Set 16 Results

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Board 1, South opens 1 North bids 1NT (if possible), East-West Vul             

K 7 6 4 A J 10 8 -- K 10 6 5 2

A J 10 8 3 5 Q 9 2 A J 9 3

Scores for Board 1:

6:10
6:8
5:7
7:6
7:5
5: 3

If you are a good queen-locator, you should be in seven, but getting to six (after the enemy opening bid) is hard enough. On a really bad day, you will fail in six (misguessing both queens). West should pass the 1 opening and then East should probably overcall 2 (a bit dangerous, but not this time!). West will now go crazy, but will the partnership reach a slam?

Board 2, West deals, Nobody vul

K Q 8 6 5 3 5 -- A Q 10 4 3 2

A J A 7 6 4 J 6 5 2 K 8 6

Scores for Board 2:

7:10
7:9
6:7
6:6
5:3
5:2

Freak hands are not easy. West will open 1 and now it is a matter of methods. If 1NT is completely forcing, or if 2NT is natural and forcing, East could try one of those. Otherwise (for the vast majority, no doubt), East will have to start with 2 (ugh!). That is not music to West's ears. Will West bid 3 or 2 next? I'd guess that the first 50 pairs who try this deal will produce 50 different auctions. I can't even begin to guess how to intelligently reach 7.

Board 3, East deals, Nobody vul

A 9 3 2 A A 9 4 3 Q 10 8 3

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

Scores for Board 3:

6: 10
3NT: 8
4NT: 7
4: 6
5:4

The club 10 and 9 make 6 worthwhile, but far from laydown. It's not even clear how to play 6, but here you only have to bid. The likely start is 1-1-2-2-2-3. At this point, West has announced (via 4th suit) a game-forcing club raise. East now might choose to bid 3 or 3 and the auction will likely peter out in 3NT--not a bad spot at all.

Board 4, East deals, South bids 1, North bids 2(if possible), Nobody vul

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

J 2 A Q J 9 6 5 Q 9 2 A 4

Scores:

6 : 10
5: 8
6: 5
5: 4
3: 2
3: 1

Is it clear that 6 should get the top score? Not really. If the defense attacks clubs, it could be awkward. However, the opening lead rates to be a spade, and the clubs might be unattackable. Six hearts has a few more problems (like a diamond ruff, for one), so gets a lower score. If you wish to complain about the scoring...please don't. As to the bidding, West could make a negative double or bid 2 (my choice). East might raise diamonds or rebid his hearts next. This could get tricky. Translation: Damned if I know how to bid this one.

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