Results for Set 43

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#1) South deals, E-W Vul. [South opens 1NT 15-17]

A 8 4 3 A K J 10 8 7 5 2 -- 4

6 9 4 3 K 9 8 5 2 A 8 7 2

Deal 1 Scores:

6:10
7:9

5:5
3:1

This deal comes from my pro days when the (weak) team sponsor overcalled 1NT with 2 and played there. Her professional partner almost had a heart attack when declarer showed out on the 2nd round of clubs and then the first round of diamonds! She took all 13 tricks (ruffing 3 spades in dummy). I can't see West doing more than overcalling 4, over which it is maybe possible East could make a move towards 6.

#2) South deals, Nobody Vul. [South opens 1, North bids 2 if possible]

A A 4 K Q J 6 5 3 A Q J 3

10 4 2 10 5 3 A 10 9 8 6 5 2

Deal 2 Scores:

5:10
5:9

7NT:8
7:7
6:7
6:6
6NT:5
3NT:5
7:4
4NT:4
5NT:3

That's a lot of scores. After a heart lead, the notrump contracts have 9 or 13 tricks. In a minor-suit contract, declarer has much better control. The best grand slam is in notrump where declarer can use two diamond entries to take two club finesses. After 1, West starts with a double and then must decided what to do when 2 comes back to him. He is probably too heavy for 3, so will likely choose between another double, 3, or just jumping to 5. This is a crazy deal!

#3) South deals, N-S Vulnerable [South opens 1]

A 6 5 K 10 4 2 A Q 7 2 K 4

Q J 9 4 2 3 K 10 9 3 A Q 3

Deal 3 Scores:

6:10
4:7
3NT:6
5:4

With the A and K likely onside, the diamond slam is excellent. How about this auction to get here:

(1) 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 4 - 6. East's 4 tells West what he might need to consider the bold 6 bid. In fact, this is the auction I had with David Berkowitz on this deal from a Nebraska Regional and we made 920.

#4) West deals, Nobody Vul. [South bids spades, North raises to 4 if possible]

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

Q 3 A Q J 8 7 6 4 3 A J 10

Deal 4 Scores:

6:10
6:9
5:7
5:5
4X:2

East is too strong to respond 4 to 1. After South's 1 overcall, West can reverse into diamonds or repeat the clubs (presumably with a jump to 3). When North bids 4, East has a tough problem. If partner had jumped to 3, East might just take a chance that there aren't two fast spade losers and jump to the club slam. It is hard to see reaching a heart slam when the opponents take up all the room.

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