Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 03/09/2018
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Results for Set 35
(for instructions, click here)
#1) North opens 2
, E-W Vul.
A 3
K Q 7 6 3
6 3
A 6 5 2
|
|
Q
A 2
A K Q 8 7 2
K 8 7 3
|
Scores for Board 1:
7
:10
6
:8
6NT:7
6
:6
6
:5
7NT:4
Games: 3
7
:2
East might bid a direct 3
if the partnership plays it as stopper-asking. West has a stopper, but way too much strength to bid only 3NT. Figuring on running diamonds opposite, he will want to drive to at least 6
(maybe via 4
or Blackwood). East may just overcall 3
, over which West should bid 3
(he can still reach 3NT if his partner bids 3
over 3
). East might also double at his first turn, which might have West thinking about a heart slam. This one has no clear route --nor a clearly correct contract.
#2) East deals, Both Vul.
--
A 10 9 6 3
A 4
K J 10 7 5 4
|
|
K 6 4 2
8 3
K 10 7
Q 9 8 2
|
Deal 2 Scores:
5
:10
4
:7
3
:4
4
:2
West is not good enough to open 1
planning to bid hearts twice. Over his 1
opening, the auction will likely continue: 1
-2
-?? East might pass, or could take a false preference to 2
or even raise to 3
. This is not an easy game to reach.
#3) West Deals, Nobody Vul.
A
K 10
Q 10 8 3 2
K Q 8 7 3
|
|
J 10
A 8 7 6 4 2
A 9 3
J 2
|
Deal 3 Scores:
4
= 10
5
= 7
3
= 6
4
= 5
After 1
-1
-2
, East has two main choices: rebid hearts, or support diamonds (either to 2 or 3). I think 2
is the most likely action. After this, West should offer 3
, which East will likely raise to the decent game.
#4) East deals, Both Vul.
A K Q 9 4
10 7 5
J 9 7 2
8
|
|
10
9 2
A Q 8 5
A Q 10 7 5 3
|
Board 4 Scores:
3
= 10
4
= 7
2
= 6
3
= 5
2NT = 5
4
= 4
2
= 4
3NT=2
After 1
-1
-2
, West might pass (conservative) or bid 2NT (aggressive). If he passes, a good contract is reached. If he bids 2NT, might East try 3
next (quite optimistic)? In either case, E-W will do well to stay out of game.
***Full Book by Larry Cohen with Bidding Practice and results/analysis.***