Results for Set 38

 
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#1) East deals, North bids hearts and South then raises, Nobody Vul.

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

K J 5 2 K 9 K Q 9 8 5 4 2

 
Scores for Board 1:

3:10

4:8
3:7
4:5
5 of a minor: 4
3NT: 3

The auction almost surely begins 1--Pass-1-(1)-2-(2).

Now what should West do? Would a 3 bid be forcing? In the modern era, that bid would likely be invitational only. The same could be said for raising to 3. If West wanted to take stronger action, he could either jump or cuebid 3. He could also make a card-showing double. Over any of those stronger actions, East will just keep bidding clubs at a minimum level. West might try 3NT or a minor-suit game, but there are some warning signs in both hands to maybe stop accurately in a partial.

#2) East deals, Both Vul.

Q J 10 6 5 3 A J 9 J 10 5 3

4 2 K 8 7 4 2 K Q A K 4 2

Deal 2 Scores:

3:10
2:8
1NT:7

3NT:6
2NT:5
4:5
3:5

East opens 1 (too much of a distortion to open 1NT with a 5-card major and a side 4-card suit). After West's 1 response, East bids 2, likely raised to 3. East has extras, but the makeup of the cards (slow tricks, probably wasted Q) might convince him to pass. If he does bid again, he might try 3NT or instead temporize with 3.

#3) East Deals, Nobody Vul.

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

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

Deal 3 Scores: 

3NT: 10
4NT: 7
5 of a minor :6
Slams: 1

Although most hand-evaluation gadgets would suggest East isn't worth 15-17, he will likely open 1NT. Is West worth a slam try? Maybe if he can show minors, but East isn't likely to cooperate. In the play of 3NT (assuming IMPs, not matchpoints), East should lay down the A, then cross to dummy to lead a diamond towards the jack. This guards against any bad diamond break.

#4) West deals, North bids diamonds and South raises, nobody Vul.

J 2 A Q 10 4 J A K J 8 5 4

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

Board 4 Scores:

5: 10
6: 6
4: 5
4: 4
3NT: 1

After 1 (1) a negative double would promise both majors.  Therefore, East bids 1, promising four or more (after a 1 overcall, 1 would show 5 or more). South raises diamonds and West is worth a reverse to 2. East now has no good bid. He probably will take a preference to 3 after which it is likely that 5 will be reached.

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