Results for Set 41

(for instructions, click here)

#1) West deals, Nobody Vul.

A Q J 8 7 6 3 4 A J 9 45

K 10 K 10 3 2 K Q 8 2 A 4 2

Deal 1 Scores:
6NT (E) : 10
6: 9
6: 7
5NT (E): 5
5: 4
6NT (W): 4
5 : 3

West is too good to open 4 but not strong enough for 2, so he starts with 1. East's hand is suitable for an old-fashioned 2NT (natural, GF), but most modern-day players (who use 2NT as Jacoby) have to respond 2 (GF). West has an interesting rebid problem. For now, it seems best to repeat the spades (2). East can bid 2NT and now West bids 3. East can give delayed support for spades and West can now control-bid (4). If East uses RKC (4NT for spades) he will know an ace is missing, but will he know to bid the slam in notrump? The seventh spade is the key.

#2) East deals, E-W Vul. [North bids 2]

J 9 4 J 7 6 3 3 A K 10 6 5

A 3 A A K 8 7 6 2 9 8 7 2

Deal 2 Scores:
5:10

6:7
3NT: 6
4NT: 4
5:3

The auction likely begins 1 (P) 1 (2). Is East now worth a free 3-level bid? If he is using Good-Bad 2NT that would make it easier. Will East introduce his clubs? Not likely. This is a really tough one with no good answers (that's why opponents preempt). 5 is more desirable than 3NT because the clubs often won't behave (and even if they do, there are only 9 tricks in notrump).

#3) West Deals, Both Vul.

-- J 10 3 A Q 10 7 6 2 A K 4 2

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

Deal 3 Scores:

7:10
6: 7
6:5
5:3
6NT:2

A good start is: 1-1-2-2-3. At this point, East expects opener to have roughly 1=3=5=4. It would be aggressive, but he might launch RKC. Even if West can show 2 keycards and a void (5NT), it is still a stretch to bid seven. The jack-ten of hearts and the diamond possibilities make the grand worthwhile, but far from laydown.

#4) North deals, North-South Vul.

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

A Q 8 7 6 A 9 4 2 K 8 7 4

Deal 4 Scores:

7:10
6:7
6NT: 6
7NT: 5
Games: 2

This is a tricky one. West's red-suit queens are the key to tricks 11, 12 and 13. The club queen would not be as useful. East opens 1 and can show a singleton diamond after a Standard Jacoby 2NT raise. If West can use RKC and then ask for specific kings and learn of the K, he has a great shot at bidding seven. On the other hand, if East's 2 were the 3 (i.e. 5=3=1=4), seven would have no play.

***Full Book by Larry Cohen with Bidding Practice and results/analysis.***