace and another heart. Declarer discards the losing club and then will be tempted to draw trumps and play on diamonds but doing that will lose control of the hand and declarer will finish with eight tricks. Playing ace and another diamond will let declarer force ten tricks, as West has nothing useful to do when winning the second round of diamonds. A third heart is ruffed in dummy; then dummy's spades are cashed and the third diamond is led. A club opening lead prevents the discard but lets declarer draw trumps and establish clubs. A diamond lead does not kill the discard but, if declarer takes it, the timing gets mangled and the diamonds will not establish in time because South must lead the low spade to North at trick two. If declarer ducks a diamond to West, E-W can pick up a club trick along with the heart and two diamonds; East discards a club on the third diamond and then a club through from West promotes a trump trick. All the declarers in spades other than Tommy were defeated; Zibot were E-W top defending 4S -2. Tommy took ten tricks after a heart lead in 2S for the only declaring success on the hand and N-S top.

?

2S N +2

4H W -2; 5H W -2

3S N -1; 4S N -1

4S N -2

1:

?

...............AKQ732

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

...............A96

...............654

954..............................J106

10987..........................J

J105............................K872

A73..............................QJ982

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

...............AQ65432

...............Q43

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

?

This was a Battle of the Majors but intra-partnership instead of inter-. North opens 1S and South (if playing 2/1) has to choose between 2H and 1NT. North might jump to 3S; South might keep the contract in spades or go to hearts. One pair stopped in 3S S but everyone else got to game: 4H S eight times, 4S N twice and 5H S.

?

Hearts are right-sided declared by South. Despite there being a trump loser that happens not to exist in 4S, the ability to enter the South hand with ease means that hearts play better. West has to lead a diamond or the club ace to hold declarer to eleven tricks. If East is allowed to win the diamond king a club shift holds declarer to nine tricks; South must thus win the first diamond in dummy, cash the heart king and discard two diamonds on the spades at once, then finally discard a club on the fourth spade to come to eleven tricks. After a major lead declarer takes the heart king and discards clubs on the spades, then ruffs a club and draws trumps, with the diamond ace as an entry to the long spades. Of the nine declarers in hearts the trick results went 2/5/2 between nine, ten and eleven, eleven tricks taken by Don and Cindy. Against spades the key is to lead a heart before declarer can get organized. A trump lead robs North of the time to lead to the diamond queen but allows North to draw trumps and then discard a club before surrendering the lead. A heart keeps North from drawing trumps and taking an immediate discard. If North draws trumps and tries to reach dummy in clubs, E-W get three club tricks and East gets the diamond king? as well. If North takes a discard at once, East ruffs and the defence still have three winners in the minors. Playing in spades Gareth managed to tie for N-S top in 4S +1; the defence began well but in the middle of the hand East led a diamond instead of cashing the club queen and then forcing Gareth to ruff. As nobody set 4S, defending 4H -1 gave Pharah and Gel a tie for E-W top.

?

4H S +1; 4S N +1; 5H S =

4H S = (5); 4S N =

3S N +2

4H S -1 (2)

?

2:

?

...............862

...............AQ109832

...............7

...............76

AQJ104......................K75

J.................................764

943.............................J652

A832..........................KJ4

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

...............K5

...............AKQ108

...............Q1095

?

P-1D-1S and then North has to choose between 2H, 3H, 4H and pass. The bidding is sure to reach at least 2S whatever North does. A weak and natural 3H seems likely to be as high as N-S will go unless perhaps East goes to 3S and North decides to take the push, encouraged by the holding of three low spades. Contracts were 2S W, 3H N twice, 3S W twice, 4H N five times, 4S W and 5C S, occurring on the auction P-1D-1S-4H; P-5C. Some people just did not have good luck jumping to 4H this week.

?

Heart contracts play simply. E-W have to cash their four tricks off the top and either they do or they don't. The six heart contracts were evenly split between nine and eleven tricks for declarer, Rich and Judy (P) tying for N-S top in 4H +1. After two rounds of spades, Rich received a diamond continuation rather than the necessary club. Melen were E-W top defending 5C -4. Spades are interesting. If N-S start with two hearts or a trump, West has five trump and two club winners and can manage an eighth by cashing the top clubs and leading the third club off the top to score a ruff with the spade king. Early diamonds allowing North to discard the clubs are required; N-S can take the first six tricks, or North can wait to ruff the club ace. If West draws trumps there will be two club losers to go with the four red losers. Top defence came from Cliborah (3S -2) and Lourene (2S -1), Cliborah scoring 10/11 right behind Melen.

?

4H N +1 (2)

3H N +2

3H N =

3S W -2; 4S W -2

2S W -1; 3S W -1

4H N -1 (3)

5C S -4

?

3:

?

...............AQ109872

...............Q763

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

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

----...............................KJ653

A9542..........................K10

J54...............................KQ87

AKJ82..........................Q9

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

...............J8

...............A10932

...............76543

?

West opens 1H. How many spades does North bid opposite a passed partner at favourable vulnerability? I saw nine of the twelve overcalls: 1S thrice, 2S, 3S four times and 4S once. There may have been a second 4S overcall but no more than one, as only two auctions reached 4S. East would likely have left in more doubles had the vulnerability not been adverse. Contracts were 2Sx N, 3S N, 3Sx N twice, 3NT E five times, 4H W, 4Sx N and 5H W.

?

Declarer has a secure ten tricks in hearts. The 7-1 spade split is helpful as it eliminates the chance of declarer's losing control of the hand. Even if South is allowed to ruff a spade in an attempt to promote another trump winner, that attempt does not succeed. Both declarers in hearts took ten tricks. Declarer in no-trumps can also force ten tricks. A major lead makes it easy, as does a diamond. If North leads a club the psychic path is to win the queen, lead a diamond through which South must duck, then follow with three rounds of hearts. North gives East a spade, then declarer runs the clubs and throws North in again in hearts to get another spade winner for East. The are other possible routes; the key is just to avoid letting N-S score both aces and two hearts. The four declarers in 3NT E posted +630 thrice and Jane was E-W top on +660; after a spade lead North switched to a diamond when only a heart would do. Defending against spades, the simple way to seven tricks would be for East to lead hearts and then ruff both the third and fourth heart with the five-spot and six-spot of spades over dummy's four-spot, then wait to score the trump king-jack. Paul escaped for a crucial 4Sx -3 when West did not follow with the third heart but switched to a club. All the lower spade contracts finished -2; Paul had to avoid -4 and the dreaded -800, which would have been bottom; saving -3 scored 6/11 for him.

?

5H W -1

3S N -2

2Sx N -2; 3Sx N -2 (2)

4Sx N -3

3NT E =

4H W =

3NT E +1 (3)

3NT E +2

?

4:

?

...............Q964

...............J1084

...............J92

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

1083.........................AJ75

76532.......................AKQ

K...............................Q107

10874....................... AJ2

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

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

...............A86543

...............Q965

?

2NT from East. West might pass 2NT, leave in a transfer to 3H or bite the bullet and carry on with 3NT to offer a choice of games. East declared at every table; the distribution was 4/5/2/1 among 2NT, 3H, 3NT and 4H.

?

A red-suit lead (presumably diamonds) holds no-trumps to eight tricks; there is a chance of nine if West wins a diamond and leads a low club towards East. If South wins one of the first two clubs East has nine tricks. Two declarers in 2NT took only seven tricks against Cliborah and Randi. It gets interesting if South leads ace and another diamond; East leads the top three hearts and South is squeezed out of a diamond winner; East then cashes the third diamond and follows with ace and another spade. Eventually South has to break the clubs and give declarer two tricks there. 3NT -2 gave Linj the N-S top but Jane finished off a perfect round with 3NT E = when North unguarded the spades, allowing a ninth trick. Heart contracts had a placid nine tricks with one loser in each suit; Jurcia were allowed to defeat 3H one trick but all the other declarers in hearts took nine.

?

3NT E -2

2NT E -1 (2); 3H E -1; 4H E -1

2NT E = (2)

3H E = (4)

3NT E =

?

5:

?

...............865

...............K8652

...............87

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

AQ10743..............KJ2

Q..........................AJ94

A52......................J63

Q73......................J96

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

...............1073

...............KQ1094

...............A1052

?

How good are East's jacks? That is the burning question. West opens 1S or overcalls spades if South opens - is East content with a single raise or does East invite? If East invites West probably accepts. West declared in spades at every table: 2S five times, 3S twice and 4S five times. Not vulnerable it would be an error from South to allow 2S to go through.

?

Even without a diamond bid from South North usually found the right lead. Declarer needs a very favourable heart lie and happens to get it. West wins the diamond ace and leads the heart queen. If North covers one heart ruff affords declarer three heart tricks. Erik played 4S +1 after the heart queen was covered for the E-W top. If North ducks declarer can only come to ten tricks; after the heart queen cash a trump from hand and one in dummy, then lead the heart ace and jack, discarding two diamonds or just take one discard on the ace and guess the clubs. Declarer will probably go wrong guessing the clubs, as the most likely play is to finesse the ten, but declarer can force a club trick with a backwards finesse by running the nine to ten-queen-king, then finessing North for the eight-spot. In the end the distribution of tricks from eight to eleven was 1/6/4/1, with N-S top defending 4S -1 shared between Cliborah, Lernot and Marudy.

?

4S W -1 (3)

2S W =

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

2S W +2 (3)

4S W =

4S W +1

?

6:

?

...............KQJ986

...............K97

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

...............Q9

3...............................1075

Q4............................532

AK854......................Q9

AJ654.......................107532

...............A42

...............AJ1086

...............10732

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

?

At least two Wests overcalled 2NT over a 1H opening bid from South. North might downgrade the hand for wastage in the minors but most pairs reached game. Contracts were 3H S twice, 3S N, 4H S twice, 4S N five times, 5C E and 5Cx E.

?

E-W have three winners in the minors and then declarer has to guess the queen of hearts, which most declarers ought to get wrong with East holding twice as many cards in the majors as West, or, if spades are trumps, three hearts to two if West has bid 2NT - an occasion on which giving declarer distributional information helps the defence. Only three N-S declarers made game: 4H S = for Marie, 4H S +1 for Martin and 4S N +1 for Paul after E-W began with three rounds of diamonds, hoping for a trump promotion that did not occur. Four declarers were down in game. 3S provided an overtrick; 3H did not, declarer finessing East for the heart queen. Against clubs North's doubleton queen insured a trump winner to go with the three top winners in the majors, giving Cliborah the N-S top defending 5Cx -2.

?

5Cx E -2

4H S +1; 4S N +1

4H S =

5C E -2

3S N +1

3H S = (2)

4S N -1 (4)

?

7:

?

...............A9732

...............K5

...............AJ93

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

J104.......................K86

10...........................QJ842

K875......................642

97542.....................A3

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

...............A9763

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

...............KJ86

?

N-S seem destined to play 3NT from one side or the other. South does not have the most comfortable rebid if the auction begins 1H-1S; 2C-2D without three spades, six hearts, a diamond stopper or five clubs. North might bid 3NT on the second round. If South passes, North opens 1S and rebids 2D over 1NT; then South likely invites with 2NT and North can accept. In the end everyone arrived in 3NT, with North favoured over South by a 7-5 margin. P-1S; 2H-2NT seemed the most likely auction to finish in a partial but we avoided it.

?

With spades and diamonds both sitting beautifully declarer has buckets of tricks; E-W can only force three tricks on defence with a heart lead, either West's singleton ten or a low heart from East. Betty was one of four declarers in 3NT +2 (three from the North side, one from the South); East led the heart queen. Eric was N-S top in 3NT S +3 after a club lead when East unguarded the hearts; West also had to cover a diamond for that to happen but it is still on East. E-W top went to Dane for defending 3H S =. In the end, the seven Norths declaring took 73 tricks total, the five Souths 52, a miniscule edge to North, appropriately enough.

?

3NT S +3

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

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

3NT S =

?

8:

?

...............Q106

...............J7543

...............1053

...............32

AK85.....................732

AKQ62..................98

KQ84.....................72

----.........................AJ10874

...............J94

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

...............AJ96

...............KQ965

?

How does West stop in time on this hand? Is it at all possible? Carl, Steve and Vicki managed to stop in partials after opening 1H, finishing in 2NT W (I don't think I want to know how), 1H W (no balance from South?) and 2H W. 2Cx S would have been an interesting contract to see but we never saw it. After a 2C opening bid game was assured. One East played 3NT, six Wests played 4H and two Wests wandered all the way up to 6H, which would have had some play had East held the diamond ace instead of the club ace.

?

It did not save them much in the way of matchpoints but the two Wests in 6H bettered par by two tricks and were only -1. A club lead to the ace followed by a diamond to the ace?almost produces eleven tricks. In the end North's heart seven is just high enough over West's six to allow North a high ruff at trick nine over dummy's remaining spot and then South's ten promotes North's seven; had North held J10543 and South the singleton seven then a club to the ace, diamond to the ace and no trump switch would have allowed declarer eleven tricks by force. Conndy, Lourene and Glynneth took the par four tricks to defeat 4H; the game was made by Erik, Sarah and Del. The only defending pair to better par against hearts was Linj, defending 2H W =. Par in no-trumps was eight tricks. Declarer gets locked in dummy and needs the club ace in the East hand to keep N-S playing diamonds. Dianne was E-W top in 3NT +2; North ducked a heart at trick three, allowing her a surprise entry to hand, and then South led a c lub for her later in the hand instead of a spade or diamond.

?

4H W -1 (3); 6H W -1 (2)

2H W =

2NT W =

1H W +2

4H W = (3)

3NT E +2

?

9:

?

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

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

...............KJ5

...............AQJ9432

K865...........................QJ9

KJ97............................Q1086532

A963............................7

5...................................107

...............A1072

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

...............Q10842

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

?

This hand was Vioebe's triumph of the day. South went comatose and passed both times during the auction: 1C-3H-P-4H. Otherwise we had N-S choosing between 5C and 3NT, with two partials and one slam bid. Contracts were 3C N twice, 3NT S twice, 4H E, 5C N five times, 5Hx E and 6C N.

?

This came down entirely to the opening lead when N-S declared. Against 3NT West forces declarer to cash out by leading a heart. Why N-S were allowed to declare 3NT is another question, but we shall let that pass; both declarers in 3NT took nine tricks. When North plays 5C it is?easier, as either a spade to establish the second winner or a diamond and a ruff will give the defence two tricks. NJ posted 5C +1 for the N-S top after the unlucky opening lead of a heart. One declarer in 3C received a diamond lead and West did not continue with a second round. Boric did the best they could defending 5Hx -1 to score 4/11. Vioebe's cold 4H = was E-W top.

?

5C N +1

3NT S = (2); 5C N = (4)

5Hx E -1

3C N +3

3C N +2

6C N -1

4H E =

?

10:

?

...............J1062

...............Q964

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

...............KQ2

83............................4

KJ7..........................A108

K64..........................A8532

109764.....................A853

...............AKQ975

...............532

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

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

?

Most Norths apparently were content with a 2S raise after 1D-1S and whatever West did (pass? double? 2D?). Five Souths were allowed to play 2S. Six went on to or were pushed to 3S. The final auction was 1D-1S-P-2S; X-P-3C, N-S showing great restraint in avoiding the three-level. Jerik were E-W there and Jim was able to feel more free to force the auction to the three-level because of his HCP-limited 1D opening bid.

?

The club duplication is brutal. If E-W negotiate the two-way heart finesse they can take the first six tricks. This was done only by Pheileen, whose 2S -1 tied them with the 3S -1 posted by Keianne, Pharah and Heve. The final distribution of tricks from seven to nine was 1/6/4. +140 split the N-S top between Marie, Eric, Lynn and Louise. Erik had nine tricks in 3C and took them for the E-W top, but N-S could not have forced a better result. Change North's club and heart holdings and 3S is a probable make.

?

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

2S S = (3)

2S S -1; 3S S -1 (3)

3C W =

?

11:

?

...............J985

...............732

...............9542

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

KQ.........................A107

KQJ6.....................1084

KQJ6.....................10

Q87........................KJ9632

...............6432

...............A95

...............A873

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

?

1D from South and West presumably doubles before bidding no-trumps, although this is a poor 19-count. If East bids only 2C in reply to the double, the hand can easily raise to 3NT. That there were?seven contracts of 3NT W and one of 3NT E seemed a bit low. The one-offs were 1NT W, 2H W, 2NT W and 4C W (?).

?

In all three denominations N-S could take South's aces and nothing more. Helen and Erik both took ten tricks as declarer. Helen's play began with the club ace, another club and a diamond to the ace. South then had to cash the ace of hearts but led a spade instead. Conndy were N-S top defending 4C W =.

?

4C W =

2H E +2

1NT W +3; 2NT W +2

3NT W +1 (6)

3NT E +2; 3NT W +2

?

12:

?

...............A3

...............A2

...............KQ108742

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

KJ107..........................53

105..............................KQ98763

J93..............................6

Q1092.........................K87

...............Q9864

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

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

...............A654

?

1D from North and then East bids some number of hearts from 1H to 4H. South will bid 1S or 2S, likely double 3H or 4H. Best outcome for N-S will be to play 3NT, but 4H removes that possibility and P-1D-3H-X is a tricky one for North. Bob was the only North who found a 3NT reply to a negative double of 3H and be left there. Contracts were 3H E, 3S S, 3NT N, 4D N five times, 4S S, 5D N twice and 5Hx E.

?

North has ten tricks in no-trumps and only ten in diamonds despite not having to fear a running suit. One declarer in 4D took twelve tricks and Bob was N-S top in 3NT +2 on a low heart lead when an honour would not have allowed him to score the jack. An opening lead of a minor allows North to get a club ruff and hold hearts to eight tricks; Matty posted the par 5Hx -3 to score 10/11. Spade contracts get ugly, held to seven tricks by a heart or club lead. Keianne took their par six tricks against 4S for E-W top.

?

3NT N +2

5Hx E -3

4D N +2

4D N = (4)

3H E -2

3S S -1; 5D N -1 (2)

4S S -3

?

13:

?

...............AQ94

...............Q3

...............AK9

...............AKJ9

K8..............................J2

AK97..........................J8652

8763...........................QJ102

643.............................87

...............107653

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

...............54

...............Q1052

?

This was similar to Board 4 in reverse except that opener is a bit stronger and has even better support?while responder has a side Q10xx instead of a singleton king. The opening bid is 2C with a 2NT rebid instead of 2NT. 2NT N was left in thrice. Two Norths did not pre-accept a transfer and South opted to let 3S go. Strangely two Norths declared 3NT. Four Norths declared 4S. One West got into the bidding (presumably thinking it would do no harm to throw in a lead-directing 2H after 2C-P-2D) and ended declaring 4H - undoubled.

?

No E-W pair took their five tricks against no-trumps. The usual lead was the diamond queen; trick counts were nine, ten, eleven twice and twelve (N-S top) for Connie. Spades take eleven tricks with the trumps behaving. At IMPs, with exactly two losers in the other suits, declarer should play the ace first to avoid losing two tricks when East holds a singleton king. At matchpoints, if one thinks 4S is likely to be played at most tables, the finesse is more than three times as likely to produce an extra trick and may well gain in score over the long run. Paul, Rich and Larry all posted +650; Judy (G) +620. Jatin got very lucky; not only did he avoid the double but two leads from North each dropped a trick and allowed him to scape for -2 and a score of 10/11 thanks to declarer's overperformance in no-trumps.

?

3NT N +3

4S N +1 (3)

4S N =

3NT N =

2NT N +3 (2)

3S N +2 (2); 4H W -2

2NT N +2

?

14:

?

...............KJ97

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

...............A1092

...............K1096

5................................AQ1032

AQ543.......................9

K6543........................QJ8

A4..............................8752

...............864

...............KJ10762

...............7

...............QJ3

?

2H from South should silence both West and North. East will probably balance with either 2S or a double. West may be tempted to leave the double in, although it would be nice if the trump spots were better. West might bid no-trumps or diamonds over a double or an overcall. Contracts were 2H S twice, 2S E twice, 2NT E(!), 2NT W twice, 3D W, 3Hx S, 3NT W twice and 4D W.

?

The E-W hands fit well enough that the best defence against diamonds is for North to sacrifice the probable second trump fit and lead the ace and another, holding declarer to nine tricks. Steve took eleven tricks in 3D but Conndy were able to defend 4D -3. No-trumps can be held to eight tricks because the diamonds do not establish easily.?Three of the four declarers in no-trumps held themselves to seven tricks (Matty's 3NT -3 tied Conndy for N-S top), reasonable without getting the diamond position right. A club lead holds spades to seven tricks; the diamond ruff helps declarer more than it hurts. Declarer can duck in dummy but the South switches to a spade and eventually N-S get two spade tricks, three clubs and the diamond ace. Paun defended 2S -2 but Gene made 2S, one of only three successful contracts. Hearts can be held to five tricks after a spade lead. Ritold were E-W top defending 3Hx -3 for the E-W top. NJ scored 9/11 for a surprising 2H =. West led the club ace instead of a spade, switched to a spade and then East returned a heart.?NJ was then able to draw trumps and score four heart tricks, three clubs and the diamond ace.

?

3NT W -3; 4D W -3

2H S =

2S E -2; 2NT W -2; 3NT W -2

2NT E -1; 2NT W -1

2H S -2

2S E =

3D W +2

3Hx S -3

?

15:

?

...............7

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

...............8743

...............A109652

Q1098643..........A5

53.......................AJ1076

Q10.....................KJ5

84.......................J73

...............KJ2

...............9842

...............A962

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

?

South opens 1D and then West bids 2S, 3S or 4S. One West passed, leading to the auction 1D-P-3D-3H. One South ended in 3NT, likely after 1D-3S-X-P; 3NT. At every other table West played in spades: 2S, 3S thrice, 4S thrice and 4Sx thrice.

?

It was unfortunate that South opened 1D, as a club or heart lead is required for N-S to collect their five tricks against spades. Declarer in 2S and five of the six declarers at the four-level took eight tricks but all three 3S contracts were made by Ken, Del and Carl, while Rita posted 4S -1. Par for hearts was seven tricks; it did not matter how many tricks Jurcia set 3H (in the end it was three). NJ made 3NT, which could have finished -3. The defence began with two rounds of spades (it was necessary to switch to a heart; a low heart both establishes the suit and prevents declarer from enjoying the blocked clubs).

?

3NT S =

4Sx W -2 (3)

3H E -3

4S W -2 (2)

4S W -1

2S W =

3S W = (3)

?

16:

?

...............Q8

...............K10932

...............Q932

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

J6532......................K

A..............................QJ876

KJ75........................A4

AQ10.......................98643

...............A10974

...............54

...............1086

...............K75

?

East was lucky to hold so many HCP, as at least it was possible to choose a rebid of 2NT after 1S-1NT; 2D. Make the heart queen the deuce and East would have not even close to a good call. Curiously, however, 3NT E was only reached once. Two Wests left 1NT E in. Over 2D, one East passed, two bid 2H and were left there and another gave a false preference back to 2S. One North got into the auction and got stuck in 2Hx. West declared in no-trumps four times, 2NT and 3NT thrice. A 1NT opening bid and a 2H response from East both seem rather unlikely.

?

A diamond lead (or spade ace and diamond switch) holds East to seven tricks in no-trumps even if declarer guesses the clubs correctly; West always has eight tricks declaring with good guessing. But East declaring overperformed while West had a mixed bag - six, seven, eight and nine tricks, Erik playing 3NT W =. Gene was E-W top in 3NT E +1; both South and North helped by leading a heart when a diamond or spade would have been in order. A trump lead holds spades to seven tricks; Rita played 2S W =. Linj took their par five tricks to score 8/11 defending 2D W =. The pleasant surprise for East is how well 2H plays; if anything North's holding five trumps helps as South can never overruff. A diamond or spade lead allows East to score four ruffs and come to nine tricks total; a club or heart lead removes a vital entry to the West hand for that ninth trick. Helen took nine tricks in 2H E; Conndy held declarer to eight.

?

2NT W -2; 3NT W -2

3NT W -1

2D W =

2H E =; 2S W =

1NT E +1

2H E +1

1NT E +2

3NT W =

3NT E +1

2Hx N -4

?

17:

?

...............A10

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

...............KQ108543

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

J94.................................KQ863

Q43................................AK9

AJ2.................................----

6532 ..............................KQ1087

...............752

...............J765

...............976

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

?

Over 3D from North, does East double or bid 3S? Does South come in? West might pass a double, bid 3NT or even 3H, which occurred at least thrice. 3S might be passed or raised. Contracts were 3Dx N twice, 3S E, 3NT W thrice, 4D N, 4H W twice and 4S E thrice. The longest auction was 3D-X-P-3H; P-3S-P-3NT; P-4H-P-4S; although it does not work I prefer 3NT.

?

The cards lay ideally for N-S against 3NT. North leads a diamond and switches to a club; South returns a diamond to establish the suit and North still has an entry in the spade ace. As the clubs do not run, -4 is possible and was recorded by Lourene. But Ken made 3NT W when North, after winning the first diamond, continued with a heart. Jatin also made 3NT W. Keeping as much control as possible will let West escape with eight tricks in hearts, but players are so unused to games in 3-3 fits that Cliborah posted 4H -3 and Boric 4H -4, tying Boric with Lourene for N-S top. In diamonds declarer had a striaghtforward five losers; Linda and Larry were above average playing 3Dx -1 but Carthurl bettered par by one trick to score above average defending 4D -3. The spade declarers took ten tricks (giving Jim and Sarah a tie for E-W top) except against Matty; declarer erred by cashing the heart king at trick eleven:

?

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

..........10

..........108

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

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

4..................K

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

65................108

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

..........J7

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

..........J

?

3NT W -4; 4H W -4

4H W -3

4S E -1

3Dx N -1 (2)

4D N -3

3S E +1

3NT W = (2)

4S E = (2)

?

18:

?

...............9543

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

...............AK10752

...............Q8

AK............................J86

A10753.....................Q862

J94...........................Q6

J105..........................A943

...............Q1072

...............J94

...............83

...............K762

?

West played in hearts at every table. After P-P-1H-2D, East raised to 2H or 3H. 2H was left in five times, North being scared out of a clear balance by the vulnerability. Six Wests played 3H and one 4H.

?

Hearts had a straightforward nine tricks, losing one trump, two diamonds and one club. Marudy held 2H to eight tricks, while N-S top went to Lernot for defending 4H -3; every other N-S pair scored -140. 3D would have finished -1. Had North or South played 2S, eight tricks would have been par. E-W must force North to ruff to kill off the diamond suit. A club force means using East's only entry early while a heart force has to come from West and lets South discard a loser from North to set up the jack.

?

4H W -3

2H W =

2H W +1 (4); 3H W = (6)

1:

?

...............QJ3

...............97

...............AQ52

...............QJ52

109862...................K5

J..............................106532

K103.......................J8764

AK106.....................4

...............A74

...............AKQ84

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

...............9873

?

North presumably opens, South responds 1H, north likely rebids 1NT and eventually 3NT N is reached after South looks for a 5-3 heart fit. Curiously, only a 5-4 majority of pairs reached game; contracts were 2H S, 2NT N, 3H S twice, 3NT N four times and 3NT S.

?

The 5-1 heart split holds heart contracts to nine tricks at most; Pauise held declarer to eight. In no-trumps N-S can take ten tricks, although if South declares a spade lead makes it trickier; declarer needs to duck in dummy and win the ace to be able to establish the clubs without E-W's establishing spades first. If South does take the spade ace early, it is likely necessary to unblock the heart nine on the first round in order to be able to finesse the eight next. Nobody in 3NT found the overtrick; Ken, Bob and Eric made 3NT while Leighry defended 3NT -2 for E-W top.

?

3NT N = (3)

2H S +1; 3H S =

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

3NT N -2

?

2:

?

...............K943

...............K1063

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

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

J65.............................Q10872

QJ84..........................A95

1086...........................J4

AK9............................Q103

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

...............72

...............A973

...............J87652

?

Marudy/Stindy, Jimbot/Leighry and Karleta/Study passed the hand out. One South opened 3C, declaring 3Cx. Three Wests opened, 1C twice and 1H the third time, the 1C opening bids leading to 2S E and 3D S, 1H to 2H W. Two of the five Norths to see three passes opened 1D in fourth seat, leading to contracts of 1NT S and 3D N.

?

Passing out turned out to be the middle score on this full rainbow. Mary was N-S top playing 3Cx =. A heart or club lead could have defeated 3Cx two tricks and giving East a diamond ruff would have resulted in -1. After a heart lead and spade switch Mary was headed for -1, but East did not give West a spade ruff at trick eight, which would have allowed East and West to score their two high trumps separately. Owbot took the par six tricks defending 2H W -2. Renee received a heart lead and continuation to make 1NT S. David made 2S, although that contract could have been defeated two tricks. N-S can make 3D by establishing the clubs, but declarers missed that and finished -1 and -2, 3D S -2 giving the Sandies the E-W top.

?

3Cx S =

2H W -2

1NT S =

Passed Out (3)

3D N -1

2S E =

3D S -2

?

3:

?

...............KQ10876

...............KQ75

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

...............106

A93...............................J

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

Q42...............................J10753

987................................KJ52

...............542

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

...............AK96

...............AQ43

?

I am a little surprised nobody looked for slam, as South has a maximum 1NT opening bid and North has a Losing Trick Count of five. Asking for key cards in not quite the way to go for North, as the hand has two quick club losers. One possible approach would be to transfer to 2S and then splinter into 4D, which here might turn South off, as the diamond king will only provide a discard, which may not be as valuable as the asset might turn out to be in another suit. Maybe someone did splinter and South opted to go back to 4S but no pair got above 4S. Contracts were 3NT S and 4S S eight times.

?

The missing trump jack makes the slam iffy. If South gets a club lead then the fourth heart goes on the diamond king and declarer just has to bring in the spades for one loser. On a different lead, declarer has to choose between the club finesse and ruffing a heart before finishing drawing trumps. Here it happens that either line works; if declarer leads a spade to the king, when the jack drops declarer ruffs the third heart and then will be able to draw trumps even when they prove 3-1, as the low trump will lie with the ace. Renee, Martin, Bob, Jim, Rita and Wendy tied for N-S top taking twelve tricks; two declarers were held to eleven after discarding a club on the diamond king and then drawing all the trumps without getting rid of the heart. Declarer could also take twelve tricks in 3NT but Pauise were luckily able to hold 3NT S to nine tricks for E-W top when declarer did not run dummy's spades.

?

4S S +2 (6)

4S S +1 (2)

3NT S =

?

4:

?

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

...............KJ62

...............AKJ86

...............K95

K10764...................AQ952

A.............................987

10752......................----

AJ4.........................Q7632

...............J8

...............Q10543

...............Q943

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

?

E-W had a better slam here than N-S did on the previous board but again nobody reached it. What people missed after 1S-X or 1S-2D was that the East hand is good enough for a 4D splinter raise and West has the ideal holding of several low cards opposite the splinter raise. 1S-4D; 4H-5D lets West go to 6S on the superb fit. But not every E-W pair got to game. Seven Wests declared 4S but one played 3S and Jimbot even got to play the hand in 4H S after 1S-X-2S-3H; P-4H.

?

All declarers in spades took twelve tricks. 4H S finished -2. It could have been -3, as East can get three diamond ruffs, but East did not find the underlead of the spade ace. Had 4H been doubled this would have made a difference, but Jimbot were going to be N-S top anyway. Side point on the play in 6S: if trumps split 3-0 declarer should take the club ace on the first round to guard against an offside singleton king. While this is much less likely than Kx onside, making a slam reached with only 20 HCP in the two hands combined is a much higher priority than a potential overtrick.

?

4H S -2

3S W +3

4S W +2 (6)

4Sx W +2

?

5:

?

...............7

...............QJ109

...............10974

...............10982

9862.............................J3

72..................................85

KJ3...............................Q8652

KJ65.............................AQ74

...............AKQ1054

...............AK643

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

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

?

South held the best hand of the day but four pairs did not even reach game. Two 1S opening bids were left in; despite the potential trouble of showing the two-suited hand if the opponents get the bidding up high quickly the hand is too good to run the risk of being passed out in a one-bid. Two Souths played 2S, possibly after a 2C opening bid. North should make a second bid over 2S. One pair did a little looking and played in 5H S but only Breta was brave enough to make the leap of faith: 2C-3C; 3S-4C; 6S.

?

6S needs 3-3 spades or a doubleton jack and will be down if East?gets a heart ruff. 6H is even better; if E-W do not cash their club winner they don't get it. Jim took all thirteen tricks in 4H to score 7/8. Two Souths in partials took only eleven tricks, giving Schuvid and the Sandies a tie for E-W top.

?

6S S =

4H S +3

4H S +2; 4S S +2; 5H S +1

1S S +5; 2S S +4

1S S +4; 2S S +3

?

6:

?

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

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

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

...............AK10753

K764............................J32

J94..............................A87

1092............................AK874

Q64.............................92

...............AQ1098

...............KQ53

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

...............J8

?

If North opens 3C that may end the auction or East may overcall 3D and probably play the hand there. If North passes we begin with P-1D-1S and possibly 1NT from West; it turned out that the only denomination that was never played was diamonds. Contracts were 1S S, 1NT W, 2C N, 2H S five times and 3H S.

?

Club contracts can take nine tricks; there is the chance of a tenth if declarer is allowed a diamond ruff in dummy. Jamie played 2C N +2 for the N-S top. Ritold took their par seven tricks against 1NT W. Both majors are held to eight tricks by the right line of defence but the difficulties of playing with so few trumps meant that at almost all tables in a major contract saw the defence better par; only Martin and Breta posted 2H =. Stindy were E-W top defending 2H -3. Declarer was making the contract for about half the hand, but then ducked a heart at trick seven instead of winning the king, discarded a spade instead of a club or ruffing the next trick and finally ruffed trick ten instead of discarding a spade.

?

2C N +2

2H S = (2)

1NT W -1

1S S =

2H S -1 (2)

3H S -2

2H S -3

?

7:

?

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

...............87

...............AQ83

...............109632

J86............................A74

KJ53..........................Q9642

K4..............................10752

AKJ8..........................4

...............KQ1092

...............A10

...............J96

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

?

South opens 1S. Without a stopper West probably avoids a 1NT overcall (just as well, as no-trumps play poorly for E-W). If Equal Level Conversion is the E-W agreement and applies when the doubler then bids a major (with 3=4=4=2 Equal Level Conversion is easy) then West can double without worrying, but some Wests had to pass. The question of the auction was whether E-W would find 4H. This was done only once, as East recognized that the hand was quite good for a non-jump reply to the double and worth continuing. Both East and West had a bit more than the hand might have held. This was almost a Battle of the Majors hand with contracts of 2H E four times, 2S S, 3H E, 3S S and 4H E, but the last contract was 4Cx S on the auction that went uncontested until West doubled the final contract 1S-1NT; 2C-3C; 3S-4C.

?

If South leads a high spade against a heart contract there are conflicting factors. The lead allows declarer to play for one spade loser. This gives declarer a choice between an immediate club finesse, hoping to discard two spades, and playing South for the diamond ace as well as the other high spade. What tips the scale here is South's 1S opening bid and the heart loser, which create a high chance that North can ruff the third spade. This pushes declarer to risk the club finesse at once in 4H, which Kevin made. In 2H or 3H, though, a losing club finesse could result in declarer's taking as few as seven tricks. Of the pairs in partials, only Sandi (D) took ten tricks; the other partials all took nine after declarer was content with discarding one spade first on the second club. Spade contracts can be held to seven tricks, particularly if E-W get their heart trick early, but starting with two clubs and a ruff helps declarer, as it is not necessary to allow the defence a diamond ruff in order to draw trumps - one spade lead from North through East's ace bares it and declarer can lead the second spade low from hand. Jim in 3S avoided the dreaded -200 and escaped for -1 after E-W began with three rounds of clubs. Rita made 2S on the same line, but making 2S was not necessary for a good score. Study could force the E-W top board against 4Cx with a -3 result but picked up an extra undertrick to boost the penalty into four figures.

?

2S S =

3S S -1

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

2H E +2

4H E =

4Cx S -4

?

8:

?

...............92

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

...............A1063

...............AK764

A7.........................Q1064

K10982.................Q5

KQ8......................J9752

Q95.......................J2

...............KJ853

...............A743

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

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

?

This was another four-denomination hand, with all four suits played. It surprised me a little that nobody played in 1NT, which takes only passivity from North, who does not have clear action over 1H and might well leave in 1NT as well on the second round. Spades seemed an unlikely find and diamonds looked tough to get into the auction. Contracts were 2C N, 2S S twice, 3C N twice, 3D W twice and 3H W twice. Apparently West declared diamonds after a 2C overcall and a negative double. I am a little surprised that South played 2S presumably requiring North to pass what many would think to be a forcing bid.

?

Declarer can come to eight tricks in spades with a careful balance of threatening heart ruffs and establishing the clubs. If, however, play goes heart ducked, heart to ace, heart ruffed and overruffed, spade to ace, heart, South then comes to eight tricks with diamond ruffs, telescoping the remaining spade and club losers. Declarer went wrong against both Jevin and Study, finishing in 2S -1. Heart contracts can be held to six tricks but only if South scores two diamond ruffs, possible though even after a spade lead, and there is still the chance of declarer's going wrong by finessing South for the trump jack. Lynn made 3H when N-S were too passive too long; Nary posted 3H -2 to score 6/8. Diamonds can be held to seven tricks, though the defence has an extra step or two because the wrong hand has the original lead; South has to lead a club and North has to find the spade switch. Henry made 3D after N-S began with three rounds of clubs but Marudy posted 3D W -3 for the N-S top. Clubs come to a fairly straightforward nine tricks, trumping two diamonds and losing one trick in each suit unless East finds the sneaky opening lead of the club deuce, after which North needs to play East for queen and ten of spades. Ken took the par nine tricks in 2C for a score of 7/8 but the declarers in 3C finished -1 and -2, +100 scoring 6/8 for Stindy.

?

3D W -3

2C N +1

3H W -2

2S S -1 (2); 3C N -1

3C N -2

3D W =

3H W =

?

9:

?

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

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

...............A10

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

K7..........................Q

J32........................K8764

543........................762

QJ1053..................9762

...............J10532

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

...............KQJ98

...............AK

?

This slam was reached three times in quite different ways. South has multiple routes via which to explore for slam after North opens 1S. An immediate key card ask is acceptable; the worst that can happen is that North will hold K8764 in trumps, but the suit will come in for one loser 52% of the time (2/3 of the 2-1 splits) and it does not seem possible to find out for certain that 5S is unsafe before going past 4S. One South tried a 4H splinter (the hand is a bit strong for that) and it was left in - oops! A 2/1 2D and a Jacoby raise initiated two of the three successful auctions, which were 1S-2D; 2H-3C; 3S-4NT; 5S-6S, 1S-2NT; 3S-4NT; 5D-6S and the abrupt 1S-6S. The other five declarers played in 4S.

?

All the declarers in spades took twelve tricks. 4H finished -2 instead of -1 but even +1 would not have denied Pauise the E-W top. The successful slam declarers were Rita, Wendy and Mary.

?

6S N = (3)

4S N +2 (5)

4H S -2

?

10:

?

...............J1092

...............87

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

...............AQJ7

Q4...............................A865

AK62...........................QJ10943

J84..............................5

8632............................95

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

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

...............KQ10976

...............K104

?

East may avoid opening 2H due to holding four spades, in which case N-S start 1D-1S; then 2D from South if East passes and North is likely to be content with an invitation, presumably passed. A 2H opening bid likely gets raised to 4H by West with N-S possibly reaching 5D if South overcalls and North does not feel like defending. N-S may even play in spades after P-1D-P-1S; 2H and a Support Double; North will be at a bit of a loss if West raises to 3H, not wanting to sell out but having no heart stopper and no clearly known fit. Contracts were 3H E, 4D S thrice, 4Hx E twice, 4S N twice and 5Dx S.

?

Diamond contracts come down to the spade guess. If West leads the top two hearts after East has overcalled declarer should probably get the spades right but it is a tougher guess after a 2H opening bid. Bob made 5Dx for N-S top. Heart contracts come down to the opening lead. David made 4Hx E after a spade lead; any other lead results in Wendric's 4Hx -1 or Steve (Y)'s 3H =. In spades declarer can take nine tricks by giving up on more. If declarer tries to draw trumps for a make the hand loses control quickly and a huge set comes into play. Jim made 4S N when East did not win the third round of spades at trick five; had East won that trick when North and East would have held one trump each heart forces would have resulted to -4, the Sandies' result against 4S after North lost control.

?

5Dx S =

4S N =

4Hx E -1

4D S +1 (2)

4D S =

3H E =

4S N -4

4Hx E =

?

11:

?

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

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

...............1074

...............AKJ4

62............................K87

A842........................10976

KQ83.......................A5

762...........................Q953

...............10543

...............KJ3

...............J962

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

?

1NT by North could have gone around at every table and did so seven times. Two Norths did not open 1NT; South declared 3S at one table and 4S at the other.

?

Spade contracts have five clear losers when the trump finesse fails, and the par result of five tricks gave Leighry E-W top defending 4S -2 and Schuvid 7/8 defending 3S -1. E-W can scramble together six tricks against no-trumps but the natural club lead allows an eighth. Ken was one of four declarers to post +120 after a club lead and an overtrick; Jamie was N-S top in 1NT +2. Jevin and Glynneth held declarer to 1NT = to score 5.5/8.

?

1NT N +2

1NT N +1 (4)

1NT N = (2)

3S S -1

4S S -2

?

12:

?

...............Q3

...............J9

...............K10742

...............K864

J862............................A109754

8652............................4

853..............................AQJ

105...............................Q93

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

...............AKQ1073

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

...............AJ72

?

P-P-1S-2H. Does West dare come in with a weak 3S? That may well end the auction; South may not want to come in at the four-level. If West and North pass, East will either bid 2S or double; South can continue and then the hand becomes another Battle of the Majors. E-W usually took the bid, with contracts of 2S E, 3H S, 3S E thrice, 4H S and 4S E thrice.

?

West has to lead a diamond to hold hearts to ten tricks with the well-behaving clubs. In spades East can enter dummy twice in trumps for the diamond finesses and come to nine tricks that way. Rita and Jim took the top two N-S scores in 4H +1 and 3H +2, Jim after a spade lead. All the spade contracts yielded declarer exactly nine tricks.

?

4H S +1

3H S +2

4S E -1 (3)

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

?

13:

?

...............A1032

...............64

...............87542

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

J87.......................Q4

J108752...............AK

J6.........................AK1093

103.......................AJ82

...............K965

...............Q93

...............Q

...............KQ974

?

Does East open 2C or 2NT? 2NT won by a 6-3 margin. One East opened 2C and passed a 2D response and one West left 3NT E in but otherwise West had to choose between 3H and 4H after a transfer. 4H won out by a 4-3 margin. One West presumably made a double negative response of 2H and later declared 3H but East declared at the other tables except for the one contract of 2D W.

?

N-S set 4H if they establish their club trick right away and cash their three black winners as soon as South scores the heart queen. Steve (Y) took ten Gareth took eleven tricks in 4H; David took eleven in 3H but most declarers in hearts took nine tricks and Rekenee held declarer to eight, possible if North leads a club and East starts diamonds after two rounds of trumps before losing the queen. With no further entry to dummy it was necessary to lose the trump queen first. Declarer in 2D can take nine tricks but the intimidating 5-1 trump split and perhaps the shock to West of having to declare 2D led to -1 against Marudy. 3NT looks grim but East's diamond spots are enough to make the contract when the queen drops singleton, a happy save for Marcia in 3NT =.

?

2D W -1; 3H W -1; 4H E -1 (2)

3H E = (3)

3H E +2

4H E +1

?

14:

?

...............Q952

...............AK98

...............K104

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

AK1074..................J6

J102.......................Q5

A32........................QJ865

A4..........................QJ75

...............83

...............7643

...............97

...............K10982

?

West opens either 1S or 1NT. Two Easts disliked the quacky hand so much that the opening bids ended the auction but usually East responded and the hand finished in some number of no-trumps from one side or the other. Contracts were 1S W, 1NT W, 2NT E, 3NT E and 3NT W five times, West always accepting an invitation and East declining once, accepting once.

?

The 4-4 hearts prove to be West's saving grace in 3NT. Declarer establishes diamonds for four tricks, although, if North ducks the first diamond, declarer needs to take the club finesse and then switch over to spades if the club queen holds. If entries were more evenly divided and declarer had only to establish either spades or diamonds, it could be worth leading the spade jack, planning to overtake if South ducked, as South would be highly likely to cover except from Qxxx. East declaring usually had the benefit of a club lead. Paul tried the spade finesse first as West, allowing -1, but North ducked the first finesse and Paul was able to switch to diamonds, eventually collecting ten tricks and E-W top. Nary scored 7/8 defending 1S W +2 and Owbot 6/8 defending 1NT W +3. Ritold and Jimbot defeated 3NT after West went after spades first; four declarers in no-trumps took nine tricks.

?

3NT W -1 (2)

1S W +2

2NT E +1

1NT W +3

3NT E =; 3NT W = (2)

3NT W +1

?

15:

?

...............AK73

...............AK

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

...............Q952

J965.......................84

QJ10.......................87532

74...........................QJ103

AK63......................87

...............Q102

...............964

...............9852

...............J104

?

North opens 2C and follows with 2NT. Does South go to game? By a 5-3 margin South did go on. The ninth contract was 4NT S; South responded 2NT, channeling the good old days of Goren, and North invited slam.

?

Declarer's can force ten tricks if South gains the lead in clubs. The line would not be found at the table, but running the spade ten first succeeds. West covers, North wins and then South is reentered with the spade queen, dropping East's eight, to set up a Restricted Choice third-round finesse against the nine. A club lead from East is required to prevent this; otherwise North can cash the red winners and endplay West with the first club; the one heart West can cash is not enough. Jamie took eleven tricks for the N-S top after East underled the diamond sequence but only two Norths in 2NT took ten tricks. Nine tricks was the usual result; E-W top went to Diarcia for defending 4NT S -3.

?

3NT N +2

3NT N = (4)

2NT N +2 (2)

2NT N +1

4NT S -3

?

16:

?

...............KQJ5

...............J84

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

...............KQ6

8...............................A9643

Q9............................A76532

AQJ754....................92

8752.........................----

...............1072

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

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

...............AJ10943

?

Does North act over a 2D opening bid from West? Does East? If they both pass, does South? 2D never went around. If West passes North is headed to 3NT if the hand does not get downgraded for lack of aces. After 1NT and a bid from East showing the majors N-S reach 3NT (not really a good contract due to ack of fast tricks outside of clubs but one South really has to undertake if North opens 1NT) if South can show a heart stopper as North has the spade stopper. Contracts were 2Sx N, 3D W twice, 3NT N thrice, 4C N and 4C S twice.

?

The 6-2 red suits allow 3NT to make. A diamond lead to queen or jack can be ducked; a heart lead can be won with the king. If a heart lead is won by West's queen, however, declarer fails. Because of this 3NT failed every time in practice; Study and Pauise tied for E-W top defending 3NT N -2. Against Study North unblocked the hearts by discarding one on a club. Aggressive defence starting with hearts will set 2S but Karlene was allowed to make 2Sx. Lynn was allowed to make 3D W after a spade lead instead of the necessary trump. A diamond or spade lead holds club contracts to eight tricks but all three declarers in 4C escaped for -1.

?

2Sx N =

3D W -1

3NT N -1; 4C N -1; 4C S -1 (2)

3NT N -2 (2)

3D W =

?

17:

?

...............103

...............AKQ4

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

...............8762

A96......................Q872

109762.................53

5...........................KQ432

A953.....................J4

...............KJ54

...............J8

...............AJ96

...............KQ10

?

1NT from South in third position. West gets into trouble interfering, especially if the partnership agreement requires 2H to show hearts and a minor, at least if N-S have a penalty double option. E-W have nowhere in particular to go after 2H is doubled and N-S should easily collect a penalty that outscores making game. If West passes 1NT, North at the tables opted to invite game with 2NT, although I would not have been shocked to see any North carry on to 3NT. 2NT S was played six times. One contract was 1NT S, which makes little sense; either North passed with 9 HCP and the strong four-card suit or South opened 1D and rebid 1NT instead of 1S after a 1H response. After a 1D opening bid from South South declared 2D and 2S.

?

The layout is exceptionally kind to N-S, making nine tricks possible in no-trumps, with three diamond tricks easily established with one lead from North and the club jack dropping doubleton to establish the ten-spot. Declarer has to decide between numerous lines, though; only Renee and Jim took their nine tricks in 2NT +1. Two declarers made the contract (joined by Martin in 1NT +1); Jevin and Diarcia both defended 2NT -1. Against Jevin declarer was nearly home but, when Jeff cashed the thirteenth heart at trick eleven, South discarded the good club instead of the diamond or the spade and Jeff's last two cards were both good. Declarer in 2S S took the par eight tricks; Schuvid bettered par by two tricks to post 2D S -1 and tie Jevin and Diarcia for E-W top.

?

2NT S +1 (2)

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

2S S =

2D S -1; 2NT S -1 (2)

?

18:

?

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

...............AJ9632

...............Q1052

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

AQ83........................K1097

KQ5..........................84

64.............................A97

A953.........................QJ86

...............652

...............107

...............KJ83

...............K742

?

1NT from West often drew an overcall from North. If E-W had solid agreements they would have arrived in 4S after a Stayman sequence. 4S W was played five times. At one table East declared 4S. At the other three tables West played 3NT twice. The E-W pair at the last table did not have solid agreements and paid for it. East made a negative double of North's 2H overcall; West took the double for penalty and passed it.

?

When the club ten drops singleton, E-W have an easy eleven tricks in 4S. Cindy, Lynn and Schu matched par but the other three declarers in 4S lazily dropped a trick. Without the eight-spot and nine-spot in clubs the correct play would be to start with the ace and lead twice towards the queen-jack, but here there was no reason not to run an honour; if it loses and the hearts do not provide a discard declarer can still guess which defender might still hold 10xx in clubs. Against 3NT a diamond lead establishes the suit and makes declarer a little lucky that the clubs behave so well. Nine tricks are par in 3NT but declarer likely receives a heart lead and does better. Jeff and Sandy (K) posted 3NT W +1 after a heart lead. 2Hx can be set, as E-W can always force a diamond ruff, but with everyone else making game there was no difference between the par score of +200 and the actual -670 E-W scored against Eric in the matchpoints.

?

2Hx N =

4S E =; 4S W = (2)

3NT W +1 (2)

4S W +1 (3)

1:

?

...............Q107

...............AK65

...............86

...............J876

98........................KJ543

J83......................7

A109754..............KJ2

Q9........................A1032

...............A62

...............Q10942

...............Q3

...............K54

?

East opens 1S and South probably passes but may overcall 2H despite the unimpressive suit and unconcentrated assets. If South overcalls, North probably raises to 3H and ends the auction. Otherwise E-W start off 1S-1NT; 2C uncontested. Then West may bid diamonds or go for the higher-scoring false preference in spades. With one West left in 1NT we finished with contracts in four denominations: 1NT W, 2D W, 2H S, 2S E, 3D W, 3H S eight times, 4D W and 4H S.

?

1NT can be made by force, which seems likely enough with the spade and diamond honours as they lie, but Pally posted 1NT W -2 to score 11/14. N-S get a lucky eight tricks in hearts thanks to West's spade holding of 98 doubleton, establishing a surprise trick for North's seven-spot. Spade contracts show the value of a forcing defence. If N-S do not force East to ruff a heart twice right away, East can draw trumps, run the diamonds and emerge with ten tricks. But even being held to 2S = still scored 11/14 for Tracy. Most declarers in hearts, six of ten, took the par eight tricks. Two took seven and two took nine. Best E-W score with hearts as trumps was Randi's 4H -2; Eric and Alba tied for N-S top playing 3H =. In diamonds West had fine play for ten tricks (North had to push through a club to secure the third trick), with Larry, Lianger and Jane sharing E-W top on +130, losing one trick in each side suit.

?

3H S = (2)

2H S =

1NT W -2

3H S -1 (4)

3H S -2 (2); 4H S -2

2S E =

2D W +2; 3D W +1; 4D W =

?

2:

?

...............K8

...............Q8

...............AQ842

...............K743

J93...........................105

972...........................AK106543

J9763.......................10

85.............................A92

...............AQ7642

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

...............K5

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

?

At most tables East opened 1H and South overcalled spades. Once spades were rebid North usually got the auction to 4S. One N-S pair stopped in 2S and three stopped in 3S but South played 4S nine times. Ken was the only East to push to 5H (I don't know how many Wests contributed to the auction). This put N-S on the spot; eventually North doubled. This did not matchpoint all that well, but eleven tricks were no more than an even chance; the double would have been the purdent choice at IMPs. The final contract was 4H E. This was achieved by Rich, who chose to open 4H instead of 1H. That provided us with a fine example of pushing the opponents out of the bidding. Both South and North had to guess what to do with no information. South might have tried 4S had the hand been AQJ642 7 K5 QJ106 on the Losing Trick Count of five but the actual hand with the shaky spades made the four-level too daunting for a first bid. North had less reason to act and might well have had excellent reason to pass if South broke tempo in passing 4H (I did not see, but, if this hand had occurred in my ACBL directing and South had broken tempo before passing, anything other than a pass from North would almost certainly have been overturned on appeal).

?

N-S have eleven tricks in spades with 3-2 breaks in both black suits, creating a nine-way tie for N-S top. Sunger and Paun scored 12.5/14 holding 3S to ten tricks while all the other declarers in spades took the expected 11. Hearts had a par of nine tricks. Ken only took eight but still had secured a good score by bidding 5H; there was no difference between 5Hx -2 and -3. Rich was E-W top for his 4H opening bid, in which he played a placid 4H -1. Did he risk missing a slam? Possibly so at favourable vulnerability, although many West hands that would make 6H a good proposition, such as AKQx xxx Axx xxx, would not look for slam opposite a 1H opening bid and 2H rebid. And nothing other than a 4H opening bid would have shut N-S out of the auction; even a 3H bid can be overcalled with 3S and then North probably raises to 4S just out of having nothing else to do.

?

4S S +1 (9)

5Hx E -3

2S S +3; 3S S +2

3S S +1 (2)

4H E -1

?

3:

?

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

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

...............AQ98

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

J9642................A83

QJ10864............92

K3......................J54

----.....................K9432

...............K107

...............K5

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

...............QJ86

?

Some Norths did not open 1NT and they often lived to regret that decision. West presumably passed with 6-5 majors (it's a bit much to open 2H with five spades on the side), but, even if West did so, North would likely have overcalled 2NT and been raised to 3NT. A 1NT opening bid likely elicits some form of invitation from South, likely accepted. P-P-1m-P; 1NT can give North trouble whether or not West comes in with 2H. Contracts were 1NT S, 2H W twice, 2NT N thrice, 3C S, 3D N, 3D S and 3NT N six times.

?

N-S have nine tricks in no-trumps. E-W can get the hearts established but there is no entry to the West hand to run the suit if declarer has not been careless. It's a little surprising that 3NT was only made thrice; it's easy enough for declarer to come to three tricks in each minor to go with two hearts and one spade. Alba took ten tricks in 3NT for N-S top; Connie and Paul (J) scored 12.5/14 in 3NT =. Paun were E-W top defending 3NT N -3. Strangely, N-S can pick up ten tricks in clubs despite the 5-0 trumps. Declarer plays two rounds of each side suit, winning five, after which North ruffs a spade and leads a heart through East. Then declarer just avoids leading trumps and comes to ten tricks. It is not unreasonable that the one declarer in 3C took only nine tricks. Jim (U) and Geoff both took ten tricks in 3D. Declarer can be held to nine tricks if West gets a club ruff, but East led a heart against Jim. If North declares a second ruff can be scored, but that just swaps the trick for the E-W club winner; the last club loser will go away on the third spade. Declarer has a straightforward seven tricks in hearts; East's honours in the minors prevent any effective N-S forcing game despite the defence's four winners in the majors. North had a bad hand for leading, however; both Carl and Jane made 2H to score 12.5/14. A diamond or club lead gives declarer a trick at once and a spade lead may well require that North lead the club ace later in the hand.

?

3NT N +1

3NT N = (2)

1NT S +3

2NT N +1 (2)

3D N +1; 3D S +1

2NT N =

3C S =

3NT N -1 (2)

2H W = (2)

3NT N -3

?

4:

?

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

...............109852

...............A862

...............974

AQ63.......................KJ72

K3............................AQ7

J974.........................KQ

853...........................AKQ6

...............10954

...............J64

...............1053

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

?

E-W have an easy enough slam; the real question is whether they will find the claiming 6NT or settle for the lower-scoring 6S. East opens 2C and rebids 2NT if possible (after a waiting 2D, for instance). West has a slam invitation and likely bids Stayman along the way, making 6S quite likely. The 2NT rebid shows 22-24 HCP. It happens that East has the 24 HCP maximum. Give West one of East's queens and East would make the same 2NT rebid but then West would know the side held 34-36 HCP and might just go to 6NT to avoid the extra uncertainties of playing a small slam in a suit, although then there would be the chance that there might be an overtrick in 6S that would not exist in 6NT. Eleven of the fifteen pairs reached slam, with 6NT winning out by a 6-5 margin. Paun might have been at a loss for an invitational continuation from East. Their auction was 2C-3C; 6NT, 3C showing an ace and a king in controls. Paul knew Don held one of the missing aces and the king of hearts but, unless 3C implied extras beyond the ace and king, Paul could hardly have been certain of slam but might have had no invitational bid available at that point (4NT would seem to have fit the bill but perhaps would have meant something else on their system). The non-slams were 3NT E twice, 4S E and 5S E (oh, the evils of asking for aces or key cards and then stopping when one is missing).

?

It seemed almost certain that twelve tricks would be the outcome but Ken took all thirteen in 6S for a top board. Ken drew trumps and then North ducked two rounds of diamonds, knowing that winning the second would give Ken three diamond winners and hoping that he would have to cross to dummy and guess whether to lead the jack or nine on the third round. Unfortunately the second diamond winner gave Ken twelve tricks with the thirteenth coming when the clubs split evenly. Everyone else took twelve tricks, giving Rinnie and Ribot a tie for N-S top.

?

4S E +2; 5S E +1

3NT E +3 (2)

6S E = (2); 6S W = (2)

6NT E = (6)

6S E +1

?

5:

?

...............943

...............A10

...............K1073

...............10852

85...........................QJ1062

Q832......................KJ94

AQJ965..................2

7.............................A94

...............AK7

...............765

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

...............KQJ63

?

South opens 1C if East passes and perhaps overcalls 2C if East opens 1S. North may keep E-W out of further action by raising clubs. P-1C-2D may end the auction. West may make a negative double or get to bid 1NT in an uncontested auction, oer which East will rebid 2H. One West even apparently overcalled 1D and eventually got East into no trumps. Contracts were rather high: 2C S, 3C S, 3D W thrice, 3Dx W, 3H E twice, 3NT E, 4Cx S and 4H E five times.

?

4H was lucky to make by force with N-S's holding three top winners including two spades, a suit declarer would have to play. Luckily for East the spades split 3-3 so that declarer could go after spades if N-S attempted a club force. Only Larry made 4H, though, perhaps because people relied on the diamonds establishing, which did not occur. Two declarers finished -1, with?Runny managing -2 and?Albot?-3, tying for top with 3NT E -3 posted by Rinnie. South had nine tricks in clubs, although to get them all declarer would have had to duck a second diamond from West rather than cover with the king and get it ruffed. There is no need to win the second diamond with the king, as declarer has a sure spade loser that can be discarded on the king after it cannot be ruffed. Phyllis (B) negotiated the position correctly for her nine tricks. West had eight tricks in diamonds, losing two trumps to go with the three major losers; all the declarers in diamonds lost five tricks.

?

3NT E -3; 4H E -3

3C S =

3Dx W -1; 4H E -2

2C S =

3D W -1 (3); 4H E -1 (2)

3H E = (2)

4H E =

4Cx S -3

?

6:

?

...............Q

...............KQ4

...............KJ932

...............10983

AJ9652.................K

A92.......................J8753

Q7.........................A85

Q7.........................A642

...............108743

...............106

...............1064

...............KJ5

?

If East opens the bidding E-W presumably reach 4H. Otherwise West opens 1S, North might overcall or even double and we could land almost anywhere. Curiously the only denomination not played was diamonds, with contracts of 2H E, 2S W, 3C S, 3H E twice, 3S W, 3NT E, 4H E seven times and 4Hx E.

?

Against 4H a diamond lead holds declarer to nine tricks. So does a spade but not a heart. North wins a heart lead and cannot attack diamonds; either East's diamond losers go away on West's spades or West's diamond loser goes away on East's club ace. Betty made 4Hx for E-W top; Hank (B), Larry and Paul (P) all made 4H =. Rich was second E-W in 3NT +1; after a spade and a heart North switched to a diamond instead of leading a club to have the diamond come from South; Rich was always making 3NT from then on and picked up an overtrick later. Of the other declarer in hearts ive took nine tricks, one took eight and Boric held declarer to six tricks in 4H -4 for the N-S top. Pheileen bettered par by two tricks defending 3C -4 for a good score. Par in spades was nine tricks, with both declarers off by one trick on one side or the other.?

?

4H E -4

3H E -1; 4H E -1 (3)

2S W =

2H E +1; 3H E =

3S W +1

3C S -4

4H E = (3)

3NT E +1

4Hx E =

?

7:

?

...............KQ87

...............J65

...............K9765

...............7

A.............................1096543

AQ109....................2

AJ32.......................Q104

AQ96......................1085

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

...............K8743

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

...............KJ432

?

South passes and West probably opens 1m or 2NT. 2NT was quite popular, as West declared in spades at more than half the tables. East thought the six-card suit enough to venture to game even with only two HCP more often than not: 3S W was played thrice and 4S W five times. There was also a 4NT W contract that resulted after a 2NT opening bid and an auction on which I could not be at all sure that either opener or responder knew what the sequence meant. One West was left in 1C. One East presumably made a weak jump in spades and was put into 4S. Other contracts were 3C W, 3H S and 3NT W twice.

?

The layout is gorgeous for 3NT. The only king offside is in diamonds, and that is the only finesse declarer cannot take anyway. Even crashing the spade ace against all spot cards will not help N-S; declarer reaches dummy twice in diamonds and finesses, probably twice in clubs, coming to four clubs three diamonds and the major aces if not better. Indeed it takes a spade or diamond lead to hold declarer to nine tricks, as those leads avoid taking a finesse for West. Curiously, Lianger made 4NT W for the E-W top while Jerik and Louff both defended 3NT -1. Jerik received the benefit of West's not maximizing entries. After a diamond to the ten and a club finesse, Jim ducked the diamond jack and declarer let it ride, finishing an entry short. Given the cross-ruffing situation possible, it is not surprising that a trump is the best lead against clubs, holding declarer to nine tricks. Both declarers achieved the par result. 3H -3 would have been par but declarer saved three matchpoints by escaping for -1. The singleton spade ace was unfortunate for the spade contracts; it gave declarer three trump losers to go with the diamond; only Steve in 3S = and Sandi in 4S -1 even took the par nine tricks.

?

4S E -2; 4S W -2 (3)

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

3H S -1

1C W +2; 3C W =

3S W =

4NT W =

?

8:

?

...............AKJ643

...............K5

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

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

72...............................1085

843.............................976

KQ852........................109763

532..............................85

...............Q9

...............AQJ102

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

...............K1076

?

Opposite a 2C opening bid from North it should have been easier to find the grand slam than it proved to be. It helps if South does the asking, as South has the major queens, the spade queen in particular being sure of pulling its full weight. That 7NT would be virtually claiming even without South's heart queen ought to have made for an easy time of it, especially with 7C, 7H, 7S and 7NT all making. If N-S do not use 2H as a double negative response, the auction can begin 2C-2H; 2S-3C; 4C and then South can ask for key cards with confidence; with such porous suits North will not have two diamond losers: AKJxxx ---- Qx AQJxx is not a hand on which one wants to open 2C, nor is AKJxx Kx Qx AQJx. Indeed, South can practically go to 7NT as soon as North shows a suit-oriented hand; if North is within a trick of game South almost surely provides four winners.

?

Sadly only Mallys and Jerik found the seven-level. Many auctions foundered when whoever asked for key cards found that one king was missing and could not be sure which it was. Jerik had the advantage of starting with 1C and getting a 1S response to show three controls. Jim then jumped to 3S, after which a key card ask ensued: 1C-1S; 3S-4NT; 5C-5NT; 6H-7S. Mallys reached 7C after finding the fit in that suit: 2C-2D; 2S-3H; 4C-4NT; 5C-7C. Everyone took thirteen tricks; lower contracts were 6NT S twice, 6NT N four times, 6S N four times, 6H S, 6C N and a sad 4S S.

?

7S S =

7C N =

6NT N +1 (4); 6NT S +1 (2)

6H S +1; 6S N +1 (4)

6C N +1

4S N +3

?

9:

?

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

...............J865

...............QJ743

...............10754

65..................................Q942

A932.............................Q7

AK10.............................865

AQJ2.............................K863

...............AKJ10873

...............K104

...............92

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

?

This hand is remarkably similar to East's hand on Board 2 with the further advantage to South of being third seat. With North not holding an opening bid chance of slam is virtually nil. At the favourable vulnerability South has an excellent case for opening 4S in third seat. West will double and East will pass for penalty, not wanting to go to the five-level. After 1S-X, East bids 2C and may try 3NT when West raises to 3C. Contracts were 2NT E, 3C W, 3S S thrice, 3Sx S thrice, 4C E thrice, 4S S twice and 4Sx S twice.

?

South has to avoid giving East a spade trick to hold no-trumps to eight tricks. If South establishes spades, East cashes the six minor winners, on which South must discard two spades to keep the heart king guarded (with North void, East will have a clear count on the suit). Then East will throw South on lead in spades and South will have to lead a heart to let East score ace and queen. If South makes a passive lead eventually South can be thrown in with the first spade but can give East the fourth spade and East will have to break the hearts. Declarer in 2NT took the par eight tricks for the middle score. In spades dummy should prove to be of no help at all; declarer can be forced in clubs and be forced to lead hearts out of hand. Larbot produced the optimal defence against 4Sx S for the E-W top. Four other pairs also found that line of defence; two declarers took eight trick, two took nine and Lynn was N-S top in 3Sx +1. West gave her a trick three times, by ducking a diamond at trick three, then ducking a heart at trick four and finally by discarding the diamond ace on trick twelve. Par in clubs was nine tricks but Tracy and Ken took ten in 4C = (probably after two spade leads) but Pally defended 3C -1.

?

3Sx S +1

3S S =

4C E -2

3C W -1

3S S -1; 4S S -1

3S S -2

2NT E =

4C E = (2)

4S S -3

3Sx S -2 (2); 4Sx S -2

4Sx S -3

?

10:

?

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

...............K87632

...............AK98

...............103

QJ43.......................A10986

Q10.........................4

J10753....................4

J7............................AQ9652

...............K75

...............AJ95

...............Q62

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

?

East has nice distribution. I was favorably impressed that West declared four times in spades given how the trend seems to be to open 1S with 5-5 or even 5-6 as here in the black suits. If the auction begins 1S-P-2S, North can come in with 3H, which might get South to go to 5H over a possible 4S. If East does open spades and West raises East might as well go to 4S. Then again, North may well come in whatever happens excpet that the hearts may seem flimsy after 1C-P-1S. The auction became a Battle of the Majors, with contracts of 3S E, 3S W, 4H N five times, 4H S, 4S E twice, 4S W, 4Sx E, 4Sx W twice and 5Hx N.

?

Both suits had straightforward play. With both finesses losing E-W had nine tricks in spades. With the club ace onside N-S had eleven tricks available in hearts. Almost all declarers took the par number of tricks; outliers were 4S E -2 against Pancy, 3S E +1 by Sue, 4H S = against Haorge and 4H N +2 by Louise, scoring 13/14 after Linda's 5Hx N =. East ducked Louise's spade lead to allow the second overtrick in 4H. Sue's 3S +1 was E-W top.

?

5Hx N =

4H N +2

4H N +1 (4)

4H N =

4S E -2; 4Sx E -1; 4Sx W -1 (2)

4S E -1; 4S W -1

3S W =

3S E +1

?

11:

?

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

...............KQJ10874

...............Q42

...............J8

1087632....................Q95

----.............................63

A85............................KJ3

K975..........................Q10632

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

...............A952

...............10976

...............A4

?

This was the one hand on which we had everyone in the same denomination - hearts, although not everyone declared from the South side despite the hand's holding a clear 1NT opening bid; I did not see anybody open anything else, although I did not see all fifteen opening bids. Some Wests competed. If West passed, North had to choose between Jacoby and Texas for the transfer. The Texas transfer gives up on slam; 2D followed by raising 2H to 4H keeps slam in play. An alternative would have been to start with a Jacoby transfer and then make a self-splinter bid of 3S. The South hand is not far from making slam - rearrange the hand, for instance, to 1097 A952 AKJ6 A4 and 6H sails home - but as the slam requires not only excellent honour placement but finding partner with AKJx in diamonds or AKQx in clubs as well as two more aces it seems prudent to surrender the slam; x KQJ10xxx Kxx xx would be more suitable to looking for slam, as opener could hold Ax in diamonds and make for a fine 6H with two more aces and a black king. We finished with contracts of 3H S, 4H N twice, 4H S eight times, 5H N, 5H S and 6H S twice. One of the 6H auctions saw North going all out: 1NT-2D; 2H-4NT, then going to 6H after the answer. For pairs playing both Jacoby and Texas, this is the wrong way around; if one wants to ask for key cards, Texas first is the way to do it. A Jacoby transfer followed by 4NT is considered an invitation to slam with (presumably five) hearts.

?

E-W can take three tricks in diamonds against hearts, although doing so only happened four times, giving a score of 11.5/14 to Pheileen, Jurcia, Larbot and Haorge. A club lead (or spade lead from East) results in ten tricks if declarer plays safely or eleven if declarer risks the club finesse. When South declared it appears the usual lead was a spade, affording declarer two discards. This allows declarer to force twelve tricks by discarding diamonds, losing one diamond, then trumping two more rounds of the suit to establish the thirteenth diamond. Declarer can afford to draw trumps first as long as two entries in hearts are retained to the South hand. Geoff, who received a spade lead, made 6H for N-S top; he was the only declarer to take twelve tricks. Matty were E-W top defending 6H S -1. Taking eleven tricks in a heart game scored 10.5/15.

?

6H S =

4H N +1; 4H S +1 (5); 5H N =; 5H S =

4H N =; 4H S = (3)

3H S +2

6H S -1

?

12:

?

...............A983

...............AK876

...............7

...............1064

Q42..........................KJ6

QJ32........................95

J82...........................AK10954

KJ2...........................87

...............1075

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

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

...............AQ953

?

At least two Norths opened with a Flannery 2D, as South declared 2H and 3H. This, indeed, was more often than hearts were declared by North, who played 3H once. There was even a 1H contract played by West after North passed and East opened in third seat. If North opens either 1H or 2H, it seems likely that the auction will reach 3D or perhaps 2NT by West, as the hand is better suited to no-trumps play, although the values are a little too much on the soft side to make game. Contracts were 1H W, 2H S, 2NT W twice, 3D E seven times, 3H N, 3H S, 3NT W and 4D E.

?

If North leads a low heart against no-trumps West is held to six tricks as the long heart can be established and cashed. If declarer knocks out the spade ace first then North's fourth spade establishes instead of the fifth heart. Dianne and Lianger made 2NT to share E-W top, Dianne after North began with the heart ace and king. Louff scored well defending 3NT -2. Diamonds have five clear losers; only Paul (P) took a ninth trick, most likely by being allowed to discard a heart on a club? A correct guess in trumps of starting the suit by leading South's ten will let N-S emerge with seven tricks in hearts; Cindy was N-S top in 2H S = and Eric also took eight tricks in 3H -1, while when North or West declared N-S took seven tricks.

?

2H S =

3NT W -2; 4D E -2

1H W -1; 3D E -1 (6)

3H S -1

3H N -2

3D E =

2NT W = (2)

?

13:

?

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

...............AQJ

...............6432

...............J9

QJ76......................952

83..........................K109

K10........................J85

AKQ106.................8754

...............A4

...............76542

...............AQ97

...............32

?

I hope not many Souths opened 1H in third seat; I could accept 1D, which would give West a choice between 2C and 1NT (preferably not double). South's opening in either red suit might well lead to declaring in that suit or to West's declaring in clubs on an overcall. If South passes West opens, usually 1C although a surprising number of Wests seem to have opened 1NT, which became the most common contract. One West was left in a 1C opening bid and West even declared in spades after a competitive balancing sequence. Contracts were 1C W, 1NT W six times, 2H S four times, 2S W, 3C W, 3D S and 3H S - our one rainbow hand.

?

A heart lead lets N-S set 1NT but North is unlikely to find it. Rinnie were the only N-S pair to post 1NT -1; Larry took seven tricks while Carl, Sandi and Steve took eight and George was E-W top with nine after a low spade lead, then a diamond discard from North at trick eight and finally when North led a spade at tick eleven to give up the remaining tricks when a heart lead would have locked George in dummy and allowed South to win the last trick in diamonds. Runny were N-S top taking their par six tricks in posting 2S W -2. Par in either red suit was nine tricks but that requires South's catching West with the doubleton king of diamonds. If West has shown opening values this might be done; Erik managed nine ricks in 2H for the N-S top but he was the only declarer in hearts or diamonds to take nine tricks, the others all taking eight. N-S hold clubs to eight tricks with a spade ruff; Mallys did defending 3C -1 but Marcia played 1C +2 to score 10/14, picking up two matchpoints for the second overtrick.

?

2H S +1

2H S = (3)

2S W -2

1NT W -1; 3C W -1

1NT W =

3D S -1; 3H S -1

1C W +2

1NT W +1 (3)

1NT W +2

?

14:

?

...............7

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

...............KQ92

...............AJ9732

10854......................KJ9

K10932....................AQ765

A3............................J1084

Q8............................K

...............AQ632

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

...............765

...............10654

?

East opens 1H and West has to choose how high to raise. 4H likely ends the auction. 3H perhaps will end the auction as well, although North may come in with clubs. All auctions reached game, almost always in either hearts or clubs. The curious contract was 4S S, which South might bid to back in after 1H-P-4H-P; P. If that was the auction North should have taken it out, as South would surely have found some number of spades to bid over 1H if the suit were good enough for a single-handed 4S. 4H E was played nine times, 5C N twice, 5C S once and 5H E twice.

?

All games were settable. E-W had the red aces and a trump trick against 5C; 5C N finished -1 both times and Limes scored 13/14 defending 5C S -2, presumably after two diamonds were led and then declarer finessed on the first round of trumps, allowing a diamond ruff. Ribot could have taken one trick more than the six they did against 4S, but were still N-S top. Against hearts a club lead allowed N-S to hold declarer to eight tricks with the club, two spades, a spade ruff and eventually a diamond. Ten declarers in hearts took eight or nine tricks, evenly divided 5-5. Rich was E-W top in 4H =; the defence began with two rounds of clubs and then South gave a ruff-and-discard at trick six after winning the first round of spades.

?

4H E -2 (5); 5H E -2 (2)

4H E -1 (3)

5C N -1 (2)

5C S -2

4S S -3

4H E =

?

15:

?

...............K964

...............J109

...............Q1054

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

8.............................Q752

A752.......................K86

A983.......................K762

AK102.....................J8

...............AJ103

...............Q43

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

...............Q7654

?

Here it would seem that West is more likely to open 1D than 1C, as a 1C opening bid and 1S response leaves West forced to choose between a 1NT rebid on a singleton spade with too many points, a rebid in a four-card suit or a reverse with too few HCP and the wrong distribution. But 1NT W was played five times. After 1D-1S; 2C, East has a choice between 2D and 3D; the hand is on the edge. West may try 3NT over 3D and may leave in 2D or advance, perhaps with 2H. Contracts higher than 1NT were 2D W four times, 2H W, 2NT W twice, 3D E(!), 3NT E and 3NT W.

?

Par scores were +120, +130 and +140. In hearts declarer has to be careful not to draw trumps at once if the opening lead is a diamond or club. If the defence begin with a spade force declarer go for more spade ruffs in hand. Albot were allowed to hold declarer to eight tricks; stopping the overtrick saved them eight matchpoints. Three of the five declarers in diamonds (Liz, Paul and Larry) took their par ten tricks; with a little care declarer can lose two diamonds; the main thing is to prevent North from being able to draw a third round of trumps. Par in no-trumps was eight tricks, declarer having three clubs on the finesse, the red ace-kings and then a length trick in one red suit or the other (if in diamonds by playing the ace first and then forcing North to play an intermediate on the second round); N-S can cash four spade tricks at any time. With the East hand showing, however, Mary in 1NT and Lianger in 3NT both took nine tricks for the top two E-W scores when North never found the spade switch. Pally were N-S top defending 3NT E -1; two declarers in 1NT were held to seven tricks.

?

3NT E -1

1NT W = (2)

2D W +1 (2); 2H W =

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

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

1NT W +2

3NT W =

?

16:

?

...............AK763

...............975

...............7

...............A1094

5...............................4

Q104........................AKJ632

K10652....................AQ93

J865.........................72

...............QJ10982

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

...............J84

...............KQ3

?

P-1S-2H-4S was almost universal; then it became a question of whether East (or possibly West) pushed the auction to the five level or not. Contracts were 3S S after an original pass from North, 4S N eight times, 4S S, 5H E and 5S N four times.

?

In spades declarer loses one trick in each red suit. The declarer in 3S only took ten tricks but it made no difference. N-S can cash three tricks against hearts. Eileen played 5H +1 when North won the first spade and played a second spade, providing a ruff-and-discard, with a discard of the other club loser following on the fifth diamond. But simply being allowed to play 5H was good for E-W top anyway.

?

4S N +1 (8); 4S S +1; 5S N = (4)

3S S +1

5H E +1

?

17:

?

...............A10732

...............K1097

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

...............Q93

QJ64........................----

6...............................8432

Q1095......................K876

A876........................KJ1054

...............K985

...............AQJ5

...............A432

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

?

I thought we might see everyone in spades again after P-P-1D-P; 1S and a raise to 2S or 3S from South. We could have arrived in 4S N at every table. Jevin would likely have joined the one declarer playing 4H S, as Jeff would have opened 1H instead of 1D. Four pairs (a bit high) managed to miss game, declaring 2S N and 3S N twice each. That left ten contracts of 4S N.

?

4S makes despite the 4-0 trumps; as long as declarer does not let West draw a third or fourth round of spades declarer is in fine shape even if the spade ace is played early - ruff two clubs in dummy, play the spade king and then just push hearts at West and it does not matter whether West ruffs or not. Bob took eleven tricks in 4S when the defence began with two rounds of clubs, allowing him to cross to hand in hearts, ruff another club, then play the spade king and draw trumps, losing only one club and one spade. Connie, Jeannie, Paul (J) and Rita posted the par 4S N =. Three declarers in spades were held to eight tricks and six to nine. In hearts the bad splits in both majors allowed E-W to hold hearts to nine tricks, although taking two spade ruffs off the top actually helps declarer, the second ruff being a trade-off for a natural spade trick and letting declarer get more ruffs. Larbot defended 4H S -3 for E-W top.

?

4S N +1

4S N = (4)

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

2S N =

4S N -1 (3)

4S N -2 (2)

4H S -3

?

18:

?

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

...............AK652

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

...............KJ92

KQ...........................J107

Q8...........................973

K8643.....................J1052

A873........................Q54

...............A96432

...............J104

...............Q9

...............106

?

South may open 2S despite the vulnerability and the blah suit. West may overcall 3D, similarly with the blah suit. North will overcall 1H and may or may not come in if South opens, whatever West does. Contracts were 2H N thrice, 3D W, 3H N twice, 3S N, 3S S twice, 4H N, 4S S four times and 5Dx W.

?

E-W almost sneak home in 5Dx for a profit; North leads a spade to South for a club shift and South gets a club ruff for the defence's six tricks. Declarer may also end up leading a diamond from hand for the same result. Lianger scored 11/14 playing 3D W -2, while Louff were N-S top defending 5Dx -4. 4S S makes if declarer reads the clubs correctly because East cannot get in for a diamond lead in time. Three of the seven declarers in spades took nine tricks, three took ten and Phyllis (B) took eleven tricks in 4S when E-W never cashed their club ace after a diamond lead from West early. 4H was the most interesting contract. East has to lead a diamond to hold declarer to ten tricks by force. If East leads a spade (or trump) declarer can take eleven tricks by force - duck the spade, ruff the third spade, draw trumps ending in dummy, discard a diamond and two clubs on the spades, then guess the clubs. Eleven tricks are also possible after a club to the ace and a second club back. Again, duck a spade. The other line can be prevented by forcing South with the third club. This kills the chance of running the spades but declarer can still force eleven tricks with a Vienna Coup. After trumping the club, South leads the heart jack. If it covers South wins the next round of the suit with the ten and then (or after the jack if it holds) South leads the diamond queen to king and ace. Then the run of the hearts and the fourth club squeezes East. Swap the ten and six of hearts and South cannot lead the diamond queen before North cashes out, but the heart and club winners will still squeeze East out of the jack or ten of diamonds after which South discards down to the spade ace. Then a spade is led to the ace and the diamond queen through West pins East's jack. Even so, ten tricks in hearts id doing quite well enough; Jenny posted 4H N = to core 11/14 but nobody else in hearts took ten tricks.

?

5Dx W -4

4S S +1

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

3S S +1

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

2H N =

3D W -2

3H N -1; 4S S -1

3H N -2

1:

?

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

...............J976

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

...............AQJ65

KQ852...................AJ97

K43........................A8

K7..........................86543

K74........................93

...............1043

...............Q1052

...............AQ9

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

?

This hand shows the power of well-fitting shortages. With a doubleton in one hand or the other in each of the three side suits, E-W just needed one of the two minor aces to be onside to make game. Even drawing trumps too early might not have been fatal if the diamonds could have still been established. West opened 1S in fourth seat. If North overcalled 2C East had no way to leave open the chance of stopping in 2S if West had opened a Fourth Seat Spade Special (remember, on the Rule of Fifteen, West would open 1S on a five-card suit and ten HCP). Only two pairs reached 4S, Jevin on the uncontested auction P-1S; 2D-4S, 2D showing a limit raise in spades, likely on four-card support. With a full opening bid and a little more Jeff accepted the invitation. Other contracts were 2S W, 3C E (oops!), 3S W five times, 4Cx N and another 4S W.

?

N-S can actually manage to draw three rounds of trumps before declarer can get the second ruff in dummy, but to do so requires an early diamond lead. A little entry preservation allows West to establish East's diamonds if N-S keep pushing trumps. Jeff took eleven tricks after the club ace opening lead. But three of the eight declarers in spades did not take ten tricks. N-S only have time to lead one round of hearts if they play all three spades. As long as West wins the first heart with the king diamonds can be established and run. Owbot was N-S top defending 3C E -5 on a bidding accident, likely a passed cue-bid. Batie were E-W top defending 4Cx -3. Declarer could have gotten out for -2 but took a second spade ruff in hand low. E-W defended well forcing North twice; declarer's only way to save -2 was to ruff the third spade with the queen or jack because there would only be one entry to dummy for a club finesse and declarer would have to run the ten, dropping the nine if West covered. With AQJ in hand there was no way to finesse the suit a second time when West ducked the third club.

?

3C E -5

4S W -1

3S W = (2)

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

3S W +2

4S W +1

4Cx N -3

?

2:

?

...............942

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

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

...............AKQ10763

AJ1086.......................KQ3

74................................QJ10652

KQ2.............................J5

J54..............................92

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

...............K985

...............A108743

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

?

This was a hand for adventurous Norths. After East opened 2H both Louise and John in the North seat bid 3NT, Louise after two passes and John after a 3H raise from West. Other contracts were 3C N five times, 3H E, 4C N and 4H E.

?

Bill will be happy to see that his favourite opening lead of a?three-card major against no-trumps would have worked brilliantly against 3NT. Both Louise and John received the expected heart lead and took ten tricks. A diamond lead would have made the club contracts interesting, but after a heart lead declarers in clubs all took the par ten tricks. Study scored 7/9 for taking their par six tricks against 4H. Henry was E-W top in 3H E -1, although the par -2 would have done just as well.

?

3NT N +1 (2)

4H E -3

3C N +1 (5); 4C N =

3H E -1

?

3:

?

...............J954

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

...............KQJ2

...............10942

KQ87.......................----

KQ874.....................AJ10963

8..............................A109743

KQ3.........................7

...............A10632

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

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

...............AJ865

?

Could E-W find their heart slam? Half the field did. At least one South opened the bidding but usually West opened 1H. One East had tragic luck when West missed that 3S was a splinter raise and passed. But only one pair stopped in 4H E; everyone else at least looked for slam or else took a push; other contracts were 5H E, 5H W, 5Hx W, 6H E, 6H W thrice and 6Hx W.

?

Everyone in hearts took twelve tricks. With the diamonds 4-2, there was no way to discard all three of West's clubs. Two of the five slam auctions were contested. Against Leighry South opened the bidding: 1S-2H-2S-4H; 5S-X-P-6H, Henry feeling justified in pulling the double due to his extreme distribution. Against Alin there was a light takeout double: P-1H-X-XX; 1S-2H-2S-4NT; P-5C-P-6H. The three uncontested slam auctions each took a different path. Jevin made excellent use of the Flannery structure: 2D-2NT; 3D-6H, Jeff showing a singleton diamond along with his 4-5 in the majors and Kevin easily recognizing that that was the perfect holding for his hand, perhaps just regretting that there was no way to find out if Jeff had a similar hand but with Axx in clubs. Batie had a similarly short auction featuring a splinter raise: 1H-4C; 4D-6H. Harold went with a Jacoby raise over 1H: 1H-2NT; 3D-4C; 4H-6H, similar to Jevin's auction as Rita showed short diamonds with 3D.

?

3S E -4

4H E +2; 5H E +1; 5H W +1

5Hx W +1

6H E =; 6H W = (3)

6Hx W =

?

4:

?

...............9653

...............QJ9863

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

...............87

KJ10.......................Q842

742..........................K5

KJ1032...................854

KJ...........................Q964

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

...............A10

...............AQ97

...............A10532

?

If North came in with 2H over 1D South might have chosen 3NT instead of 4H. Indeed one South declared just that contract. At least four Norths did not enter the auction, as 2D W and 2S E were played twice each. One North played 3H; other games attempted were 4H N thrice and 4Hx N. I can visualize 1D-P-1S-X; XX-2H if North passes and then perhaps South does not let E-W play the hand.

?

Diamonds fare a little better than spades. With West declaring North can hold diamonds to six tricks by leading a high heart; this is mainly in order to allow North to lead the first club through, preventing West from being able to lead a trump from the East hand until it is too late. One N-S pair took their par seven tricks against 2D W; one declarer did a trick better. Both declarers in 2S E beat par by two tricks, as that would have required South to lead the ace of diamonds. Declarer has ten tricks in hearts when the king obligingly lies doubleton onside and drops on the second round of the suit. Either declarer can ruff two spades and lose one spade, one club and one heart, or establish the clubs. Declarer in 3H justified conservative bidding by taking only nine tricks but all the 4H and 4Hx contracts made, with Anne even taking an overtrick. Lynn had a great escape in 3NT =; after she established the hearts E-W played spades. On the third round of the suit East's queen crashed West's ten, not fatal, but then East led the fourth spade, letting North in to cash four heart winners and letting Lynn make 3NT when she was headed for -3.

?

4Hx N =

4H N +1

4H N = (2)

3NT S =

2D W -2

3H N =

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

?

5:

?

...............AK53

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

...............K93

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

10...........................QJ964

----.........................K43

QJ8765..................A42

AJ10643................Q9

...............872

...............AQJ8762

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

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

?

West must be hoping for a chance to bid an Unusual No-Trumps at some level; the 6-6 pattern will play well enough to justify 4NT if necessary. After 1S-2H, West might venture a negative double and risk that East will pass, or West might stretch and bid 3D. If East passes and South opens 3H in fourth seat, West might be able to try 4NT for takeout or else will have to overcall. Contracts were in all four suits: 3H S thrice, 4C W, 4H S twice, 4S E (unhappy West), 5D E twice and 5D W.

?

E-W can take eleven tricks in either minor, although in clubs declarer has to give up on the diamond finesse. For some reason, though, 5D E was defeated by Karleta and Study; declarer did not use the entry with the diamond ace to take the club finesse and then got locked in dummy. Bob did make 5D W, however. Almost everyone defending hearts found the opening lead of the diamond queen to hold declarer to nine tricks, although Lynn took ten tricks in 3H S. Kunbot took their par seven tricks against the sad 4S E.

?

4S E -4

3H S +1

3H S = (2)

5D E -1 (2)

4H S -1 (2)

4C W =

5D W =

?

6:

?

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

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

...............AQ6

...............K106532

J9543......................AQ

Q83.........................AJ107652

KJ543......................8

----...........................Q74

...............K102

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

...............10972

...............AJ98

?

1H from East and then West has a choice between 1S, 2H and 1NT planning to follow with 3H. North probably overcalls clubs against any of those actions. East likely rebids hearts and game is a favourite to be reached. Everyone played in hearts. Contracts were 3H E, 4H E six times, 4Hx E and 5H E twice.

?

West's club void pulls its full weight. Eleven tricks can be taken in hearts against any defence. N-S have to force West twice in clubs to prevent the spades from running, and that allows a ruff of the third club. Marudy held declarer in 3H to ten tricks but everyone else took eleven or twelve, twelve tricks being posted by Jamie and Steve (Y) in 4H, Batuhan in 4Hx. The twelfth trick for Batuhan and presumably the others as well came after South won the spade king and did not play a diamond immediately, the second trick resulting only from an immediate grab.

?

3H E +1

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

4H E +2 (2)

4Hx E +2

?

7:

?

...............9642

...............A876

...............KJ83

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

QJ85.................A

----....................109543

1042..................965

AQ10973...........J864

...............K1073

...............KQJ2

...............AQ7

...............K5

?

N-S have 26 HCP and a pair of 4-4 fits in the majors; only E-W interference can keep the auction from ending below game. Pairs are likely to end in 4H if E-W do not sacrifice in clubs; North will respond 1H if West does not overcall 2C and accept an invitational raise to 3H if South does not raise directly to 4H. If West overcalls North makes a negative double and East raises, probably to 4C or 5C; South will act over that. Marudy kept E-W out of the auction with the Mexican 2D opening bid, resulting in 4S N; in order to bid Stayman North had to start with a transfer of 2S to 2NT apparently and then South bid spades first in answer to 3C. Contracts were 4Cx W, 4H N four times, 4H S twice, 4Hx S, 4S N and 5Cx W.

?

The bad splits in the majors mean that E-W should go plus. In spades declarer loses three trumps and the club ace; Jamob duly posted -1. Despite the three diamond losers, E-W can take ten tricks in clubs; West takes three spade ruffs in dummy. Declarer can miss the tenth trick by starting with the club ace or by drawing both rounds of trumps and relying on the spade ruffing finesse. Rekenee and Pauise both took four tricks on defence. It made little difference to Rekenee whether they scored +200 or +500 against 5Cx, but Pauise were lucky to set 4Cx and go plus. The most interesting contract was 4H, due to the bad spades and the 5-0 trump split. This turns out to be a defensive test. The spade ruff is a mirage. Say E-W begin with a spade and a club; if West then leads a low spade for East to ruff, the contract is home safe. North ruffs a club, declarer draws trumps, and the remaining losing spade is discarded on a diamond. If E-W just force North to ruff a second club, declarer eventually runs out of things to lead and has to play spades to West, at best telescoping the third spade loser and the trump loser for -1. Myrtle made 4Hx after East ruffed a spade at trick three, although discarding a diamond would just have sufficed. East would then have been in position to ruff the third diamond, after which forcing North in clubs would have killed any possible discard on the fourth diamond, whether declarer drew trumps or not. Judy (R) and John also made 4H; Joen posted -1, Stindy and Batie -2, and Nary were E-W top defending 4H N -3, results varying largely depending on how many trumps declarer drew.

?

4Hx S =

4H N =; 4H S =

5Cx W -2

4Cx W -1

4H N -1; 4H S -1

4H N -2; 4H S -2

4H N -3

?

8:

?

...............AK952

...............J96

...............K8

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

10............................73

KQ102.....................A8754

Q752.......................A106

AKJ5.......................Q94

...............QJ864

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

...............J943

...............763

?

1m-1S and whether East doubles or bids 2H South may well go immediately to 4S, over which West may feel the need to do something or the chance may be lost, although East has a perfectly reasonable double opposite an opening bid. Not every South found 4S palatable and four auctions pushed on to the five-level. Contracts were 4H E, 4H W, 4S N twice, 4Sx N twice, 5H E thrice and 5Sx N. West was naturally more inclined to the five-level after a 2H bid from East than after a negative double.

?

Despite South's singleton heart pulling full weight the 3-3 clubs and equal vulnerability meant that the fate of 4Sx came down to the diamond position. With the ace offside E-W had six tricks if East resisted any temptation to lead a diamond, a serious possibility had West opened 1D. I would advise a trump lead for East - declarer clearly will need to do some ruffing; the trump lead may do some good and at the very least will do the defence no harm. Fortunately for E-W everyone avoided the diamond lead and all five pairs defending spades took six tricks. This gave Leighry the E-W top defending 5Sx -4 and illustrated how it is usually a losing proposition to sacrifice five-over-five. Defending against hearts it was also important not to lead a diamond; avoid diamonds and N-S have two defensive tricks. Joe played 5H E +1 after a diamond switch from North at trick two; Batuhan also took twelve tricks in 4H but the other N-S pairs held declarer to eleven and scored 6/9 for their efforts.

?

4S N -3 (2)

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

4H E +2; 5H E +1

4Sx N -3 (2)

5Sx N -4

?

9:

?

...............A76

...............QJ964

...............AK

...............K93

102....................QJ53

K3......................10852

10.......................9863

AQJ87542.........6

...............K984

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

...............QJ7542

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

?

If North opens 1NT South responds with Stayman, likely ending in 3NT or possibly 5D. At unfavourable vulnerability West is not that likely to go beyond 3NT, although it did happen at least twice. A 1H opening bid will see South respond 1NT, followed by 2C or 3C from West and likely a raise of no-trumps by North. Contracts were 3H N, 3NT N five times, 3NT S, 4C W, 4Cx W and 5D S.

?

Against no-trumps, if E-W do not establish clubs, declarer can establish hearts and come to eleven tricks. After a club lead declarer has ten tricks to run. It is possible to run nine tricks, count on West to keep the guarded heart king and then throw West in with a club to give declarer the last two tricks, but running ten tricks is quite reasonable. The six declarers in 3NT were evenly divided between +1 and +2, with eleven tricks taken by Judy (P), Steve (R) and John. Judy recieved a diamond lead, making things easier; West did double 2C for a club lead but East did not comply. Against clubs N-S can take six tricks. Declarer can take an eighth trick if N-S begin with two rounds of hearts. N-S can just force a trump promotion by starting with two rounds of diamonds, but then North will be forced to break the hearts. Pauise were N-S top defending 4Cx -3; Mary had the good fortune not to be doubled in 4C. Declarer can take eleven tricks in 5D but has to be careful after a spade lead. Trying the heart finesse lets West lead a second spade and then declarer has to be careful to be able to discard both the losing spades. It turns out to be doable because East has the length in diamonds, hearts and spades, but Alin were able to defeat 5D one trick for the E-W top.

?

4Cx W -3

3NT N +2 (3)

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

4C W -3

3H N +1

5D S -1

?

10:

?

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

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

...............KQ85

...............AJ7654

J652........................AQ843

K973........................84

94............................J76

K82..........................1093

...............K107

...............AQ1052

...............A1032

...............Q

?

N-S should have an uncontested auction: 1H-1NT; 2D-3D may get passed, which happened twice. Some Norths responded 2C; 3NT S was played thrice. 3NT N, played four times, was the plurality contract and one South opted for 5D after North raised to 4D on the second round. A 3S splinter would have been an interesting choice. North also had the opportunity to bid 2S on the second round to show a forward-going hand with the other minor; not having responded 1S removes the need for a natural 2S there.

?

After a spade lead declarer in 3NT has nothing better to do than to cash out for eight tricks, although it gets interesting if South wins the second spade and West ducks the club queen. Only two declarers in 3NT succeeded - Ken in 3NT N +3 and Owen in 3NT S +1. Jamob and Stindy both defended 3NT S -2 to share the E-W top. The clubs lie sufficiently favourably that diamonds can take twelve tricks via the reasonable line of running the club queen, although taking the heart finesse is as good if not better. Paul made 5D S, which ought to have been N-S top. Martin and Breta took fewer tricks but were above average in the partials.

?

3NT N +3

3NT S +1

5D N =

3D S +1

3D S =

3NT N -1 (3)

3NT S -2 (2)

?

11:

?

...............KQJ8

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

...............J743

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

3..............................964

K754........................J1086

KQ108.....................A52

K652........................Q108

...............A10752

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

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

...............J943

?

?

?This one seemed headed for 3S one way or another. Seven Souths opened 1S and North tended to get carried away by the trump honours; contracts were 3S S twice, 4Hx E and 4S S four times. When South passed there were two passouts: Owbot/Alin and Study/Stindy. One North opened the bidding, though 1D rather than 1S. Please, people, do not open light in third seat in a weak suit if one has a stronger suit. 1S is fine in third seat on KQJx and much more useful when LHO holds a good hand with hearts. The 1D opening bid led to a contract of 2S S; it was a bit feeble of West not to make the push to the three-level.

?

E-W have four tricks against spades. If the opening lead is a trump declarer must go all out for the club ruffs before East can lead the third spade; Martin was held to 2S = while Jamob and Nary both defended 4S -3. Breta and Renee shared N-S top in 4S = after a heart opening lead. Kevin was E-W top in 4Hx =; North did not ruff the third club when it was led from dummy and never got the chance to recover.

?

4S S = (2)

3S S +1

3S S =

2S S =

Passed Out (2)

4S S -3 (2)

4Hx E =

?

12:

?

...............K1075

...............Q962

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

...............9875

A3..........................J9

KJ..........................A84

K86543.................AQ10

A104......................KQ632

...............Q8642

...............10753

...............J72

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

?

There was a chance the grand slam could have been bid by pairs that play 1D-2C as game forcing. West could have raised to 3C and East then could have confirmed the double fit with 3D. The difficulty then is that East cannot tell that West has six diamonds and West may not have the conventions needed to find out that East holds both key minor queens. I did expect to see slam reached perhaps a few times, as the auction could begin 1NT-4NT; (Arlene Leshine would definitely have opened 1NT with the West hand) West's six-card suit would more than compensate for the minimum HCP. Sadly, however, only two pairs found the six-level. Leighry's auction was 1D-2C; 3D-4NT; 5H-6D, more or less okay on principle, though 3D and 4NT both seem dodgy. Jevin had a simpler auction: 1D-3NT; 6NT (they do like jumping to slam). A couple of Wests may have opened 1NT but not upgraded the hand for the six-card suit; they played 4NT W. 3NT was played five times, thrice by West. Karleta's opponents violated Fredda's Law and played 5D W.

?

Everyone took thirteen tricks, giving Jevin the E-W top and a blitz round to halt their slide and turn them towards a good finish.

?

5D W +2

3NT E +4 (2); 3NT W +4 (3); 4NT W +3 (2)

6D W +1

6NT E +1

?

13:

?

...............KQJ1096

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

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

...............J852

7.................................A83

AJ82..........................Q75

KJ852........................A9763

1094...........................Q6

...............542

...............K1096

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

...............AK73

?

2S N was left in twice. Most of the time the auction turned competitive; South raised to 3S, ending the auction twice while a third North played 3S after selecting 3S for the opening bid. E-W declared at the other five tables, which seems a little high: 3D E, 4D E twice, 4H E (West must have made a responsive double) and 5D E.

?

Against diamonds by East, South has to cash the two club winners right away or else there will be an endplay. After, say, a spade lead, declarer ruffs a spade, returns to the diamond ace, ruffs another spade with the jack, then draws trumps with the king and runs all the trumps. If South discards down to two hearts the suit runs for twelve tricks. If South discards two low clubs and one heart, a low club forces South to break the hearts. If South throws one of the club honours, East leads a low club to North. North can lead one heart to the nine and jack, but then the other club goes to South, who will have to lead a heart after all. The only defence with South on lead is to cash two clubs and then just wait to score the heart trick. Steve (Y) was E-W top in 5D making, though I suspect a heart lead or switch there. John was N-S top in 3S +1; East led a heart to the ace instead of the jack. Kevin could have finished -2 in 4H against a black-suit lead but escaped for -1 and an above-average score.

?

3S N +1

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

2S N =

4H E -1

4D E =

3D E +2; 4D E +1

5D E =

?

14:

?

...............A1092

...............K95

...............Q3

...............Q754

K7............................QJ8653

AQJ863...................----

7...............................J109

A963........................KJ108

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

...............10742

...............AK86542

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

?

If East opens 2S South probably cannot overcall and West will likely make a push, resulting in either 3S or 4S. Eight of the ten contracts were in spades. One West insisted on 4H and one South played 5D undoubled, but 4S dominated: 2S E, 3S E, 4H W, 4S E five times, 4Sx E and 5D S.

?

A lead of either black suit sets 4S by preventing both a diamond ruff and a second discard set up by the ruffing finesse in hearts. If South leads a club the threat is to score a ruff, a diamond and two spades. A trump lead through West lets North draw West's trumps without giving West the lead. East's holding a singleton heart would have made life much easier. But only Glynneth took more than three tricks against spades, setting 4S two tricks while everyone else in spades took ten, giving Kevin the E-W top in 4Sx = after the opening lead of the diamond ace. Declarer could have taken eight tricks in 4H but finished -5 against Study, giving them the N-S top. Owen scored 7/9 in 5D S -3 for not being doubled.

?

4H W -5

4S E -2

5D S -3

2S E +2; 3S E +1

4S E = (4)

4Sx E =

?

15:

?

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

...............KJ2

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

...............AK43

KQ95.....................J7

86..........................A1094

QJ985...................A6

75..........................QJ1082

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

...............Q753

...............K732

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

?

1NT from North might go around or either East or West might come in on the 5-4 pattern at favourable vulnerability. 1NT N was only played twice. At least two Norths opened 1C instead, leading to contracts of 1H S and 1NT W. Five auctions ended on the two-level in 2H E (DONT?), 2S N twice and 2NT N twice - two denominations played from both sides.

?

It did not matter which side declared in no-trumps - par was seven tricks for E-W, who have almost all the intermediates that matter; N-S can get their honour tricks and that's about all. Wendy did two tricks better than par in 1NT W +2 but scored only 5/9 due to the vulnerability. Ritold tied for E-W top defending 2NT N -3. Ken was the one North to better par, making 1NT N. Spades are held to six tricks by a diamond lead; East gets overruffs or declarer has to play trumps too soon. Alin bettered par by a trick to tie Ritold for E-W top. The lead matters when hearts are trumps. South is held to seven tricks, East to five. Lynn made 1H S as expected; Owbot only posted 2H -2, but the cost was only one matchpoint.

?

2H E -2

1NT N =

1H S =

1NT N -1; 2S N -1

1NT W +2

1NT N -2; 2NT N -2

2S N -3; 2NT N -3

?

16:

?

...............873

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

...............KQJ3

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

AK6542...............9

953......................QJ4

9..........................A10652

1052....................KQJ4

...............QJ10

...............A62

...............874

...............A765

?

2S W went around seven times. Three Souths came in with a balance, each time resulting in a contract of 3H N.

?

Against hearts E-W can collect the three top winners in spades and diamonds, two diamond ruffs, a spade ruff and eventually a club to hold declarer to six tricks. Stindy produced the optimal defence for E-W top; the other Norths declaring presumably only had one diamond ruffed against them and escaped for -2 for a significant matchpoint boost. Declarer has nine tricks in spades by drawing trumps; even if N-S manage to force West three times in diamonds that does not avail them anything. But only three declarers in spades (Jeff, Rita and Bob) took their nine tricks. Two declarers were held to eight (most likely by a club ruff). Against Study declarer discarded a heart instead of ruffing a diamond and then let the defence promote a trump trick as well; South's ruffing the fourth diamond after the side winners are cashed promotes North's eight of spades. Myrne also defended 2S -1 to tie Study for N-S top.

?

2S W -1 (2)

3H N -2 (2)

2S W = (2)

2S W +1 (3)

3H N -3

?

17:

?

...............Q6542

...............AQ6

...............Q3

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

J7..........................K1083

54..........................KJ102

J10654..................A72

KJ82.....................Q7

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

...............9873

...............K98

...............A654

?

The most common auction was 1D-3D by E-W; 3D E was played five times. Not playing inverted raises West bids either 2D or 1NT. 1NT W was played twice, along with 2D E and 2Dx W (apparently after a 1C opening bid on the 4=4=3=2 hand pattern). At one table both partners overbid and the contract finished in 2H E.

?

South's four trumps against 2H don't do all that much; going after spade ruffs is the most productive course of action. East could have been held to six tricks by force in hearts, although Mahn bettered par by a trick on defence and posted 2H -3 for the N-S top. The main problem in other contracts was reaching the West hand for all the necessary leads through North, although all the suits sat perfectly. The trump holding, though, can be played either way. On the actual layout the suit is held to one loser by running an intermediate through North, dropping the queen if North ducks or leading to the other intermediate after winning if North covers. To play South for a doubleton honour declarer would lead low from dummy, finessing through North if South wins. Alan and Eric took their par nine tricks in diamonds, Batuhan ten. Karleta, Glynneth and Study all posted 3D -1 to score 7/9 on defence. Leigh Ann was E-W top in 2Dx W =. N-S's having nothing worth leading and West's not being able to gain the lead enough produced a par result of eight tricks in no-trumps; Jeff duly played 1NT W +1. Cindy scored 8/9 in 1NT W +2; on North's spade lead South played the nine and her jack gave her an extra entry to hand, of which she made good use.

?

2H E -3

3D E -1 (3)

3D E = (2)

1NT W +1

2D E +2

1NT W +2

2Dx E =

?

18:

?

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

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

...............KJ983

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

AQJ..................K10543

AQ10832..........K65

----....................Q642

AK54.................8

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

...............J97

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

...............9732

?

We closed with another grand slam, this one even better than the one on Board 12. A number of Wests opened 2C, but I prefer 1H with the porous suit; 2C would be all right on KQJ AQJ1082 ---- AK54; the winners would be more solid and less based on support. I think the grand slam can be reached if the auction starts 1H-1S; 3C, but East needs to be able to do something encouraging. Of the four pairs to reach 6H only Jevin had that beginning. Kevin then had to bid 4H; Jeff jumped to 6H. All three slams they bid were reached with a leap rather than with an ask for key cards. If East is not prepared to go beyond 4H then bidding 3H instead of 4H accomplishes little. If 3H were forward-going and confirmed a fit it would be lovely; the auction might proceed 3S-4C and then West would just need to find the major kings - no insignificant task in itself. Stindy reached slam after a 2C opening: P-P-2C-2D; P-P-2H-P; 3H-P-6H. The pass of the 2D overcall was explained as showing at least game-going values; West was pleased by the overcall, which reduced the chance of East's holding wasted diamond values. The other two auctions were iffier. Batie bid 1H-1S; 3H-4H; 6H, iffy because 3H was non-forcing. Nary bid 1H-4H; 6H, with the difficulty of bidding 4H on three-card support instead of the usual five. At least both jumps to 6H were quite acceptable.

?

Of the other six E-W pairs, one tried for slam and finished in 5H W; the others all played 4H W. Everyone took all thirteen tricks, giving Jevin, Nary, Batie and Stindy a tie for E-W top while Pauise, Karleta, Owbot, Glynneth, Study and Rekenee tied for N-S top.

?

4H W +3 (5)

5H W +2

6H W +1 (4)

1:

?

...............986

...............975

...............1065

...............K874

QJ7.........................5432

10............................J82

8432.......................QJ9

AJ1092...................Q65

...............AK10

...............AKQ643

...............AK7

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

?

Here we had a clear 2C opening bid; it must be that it was Board 1 and not everyone was in game mode yet that made two Souths open 1H. All told five pairs stopped in a partial - 1H twice, 2H twice and 3H. Everyone else got to game. One North declared 4H, presumably after a 2H response. I might recommend that such a response not contain a king (it should definitely not contain an ace), but that's a minor point. South declared 4H six times; one South went looking for slam but stopped in 5H.

?

If hearts were 2-2, declarer could have forced eleven tricks by leading towards the club king. As the cards lay there was no entry to the North hand if E-W defended sufficiently passively. Only Keianne and Rom produced the optimal defence. West has to be careful after a natural lead of the spade queen. Assuming declarer wins, draws trumps and leads a club, West has to get off lead with a diamond. South wins and has nothing better than playing two more diamonds, hoping West began with Hxx in diamonds and will have to win the third round and then lead a black suit. Not the easiest defence to find; ten declarers took eleven tricks, including all five in the partials. Eric took twelve tricks for the N-S top; West continued with a second club after winning the ace; later in the hand East unguarded the diamonds.

?

4H S +2

4H N +1; 4H S +1 (3); 5H S =

4H S = (2)

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

?

2:

?

...............9752

...............K96

...............AK32

...............J8

10...........................KQJ4

AJ842....................73

J109.......................654

K1095....................A763

...............A863

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

...............Q87

...............Q42

?

There were three passouts: Janda/Keianne, Jerik/Dane and Matty/Louff. Six Wests opened 1H in third seat. As the hand has to rebid if East responds 1S I prefer a 2H opening bid. Contracts after a 1H opening bid were 1NT W, 2C W, 2H W, 2S N, 3C W and 3NT W. When West passed four of the seven Norths opened 1D in keeping with the Rule of Fifteen. One South was left in a 1S response, another (likely after a 1S overcall from East) declared 1NT; the other two played in 2S, perhaps after a direct raise, perhaps after a pass and a balance.

?

No-trumps contracts are pretty straightforward; par is seven tricks for N-S whichever suit is attacked by either side. Larbot attained the par result of defending 1NT W -1 as did Jatin did as declarer in 1NT S =. Owbot had a good chance to be N-S top when their opponents got all the way up to 3NT W but declarer escaped for -1. With three trump losers par in spades was seven tricks if East did not crash West's ten of trumps. Paubhi, Pheileen and Milbot, all defending 2S S, took their six tricks to share E-W top. Eric, in 1S, made an overtrick when the first spade was led from the North hand and East put in an intermediate. Even that was not necessarily fatal, as there was still a chance of a heart ruff. Declarers in hearts or clubs all bettered par by one trick. Del, in 2C W =, was the only E-W successful declarer on the hand, joining Paul (J) and Bob in going plus after opening the bidding. After starting with three rounds of diamonds and a heart, North switched to a trump at trick five and there was no trump loser.

?

1S S +1

1NT S =

1NT W -1; 2H W -1; 3C W -1; 3NT W -1

Passed Out (3)

2C W =

2S N -1; 2S S -1 (2)

?

3:

?

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

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

...............KJ7542

...............A862

KJ764.........................Q108532

9842...........................AQJ3

A93.............................8

K.................................75

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

...............1075

...............Q106

...............QJ10943

?

I did not get to check if any Souths opened 3C, but it would have worked nicely; North can jump to 5C which is almost sure to end the auction or even bid an enterprising 3NT. If South passes West may open 1S, or East will overcall if North opens 1D. E-W will compete vigourously once the spades enter the auction. Contracts were 3C S, 3S E, 4C S, 4S E 4S W thrice, 5C S, 5Cx S, 5S W twice and 5Sx W twice. N-S likely sacrificed against 4S multiple times, but with E-W holding an eleven-card fit E-W took the push.

?

With the hearts behaving E-W lost only the black aces in a spade contract and all declarers in spades took eleven tricks. This gave Reynolds and Phyllis (B) the shared E-W top playing 5Sx =, the double costing three matchpoints when it would only have gained one had 5S been defeated. Club contracts turned out to have been wrong-sided with South declaring. West on lead had the opportunity to lead a heart and later give East a diamond ruff to give the defence a total of four tricks. Randi were the only pair whose opponents produced the optimal defence, but 5C S -2 still scored 9/12. George in 4C and Marie in 3C both took ten tricks, their opponents missing out on either the ruff or the second heart. Erik played 5C +1 when the opening lead was the diamond ace and West then followed with a spade. Happily for Erik the club king dropped singleton and he had twelve tricks.

?

5C S +1

3C S +1; 4C S =

5C S -2

3S E +2

4S E +1; 4S W +1 (3); 5S W = (2)

5Sx W = (2)

?

4:

?

...............J942

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

...............AK98

...............A1063

AQ10.......................653

K863.......................AQJ52

J42..........................Q107

942..........................J8

...............K87

...............1097

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

...............KQ75

?

It makes a minor difference to South whether North opens 1D or 1C this time, as East overcalls 1H. Had North opened 1D and if a negative double would have promised four spades South would have had trouble finding a call, while a 1C opening bid would have had the good luck of South's being able to raise to 2C. That may have made some difference to the auction, perhaps making it easier for N-S either to balance or to compete to the three-level. If/when they did, West pushed on in hearts. Contracts were 2H E five times and 3H E eight times. West fared better raising simply to 2H; even being able to cue-bid 2D and have East sign off in 2H allows North an easy balancing double, although South probably ought to have found such a double anyway, and perhaps some Souths did.

?

The flat E-W hands did not allow for anything interesting in the play. Declarer had two diamond losers when the suit split 4-3, two club losers, and lost one of the spade finesses. Everyone took the par eight tricks, giving Gareth, Dianne, Louise, Liz and Milagros a tie for E-W top on +110 and creating an eight-way tie on +100 for N-S top between Janda, Paun, Haorge, Jerik, Matty, Glotin, Heve and Conndy.?

?

3H E -1 (8)

2H E = (5)

?

5:

?

...............A2

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

...............AQ954

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

7.............................KJ643

AKQ54...................9

K10832..................76

J6...........................98532

...............Q10985

...............J83

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

...............AQ74

?

Will West come in with hearts after 1D-P-1S? The heart suit is good; the badly placed diamonds argue against bidding. This time passing comes out way ahead. South would like to be able to make a speculative penalty double of 2H, especially if North's not making a support double denies three spades. If West passes North rebids 1NT and then South might try leaving it there or rebidding 2S if in a conservative mood, or perhaps trying 2C otherwise. Contracts featured the rare occurrence of both sides playing in the same denomination in two different denominations: 2H W thrice, 2S S thrice, 3D N twice, 3D W, 3H W, 3Hx W, 3NT N and 3NTx W.

?

Twelve contracts failed for a total of 29 undertricks. Par in hearts was only four tricks for E-W, although the winning opening lead was North's club ten - Club to ace, diamond jack (overtaken if West ducks) to North, second diamond winner, diamond ruffed or overruffed by South, North re-entered once with the club king and once with the spade ace for two more diamond ruffs, at which point West is down to all trumps having lost every trick, and North still has a trump winner. Randi settled for eight tricks and +800, not quite good enough for top, as Boric took their par nine tricks against 3NTx W for +1100. Phoebot managed to set 3NT N - after Phoebe took her heart winners, declarer missed a squeeze or endplay against East in the black suits and finished -2. Matty took nine tricks against 3H undoubled to score 10/12. South could force eight tricks in spades even against the optimal defence of three hearts and a diamond ruff off the top. As that requires a trump coup, however, even a relatively easy one, only Jatin made 2S, the only contract to succeed of all the thirteen. Par in diamonds was eight tricks for N-S, but the only declarer in diamonds to take eight tricks was West; a heroic effort for a middle board. E-W top was a tie on +200 between Keianne and Pheileen against 3D, Limes against 2S and Phoebot against 3NT.

?

3NTx W -5

3Hx W -4

3H W -5

2H W -3

2S S =

2H W -1 (2); 3D W -1

2S S -1

2S S -2; 3D N -2 (2); 3NT N -2

?

6:

?

...............Q9

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

...............A1084

...............KJ104

632...........................J8754

K95...........................A1054

KQ2..........................J95

Q752.........................A

...............AK10

...............732

...............763

...............9863

?

Only Gloria had the good fortune to pass the hand out as North. East was sure to come in over 1C, perhaps with a double, and maybe less sure to come in over 1D. E-W are not likely to go beyond 2S and the vulnerability may keep N-S quiet, or they may go to 3C. Contracts were usually low: 1D N, 1NT S thrice, 2S E four times, 2NT S, 3C N, 3D N and 3S E.

?

East can make 2S, but against a club lead has to be careful not to lead trumps too soon. If the lead is a club and East returns a spade, South can force a club ruff, draw dummy's trumps after North wins either the diamond ace or heart queen and then forces out East's last trump too soon. Happily for the declarers in spades the opening lead must have been usually a diamond; declarer took eight tricks four times and Gareth took nine. Par was eight tricks for club contracts, seven for diamonds or no-trumps. Cindy played 1NT +1 after a club opening lead instead of either major or a low diamond. Rich also took eight tricks in 1NT, tying for N-S top. E-W top was Gel's for defending 3D -3, one trick better than par.

?

1NT S +1 (2)

3S E -1

Passed Out

1D N -1; 1NT S -1

2NT S -2; 3C N -2

2S E = (3)

2S E +1

3D N -3

?

7:

?

...............10965

...............862

...............1098

...............K85

A2............................KQJ873

AK94.......................105

QJ63........................AK2

A104........................Q3

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

...............QJ75

...............754

...............J9762

?

Here was our grand slam. West generally opened 1D and rebid 2NT, after which East could have jumped to 6S or 6NT on force but could see the possibility of a grand slam. As East has the good fortune to be missing only to ace in spades, if one is going to ask for key cards, it is advantageous to ask in diamonds because East would very much like to know if West holds that queen. If so, that queen, three aces and either king will provide reasonable play for 7NT. West will hold four diamonds on the auction; the diamond jack or club AKx will provide the thirteenth trick; the only danger hand would be Axx AJxx Qxxx AK and even that has play for 7NT.

?

The grand slam was bid four times, thrice by an identical auction of 1D-1S; 2NT-4C; 4NT-7NT, the path taken by Rom, Pheileen and Keianne. Pharah had an extra exploratory bid: 1D-1S; 2NT-3C; 3H-4NT; 5C-7NT. Three pairs sadly stoppen in game, with lower contracts of 3NT W, 4S E, 4NT W, 6S E, 6S W twice and 6NT W thrice.

?

The three declarers who stopped in game kindly protected dummy's feelings by taking only twelve tricks; everyone else took the top thirteen.

?

4S E +2

3NT W +3; 4NT W +2

6S E +1; 6S W +1 (2)

6NT W +1 (3)

7NT W = (4)

?

8:

?

...............1075

...............Q952

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

...............942

J9642........................KQ3

10..............................A8743

AQ2...........................K1054

A873..........................J

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

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

...............J93

...............KQ1065

?

Although in a sane world I would hope that West would not open 1S unless perhaps playing a One Club system. In the good old days before the negative double became nearly universal (it was once Alertable), E-W could have punished bold Souths on the auction P-P-1H-2C; X with a four-trick set. It ought not to matter whether West opens or not or whether South overcalls; possible auctions are 1S-2H followed by 3S from East and eventually 4S whatever gruesome rebid West has to choose over 2H, P-P-1H-2C; 2S, raised by East and eventually settling in game, P-1H; 1S-2D; 2NT-3S; 4S or P-1H; 1S-2S; 2NT-3H; 4S. Contracts were 2D E, 2S W, 2NT W and 4S W ten times.

?

Declarer can take eleven tricks in spades. One club loser can be ruffed and another goes away on the fourth diamond, or declarer can conduct an elaborate cross-ruff. Phoebe was E-W top, taking twelve tricks on a pseudo-squeeze when South did not know whether North or West held the thirteenth club (had North held it, it would have been a good discard to give South the information). Heve were N-S top setting 4S, a very possible outcome if declarer is sufficiently careless - club to ace, club ruff, spade king, spade queen to ace will suffice. The other declarers in 4S were evenly divided between taking ten and eleven tricks.

?

4S W -1

2D E +2

2NT W +2

2S W +3

4S W = (4)

4S W +1 (4)

4S W +2

?

9:

?

...............AQ3

...............AKQJ

...............Q82

...............Q42

10754.....................K9

8.............................1096542

J1064.....................K97

A863......................J9

...............J862

...............73

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

...............K1075

?

We finally got everyone into the same contract, this time of 3NT N. North had a 2NT opening bid and South eventually reached 3NT after some form of Stayman.

?

This would be a fascinating hand if the eight and nine of diamonds were exchanged, as West would then be squeezed on the run of the hearts, except that so would South. E-W should have little trouble holding declarer to ten tricks, if not nine, as three spade tricks will not result from the most natural way of playing the suit. Results spread from seven tricks to eleven with a 1-3-3-4-2 spread. Paul and Larry tied for N-S top on +460, Paul after the spades were unguarded on trick nine. Limes were E-W top defending 3NT -2.

?

?

?

3NT N +2 (2)

3NT N +1 (4)

3NT N = (3)

3NT N -1 (3)

3NT N -2

?

10:

?

...............7532

...............1073

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

...............KQ76

A............................1084

J52.........................KQ86

AK964....................QJ72

AJ104.....................32

...............KQJ96

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

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

...............985

?

P-P-1D-P; 1H-1S. West presumably either makes a support double or bids 2C. N-S have the trumps to compete to 3S but not the vulnerability. If North competes to 3S and West doubles East might leave it in or return to 4D. If North passes a support double East can bid 2D. Contracts were 2D W twice, 3D W thrice, 3H E twice, 3S S twice, 4D W twice and 4H E twice, with no one-offs.

?

With 2-2 trumps, diamond contracts were quite straightforward. Five declarers in diamonds out of seven took the par eleven tricks, and that struck me as being on the low side. Glotin held declarer to ten tricks and Pally to nine, on declaring errors that were less than obvious. Spade contracts could have been severely punished, held to six tricks if E-W found their club ruff. Even without finding the ruff 3S -2 and +200 still scored 10/12. Abhi and Liz were the only declarers in game, playing 4H in the 4-3 fit. With trumps 3-3, declarer can come to eleven tricks after the lead of either major suit, but needs to be careful to ruff only one spade in dummy, in the end losing one spade and one heart. Both declarers at the table did take eleven tricks. A lead of either minor suit would have held declarer, a club by setting up the third trick for the defence, a diamond by eliminating a key entry to hand which would have enabled East to draw trumps.

?

3D W =

3D W +1

2D W +3 (2); 3D W +2; 4D W +1 (2)

3H E +1

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

4H E +1 (2)

?

11:

?

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

...............AJ10863

...............54

...............AK95

KQ9832..................A74

K7...........................Q952

QJ96.......................A72

4..............................Q76

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

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

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

...............J10832

?

P-1S-2H and then probably 3H to invite game. It would seem that both East and West will be conservative as both are likely to devalue the heart holding. Yet it did not come about. Contracts were 3S W four times, 3NT W and 4S W eight times.

?

3NT is held to eight tricks by a club lead; a heart lead gives declarer enough time to establish a ninth trick, although a little care is still required. Boric defended 3NT -2 when declarer naturally tried to make the contract by taking the diamond finesse late in the hand. More importantly 4S is defeated if N-S find the heart ruff. Janda defended 4S -2 while five pairs defended 4S -1. Only Geoff and James (S) were allowed to make 4S to tie for E-W top. Of the four declarers in 3S only Phyllis (B) took ten tricks; the others took nine.

?

3NT W -2; 4S W -2

4S W -1 (5)

3S W = (3)

3S W +1

4S W = (2)

?

12:

?

...............K763

...............Q96

...............K98

...............986

----...........................QJ92

K8432......................A107

J7652.......................AQ3

A102.........................Q53

...............A10854

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

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

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

?

1NT from East. South probably did not come in often, but when one South did come in with 2S it succeeded in pushing West out of the auction. Otherwise West had a tricky time of it deciding how to follow up after a transfer and 2H from East. Three Wests left it there; everyone who moved ended up in game - 3NT E thrice and 4H E six times.

?

Despite the not especially useful honours in spades, E-W make 4H easily. The straightforward method is to lose one trick each in hearts, diamonds and clubs, which is likely to play out that way after a club lead. After a different opening lead and then non-club switch after North gets in with the diamond king, declarer might draw two trumps and discard clubs on the diamonds, but that will still leave a club loser unless N-S allow a ruffing finesse in spades. George scored 9/12 in 2S S -2. +420 for 4H E = created a five-way tie for top between Liz, Milagros, Dianne, Eileen and Sarah. N-S top was a three-way tie when games were set two tricks, one better than par for Janda and Conndy against 3NT, two better than par for Boric against 4H. Jane was the only declarer to take eleven tricks in hearts, posting 2H +3 for a middle score.

?

3H E -2; 3NT E -2; 4H E -2

2S S -2

2H E +2

2NT E +2

2H E +3

3NT E =

4H E = (5)

?

13:

?

...............9852

...............Q108

...............1064

...............984

----......................AQJ10743

97532..................4

J93......................A87

AQ1063...............75

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

...............AKJ6

...............KQ53

...............KJ2

?

If West passed South's takeout double of 1S, poor North had to find an action. One North passed (don't try this at home). The hand has neither the points nor the stopper to bid 1NT, which leaves a nasty choice between 2C and 2H. The next difficulty came in for South after East rebid 2S. South would have liked to have cue-bid 2S but over 2S from East is closer to a heavy 3H than 4H - if North can be trusted to carry on to 4H with a hand good enough to respond to an opening one-bid. The difficulty here is that N-S may play 3H as more competitive there than invitational, although one could apply the Good-Bad 2NT and take a direct 3H as good; is that more usful than being able to rebid 2NT naturally? Four different doubled contracts were attempted a total of five times. Contracts were 1Sx E, 2S E, 3S E, 3Sx E, 3NT N, 4H N twice, 4H S, 4Hx N, 4S E twice and 4Sx E twice.

?

A black-suit lead picks the hand clean and yields seven tricks to E-W against hearts declared by North. When South declared East did not get to be on lead after the second ruff to lead a third spade and force South to ruff high. Declarer performed one trick better than par thrice in hearts; Keianne scored only 7.5/12 defending 4Hx -2. Sarah took the par ten tricks in 1Sx for E-W top despite not being doubled into game, although 4Sx = would have scored thirty points more. Matty and Owbot both defended 4Sx -1, Owbot when East ducked two diamonds instead of finessing in clubs, which could have resulted in eleven tricks. Limes did a trick better than par when declarer did not cash out for 3NT -4, allowing Limes to tie with Keianne. Tom was the only declarer to take eleven tricks in spades, after South avoided leading diamonds until it was too late.

?

4Sx E -1 (2)

2S E +1; 3S E =

4H S -2

4H N -3 (2)

4S E =

4S E +1

4Hx N -2; 3NT N -5

3Sx E =

1Sx E +3

?

14:

?

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

...............A983

...............Q3

...............KJ9732

KQ984....................J72

J2............................7654

10752......................A6

86............................A1054

...............A653

...............KQ10

...............KJ984

...............Q

?

It looks as if N-S will find their way to 3NT if North can bid an invitational 3C after 1D-1H; 1S. Alternatively South might open 1NT; the singleton queen makes it just permissible. If North cannot bid 3C invitational over 1S then the choice is between 1NT and 2NT. I did not expect E-W to find their way into the auction but it did happen at least once. Contracts were 1NT N twice, 2H N, 2NT S, 3C N, 3Sx W, 3NT S five times, 3NT N and 4H N, a slight majority of N-S pairs reaching game.

?

N-S can force ten tricks in hearts by running East out of spades if forces prevent anything more straightforward, but it would have been a surprise to see declarer taking more than nine tricks, the table result both times hearts were played. 3NT also makes by force, but after a spade lead requires some fancy dancing. It would be lovely if entries allowed a lead of a low diamond first from North, forcing East to duck, then clearing the hearts and endplaying East with the diamond ace. After winning the thrid spade comes a diamond to the queen. If East ducks, declarer clears the hearts and endplays East in diamonds, letting East choose whether to take the club ace and lead into North's clubs or underlead it and allow South's diamonds to score an overtrick. East takes the diamond queen with the ace. If East leads the ace of clubs declarer has nine tricks. If East leads a heart or diamond South wins, cashes the second diamond if east led a heart, then clears the hearts and leads a low club. If East takes the ace East will have to lead into North's clubs. East ducks to South's queen but West has to come down to one spade to keep the diamond ten guarded; South then endplays West with the fourth spade and wins the last two tricks in diamonds. Finally, if East leads a low club after winning the ace of diamonds, South cashes the diamond winners, clears the hearts and then gets one of the last two tricks with North on lead holding club KJ to East's A10. Can the line be found at the table? At least the first part is easy; declarer can duck exactly two spades, but is likely to try to run one suit or the other and get stuck. Four of the nine declarers in no-trumps took either nine or eleven tricks. Paul (P) was N-S top in 3NT +2 after East did not find the spade lead and presumably unguarded the clubs. Erik and Hank (V) both made 3NT S, and Betty played 1NT N +4. E-W top went to Milbot defending 3NT S -3.

?

3NT N +2

3NT S = (2)

1NT N +4

2H S +1

3C N +1

1NT N +1; 2NT S =

3Sx W -1

4H N -1

3NT S -2 (2)

3NT S -3

?

15:

?

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

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

...............9875

...............AKQ1064

10875..........................Q932

J96..............................7542

AQJ.............................632

532..............................97

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

...............Q108

...............K104

...............J8

?

6NT is a 50% proposition. After 1S-2C; 2NT North has a bucket full of tricks with eight probable winners. Two pairs reached 6NT S, Randi after the auction 1S-2C; 2NT-4NT; 6NT, South accepting the invitation with a hand close to a 1NT opening bid and with the Jx in partner's club suit presumably worth more than appeared to be the case at first. One North played 6C and another 7C. There were two accidental partials of 3C N (misunderstanding about whether 2C followed by 3C negated a game force?) and 3D N (presumably on South for passing) with a majority of pairs in game - 3NT S six times and 5C N once.

?

This hand is an excellent example of my having told people for years to make neutral leads against 6NT. At worst a club lead will give declarer a free finesse, and the same for a heart lead, though a spade into South is dangerous. Unfortunately against 6NT it appears both Wests led the diamond ace and then declarer had twelve tricks instead of ten or eleven, giving Randi and Glotin a tie for N-S top. Curiously a heart lead allows 6C to make, although declarer has to work out before playing trumps to finesse the club eight. Had South held AKJxx Q10x Kx J8x, declarer could have won the heart lead with the queen, played the top spades and ruffed the third, then played the club ace before guessing whether to finesse or to try to drop the nine on the second round. But with only two clubs the heart queen must be saved, so that declarer may at most ruff one spade after a club to the jack, just in case the queen comes down in three rounds, then draw trumps and lead to the diamond king after discarding two diamonds on the spades at some point. Dane were E-W top defending 7C -2, while Rom and Glynneth both scored 10.5/12 defending 6C -1 and 5C -1, Gareth probably leading a diamond and declarer unwisely rising with the king. Don and George took twelve tricks in 3NT S; the other four declarers took the more normal eleven. North's spade void turned out to be more of an inconvenience than an asset; it would have allowed declarer a number of options in the play, especially with South declaring.

?

6NT S = (2)

3NT S +3 (2)

3NT S +2 (4)

3C N +2

3D N +1

5C N -1; 6C N -1

7C N -2

?

16:

?

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

...............1074

...............10863

...............9843

A9532...................108

K9852...................AJ6

7............................Q9542

Q6.........................KJ10

...............QJ74

...............Q3

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

...............A752

?

West has a much easier time of it if East passes in third seat than if East opens 1D. Either way South bids 1NT. With East having passed, West either subsides or overcalls to show the majors, depending on attitudes about unfavourable vulnerability. This gives E-W a fine chance to stop in 2H. After P-P-1D-1NT; West has a much less clear-cut choice, as there is no course of action that shows both majors. Double is penalty-oriented; the hand is good enough for it but defending in a happier prospect as an unpassed hand or if the opponents were at least vulnerable. Either 2H or 2S would be non-forcing and would likely end the auction. In the end contracts stayed low: 1NT S five times, 2C N (a double had to feature somewhere in that auction, though I would not want to have to guess where), 2H W five times and 2S W twice. Interesting that there was no contract of 2H E, meaning that none of the E-W pairs among whom East passed in third seat were using either 2C or 2D to show the majors.

?

South has a chance to make 1NT if E-W do not manage to preserve the jack of hearts while dropping the queen. If West starts hearts while still holding the spade ace, East wins the ace and then gains by returning the six-spot instead of the jack (which establishes North's ten spot). If the hand starts with three rounds of hearts, -1 will result if both sides are a little careful - a spade to the ace allows a make while a club switch won by South allows -2. Curiously, the par result of -1 never occurred. Don took eight tricks (for N-S top), Linda and Marie took seven, Dane held declarer to five and Melen were E-W top holding declarer to four tricks - quite an achievement when West's spades won't establish due to East's having two high spots. Declarer cleared the diamonds early and then took the club ace on the first round of the suit. Clubs should yield eight tricks to declarer, although the one club contract was 2C -2, probably because declarer didn't start trumps soon enough. South's 1NT bid helps West as declarer in 2M find the drop of the heart queen. Par in spades is eight tricks, in hearts nine. Indeed, N-S need to force East to ruff a spade fairly early to avoid declarer's 2H +2 thanks to the kind diamonds. Ken made 2S, although it was -1 against Conndy. 2H +1 was the most common result, posted by James (S), Paul (J) and Reynolds. Phyllis (H) made the contract; Jerik posted 2H -1 to tie Conndy scoring 10.5/12.

?

1NT S +1

2H W -1; 2S W -1

1NT S = (2)

1NT S -2; 2C N -2

2H W =; 2S W =

2H W +1 (3)

1NT S -3

?

17:

?

...............A43

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

...............K105

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

K9762....................J1085

954........................A2

A76........................J42

54..........................9832

...............Q

...............Q873

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

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

?

The contract was almost 4H across the board after a 1NT opening bid and Stayman. Everyone played in hearts by North but one pair stopped in 3H while the rest went to the expected 4H.

?

Declarer can take eleven tricks in hearts by force, but there is a trap if the opening lead is a spade. If declarer takes two spade ruffs right away and then starts trumps, East can win the second round and force North with the fourth spade, letting West either cash or force again with the fifth spade when in with the ace of diamonds. At least one of the aces must be knocked out reasonably early, declarer planning if the defence manages to draw South's trumps before two spade ruffs can be taken to guess the double finesse in diamonds correctly. In the end ten declarers (Peach, James [C], Sandi, Paul [P], Jim [U], Betty, Bob, Steve, Connie and Owen) managed 4H +1 to score 7.5/12. Phoebot were E-W top defending 3H +1. Paubhi and Keianne scored 10.5/12 defending 4H =. North took a spade ruff?at trick against Paubhi when a heart would have done and eventually paid the price.

?

4H N +1 (10)

4H N = (2)

3H N +1

?

18:

?

...............J87632

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

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

...............6542

K4..........................95

764.........................AKJ985

J106.......................AK

109873...................AKJ

...............AQ10

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

...............987543

...............Q

?

We ended almost exactly as we began, East's hand bearing (23 HCP with six strong hearts and two side AKs, differing only in East's holding AKJ985 in hearts instead of AKQ643) a remarkable similarity to South's hand on Board 1. Even West's hand was remarkably similar, with the fourth king only in this case holding one extra jack. As everyone was all warmed up by the end of the session, everyone reached game (recall the five partials played on Board 1). Contracts were 4H E eight times, 4H W, 4Hx E, 4NT W and 5H E twice, again two pairs going beyond game and one responder choosing 2H as the response to 2C.

?

Everyone ought to have taken eleven tricks in hearts. I was pleased to see that nobody fell for the trick of taking the club finesse on the first round. Ten of the twelve declarers in hearts took eleven tricks; Louise took twelve after South won the heart queen and missed the chance then to cash the spade ace. Milagros, who scored 10/12 in 4NT +1, was fortunate to receive the opening lead of the diamond queen when a spade could have resulted in -2.

?

4H E +1 (7); 4H W +1; 5H E = (2)

4NT W +1

4H E +2

4Hx E +2