Monday afternoon October 1, 2007

Lead: king of spades.

Peggy Graham and Judy Hasseld were the only ones to press onward to game with these NS cards; the other teams stopping in two, everyone making four. South's raise to 3H only promises three hearts but should include a stopper in the opponent's suit, which she has. Declarer is thrilled to see the ace of spades in dummy. The play is routine with East getting the ace of diamonds and two hearts. This is another example of Points Schmoints with a cold 4H bid with only 23 high card points.

Monday afternoon October 1, 2007

Lead: four of diamonds

With 19 points, South can't make a quantitative bid of 4NT which asks North to bid 6NT with the top end of her range or pass with the lower range. With a balanced hand, South's only decision is whether to place the contract in 6NT or guess for the grand slam.

East has no lead. An alternative lead would be either the six or seven of clubs. The lead of a six or seven tells partner "I have nothing!" If a diamond is led, declarer should win on the board, clear out the A/K of clubs, return to the hand with the ace of diamonds, then start the hearts. West will be very reluctant to part with the queen of diamonds on the third or fourth round of hearts, preferring instead to drop a low spade. Declarer then runs the spades for an overtrick.

Monday afternoon October 1, 2007

Lead: nine of hearts.

Using "coded nines and tens" North's lead tells partner that he has two higher cards above the nine; in this case the king and ten. The play is routine from there, declarer should get 4S on 22 high card points. South is the bidding culprit. While this is a passable hand, holding two four-card major suits, South should get into the auction early with 1C. West passes and North bids 1H. East doesn't have the shape for a double, can't raise to 2D without a 5-card suit, so he passes instead. South raises to 2H and North passes. Declarer loses two diamonds, two clubs and a spade for a plus 110.

Friday Evening October 5, 2007

The only way this has a chance to be bid is if North opens 1H instead of 3H. North's hand is way too strong to open 3H; South's only response to a preempt would be to raise to four. North's second bid above indicates at least a 6-card suit. South's 4C implies heart support and a control in clubs. North's cuebid of 4 diamonds shows control in the suit, which makes South very happy; South in fact could jump directly to six with this information but decides to continue the cuebidding. Unfortunately, this slam didn't get bid at any of the six tables tonight; everyone settling in on 4 hearts making 6.

Friday evening October 5, 2007

Very nice teamwork, especially with South's interference. That the contract didn't get doubled was good restraint on South's part, especially with 13HCP, two aces and a KQ combo. Trump is drawn and South is in a Framm position--pay me now, or pay me later! He's marked for the ace of diamonds, so a diamond finesse works until he covers it. The spade ace is the only trick the defense gets. Well bid, well played.

Friday evening October 5, 2007

The correct opening bid for West is 1D; then holds her breath until East says 1H, which is followed by 2S-3H, 6H-pass. Or, 2NT (wrong)-3D (transfer) 3H-6H. Judy doesn't play transfers, so she ended up playing with the big hand exposed. With virtually unlimited entries, the fifth diamond was established which allowed the third spade in hand to be sluffed, losing only the king of spades. Well played.

Saturday morning October 6, 2007

Judy and James were the only ones to bid this slam today, which put the pair over the top and in the winner's column beating out a good field of players. The ace of spades is the only loser. All of the other pairs stopped at four hearts. With East's support, I'd find it difficult NOT to try for slam, especially since East opened the bidding. Cuebidding is the preferred method of communications because of the void.

Saturday morning October 6, 2007

Lead: four of spades.

This is a phantom bid. Only one team actually bid this and it was East playing, down 1. The two Wests who played 3NT both made 6, although everyone who plays it in NT should make 6. The spade lead was won by the board's jack. The only way the contract can be brought home is if North has the ace of diamonds; so, that's the way declarer has to play it. Back to his hand with a club, then the jack of diamonds. North is toast.

Saturday morning October 6, 2007

Lead: king of diamonds

Nice persistence on South's part. If North comes back with 5H as his Blackwood response, South would have to pass because of the diamond doubleton. South loses a diamond and romps home with 980 and a top while everyone else is contented with 4H making 6. Too bad!

Saturday morning October 6, 2007

Lead: 4 of clubs.

Getting there was more than half the battle. West needs to pay attention when playing the spades, but everything works out OK. Take the club ace on the board, then the ace of diamonds, throwing a low spade. Come back to the hand with a spade, then ruff a spade; perhaps a raised eyebrow when the queen falls. No matter. Back to the hand with a club, then another spade. North is pickled; making seven.