Sunday, April 21st 2013

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

After two passes, East might open light in third seat, but I wouldn't with such a modest suit. South opens 1H and North should invite game. Although some would simply blast 4H based on the presumed 10 card fit, the value of North's hand depends heavily on South's shape, and whether the Queen of clubs is useful. North makes a limit raise (or a Reverse Fit Drury 2C.) Over a 3H jump South can bid 4C as a control-bid slam try; North loves his hand and should drive to slam using either Blackwood or RKCB. Note that, with ten trumps, North can bid as if he had the Queen of trumps, so when RKCB reveals only one missing key card North should bid slam.

West has no attractive lead; I'd try the ten of clubs unless partner managed to bid spades at some point. Even on a spade lead, South wins in dummy, calls for the Jack of hearts, covers the Queen with his Ace, cashes the top diamonds (pitching a club) and ruffs out West's Jack. Next comes a spade ruff back to hand and the fifth diamond. Whether or not West ruffs, South pitches a second club.

If East opens 1S, South has the wrong strength for a Michaels cue-bid. A common agreement is to use Michaels with either 6-10 or 16+ hcp, not 11-15. South overcalls 2H and West raises partner's spades. North would compete to 3S on about 8-10 points; it is better to stretch to raise partner in competition than to be shut out. North should either bid 4H directly, or, as a passed hand with good defensive values, cue-bid 3S. I think South can reasonably drive to slam over that bid.

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

East has a poor 13; one less hcp and I'd pass but 1H should be automatic here. West may as well bid 2D (or a strong 3D jump shift); if partner can raise there may be a grand slam. East rebids either 2H (not promising any extra length) or 2NT; 3C would be an overbid and risks playing notrump from the wrong side.

If 2D is played as 100% game-forcing, West can rebid 3D. A plausible 2/1 Game Force auction might be: 1H-2D; 2NT-3D; 4D-4NT (RKCB); 5C (0 or 3)-5H (Queen ask); 5NT (yes)-7D.

For standard bidders, 1H-2D; 2NT-6NT is as good as anything. A strong jump shift auction might proceed 1H-3D; 3NT-4D; 5D (East hates his hand)-6NT. Most pairs reached the obvious 6NT; 6D scored poorly. On a hand where not everyone will reach slam six of a minor is often safer and better than 6NT, but on today's hand everyone bid slam.

Board 14 East Deals None Vul	♠ Q ♥ Q 7 4 3 ♦ A J 5 4 ♣ A K 8 7
♠ A 9 6 5 3 2 ♥ — ♦ K Q 10 2 ♣ J 10 4	N W E S	♠ J 8 7 ♥ 10 6 5 ♦ 8 7 6 ♣ 9 6 5 3
	♠ K 10 4 ♥ A K J 9 8 2 ♦ 9 3 ♣ Q 2

South opens 1H and West overcalls 1S or 2S. Over 1S North can try 3S as a splinter raise, if that's in the partnership arsenal. Over 2S North's 3S is more ambiguous, a general game-forcing raise with no control implications regarding spades. The cue-bid is important to claim ownership of the hand in case E/W bid 4S over 4H. South has a fairly minimum hand with an apparently worthless King of spades, but North counts four cover cards plus spade ruffs. An opening bid typically has seven losers, so twelve tricks looks only mildly optimistic: picture South with, for example, xxx AKxxx KQx xx. In fact South takes six trumps, a spade, four minor suit winners and a spade ruff for a solid +980.

Sunday, April 14th 2013

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

West opens 2C, planning a 2NT rebid to show a balacned 22-24 hcp. East replies 2D in most styles, negative (0-7), waiting (0+), or constructive (4+, or promising at least an Ace or King, where 2H would show a bust hand..) "Steps" bidders respond 2S (7-9 hcp.) After West's 2NT, East bids 3C (Stayman*.) This is generally correct with 5-4 shape -- check for a four-card major rather than using an immediate transfer. West shows hearts. With a nine-card fit and 29+ hcp, East suspects there may be a slam; but few pairs have a clear method of inviting here. East is not strong enough to bid past game, and trying to be creative with a bid such as 4C risks a bidding accident -- 4C should be natural, such as Jxxx x xx AKQxxx. "Steps" bidders can feel more comfortable; having already shown 7-9 hcp, East can raise without sounding weak.

If East uses a transfer rather than Stayman, West can count 10 likely tricks opposite five small hearts: three spades, five hearts, the Ace of diamonds and a probable diamond ruff. West can therefore "super-accept" the transfer, leaping to 4H. East, however, cannot be sure his hand will provide two tricks outside of trumps, so even this sequence should not result in slam. As it happens the Jack of spades provides the 12th trick.

*Be sure to discuss this with partner -- when the first few bids for our side have been artificial and then opener bids notrump naturally, Stayman and transfers should be "on"; but I see a lot of bidding accidents when one player assumes artificial and the other assumes natural.

Board 8 West Deals None Vul	♠ Q 10 3 ♥ A 10 6 ♦ 7 6 ♣ J 9 7 3 2
♠ 8 6 ♥ Q 5 4 ♦ J 9 8 ♣ A K Q 8 6	N W E S	♠ A K J 9 ♥ K 9 7 ♦ K Q 4 3 2 ♣ 4
	♠ 7 5 4 2 ♥ J 8 3 2 ♦ A 10 5 ♣ 10 5

West opens 1C and East is a bit light for an immediate strong jump shift. I like to have a hand worth about 17 for the jump and the singleton in partner's suit suggests caution. East responds 1D; do not make the mistake of responding in the major when you have game-going values and a good minor suit -- there could be slam in your minor, and if there isn't the hand probably belongs in notrump. Partner should not avoid 3NT with a singleton in your first suit. Over 1D, West must choose among 1NT, 2C or 2D for his rebid. I don't care for raising partner's minor suit with only three, and I'd rather rebid the strong clubs than 1NT with no spade stopper, but 1NT does describe the shape and strength and you can take comfort from the fact that neither opponent was willing to overcall 1S.

East may be tempted to close the bidding out at 3NT, but with only five losers opposite an opening bid I would take it slower -- rebid 2S. Since opener skipped over spades this bid shows game-going strngth (and might posssibly be only three cards long.) Opener bids 2NT. There may still be a fit in diamonds, but opener has shown nothing extra and I think 3NT is best at this point. If North leads a heart (likely on the auction, unless West never showed the club length) West can win in hand, set up diamnds, and perhaps later finesse in spades for twelve tricks. Against a slam, North should not lead from any honor and only 11 tricks can be made on a diamond lead.

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

Similar to #7, a typical auction would be 2C-2D; 2NT-3C (Stayman); 3D-3NT. North can make at least nine tricks, using the fourth diamond to reach the last heart in dummy. Any lead but a heart presents declarer with an overtrick, and on a heart lead North can take three hearts and two diamonds, then exit with another diamond. North wins and must lead to dummy's heart. The defense cannot guard everything and declarer may still wrangle a tenth trick.

Board 24 West Deals None Vul	♠ A ♥ 8 3 ♦ A Q J 9 5 3 ♣ A Q 10 7
♠ K 10 6 4 ♥ 10 7 4 ♦ 10 8 ♣ J 6 4 2	N W E S	♠ 7 2 ♥ A Q 9 6 5 ♦ 6 4 2 ♣ 8 5 3
	♠ Q J 9 8 5 3 ♥ K J 2 ♦ K 7 ♣ K 9

North opens 1D; East passes unless the range for overcalls allows 6 hcp. Don't write "8+" on your card and then overcall on a hand like this. (With AK109x, however, you should upgrade a point and bid.) South responds 1S. North has no ideal rebid; I'd opt for 2C since a 3D jump may make it hard to reach 3NT -- partner isn't likely to have a club stopper. South can rebid 2H (fourth suit) to establish a game force. North continues with 3D; this suggests a non-minimum 6-4 -- a minimum 6-4 hand typically rebids 2D before showing the clubs. South could rebid his spades, but opener does not have three card support and 3S risks missing the pot of gold. I'd settle for 3NT. North is borderline for a slam invitation but I think pass is prudent. As it happens, everything lies favorably (hearts, clubs, ruffing finesse on spades.)

Board 26 East Deals Both Vul	♠ K Q 10 9 6 3 ♥ 6 5 ♦ 8 ♣ K Q 10 4
♠ — ♥ Q 10 9 3 ♦ A J 9 6 5 4 ♣ A 6 2	N W E S	♠ J 7 5 2 ♥ J 8 7 2 ♦ 10 2 ♣ 8 7 3
	♠ A 8 4 ♥ A K 4 ♦ K Q 7 3 ♣ J 9 5

South opens 1NT andWest bids something. A natural 2D is fine, or a Cappaletti 2C (unkown one-suited hand.) Playing DONT, West may double to show a one-suited hand or bid 2D to show diamonds and a higher-ranking suit. I think I'd opt for the sfety of the long suit -- chances are they're going to outbid you in spades, so it may not matter which red suit you compete in.

North can visualize slam if partner has three Aces (and not two fast heart losers); this is a good hand for Gerber, since you can pass a 4S reply or correct 4D or 4H to 4S. Be sure you know when Gerber applies: my rule is JONTO "Jump Over Notrump Only", so Gerber applies if and only if it is a jump and partner's last bid was 1NT or 2NT. It doesn't matter whether clubs have been bid, or if there is an intervening bid, as long as 4C is still a jump. South replies 4S and plays it there -- West has too much defense and too little playing strength to justify acting at the five level opposite partner's bust hand.

West should not lead an unsupported Ace, especially sitting on top of the strong hand, so he tries the ten of hearts. South wins and leads a low trump to dummy, preserving finesse options if either defender shows out. West does, of course, so South wins in dummy, leads low to his 8, and cashes the trump Ace. It woudl be dangerous to try and reach dummy with a club, so South either cashes the two top hearts and ruffs one, or leads the King of diamonds. I'd try the diamond unless West overcalled in that suit. After pulling the last trump declarer knocks out the Ace of clubs and claims 11 tricks.

Friday, March 29th 2013

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Board 1 North Deals None Vul	♠ 7 6 5 4 2 ♥ K J ♦ A 5 2 ♣ 10 7 5
♠ A K J ♥ A 5 4 3 ♦ K Q 10 ♣ A K J	N W E S	♠ Q ♥ 10 9 8 7 6 ♦ 8 6 4 3 ♣ 6 3 2
	♠ 10 9 8 3 ♥ Q 2 ♦ J 9 7 ♣ Q 9 8 4

 

West opens 2C and, over a negative or wiating response by East, rebids 3NT. For those playing “2H bust” or step responses, if East were to show some values (semi-positive 2D or step 2H = 4-6) West could rebid 2NT, leaving East room to explore with Stayman or a transfer. Here, however, East is nearly busted and West must leap to insure reaching game. Although 4D at this point would be a transfer, East should not insist on such an anemic suit and 3NT ends the bidding. North leads his fourth-best spade: the suit is lousy but hie has two potential entries. Although E/W have a nine-card major fit, the concentration of values outside hearts are fine for notrump. West wins the lead in dummy and calls for the ten of hearts, planning to run it if South follows low. When the suit splits 2-2 dummy suddenly has two more entries. The defense gets in once each in hearts and diamonds and clears the spades; declarer could gamble a finesse for an overtrick, but a better plan wouild be to come down to something like -- -- Q10 J in hand opposite – x x x in dummy. When the last heart is cashed South must keep the Q of clubs and so is forced to bare the Jack of diamonds for West’s 11^th trick. Note that +430 would be a poor score, as several pairs managed to reach 4H, making five.

 

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

 

West opens either 1D or 1S. The short hearts make it likely partner or an opponent will bid that suit over 1D, after which West can hope to bid and rebid spades; but there is a significant risk the bidding may reach 4H before West bids again. I’m inclined to open the major on a minimum 5-6 hand unless the minor is strong and the major is weak. Over 1S, East responds 2H. A new suit by opener at the 3 level is game-forcing and requires significant extra values in standard methods; that may be an overbid here with the misfit for partner’s hearts. The alternative is to limit the hand with a 2S rebid, which is why most experts do not consider a rebid of oepner’s suit after a 2/1 response as showing extra length. Still, I decided to be optimistic, hoping the diamonds might be useful at notrump or game or slam in diamonds might be on with this control-rich hand.

 Since 3D creates a game force (or 2H, for 2/1 Game Force bidders), East can simply rebid 3H – this hand has a lot of slam potential. Picture opener with as little as AKJxx Ax xxxx xx and 13 tricks could be a laydown. West, however, retreats to 3NT – it would be a mistake to rebid 4D and miss game in notrump. East can make one more try with a 4C control bid. This should clearly be seen as s slam try since, with a genuine club suit, East ought to be satisfied with 3NT. West is discouraged by his heart void and tries 4D. Having suggested slam I think East does best to bid 4H, ending the bidding. As it happens the hearts pslit 3-3 and 6H makes, but +680 should score well against those who stumble into some strain other than hearts.

Board 11 South Deals None Vul	♠ J 10 5 4 3 2 ♥ Q 2 ♦ J 6 ♣ Q 7 3
♠ A K 9 8 6 ♥ A 9 7 3 ♦ A Q 2 ♣ 6	N W E S	♠ 7 ♥ K J 10 8 5 4 ♦ 10 8 5 4 ♣ 10 8
	♠ Q ♥ 6 ♦ K 9 7 3 ♣ A K J 9 5 4 2

 

South opens 1C and West doubles for takeout, planning to bid spades next to show a 17+ overcall. North, however, scotches that plan with a 1S response or weak (in competition) jump to 2S. Be sure to discuss with your partner how weak this short of jump may be: 0-5? 4-7? 6-9? I like 4-7, so if responder bids and rebids his suit it suggests a constuctive 8-10.

 East has a classic hand for a 4H leap: a fair six-card suit, good playing strength but limited values. This is similar to the well-known 1H-4H “preemptive” game raise. Over the double, East expects a ten card fit or strong nine If partner is doubling on a strong hand he should nevertheless have a tolerence for any unbid major. If East wants to bid game based on more high cards but only four or five hearts, he begins by cue-bidding opener’s suit.

 West has a wealth of controls; might there be a play for twelve tricks? The diamond finesse rates to win in light of South’s opening bid, so West counts perhaps six trump winners, four side suit quick tricks and perhaps two club ruffs. Blackwood bidders may as well guess to bid slam, while RKCB pairs can confirm partner has a key card (presumably the trump King.)

 South cashes a club and, when partner encourages, forces dummy with a second club. East cashes the two top hearts and crosses to dummy with a spade. When South produces the Queen, the spade suit is an open book – did you remember you started with the seven? Cash the second high spade to be sure South is out, then lead the nine. North must cover, ruffed, diamond to the Queen, lead the eight of spades (also covered and ruffed.) Return to dummy with a diamond and the six of spades brings home the slam. Yeah, I doubt I’d’ve gotten it right at the table, but North’s spade bid provides a valuable clue. Even without that declarer should start on spades, hoping for a 4-3 break, and shift gears when South produces the Queen.

 

Board 27 South Deals None Vul	♠ K Q ♥ 10 9 8 7 4 ♦ K 4 2 ♣ Q 7 2
♠ 8 7 6 3 2 ♥ K 6 2 ♦ A 9 8 ♣ 10 6	N W E S	♠ A J 10 9 5 4 ♥ Q ♦ J 10 5 ♣ 9 8 3
	♠ — ♥ A J 5 3 ♦ Q 7 6 3 ♣ A K J 5 4

 South opens 1C, North responds 1H, East jumps to 2S. South should force to game, either bidding 4H directly or cue-bidding 3S. Ideally, South would jump in spades to emphasize the shortness, but 4S would be an overbid opposite a minimum response. I suggest using the cue-bid when opener is strong in high cards (about 18+) and jump to game on a hand like this which is relying on good shape. (This distinction helps if partner is interested in slam or East/West compete over 4H -- the cue-bid establishes "this is our hand, don't let them play a contract undoubled."

 

With five trumps opposite six and not vulnerable, West sacrifices at 4S despite his relatively balanced hand and good defensive values. North has more than he might have, but not enough to risk going beyond game. The KQ in spades may be wasted on offense; double seems right. South would compete to 5H had North passed, but his three quick tricks look good for defense; this is a close decision. Estimating 18 total tricks, South can expect 4S to be down three if 5H makes. As it happens the clubs are good for N/S on offense and the diamond spots help E/W, so 5H is the winning call, but I'd take the sure plus with the double.

Sunday, March 24th 2013

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Board 14 East Deals None Vul	♠ K Q 10 9 3 2 ♥ Q J ♦ Q ♣ A 10 8 3
♠ A 8 7 4 ♥ K 10 8 2 ♦ 6 ♣ K 6 5 4	N W E S	♠ J ♥ 9 7 5 3 ♦ J 10 8 5 4 3 ♣ 9 7
	♠ 6 5 ♥ A 6 4 ♦ A K 9 7 2 ♣ Q J 2

North opens 1S; South either responds 2D or leaps to 3NT. I don't care for "limit" jumps in notrump; what does partner do with an unbalanced hand? With both unbid suits and 10 hcp West can double 2D for takeout. North rebids his spades. East has little strength but some shape; they surely have a spade fit so there is some temptation to compete with 3H. However, partner's original pass marks N/S with more than enough for game; this isn't a part-score battle and East cannot expect 5H to be a paying sacrifice -- not enough trumps. North's free rebid of his suit does not show any extra strength but does promise six spades, so South raises to 4S. The spade Jack drops early, the club finesse works as expected and so South easily wraps up twelve tricks, but I can't see bidding more than game here -- the ten of clubs is a big card and you need luck in both black suits. Three notrump earns a matchpoint top but the 6-2 fit will more often provide an extra trick; both North and South had something extra and the spade suit was easily established so trumps were not needed, but I think 4S is the proper target here.

Board 15 South Deals N-S Vul	♠ A 9 8 5 2 ♥ A 10 5 ♦ A ♣ K J 10 4
♠ 7 4 3 ♥ 6 3 2 ♦ 10 7 6 5 4 2 ♣ 3	N W E S	♠ Q J 10 6 ♥ K Q 7 4 ♦ K J ♣ 7 5 2
	♠ K ♥ J 9 8 ♦ Q 9 8 3 ♣ A Q 9 8 6

South's stiff King is an obvious flaw, but with 12 hcp including an Ace I would never pass -- if partner heads for notrump or spades the King will pull it's weight, while the shape may be useful with any other suit as trumps. I do not see this hand as weaker than 2-3-4-4 with the same high cards. South opens 1C and North should be thinking about slam with his control rich 16 count, club fit and side singleton. The stiff Ace may not be the most useful card (little combining power and duplication of control values with the singleton) but if partner happens to have diamond strength he may be able to pitch hearts. An excellent hand for a strong jump to 2S followed by club support. A reasonable (if cautious) auction: 1C-2S; 2NT-3C; 3D-3NT; pass. Note that, with a minor suit fit, 3D should be taken as a notrump probe, not a control bid; the "game before slam" principle requires us to discover whether notrump is playable when we have a minor suit fit.

If South dislikes bidding notrump with Jxx in a side suit and/or the stiff spade, he may rebid 3C and I think North can drive to slam based on the nine-card fit.

Should North be more aggressive over 2NT? He could jump to 4C, or repeat the clubs over South's 3D; the problem is I don't see enough tricks if South has only four clubs. (Three is not possible since South would have at least three-card spade support.) Every high card North has is pure gold, but I can't see 12 tricks opposite, say, Kx Q9x J9xx AQxx , and even 4NT or 5C may be in jeopardy. No pair reached slam on the combined 28 hcp; five clubs making six would score poorly.