Next came Board 4 where East/West had a combined 26 count. The hands were -
 
J84                         KQ
A83                         62
765                         AKJ102
AJ106                     K953
 
West is dealer and would pass. East opens 1D and West could respond 2NT giving East an easy raise to 3NT. If West choses to respond 2C, the sequence becomes more difficult as East is far too strong to raise to 3C. I suggest that raising to 4C is not sensible on such a balanced hand so we are left with 2NT which shows 15+ balanced or a false reverse with 2S which is entirely safe as any spade raise can be corrected to the known club fit. Whatever West choose, it should be possible to reach the best pairs contract of 3NT. With the DQ being doubleton in front of the AKJ and the hearts breaking 4-4, there is no way to go down in 3NT. A contract of 5C is no more likely to make than 3NT, especially on a heart lead, and will probably score less so is clearly second best. Our opponents bid 1D-2C-3C-pass and guessed the CQ correctly to make 12 tricks for +170. I mentally chalked up a good score only to find that only 4 pairs reached 3NT and most played in a minor suit part score and failing to make 12 tricks so we scored poorly.
 
At some tables North might open 1S on a subminimum hand. Now East has a choice and can either bid 1NT or 2D. The 1NT overcall will be raised to 3NT making lots of tricks on a spade lead. In response to a 2D overcall West should respond 2S an unassuming cuebid showing 10+ points with a fit but no stopper in the opened suit. Over this bid East should try 3NT knowing there is at least 26 points between the hands.
 
 
 

Board 19 was similar. East/West held -

963               AK7
J5                 A108
Q985            AK432
KJ53             97
South opens 1C, and at our table, North responded 1S. East has an 18 count and needs to take action. To overcall 2D on a high point count and a dubious suit does not seem correct so should we double? Well consider what could happen next - say partner bids 2H. Do we pass or raise with inadequate support? Remember we have doubled the black suits so the one suit we should surely have length in is the unbid major. So if double and 2D are bad bids what is left? I would chose 1NT which shows a balanced 16-18 or even 19 when both opponents are bidding. I have spades well stopped and a decent suit of my own. It is true that 97 does not constitute a club stopper but the suit has not been raised so there is a good chance that partner can help with some club length and high cards. At least I have shown my strength and have not suggested an interest in a heart contract. However I would not overcall 1NT without a stopper in the suit bid by my right-hand opponent.
After a 1NT overcall, West would raise and we would reach 3NT which makes without any problems. Only 4 of the East/West pairs managed this. Our opponents reached a diamond partscore making 10 tricks when we go a club ruff. 
At other tables, the bidding will be 1C passed round to East who has an easy double. West has to choose a response. A takeout double normally focuses on unbid major suits and we don't have one. We could bid 1D which tells partner very little. Much better is 1NT, which promises some values and a decent club stopper. Our 7 count is about a minimum for this action but the CKJ sat over the bid are worth more than 4 points. On this hand they are worth 2 tricks with the CAQ in the South hand.