Set 23 Results

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Board 1, West deals, Both Vulnerable

K Q 8 7 4 5 3 K Q A Q 6 4

J 10 9 3 A 9 2 A 10 2 K 10 3

Scores for Board 1 :

6:10
5:5
3NT:2

After West's 1, East should force to game. Yes, he has a 4-3-3-3 12-count, but the spots and prime cards make it worth a game force. So, assume 1-2NT (Jacoby 2NT). Depending on the structure, West will make some sort of forward-going move, but East might not cooperate, having already forced to game. This is a tough one--slam is excellent since declarer's heart loser goes on the third diamond. Ironically, if East had the same HCP but a little more shape to the tune of 4=4=2=3, slam would have no play.

Board 2: East deals, Both Vulnerable

Scores for Board 2:

6:10
5:6
3N:3

After East's 1, I like 2 GF with the West hand, but most would respond 1. That would get raised to 3 and West is in slam zone. He might control-bid 3 and then East will bid 4. With optimism, eventually RKC will result in the decent heart slam. As to how to play it--that's not part of this feature. :)

Board 3, East deals, Both Vulnerable

A Q J 4 2 K Q J 6 5 A K 3

K 9 8 6 A J 10 9 4 2 10 9 2

Scores for Board 3:
6:10
5:6
3N:2

Three slams in a row! West opens 1 (in 3rd seat) and now it is a question of methods. East could use Drury, or a mini-splinter (if available). I like to play passed-hand jumps as fit-showing, so 3 would be perfect. If East bids only 2 (boo--bad evaluation), then West will not try for slam. Over anything else by East, West should show a sign of life and the good slam might be reached.

Board 4, West deals, Both Vulnerable

A 2 K 8 7 A 10 8 7 6 Q 5 4

K 7 5 4 A K Q J 9 4 2 A J

Scores for Board 4:
7:10
6NT:7
6: 5
7NT: 4
5NT: 3
5: 2

I hope you had your slam bidding shoes on this month. With 33 HCP, it is easy to reach 6, but what about the grand slam? How about this: 1-1-1NT-2 (artificial GF--see XYZ)-3 to start. Now, East knows his partner is likely 2=3=5=3 (from his 1NT rebid and subsequent 3--not supporting spades.) Now, if East can learn of the 2 keycards and one king, he can count 13 tricks in diamonds. Voila.

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