Set 3 Results

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Deal 1: West deals, both vulnerable

A J 10 7 A 10 8 5 J 10 9 8 2

K 4 3 Q 7 3 2 A Q 9 A K 4

Deal 1 Scores:

3NT:10
4NT:8
5: 5
4: 5
6: 2
4: 1

In a bidding-practice set, it always feels wrong to reach an "obvious" 3NT, but here it is right. One possible auction is P-1-1-2N-3N. This presumes West passes his nice 10-count as dealer. It also assumes that West doesn't look for greener pastures (greener than 3NT) after East's 2NT rebid. West might have some gadget to show clubs or slam interest, but East, opposite a passed-hand, should reject all tries. This one is fairly easy.

Deal 2: East deals, both vulnerable

K J 10 7 A K 10 7 6 A 5 A 4

A Q 5 4 K 8 7 4 2 K J 3 2

Deal 2 Scores:

7: 11
6: 10
5: 8
4NT: 6
5NT: 5
6NT: 3
6: 2

Slams in notrump or diamonds require a 3-3 diamond split, which is against the odds. Reaching spades (where hearts can be set up with ruffs in dummy--or where a complete crossruff is possible) is the key to this layout. Can it be done? The auction begins 1-1-2-2. West's 2 bid is artificial (4th suit forcing), so East will bid 2NT next (with his spade stoppers). At this point, West might leap precipitately to 5NT (pick-a-slam). Given the prior auction (East has denied spades), he might now choose 6 for an excellent result. Alternatively, over East's 2NT, West could bid 3.

Deal 3: East deals, both vulnerable

A Q 9 8 J 10 7 K 6 4 Q 3 2

10 7 2 A K 3 A Q 9 8 5 3 J

Deal 3 Scores:

5:10
4: 8
3NT: 6
Partscores: 3
6:2

3NT will make if the high clubs are in the same defensive hand (a 50% chance), so it isn't such a bad contract. 5 looks to be the best game, but 4 is a nice 4-3 contract. The auction will begin 1-1-2. West now has several choices. He can force to game, or choose an invitational 2NT (without great stoppers) or an invitational 3 (quite heavy). In most cases, East will show delayed spade support and then it's anyone's guess as to the final contract.

Deal 4: East deals, both vulnerable

A K 7 6 4 2 Q 9 6 5 7 3 2 --

10 A J 4 2 K 10 8 A K 10 7 3

Deal 4 Scores:

4 (E) : 10
4 (W): 8
4: 6
3: 5
3: 4
5 (E): 4
3NT: 3
5 (W) :2
6: 1

East will open 1 and West responds 1. East has an impossible rebid problem. He is too weak to reverse, has the wrong hand and shape for 1NT and the wrong hand for 2 (which should show 6). Which lie would I tell? I suppose 2, but not happily. West might choose to take the low road and simply rebid 2, where he should buy it. I suppose East might bid 2NT over 2 (usually a mistake to plow on in face of a misfit), and then West could introduce hearts and belatedly reach 4. It would be much easier if West chose 2 on his second turn (a forcing action). East would raise to game. Another possibility is for East to anticipate the rebid problem and open 1 in 3rd seat on the 4-card suit (but I'd prefer a better suit for such an action).

Full book of practice bidding hands.