Commentary for the WBF Simultaneous Pairs Tournament An initiative to support Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 For more information about the way in which the WBF intends to support Youth Bridge, please go to: http://www.ecatsbridge.com/sims/WBFYouth/default.asp

heart contract North-South make seven tricks. 1. Love All. Dealer North. West should go one down if left in 1NT or 1[. [ 10 2 Board 3. E/W Vul. Dealer South. ] K 8 7 4 { Q J 9 8 3 [ 9 8 4 3 2 } 8 2 ] 10 8 [ K J 8 [ A Q 9 4 3 { 10 6 ] 9 2 ] A J 5 } Q 10 5 3 { A 10 2 { K 5 [ 10 7 [ K J 6 } A K 10 6 4 } Q 5 3 ] Q 4 ] A K J 5 3 [ 7 6 5 { A J 8 5 4 2 { 3 ] Q 10 6 3 } A 9 2 } K J 8 7 { 7 6 4 [ A Q 5 } J 9 7 ] 9 7 6 2 Can East-West reach a grand slam? 1[-2}-2NT-3[ { K Q 9 7 is the likely start. 4{-5}-5]-5NT-7[ is a possible } 6 4 continuation. It requires mutual trust to get there 1{-1]-2{-3NT seems the most likely auction. 10 with confidence, knowing what inferences you can tricks are easy to score. Indeed, if declarer manages deduce from partner’s bidding. Perhaps with a to play the clubs for four tricks, it takes an opening minimum East does not feel like making a . {K lead to be sure of stopping 660. In theory the 7NT, 7[ and 7} are all on. Playing in no-trumps top spot is 4] because 11 tricks are always there if carries a particular premium at matchpoint scoring. you get the clubs right – by no means easy. The way +1020 should score well over average. +1510 or to play the clubs to exert the greatest pressure on +1520 will be huge. North is to start with the nine. It is so easy to cover with the ten. +650 will be a good score and +660 Board 2. N/S Vul. Dealer East. enormous. [ K 2 Board 4. Game All. Dealer West. ] K J 6 4 3 { J 6 [ — } A J 10 5 ] K 9 7 [ J 10 5 4 3 [ A 6 { K Q 10 9 ] A 8 ] 10 9 7 5 2 } A J 9 8 6 3 { A 4 2 { 10 3 [ 10 7 6 [ Q J 8 5 2 } K Q 2 } 9 7 4 3 ] 10 8 6 3 ] Q [ Q 9 8 7 { 6 5 4 2 { A J 8 3 ] Q } K 7 } Q 10 4 { K Q 9 8 7 5 [ A K 9 4 3 } 8 6 ] A J 5 4 2 With such a poor spade suit West probably opens { 7 1NT. North will , perhaps showing hearts } 5 2 and a minor. In this case South does best to bid 2{ After East 1} with 1[, South should bid and rebid 3{ over the inevitable 2] from North. 2] and catch a raise to game. It takes an initial club Those who play weak twos in three suits and do not lead to stop the overtrick in 4]. On a spade or mind having a four-card major on the side will reach other lead, declarer can knock out the {A and so 3{ more easily. 3{ makes quite comfortably. In a avoid a club loser. The strength of the diamonds in dummy mean that declarer can even afford to play Board 7. Game All. Dealer South. a couple of rounds of trumps. Those who play in [ 10 9 6 3NT will make only 9 tricks for a poor score. 1[ ] K 9 8 4 doubled by East goes down 500 – not enough to { 8 6 4 make up for game. } Q J 3 Board 5. N/S Vul. Dealer North. [ K Q 4 2 [ A J 3 ] 10 7 ] J 6 3 [ 7 5 2 { Q J 5 { A K 10 9 ] Q 9 8 7 4 } K 7 6 2 } 10 5 4 { A 9 2 [ 8 7 5 } J 6 ] A Q 5 2 [ K Q 3 [ J 10 9 8 6 { 7 3 2 ] A ] 2 } A 9 8 { Q 8 6 4 3 { J 5 Most likely East opens 1NT in fourth seat, denies a } K 9 4 2 } A Q 8 5 3 four-card major after West’s 2} inquiry and [ A 4 declines a subsequent invitation to bid game. 2NT ] K J 10 6 5 3 is a poor contract but makes thanks to the kindly 4- { K 10 7 4 heart break and the position of the }A. Whether } 10 7 South leads a heart or a passive diamond, 8 tricks Whether South opens 1] or a weak 2], West should result. No doubt a few pairs will score 150 doubles for takeout and North raises. East may well if South ducks or underleads the }A. 9 tricks are bid 4[, getting West temporarily worried. The 2-2 easier in a suit contract, 140 in spades being a great club break means the defenders cannot score a result. and 4[ makes. The vulnerability will surely deter North-South from bidding 5]. If they do try it, the Board 8. Love All. Dealer West. penalty should be 800. The defenders should be able [ K Q 7 3 2 to avoid opening up the diamonds and so come to ] A Q 5 a diamond as well as their four obvious winners. { J 9 4 Board 6. E/W Vul. Dealer East. } 8 6 [ J 9 8 [ A [ A 5 ] J 10 ] 9 7 4 3 ] A K J 10 9 2 { A 8 3 { K 10 7 6 5 2 { 9 4 } A K Q J 3 } 10 4 } Q J 9 [ 10 6 5 4 [ 7 6 3 [ J 10 9 2 ] K 8 6 2 ] 4 ] 8 6 5 3 { Q { J 10 6 3 2 { A Q 5 } 9 7 5 2 } K 8 4 2 } A 10 It looks tricky for East-West to reach 5{. Perhaps [ K Q 8 4 North-South will push them into it. North overcalls ] Q 7 1} with 1[ and, after East doubles, South may well { K 8 7 jump to 3[. Knowing that the hands fit well with [J- } 7 6 5 3 x-x facing a shortage, West makes a competitive After 1]-1[-3[, South faces a choice. The slow double. East might just jump to 5{ over this. On a values suggest 3NT while the lack of a club stopper spade lead declarer should make 12 tricks, finessing suggests raising to 4]. Facing this North hand 3NT the {10 on the second round of trumps. 5[ doubled is by far the better spot. It makes whenever East goes down three tricks– one trick too many. holds the {A and also when West has all the missing aces and kings. In 4] there are the twin dangers of a diamond lead through the king and of a club ruff. Those in 4] are likely to survive as East surely leads the [J. Even so, scoring 420 loses to those with 430.

Commentary for the WBF Pairs supporting Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 2 Board 9. E/W Vul. Dealer North. Board 11. Love All. Dealer South. [ 9 5 [ J 10 8 3 ] 7 5 2 ] K Q J 9 { A J 10 4 3 { 10 } Q 6 2 } Q 10 5 3 [ A Q 10 7 [ K 4 3 [ Q 6 2 [ A K 9 7 5 ] K Q J ] A 10 9 8 4 ] 6 4 2 ] 3 { K Q 7 2 { 9 8 { J 8 6 4 { 9 5 } 10 4 } J 8 7 } 8 6 2 } K J 9 7 4 [ J 8 6 2 [ 4 ] 6 3 ] A 10 8 7 5 { 6 5 { A K Q 7 3 2 } A K 9 5 3 } A If West opens 1[ in fourth seat, it will take delicate Not many pairs play an 2{ these days. So, manoeuvring to reach the right contract. If East South opens 1{ and North bids 1]. East may bid raises to 2[ and West rebids 2NT, 3] from East 2NT but double seems more likely. South jumps to should be forcing (3} or 3{ would not be forcing). 3[ (splinter: raise to 4] with a singleton or in Now West can raise to 4]. If West opens 1{, East spades) and North signs off in 4]. South is not done responds 1], West rebids 1[ and East gives false yet and cue bids 5}. With such good trumps North preference to 2{ (though some will pass or try has to bid the slam now. To make 6] you just need 1NT). West can bid 2] or even 3] over 2{ or 1NT. to ruff one diamond to set up the suit. 6[ doubled On a top club lead 4] makes easily. 2[ and 1NT are goes five down for 1100 – too much. also on. Board 12. N/S Vul. Dealer West. Board 10. Game All. Dealer East. [ J [ A K J 10 ] K 10 4 ] Q 8 { A K Q 8 7 3 2 { K 7 2 } 10 6 } A 10 8 3 [ K Q 10 8 [ A 6 4 2 [ 9 4 2 [ Q 7 6 5 ] Q J 9 8 6 ] 7 ] J 10 9 6 4 3 ] 7 { 10 5 { J 9 6 { 9 5 { Q J 10 8 6 4 } 4 3 } A Q J 8 7 } J 5 } 4 2 [ 9 7 5 3 [ 8 3 ] A 5 3 2 ] A K 5 2 { 4 { A 3 } K 9 5 2 } K Q 9 7 6 After North opens 1{ and East doubles, South After an opener’s , it is common these days probably ignores the double and bids 1]. West may to play that responder has one artificial way (usually jump to 2[, in which case East will compete with the lower of 2NT and the fourth suit) to show a 3[ after North bids 3{. If West bids only 1[, North weak hand. This means that all other responder’s will rebid 3{ anyway. Although South might double rebids are forcing. If North can agree clubs, find out 3[, declarer can get out for one off and beat all that South has three key cards (the }K counting as those losing 130 (4{ making) or any losing 120 an ace) then a follow up inquiry should allow South (2NT making). Pairs who compete to 4[ will fare to show the }Q and the ]K. This allows North to badly, surely conceding 300. bid 7}. With the spade wrong, 7NT is not Board 13. Game All. Dealer North. making. [ 10 8 ] 10 7 5 2 { Q 6 4 3 } 10 8 6 [ K Q 5 3 [ J 2 ] K 6 4 ] A Q J 8 3 { A 9 7 { J 10 } A Q 7 } 9 5 4 2 [ A 9 7 6 4 ] 9 { K 8 5 2 } K J 3

Commentary for the WBF Pairs supporting Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 3 South presumably opens 1[ in third seat. Worry Board 16. E/W Vul. Dealer West. about the 2] response if it happens! When West [ 9 8 7 5 overalls 1NT, East looks likely to transfer into ] A 10 5 2 hearts and then bid 3NT to give West a choice of { A 7 games. With flat shape and fearing an adverse spade } 9 6 5 ruff, West may well choose to play in 3NT. Most [ A 10 4 [ K 6 2 routes to 11 tricks. The defenders score a spade ] Q 8 7 ] K J 9 3 and one trick in the minors, diamonds more often { K Q 6 4 { 10 9 3 2 than not. +660 will be worth a lot more } K 10 8 } J 7 matchpoints than +650. [ Q J 3 Board 14. Love All. Dealer East. ] 6 4 { J 8 5 [ K J 4 } A Q 4 3 2 ] 10 8 2 West may well open 1NT and play there. The cards { A 9 8 3 lie well for declarer and 150 is available on any lead } Q 10 5 except a club. If as North you start with a heart (not [ Q 9 [ A 10 8 7 6 my choice), you will need to switch to a spade when ] J 9 5 ] K Q 6 3 in with the ]A to avoid losing an embarrassing 180. { J 10 6 5 { 7 2 With double-dummy play on both sides, 3] is the } K 9 8 7 } 6 3 highest-scoring spot with 140 available. Nine tricks [ 5 3 2 are also there playing in diamonds but 110 will score ] A 7 4 poorly with the field +120 or better. { K Q 4 } A J 4 2 Board 17. Love All. Dealer North. East passes as dealer but will take some action when [ Q 9 8 South’s second seat 1NT comes back. 2} is the ] K Q 7 likely bid whether it shows hearts and a major or { K 8 7 5 3 both majors. Some pairs will play in 2] and some in } K 9 2[. The 5-2 fit plays better here, with 2[ makeable. [ 7 6 4 3 [ A J 2] fails if the defenders play on the minors and ] 10 8 6 4 3 ] A J 9 5 2 force East to ruff. The stakes could be high if North { — { Q has doubled. 1NT by South makes with an overtrick } 8 7 5 3 } A J 6 4 2 via three tricks in each minor and one in each major. [ K 10 5 2 Board 15. N/S Vul. Dealer South. ] — { A J 10 9 6 4 2 [ 10 9 8 7 5 } Q 10 ] A 10 Reaching 5{ is often tricky after a 1NT opening, all { 9 2 the more so when the next hand doubles. Is it so } A Q 8 7 far fetched for South to jump to 3{ and North to [ J 4 3 [ Q 2 raise to 4{? In this case South goes on to 5{. The ] J 9 8 5 ] K 7 6 4 2 lucky position in spades spares declarer a guess. { Q 10 4 { A J 7 East-West save themselves some many matchpoints } J 6 4 } K 10 2 if they get to 5], losing only 100 when doubled. [ A K 6 3NT by North makes on a heart lead but fails on a ] Q 3 club lead. East but not West (on a heart lead) can { K 8 6 5 3 make 4}. } 9 5 3 With good controls and good intermediates North will look for game after South’s weak no-. South will decline and prefer to play in spades than in 2NT. This is not a good hand for transfers because East needs to lead a low diamond or a trump to avoid giving a tenth trick. If South plays in 3[, West has a much easier time and making just nine tricks will be common. Even 1NT fails on an initial heart lead from West. 3] doubled by East should go two down.

Commentary for the WBF Pairs supporting Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 4 Board 18. N/S Vul. Dealer East. Board 20. Game All. Dealer West. [ A Q 8 7 [ A K 8 ] J ] K Q J 9 5 4 { J 7 6 5 4 2 { 10 9 } 10 5 } 5 3 [ 10 6 4 3 [ K J 5 2 [ Q J 5 [ 9 6 3 2 ] A Q 10 3 ] K 7 6 ] A 10 8 ] 3 { K { Q 3 { 4 2 { Q J 8 7 6 3 } Q J 6 3 } A K 8 4 } K Q J 10 4 } 8 7 [ 9 [ 10 7 4 ] 9 8 5 4 2 ] 7 6 2 { A 10 9 8 { A K 5 } 9 7 2 } A 9 6 2 If, like me, you open 1} on the East hand, you need If North overcalls 1NT with 2], South manages a to bid well to locate the spade fit. The key, after the raise to 3] and North goes on to game. Reaching start of 1}-1]-1NT-2}(inquiry)-2] is for West to 4] is even easier if North views to double 1NT. The bid 2[. Now you have found it. As it happens you play is for the overtrick. Say East leads the {Q and can make the same ten tricks with either spades or North knocks out the ]A. West must persevere hearts as trumps. In 4] you need to set up the with diamonds rather than switch to the }K. On spades while dummy still has trumps to deal with the }K switch, declarer can and make 11 diamond forces. In 4[ you just lose two trumps and tricks on a double squeeze whether West goes back the {A. 3NT and 4} also make but for an inferior to diamonds or persists with clubs. 3NT fails on a score. club lead. Board 19. E/W Vul. Dealer South. Board 21. N/S Vul. Dealer North. [ K 9 4 [ Q 6 2 ] 8 4 ] A 8 2 { Q J 9 6 4 { K J 10 } A 8 4 } Q 9 8 7 [ A 5 [ Q 6 3 [ K 9 8 5 [ A 10 4 3 ] K Q J 9 7 3 ] — ] 7 6 4 ] 3 { 10 3 { A K 5 2 { Q 9 7 6 { 8 5 4 3 2 } Q 7 5 } K J 9 6 3 2 } 4 3 } J 10 2 [ J 10 8 7 2 [ J 7 ] A 10 6 5 2 ] K Q J 10 9 5 { 8 7 { A } 10 } A K 6 5 What is wrong with 1]-1}-2]-3{-4}-5} for the How does the bidding go if North opens 1NT? East-West bidding? There is nothing wrong if South South might transfer via 2{ and splinter to 4{ over leads the [J or indeed any card bar the }10. It is a the 2] completion. North signs off in 4] and signs trump lead and continuation that leaves declarer a off again when South cue bids 5}. South must give trick short. It is no good to win the second club in up now. This bidding has revealed the spade dummy and run the ]K. South wins with the ace weakness and the defenders cash the first two and switches to a spade, after which North ruffs the tricks. South may do better to blast 6] over 1NT third round of hearts. The [J is not the card to lead (or 2]). Will anyone find the spade lead now? 6], against 3NT either. It takes a diamond lead to break 6NT and 7} are all makeable without an initial 3NT. spade lead.

Commentary for the WBF Pairs supporting Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 5 Board 22. E/W Vul. Dealer East. If West opens 4[, what should North do? I like 4NT to show any two suits. Does South have enough to [ A K 4 3 2 raise to 5NT (or jump to 6})? Pre-empts make you ] 10 9 guess. You cannot guess right every time. 6} is { K 6 4 cold. 6] is likely to fail but might make if West } J 9 2 doubles for an unusual lead and East fishes out a [ J 9 6 [ 10 7 5 diamond! A spade contract might make only seven ] K 7 6 2 ] A 5 4 tricks. South needs to overruff the third round of { J { A 8 5 hearts, put North in with a diamond and score a } A 8 7 5 3 } K Q 10 4 second overruff! [ Q 8 ] Q J 8 3 Board 25. E/W Vul. Dealer North. { Q 10 9 7 3 2 [ Q 10 5 } 6 ] A 10 7 4 Playing a weak no-trump, the bidding should begin { 6 2 and end with 1NT from East. Declarer has eight } A Q J 5 tricks, no more and no less, making 120 a very [ 8 7 3 2 [ K J common score. In a strong no-trump auction North ] K Q J 5 3 2 ] 8 6 might overcall in spades after 1}-1], in which case { A 4 3 { K Q J 10 7 East-West will play a suit contract. The same 110 is } — } K 10 9 7 available in clubs and hearts. If South makes a weak [ A 9 6 4 jump overcall of 2{, North-South can reach 3{ and ] 9 score 110 their way for a great matchpoint score. { 9 8 5 Board 23. Game All. Dealer South. } 8 6 4 3 2 After North opens 1NT, East has no convenient bid [ Q J 7 3 unless 2{ would be natural. West overcalls 2] and ] Q 10 8 5 3 East is worth 2NT. West should retreat to 3] and { 10 9 play there. If declarer gets the spades right – this is } 4 3 not easy on the bidding – the defenders need to be [ 10 8 6 5 2 [ A K on their toes to stop 10 tricks. For instance, if ] K 9 4 ] 6 North leads a spade, South must duck. East-West { J 5 4 { A K Q 8 7 6 3 2 can make 2NT or 3{ as well. North-South can make } 10 8 } A 2 2} (or concede 500 in the phantom 5} doubled). [ 9 4 ] A J 7 2 Board 26. Game All. Dealer East. { — [ A J } K Q J 9 7 6 5 ] J 10 7 6 4 What do 1}-pass-1]-3] and 1}-pass-1]-3} { 10 9 8 mean? Logically one asks for a heart stopper and the } J 8 3 other for a club stopper; presumably you bid the [ K 8 2 [ Q 10 9 6 4 3 suit in which you have the stopper. In this case East ] 9 8 2 ] A Q bids 3}, South 3] and West 3NT. North now saves { J 5 3 { 7 6 2 in 4] and East goes on to 4NT. 5NT is cold. Indeed } A 7 6 2 } Q 5 it takes a club lead to stop 690. A club lead also [ 7 5 defeats 6{. 5] doubled is cheap at 500. 5} doubled ] K 5 3 costs the same 500 and may induce East to try 5{. { A K Q 4 Board 24. Love All. Dealer West. } K 10 9 4 If East opens a weak 2[, South doubles for takeout [ 3 and North bids 3] (or, if playing , 2NT ] A K Q 9 5 followed by 3]). The fortuitous position in hearts { Q 2 and clubs means that those who overbid to 4] get } A K Q 7 6 an undeserved top. 10 tricks are also available [ A K Q J 10 8 6 [ 7 4 2 playing in diamonds. 2[ goes down one so long as ] J 4 3 2 ] 7 6 South exits safely in spades after cashing the { 8 6 { 10 9 7 5 4 diamonds. East can make 1NT but I think I can safely } — } J 8 4 predict no East will play in that contract! [ 9 5 ] 10 8 { A K J 3 } 10 9 5 3 2

Commentary for the WBF Pairs supporting Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 6 Board 27. Love All. Dealer South. Board 29. Game All. Dealer North. [ Q 9 6 [ J 2 ] 9 7 ] J 9 7 5 { 9 6 3 { Q 4 3 } K 10 9 8 5 } J 10 8 5 [ K 7 2 [ A 10 [ K Q 6 3 [ A 10 8 4 ] A K J 4 3 ] Q 5 2 ] A K 10 3 ] 8 6 2 { J 2 { K Q 10 7 5 { A K 9 2 { J 7 } A 6 3 } Q J 7 } 4 } K 7 3 2 [ J 8 5 4 3 [ 9 7 5 ] 10 8 6 ] Q 4 { A 8 4 { 10 8 6 5 } 4 2 } A Q 9 6 The auction here may take a similar course to that Whether West opens 1{ or 1[, East responds 1[, on board 1. 1]-2{-2NT-3] seems the obvious West splinters with 4} and East signs off in 4[. start. Again the question is whether West should Knowing of the singleton club in dummy, South make a cue bid despite being near minimum for the leads a trump. To make the overtrick declarer must forcing 2NT rebid. In any case East is surely worth win in dummy, give up a club, win the second in one slam try and West, holding such good trumps, trump in dummy and lead a diamond towards the should accept. With North on lead, there is no way jack. +650 will be a good score as I am sure some to stop 6], 6NT or, if West miraculously declares will make only 10 tricks. Certainly you cannot make it, 6{. A club lead stops 12 tricks if South is on lead. more than 620 if you play in 4]. Board 28. N/S Vul. Dealer West. Board 30. Love All. Dealer East. [ K 9 [ A Q J 9 7 ] Q 9 8 6 3 ] 6 3 { K 8 { A 5 4 } A 7 6 5 } A 10 9 [ A 6 3 2 [ J 8 5 [ K 6 4 [ 10 8 ] J 10 5 ] K 7 ] A K J 9 8 5 2 ] 4 { A Q 10 7 { 9 6 5 3 { Q 10 { K 9 3 2 } 9 3 } 10 8 4 2 } 6 } K Q 8 4 3 2 [ Q 10 7 4 [ 5 3 2 ] A 4 2 ] Q 10 7 { J 4 2 { J 8 7 6 } K Q J } J 7 5 North-South are likely to reach game as both of After East opens 3}, West needs to take a them have an opening bid. After 1]-1[-2} South pragmatic approach. What is the chance that knows that at least one of the [Q and [J is probably bidding 3] will improve the contract? North wasted but those clubs look really good. You can probably overcalls 3[ in any event. 3[ goes a couple make 4] with the aid of an inspired view in the off because dummy lacks the entries for finessing trump suit. One down seems normal, though. If twice against the [K. I suppose East might double West leads a diamond other than the queen, 3NT 3[ if West has bid 3]. The spade situation means fails no matter how well declarer guesses. If West that 3} and 3] both make from the West seat but opens the bidding, this may keep the opponents out not the East seat. Those who do not open 3} as of game. East should thus do well.

Commentary for the WBF Pairs supporting Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 7 Board 31. N/S Vul. Dealer South. Board 32. E/W Vul. Dealer West. [ K 9 6 [ J ] 9 7 2 ] K Q 7 2 { K Q 10 7 6 { K J 4 2 } 4 2 } 10 5 4 3 [ J 8 7 2 [ Q 10 5 4 [ 10 9 8 6 [ K Q 7 4 ] 6 3 ] Q J ] A J 8 ] 10 9 6 4 { 5 { J 9 8 3 2 { A 7 { Q 9 8 6 } A K J 10 8 3 } 7 5 } K 7 6 2 } 9 [ A 3 [ A 5 3 2 ] A K 10 8 5 4 ] 5 3 { A 4 { 10 5 3 } Q 9 6 } A Q J 8 North-South are likely to brush aside West’s 2} If West opens 1NT, East holds a suitable hand for and bid 1]-2]-4] anyway. Three rounds of clubs inquiring with 2} and passing any reply. To stop the allow East to overruff dummy and stop the overtrick in 2[ the defenders need either to make overtrick. The top scoring contract is 3NT by a heart ruff or two natural heart tricks. If North South. 660 is easy the way the heart lie. Indeed any bravely doubles 2[ for takeout, South might play in clubs West does not cash immediately will run 3}. On the likely spade lead 3} should go one away. Sacrificing in 4[ doubled is just profitable at down if the defenders need to stay on their toes. If this vulnerability. To collect 500 the defenders need declarer leads a heart at trick two and West fails to to add to their five top winners by forcing West to play precisely the jack, 3} could scrape home. ruff diamonds.

Commentary for the WBF Pairs supporting Youth Bridge Wednesday 14th August 2019 8