Monday afternoon March 31, 2008

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

WestNorthEastSouth
1 ♦Dbl
Pass2 ♠Pass3 ♦
Pass3 ♠Pass6 ♠
All pass

6 ♠ by North

Made 6 — +1430

Lead: ace of diamonds

There's no way for South to ask partner if she has the king of clubs. South's 3D cuebid bid shows diamond control and slam interest. With no controls, North has to plug away with spades; however, North's jump after partner's takeout double shows 8+ points and a real suit. Although the "field" bid is 4S making six, placing the king or ace of clubs in North's hand isn't out of the question. Her points have to come from some place.

Monday afternoon March 31, 2008

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

WestNorthEastSouth
Pass
1 NTPass3 ♠Pass
4 ♥Pass5 ♣Pass
5 ♠Pass6 ♠All pass

6 ♠ by East

Made 7 — +1460

Lead: two of hearts

Marty Bergen believes West should open 1NT with this hand and I agree. You only have one chance to tell partner you have 15-18 HCP and a balanced hand. I also reserve the three level for natural responses showing a 5+ card suit and an opening hand. West's 4H is a cuebid showing the lowest control in her hand. East re-assures partner with 5S and East continues to six. You could throw in Blackwood instead of cuebidding. Getting to 7? Probably not. East rises with the ace on the first trick and returns a diamond. A spade to the ace reveals the 0-3 split. On the king of diamonds East drops the losing heart. Finesse the jack of clubs, return to the board with a trump and do it again, this time taking the king. Clear the last trump and trump a club on the board, establishing good trumps in hand. Claim.