Monday, July 28th 2014

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Board 7 South Deals Both Vul	♠ A J 3 ♥ A 9 7 5 4 ♦ — ♣ Q 10 8 5 4
♠ 7 6 ♥ K Q J 6 ♦ Q 8 5 3 ♣ A 3 2	N W E S	♠ 10 ♥ 10 8 3 ♦ A K J 9 7 4 2 ♣ J 9
	♠ K Q 9 8 5 4 2 ♥ 2 ♦ 10 6 ♣ K 7 6

South opens 3S. At a team game you might consider a more cautious 2S, but 3S looks right at matchpoints. West would probably double 2S for takeout but a bare 12 hcp and 2443 shape is very light for a double at the three level. North has a lot of trick potential but taking partner for six tricks at equal vulnerability even game is far from certain. North raises to 4S. Should East try 5D? That's basically an overbid of five tricks, and if North took some time before raising to 4S you may find yourself doubled, down three or push N/S into a makeable slam.

West leads the King of hearts; declarer wins the Ace, cashes the Ace of trumps, crossruffs hearts and diamonds ending in hand, pulls the last trump and plays on clubs for either +650 or +680. Three E/W pairs played 5D, down one, and three N/S pairs reached 5S, doubled and making. The last seems likely if West doubles South's preempt (for takeout) initially.

Board 16 West Deals E-W Vul	♠ 10 5 2 ♥ 5 4 3 2 ♦ A 9 6 ♣ J 8 5
♠ A 9 7 4 ♥ J 10 ♦ K 3 2 ♣ A Q 6 2	N W E S	♠ K Q J 3 ♥ K Q 9 7 6 ♦ Q 10 8 4 ♣ —
	♠ 8 6 ♥ A 8 ♦ J 7 5 ♣ K 10 9 7 4 3

West opens 1C, East responds 1H, West rebids 1S. A jump to 4S is fine but there could be a slam if opener has enough strength outside the club suit. My partner concocted the equivalent of a splinter raise: 2D (Alert! Fourth suit artificial); 3NT-4S. We play jump rebids by responder forcing so East could simply have rebid 3S; his actual sequence logically shows short clubs (he was obviously always intending to support spades.) If I'd had, for example, the Ace of diamonds rather than the Ace of clubs slam chances would be very good. With my actual hand I passed 4S, of course.

Four pairs failed to reach 4S, two at 3NT (one scoring a top with an unlikely +660), one at 4H, one at 5S (down one.) I really can't see any reason for the bidding to proceed other than 1C-1H; 1S-4S or the equivalent; 4-4 major suit fits are usually the right strain, and there is no reason for West to assume no fit exists after 1C-1H.

Board 20 West Deals Both Vul	♠ Q J 10 6 ♥ 5 ♦ Q 9 6 2 ♣ J 10 5 2
♠ A 4 3 ♥ K Q J ♦ A J 4 ♣ A Q 6 4	N W E S	♠ K 9 2 ♥ A 10 7 6 3 ♦ 7 5 ♣ K 8 7
	♠ 8 7 5 ♥ 9 8 4 2 ♦ K 10 8 3 ♣ 9 3

West opens 2NT (20-21); East is too light for a slam in notrump or a 5-3 fit. A 5-4 fit might be a different story, however, and if not, 3NT may be better than 4H on two balanced hands with 30 or 31 hcp. So, 3C, Stayman, may be a better choice than transferring to hearts, especially if the partnership has an agreed method of showing slam interest after Stayman. So, 2NT-3C; 3D-3NT would be a reasonable auction. More common would be 2NT-3D; 3H-3NT; pass or 4H -- I chose 4H since responder does not promise a balanced hand for this sequence.

Twelve tricks are available double-dummy, but this looks complicated. In practice North may pitch a club while declarer is pulling trumps or running the hearts at notrump.

Five pairs reached slam, three making; three stopped at 3NT, with  two scoring well for +690 and +720.