Alpharetta Duplicate Bridge Club, Alpharetta, GA

Alpharetta Duplicate Bridge Club

Release 2.19p

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All of our games are played at Lord of Life Lutheran Church

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Alpharetta , GA 30005

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Past Bridge Hands/Answers

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Bridge Hand /Bridge Tips

QUESTION #66

NORTH

S. J85

H. 643

D. A32

C. K763

SOUTH

S. AKQ764

H. K75

D. 9

C. A85

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1S P 2S P

4S P P P

West leads the King of Diamonds. What is your plan, and what is the extra chance you have to make your contract?

ANSWER TO QUESTION #66

NORTH

S. J85

H. 643

D. A32

C. K763

WEST EAST

S. 93 S. 102

H. A1082 H. QJ9

D. KQ107 D. J8654

C. 842 C. QJ10

SOUTH

S. AKQ764

H. K75

D. 9

C. A85

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1S P 2S P

4S P P P

If you win the Ace of Diamonds, you might lose Club to East, and a Heart lead might beat you. Duck the Diamond lead, win the next Diamond and discard a losing Club. Now cash two Spades, cash the Ace of Clubs, lead a Club to Dummy, and ruff the third Club. When Clubs break 3-3, return to dummy with a trump, and discard a Heart on the good Club. You can now try the Heart finesse, which loses. The pitch of a Club on the Ace of Diamonds, and then setting up the fourth Club is your extra chance. Nicely done.

Question #64

NORTH

S. KQ6

H. A

D. K108

C. Q98763

SOUTH

S. A75

H. QJ1094

D. A5

C. J104

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1C P 1H P

2C P 3NT All pass

West leads the three of Diamonds. What is your best line for nine tricks?

Answer to Question #64

NORTH

S. KQ6

H. A

D. K108

C. Q98763

WEST EAST

S. J92 S. 10843

H. K76 H. 8532

D. Q7632 D. J94

C. K2 C. A5

SOUTH

S. A75

H. QJ1094

D. A5

C. J104

West leads the three of Diamonds. If you try for three tricks in Clubs, and Diamonds are 5-3, you will go down. Your best chance is to get extra Heart tricks. Win the Diamond King in dummy, cash the Heart Ace, come to your hand with the Ace of Spades, and knock out the Heart King. Win the Diamond return and cash your Hearts for nine tricks. Well done.

#62

NORTH

S. K87

H. A2

D. A63

C. A9842

SOUTH

S. 64

H. 7

D. KQJ10985

C. K73

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT 3H 4D P

5D P P P

Vul: Both

Dealer: North

Lead: Heart 5

PLAN THE PLAY!!!

ANSWER TO QUESTION #62

NORTH

S. K87

H. A2

D. A63

C. A9842

WEST EAST

S. Q9832 S. AJ10

H. Q95 H. KJ108643

D. 74 D. 2

C. QJ6 C. 105

SOUTH

S. 64

H. 7

D. KQJ10985

C. K7

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT 3H 4D P

5D P P P

With the opening lead of a Heart, you are in danger of losing two Spades and one Club. How can you offset this? The answer is obvious once you hear it, but not so obvious at the table. You have to bring the Club suit in for Spade discards without losing the lead. Duck the first trick, throw a Club on the Heart Ace, draw Trumps, play the King and Ace of Clubs, ruff a club, return to dummy with a trump, and discard your Spades. I told you this is an easy game!

#60. More Bridge Tips

A player who hesitates during the bidding is likely to have a problem hand. Keep the hesitation in mind.

Give your opening lead a little consideration. The fate of many a hand is determined by that card. Use the bidding as a guide.

The speed of the play may be a clue to declarer’s problem.

When playing in a 4-3 trump suit, the play usually slows to a crawl.

Watch partner’s spot cards signals. The stronger your partner, the more meaningful they are.

Keep one goal in mind: DEFEATING THE CONTRACT.

Don’t compound a crime. If you, or partner, has made an error, do not lose your cool. Many contracts can be defeated after one error, but seldom after two.

As a general rule, reply 1 Heart to an opening bid with 4-4 in the majors, but reply 1 Spades with 5-5.

After a two level response to an opening bid (not playing 2/1) a new suit by declarer is forcing for one round. This is not true at the one level unless opener has reversed.

QUESTION #59

ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER-PART 2

What do you think responder’s distribution is?

Opener Responder 2. Opener Responder

1D 1S 1C 1H

2D 2H 2C 2S

2NT 3D 3C 3D

3. Opener Responder 4. Opener Responder

1D 1S 1C 1D

2D 3S 1H 1S

3NT 4D 2NT 3H

5. Opener Responder

1C 1H

1S 2S

2NT 3H

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #59

Responder’s most likely distribution is 5 Spades, 4 Hearts and 3 Diamonds. The 3 Diamond bid is forcing.

Opener has 6 or 7 Clubs with a minimum hand. Responder has a strong hand with 5 Hearts and 4 Spades (possibly 4 Hearts and 4 Spades). The 3 Diamond bid is ambiguous and may be looking for a Diamond stopper. This is a tricky sequence.

Responder is showing a slam try with 6 Spades and 3 Diamonds. 4 Diamonds is forcing to game.

It looks like responder has 5 Diamonds, 4 Spades, 3 Hearts and is exploring possible game or even slam contracts. Responder is still unlimited. With 4 Hearts he would have raised Hearts over the third bid.

Responder should have 6 Hearts, 4 Spades and not a great hand, as 2 Spades limited his hand.

Problem #58

ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER?

Your job is to determine the most likely distribution the opener has on these sequences.

Opener Responder 2. Opener Responder

1S 2D 1S 2C

2H 3C 2D 2NT

3S 3NT 3D 3NT

4D 4S

3. Opener Responder 4. Opener Responder

1D 1H 1C 1H

2D 2S 2D 2S

2NT 3S 3D 3S

4H 4H

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #58

Opener shows 6 Spades and 4 Hearts with his first three bids and 3 Diamonds with his last bid.

After the first three bids, opener has shown 5 Spades and 5 Diamonds. His last bid shows 6 or 7 Spades.

Opener is bidding like someone with a likely 2-2-6-2 pattern. With 3 Hearts he would support responder with a Heart bid, and with 3 Spades he would support Spades
on his last bid.

Opener has 6 Clubs, 5 Diamonds, and 2 Hearts. The Diamond rebid showed 5 Diamonds, and therefore the

Heart support has to be either 1 or 2. Always open 5-5 hands with the higher ranking suit, and if the hand is strong enough (19) you can jump shift and then rebid Clubs.

QUESTION #57

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTh

1C X XX ?

You are South. What is your bid with each of these hands.

S.1096 2. S. 3 3. S. 54 4. S. 654

H. Q32 H. J83 H. KJ10863 H. 43

D. 9854 D. Q10654 D. 654 D. 54

C. J82 C. 10876 C. 73 C. KJ10986

5. S. 76 6. S. K765 7. S. QJ109432 8. S. 65

H. K1076 H. Q765 H. 65 H. KQ107

D. 764 D. Q1032 D. 7 D. Q10932

C. 9843 C. 3 C. 932 C. 65

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #57

Pass. Let partner rescue himself. Your pass is non-commital and suggests a balanced hand.

1 Diamond. After a redouble, a suit response does not show strength. A good partner realizes in this sequence you can’t hold much of a hand.

2 Hearts Shows a six card suit with about 3-5 points. When the bid to your right is strong. A jump by you is weak.

Pass. If partner gets doubled when he bids a suit, bid 2 Clubs which is to play. An original response of 2 Clubs is a cue bid (see hand #6).

1 Heart. Contrast this with hand #3.

2 Clubs. A cue bid showing a moderate hand with support for at least two of the unbid suits, more likely three.

3 Spades. Very descriptive, and very preemptive.

1 Diamond. You have a good hand based on the bidding, and should be planning to bid Hearts next, to show longer Diamonds.

QUESTION #56

Responding to a 2NT opening bid (20-22)

You are playing Stayman, transfers, 3 Spades shows the minors and is slam oriented, and 4 Clubs is Gerber. What is your bid?

S. KJ54 2. S. 10 3. S. 5

H. Q7653 H. 1043 H. J3

D. 43 D. 1076 D. KJ983

C. 43 C. K108643 C. AJ943

4. S. AJ4 5. S. 5 6. S. KQ

H. K98 H. 102 H. AJ4

D. K1032 D. KQJ108765 D. K654

C. 1065 C. A9 C. 8743

7. S. 4 8. S. 42

H. KJ9843 H. AQ873

D. 10983 D. 54

C. 62 C. 10832

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #56

3 Clubs, Stayman. If partner bids a major, raise to game. If partner bids 3 Diamonds, bid 3 Hearts to show Hearts and Spades. If you play “Smolen”, bid 3 Spades to show 4 Spades and 5 Hearts. This is a win-win convention.

3NT. Not much you can do with hands like this. 3 Clubs is Stayman, and you are not strong enough to make a slam try in Clubs.

3 Spades. Showing the minors with slam interest. The rest is up to partner.

4NT. Invitational, not Blackwood.

4 Clubs. Gerber. This hand has a grand slam potential, but you need to find out how many Aces and Kings partner has.

6NT. The one who knows, goes. A 13 point hand facing a 2NT bid should be enough for 12 tricks.

4 Diamonds. A transfer to 4 Hearts (Texas). If you bid 3 Diamonds first and then 4 Hearts, this is a mild slam try.

8. 3 Diamonds. A transfer to 3 Hearts, and then bid 3NT, giving partner a choice of games.

QUESTION #55

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1D 1S P 2C

P ?

You are South on the auction above. What do you bid with the following hands? Keep in mind that 2 Clubs is not forcing and denies 3 Spades. A jump response to a one level overcall is invitational, and the only forcing bid is 2 Diamonds. Not everyone plays this way, so talk over your agreements.

S. AK654 2. S. AK65432 3. S. AQ843

H. AJ4 H. A42 H. 7

D. 54 D. A42 D. KQ1085

C. J108 C. 10 C. 75

4. S. AQ843 5. S. AK843 6. S. AKJ42

H. K5 H. A53 H. 1098

D. A1043 D. 76 D. KQ5

C. K5 C. KJ9 C. J10

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #55

3 Clubs. You have a good hand in support of Clubs, and maybe 3 No Trump will be in the future.

3 Spades. Invitational.

Pass. 2 Diamonds would be a cue bid with a Club fit. It might also be asking for a Diamonds stopper.

3 No Trump. What else? You are too strong to bid an invitational 2NT.

2 Diamonds. Has multiple meanings, but partner’s first obligation is to bid no trump with a Diamond stopper.

2 No Trump. Invitational, too strong to pass, and a good partner will have a little something in Hearts.

QUESTION #54

You are vulnerable, and your right hand opponent opens Three Clubs. How would you handle these seven hands?

S. A4 2. S.53 3. S.54 4. S.2

H. KQ876 H.AQJ984 H.K4 H.QJ984

D. KJ876 D.AKQ5 D.AKQ982 D.AKQ984

C. 4 C.6 C. A105 C.A

5. S. AKJ94 6. S. AJ765 7. S. AJ4

H. KQJ54 H. KQ87 H. J32

D. 1097 D. KQ87 D.543

C. --- C. --- C.AQ109

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #54

3 Hearts. You can’t just sit there with this good a hand. If you get doubled, you might try your other suit.

4 Hearts. Much too good for 3 Hearts which puts undue pressure on your partner. When you need just a little to make game, bid it yourself.

3 No Trump. Are you a man or a mouse. Solid minor suits are meant to play no trump.

3 Diamonds. UGH. Pray someone, anyone, bids something. If they do bid 4 Hearts. Making a takeout double with a singleton spade, an unbid suit, is a recipe for disaster. If everyone passes, don’t e-mail me. I don’t know you.

4 Clubs. A major suit takeout showing 5-5 in the majors with opening bid values.

Double. Don’t bid four Clubs, which show the majors (see #5 above).

Pass. Not strong enough to bid 3 No Trump, and double is for takeout. Pass and hope partner can reopen with a takeout double, which you will convert to a penalty double.

QUESTION #53

Assume you are playing in a team game, no one vulnerable, and you hold the following hands (South). Decide what to do:

S. AJ76 H. 54 D. K876 C. Q109

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1H P 2H P

P ?

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1H P 1NT P

P ?

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1C P 1H P

2H P P ?

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1D P 1H P

2H P P ?

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1NT P P ?

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1H P P ?

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #53

Double. Clear. A reopening double after the opponents have found a fit, can be made with as little as 9 HCP, provided you have shortness in their suit, as well as support for the unbid suits.

Pass. A double in this sequence shows Heart length and strength, with opening bid values. Remember they have not found a fit in this sequence.

Double. Just barely. You have four card support for the unbid suits (mandatory), but you also have a wasted Club Queen on offense.

Pass. It would be pushing a bit to double here. Your Diamond King is misplaced and you don’t have four card support for the unbid suits.

Pass. You hate to sell out, but on the other hand you don’t have enough to bid.

Double. A double in this position can be shaded down to 9-10 HP if you have the right distribution (shortness in their suit plus support for the unbid suits).

QUESTION #52

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1S P 2C P

2H P ?

What is your rebid with the following hands? Not playing 2/1.

S. 543 2. S. KJ3 3. S. 73

H. QJ7 H. QJ7 H. Q4

D. 54 D. 54 D. 432

C. AKJ87 C. AKJ87 C. AKJ1065

4. S. A2 5. S. 63 6. S. 75

H. K10 H. KJ107 H. AJ84

D. 432 D. 75 D. 32

C. AQ10765 C. AQ1097 C. AK753

7. S. 32 8. S. J2

H. 32 H. J2

D. K108 D. K108

C. AK10932 C. AKJ1087

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #52

2 Spades. Describing a hand with 3 Spades and 10-12 HCP. Not forcing.

3 Spades. Describing a hand with 3 Spades and 13-15HCP.

Game forcing.

3 Clubs. Invitational. Partner is allowed to pass, usually with a singleton Club and a minimum hand.

3 Diamonds. 4^th suit forcing. When the responder doesn’t have a convenient way to limit a strong hand, he can fall back on the 4^th suit which is considered artificial. It is a game force when made at the three level.

3Hearts. Some play this as non-forcing, and others as forcing. If non-forcing it shows 10-11 HCP and 4 Hearts.

4 Hearts. The jump to game shows an opening bid with four Hearts. If 3 Hearts is considered forcing, then the jump to game shows concentrated strength in the two bid suits.

2NT invitational. Better than 3 Clubs which is regressive.

3NT. Given that a rebid of 3 Clubs is not forcing, there is no real alternative for this hand.

Question 51

Vulnerable against not, sitting South, how do you handle this hand:

S. KJ10765

H. Q65

D. 654

C. 7

How do you handle this hand, given the following sequences:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1H 2C ?

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1H ?

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

2C P ?

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1D P 1S P

3C P ?

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1S X P ?

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1S P 2D X

P ?

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #51

2 Hearts. Not strong enough to bid 2 Spades

Pass. Too weak for a weak jump overcall, vulnerable. The Heart Queen is not a good card offensively.

2 Spades. If you play that a positive responsive requires two of the top three honors, then bid 2 Diamonds, waiting.

3 Spades. Rebidding your six card suit is the first priority.

Pass. What else.

2 Hearts. Partner has a Club-Heart two suiter, maybe 4 Hearts and 5 Clubs. Bid two Hearts confidently to stave off a double.

QUESTION #50

True-false slam bidding questions !

The proper response to a 4NT Blackwood bid holding all four Aces is 5 Clubs?

When partner asks for Aces and you have a void, count the void as an Ace?

Cue bids always show first round control?

The Blackwood bidder is usually the stronger of the two partnership hands.

A direct jump to 5NT bypassing 4NT is a King ask?

When the Blackwood bidder first bids 4NT and then 5NT asking for Kings, responder can leap to seven without answering for Kings?

The Blackwood bidder will seldom have a void suit?

Any jump to 4NT is always Blackwood?

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #50

True. The five Club; response to regular Blackwood shows either 0 or 4 Aces. RKCB shows different answers.

False. There are various responses to show a void, but counting the void as an Ace is not one of them.

False. Not by a long shot. Many different meanings.

True. The stronger hand usually does the asking, the weaker hand the answering.

False. After a suit agreement, it is usually the Grand Slam Force, asking partner about trump honors in the agreed suit.

True. If the responder can count 13 tricks, he should bid the Grand. It is assumed, of course, that the 5NT bid guarantees the possession of all four Aces (five if you are using RKCB).

True. Say the Blackwood bidder has two Aces and a void, and gets a one Ace response. He may not know which Ace partner holds.

False. If the previous bid was 1NT, 2NT or 3NT, a follow up bid of 4NT is natural, not Blackwood. Quantitative.

QUESTION #49

What is your call with the following hands, given the bidding?

Match points. Nobody vulnerable.

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1 H 1 NT ? (you)

S. KJ5 2. S. KQ10943 3. S. A4

H. 32 H. 2 H. 10765

D. AJ765 D. 8765 D. J765

C. J43 C. 76 C. 432

4. S.AJ3 5. S. 2 6. S.AK765

H. K54 H. A1065 H. 3

D. Q87 D. J10765 D. K1087

C. 10876 C. 876 C. 765

7. S. J87

H. 5

D. QJ876

C. Q873

ANSWERS TO #48

Try 3 Diamonds. You are hoping partner can rebid 3NT with a Spade stopper.

4 Hearts. A jump after a jump shows a solid suit with no outside strength. Not everyone plays this. Discuss.

3 Spades. For the same reason you bid 3 Diamonds on #1. You are looking for 3NT. Always look for 3NT.

Pass. Just not enough to go on. Sorry pard!

Pass. The Club void is a big minus, and the rest of your hand is nothing to write home about. If you bid 3NT, don’t mention it in public.

QUESTION #48

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1 C P 1H P

3 C P ? (you)

You hold the following hands with nobody vulnerable, at match points. What action, if any, do you take?

1. S. 653 2. S. 65 3. S. AQ4

H. AJ932 H. AKQJ54 H. KQ76

D. KQ4 D. 543 D. 832

C. 74 C. 93 C. 865

4. S. 92 5. S. J1087

H. K5432 H. K8432

D. QJ87 D. Q932

C. 54 C. ---

QUESTION #47

Assuming you use 2NT overcalls as Unusual, what would you do with the following hands if partner overcalled. The bidding:

West North East South

1S 2NT P ? (you)

S. AJ62 2. S. AK4 3. S. A87
H. Q843 H. AK54 H. A943
D. J43 D. J94 D. QJ104
C. 73 C. 874 C. 2

4. S. KQJ9 5. S. K4 6. S. QJ432

H. QJ1074 H. KQJ1054 H. A432

D. 54 D. A43 D. 43

C. 42 C. 54 C. 54

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #47

3 Diamonds. Prefer Diamonds to Clubs.
3 No Trump. Looks like your best shot.
4 Diamonds. Invitational. This is a good hand facing 10 or 11 minor suit cards.
Pass. You don’t have to play it, partner does.
4 Hearts. Bid what you are looking at.
3 Clubs. You barely like Clubs better than Diamonds. With equal length in the minors, usually bid the lower ranking.

These are all tough decisions to make, and you will go wrong some time. Try to visualize partners hand, and give him about 8-11 HCP. Then make your decision.

QUESTION #46

In a team game, partner opens 3 Clubs not vulnerable. What is your bid with the following hands?

S. AQX 2. S. AQ9XXX 3. S. X

H. AXX H. KQ10XX H. XXX

D. XXXX D. KX D. AXXXXX

C. AJX C. -- C. QXXXX

4. S. AKXX 5. S. AQXX 6. S. AKXXX

H. X H. KQXX H. AKJXX

D. AKQXX D. QJXX D. --

C. QJX C. X C. QJX

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #46

3NT, and hope they can’t run the Diamond suit.

3 Spades, followed by 4 Hearts, hoping partner has 3 cards in one of your suits, or 2 Spades. New suits bids over a pre-empt are forcing for one round.

5 Clubs. An advance sacrifice as they are sure to get to four Spades. Let them guess what to do.

4NT. Regular Blackwood. If partner has one Ace, six Clubs can be no worse than a finesse.

Pass. If you can’t get partner to pass with these hands (no fit, no long suit of your own), you are in trouble.

5NT. The Grand Slam Force, asking partner to bid six if has one Club control, and to bid seven if he has two Club controls. Controls are the Ace and King of trumps. With neither one, you need a new partner.

QUESTION #45

NORTH

S. QJ98

H. A4

D. J765

C. AQ3

SOUTH

S. AK1032

H. KQ5

D. Q94

C.54

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1D P 1S P

2S P 4S ALL PASS

West leads the Club 6. Plan your play. Spades are not 4-1.

ANSWER TO QUESTION #45

NORTH

S. QJ98

H. A4

D. J765

C. AQ3

WEST EAST

S. 74 S. 65

H. 10862 H. J973

D. A103 D. K82

C. J976 C. K1082

SOUTH

S. AK1032

H. KQ5

D. Q94

C.54

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1D P 1S P

2S P 4S ALL PASS

Do not finesse the opening lead. Win the Ace, draw trumps, cash the Ace, King, and Queen of Hearts, discarding a Club from dummy, and get out with your small Club. Whoever wins this must give you a ruff/sluff or break the Diamond suit, holding your losses to two Diamonds and one Club. The Diamond suit loses a trick for whichever side has to lead it.

QUESTION #44

NORTH

S. AKJ

H. AQ7

D. 82

C. QJ1097

EAST

S. 83

H. J63

D. AQJ95

C. A32

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1C 1D 1NT P

3NT P P P

North thinks his hand is too strong to open 1NT, and the bidding proceeds as above. West leads the seven of Diamonds. How do you defend?

Answer #44

S. AKJ

H. AQ7

D. 82

C. QJ1097

WEST EAST

S. 109752 S. 83

H. 10952 H. J63

D. 74 D. AQJ95

C. K6 C. A32

SOUTH

S. Q64

H. K84

D. K1063

C. 854

South is playing 3NT after East overcalled one Club with one Diamond. West leads the seven of Diamonds, and you are East. How do you defend.

You should realize that South has two Diamond controls, and you have only one outside entry. Your only hope is that West has a fast entry, and can help set up the Diamonds. Play the nine of Diamonds on the first trick, and South wins the ten. When South leads a Club, West must be on the ball and rise with the King and continue the Diamond attack. You can win the Ace, clear Diamonds, and after South wins the King, get back in with the Ace of Clubs and cash your good Diamond

QUESTION #43

NORTH

S. Q87

H. J103

D. KQ4

C. 7654

EAST

S. 64

H. A42

D. A108653

C. KJ

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1H P 2H 3D

3H P P P

Partner leads the Diamond 2. Dummy plays low. What do you do?

What do you lead at trick #2 if you win the first trick.

If you switch, what do you switch to?

If Partner wins the trick and returns the suit, and declarer wins and leads a Heart, what do you do?

Try to answer each question before going on. This is a hard question to follow, but do your best. It’s a good lesson on defense.

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #43

NORTH

S. Q87

H. J103

D. KQ4

C. 7654

WEST EAST

S. KJ932 S. 64

H. 76 H. A42

D. 2 D. A108653

C. 109832 C. KJ

SOUTH

S. A105

H. KQ985

D. J97

C. AQ

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1H P 2H 3D

3H P P P

Partner leads the Diamond 2. Dummy plays low. What do you do? Win the Diamond Ace.

What do you lead at trick #2 if you win the first trick.

Switch to a high Spade.

If Partner wins the trick and returns the suit, and declarer wins and leads a Heart, what do you do?

Fly with the Ace of trumps, give partner a Diamond ruff, and when he returns a Spade you trump it for the setting trick.

Hard to see and hard to do. Well done if you worked it out.

QUESTION #42

Dealer: East NORTH

Vul: E/W S. A65

Lead: Ace of Hearts H. 87

D. KQ4

C. AKJ76

EAST (you)

S. K8

H. KQJ6543

D. 106

C. 83

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

3H P P X

P 4S All pass

West leads the Ace of Hearts, and continues with a Heart to your Jack. Everybody follows. You can see three defense tricks.

Where can you get another trick??

ANSWER TO QUESTION #42

NORTH

S. A65

H. 87

D. KQ4

C. AKJ76

WEST EAST

S. J94 S. K8

H. A2 H. KQJ6543

D. 9532 D. 106

C. 10954 C. 83

SOUTH

S. Q10732

H. 109

D. AJ87

C. Q2

You are defending four Spades by South. Partner leads the Ace and then a small Heart. You win the Jack. Now what? You can see that you King of Spades will win a trick, but where can you get another trick? It must come from the trump suit. Lead a third Heart, and hope partner has the right cards. If declarer ruffs with the ten, partner over ruffs. Now when you get in with the King of Spades, lead another Heart, and partner takes the setting trick with the nine. You hope partner has the right trump holding to get a trick with his trumps. If you can’t get tricks outside of the trump suit, try to get them in the trump suit. Well defended!

Question #41

NORTH

S. 5

H. A109642

D. AK5

C. 1083

SOUTH

S. KJ3

H. QJ

D. QJ64

C. AQ94

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1H P 3NT* All Pass

Natural (15-17)
Lead: Spade 6.

West leads the Spade six, and you win the Jack. What now. We see that we are in the wrong contract, but can’t be bothered by that now. What can I do to make my bid?

Answer to question #41

NORTH

S. 5

H. A109642

D. AK5

C. 1083

WEST EAST

S. AQ962 S. 10874

H. 83 H. K75

D. 10732 D. 98

C. J4 C. K765

SOUTH

S. KJ3

H. QJ

D. QJ64

C. AQ94

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1H P 3NT All Pass

You have two chances. Finesse in Hearts, and if it loses we go down. Or take a finesse by going to the dummy with a Diamond and leading a Club into the safe hand (West) who cannot hurt you with Spades. If it loses go back to Dummy and try another Club finesse. The first option is 50%, while the second is 75%. Guess which one to choose! If West shifts to a Heart, rise with the Ace and take the second Club finesse.

QUESTION 40

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

--- --- --- 1C

X XX ? (YOU)

How do you handle this common sequence?

S. 1096 2. S. 3 3. S. 54 4. S. 54

H. Q32 H. J83 H. QJ1086 H. KQJ43

D. 9854 D. Q10654 D. 9532 D. Q76

C. J82 C. 10876 C. 108 C. 874

5. S. 76 6. S. K765 7. S. KJ9764 8. S. 843

H. K1076 H. Q832 H. 1093 H. 107

D. 943 D. Q942 D. 54 D. 109

C. 9765 C. 8 C. 94 C. KJ10875

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #40

Pass. With a balanced hand and no four card major, let partner bail himself out.
1 Diamond. Bidding after a redouble does not show strength, just a little length. HCP=0-5.
2 Hearts. Preemptive. Jumps over strong bids are always preemptive.
Pass. A jump by you is preemptive. Pass and then bid or jump later, or a cue bid now, shows some strength (7-9). Seldom comes up.
1 Heart. Same as #2.
2 Clubs. A cue bid show 7-9 HCP with at least 2 places to play.
3 Spades. Preemptive. Usually a half way decent six card suit with little or nothing else. Just what you have.
Pass. And then bid Clubs, which shows Clubs. Bidding Clubs directly is a cue bid (see #6).

QUESTION #39

NORTH

S. J1065

H. AQ

D. K765

C. 854

SOUTH

S. KQ9842

H. J6

D. A4

C. K107

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1S P 3S P

4S P P P

South deals

IMPS

E-W vulnerable

West leads the Club nine. East wins the Ace, and leads the Queen back. South wins the Ace and West follows with the three. South now leads a low Spade, East plays low and dummy wins with the Jack. What now???

ANSWER TO QUESTION #39

NORTH

S. J1065

H. AQ

D. K765

C. 854

WEST EAST

S. A7 S. 3

H. 97532 H. K1084

D. Q1083 D. J92

C. 93 C. AQJ62

SOUTH

S. KQ9842

H. J6

D. A4

C. K107

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1S P 3S P

4S P P P

West made a grievous error when he ducked the Spade Ace. He should have won and switched to a Heart, and now declarer has no play. Declarer should now leave the Ace of Spades out, play the Ace and King of Diamonds and ruff a Diamond. Now exit with a Club to East’s Jack. If East has no more Diamonds he is end played, and must either lead a Heart or give you a ruff-sluff. When defenders make errors, don’t give it back to them.

Question #38

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1D P 1H P

1S P ? (you)

You, South, hold the following hands. What, if anything, is your next rebid?

S. J54 2. S. 54 3. S. K108 4. S. 54

H. AJ654 H. AJ743 H. AQJ9832 H. QJ97

D. 2 D. KQ105 D. J10 D. AJ87

C. 10764 C. J5 C. 5 C. AQ10

5. S. 875 6. S. 7 7. S. 10983 8. S. A76

H. AJ832 H. Q109743 H. Q1087 H. KQ876

D. 95 D. 7 D. AK54 D. AJ

C. K108 C. K10976 C. 3 C. 865

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #38

Pass. Partners one Spade bid is non-forcing.

3 Diamonds. Invitational. Perfect.

4 Hearts. There is no second choice. 3 Hearts is invitational.

3 No Trump. Once in a while you suppress minor suit

support to bid 3 No Trump.

1 No Trump. The rebid shows 7-10 HCP. Don’t even think

about rebidding a 5 card suit unless it has three or four honor cards.

2 Hearts. Bidding two Clubs, the fourth suit, shows opening values, something you don’t have.

3 Spades. Invitational. Better to support partners major as opposed to partners minor suit.

2 Clubs. Fourth suit, asking for more information. The fourth suit is considered artificial (unless it is a rebid). In addition partner should never bid No Trump without a stop in the suit.

QUESTION #37

What is the meaning of the last double in each of the following sequences? Penalty or takeout?

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT P 2C X?

1NT X?

1S X 2S P

3S X?

4D X?

1C P 3D X?

1S X XX 2C

1H X 2H X?

1C P 1H P

2H X?

ANSWERS TO QUESTION #37

Penalty. Doubles of artificial bids are both penalty and lead directing doubles.
Penalty. The double of an opening 1NT bid announces a hand as good or better than the no trump bidder.
Takeout. West has a takeout double of 1 Spade so his hand couldn’t have changed during the bidding. He still has a takeout double, only a strong one, a very strong one.
Takeout. Doubles of opening bids of 4 Clubs or 4 Diamonds are always takeout. Most play that a double of 4 Hearts is also takeout, but there is no agreement of what a double of 4 Spades is. Most play it as a penalty double.

Talk this one over with your partner.

Takeout. East must have the majors. Ask the meaning of 3 Diamonds!
Penalty. After a redouble, any further double by either partner is a penalty double.
Takeout. After partner makes a takeout double and responder raises, a double by fourth hand shows 2+ places to play, an effort to land in the right trump suit. East probably has both minors, and wants to play in the better suit. Known as a “responsive” double.
Takeout. This double shows a hand with Heart shortness, and usually some Club length. He could not make a takeout double on his first bid due to Heart shortness.

An example” S. AJ103, H. 2, D. KQ84, C. A1087.

HAND #36

TEST YOUR BIDDING JUDGEMENT

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH (YOU)

1D X XX ?

1. S. A1054 2. S. 76 3. S. 765

H. 43 H. 105 H. K54

D. 108765 D. 1082 D. J765

C. 54 C. KQ10832 C. 984

4. S. 5 5. S. A104 6. S. KJ8432

H. K543 H. AJ64 H. 65

D. 653 D. 97 D. 976

C. 108432 C. K976 C. 43

ANSWERS TO HAND #36

TEST YOUR BIDDING JUDGEMENT

1 Spade. Get the major suit in early before things get out of hand. This doesn’t promise a rose garden. If everybody is telling the truth, partner knows you can’t have any thing

3 Clubs. When the bid to your right is strong, a jump by you is weak. You show a reasonable 6 bagger, that’s all.

Pass. Let partner rescue himself when you have a balanced hand and no 4 card suit.

1 Heart. Preparing for partners inevitable 1 Spade bid

in which case you can bid your clubs.

2 Diamonds. Who’s doing what to whom. You are telling partner you have a good hand and not to believe the opponents. It does not show Diamonds, just a good hand. Don’t hold your breath waiting for this.

2 Spades. Same as #2. Jumps over strength are preemptive, not strong.

QUESTION #34

NORTH

S. J9542

H. A32

D. A32

C. K4

SOUTH

S. AK1086

H. KJ10

D. KJ9

C. AJ

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2NT P 3H* P

4S** P 6S All pass

*Transfer **Super accept

Lead: Club 10

East plays the Club 7, and you win the Ace. You cash the Ace of Spades, and everybody follows. How do you continue?

BIDDING QUESTIONS #33

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

P P 1S P

1NT P 2D P

You are South. What is your rebid, if any, with each of the following hands?

1. S.72 2. S. 432 3. S. 43 4. S.4

H. A1098 H. QJ98 H. KJ10985 H. A876

D. J103 D. QJ10 D. Q762 D. QJ876

C. KJ108 C. 1098 C. 7 C. 654

5. S. 54 6. S. 4 7. S.43

H. Q76 H. J1098 H. 3

D. 109 D. Q43 D. K108743

C. KQ10943 C. A8765 C. A976

HAND #31

NORTH

S. 1064

H. K765

D. A54

C. 543

SOUTH

S. AQJ832

H. AQ

D. K3

C. K Q J

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2C P 2D P

2S P 3S P

4NT* P 5D** P

6S P P P

*BLACKWOOD **ONE ACE

You and partner are playing regular Blackwood, not Key Card, so you must find the King of Spades if partner doesn’t have it. The opening lead is the Jack of Hearts.

MAKE YOUR PLAN!!! vvvvvvvvv

Answer to #31

As soon as West leads the Jack of Hearts, and dummy hits the table, stop and make your plan. More contracts are lost at trick #1 than at any other time. You must assume that East has the King of Spades to make your contract. If he has 1, 2, or 3 Spades, you are OK, but what if he has 4??? You must win the first trick with the King of Hearts to have enough entries to pick up the King of Trumps. Next, you have to lead the 10 of Spades to be able to pick up the King if East has four. You now have enough entries to pick up the King. If the ten wins, you are still in Dummy to lead another, and you have the Ace of Diamonds to return to Dummy to take one more finesse. Well done.

HAND #30

NORTH

S. 5432

H. ---

D. 7632

C. J8643

SOUTH

S. AKJ108

H. AK

D. AKQJ5

C. 9

South deals.

N/S vulnerable

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2C 2H P 4H

4S 5C 5S 6H

6S P P X

P P P

West leads the Club Ace, East follow with the Club King, and East shifts to the Heart Queen. Plan your play!

ANSWER TO HAND #30

NORTH

S. 5432

H. ----

D. 7632

C. J8643

WEST EAST

S. ---- S. Q976

H. QJ10643 H. 98752

D. 8 D. 1094

C. AQ10752 C. K

SOUTH

S. AKJ108

H. AK

D. AKQJ5

C. 9

East and West have badly misjudged this hand. They have a great save in seven Hearts, doubled, not vulnerable. Plus, East has tipped off the location of the Spade Queen. Use the Trumps in dummy as entries to finesse for the Spade queen. Trump the first Heart in Dummy, and finesse for the Spade Queen. When this works, trump your last Heart in Dummy, take another Spade finesse, and claim. Well done, and nicely played. Just don’t thank East for his help. That’s gloating!!!

WHAT SHOULD I REBID #29

NORTH EAST SOUTH(you) WEST

1S P 1NT* P

2C P

* Forcing

1. S. 653 2. S. K4 3. S. J10

H. Q83 H. 876 H. AJ98

D. 8764 D. A763 D. K1076

C. KJ9 C. Q1065 C. 1093

4. S. K7 5. S. 6 6. S. 3

H. A543 H. KJ983 H. 76

D. 8743 D. KJ987 D. A93

C. J108 C. 98 C. K976432

GOOD LUCK.

ANSWERS: WHAT SHOULD I REBID

2 Spades. Even though partner will take you for a doubleton, as it is rare to withhold three card major support, it is better in the long run to respond 1NT with a balanced 6 count, as a 2 spade bid is more encouraging.
3 Clubs. Forward going. You promise at least 4 Clubs and 6-10 HCP.
3. 2NT. You usually show 10 HCP for this bid, but the three 10’s and the 9 HCP makes this worth 10 any day of the week. Look at those intermediates.
4. 2 Spades. You have a forward going hand and this gives partner another chance in case he has extras.
2 Hearts. As long as you are going to bid a red suit, bid the major. Not forcing, and shows at least 5 card length.

3 Diamonds. This shows a huge fit in the last bid suit, and a control in the jump suit. If you don’t like this bid, jump to 5 Clubs, as 4 Clubs would not be forcing. The jump cue bid shows slam interest, and is game forcing.

HAND #28

NORTH

N. A1054

H. 43

D. KJ9

C. 7654

SOUTH

S. K632

H. A10

D. AQ10

C. A932

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT P 2C P

2S P 3S P

4S P P P

LEAD: KING OF HEARTS

You win the Ace of Hearts, and duck a Club to East’s Jack. East cashes the Jack of Hearts, and exits with the Club King. You win the Ace, west playing the ten. You play the Spade King, and East plays the Jack. You continue with a second Spade, and West plays low. Which Spade do you play from dummy, and why?

HAND #27

SOUTH (you) WEST NORTH EAST

1S P P X

? (what is your rebid?)

MATCHPOINTS

NONE VUL.

SOUTH DEALS

S. AJ1087 2. S. AQ976 3. S. AKJ986

H. KQ876 H. AK3 H. 3

D. K2 D. AQ3 D. QJ84

C. 3 C. 108 C. K5

4. S. KQ1096 5. S. AK109865 6. S. AJ876

H. AKJ103 H. 2 H. KQ92

D. A2 D. AJ10 D. 43

C. 3 C. K5 C. QJ

SOLUTION TO #27

2 Hearts. You have enough strength and distribution to bid your second suit. If not now, then when?
XX (redouble). Let partner know you have the best hand at the table. THIS IS NOT A RESCUE REDOUBLE. That is only after a takeout double has been left in for penalties.
2 Spades. You have enough strength and distribution to bid again, but you MUST have a fairly strong suit to bid.
3 Hearts. Not forcing, but highly invitational. You don’t need much to make game.
3 Spades. Facing a passed hand, this rebid shows a hand that can take about 8-9 tricks.
Pass. (The most abused and misused bid in bridge). This is not your hand, so stay out of trouble.

HAND #26

NORTH

S. 9843

H. A3

D. KJ6

C. KJ94

SOUTH

S. AKQ2

H. Q92

D. 1087

C. A63

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT P 2C P

2S P 4S All pass

Lead: Diamond Ace

Vul: None

Dealer: South

East plays the Diamond nine, and West continues with the Diamond two.

Plan the play.

ANSWER TO HAND #26

NORTH

S. 9843

H. A3

D. KJ6

C. KJ94

WEST EAST

S. 1052 S. J7

H. J864 H. K1075

D. A2 D. Q9543

C. 10875 C. Q2

SOUTH

S. AKQ2

H. Q92

D. 1087

C. A63

The lead is probably a doubleton. Nobody leads from an AQ against a No Trump opener on their right. Win the Diamond King, and draw trumps. Exit with a Diamond. East wins, and is not happy. If he leads a Heart, play the Queen. If it loses, you are on a finesse for the Club Queen. If East leads another Diamond, trump in your hand, and discard a low Heart. You now have to play the Clubs for one loser. Your best play for three tricks is to play the King first, then low to the Ace, and back towards the Jack. This guarantees 3 tricks whenever possible. Remember this combination as it comes up often.

HAND #26

NORTH

S. 9843

H. A3

D. KJ6

C. KJ94

SOUTH

S. AKQ2

H. Q92

D. 1087

C. A63

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT P 2C P

2S P 4S All pass

Lead: Diamond Ace

Vul: None

Dealer: South

East plays the Diamond nine, and West continues with the Diamond two.

Plan the play.

ANSWER TO HAND #26

NORTH

S. 9843

H. A3

D. KJ6

C. KJ94

WEST EAST

S. 1052 S. J7

H. J864 H. K1075

D. A2 D. Q9543

C. 10875 C. Q2

SOUTH

S. AKQ2

H. Q92

D. 1087

C. A63

HAND #25

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1H P 1S P

2H P 3C P

What is your next bid with each of these hands?

S.4 2. S.5 3. S. KQ

H. AQJ10876 H. KQJ1097 H. A76543

D. A3 D. K743 D. 85

C. J43 C. Q4 C. KJ6

4. S. K7 5. S. 9 6. S. --

H. A98654 H. AQ9764 H. A876542

D. QJ D. KJ10 D. A2

C. Q106 C. K76 C. K1032

ANSWERS TO HANDS #25

4 Hearts. Your partner has a strong hand and your independent Heart suit must be revealed. You can play in Hearts even opposite a void.
3 Hearts. You have a minimum opening hand with a possible wasted Diamond King. Your independent Heart suit is always a plus. 3NT is off the wall.
4 Spades. Your hand has improved greatly. Partner should have 5 or more Spades. There is a likely slam and you should advise partner of this. A raise of Clubs shows 4 or more Clubs.
3 Spades. You have already shown your Hearts, so now is the time to show pard a preference. Don’t rebid your Hearts again. A raise of Clubs shows four Clubs. 3NT is once again off the wall.
3NT. Stands out like a sore thumb.
4 Diamonds. You should have talked this over. The jump in Diamonds shows the Ace and a good fit for the second suit. It keeps slam as a choice, while staying below 4NT.

This is called the “out of the blue cue”.

Hope you enjoyed these. More to come, until we reopen.

Stay well, and I hope to see everyone soon.

HAND #24

NORTH

S. A65

H. A8765

D. AK8

C. 54

SOUTH

S. 3

H. K43

D. QJ109654

C. KJ

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

3D 3S 5D All Pass

Lead: Spade King

Vul: None

Swiss Team

Well, you have successfully missed 3 No Trump and 4 Hearts, but your main concern should be to make 5 Diamonds. It’s your play! What is your plan? Good luck!

ANSWER TO HAND #24

NORTH

S. A65

H. A8765

D. AK8

C. 54

WEST EAST

S. KQJ874 S. 1092

H. 109 H. QJ2

D. 32 D. 7

C. AQ8 C. 1097632

SOUTH

S. 3

H. K43

D. QJ109654

C. KJ

After you curse yourself for opening 3 Diamonds and missing 3 No Trump or 4 Hearts, your problem is to avoid three losers in 5 Diamonds. You hope to set up the Hearts for discards, while not letting East in to lead a Club. Maybe you can guess Clubs right. Maybe not! Your best play is to swap a Heart loser for a Spade loser. DUCK THE SPADE LEAD. Now you can throw your losing Clubs on the long Hearts, without letting East in. If a Spade is continued, ruff in your hand, draw 2 rounds of trumps,

Cash the King of Hearts, lead a Heart to Dummy and discard your little Heart on the Ace of Spades. Now trump a Heart, return to dummy with a trump and throw all your Clubs away.

Hand #22

H. A876

S. 74

D. A74

C. AQ109

EAST

S. 93

H. K9

D. K1032

C. 87652

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1S X P 3H

P 4H ALL PASS

Lead: Spade Ace

Swiss teams

E/W Vul.

Which Spade do you play at trick #1 and what is your defensive plan???

ANSWER TO HAND #22

NORTH

S. 74

H. A876

D. A76

C. AQ109

WEST EAST

S. AKQJ65 S. 93

H. 54 H. K9

D. J98 D. K1032

C. 43 C. 87652

SOUTH

S. 1082

H. QJ1032

D. Q54

C. K3

West leads the Ace of Spades against 4 Hearts. East should play the THREE of Spades, asking for a switch. Looking at the dummy, a Diamond switch should be obvious. If West over rides his partner and continues Spades, the contract can be made by discarding Diamonds on the good Clubs. If West switches to Diamonds, the contract cannot be made. Also, with a sure trump trick, you don’t really want to trump a Spade. This type of hand comes up often, and habit makes us play a high Spade. Think before you play. As we are often told, the first trick is usually the most important. Make you plan now.

HAND #23

NORTH

S. Q862

H. 76

D. AK42

C. 543

SOUTH (you)

S. A4

H. AKQJ10952

D. ---

C. AK

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2C P 2D P

2H P 2NT P

3H P 4D P

4S P 5D P

6H P P P

LEAD: Club Queen

Swiss Teams

What is your best play to make your contract? North shows the AK of Diamonds in the auction. Good luck!

ANSWER TO HAND #23

NORTH

S. Q862

H. 76

D. AK42

C. 543

WEST EAST

S. J5 S. K1097

H. 83 H. 4

D. J976 D. Q10853

C. QJ1092 C. 876

SOUTH (YOU)

S. A4

H. AKQJ10952

D. ---

C. AK

You find yourself in the great contract of 6 Hearts with two losers (Spades) and two winners in Dummy, with no apparent entry. You can force an entry by giving up one trick to gain two. Lead a LOW Heart after winning the Club lead. Now the remaining Heart is an entry. Giving one to get two is a good trade.

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1S X P 3H

P 4H ALL PASS

Lead: Spade Ace

Swiss teams

E/W Vul.

Which Spade do you play at trick #1 and what is your defensive plan???

ANSWER TO HAND #22

NORTH

S. 74

H. A876

D. A76

C. AQ109

WEST EAST

S. AKQJ65 S. 93

H. 54 H. K9

D. J98 D. K1032

C. 43 C. 87652

SOUTH

S. 1082

H. QJ1032

D. Q54

C. K3

HAND #23

NORTH

S. Q862

H. 76

D. AK42

C. 543

SOUTH (you)

S. A4

H. AKQJ10952

D. ---

C. AK

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2C P 2D P

2H P 2NT P

3H P 4D P

4S P 5D P

6H P P P

LEAD: Club Queen

Swiss Teams

What is your best play to make your contract? North shows the AK of Diamonds in the auction. Good luck!

ANSWER TO HAND #23

NORTH

S. Q862

H. 76

D. AK42

C. 543

WEST EAST

S. J5 S. K1097

H. 83 H. 4

D. J976 D. Q10853

C. QJ1092 C. 876

SOUTH (YOU)

S. A4

H. AKQJ10952

D. ---

C. AK

HAND #21

NORTH

S. A8

H. K10753

D.86

C. AJ5

SOUTH

S. K10 9

H. A 9

D. AK42

C. KQ92

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1D P 1H P

2NT P 4NT* P

5C** P 5NT*** P

6NT**** P P P

* A STRETCH.

** When you accept, show 5 card suits up the line.

*** Minimum

**** I’m not letting you off the hook.

Lead: Queen of Diamonds

Swiss Team

Vul: Both

What is my best play to make the hand???

ANSWER TO HAND #21

NORTH

S. A86

H. K10753

D. 86

C. AJ5

WEST EAST

S. J75 S. Q432

H. J842 H. Q6

D. QJ10 D.9753

C. 864 C. 1073

SOUTH

S. K109

H. A9

D. AK42

C.KQ92

With 8 top tricks outside of Hearts, we need four Heart tricks.

The best play is to lead a low Heart from dummy, and finesse the Nine in South’s hand. This wins when Hearts are 3-3, 4-2 with East having both honors, 4-2 when West has one honor.

This holding comes up often.

After partner makes an invitational raise to 4NT, you should bid 4 card suits up the line, in case a 4-4 fit is found in a superior contract to NT. IT IS NOT A RESPONSE TO BLACKWOOD.

HAND #20

NORTH S. Q42 H. 653 D. AQ1096 C. K6

SOUTH S. A 6 H. AK7 D. J832 C. A875

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT All pass

Lead: Jack of Spades

Swiss Teams

Vul: All

Plan your play.

ANSWER TO #20

NORTH

S. Q42

H. 653

D. AQ1096

C. K6

WEST EAST

S. J108 S. K9753

H. Q82 H. J1094

D. 54 D. K7

C. J9432 C. Q10

SOUTH

S. A6

H. AK7

D. J832

C. A875

When the Jack is led, find out if the opponents are making “coded” leads. If they are, then it is almost a sure thing that East has the King. Coded leads mean the Jack denies a higher honor, and the lead of the Ten shows either KJ10, AJ10, or 109xx.

In this case, you have a 100% play to make your game. Play a small Spade from dummy, win the Ace in your hand, and lead the Jack of Diamonds, planning to finesse if West plays small. Even if it loses, East cannot hurt you no matter what he leads.

This should be a “”gimme”. Hope you enjoy, and stay well.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

You lead the Jack of Diamonds, partner plays the 4, and Declarer wins the King. Declarer plays the Ace and King of Clubs, partner high-lows, and then leads a low Heart. Your play! What is your plan???

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Count the points. Declarer has shown the AK of Clubs, and the King of Diamonds. Declarer must also have the AQ of Diamonds, or partner would not have played the 4 (he would have encouraged with the Queen, and have won the Ace. Declarer now has 5 Clubs, 3 Diamonds, and a Heart if you duck. You also know he has shown 16 points, so he MIGHT have the Jack of Hearts or the Jack of Spades. Best play is to win the

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #19 ...........................NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST

S. K6

H. A75

D. J1096

C. 8732

SOUTH WEST(you) NORTH EAST

1NT P 3NT all pass

ANSWER TO HAND #19

Ace of Hearts, then switch to the King of Spades. Partner will encourage you, and you lead another Spade. Nicely defended!

NORTH

S. Q98

H. KQ

D. 832

C. QJ1095

WEST EAST

S. K6 S. AJ102

H. A75 H. J863

D. J1096 D. 754

C. 8732 C. 64

SOUTH

S. 7543

H. 10942

D. AKQ

C. AK.

HAND #18

YOU S. 76 H. K54 D. J765 C. 10876

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH (YOU)

1. 1S X P ?

2. 1S X XX ?

3. 1S X P

2C X P ?

4. 1C 1H P

3H* 3S P ? *PREEMPTIVE

5. 1H P P

1S 3D P ?

6. 1NT* X P ? *15-17

ANSWERS TO HANDS #18

1. 2 Clubs. Bid your cheapest 4 card suit as low as you can.

2. Pass. You are off the hook after the redouble. Let partner save himself. You have some support for all the suits.

3. 2 Diamonds. Partners double is for takeout. Simple game.

4. 4 Clubs. If your King of Hearts was Spades, bid 5 Clubs.

5. 4 Hearts. Having passed first, you have a great hand, with a double fit. Trust partner. Go for it.

6. Pass. Partner says he can beat 1 No Trump, and you should have about the same points as the opponents.

Also, any finesse that West takes should be a loser. Partner’s good hand is behind him.

Only pull with a super weak hand and a 5+ card suit.

Hands #17

Today will be something unusual. I am going to give you six different hands, with the same opening bid by partner, and you have to plan your rebid. Thanks to Eddie Kantar for these:

PARTNER YOU

1H 1S

2H ??

Hand1 Hand 2 Hand 3

S. AJ843 S. AJ932 S. AQ87

H. 4 H. Q7 H. 2

D. KJ974 D. K743 D. Q873

C. 95 C. 98 C. K843

Hand 4 Hand 5 Hand 6

S. A10832 S. AQJ1074 S. J95432

H. K104 H. 2 H. ---

D. 2 D. A98 D. A976

C. AQ93 C. 874 C. Q65

What is your rebid with each of these hands?

No one vulnerable.

Match points

ANSWERS TO #17

Pass. 2 Spades on a 5-card suit is out. 3 Diamonds shows opening bid values is forcing. The best bid in bridge is “PASS”.
3 Hearts. You have enough to invite. The Heart Queen is a big card.
Pass. 11 HCP is enough to bid 2NT, but the singleton Heart reduces the value of your hand. This could be wrong, but in the long run, it works.
4 Diamonds. A slam try “splinter bid” showing 3 card support, opening bid values, Diamond shortness, game forcing, and slam invitational. Perfect!
3 Spades. Invitational with 6 Spades, 10-12 points, and no Heart support.
Pass. The hardest bid in bridge, and the best. Don’t look for trouble with a misfit. If your Spades were a little stronger, you could bid 2 Spades (no interest in Hearts, 6 Spades, and a non-invitational hand).

Hope you enjoyed these. More to come in the future.

STAY WELL. SEE YOU SOON.

HAND #16

Dealer: North

Vul: Both

Matchpoints.

Lead: Club 2 NORTH

S. A7532

H. A104

D. K6

C. J98

SOUTH

S. Q9

H. KJ875

D. AQJ853

C. ----

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1S 2C 2D P

2S P 3H P

4D P 4H P

5H P 6H All pass

North has no easy rebid, so takes the least worse bid. Souths bid shows at least 6 Diamonds and 5 Hearts. His hand gets better as the bidding progresses. North MUST HAVE four Hearts to raise the first time, so takes a false preference to Diamonds. Norths 5 Hearts asks for second round Club control.

Make your plans!!! How do I get 12 tricks?

ANSWER TO HAND 16

You have a Spade loser, and a potential Heart loser. Trump the Club lead. Play the Ace and King of Trumps. If the Queen drops, you have all the tricks. If not, start on Diamonds, playing to the King, and back to your hand. Run the Diamonds, throwing Spades from Dummy. You can get rid of all the Spades, no matter when the Queen of Trumps is played. Now you can trump your losing Spades in Dummy, and have 12 tricks. Six Diamonds will not make, as you get only two pitches of Spades.

NOTES: With high honors in partners suits, bid aggressively.

Finesses in trumps may be an optical illusion when a trump is needed in dummy to trump a loser. VERY IMPORTANT.

As a defender, when holding AKQ in your suit, win the first trick with the Ace, keeping your strength unknown to opponents. If

Declarer trumps the first or second trick, partner will know your holding.

HAND #15

Dealer: North NORTH

Vul: Both S. AJ10875

Lead: Diamond 2 H. A4

D. 764

C. A4

SOUTH (you)

S. 4

H. KQJ32

D. 32

C. KQ765

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1S 2D 2H 3D

P P 4C P

4H P P P

West leads the 2 of Diamonds, East wins the Ace, cashes the Queen of Diamonds, and leads the Jack. You trump. What is your plan now?

ANSWER TO HAND #15

Where are my tricks coming from? If everything behaves, you have 1 Spade, 5 Hearts, and five Clubs. But what if everything does not behave? Trump the third Diamond, play a Club to the Ace, and a Club to your King. Now lead a low club, and trump with the Ace of Hearts. Draw Trumps and you have 11 tricks.

NOTES: Don’t draw trumps, hoping that Clubs will break 3-3.

Don’t cash three high Clubs, hoping Clubs will be 3-3.

Don’t trump your third Club small. If it gets over trumped, you might be in serious trouble. Be careful, and make your plan at trick #1, not after you have played several cards. More errors are made at trick #1 then any other trick.

HAND #14

NORTH (Dummy)

S. J10

H. AQ54

D. 76

C. A10987

SOUTH (You)

S. AKQ987

H. 85

D. KJ

C. 654

CONTRACT: 4 Spades

DEALER: South

VUL: Both

LEAD: Spade 4

You are in four Spades on a straight forward auction, with the opponents not bidding. What is your best play to make your contract. THIS IS THE HARDEST HAND SO FAR!

ANSWER TO HAND #14

NORTH

S. J10

H. AQ54

D. 76

C. A10987

WEST EAST

S. 654 S. 32

H. KJ97 H. 1032

D. AQ32 D. 109854

C. Q3 C. K32

SOUTH

S. AKQ987

H. 86

D. KJ

C. 654

Win the Spade lead in your hand, and finesse the Heart Queen.

When this wins, cash the Heart Ace, and ruff a Heart. Enter dummy with a Spade, and ruff the last Heart. Pull trumps, lead a Club to the Ace. Now lead a small Club from Dummy. If West wins, he is end played and must give you a Diamond trick. If East wins the Club King, you now have an extra Club trick.

This is known as a Strip and End Play, and comes up fairly often.

The only holding that beats you is if East has 3 Clubs to the KQx.

HAND #13

Dealer: North

Lead: Diamond Jack

NORTH

S. AK432

H. 102

D. A43

C. K32

WEST EAST

S. J10 S. Q987

H. 9876 H. 5

D. J109 D. KQ852

C. J987 C. Q106

SOUTH

S. 65

H. AKQJ43

D. 76

C. A54

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1 S 2 D 2 H P

2NT P 3 H P

4H P 5 C P

5 D P 6H All pass

How do I make 12 Tricks?

Play hard.

ANSWER TO #13

Win the Ace of Diamonds, play the Ace and King of Spades, and a third Spade. When East plays a Spade, throw your losing Diamond away. Ruff the Diamond return, play a Heart to the Ten, trump one more Spade high, pull trumps, and go to the Ace of Clubs, throwing your losing Club on the good Spade.

Well done. Any time there is a side 5-card suit, consider it as a source of tricks. This is a hard slam to bid with 14 points opposite 13 points.

Don’t bid Blackwood with the South hand, as you have two worthless Diamonds in the opponents suit. Cue bid!!!

HAND #12

NORTH (dummy)

S. A743

H. KQ62

D. Q7

C. 987

EAST (you)

S. 65

H. J8

D. J943

C. KQJ102

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT P 2C X

2S P 4S All Pass

Partner leads the Ace of Clubs, you encourage with the King, and partner continues with the Club three. You win with the ten and lead the Queen, on which South follows, and East throws the tow of Diamonds. Now what? We need one more trick to defeat South. Where can it come from? What holding are we hoping for in the East hand?? Tough question!

ANSWER TO HAND #12

Your only hope is that partner has the Q9x of trumps, so you MUST lead another Club, giving declarer a ruff-sluff. Count the points! North has 11 points, you have 8 points, and declarer has 15-17. Partner can have at most 4-6 points, and he has already shown 4 with the Ace of Clubs. Your only hope is that he has 6, including the Queen of Spades. If declarer sluffs a loser, partner trumps with the 9, and his Queen will now be the setting trick. If declarer trumps with 10 or Jack, partner discards another suit, and can now cover whatever trump North plays, and again has the setting trick. Well done.

When there are no possible outside tricks for defenders, look at the trump suit. Notice Easts double of 2 Clubs as a lead director. Don’t forget to do this. It helps partner.

WEST

S. Q92

H. 9753

D. 10862

C. A3

SOUTH (declarer)

S. KJ108

H. A104

D. AK5

C. 654

HAND #11

NORTH (dummy)

S. AQ1085

H. 8

D. 1075

C. AKJ4

EAST (you)

S. 42

H. AJ109752

D. KJ9

C. 2

BIDDING: EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

3H P 4H X

P 4S ALL PASS

LEAD: HEART 3

You win the Ace of Hearts. What do you return, and why?

Answer #11

The contract is 4 Spades by South, after East opened 3 Hearts, West raised to 4 Hearts, North doubled, and South bid 4 Spades. A small Heart is led, East wins the Ace, and must make a decision on his return. There is a play called a “surrounding play” where your right hand opponent has an honor, and have the cards above and below that honor, plus a higher honor. This cannot lose a trick, but might gain. For example in the above hand, East has “surrounding” cards in Diamonds, and the right shift is the card above the high card, in this case you should shift to the Diamond Jack. This is the only shift that will defeat 4 Spades. Look for in whenever you are defender.

HAND #10

Dealer: West

Lead: Heart Queen NORTH

Vul: None S. 1083

H. QJ1073

D. J72

C. K7

WEST EAST

S. AK5 S. Q62

H. 9652 H. AK

D. AK6 D. 1053

C. Q104 C. J9852

SOUTH

S. J974

H. 84

D. Q984

C. A63

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1NT P 3NT ALL PASS

Now what???Can West get nine tricks, with or without best defense?? All four hands are given to make it easier.

ANSWER TO HAND #10

Win the first trick in dummy (nice play) and lead a small Club. If South plays low (second hand low), play the Queen, and North wins the King, and continues with a low Heart. You win this in Dummy, and lead another small Club. South ducks again, and your first prayer is answered. Knock out the Ace of Clubs, and your second prayer is answered. South switches to Diamond, and your third prayer is answered (South is out of Spades).

You now have 10 tricks. The “Card Gods” have smiled on you.

Look what happens if South doesn’t believe in “fairy tales” and rises with his Club Ace at trick #2. He now leads his last Heart, East wins, leads another Club but now North has an entry for his good Hearts, and West goes down. Nice defense. Remember that some rules are made to be broken. They are “guides”, not “rules”.

HAND #9

YOU PARTNER

S. AJ106 S. KQ854

H. AQ H. 92

D. KQJ987 D. A52

C. 8 C. J75

Bidding: YOU PARTNER

1 D 1 S

What is your best bid to show partner the strength of your hand? Make your choice from these!

4 Spades
3 Spades
2 Diamonds
3 Diamonds
4 Clubs
2 NT

ANSWER TO HAND #9

The best answer is #5, 4 Clubs. This is known as a self -splinter, and shows the same hand as a bid of 4 Spades, but also promises one, or no, Clubs. If you don’t play self-splinters, think about adding it to your bidding list.

It gives up nothing, and gives partner more information.

In this hand, partner will (should) cue bid the Ace of Diamonds, and you can now bid RKCB, or regular Blackwood, and get to the lay down slam. Without the splinter, you must bid 4 Spades, and partner will probably pass, as he has no safe bid.

All the other bids are incorrect.

Vul: N/S HAND #8

Lead: Diamond 4

Dealer: West North S . K108

H. K74

D. 73

C. KJ1073

SOUTH

S. A97653

H. J2

D. A86

C. Q2

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1H P 2H 2S

P 4S ALL PASS

ANSWER TO HAND #8

What do we know about the hand so far? West has led from a holding including the Queen, as the play of the King by East denies the Queen, and West probably does not have the Jack, as might have led the Queen from QJ.

West probably has the Ace of Hearts, as he would have led a Heart not holding the Ace since his partner has given him a raise. West has to have the Ace of Clubs for his opening bid. The only thing we don’t know about is Spades. Win the Ace of Diamonds. Lay down the Ace of Spades, and lead a second Spade. When Spades break, give up the Ace of Clubs, the defenders will cash their other two tricks, and you have your ten tricks. Well done.

Count out the hands, place cards where you KNOW they are, and play accordingly. It makes the game easier, and more enjoyable.

HAND #7

NORTH

S. A102

H. Q109

D. K863

C. AJ2

SOUTH

S. KJ4

H. -----

D. Q752

C. K109843

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1H X 4H 5C

P P P

Lead: Heart 6

West leads the Heart 6, you play the and East plays the A.

Make your plan! Losers? Winners?

Answer to Hand #7

WEST EAST

S. Q6 S. 98753

H. KJ862 H. A7543

D. AJ4 D. 109

C. Q75 C. 6

After the opening you should know everybody’s hand. Sound impossible! Count out the hand. You and partner have 23 HCP, West has opened the bidding, and East has shown up with the Ace of Hearts. That accounts for 27 HCP, and West opened the bidding. It is possible for East to have the Jack of Hearts, but a strong player would have played it at trick #1. If that happens, you should realize that West cannot have AK of Hearts, as he would have led the Ace, and he cannot have the Ace of Hearts, as he would not have under led it.

As an aside, if East insists on Hearts, and bids at the five level, N/S have several options. 6 Clubs, which you can make, or double, down 2 (still a great N/S score if they are Vulnerable, and no one bids the 23 point slam). A pass by South is forcing, and North must bid or double.

When you and partner have a majority of high cards, and have bid freely to game, the pass is forcing.

Don’t forget the valuable tool of counting the cards, both HCP and distribution. Your game will get much better.

HAND #6 CONTRACT: 1NT DECLARER: SOUTH LEAD: SPADE JACK

NORTH S. KQ6 H. J10985 D. KJ10 C. K8

EAST (You) S. 832 H. K3 D. AQ743 C. 1072

NORTH	EAST	SOUTH	WEST
1 H	P	1NT	ALL PASS

West leads the Jack of Spades, dummy plays the King and you play the Two (count). Declarer now calls for Jack of Hearts. What do you do, why, and then what? Tough question. The right sequence makes you a superior player!!v

ANSWER TO HAND #6

Rise with the King of Hearts (forget 2^nd hand low) and hope you can win the trick and get partner to lead back a Diamond. How in the world can I get partner to do that? Realize that declarer always has a Diamond trick. Lead a LOW DIAMOND and let declarer have his trick. Now when partner gets in with his Heart Ace he can lead a Diamond back. Remember “BOSTON”. “Bottom of something, top of nothing”. If you or partner have never heard of this, talk about it, or ask an experience to explain it. If you do this, you should beat 1NT. No guarantee, but there are so few guarantees in bridge. If your Heart King wins, assume partner has the Ace, and when he gets in with it, you want him to return a Diamond. If you don’t want this, then lead a higher card. Simple isn’t it! NO. Defense is very hard, and in my opinion is the hardest part of bridge to master. Bridge is like a three legged stool. Bidding, Play, and Defense are the legs. If one leg fails, the stool fails. Play hard, stay well, and I hope to see everybody back at Alpharetta DBC, ASAP.

Defensive Problem HAND #5

NORTH

S. 3

H. A93

D. AKQJ8

C. AQJ7

WEST ( YOU)

S. AK85

H. K42

D. 1043

C. 864

The opponents have reached 6 Hearts on a straight forward auction. North has opened 2 Clubs, and South has made a positive response, then bid to 6 Hearts. You lead the Ace of Spades, after thinking about doubling. What do you do at trick #2?? Partner plays the two of Spades on our lead. Suit preference?? Probably! Do you switch to a Club? It's your lead at trick #2.

ANSWER TO HAND #5

As with all defensive problems, think before you play. Partner has asked for a Club shift (Suit Preference) or is saying don't lead Spades as I have nothing in that suit (attitude). Usually, when a shift is probable, a low card says shift to the lower suit (not counting trumps) and a high card says shift to the higher ranking suit. A middle card says either lead a Trump, or I have no preference. In this case, look at the dummy. Will a shift beat the contract? Who knows! However, a continuation of the King of Spades will set up your King of Trumps for the setting trick. THINK BEFORE YOU PLAY. As an aside, the worthy opponents have bid to the six level missing the AK of Spades, and the King of Hearts. If partner has the King of Clubs, what are they bidding on, unless some one has a very distributional hand. As in bidding, the one who knows, goes. Here you know, so you go.

Last updated : 18th Jan 2021 09:32 EST

Bridge Hand

ANSWER TO #3: Your original “Pass” showed a bad hand. Your hand is still bad, but shows sign of life. Partners double of 2 Diamonds shows a very good hand. You should be pleased to bid 2 Hearts. His raise now shows a great hand. Your fifth Heart, with two honors, a ruffing value in Spades, and possible fitting cards is Clubs should make the raise to 4 Hearts simple. Now what? Partner bids 5 Hearts!!! What can he have? A super-duper hand with two losing Diamonds, or asking about Heart strength? I think he's worried about Diamonds, and I pass. He should bid 5 Diamonds if he is worried about Hearts.

HAND #4 SOUTH S. QJ4 H. K852 D. 43 C. 9873

BIDDING NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1S P 2S P

3D P 3S P

4H P ?

You have made a simple raise (2S) and partner bids a natural 3 Diamonds (forcing) and you return to 3 Spades. Instead of Pass, or 4 Spades, partner now bids 4 Hearts (what!). It is now your bid!!

ANSWER TO HAND #4

What is partner doing?? Has he lost his mind? Or is he (she) telling me something. I have great faith in all my partners, and never trust opponents, so he must be telling me something. He has a great hand, again, and I have tried to slow him down. Now is the time to trust him. DO NOT BID 4 SPADES!!! Your hand has improved with each bid he maid. Partner has kept on bidding even after I denied top values for my bids. Trust him. You can make several bids to reach slam. You could bid 4NT (RKCB), 6 Spades, or cue bid the King of Hearts. THIS HAND HAS BECOME A SLAM HAND.

My choice would be 4NT, just in case we are missing two Aces. Second choice is 5 Hearts (close to being my first choice) in case we have a play for a Grand. Have faith in your partner. After all, he did choose you as his partner. ( FYI: 5NT by partner shows 2 Aces, and a void. 6 of a suit shows a void in that suit, and 1 or 3 key cards