Set 26 Results

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Board 1, West deals, Both Vul

A 9 4 3 K 10 2 Q 10 8 5 A K

Q 8 7 2 A 9 3 A K 8 7 2 3

Scores for Board 1:

4: 10
4NT: 9
5: 8
5NT: 7
6: 5
5: 5
6: 4

Because of the poor spades, slam is less than 50%. You need roughly a 3-2 break and the king onside (yes, I know there are other ways to pick up the suit). How to avoid slam? The auction begins 1N-2-2. Now it is a question of methods. If East can make a splinter bid in clubs, West will known his K is wasted. This combined with the fact that neither player has great spades, should lead to stopping short of slam.

Board 2: South Opens 3, North bids 4 -- N-S Vul.

A Q 10 8 3 2 K 2 8 7 3 8 3

K 9 7 4
A Q 9 8 5 4
--
A 7 2 

Scores for Board 2:

7:10
7: 8
6: 7
6: 6
5: 4
5:3
Is West good enough to overcall 3? If he does, East might risk RKC (usually a no-no with a void) and assume that the one keycard response shows the right black ace. If he then asks for the trump queen, will West dare show not only that card, but the K as well? The auction would go: (3) 3 (4) 4NT 5 (1430)  5 (queen ask) 5 (Q+K) 7.  Maybe I am dreaming.

Board 3, West deals, North bids 1, Both vul

A 10 K Q 8 7 4 A 10 7 6 2 3

J 9 4 A 9 4 3 2 K 4 A K 4

Scores for Board 3:

7:10
6: 6
5: 3
4NT:1
After 1 (1) 2, what will West do? Should he bid his diamonds? If he bids 3, East might control bid 4 next. Alternatively, West might splinter with 4 over 2. In all cases, I think it is good just for E-W to reach a small slam. Reaching seven requires diagnosing the diamond situation--not easy.

Board 4, East Deals, Nobody Vul

5 2 Q 7 K 4 2 A 10 9 5 4 3

A 10 A K J 10 4 A J 5 4 3 Q

Scores for Board 4:

6:10
5: 8
5: 5
6: 5
3NT: 2
Because you can cash two high diamonds and then try hearts, six diamonds is good even on a spade lead. The auction should start 1-1NT-3.  West now has many choices, including 3 (since he can't have spades, this shows some sort of good hand). Each player will have to have his bidding shoes on to reach this one.

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