Results for Set 33

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#1) West deals, Nobody Vul., North bids 2

A K Q J 5 A 4 J 7 6 A 6 5

10 6 9 5 2 A 5 4 K Q 9 8 5

Scores for Board 1:
6NT:10

6:9

6:8

5:6

4NT:5
5NT:4
5:3

Valuation-wise, West is surely worth 2NT (maybe even more)! If he does open 2NT, East might barely have enough appreciation for his 5-card suit and prime values to invite slam (via 3 then 4 natural -- NOT GERBER!). If he does so, West has a great hand for slam and might just leap to a black-suit slam. However, he could go scientifically and bid 4 after 4 (presumably agreeing clubs, showing a heart control and denying a diamond control). This is not an easy slam to reach with only 19 opposite 9 and relatively balanced hands.

#2) West deals, nobody vulnerable

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

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

Deal 2 Scores:

6:10

4:7
5:5
3NT:2

6:1

A normal start is 1-1-1-2. After that 4th-suit forcing to game bid, West should be in no hurry to bid notrump. It is a much better description to bid 2 to show at least 5-4 (for 1 then 1 he didn't promise the 5th diamond). The key to slam bidding is to go slowly and show the shape early. After 2, East raises to 3 and will drive almost single-handedly to the near laydown small slam.

#3) South deals and opens 1, Both Vul.

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

5 4 2 Q J 6 4 3 K 10 5 3 2

Deal 3 Scores:

6:10
3NT:7
5NT:6

6:5

4:4

5:3

7//NT:2

West doubles South's 1 and all East can do is bid 2. West has a huge hand and will likely bid 2 next (this is NOT a Western Cue-bid; it says nothing about diamonds--it neither asks nor tells--it just shows a big hand). East, having promised nothing (could have been a zero-count!) with 2, now must show a sign of life. He might bid his three-card heart suit -- but he surely is worth something other than 3. After seeing a sign of encouragement, West might just bid 6 himself.

#4) West deals, Nobody Vul, South doubles

A K 6 4 2 -- Q 9 8 6 5 3 A 5

Q Q 9 4 2 A K 7 4 2 J 10 2

Board 4 Scores:

7:10

6:7

4NT:5
5:4

West should open 1, planning to bid spades (twice) next. The auction begins 1-1-1. East now has to decide if he has a limit raise in diamonds (the low road), or a game-force (in which case he would bid 2). Once West hears of a good hand and diamond support, he has slam interest. The ideal way to reach seven is if West gets to jump to 5, Exclusion Keycard Blackwood--but this is far from easy.

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