ACBL -wide Senior Pairs - M o nd ay Afte rno o n, M arch 27, 2OL7 - S et 12657 2 : 1 i 442 South's third seat 2? will Board:5 ll98643 Are you someone who believes Dlr: North ?K95 be doubled by West, not because Dlr: North VQ65 minor suits are for children? Here, Vul: None aOJ10 he wants to, but because he must Vul: N-S aAJ9B E/W can bring home 6.?. in a canter, *10832 compete in this position and at this *10 but SNT loses the first eight tricks 44753 iJ109B vulnerability. When North raises AAKQJ2 A107 - and maybe even the first nine, if t72 ?46 delicately to 3? - passing would be ?B 1K9743 declarer plays to make his game. tK74 149832 wet, and driving to game too trusting iK1053 t- I have absolutely no idea how to *AO94 &J7 of partner - East has three possible &A9B tKOJ6s3 bid the E/W cards to slam if East AK6 options. Just like Goldilocks and the i5 does not open l*. Yes, that would ?oJ10843 three bears, 4i would be too hot, ?AJ102 be my choice, as well as that of any t 65 3A too cold, double (if it means a 447642 decent results-merchant, though that *K65 in spades, or both minors *7 42 doesn't make it right, just successful planning to correct to a spade call) today. The point is that East has no just right. When West bids 3i, East sensible action if he passes and hears can call it a day, and collect +]40 for partner open 1ll, since Drury gets his side. in the way.

Board:2 A J 104 West should li over lt), Board:6 AO62 Plenty of Souths will open their Dlr: East I J64 and hear partner raise to 24. lf the Dlr: East ? KQ98 hand 2 i, conveniently ignoring how Vul:N-S 0O654 i K were the 0 A, you'd be worth a Vul: E-W 06 playable they are in both majors. *97 2 cuebid raise to 2 t) . Now West's extra *AKJB7 With preempting, thrice blest is he A AA9B53 iK62 shape makes him worth a shot at iA105 6K97 4 who gets his blow in first, and some vK9s2 V1083 44. lf he tries with 3?, East might ?A107 I 532 (fans of ?) may even opt t8 tK2 well reiect, despite holding a near- 0 KJ102 0 B3 for 30. At double-dummy, South *AJ *K1OB65 maximum in HCP. In 41, declarer *963 *o542 can come home in 2l via a 67 ought to the diamond opening iJ83 , but few will manage that. ?AQ7 lead in dummy, lf South wins the t)J ?J64 By contrast, if West is allowed to oAJ10973 then plays a heart, the hand will be iAQ9754 open 10, North will double. Now *o43 over when West puts up the ?K, lf *10 E/W might go down in diamonds South continues diamonds, declarer or spades, or N/S could end up in might consider ruffing in and running a low-level partscore in notrump or the .?.J, holding himself to 10 rather hearts. Any plus score should be a than 11 tricks. reasonable result here, especially forE/W.

Board: 3 AO The message on this next deal might Board: 7 iAo86 All the one-level contracts come Dlr: South 17654 be 'A little learning is a dangerous Dlr: South v4842 home here, one way or another, Vul: E-W .J873 thing." South must open 1rl, passed Vul: Both a82 according to Deep , but l'm *J975 round to East, who willsurely balance *OJB betting most tables will find it hard aJ1094 AB53 with 2V. Now some Souths will pass, 67 52 AKJlO to stay that low. lt can be done, t 109 IAKJB2 expecting their partner to balance if rJ1096 lA7 though; after North opens, East 0 A964 lK2 they have spade fit. A more educated 0 03 fAJ1094 might overcall 1NT, or East might *1063 *QB4 South might stretch to double for &65 42 *A103 take a pessimistic position to open 6 AK7 62 takeout; but North rates to pull the 6943 1NT, and play there. But since North ?43 double to 2NT (pick a minor) and vK53 might open any of three suits (and to105 despite all the three-three breaks, the 0 K765 even lt) perhaps, if using a strong & AK2 defenders can cash the first six tricks & K97 club?) predicting where the music in the red suits against 3*.2? looks will stop is a fool's game. All right, likely to make after South's normal because you asked so nicely, l'll top spade lead, doesn't it? guess N/S +lOO, defending diamonds or notrump.

Board:4 AK9B65 The world is divided into those Board: B iJ109B Are you a man or a mouse? When Dlr: West l9B2 Wests who open 2 t) , and those who Dlr: West v K109 East opens 1* in third seat, should Vul: Both I 43 won't risk losing a major-suit fit by Vul: None O KB7 South come into the auction to show *o92 preempting when they have a decent *o63 his hearts or even make a takeout 401043 iJ2 four-carder on the side. lf N/S are left 67 6 K032 double? Personally, l'd stay silent for v5 1A763 to their own devices, you'd expect IAJ87 ?5 fear of tipping off declarer to bad t4109852 t76 them to get to 4I, and even after 0 443 I A.92 breaks; today, that might well be the *A10 *KJ654 a diamond lead they seem to have &K97 42 *AJ10B5 best policy. lf South passes, E/W iA7 too much work to do there, lf South 4A654 should locate their lO-card club fit vKaJ104 gets to double 20, then rebid 2NT, ?46432 and play 5*, or perhaps end up in O AKJ he may play there or in 3NT, After a 4J1065 a very delicate 3NT. On the lead of a &873 diamond lead he has nine tricks, but *- top diamond against 5*, East must the defenders have six - if they can duck, to freeze the suit, Now he has cash them. However, many Easts time to guess trumps, and three will fail to find the club shift at the times in the West hand, while taking critical moment. the trump finesse along the way. Board:9 tl AJ 104 North has more than a minimum Board: l-3 tQ9B After South's response of INT to 1I, Dlr: North ?42 opener, of course, with his builders Dlr: North I AJ107 52 North would need the t)A rather Vul: E-W I AJ1097 42 in spades and diamonds giving his Vul: Both O K than the 0 K to be worth 31. Though *- hand huge offensive strength. After *AJ5 N/S appear to belong in partscore, io8763 iK9 a 1 0 opener and East's 2NT overcall 6463 6K1074 the friendly lie of the cards gives vAJB ?410763 for hearts and clubs, it will be a case ?K63 194 them some prospects of making t- t6 of waiting for the music to stop, as aJTs 49862 4V, which comes home easily on a *KO942 *A107s3 both sides have such a big fit that no .ro86s &K102 spade or heart lead. After a diamond i52 one can judge defense accurately. J52 lead, might North win in hand and ?K95 With the heart finesse working, E/W ^?o8 try a heart to...the eight? The play a KaB53 can come home in 6* but not 6?. aAo1043 in 2V is far from straightforward, *J86 Meanwhile, N/S might bid 6t to &97 4 since declarer's target is not at all make, but whatever their motives, clear. After a diamond lead North their costs less than the might rise in dummy with lA, pitch opponents'game. a club on the f Q, and take the heart finesse.

Board: 10 AJ84 You'd expect every West to open 1* Board: 14 6KJ7 42 Will East follow Terence Reese's Dlr: East ?K1096 in third seat, and North will double, Dlr: East V63 principle that 5-4-2-2 is best for play Vul: Both . AA9B East will probably bid I A rather than Vul: None 0454 at suits, especially when he can open *46 redouble, and now South should &A95 1l with an easy rebid? Or is it better AK72 4o9653 compete to 2l(Double by South 6A53 tQ1096 to open 1NT to protect the tenaces? ?AQ7 I J4 would not be takeout here, but show t75 v09 Whatever you do, South rates to bid 172 a K64 spades; with one or both red suits, ,97 63 OAKJlOS 31, and when West passes, East will *K9543 *AB2 you bid hearts, then bid again, or &oJ42 *K10 have to decide whether to balance iA10 double if appropriate.) On the actual AB or sell out. Discretion is the better ?8532 hand, E/W seem likely to end up in V A KJ 10842 part of valor today, as making 3l tJ1053 spades more often than not. The a2 requires careful handling. Still, since *J107 hearts provide a home for the slow *8763 3? on a non-club lead is extremely club loser, and the diamond ruff in hard to defeat, if declarer somehow West represents a safe enough route guesses spades, it might be better to to nine tricks. go down in diamonds than defend.

Board: 11 iJ52 Most Souths rate to open 2?, but Board: 15 AAOJ9B5 After two passes, a few Norths Dlr: South ro87 some willjudge their 6-4 shape and Dlr: South ?AQ might go the whole hog and risk Vul: None IAJB good spots makes their hand a 3? Vul: N-S o 107 opening 2NT ("Sorry partner, I had *o1076 preempt. The secret for N/S is to try *AO6 two spades in with my diamonds"). 4O1096 AAK74 to keep E/W out, while aiming to go 6K7 632 Most will settle for a mundane 'll vA65 l4 plus in hearts, or at least limit their ?865 I J107 42 opener. Either way, North should a K942 a 410653 minus score. East is likely to balance I KO54 OAJ6 play game, and 4i is the top spot *AB *J43 with a double over 21, and might *J1085 &7 32 in theory, because 12 tricks are a AB3 even double a raise to 3I, but might d 1064 virtual certainty on a non-diamond I KJ10932 be less inclined to come in over 4?. ? K93 lead, But against 3NT East willsurely l7 TodaY, E,/W can make 44, maybe I 9832 kick off with a heart. lf declarer wins &K952 with an overtrick, if they can guess * K94 ?A, crosses to .?.K and runs l10, he diamonds. So if N/S concede 50 or will emerge smelling of roses wrth 100 in hearts, that should matchpoint +690 and almost allthe matchpoints. well enough. No one ever said that pairs tactics involved playing beautiful bridge, did they?

Board: 12 i4s For some, most l4-counts can be Board: 16 i0742 The textbooks require North to open 'l*, Dlr: West I 462 upgraded to a 15-17 notrump. North's DIr: West TAOlOB though you could understand Vul: N-S I K94 hand might be suitable for that Vul: E-W tA9 opening l? planning to pass a &AK1063 action, though the small doubleton tJ65 forcing or semi-forcing INT call. A i J97 52 6A1086 spade suggests partner should AAB65 AKJ9 normal sequence will see South vKJ104 v975 declare notrump, and opening INT ? 92 v63 respond l? to 1* and jump to 4? )32 f6 increases the risk of going overboard lK7 I 86432 at his next turn. Some shows-offs *84 *oJ752 in spades. Whatever the merits of &K87 43 *o92 sitting West may lead 0K, afier AKO this argument, today 6l is a fine i 103 which the deal is over. But even if ?OB3 contract - easier to reach after a INT a KJ7 54 he doesn't, South can win the club OAOJ10B75 opener. lt goes down because of the 0QJ105 or heart lead and finesse for the *9 5-2 club break, which prevents North *A10 I K. Then he cashes 0 A and draws being able to pitch all of South's heart trump, discarding dummy's clubs on losers, After the *Q lead, declarer the diamonds. Having said that, l'm can try to set up the suit, but an alert sure recording +42O will produce a East will stop him from doing so. decent score for N/S. Board: 1,7 AJ62 When South hears two passes to him, Board:21 A K The ACBL has confirmed that Dlr: North VO753 it would need stronger restraint than Dlr: North VO1082 opening 1NT with an awkward hand possess Vul: None lK5 I not to consider opening Vul:N-S aAKJ105 includrng a singleton honor is now * A432 2? when non-vulnerable. ls that a *464 kosher. Whether the consequences AAK94 i87 good idea? Maybe not, since E/W ioB7s4 iA3 of this deal will reinforce your are ?- ?4964 on a finesse for 6 O , but if left to I AK7 ?963 preconception that this is a bad idea tAQ9B642 tJ103 their own devices might well settle in t8 a642 is up to you. After North's INT opener, tKJ *O96s 3NT, down on repeated heart leads. *KO92 &J8753 N/S rate to subside in 21, down at pass i41053 Assuming N/S throughout, a iJ10962 least two tricks on the bad break. ?KJ10B2 sequence such as: 1t-1?-21-3t- TJ54 But compare what would happen if a7 4l-41- i-s)-Pass gets E/W to 0 Q973 North instead opens 1l: N/S should *1087 their best spot. But an easier way for *10 find their nine-card diamond fit, and them get a to matchpoint top is for cannot be prevented from taking 10 N/S to bid too much in hearts, and tricks on careful play. There again get doubled for -500 or worse. E/W do nicely in clubs.

Board: 10 5 18 t A East has a full opener of ll in my Board:22 A OJ2 South has no sensible opening call in Dlr: Q East ? book, with an easy rebid and useful Dlr: East V 9 second seat. When West bids 1*, as Vul:N-S I KJ54 intermediates in all his long suits. lf Vul:E-W tAKA1085 most will, North should overcall lr). *K97 63 he opens 1i, then some Souths will &472 Now after East raises to 3* rather a- iA9B73 pass discreetly, others will overcall AAKlO i93 than introduce his hearts, tt South 1K97654 J1032 1NT. lt is exceptionally curious that va65 tt-0873 can double for takeout, and North's t10762 l9 4t is at worst on a trump guess, fJ96 132 best call is to gamble out 3NT. After *842 *AQ10 and might make on a crossruff * o943 *KJ1085 a club lead, declarer can only make (for 6KJ642 example) if a trump is not led. 487 6s4 an overtrick if he ducks two rounds ?AB Conversely, N,/S's contract of 4l is I AKJ42 of clubs, and West then fails to cash play I AAB3 not without on a low heart lead 474 out his spades. lf N/S find their eight- tJ5 from West. Declarer drives out lA *6 card spade fit they might play 4,1 and draws four rounds of trump then instead. The favorable lie of the cards runs diamonds, eventually losing two means the defense cannot stop N/S clubs for down one. coming to '11 tricks, for an excellent result for them.

Board:19 AAOJB4 At any form of scoring, opening 3* Board:23 iQJ3 Deals like this are too hard for even Dlr: South ? - is a mainstream action these days for Dlr: South 176 the expert partnerships. lmagine that Vul: E-W iAKJ107 South. But what North is supposed Vul: Both t 10 9 6 East's l7 was the *7 Were that so, *965 to do is far from clear. lf you play *108543 then you'd need the spade break to a 1097 iK3 sound , using "Poor Man's 61095 6AK62 make 12 tricks here. On the actual VJ1096 TAKQB53 Blackwood." (4 0 with responses: 0//1 lAKJ92 VQ1043 lie of the cards, 13 tricks in hearts a + + 08542 a 63 *O, 2, 2 *Q would be possible.) I KA AB7 are a formality, with the club ruff in *10 *KB7 However, with a in hearts and a &976 *AK' the short hand providing the extra i 652 partner whose preempts might be i87 4 winner. After a Jacoby 2NT response, l7 42 much weaker, you could understand v85 current expert thinking is that West prefening o9 North a natural and forcing I J5432 needs to be able to show a minimum *AOJ432 3l call. East will surely overcall 4?, and *oJ2 first, then emphasize good trumps. now N,/S might not find a scientific way That still won't be enough to help to get to 6*, a fine contract, but one East explore scientifically, though, which is challenging on a heart lead. In Only the relay systems will score a fact, declarer might need to take the goal here with confidence. diamond finesse to succeed.

Board:20 A K9B3 This time a marginal overcall from Board:24 i 6 5 North has what looks much more like Dlr: West ?o106 West may get partner his to do the Dlr: West IOJ a 10 opener with a 3l rebid than a Vul: Both O KB75 right thing. lf West as a passed hand Vul: None a AK87 5 4 lNT opening; there again, beauty and *54 comes in over l*, he may not stop *AQB strong notrumps lie in the eyes of ioJ542 11076 the opponents from reaching 3NT, i K43 6 A107 2 the beholder. Whichever route North v A52 v K984 but he will direct East to the best 1103 ?A9854 chooses, and whether East shows t 63 a oJ94 lead. E/W have to be rather careful a 010962 0 3 majors or bids hearts, or even stays *863 *oJ on the run ofthe clubs, but so long as *1032 *J96 silent, you'd somehow expect N,/S AA East keeps diamonds, declarer will be AOJ98 to play 3NT. lf the defenders attack lJ73 held to +630. By contrast, after the 1K762 hearts, and East ducks first, declarer's 0A102 lead of 0Q, North can win in hand .J red-suit spots are too weak to let him * 4K1097 2 and finesse in dtamonds, then play *K754 establish his ninth trick. But it is easy on clubs. The fall of the queen-jack to imagine the defenders leading the gives him a safe route to ll tricks as wrong major, or not appreciating the the cards lie. point of the defense. Board:25 i7 654 North's l2-count may be dull, but Board:29 AKJ4 An unopposed N/S auction to 3NT DIr: North ?J873 he has no real reason not to open Dlr: North ?AK1095 is going to be absolutely normal. Vul: E-W 0 KJ 1*. East should double rather than Vul: Both fA4 You'd expect a sequence like lI - *AKB overcall 10, which lets South bid *K93 lNT - 2NT - 3NT, and for West to iKJ1032 tAAS hearts and West show his spades - a io103 iA96 have to guess well on t2 ?K109 call of 2rl looks about right. When v8643 tJ2 to get his side's two tricks, A passive l4 oo10B32 South hears his partner raise hearts, I KB3 I J107 62 club is best; declarer will go after *J976s3 *O4 he will go on to 4?, the par contract. *765 *J102 hearts then clubs, before needing i9 lf West leads his singleton diamond, s2 to negotiate spades for +660. Some ?AO654 South ought to win in hand and cross va7^87 Wests might try a diamond lead and aA9765 to dummy to try a heart to the queen, o o95 concede the 12th winner, some Wests & 102 then must revert to diamonds rather *AO84 will experiment with a low spade. lf than draw a second trump. Now even this goes to the jack and ace, the if East gets in on the spades to play defense has to be just a little careful the ?K, declarer can still single in all to avoid conceding the 12th trick via his trumps separately. a squeeze,

Board: 26 AKJ106 In fourth seat North has what looks Board:30 ll 10 2 After East opens INT and West Dlr: East ?AO5 like a strong notrump, despite its Dlr: East YKJ9 transfers to hearts you'd expect Vul: Both IKJ4 1B-count and respectable honor Vul: None 1A108753 North to join in with 3 i. East should &KJ2 structure. The 4-3-3-3 pattern is a *AK surely pass now, with a square io8 a7 32 strike against it, and protecting the 6853 AAQ76 minimum and uninspiring red-suit 19763 11042 tenaces looks a good idea so long as YOB543 IA76 holdings. lf so, East will have to I A9B io1065 your notrump range includes good t96 find a lead against 3t); l'd try a low '17-counts. &A10s4 &87 s Today the downgrade *96s &Q42'K42 trump. North is Iikely to emerge with 4A954 works well if partner simply drives to AKJ94 10 tricks after guessing hearts, if IKJS 3NT, since East is quite likely to lead 1102 necessary. Any East who competes t732 l7 against this contract, solving a . QJ to 3? might escape a double, but it *496 critical guess. After four rounds of *J10873 will be hard to escape for even -150 in spades, declarer can then develop his that strain. Pride of place goes to the lOth trick from diamonds eventually, N/S pairs who can find a way to 3NT Plenty of pairs will take only nine somehow - don't ask how! tricks. Equally many will go down in 4rl by South here.

Board:27 AAB6 Would you open the North cards in Board:31 i 5 3 The South hand will be a clear-cut Dlr: South 18743 third seat - and if you do, might you DIr: South VA10986 opener for some, an equally clear Vul: None t AOJ preferl 0 forthe lead, to 1.?.? I would. Vul: N-S 0AQ752 pass for others. As usual, this isn't t1087 lf North opens 1t) then South will *3 about right or wrong, it is about '1I iJ75 ia92 respond and North may judge to 6987 toJ4 partnership agreement. Opening ?K106 ?J9 pass now. When East balances with lJ74 vK5 does not figure to work well today, 010987 a K432 a double, as he should, N/S might 09 tKJ104 since West may come in with 3* *KOg IAJ52 well buy the hand in 2?, a contract *AJ10986 &K742 and N,/S might now find their way 6 K10 43 that is somewhat unlucky to go two AAK1062 to 4I, with just over half the deck ?AQ52 down. lf North passes initially, West ?432 between them. The unlucky break in o 65 probably gets to declare lNT on a a 863 diamonds is bad news. After a club *643 heart lead and is likely to come to *os lead to the ace and diamond shift, eight tricks now. The defense does the 3-3 spade break will not avail best to go after spades, which holds declarer much. lf South passes, might E/W to his contract. West open 3.t ? From that point on it would be hard for either side to play a making contract.

Board:28 ll A43 The North hand can by no stretch of Board:32 AAAJ3 How would you evaluate the South Dlr: West IAK9 the imagination be upgraded into a Dlr: West 18764 cards after hearing 1A to your left, Vul: N-S a Jg 4 strong notrump. After a 1* opening, Vul: E-W .B 1NT to your right? Don't worry, there *o7s3 you'd expect to see North rebid lNT *J943 isn't a right answer. An imaginative i8765 ioJ over 11, and play there on a heart 698754 662 jump to 3NT willget you to a playable I443 I 87 652 lead. The defenders will not find a VAKO5 a J932 contract but you would need to to52 O AKB3 diamond shift easy to come by, and 010 toTs guess diamonds to make your game *K96 *108 declarer can come to no fewer than *K105 *o862 or finish a lot down. Conversely, h K1092 1O tricks when the spades break iK10 if you declare 5i, you are always ?J10 miraculously favorably. Of course, ?10 going to bring home 11 tricks, though t 1076 the defenders do have four diamonds a AKJ96432 bringing home the 12th via the trump * AJ42 and a club to cash, but taking all *47 guess will be beyond most declarers. their winners should score E/W Anyone who manages to bid slam surprisingly well. should be more than capable of making it, though.