15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 1 ♠ 8 7 6 5 2 Board 2 ♠ K 5 North Deals ♥ A 8 7 East Deals ♥ K Q 10 9 6 None Vul ♦ 10 5 N-S Vul ♦ 2 ♣ 6 5 2 ♣ A K 10 9 5 ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ Q 9 4 N A K 3 Q 9 4 3 N A J 10 8 7 2 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 10 5 WE K Q J 9 6 3 J 4 2 WE 5 3 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 9 8 4 3 S A J 7 A J 10 S K 9 7 6 ♣ A K Q 3 ♣ 7 ♣ Q 7 2 ♣ 6 ♠ J 10 ♠ 6 ♥ 4 2 ♥ A 8 7 ♦ K Q 6 2 ♦ Q 8 5 4 3 ♣ J 10 9 8 4 ♣ J 8 4 3

EW 6 ♥; EW 5N; EW 4 ♠; EW 4 ♦; E 3 ♣; W 2 ♣; Par −980 EW 4 ♠; NS 4 ♥; NS 5 ♣; Par +100: EW 5 ♠×−1 West North East South West North East South Pass 2 ♣1 Pass 2 ♠1 Pass 2 ♦2 Pass 2 ♥ Pass 3 ♠2 Dbl3 Pass 4 ♦ 2 N Pass 3 ♥ Pass Pass 4 ♥ All pass 4 ♣3 Pass 4 N4 Pass 1. Weak2 in spades. 5-9 (or 6-10, by choice) high card points. 5 ♣5 Pass 6 ♥ All pass 2. Upping the ante. Flat hand but 4 ♠ - bidding to the level of 1. 21-22, balanced; or 8 playing tricks in an unbalanced hand. the fit - is a possibility (see text). 2. Relay. 3. Not without risk (see text). 3. Ace-showing . 4. Roman Key Card Blackwood. West's 3 ♠ sets North a problem. If he dismisses the king of spades as a useless card 5. 1 or 4 of the 5 "aces". (likely) he is looking at a 12 count and may wish to go quietly. The hand does, however, have good distribution. It is very easy to be talked out of game in this situation where an The East hand has eight playing tricks (two spades, five hearts and a diamond), the right opponent's catches a raise from his partner. Looking at the hand more hand type to be treated as an " 2". The heart suit quality is very good and the shape, pessimistically, the 3 ♠ hand could have good values and any action by North could lead to 6331, fine. We tend to use a compulsory 2 ♦ relay which means that responder, when a costly penalty. Here North bravely doubles, knowing a diamond response is a little holding positive values, may need to do some catching up. With three tricks in clubs, a embarrassing. Things turn out well when North corrects 4 ♦ to 4 ♥, which is a very potentially useful ♠ Q, and a known 8card heart fit (3 ♥ promises at least six cards), West playable spot. Declarer will generally take 10 tricks from a spade (or ♠ K if East lays can make a 4 ♣ cue bid to give partner a chance of reaching slam. After Roman Key Card down the ace), five hearts and four clubs. Declarer is not likely to get the clubs right (i.e. Blackwood, East knows an ace is missing but, with four key cards and the queen of trumps play West for the queen) but he may avoid a loser there if, say, East cashes ♠ A and between the two hands, he jumps to the slam. switches to his singleton ♣ 6.

South leads ♦ K, an obvious lead that seeks to promote ♦ Q as a defensive winner. With If West is an adherent of the school that says "bid to the level of the fit in all competitive one other trick for North South the slam will fail. This is the one lead that gives declarer a auctions" he will raise 2 ♠ to 4 ♠. The philosophy is to bid to a level that is consistent with problem. Otherwise he can count 12 tricks from three spades, five hearts, a diamond and the number of trumps the partnership holds. With East showing a 6card suit, West's 4card three clubs. If he draws trumps immediately, however, the defence will take the ace of support provide 10 trumps. That means contracting for that number of tricks. North's trumps and cash a diamond. No, before playing on hearts, declarer cashes three clubs, on problem would be solved as he would pass over 4 ♠. The good shape and fitting diamond the second and third of which he ditches two diamonds from the East hand. All is well honours in the East hand makes 4 ♠ a good spot. East would lose two hearts and a club but, when both opponents follow and, only now, does declarer play trumps. Well bid and plus if he guesses to play South for the queen of diamonds, game rolls in. 980 to East West. A couple of extra points: 1. In the given auction, West might bid 4 ♠ after North South reach 4 ♥. Generally it is better, in competitive auctions, to make just one bid quickly (4 ♠ at the first opportunity). 2. East could bid 4 ♠ over 4 ♥. That would be ill-disciplined and breaks the general rule that a preemptor makes his one bid and leaves all future decisions to partner. 15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 Board 3 ♠ J Board 4 ♠ A K Q J 7 5 South Deals ♥ K Q J 9 7 West Deals ♥ A Q 10 6 E-W Vul ♦ 9 8 6 Both Vul ♦ 7 ♣ A 9 8 7 ♣ Q 8 ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ A Q 9 6 3 N K 8 7 5 4 2 10 9 6 3 N 8 2 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 3 2 WE 6 7 4 WE K J 8 5 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ K Q S A J A J 9 5 3 S K 10 ♣ K J 6 4 ♣ Q 10 5 3 ♣ J 2 ♣ 10 9 7 6 5 ♠ 10 ♠ 4 ♥ A 10 8 5 4 ♥ 9 3 2 ♦ 10 7 5 4 3 2 ♦ Q 8 6 4 2 ♣ 2 ♣ A K 4 3

EW 4 ♠; NS 4 ♥; EW 4 ♣; NS 3 ♦; EW 1N; Par −100: NS 5 ♥×−1 NS 5 ♠; NS 4N; NS 4 ♥; NS 2 ♦; NS 2 ♣; Par +650 West North East South West North East South Pass Pass 1 ♠ Pass 1 N 1 ♠ 2 ♥1 4 ♥2 5 ♥ Pass 3 ♥1 Pass 3 N Pass Pass 5 ♠ All pass All pass 1. Meets the Suit Quality Test (honours in suit plus number of 1. Game forcing. North does not wish to risk partner passing cards sum to at least the number of tricks for which the hand 2 ♥ when game may be cold. contracts). 2. A splinter raise of spades. Game values, 4+ trumps and a North might open 2 ♣ instead though the club holding is potentially dubious. The auction shortage ( or singleton) in hearts. would be 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ (relay); 2 ♠ - 2N (waiting); 3 ♥ - 3N and the same contract is reached. In both auctions North might convert to 4 ♠ but with no known fit, and a great source of tricks There is some similarity with today's final board in that we have a high-level competitive in the spade suit, 3N is a good spot (South is marked with length/values). auction where it can be but a guess as to what the right final decisions are (for both sides). There are two statements concerning high-level auctions that can be contradictory. One West leads a 4th best ♦ 5. Presuming the spades break no worse than 4-2, declarer has 10 says "the 5level belongs to the opponents" and the second says "when in doubt, bid one top tricks when he gets in (six spades, one heart and three clubs). East plays ♦ K at Trick 1 more for the road". East takes the latter approach, bidding 5 ♠ over 5 ♥. It's difficult to and returns ♦ 10. Declarer does best to this. If diamonds are 4-3 he is likely to lose argue against that. He has useful minor suit values, a shortage in the opponents' suit and four tricks in the suit and if they are 5-2 it may pose a problem for the defence. West lets 6card support (and a likely 11card fit). It's also pertinent that East West are ♦ 10 hold and that's a decision he'll soon regret (see below). Let's say East switches to a vulnerable, and North South not. Their score from defeating North South's contract may club, won by dummy's ♣ Q. Declarer, say, cashes a couple of spades (all's good) and now not be sufficient compensation for a making 5 ♠. cashes ♥ A*. He now runs all the spades. On the last spade East has to choose between throwing ♥ K or reducing to two clubs. Either is fatal as ♥ Q is promoted in the former North leads ♥ K. All seems to be well for West. The only losers appear to be a heart and case; and ♣ 4 becomes a winner in the latter case. Yes, East has been squeezed in hearts the ace of clubs. Yes, West hopes to win Trick 2, draw trumps and knock out the top club. and clubs and declarer makes plus 660, a very fine score. Plus 650 from six spades, two diamonds and three clubs. BUT ... this South is sharp. He overtakes the king of hearts and switches to a club. North wins and may wonder why South Could the defence do better? Yes, West could have overtaken ♦ 10 and the defence would has adopted this defence. It can only be because South was dealt a singleton club (and have been able to cash three diamonds. Cashing the third diamond seems to set up the holds a trump!). North returns a club and the fine 5level contract is defeated. diamond queen but it doesn't matter as declarer has 10 tricks without it.

It's unfortunate that 5 ♠ fails and it's where East West want to be. If you are in "result *this is the Vienna which keen students can google. It's a necessary unblocking play merchant" mode how could East West stay out of 5 ♠? West might double South's 5 ♥ to (temporarily making East's ♥ K a "winner") that allows certain squeezes to work. slow the auction down (i.e. stop partner bidding on). His hand is reasonable for this. Doubletons in the opponents' suit are not good for offence (i.e. playing the contract) and ♦ KQ is a dubious offensive holding too. 5 ♥ fails by one trick (a spade and two diamonds). 15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 Board 5 ♠ 10 7 Board 6 ♠ 8 4 North Deals ♥ Q 7 5 3 East Deals ♥ 4 N-S Vul ♦ A K 8 5 2 E-W Vul ♦ A J 10 9 ♣ 9 7 ♣ K 9 8 6 4 3 ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ K 9 5 4 N Q J 8 6 3 A 2 N Q J 10 9 3 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ A J 2 WE K 6 Q 10 9 8 5 3 WE K 6 2 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 10 S Q J 3 7 6 2 S 8 5 ♣ K J 10 4 2 ♣ A 5 3 ♣ 10 7 ♣ Q J 5 ♠ A 2 ♠ K 7 6 5 ♥ 10 9 8 4 ♥ A J 7 ♦ 9 7 6 4 ♦ K Q 4 3 ♣ Q 8 6 ♣ A 2

EW 5 ♠; EW 5 ♣; EW 2N; W 1 ♥; W 1 ♦; Par −450 NS 5 ♦; NS 4 ♣; S 2N; N 1N; NS 1 ♠; EW 1 ♥; Par +400 West North East South West North East South Pass 1 N1 Pass Pass 1 ♦ 2 ♣2 Pass 2 ♠ Pass 2 ♥1 3 ♥2 Pass 3 N 4 ♠ All pass All pass 1. 12-14. Yes, has a 5card spade suit but 1N is attractive with 1. Weak jump (6card suit, 5-9/6-10 high card points). the all-round values. 2. An unassuming cue bid, showing a good raise of diamonds. 2. Stayman. West leads ♥ 10, a top-of-an-interior sequence lead. East plays ♥ K and South wins with Some partnerships' style may not allow opening 1N holding a 5card major. If East does the ace. Declarer has seven top tricks (one heart, four diamonds and two clubs). Declarer's open 1 ♠ West will make a splinter raise of 4 ♦ (4+trumps, game values and a shortage in source of extra tricks is the club suit but, in developing winners there, he is also conscious spades) and East will sign off in game (wasted diamonds and no extras). Same contract. that East is the danger hand. Declarer wants to protect his knave of hearts. If East gets in he can play a heart through this vulnerable card. South will assume West has the ace of South leads a neutral ♥ 10. Barring a 4-0 spade break* declarer will always lose a trump spades else East will always have an through which to play a heart. Declarer decides and a diamond. He tries ♥ J, as a club discard on a third heart winner could be useful, but that his best hope is to find West holding three clubs (then he'll be given the third club and North covers and ♥ K takes the trick. Declarer plays ♠ Q. South wins and plays a second can do South no harm) or he has a doubleton club with the queen when declarer will let the heart. Declarer draws a second trump. When spades break 2-2 declarer can always ruff queen hold the second trick (either ♣ QJ, when West is powerless, or ♣ Qx when he fails to two diamonds in dummy. He will make 11 tricks provided he guesses who holds the queen unblock the queen on the first round of the suit). At Trick 2 declarer cashes ♣ A and plays a of clubs. That's the sole decision. Play South for that card and score plus 450 (four spades, second round. West doesn't play the queen so declarer wins in dummy and plays a third two hearts, two diamonds ruffs (say) and three clubs. Play North for it and lose a club too. club. Unfortunately East wins and is able to play a heart. The defence will take one spade, Of course, declarer should cash a top club honour first in case either defender were dealt a five hearts and a club to defeat game by three tricks (yes, declarer can take seven tricks if singleton queen. he gives up on trying to make game). Plus 150 to East West.

*the play may get awkward but declarer can still restrict his trump losers to one by playing North, with his singleton heart, may not have liked South bidding 3N but it's a decision he ♠ Q or ♠ J first. The presence of ♠ 8 and ♠ 9 allow a against ♠ 10. should respect. It happens to be the wrong contract on the lie of the cards. 5 ♦ is makeable with declarer able to ruff the clubs good. Declarer will lose just two spades (yes, declarer can throw three spades from the South hand on the established clubs but there will be no trumps left with which to ruff a spade in the South hand).

15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 15thJanuary2020 - Bread&ButterBridge6 Board 7 ♠ 5 Board 8 ♠ A 6 3 South Deals ♥ A 8 7 3 2 West Deals ♥ K J 10 7 6 5 4 Both Vul ♦ 10 9 2 None Vul ♦ A ♣ A Q 5 2 ♣ 9 3 ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ A J 7 N 10 6 3 9 7 N K Q 10 8 4 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Q 6 4 WE K 10 9 Q 9 WE 3 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A 5 3 S K J 7 6 4 K Q 10 9 8 S J 3 ♣ K J 8 6 ♣ 10 7 ♣ K 10 7 5 ♣ A Q 6 4 2 ♠ K Q 9 8 4 2 ♠ J 5 2 ♥ J 5 ♥ A 8 2 ♦ Q 8 ♦ 7 6 5 4 2 ♣ 9 4 3 ♣ J 8

EW 3N; EW 4 ♦; EW 2 ♥; NS 1 ♠; EW 1 ♣; Par −600 EW 3 ♠; NS 3 ♥; NS 2N; EW 3 ♦; EW 3 ♣; Par −100: NS 3N×−1; West North East South NS 4 ♥×−1 2 ♠1 West North East South 2 N2 All pass Pass 1 ♥ 2 ♥1 Pass2 1. Weak2, showing 5-9 (or 6-10, by choice). 6card suit. 2 N3 3 ♥ Pass 4 ♥ 2. 15-18, balanced, with a stop in spades. 4 N4 Pass 5 ♣ Pass Pass 5 ♥ All pass Obviously with the bidding at the 2level there is no room for East to invite game. Holding a 1. Michaels cue bid showing at least 5/5 in spades and a minor. seven count it is best, in the long run, to presume partner doesn't hold the magic 18 count 2. Might just bid 3 ♥, a bid that shouldn't be taken too seriously. and pass 2N. This is akin to passing, as opener, when responder bids 1N over a 1of-a-suit Easier to make if playing 5card majors (then known 8card when opener holds a 16 count. Don't overreach for the moon. fit). 2 ♠ would show a good raise of hearts. 3. Asking for partner's minor. Singleton leads in partner's suit are not too effective in these auctions. A North, conscious 4. Ditto. of that, may launch a surprise attack with a 4th best ♥ 3. That's unfortunate and gives declarer a free finesse of ♥ 9. After that start declarer has four top tricks (one spade, one The comments are similar to those made for Hand 3. Again the "wrong" decision is made in heart and two diamonds) and will play on diamonds as the best source of extra tricks. He that North South bid on to 5 ♥ when defending 5 ♣ would have been better. Again they cashes ♦ A at Trick 2 and takes a losing finesse of ♦ J. Unluckily it loses to a doubleton have taken the approach of bidding one more for the road and not heeding the alternative queen. Declarer is in a good place though and should emerge with eight tricks. The advice of "the 5level belongs to the opponents". Here North, who does hold a 7card trump defence cannot get at more than five tricks with a spade, a heart, a diamond and two clubs. suit, is bidding 5 ♥, less in the belief that it will make (a little different from East's decision Declarer always has a double stop in the spade suit. on Board 3) and more as an insurance against the possibility of 5 ♣ making. South only showed delayed support for hearts and North won't play the hand for many values.

5 ♣ generally loses a trick in each of the side suits though a second undertrick is possible if North gets his diamond ruff.

5 ♥ will generally fail by one trick since East is likely to lead ♠ K and that will establish ♠ J as a winner for North. It again fails by a second undertrick if East leaves spades alone with the defence cashing two clubs, ending in the West hand. Now West can play a spade and declarer will lose two tricks there*.

*Without the spade switch, declarer could strip East of his second diamond - he's as good as marked with 5-1-2-5 distribution - and play a spade towards the knave. East is endplayed into leading into the split spade tenace or giving a ruff and discard.