Results for Set 5

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#1) East deals, both vulnerable

4 Q 10 A K 8 6 5 3 K 9 4 3

A K 7 5 2 A K 4 3 7 2 A 5

 

 

 

 

Deal 1 Scores:

6NT: 10
6: 9
5NT: 7
5: 5
4 MAJ: 2

East opens 1 and West will likely respond 2, even if playing 2/1 GF. East rebids 2 (careful not to jump-shift with this hand--which might even show a splinter bid in support of diamonds!). West now can bid 3, 3, or notrump (I prefer 3). At this point it is far from clear what should happen. East has lots of extra points, and would like to show them. A quantitative jump to 4NT would be useful, but many partnerships would interpret such a bid as Blackwood. Even after East shows slam interest, West is likely to reject. Slam is on 3-2 diamonds, so worth bidding--but not easy.

#2) West deals, both vulnerable, North bids 2(natural)

A 5 J 10 7 A Q 10 7 5 K Q 2

K J 9 4 4 2 K J A 10 9 5 3

 

 

 

Deal 2 Scores:

5: 10
5: 9
4: 8
4: 7
2NT: 5
3: 3
3NT: 2
4: 1

The 5-2 diamond fit is best (since Jxxx of clubs offside might be picked up). If in range, West opens 1NT, and East must cope with the overcall. There are many possibilities -- see my article(s) on this: Notrump interference Intermediate or Advanced. East has to choose between a negative double, 3, or some form of lebensohl. The key is to avoid 3NT without the heart stopper--all depending on the methods.

#3) West deals, nobody vulnerable

J 10 8 7 4 K 9 2 A K J 10 4

A 3 8 2 A Q 8 7 6 4 Q 8 3

 

 

 

Deal 3 Scores:

5/ : 10
4/: 6
2NT: 3
3NT: 1

In real life, 3NT is the most-reached contract. In bidding practice, it isn't as likely to be the top spot. Here, the key is to avoid 3NT since hearts aren't stopped. West opens 1 (nobody passes this hand in today's world, do they?). East responds 1 and West will probably rebid 1NT to show 12-14 balanced (stoppers, schmoppers!). East is likely to raise to 3NT, so something must be wrong. Playing weak notrumps, the auction would go 1N-3N. Is there an intelligent way to avoid the doomed notrump game?  Some Wests might find a rebid other than 1NT, but I can't agree with such an action.

#4) East deals, nobody vulnerable 

Q J 10 7 6 J 4 3 K J 4 3 A

A 2 K Q 9 7 6 5 2 A Q J 3

 

 

 

 

Deal 4 Scores:

6: 10
5: 6

East opens 1 and West likely responds 1. East is now worth 3. West could use RKC, but that would be embarrassing if his side is off the cashing AK. A more proper bid would be 4. It is "too late" for clubs, so this should show a club control (Ace, King, Void, or singleton), heart support, and slam interest. It is important for partnerships to have some sort of agreement like "No new suits on the 4-level." This is a generalization, but on this auction (opener jump rebids his suit), 4-of-an-unbid minor should be a control-bid raise. Over 4, East might use RKC.  I expect most pairs to eventually Blackwood their way into the excellent slam.

Full Book by Larry Cohen with Bidding Practice and results/analysis