Results for Set 34

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#1) West deals, Nobody Vul.

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

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

Scores for Board 1:

6/:10
5/:7
3NT:3
7/:2

Slam in either major is excellent. Declarer can take a safety play by laying down the A first to guard against a singleton offside king. Only if the KJ are offside tripleton (or fourpleton--if that is a word), will slam fail. What should East respond after West's 1 opening? He can upgrade his hand to 2 if playing 2/1 GF and slam will almost surely be reached. Playing "Standard" East has an easier 2 bid--this is one deal where "Standard" could work out better than 2/1 GF for slam bidding.

#2) South opens 1 and rebids 2, E-W Vul.

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

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

Deal 2 Scores:

5:10

4:7

6:5

3NT:4

Given South's bidding, clubs are unlikely to come in (making 3NT and 6 poor bets). After West's takeout double of 1, East has a choice between an off-shape 1NT (which would get the values/stopper across) or a more pedestrian 2. In either event, West will have enough to act again over South's 2. I think it is most likely for East-West to steer into 3NT rather than to reach the better club game.

#3) East deals, Both Vul, South bids spades

Q A J 10 9 9 7 6 2 A K Q 4

A 9 3 Q 6 5 2 A Q J 3 5 2

Deal 3 Scores:

6:10
6:8
5:6
5:4
3NT: 2

I love 2/1 GF auctions, so would be one of the few to respond 2 with the West hand (after East's 1). East will now rebid 2 (I like to pattern out after 1-2). West can splinter to 3, after which East might offer a 4 control-bid. After this aggressive start, the good slam is likely to be reached. Over the more common 1-1-2, it isn't clear West will try for slam. Slam is good because if either red-suit king is onside (75%), declarer is in great shape.

#4) West deals, South bids diamonds and North raises, E-W Vul.

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

4 2 K Q 9 8 5 4 5 8 7 4 3

Board 4 Scores:

3NT/5:10
Partscores: 5
4:4
4NT:1

West is strong enough for 2, but without any special gadgets, it is hard to describe the 6-4 shape (and get both suits in). If West opens 1 , East is a bit heavy for a weak jump-shift to 2 (not exactly what West would like to hear). If West does open 1, he will likely insist on 3NT--but East might not be so willing. With the spade finesse likely onside, game is decent.

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