Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 03/01/2016
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Results for Set 13
For instructions, click here.
Board 1, South deals and opens 2
(11-15 with 5+
), both vulnerable
Q 6 5
K J 10 9 8 3
J 5
K 9
|
|
A K 5
5 2
A K 8 7 6
10 8 7
|
Scores for Board 1:
4
: 10
3
: 5
3NT:2
With the expected club lead, 3NT has no realistic chance to make. Still, the most likely auction is for West to overcall with 2
, East to bid 3
(forcing), and West to try 3NT, which East passes. Oh well. Maybe you and your partner can reach the heart game.
Board 2, East deals, Both vul
10 3
A 10 6 5
K 10 8 7 6
K J
|
|
K Q J 9 6
K Q 4
Q 9 2
8 7
|
Scores for Board 2:
2
: 10
3
: 9
1NT: 8
3
: 7
4
: 6
2NT: 4
4
: 4
Other games: 2
No game is good. Three notrump with a club lead is obviously hopeless. Five diamonds is off 3 aces, and 4
is too much to handle (imagine a club lead). Even with a 3-3 trump break (against the odds), you still haven't make 4
. How to stop low? 1
-1NT (semi-forcing)-Pass is surely possible.
Board 3, East deals, East-West vul
8 6 5
4
8 5
K 8 7 6 5 3 2
|
|
A K 10 2
8 7 3
A K 2
A Q J
|
Scores for Board 3:
5
: 10
4
: 6
2NT: 4
6
: 3
3NT: 2
I'm afraid that 2NT-3NT will be a popular auction. Pray that South doesn't have a heart lead.
Board 4,East deals, East-West vul
A 10 9 7 6 3
A K 10 4
A 5 4
--
|
|
K 5 2
Q
K Q 6 2
10 9 7 6 3
|
Scores for Board 4:
6
:10
5
:6
7
: 5
Since some pairs won't even reach any slam, it is not good odds to play in a grand slam (just bidding and making six is decent enough). How to reach slam? West opens 1
and East bids 2
, Drury. West could abandon science (leaving the defense in the dark) and just leap to 6
. On the other hand, that wouldn't be as wise if you interchanged East's minors. So, maybe West should start with 2
, over which East can bid 3
to show where he lives. That would be music to West's ears.
***Full Book by Larry Cohen with Bidding Practice and results/analysis.***