1: Rainbow partials:
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...............J5
...............A874
...............A4
...............Q9743
A10864.................73
96..........................KJ1052
963........................QJ75
K82.......................A6
...............KQ92
...............Q3
...............K1082
...............J105
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North, East and South might all have passed but someone opened at every table. East played thrice in 2H and twice in 2D after opening, depending on whether West gave preference. One East played 2NT, one of the harder auctions to visualize. North played 1NT and 2NT, the latter making sense if North opened and the former if South opened 1S. One West opted to rebid 2S and played the hand there. The most common denomination was clubs, North declaring 2C once and 3C four times.
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Clubs provided eight or nine tricks, nine with a little care. Diamonds looked like six tricks for declarer, although one East managed a seventh. Hearts ranged from six tricks to eight, although 2H should always have been defeated. It looked as if 2S could escape for -1 but Limes managed to post -3, tying for second. N-S were comfortably situated in no-trumps, taking eight or nine tricks declaring and nine defending, giving Kelice the N-S top on +200.
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2NT E -4 vs Kelice
2S W -3 vs Limes; 2NT N +1 by Eileen
1NT N +1 by Deb
3C N = by Sarah, Cindy and Linda
2D E -2 by Jerry; 2H E -2 by Harpo
2C N = vs Paun
2D E -1 by Callie; 2H E -1 by George and Bob
3C N -1 vs Lark
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2: Nothing at the three-level:
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...............K63
...............AJ962
...............A9
...............J103
A97.........................1052
Q4...........................108753
J75..........................K32
AK964.....................52
...............QJ84
...............K
...............Q10864
...............Q87
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Nobody upgraded the West hand to a 1NT opening bid, which was just as well, as West avoided declaring 2H. N-S finished in 1NT half the time, six times by South after P-P-1C-1H; P-1NT. One South passed 1H, West doubled and East eventually declared 1S. West played 2C once, along with contracts of 2H N twice, 2S S twice and 2NT N.
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Mark as East managed the impressive result of declaring 1S =, which suggests at the very least North's leading the ace of hearts at some point and crashing South's singleton king. West took a very normal six tricks in 2C -2. After a club lead, South (or North) gets a little lucky to take eight tricks in 1NT. 1NT S +3 indicates that West was far too afraid of giving away a club trick. The heart and spade partials by N-S had mixed results.
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1NT S +3 by Phyllis (H)
1NT S +1 by Phyllis (B), Geoff and Hank; 2NT N = by Gisela
2H N = by Alice; 2S S = by Geof
2C W -2 by Mary Alice
1NT N = by Deb; 1NT S =?vs Melen and Shane
1S E = by Mark
2H N -1 vs Glotin; 2S S -1 vs Garpo
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3: Only one contract at the three-level:
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...............10
...............J9865
...............QJ
...............A10642
J765.........................AQ32
A74..........................K2
K1062......................743
J3.............................K975
...............K984
...............Q103
...............A985
...............Q8
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There was no chance of a passout this time, with East holding four spades and 12 HCP in fourth seat. South was able to come in with a takeout double of East's 1C opening bid as a passed hand; this let North compete to 3H, although that only happened once. Contracts were 1S W twice, 1NT N, 1NT W, 2C N, 2H N twice, 2S W six times and 3H N.
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1NT W fared better than expected, taking seven tricks, despite declarer's not having a lot of constructive things to do against a heart lead. 1NT N fared slightly worse, finishing -2. 2C should have been defeated but Joel finished with nine tricks (among other things, East likely won the first club with the king when North led low). Hearts took eight tricks twice and seven once, giving Sarah +110 and a tie with Joel. The eight spade contracts had a nearly even spread with two declarers taking seven tricks, three eight and three nine. Eight seems about the expected result. The dividing line between which side did well came between +90 and +100 for E-W.
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2C N +1 by Joel; 2H N = by Sarah
2S W -1 vs Limes and Kelice
2H N -1 by Ruth; 3H N -1 by Eileen
1NT W =?vs Geoale
1NT N -2 vs Lernot
2S W = by Don, Mary Alice and Phoebe
1S W +2 by Larry (Sh) and Judy; 2S W +1 by Lee
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4: Again, no three-level bids:
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...............K9
...............KJ632
...............AKJ4
...............103
QJ32.......................A75
A75..........................Q1098
Q86.........................73
J92..........................AK65
...............10864
...............4
...............10952
...............Q874
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North opened 1H, which ended the auction six times. Five more times after a balance from West, North came in again with 2D and played the hand there. The other three contracts were 1NT E and 2S W twice.
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The object in 1H for both sides was to have to lead from the East or North hands as few times as possible. West could at least lead majors and South diamonds. E-W could set 1H by force, with Jike posting -2 while Eileen and Deb were allowed a make. 2D could have made by force thanks to the ability to ruff hearts in dummy and the trouble E-W had getting any kind of force going. Lernot posted -2 but the contract made thrice. West declaring 2S also varied between -2 and =, although, similarly to 1H, the set could have been forced. 1NT E made quietly for a middling score.
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2S W =2 vs Glynneth
2D N = by Joel, Gisela and Alice
1H N = by Eileen and Deb
1NT E = vs Conndy
1H N -1 vs Garpo, Melen and Lark; 2D N -1 vs Boric
2S W = by Don
1H N -2 vs Jike; 2D N -2 vs Lernot
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5: Game attempted but not made:
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...............1062
...............AJ9
...............Q972
...............Q53
----.................QJ9853
732.................Q64
AK106543......----
J109...............AK86
...............AK74
...............K1085
...............J8
...............742
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We finally had some games bid, although unfortunately this was not the hand for them. Either East or West had to find a pass with a void in partner's suit to avoid getting caught higher than the reasonably safe 2S and 3D. Half the contracts were reasonably low: 2S E twice and 3D W five times. Higher contracts were 3S E twice, 3NT E twice, 3NT W twice and 4S E.
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Heart leads should bring N-S at least six tricks against spades and five against diamonds. Three successful declarers (Bob in 2S +1; John and Lee in 3D =) may have been a bit on the high side. -1 was good for above average E-W. The games were almost all at least -2, with Ribot N-S top defending 3NT W -4 and Lara defending 3NT E -3. Only Callie escaped for as good a result as 3NT E -1.
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3NT W -4 vs Ribot
3NT E -3 vs Lara
3S E -2 vs Jeb; 3NT W -2 vs Ruise; 4S E -2 vs Geoel
2S E -1 by Jerry, 3D W -1 by Don, Larry (Sh) and Eric; 3S E -1 by Meredith; 3NT E -1 by Callie
3D W = by John?and Lee
2S E +1 by Bob
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6: All South, all spades:
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...............KJ7
...............K9
...............K632
...............10952
964......................A5
A105432..............Q86
975.......................AJ104
J...........................Q764
...............Q10832
...............J7
...............Q8
...............AK83
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Unless South took a dislike to doubleton minor honours and passed, it seemed that N-S were sure to reach 3S. But nine pairs played in 2S only, the vulnerability scaring E-W out of a balance and North not pushing on to the three-level. 3S S was played four times and 4S S once.
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The singleton club lead forces two ruffs and gives E-W five tricks on defence. Only six tables found that defence, a low enough number to make -110 a good score. Garpo and Marudy found that line to tie Shane's 4S -1 for E-W top. +140 was scored five times, one ruff being as common as two. Rita and Ken were allowed +170 and the joint N-S top.
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2S S +2 by Rita and Ken
2S S +1 by Lynn, Hank and Elaine; 3S S = by Dale and Hara
2S S = vs Lernot, Paun, Jike and Lark
3S S -1 vs Garpo and Marudy; 4S S -1 vs Shane
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7: 1100 Club entry:
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...............K102
...............Q642
...............----
...............J86432
J65.........................Q4
83...........................A1097
AJ32.......................Q875
AKQ10....................975
...............A9873
...............KJ5
...............K10964
...............----
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The object here was for E-W to avoid getting into trouble. West can pass a 1S opening bid, but 1S-P-2S-P; P invites a 2NT balance. East is happy enough to be in 3D on seeing dummy (IF North leaves it in) until the 5-0 trump split reveals itself. Alas at most tables North or South could not leave well enough alone over 3m and competed to 3S. Contracts were 2S S twice, 2Sxx S, 3C W, 3D E, 3S S seven times, 3Sx S and 4Cx W.
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The minor contracts all had to be at least -2 or -3 for a fine score; declarers struggled and did even worse: 3C -4, 3D -5 and 4Cx -4 against Geoel. N-S could force at least eight tricks in spades against a club lead, nine if East did not ruff the fourth club high. +140 was the best declaring score, posted five times.
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4Cx W -4 vs Geoel
3D E -5 vs Limes
3C W -4 vs Ribot
2S S +1 by Phyllis (B) and Hank; 3S S = by Connie, Lynn and Phyllis (H)
3S S -1 vs Paun, Lark, Marudy and Shane
3Sx S -1 vs Boric
2Sxx S -1 vs Jike
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8: Finally game bid and made:
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...............AQ72
...............94
...............Q65
...............AJ102
K943......................J86
AK..........................QJ75
AKJ87....................103
74...........................KQ96
...............105
...............108632
...............942
...............853
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Whether North enters the bidding with an offshape takeout double or not E-W ought to be able to find their way to 3NT on such an auction as 1D-1H; 1S-1NT; 2NT-3NT. 3NT was reached ten times with a 7-3 margin of East's declaring. Partials were 2NT E, 2NT W, 1S W and 2S W.
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Declarer should have at least nine tricks in 3NT with the club ace favourably placed. Geoel were allowed a set but how remains unclear; it might have come about if West had unblocked the hearts early before starting the diamonds if North had found the sangfroid to duck the first round of diamonds. Half the declarers in 3NT took overtricks, with John E-W top for taking eleven.
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3NT E -1 vs Geoel
2NT E = vs Limes
1S W +2 vs Giselaine; 2S W +1 vs Jeb
2NT W +2 vs Pharah
3NT E = by Gernot, Harpo and Judy; 3NT W = by Helen
3NT E +1 by Paul and Sharon; 3NT W +1 by Mike and Larry (Sh)
3NT E +2 by Callie
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9: All East, almost all hearts, mostly game:
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...............K9874
...............97
...............95
...............A954
----....................AJ1063
AJ84.................Q1065
A108742...........K3
1086..................K2
...............Q53
...............K32
...............QJ6
...............QJ73
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This hand might suit those who open weak two-bids on five-card suits. If North opens 2S and South raises, west does not have the values for direct competition and East can hardly do anything. 3S is not pleasant to play, but, non-vulnerable against vulnerable opponents who have a game, one can go down as many tricks as one likes. Left uncontested, the E-W auction may be 1S-1NT; 2H-3H; 4H, East liking the prospect of declaring with a minor lead. In the end eight Easts played 4H, one played 3NT, three 3H and two 2H.
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If South leads the queen of diamonds, twelve tricks roll in with ease when both red suits behave perfectly. Four pairs in 4H posted +680; two more made one overtrick. With every contract making, 3NT = against Pharah and all the partials allowed N-S a good score.
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3H E +1 vs Ribot
3H E +2 vs Geoale
2H E +4 vs Jeb; 3H E +3 vs Ruise
2H E +5 vs Glynneth
3NT E = vs Pharah
4H E = by Sharon and Meredith
4H E +1 by Mark and Jerry
4H E +2 by Paul, Callie, George and Bob
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10: Almost all West, almost all one-level:
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...............KQ
...............10876
...............K65
...............KQ54
AJ8.......................10973
AQJ4.....................93
AQ4.......................10732
983........................1072
...............6542
...............K52
...............J98
...............AJ6
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?The plurality contract was 1NT W, played six times, although not always after an opening bid. If South balanced with a double, West?usually rebid 1NT. Five Souths did not balance, leaving four Wests in 1C and one in 1D. One West did not compete again after South balanced, letting North play 1H. Marudy had to play 2NT systemically because they open the West hand 2D. One East decided to tempt fate with Garbage Stayman over a 1NT opening bid and got caught, having to leave West in the 2H reply.
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At least two of East's intermediates pulled full weight and then some. After a heart lead 1NT is cold, as ace and another spade give declarer three spade tricks to go with three hearts; an overtrick can even be forced if the defence is not sharp. Eric was E-W top on +120. A club lead can hold declarer to six tricks, especially as West is likely to play on hearts if play goes club king, club to ace, club jack ducked, diamond to queen and king, diamond to nine and ace (ducking the first diamond works better but one can hardly blame declarer for taking any finesse on offer). Pharah collected 2H -3 while Ribot managed 1NT -3 when declarer played on hearts and left the spades too late. 2NT -2 for Jeb joined 1C -2 for Heve and Phyleen for?third best. It was a good hand for non-balancers, the other 1C contracts and 1D both finishing -1. Like 1NT, 1D makes after a heart lead; declarer discards clubs on the third and fourth rounds of the hearts and goes for club ruffs, then sits back and lets N-S break the trumps. Ruth made a key overtrick in 1H N to be above average rather than below.
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1NT W -3 vs Ribot; 2H W -3 vs Pharah
1C W -2 vs Heve and Phyleen; 2NT W -2 vs Jeb
1H N +1 by Ruth
1C W -1 by Jane and Larry (Sh); 1D W -1 by Harpo
1NT W = by Don, Mike, Lee and NJ
1NT W +1 by Eric
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11: All West, all hearts, almost all game:
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...............J103
...............862
...............10973
...............Q97
A4..............................KQ52
AQ975........................K103
Q862..........................AJ54
53...............................J6
...............9876
...............J4
...............K
...............AK10842
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Left to themselves, West would open 1H and E-W should have no trouble reaching game. If South opens 1C, West's overcall reduces the East action from a game force to an invitation and West may well decline it, although a hand that would have opened ought to accept. 2H W was played thrice (likely 1C-1H-P-2C; P-2H; East might have given another poke or West might have said something more encouraging than 2H) and 4H W eleven times.
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This is NOT a good hand for players who lead the top card in partner's suit - if North leads the club queen, declarer can be certain of the diamond king's sitting with South, as otherwise South would hold only 9 HCP. Even if the queen is still hidden after the first two leads, declarer might decide to play South for the king anyway after finding North with the jack of spades - xxxx Jx x AKQxxx would be likely for a 1C opening, but West would remember that South won the king first (a good tactic when holding AKQxxx if one wants to conceal one's honour holdings, but not one everybody always finds). I do so wish someone had led a diamond, as I would have been delighted to report a brilliant set via diamond to king, high club with an encouraging signal, club to queen, diamond ruff, but it was not to be. I'd have settled for a lead of the diamond ten, declarer noting that N-S showed 0/2 higher when leading a ten or a nine, and dropping the king that way - unluckily west holds the diamond eight-spot, so that declarer does not make two overtricks. Gail and Mary Alice did come to eleven tricks in 4H to tie for top. Everyone else made the game. Ribot did not mind scoring -200, given what they had gained from the underbid.
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2H W +2 vs Pharah and Limes
2H W +3 vs Ribot
4H W = by Eric, Larry (St), Jatin, Don, Mike, Helen, Lee, NJ and Martin
4H W +1 by Gail and Mary Alice
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12: Card-reading exercise:
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...............K743
...............108753
...............AK6
...............7
Q65.........................9
96............................A2
97532......................Q108
Q106.......................J985432
...............AJ1082
...............KQJ4
...............J4
...............AK
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On this hand we should have seen the downside of weak competitive bidding when the weaker side ends up declaring. Only one N-S pair reached the close slam. Most auctions were competitive, as East frequently opened 3C in third position, given the kind vulnerability. South was not to be kept out of the auction and all N-S pairs got at least to game. The one slam came when North opened: P-1H-3C-4C; P-4H-P-6H. Other contracts were 4H N thrice, 4S S thrice, 5Cx E twice, 5H N thrice and 5S S twice. On one of the uncontested auctions North responded with a splinter raise of 4C; South could have forged ahead despite the AK doubleton but stopped, missing the trump queen and a key card.
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It was a real shame the hearts split 2-2. Heart games or slams score higher than spades because of the real chance of a heart ruff. The hand came down to whether declarer finessed in spades or played for the drop. Here again the declarers in hearts had an advantage, as they could delay the spade decision, while those playing in spades could not. Those who had had interference had good odds favouring the finesse. In heart games four of six declarers either took the spade finesse or got a spade lead (another advantage of being in hearts!). In spade games only Phyllis (H), one of our guests, found the trump finesse. Against 5C, all N-S have to do to take six tricks is establish and cash a heart before diamonds can provide discards, but Harpo's opponents kindly allowed him a discard for -3 and a good many matchpoints.
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Declarer in 6H provided exemplary play for ten tricks, saving the spade guess for the end. Holding the ace of hearts, Bob had sense enough NOT to lead his singleton spade, as, if Eric had an entry to give him a ruff, 6H was already going down. Declarer eliminated the side suits and even ran all the trumps, leaving:
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..........K74
..........----
..........----
..........----
Q65..............9
----...............----
----...............----
----...............J9
..........AJ10
..........----
..........----
..........----
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Unfortunately then declarer had a fuzzy moment and led the spade king from hand, forgetting East's weak jump overcall, which would not have been on a suit of 85432. I would have had some sympathy with a spade to the ace and then playing for the drop, as there are players who do overcall 1H with 3C on Qx Ax Q10x Jxxxxx opposite a passed partner - although I expect Bill would not do so because that hand would have too much defence.
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5Cx E -4 vs Giselaine
4H N +2 by Ruth and James; 4S S +2 by Phyllis (H); 5H N +1 by Cindy and Alice
4H N +1 vs Paun; 4S S +1 vs Vioebe and Jernj; 5H N = vs Marudy; 5S S = vs Shane and Jike
5Cx E -3 by Harpo
6H N -1 vs Boric
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13: All 3NT by E-W:
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...............QJ63
...............1086
...............QJ3
...............J92
74........................AK1095
743......................QJ9
K1097..................A64
K1063..................AQ
...............82
...............AK52
...............852
...............8754
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By a 10-4 margin East opened 2NT instead of 1S. Everyone finished in 3NT, perhaps after Puppet/Muppet Stayman, perhaps 2NT-3NT or perhaps 1S-1NT; 3NT.
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A heart lead gives declarer a sense of urgency, If West declares North may opt for the three-card major or the unlucky diamond queen; South may start with a heart or a slightly less unlucky club. Nine tricks seem likely after a heart lead; declarer may either try to pick up the clubs and do so or lead a diamond to the king pinning hopes on four spade tricks. Leading the ace and king first can result in -1, which happened against Geoel, Heve and Giselaine. An overtrick might occur after a club lead if declarer clears the ace and queen, crosses in diamonds, takes the king and ten of clubs and then leads a spade, although even then, as East will discard a spade on the fourth club, N-S should still be able to hold. The diamond queen lead can result in an overtrick as well, although that still carries difficulties with entries to compensate for giving up a trick. In the end only three declarers took more than nine tricks, making +600 the middle score. Jatin took eleven tricks for the E-W top; Don and Meredith took ten.
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3NT E -1 vs Ruise and Giselaine; 3NT W -1 vs Geoel and Heve
3NT E = by Bob, Sharon, Gernot, John, George, Mark and Jerry
3NT E +1 by Melanie; 3NT W +1 by Don
3NT W +2 by Jatin
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14: Almost all spades by South:
?
...............K3
...............QJ65
...............965
...............KJ98
AJ10..........................72
1032..........................974
K732.........................QJ4
Q63...........................A7542
...............Q98654
...............AK8
...............A108
...............10
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It looks as if 1S-1NT; 2S from N-S will be the auction. A few Norths went on, however, on marginal values. 2S was left in seven times. One East balanced and played 3Cx; 3S was played twice and 4S four times.
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It can be very dicey competing over these 2M semi-fit at best auctions. There is no guarantee that N-S have eight spades and even if they do, as is the case here, E-W are just outgunned. There is also duplication in the spade suit, as West's AJ10 should provide a second trick, but, if N-S cash their hearts, there will be nothing useful to do with the second spade winner. Here 3Cx had to be at best -2 and finished -4 on the actual layout. Spade contracts depend on how quickly E-W get diamonds going. A diamond lead holds declarer to eight tricks, the result for Shane, Vioebe, Garpo and Lark. A club or heart lead allows nine if East finds the diamond shift right away. Two kind leads allow ten tricks, with +170 posted by Phyllis (H), Elaine and Hara.
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3Cx E -4 vs Conndy
2S S +2 by Phyllis (H) and Hara; 3S S +1 by Elaine
2S S +1 by Geoff, Lynn, Linda (R) and Ken
2S S = vs Shane
3S S -1 vs Lark; 4S S -1 vs Marudy and Boric
4S S -2 vs Vioebe and Garpo
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15: Nine doubled contracts:
?
...............A4
...............AQJ8652
...............A965
...............----
QJ1086....................5
K1043......................----
843..........................QJ1072
10.............................AKQJ752
...............K9732
...............97
...............K
...............98643
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Finally the cards woke up. North opened 1H and East chose from several alternatives - 2C for some, 2NT for some, 5C for others. One East managed to take the bid in 4C, but everyone else went to game and most contracts were doubled: 4H N, 5C E twice, 5Cx E seven times, 5Dx W, 5H N and 6Dx W, the last after the auction P-P-1H-2NT; P-3D-P-6D; P-P-X, rather exuberant of East.
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Cindy was the only successful declarer, playing 4H N +1. Hearts should take eleven tricks; East cannot lead a trump, allowing North to ruff to diamonds in dummy, not caring whether West overruffs or not. Declarer should take eleven tricks either way. Jike were fortunate to pick up a third trick for E-W top. Club contracts depended largely on whether North rose with the ace on a diamond lead from dummy - doing so let declarer take ten tricks. Ducking seemed to bring -4 into play, as dummy could be squeezed, but nobody pulled it off except against 4C undoubled. West got out for an impressive -2 in 5Dx; 6Dx finished -4 against Geoale for N-S top.
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6Dx W -4 vs Geoale
4H N +1 by Cindy
5Cx E -3 vs Geoel, Pharah, Glynneth and Kelice
5Cx E -2 vs Ribot; 5Dx W -2 vs Jeb
4C E -3 by Callie
5Cx E -1 by Sharon, Harpo and Mark
5C E -1 by Paul
5H N -1 vs Jike
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16: Rebid situation:
?
...............KJ1094
...............KJ96
...............85
...............KJ
AQ763.....................----
A872.......................Q53
A63.........................KJ102
A.............................Q95432
...............852
...............104
...............Q974
...............10876
?
West's 1S opening bid shut North down hard. East responded 1NT and then it was a question of what rebid West would choose. Two Wests rebid 2H and were left there. One outlier auction was 1S-2C; 2NT. 3H was a popular choice of rebid; these ended in 3NT E five times and 4H W four times. One East passed 1S and one West overheated at the sight of four aces and drove to 6NT.
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The non-slam no-trumps contracts took eight and nine tricks equally often; a spade lead appears to hold declarer to eight tricks and may even hold declarer to seven. Conndy were N-S top defending 6NT E -5. NJ was the one declarer in hearts to take ten tricks in 4H after dummy ended up establishing. Diamond to ten ducked, club to ace, diamond to jack and queen, diamond ruffed, club ruffed, heart to queen, club ruffed and overruffed, heart to ace and dummy was high with the last trump and all good clubs.?Had North not overruffed the club,?there would not have been the entries to run the clubs at the end. Declarer can frce North to lead a spade but seems still to come up with only nine tricks.
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6NT E -5 vs Conndy
3NT E -2 vs Kelice. 4H W -2 vs Ribot; 4Hx E -1 vs Lara
3NT E -1 vs Geoale and Limes; 4H W -1 vs Pharah
1S W +1 by Jatin; 2H W = by Gail
2NT W = by Jane
2H W +1 by Larry (Sh)
3NT E = by Paul and John
4H W = by NJ
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17: Mostly heart partials:
?
...............AKQ10
...............J108
...............9872
...............65
96.............................J8752
K32...........................Q9
Q654.........................K10
KQJ4........................8732
...............43
...............A7654
...............AJ3
...............A109
?
South opens 1H in third seat and North responds either 1NT or employs Drury. One North was left in 1NT, one East came in with 2S and was left there, there was one 2NT S and the heart contracts ranged from 2H to 4H on a 5/3/3 division between the two-, three- and four-levels. South has a tricky time with a little more than minimum but not really wanting to accept a game invitation on three-card support.
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4H has a decent chance of making after the lead of the club king. Ducking and getting a club continuation lets 4H come home - club king, club to ace, club ruff, heart jack/queen/ace, heart to king, diamond to king and ace, heart seven to draw the last trump, discard a diamond on the spades and lose a club, diamond and heart. E-W might manage a set with two spade leads from West and/or a ruff in either spades or diamonds. Geoff was the only declarer in hearts to take ten tricks, but +140 was widespread enough to make 2NT = below average. Cindy played 1NT N +3 after a spade lead for the second-best score.
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4H S = by Geoff
1NT N +3 by Cindy
2S E -3 vs Pharah
2H S +1 by Rita, Louise, Elaine, Linda (R) and Jean; 3H S = by Hank, Ken and Hara
2NT S = vs Lark
4H S -1 vs Lernot and Paun
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18: Choice of games:
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...............1062
...............10874
...............KQ954
...............J
QJ..........................K84
AQ652....................J
J72.........................A83
Q82........................AK10965
...............A9753
...............K93
...............106
...............743
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Even if East rebids 2C instead of 3CWest will bid again. One West underbid 2H and was left there, correctly. 3C E and 4C E were both played; the other eleven tables all played games: 3NT E five times, 3NT W thrice, 4H W and 5C E twice.
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4H has an outside chance of making if North goes for ruffing clubs rather than diamond tricks. After a diamond lead N-S may well have at least five tricks; Ruise defeated the lowly 2H, although 4H escaped for -1 as well. A diamond lead was the popular choice against clubs, with the heart finesse making the difference between ten tricks and eleven, each being the result twice. 3NT looks likely to finish with eleven tricks, which will occur if North or South ever lead a heart or if declarer is able to try the suit (perhaps South may even cover the jack led from East). Eleven tricks were taken by Lee, Judy, Gernot, John and Callie.
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2H W -1 vs Ruise; 4H W -1 vs Phyleen; 5C E -1 vs Giselaine
4C E = vs Geoale
3C E +2 vs Pharah
3NT W = vs Conndy; 5C E = vs Jeb
3NT E +1 by George; 3NT W +1 by Jatin
3NT E +2 by Judy, Gernot, John and Callie; 3NT W +2 by Lee
