Set 28 Results

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Board 1, East Dealer, Both Vul

K J 10 7 6 5 A 10 3 9 2 K 4

Q 3 K 2 A K Q J 5 4 Q 9 3

Scores for Board 1 :

5:10
3NT: 7
5: 5
The key here is to first play in spades, and next to avoid slam off 2 aces. The auction will likely begin 1-1-3 or 1-1-2NT.  The partnership just has to be clear on its agreements. Notrump will survive on a heart lead (or on a club lead in certain fortunate layouts).

Board 2: West Dealer, Nobody Vul 

A Q J 9 5 A Q J 4 8 3 A 3

K 7 6
K 3
A 9
J 9 7 5 4 2 

Scores for Board 2:

6:10
5:6
5N:4

This is a tough one.  If one of East's little clubs was in either red suit, slam would be very poor (on a diamond lead). How is the pair to diagnose this after 1-1N-3?  First off, the partnership must know how East shows a 3-card limit raise on this auction. Most common is to use the jump to 4 (an exception to fast arrival) as limit. Even so, I suspect most pairs will languish in game.

Board 3, West dealer, South bids 2, North raises , nobody vul

9 3 A K J 7 6 10 8 2 Q 8 3

A K 10 4 Q 4 3 3 A K 7 6 5

Scores for Board 3:

6:10
6: 7
5: 5
5: 4

Another tough one. This perfect fit makes 6 a great contract.  After East opens 1, West bids 2 over South's 2. Will East, facing a passed hand, try for slam? Probably so. After North's 3, East is worth 4, but will West move? I think so--how could he have more for a passed hand?

Board 4, West deals, nobody vul

Q J 4 K Q J 7 6 A K 7 6 4

A 10 6 5 4 A K Q 7 6 3 10 2

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

Another perfect fit right down to the jack and ten of hearts.  After West's 1NT is East worth a slam drive? Maybe so since opposite the actual West hand (no diamond fit) slam is still great. Will West ever cooperate with East's tries for slam? Not likely. The heart fit turns out to be one of the keys to this very good slam (on 3-2 diamonds and no heart ruff).

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