Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 04/02/2016
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Set 14 Results
For instructions, click here.
Board 1, West deals, N-S vul
A Q
A 9 7 6 4
A K
A K 9 2
|
|
K J 8 3
J 5 2
Q J 5 4
Q 8
|
Scores for Board 1:
6NT: 10
5NT: 7
4
: 5
5
: 4
6
: 2
RKC should come to the rescue here. After 2
-2
-2
-3
(showing values), West might use RKC. East shows no keycards and then no
Q after the queen ask. Since West knows East has some values (otherwise he would have jumped to 4
--weak), he can guess to bid 6NT.
Board 2, East deals, nobody vul
A K Q J 4
A 10 4
K 9
J 10 2
|
|
6 5
8 2
A 10 8 5 4 3
A K 9
|
Scores for Board 2:
7
:10
6
:8
6
:6
5
:6
4NT: 5
5NT: 3
5
:2
The 5-2 spade fit rates to produce 13 tricks, thus 7
gets the top score. I'd be happy to reach 6
or 6
as the likely start is : 1
-1
-2
. West might mark time with 2
over which East will bid 2NT. The partnership is a long way from the best contract!
Board 3, East deals, both vul
K J 10 2
--
A Q 10 5 3
A K Q 9
|
|
A Q 9
A 10 9 8 5 4
K 2
8 3
|
Scores for Board 3:
7
:10
7NT: 8
7
: 7
6
: 6
6NT: 5
6
:4
5
:3
other games: 2
This isn't really fair. Two straight deals where you have to reach a grand slam in a 7-card fit! This auction will likely begin 1
-2
-2
-2
. East will now have to decide if he should raise diamonds or spades. Good luck reaching 7
! (Again, it is the odds-on contract--and better than diamonds or notrump since a diamond can be ruffed in East's hand).
Board 4,East deals, both vul
Q 8 3
K 9 4 2
A K 5 4
A Q
|
|
A K 10 2
A Q J 8 7
2
J 9 4
|
Scores:
7
:10
6
: 8
6NT: 6
5
:4
7NT: 3
5NT: 2
Again, the odds favor being in 7. The combined chances in the black suits make it well over 70%. Unfortunately, if South leads a club (doesn't he know to lead trumps against grands?) it removes the option of the club finesse. On a different lead, declarer can test spades (making on 3-3 or the jack falling) and then fall back on the 50-50 club finesse. The auction will likely begin 1
-2NT (Jacoby)-3
(shortness)-3
(marking time)-3
. West will now likely use RKC and give up on 7 when he finds a key black king is missing.
***Full Book by Larry Cohen with Bidding Practice and results/analysis.***