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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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
