Canada Olympiad Fund Game #1 June 13, 2018 - Set 218033 Analysis by

Barry Rigal is a player, author, commentator and syndicated columnist. Born in London in 1958, he has been a professional bridge player since moving to New York in 1994. Rigal has written many books as well as magazine and newspaper columns and has contributed to the world championship books for two decades. He has also served as the Chief commentator for the for 10 years.

Married to Sue Picus. He has won two North American championships as well as EC Mixed Teams and multiple UK titles. As a professional player claims to be the only pro ever to have been shut out by his client from declaring a single in a session – not for want of trying! At college reached the quarterfinal round of the University Challenge for Queen’s Oxford – where he suffered the indignity of losing to Queen’s Cambridge – and a team headed by the comedian Stephen Fry. He also claims that his tutors awarded him the title of “The laziest man in Oxford.”

Bd: 1 ♠ A 8 7 5 Whether North’s Bd: 3 ♠ A J 6 Many Souths Dlr: North ♥ 10 6 3 hand fits his idea Dlr: South ♥ A 10 5 4 may yield to the Vul: None ♦ K Q 2 of a notrump Vul: E-W ♦ J 7 3 temptation to ♣ A J 3 opener, be it ♣ A K 3 open 1♦, both ♠ — ♠ 10 6 4 weak, strong or ♠ Q 4 2 ♠ K 10 7 for the lead and ♥ A J 9 7 4 ♥ 8 2 in the middle, ♥ K 3 ♥ J 9 2 as an obstructive ♦ 10 8 6 5 3 ♦ A 7 4 you’d expect the ♦ 9 8 5 ♦ 10 6 2 move. Now North ♣ 9 8 5 ♣ K Q 10 6 4 vast majority of ♣ Q J 9 6 4 ♣ 10 8 7 2 will have to ♠ K Q J 9 3 2 the field to reach ♠ 9 8 5 3 restrain himself ♥ K Q 5 game. Very few ♥ Q 8 7 6 from advancing ♦ J 9 pairs will find any ♦ A K Q 4 beyond 4♥; even ♣ 7 2 reason to get ♣ 5 that contract is beyond the four level here. In theory, the defenders in jeopardy on a spade lead. Declarer should take threaten to take four tricks (two hearts, and one trick West’s ♠Q with the ace, then cross to dummy in in each minor). But South can build a discard for the diamonds to play a heart to the 10. If he misguesses slow heart or club loser from diamonds, so it would hearts, he could go down in game! After any other be a very careless declarer who fails to bring home defence, declarer might draw two rounds of trumps. his game. If North plays 4♠ and ducks the lead of Now if E/W are left with the master , declarer ♣K, a heart shift, ducked by West, defeats the game. switches to diamonds to pitch a spade on the 13th diamond.

Bd: 2 ♠ K J 10 Another deal Vul: N-S ♥ K Q 10 8 7 6 3 where N/S have Bd: 4 ♠ J 4 When West opens Dlr: East ♦ 10 2 a simple route Vul: Both ♥ Q J 6 3 2 1♠, relatively ♣ 10 to a major-suit Dlr: West ♦ 9 6 few Norths will ♠ Q 7 6 4 ♠ 9 8 5 2 game, but there ♣ A Q 9 4 , I hope. ♥ J ♥ 2 are several issues ♠ A K 9 7 6 ♠ 8 5 3 2 The hand and suit ♦ K Q J 6 3 ♦ 9 5 4 at play here. The ♥ K ♥ A 8 7 5 are too weak for a ♣ 6 4 2 ♣ A Q 8 7 3 first is that when ♦ A 10 3 2 ♦ Q 8 5 two-level overcall. ♠ A 3 South opens ♣ K 8 5 ♣ 3 2 Regardless, you’d ♥ A 9 5 4 1NT, West may ♠ Q 10 expect West to ♦ A 8 7 intervene to show ♥ 10 9 4 declare 4♠ after ♣ K J 9 5 diamonds and ♦ K J 7 4 East has shown a major, and now East could contemplate saving in ♣ J 10 7 6 a simple raise – a 4♠. If he does, the defenders can extract 800 (three few may prefer to show a mixed or weak raise, but trump tricks, two red aces, and two club tricks sooner the contract ought to be the same. In 4♠ West looks or later – declarer cannot discard enough clubs on likely to win the top heart lead with his ♥K and bash the diamonds). Secondly, the defenders must lead a out the two top trumps, then play a diamond to the top diamond against a heart contract to prevent N/S queen and king. Declarer can eventually force an establishing the clubs for 680. to dummy to lead a diamond to the 10, to bring home his contract. Bd: 5 ♠ Q 7 6 3 In second seat Bd: 8 ♠ Q 9 7 3 1NT by West, Dlr: North ♥ Q J 9 a few Easts will Dlr: West ♥ K Q 4 3 raised to 3NT by Vul: N-S ♦ K J 9 7 6 pass, a few more Vul: None ♦ 10 8 7 East, looks simple ♣ 2 may open 2♥, but ♣ J 5 enough; but 3NT ♠ J 10 9 4 2 ♠ 8 most will bid 3♥. ♠ A 8 2 ♠ K 5 4 is easier to bid ♥ 4 ♥ K 8 7 6 5 3 2 Now South should ♥ A 10 8 5 ♥ 7 2 than to make, ♦ 3 2 ♦ A 8 simply bid 3NT, ♦ K 9 2 ♦ A Q J 6 with clubs not ♣ J 10 8 6 3 ♣ Q 7 5 since doubling ♣ A 8 7 ♣ Q 6 3 2 behaving. One ♠ A K 5 might give up on ♠ J 10 6 possibility is that ♥ A 10 that contract for ♥ J 9 6 North will set up ♦ Q 10 5 4 good. That call ♦ 5 4 3 declarer’s fourth ♣ A K 9 4 rates to end the ♣ K 10 9 4 heart as a second auction, and West has no reason to lead anything but winner, to represent his ninth trick. By contrast, on a a heart. South will win, and drive out ♦A, giving East spade lead, the road to +400 is far from clear. One a problem. If he clears hearts, declarer runs diamonds, route to success is for declarer to win and pass the then spades, and sets up a for 12 ♣7. Then he can take the next spade to advance tricks. If East shifts to a club, he disrupts South’s the ♣Q, pinning the jack, and setting up the fourth communications (though switching to the ♣Q would round of clubs for the ninth winner. This is an unusual expose West to a ). example of an intra-.

Bd: 6 ♠ A 9 8 7 Another classic Bd: 9 ♠ A J 9 4 3 You’d expect N/S Dlr: East ♥ 2 for East; Dlr: North ♥ Q 7 to bid unopposed Vul: E-W ♦ A Q J 8 this time a 2♥ Vul: E-W ♦ 2 to game. If North ♣ 9 6 5 3 call will be passed ♣ K 10 7 6 3 opens 1♠ he rates ♠ K Q 6 2 ♠ 10 5 round to North, ♠ 10 7 ♠ Q 6 5 2 to declare 4♠, ♥ J 9 ♥ K Q 10 7 5 3 who ought to ♥ 10 9 5 2 ♥ K J 6 4 whereas if South ♦ 5 4 3 ♦ 9 7 2 reopen with a ♦ Q 10 8 7 ♦ K J 3 gets to open a ♣ K J 4 2 ♣ A 10 . ♣ J 8 4 ♣ Q 2 strong notrump ♠ J 4 3 This gives South a ♠ K 8 he may play ♥ A 8 6 4 difficult decision: ♥ A 8 3 3NT. 4♠ looks ♦ K 10 6 he can pass for ♦ A 9 6 5 4 less challenging, ♣ Q 8 7 penalty, but I do ♣ A 9 5 particularly not see any sign of a sixth winner for the defence. because East might attack hearts, the unbid suit, after Or he could bid (a natural 2NT call would be nice, which 11 tricks become little more than a formality. but most play this as ) with 2♠ being the If South declares 3NT on a heart lead he will have to least offensive alternative, perhaps. Against 2♠ the win and set up a black suit, clubs offering better odds defenders have an obvious heart lead, which should than spades. That gets him to eight winners, but the suffice to set up a sixth winner for E/W. I’d guess N/S defenders should be able to prevent South finding will find it very hard to go plus here. the game-going trick. 5♣ may come home today, but not 6♣.

Bd: 7 ♠ A 10 9 6 5 2 Yet another Dlr: South ♥ A 10 3 preempt, but Bd: 10 ♠ Q 10 4 South’s hand does Vul: Both ♦ Q 10 2 this time for Dlr: East ♥ A K 8 7 5 not feel right for ♣ Q South, who has Vul: Both ♦ J 8 6 an upgrade to a ♠ 3 ♠ K Q J 4 a reasonable 3♣ ♣ A K strong notrump, ♥ J 9 8 6 5 2 ♥ 4 opening (though ♠ A 7 6 ♠ J 8 3 2 given his heart ♦ J 9 8 6 ♦ A K 7 5 3 you’d prefer not ♥ Q 10 6 ♥ J 4 3 flaw. A peaceful ♣ 7 3 ♣ K J 4 to have such good ♦ 10 9 5 4 ♦ 7 3 2 auction to 3NT ♠ 8 7 hearts). This is ♣ 9 4 2 ♣ J 8 3 by South looks ♥ K Q 7 likely to be passed ♠ K 9 5 the norm. On a ♦ 4 round to East, ♥ 9 2 diamond lead ♣ A 10 9 8 6 5 2 who could simply ♦ A K Q declarer should bid 3NT, or double, planning to convert a 3♥ response ♣ Q 10 7 6 5 unblock clubs, to 3NT. With N/S able to make 4♣, E/W have to find then perhaps a heart. With both clubs and a way to reach diamonds — where the damage will be hearts breaking, the defenders will have to be on their more of a flesh-wound than life-threatening. Since it is toes not to let the ♠A get away, which may be easier hard to construct a sensible sequence which will said than done. There will be a few pairs bidding to do that (bar the huge underbid of East 6NT, where the play is quite complex. Declarer ought with 3♦) I applaud anyone who manages to achieve to go after spades rather than hearts for his 12th trick the target. and will need to guess ♠J. Bd: 11 ♠ 10 9 5 In third seat North Bd: 14 ♠ Q 8 7 3 Over East’s Dlr: South ♥ K Q 10 8 4 3 has a sensible Dlr: East ♥ 7 4 3 1NT opener, Vul: None ♦ K Q 3 choice of opening Vul: None ♦ J 10 8 6 5 aggressive Souths ♣ J hearts at the one, ♣ 2 will intervene to ♠ Q 7 3 2 ♠ A 8 4 two or three level. ♠ K 5 4 ♠ A 10 show clubs and ♥ 7 5 ♥ A 9 2 Put me down as ♥ A J 2 ♥ Q 8 6 a major, or both ♦ 8 2 ♦ A 10 6 4 a 2♥ preempter, ♦ 9 4 3 ♦ K Q 7 2 majors. It may not ♣ Q 8 5 3 2 ♣ K 9 6 over which East ♣ K 5 4 3 ♣ A Q 8 6 matter which he ♠ K J 6 will bid 2NT and ♠ J 9 6 2 does today, since ♥ J 6 play there. After ♥ K 10 9 5 West’s values do ♦ J 9 7 5 a heart lead, ♦ A not look suitable ♣ A 10 7 4 declarer should ♣ J 10 9 7 for defending. So take the second and advance the ♣K; the defenders he is likely to blast 3NT at once, and prevent North can win and shift to diamonds, after which East can getting in a lead-directing call. East has only eight be held to five tricks. Since N/S have a simple +140 in top tricks in 3NT, but can generate an extra winner hearts, the difference between two and three down with good guesswork in diamonds (and if South will be more significant than usual. E/W have a safe shows both majors and turns up with four clubs, East haven in 3♣, probably down just one trick but it may might well get diamonds right). South can later be not be easy to reach. endplayed in clubs to concede an extra heart trick.

Bd: 12 ♠ A 10 7 5 3 2 West’s hand Bd: 15 ♠ J 10 6 When North Dlr: West ♥ A 10 looks less like Dlr: South ♥ A K 3 opens a strong Vul: N-S ♦ 4 2 an opening bid Vul: N-S ♦ Q 5 notrump, the ♣ 9 7 6 than almost any ♣ A Q 7 3 2 wilder Easts ♠ K J 4 ♠ Q 12-count you’ve ♠ K 9 5 2 ♠ Q 3 among us will ♥ Q J 4 2 ♥ K 9 8 5 3 ever seen, but ♥ 9 6 ♥ Q 7 4 overcall in ♦ Q 6 ♦ A K J 9 8 7 many will open ♦ J 9 8 ♦ K 10 7 4 3 2 diamonds. But ♣ Q J 8 3 ♣ 10 1♣, I’m sure. When ♣ K 10 6 5 ♣ J 4 whether East bids ♠ 9 8 6 North , ♠ A 8 7 4 or not, N/S rate to ♥ 7 6 probably with 1♠ ♥ J 10 8 5 2 find a way to play ♦ 10 5 3 rather than 2♠, ♦ A 6 4♥. They should ♣ A K 5 4 2 East can arrange ♣ 9 8 try to declare to get both his suits into play, the big danger being that contract by North, forcing East to lead a club on that E/W may get too high after finding hearts. It the go if he doesn’t want to give up a trick at once. is easy to see quite a percentage of the field going Declarer does best to win and continue the attack on minus if West opens the bidding. Even if he passes, clubs, after which East will have to defend accurately E/W may still get carried away after a Leaping by discarding diamonds on the third and fourth clubs Michaels auction. (Note: this is a rare deal where a then ruffing the fifth, to hold North to 10 tricks. 3NT key-card response might not identify a disparity of by North is a far less salubrious contract. three-keycards!)

Bd: 16 ♠ 4 East may choose Bd: 13 ♠ 7 6 4 Facing East’s Dlr: West ♥ K Q J 9 5 a 2♠ jump Dlr: North ♥ Q 7 4 2 strong notrump, Vul: E-W ♦ Q J 7 6 over North’s 1♥ Vul: Both ♦ 7 2 might West use ♣ K Q 7 opener, if he plays ♣ 8 6 4 2 Stayman then ♠ 7 3 ♠ A Q J 10 6 5 that as close to ♠ K Q J 5 ♠ 9 3 2 blast 6NT over ♥ A 8 7 2 ♥ 4 intermediate ♥ K 5 3 ♥ A J 6 an unsatisfactory ♦ 9 4 ♦ K 8 5 values at this ♦ A Q ♦ K J 10 8 3 response? (If ♣ 9 8 5 4 3 ♣ J 10 2 vulnerability. ♣ K 7 5 3 ♣ A Q you located a ♠ K 9 8 2 Others will ♠ A 10 8 spade fit, you’d ♥ 10 6 3 simply bid 1♠, ♥ 10 9 8 agree spades ♦ A 10 3 2 but in either ♦ 9 6 5 4 by whatever ♣ A 6 case South will ♣ J 10 9 method your have to choose whether to play or defend. Equally, if partnership uses — a call of 3♥ or 4♦ or the like, then he bids, he may lock into hearts or try for notrump, use keycard). That gets East to the normal contract, and will have to pick between driving to game or typically on a heart lead. Declarer can attempt to merely inviting it. N/S should select hearts rather steal the overtrick by leading spades towards than notrump, with 4♥ losing just the two major-suit dummy twice. If South ducks twice, there are 13 aces. But note that if East leads or shifts to a diamond winners to cash. Few will fall for this, but it is up to against 4♥, declarer might misjudge by rising with declarer to try. the ♦A. Bd: 17 ♠ 10 7 4 South is on the Bd: 20 ♠ 7 2 Some Wests will Dlr: North ♥ A 7 4 cusp of settling Dlr: West ♥ J 5 3 2 open 2NT, others Vul: None ♦ A Q 9 7 4 for partscore Vul: Both ♦ K 6 2 will sensibly ♣ Q 8 as opposed ♣ 9 6 5 4 prefer a reversing ♠ Q J 9 6 ♠ K 3 2 to inviting ♠ A K 5 ♠ 9 8 4 sequence to ♥ Q J ♥ 10 9 6 2 game after the ♥ K ♥ 10 9 6 show what they ♦ 10 8 6 ♦ 5 3 sequence 1♦ - 1♥ ♦ A Q 10 4 ♦ 9 7 5 3 actually have. In ♣ K 5 4 3 ♣ A J 10 6 - 1NT, knowing his ♣ K J 8 7 2 ♣ A Q 10 this case avoiding ♠ A 8 5 partner is limited ♠ Q J 10 6 3 3NT has a lot to ♥ K 8 5 3 to 14 HCP. The ♥ A Q 8 7 4 recommend it, ♦ K J 2 fitting diamond ♦ J 8 since that contract ♣ 9 7 2 honors are useful, ♣ 3 looks doomed but the lack of intermediates and quick tricks suggest on a heart lead … or is it? Might South put in the ♥Q passing and trying to ensure the plus score. This at trick one to retain communications? Regardless, precaution may not be necessary today, since even if a 1♣ opener by West should get his side to 5♦, South tries for game, North will reject the invitation, where trumps can be drawn for one loser, even if the and come to eight tricks easily enough. It is hard to defenders play a forcing game in hearts, while the see many other plausible results here other than +120 clubs offer a source of discards, though there is the for N/S. threat of a club . By contrast, 5♣ has an inevitable spade loser.

Bd: 18 ♠ 10 8 3 If West upgrades Dlr: East ♥ A Q J 9 his motley assets Bd: 21 ♠ A 6 5 2 The North cards Vul: N-S ♦ A 9 into a strong 1NT, Dlr: North ♥ A K 4 here offer the ♣ K 9 8 5 East may bid Vul: N-S ♦ K same problem ♠ A 7 4 2 ♠ Q J 3NT, hoping the ♣ A Q 7 5 4 as West’s on ♥ K 10 7 ♥ 6 2 minors will run or ♠ K 10 3 ♠ Q J 9 7 board 20. Again, ♦ K 10 2 ♦ Q J 8 6 3 can be set up. If ♥ Q 9 7 6 ♥ 10 3 2 a 1♣ opener ♣ A 7 4 ♣ Q J 10 3 West prefers to ♦ 9 6 3 ♦ J 8 5 2 looks sounder ♠ K 9 6 5 open 1♣, then N/S ♣ 10 9 2 ♣ 8 6 than a 2NT call. ♥ 8 5 4 3 may find a way ♠ 8 4 Whichever action ♦ 7 5 4 to their heart fit, ♥ J 8 5 is chosen, South ♣ 6 2 and E/W must ♦ A Q 10 7 4 has enough to be find diamonds, rather than clubs. Par here is a ♣ K J 3 interested in slam, partscore for E/W in notrump, rather than a minor, but reaching 6♣ looks easier after North’s 1♣ opener, though only a club lead lets through the ninth trick at followed by a jump to 2♠ than over a 2NT opener. notrump. Admittedly, that is because of the fact that, 6♣ is a virtual claim, with declarer ruffing a spade in fortuitously, North cannot duck his ♦A twice. N/S dummy. Meanwhile, 6NT can be made on any lead can take seven tricks at hearts and may be allowed to but a spade (when it would require the ♦J to fall in come to an eighth. three rounds). In fact 7♣ is not much worse than 6NT, though both ought to be defeated today.

Bd: 19 ♠ 4 3 At the Dlr: South ♥ J 2 vulnerability Bd: 22 ♠ 8 7 6 4 Most Souths will Vul: E-W ♦ A K J 8 South’s Dlr: East ♥ 9 5 4 open 1♦ rather ♣ A 10 9 8 3 intermediates Vul: E-W ♦ 7 3 than distort ♠ K 7 5 ♠ A Q J 10 9 8 6 allow him to pre- ♣ A Q 10 8 their hands ♥ K Q 4 ♥ 3 empt to 3♥ here; ♠ K Q J 5 3 2 ♠ A into a strong ♦ 10 5 4 ♦ Q 9 7 6 a few may even ♥ A 7 6 3 ♥ Q J 8 2 notrump. West ♣ J 7 6 2 ♣ Q open 4♥. Some ♦ 10 ♦ K 9 6 4 will bid spades at ♠ 2 Norths will raise ♣ 9 2 ♣ 7 5 4 3 whatever level his ♥ A 10 9 8 7 6 5 3♥ to 4♥, others ♠ 10 9 system demands, ♥ ♦ 3 2 will pass. But K 10 and E/W can then ♦ A Q J 8 5 2 ♣ K 5 4 whatever North choose between ♣ K J 6 bids, East is likely to intervene in spades, and will the majors, with occasionally play 3♠, though more pairs are going to nine tricks available in both — though the play is reach 4♠. Some Norths may double that, and collect certainly simpler in spades than hearts. In spades, 500, while others will lose the diamond ruff and let one simply gives up four losers, while if West declares East come to nine tricks. In fact 4♥ can be made, hearts after a diamond lead and club shift he must despite the two trump losers. The diamond finesse ruff, unblock spades then advance ♥Q, covered by (the best chance in abstract) fails, but the clubs lie in South. Now to come to nine tricks declarer must draw extremely friendly fashion. a second trump, ruff another club, and run the spades. Bd: 23 ♠ A J 7 5 Few Souths will Bd: 26 ♠ 10 5 2 West will generally Dlr: South ♥ A K 9 open, I hope, and Dlr: East ♥ 5 2 respond 1NT when Vul: Both ♦ J 10 5 when West bids Vul: Both ♦ 6 4 East opens 1♠. ♣ 6 5 2 1♦ North will ♣ A Q J 10 8 5 Getting to 4♥ ♠ K 6 2 ♠ Q 10 9 3 double, letting ♠ 6 ♠ A K J 8 7 4 is going to be ♥ — ♥ Q 5 4 3 East redouble. ♥ Q 10 9 6 3 ♥ A K 8 very hard now, ♦ K Q 9 8 7 2 ♦ A 6 Assuming South ♦ A Q 10 7 ♦ 8 5 and a 3♣ call ♣ A J 8 4 ♣ K 10 7 can jump to 2♥ ♣ 7 6 2 ♣ K 9 from North won’t ♠ 8 4 preemptively, it ♠ Q 9 3 simplify the task. ♥ J 10 8 7 6 2 will then be up to ♥ J 7 4 I suspect most ♦ 4 3 E/W to find their ♦ K J 9 3 2 will play 4♠ by ♣ Q 9 3 way to the best ♣ 4 3 East or 3NT from or safest game. That looks to be 5♦, where declarer the West seat. 4♠ has a painless +650, but after a needs to guess either spades or clubs and should club lead West has just nine top tricks in 3NT. He will manage the task. Conversely, in 3NT the play is far have to develop spades or diamonds to generate less comfortable after a heart lead. You could easily overtricks. At double dummy one can take 12 tricks in imagine declarer failing to realize hearts were 6-3. both hearts and notrump. The play in hearts is simple Now based on the auction he might lose the club enough, but at notrump West has to take very deep finesse to South. in diamonds, then set up a squeeze/ on South.

Bd: 24 ♠ A 4 After Stayman, Dlr: West ♥ A 7 6 should South Bd: 27 ♠ 8 7 6 4 Whether Vul: None ♦ A 8 4 3 drive to game or Dlr: South ♥ 7 6 South opens ♣ K 10 7 2 invite it? Put me Vul: None ♦ 9 7 a strong(ish) ♠ Q J 7 5 ♠ 9 8 6 3 in the latter camp: ♣ 9 8 7 5 2 notrump or 1♣, ♥ 5 2 ♥ Q J 10 9 partner knows if ♠ A 2 ♠ Q 10 5 E/W should find ♦ Q J 10 6 2 ♦ 9 he has a maximum ♥ Q 9 5 4 2 ♥ A K 8 3 their heart fit, but ♣ A 9 ♣ Q J 4 3 better than you! ♦ A Q 3 2 ♦ J 8 6 5 will they reach ♠ K 10 2 When East leads ♣ 10 6 ♣ K J game or play ♥ K 8 4 3 a heart against ♠ K J 9 3 partscore? After ♦ K 7 5 2NT, declarer must ♥ J 10 West overcalls in ♣ 8 6 5 win in dummy ♦ K 10 4 hearts over 1♣, (for fear of a switch) and try a club to the nine, 10 ♣ A Q 4 3 East will cuebid and jack. Assuming the defenders continue the attack to show a raise and West can introduce his diamonds, on hearts, declarer will cross to the ♦K to advance a allowing East to get to 4♥. Best defence against 4♥ second club (should unblock the ♣8). Now West can by West is to lead clubs. South cashes two rounds of win and clear diamonds, declarer ducking the second clubs and exits in hearts. However, declarer can draw and winning the third. Declarer may still come to +120 trump then take the diamond finesse, later endplaying for a fine result if he can work out to squeeze West South in diamonds to give a ruff and discard or play a in spades and diamonds or endplay East in hearts to spade into the split tenace. lead clubs.

Bd: 28 ♠ A 10 3 2 You’d imagine Bd: 25 ♠ A Q 8 North should Dlr: West ♥ Q 7 4 North will pass Dlr: North ♥ K Q 5 open 2♣ and Vul: N-S ♦ A K 10 6 when West opens Vul: E-W ♦ A Q 9 rebid 2NT to show ♣ 7 5 1♠. When East ♣ A Q 8 5 22-24. South may ♠ K Q 9 8 5 ♠ J 7 6 4 raises to 2♠, ♠ 6 ♠ K J 7 5 4 contemplate slam ♥ A K 8 6 3 ♥ J 10 then whether ♥ 9 8 7 4 2 ♥ J 6 3 if he can find a fit; ♦ Q J 5 ♦ 9 7 2 E/W play this ♦ J 7 6 3 ♦ 10 2 when Stayman ♣ — ♣ K Q J 8 as constructive ♣ K 6 3 ♣ 9 4 2 comes up empty ♠ — or not, West will ♠ 10 9 3 2 he might simply ♥ 9 5 2 drive to 4♠. North ♥ A 10 sign off in 3NT ♦ 8 4 3 is likely to lead ♦ K 8 5 4 rather than invite ♣ A 10 9 6 4 3 2 and continue ♣ J 10 7 slam with a call diamonds; West will win the third and try ♠K now. of 4NT. Whichever contract North ends up in, life The 4-0 split makes his task far harder, but if the becomes easier on a spade lead into the tenace. Now ♠K holds, declarer can ruff out hearts. When they 12 tricks appear simple, but North may well need to break 3-3, he can run winning hearts through North find the ♣9. After a passive opening salvo, such as a and neutralize his trumps. The winning defence is for club, declarer will take his four club winners, and can North to take the ♠A at his first opportunity and shift then strip off the red suits and arrange an endplay in to clubs, to establish another trump trick for himself. spades on East for the 12th trick. Bd: 29 ♠ Q 3 North’s hand is Bd: 32 ♠ K 2 One way or Dlr: North ♥ J 7 5 4 3 2 unsuitable for Dlr: West ♥ 6 5 another (whether Vul: Both ♦ 10 7 a preempt, so Vul: E-W ♦ K Q J 10 7 North overcalls ♣ A Q 6 he should pass. ♣ J 7 4 3 2♦ over 1♠ ♠ A 9 8 4 ♠ 10 2 When East opens ♠ A Q J 10 9 ♠ 8 6 5 4 or not) you’d ♥ K 6 ♥ A Q 1♦, many Souths ♥ 4 ♥ Q 10 2 imagine East will ♦ Q 5 ♦ A J 8 4 2 may overcall 1♠; ♦ 9 8 6 5 ♦ A raise spades to ♣ K 9 8 7 2 ♣ J 5 4 3 but even if he ♣ A K Q ♣ 9 8 6 5 2 suggest a mixed, ♠ K J 7 6 5 does not, it is hard ♠ 7 3 preemptive or ♥ 10 9 8 for West to work ♥ A K J 9 8 7 3 constructive ♦ K 9 6 3 out to stay out ♦ 4 3 2 raise. South will ♣ 10 of game, given ♣ 10 doubtless bid that he does have a full opening bid. Both 5♣ and hearts, but West should buy the contract in 4♠. After 3NT have theoretical play, but the consequence of a top diamond lead from North, West is likely to take the poorly placed minor-suit honours is that no game a spade finesse at trick two. When North wins he comes home today. Any E/W who manages to escape must return a diamond; declarer ruffs, draws a second for -100 will score well enough. trump, unblocks clubs, and has 10 winners. On any other defence, West can take 11 tricks. Sacrifices in hearts may escape for less than the E/W game. Bd: 30 ♠ Q J 10 6 At some tables Dlr: East ♥ J 10 9 4 E/W will settle Vul: None ♦ 7 3 in 1♣, or perhaps Bd: 33 ♠ K 10 5 4 In fourth seat, ♣ A 9 2 in 1♥ after East Dlr: North ♥ 10 6 West figures to ♠ 8 7 5 ♠ K 2 selects that rebid Vul: None ♦ Q 2 be allowed to ♥ 8 3 2 ♥ A Q 6 5 over 1♦. East ♣ A 9 7 6 2 open 1NT at most ♦ A 8 6 4 2 ♦ K Q might come to ♠ A 7 ♠ J 8 6 3 tables. East can ♣ 10 4 ♣ K J 8 7 6 seven tricks in ♥ A Q 2 ♥ K J 9 8 4 use Crawling ♠ A 9 4 3 each contract ♦ A J 10 8 ♦ 9 3 Stayman to ♥ K 7 after some good ♣ Q 8 5 3 ♣ 10 4 find his way to ♦ J 10 9 5 views. I suppose ♠ Q 9 2 a partscore in ♣ Q 5 3 North may find ♥ 7 5 3 hearts, against a way to compete, in which case N/S can take eight ♦ K 7 6 5 4 which N/S will do tricks in spades. I’d expect to see a few Easts open ♣ K J best to go after and close the auction with a call of 1NT (his hand trump. That stops declarer taking more than one equates to a 15-17 notrump in playing strength, given spade ruff in the West hand. After that start, East is those strong doubletons). After a diamond lead from favourite to be held to eight tricks. Elsewhere, you South, declarer will probably let North on lead could imagine East transferring to hearts, and now with a club, after which a shift to the ♠Q defeats North might lead spades against a final contract of that contract. 2♥. In that case, declarer should come to at least nine tricks, with +140 likely to produce a decent result for E/W. Bd: 31 ♠ 9 Would you believe Dlr: South ♥ A K 8 7 5 3 that this South Vul: N-S ♦ J 5 hand could find Bd: 34 ♠ A K J East’s beautiful ♣ 9 8 5 4 an ace and a king Dlr: East ♥ Q 10 9 5 hand turns to ♠ 2 ♠ J 10 8 7 3 opposite, but be Vul: N-S ♦ K 10 3 dust and ashes ♥ Q J 10 4 ♥ 9 6 2 struggling to take ♣ 9 4 2 after a sequence ♦ K 10 7 3 ♦ Q nine tricks in his ♠ Q 10 7 6 5 3 ♠ 9 such as: 1♦–1♠– ♣ A K 10 3 ♣ Q J 6 2 side’s best strain? ♥ K 8 4 3 2 ♥ A 7 2♣–2♠. East ♠ A K Q 6 5 4 After South opens ♦ — ♦ A J 9 5 4 might reasonably ♥ — 1♠ and hears the ♣ Q 5 ♣ A K 10 6 3 stretch to invite ♦ A 9 8 6 4 2 next hand double, ♠ 8 4 2 game with a ♣ 7 North will show ♥ J 6 call of 3♠, but his hearts, and it looks very tempting to jump to 4♦ ♦ Q 8 7 6 2 perhaps he should and get partner to pick the right game. Alas, the bad ♣ J 8 7 just give up on breaks mean that N/S are already out of their depth; game and pass out 2♠. You’d expect North to start even if North breaks discipline and passes 4♦, South with a top spade to take a look at dummy. After that is still booked for -100. I’d wager that penalties of 500 start, a heart shift will set up a heart winner and hold and 800 will be extremely common here. West to nine tricks before he can draw trumps and run the clubs. On any other lead, West can arrange eventually to ruff a heart in dummy. Bd: 35 ♠ Q 2 E/W have the high Dlr: South ♥ 5 2 cards and controls Vul: E-W ♦ A 6 2 to look for slam if ♣ Q 10 9 7 3 2 they can find a fit. ♠ K J 5 4 ♠ A Here the hearts ♥ A J 10 ♥ K Q 8 7 3 offer a tempting ♦ K J 9 4 ♦ 10 7 possibility for ♣ 8 6 ♣ A K J 5 4 slam, but 6♥ ♠ 10 9 8 7 6 3 looks little better ♥ 9 6 4 than a finesse ♦ Q 8 5 3 unless played from ♣ — the West seat (in the absence of those pesky club ruffs). And even if East declares 6♥, that contract can be defeated by South leading a diamond to the ace for a club ruff. By contrast, 6NT is a very unappealing spot; but with both minor-suit queens onside, the defenders cannot prevent 12 tricks. Anyone collecting 490 or 480 will probably register a fine score.

Bd: 36 ♠ K Q 10 8 5 4 Do the West cards Dlr: West ♥ 10 7 6 3 look like a one- Vul: Both ♦ 8 level or two-level ♣ K 2 opener? You pay ♠ 9 ♠ A J 7 6 your money, you ♥ K 8 5 2 ♥ A 9 take your choice! ♦ A Q J 10 4 2 ♦ K 9 7 6 A 1♦ opener will ♣ 7 5 ♣ A 9 8 allow East — even ♠ 3 2 in the face of spade ♥ Q J 4 preemption from ♦ 5 3 North — to look for ♣ Q J 10 6 4 3 the diamond slam. Mind you, it is West’s significant extra shape that makes the slam virtually laydown. However, if West opens 2♦, East will envisage the shape but not the high-card extras, and probably will not look beyond 3NT as the final contract. Anyone who achieves more than 630 with the E/W cards should therefore do very nicely here.