18:34 Pacific time, Sept 23, 1997
Summary of Results
------- -- -------
Board OldProf's team Memory's team Score
----- ---------------------- ---------------------- -----
TN.IMP 1 3D (S) 5 = 150, 3C (S) 4 = 130, 1 IMPS
TN.IMP 2 3NT (S) 5 = 660, 3NT (S) 4 = 630, 1 IMPS
TN.IMP 3 6C (W) -2 = 200, 6C (W) -1 = 100, 3 IMPS
TN.IMP 4 3D (S) -1 = -100, 1NT (W) 1 = -90, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 5 3NT (S) 5 = 660, 3NT (S) 5 = 660, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 6 3NT (E) -2 = 200, 3S (S) 3 = 140, 2 IMPS
TN.IMP 7 4S (S) 5 = 650, 4S (S) 6 = 680, -1 IMPS
TN.IMP 8 4S (N) -1 = -50, 6S (N) -3 = -150, 3 IMPS
TN.IMP 9 3S (W) 3 = -140, 2H (N) -2 = -100, -1 IMPS
TN.IMP 10 1NT (S) 1 = 90, 3C (S) 4 = 130, -1 IMPS
Total OldProf 10 IMPS, Memory 3 IMPS
====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South OldProf
Vul: E-W S JT73 west north east south
H J975 ksired OldProf rbrough stever
D T
C Q972 pass
west east pass pass 1H 2D
ksired rbrough X pass 3NT pass
S K954 S AQ 5C pass 6C (ppp)
H 62 H KQT43
D D AQ62 Opening Lead: DT
C AJT6543 C K8 Result: -2
south Score: 200, IMPs: 3.00
stever Playing time: 12:00
S 862
H A8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
D KJ987543 W S4 3 T 5 C4 9 CJ-CA-H6
C N DT 2 Q-S3 C7-S7 H5 9 7
E A-CK-C8 A-D2 Q-D6 H3 K
S 3 D4 D5 2 7 8 8 D9 A
At this table KSired would have done well to trust his partner's
3NT signoff. However, it is difficult to pass partner in 3NT with a
void in the enemy suit AND a doubleton in partner's suit. His only
chance would be to conclude that 3NT promises at least two Diamond
stoppers and at least 2 Clubs. By overtaking the S-Q with the S-K
after setting up the Club suit Declarer would have prevailed in
3NT. The jump to 5C showed long Clubs and no interest in slam
(else 4C, following the Principle of Slow Arrival). Still, 6C is
not a bad slam, requiring either a 2-2 Club break (40%) or a
singleton C-Q (12.5%), for a total chance of 52.5%. Unlucky!
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South Memory
Vul: E-W S JT73 west north east south
H J975 FastPhil Memory FastMary MAYNARD
D T
C Q972 5D
west east pass pass X pass
FastPhil FastMary 6C (all pass)
S K954 S AQ
H 62 H KQT43 Opening Lead: DT
D D AQ62 Result: -1
C AJT6543 C K8 Score: 100, IMPs: -3.00
south Playing time: 8:51
MAYNARD
S 862 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
H A8 W C3-CJ-C4 2 S4 K-CA
D KJ987543 N DT 2 7 5 C9-S3 Q
C E 2 8 K-HK 6 Q
S 3 D4 D5 A-D9 2
Here, Maynard's innovative 5D pre-empt stampeded West into
a guess in the stratosphere. Had FastPhil guessed to pass the
co-operative double of 5D things would have been bloody indeed! :(
===================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East OldProf
Vul: E-W S AK743 west north east south
H A852 ksired OldProf rbrough stever
D KT
C K5 1D pass
west east 1H 1S pass pass
ksired rbrough 3D pass 3NT (ppp)
S T S Q92
H J96 H KQ Opening Lead: S5
D AQJ984 D 6532 Result: -2
C T84 C AQ73 Score: 200, IMPs: 2.00
south Playing time: 10:23
stever
S J865 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H T743 W T 6 C4 J C8 D4 H9
D 7 N K-HA-S3 K-S4 A-S7-H2
C J962 E 2 K Q-D2 9 C3 C7
S S5 4 6 7 J-S8 C2
KSired's "Hasty Heart" response accomplished the desired
objective, psyching the opponents out of their 4-4 Heart fit.
Unfortunately, they had a 5-4 Spade fit as well. :(
His 3D bid, of course, was a gross overbid. Better was
2D and, over an expected Spade raise by South, 3D.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East Memory
Vul: E-W S AK743 west north east south
H A852 FastPhil Memory FastMary MAYNARD
D KT
C K5 1D! pass
west east 2D 3D pass 3S
FastPhil FastMary (all pass)
S T S Q92
H J96 H KQ Opening Lead: C4
D AQJ984 D 6532 Result: +3
C T84 C AQ73 Score: 140, IMPs: -2.00
south Playing time: 7:23
MAYNARD
S J865 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H T743 W C4 A-H6 T D4 8 8 9 CT 9 J DJ DQ
D 7 N 5 T A-SA-SK-CK-DK-H2 3 S4-H5 S7-H8
C J962 E A-D6 Q 2 9 3 2 K-SQ-D5 C7 Q D3
S 2 7 3 5 6 6 H4 7 8 HT SJ-C9 CJ
FastMary mismoused the C-Ace instead of the C-Q at trick 2.
Maynard took the opportunity to strip Dummy of all of its minor
suit cards before endplaying FastMary with a Heart. Well played,
Maynard!
======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South Memory
Vul: Both S A53 west north east south
H AK8 FastPhil Memory FastMary MAYNARD
D KT96
C KT9 1S
west east pass 2NT! pass 4S
FastPhil FastMary (all pass)
S 984 S J6
H J3 H Q9764 Opening Lead: HJ
D 873 D Q54 Result: +6
C 87632 C A54 Score: 680, IMPs: 1.00
south Playing time: 3:55
MAYNARD
S KQT72 1 2 3 4 5 6
H T52 W HJ 4 8 9 2 3
D AJ2 N A-S3 A-S5 9 8
C QJ E 9 6 J H7 A-H4
S 2 K-S2 Q-CQ T
2NT was Jacoby, forcing game in Spades. With a flat 13 HCPs
and only 1 Ace, Maynard correctly signed off in 4S, warning
Memory not to proceed without a MONSTER. Memory did, indeed,
have a Frankenstein-size monster hand, but gauged that she
would need something in the Godzilla class. Unfortunately, 6S
turned out to be cold. :(
Had FastMary exited with a Club, Maynard would pitch
a DIAMOND, then set up that suit by ruffing the third round
to pitch the loser Heart.
Remember: opposite a game-forcing Jacoby 2NT reply,
confirming our major, Opener rebids 4S to warn of minimal
values. Other rebids would promise a sound opening hand.
3-of-any-new-suit would show a short suit. 4-of-any-new-suit
would show a 2nd suit. 3NT would show a SOLID major. 3S
would reveal "none of the above" but a good opening hand.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South OldProf
Vul: Both S A53 west north east south
H AK8 ksired OldProf rbrough stever
D KT96
C KT9 1S
west east pass 2D pass 2S
ksired rbrough pass 3S pass 4S
S 984 S J6 (all pass)
H J3 H Q9764
D 873 D Q54 Opening Lead: HJ
C 87632 C A54 Result: +5
south Score: 650, IMPs: -1.00
stever Playing time: 6:25
S KQT72
H T52 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
D AJ2 W HJ 9 4 8 2 3 6 3 C7 3 7
C QJ N A-S3 A-S5 9 T K-HK-H8 6 9
E 7 6 J H4 4 A-C5 6 9 4 Q-HQ
S 2 K-S2 Q-CQ-CJ H5 T S7-DA-DJ
Here, Stever pinned his hopes on the straight 50% Diamond
finesse. Tossing a Diamond on the good Club and ruffing the
third Diamond works whenever Diamonds are 3-3 (36%) plus whenever
the D-Q is singleton or doubleton (about 21%), for a total of
57% -- 7% better than the straight Diamond finesee.
======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West OldProf
Vul: None S J986 west north east south
H T73 ksired OldProf rbrough stever
D Q84
C KQ2 1C pass 1H X
west east 2C 2S 3C 4S
ksired rbrough (all pass)
S Q53 S T2
H KJ4 H A952 Opening Lead: C5
D T D J92 Result: -1
C AT9873 C J654 Score: -50, IMPs: 3.00
south Playing time: 6:04
stever
S AK74 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H Q86 W T 5 3 T SQ-H4 J-HK
D AK7653 N 2 6 8 Q-D8 3 7 T
C E C5 2 T 2 9 A-H5 2
S S4-SA-SK-D3 A 6 8
This is an illustration of "wasted values". This is
often the case of secondary honours opposite partner's
shortness. The C-KQ are USELESS opposite South's void.
Exchange the C-KQ for the measly H-Jack and 4S would be
cold here! Still, 4S was a very reasonable contract.
RBrough did well not to take the "phantom" sacrifice in 5C.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West Memory
Vul: None S J986 west north east south
H T73 FastPhil Memory FastMary MAYNARD
D Q84
C KQ2 pass pass pass 1D
west east 2C X 3C 4C
FastPhil FastMary pass 4S pass 6S
S Q53 S T2 (all pass)
H KJ4 H A952
D T D J92 Opening Lead: HA
C AT9873 C J654 Result: -3
south Score: -150, IMPs: -3.00
MAYNARD Playing time: 5:56
S AK74
H Q86 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
D AK7653 W 4 J-HK-C8 3 T 5
C N 7 3 T Q-S6 Q-S8
E HA-H2 5 6 2 2 T
S 6 8 Q D3 A-D5 K
Here, Maynard "accepted his own invitation" in driving to
6S. His 4C bid described his hand well -- but turned the North
hand into mush. Imagine his surprise to see FOUR Spades go
down!
=================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North Memory
Vul: E-W S J85 west north east south
H T852 FastPhil Memory FastMary MAYNARD
D AQ7
C T53 pass pass 1D
west east pass 1H pass 2H
FastPhil FastMary (all pass)
S K9732 S AQT4
H A4 H J963 Opening Lead: SA
D 532 D T4 Result: -2
C QJ4 C K76 Score: -100, IMPs: 1.00
south Playing time: 5:52
MAYNARD
S 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H KQ7 W 2 J-CQ 2 4 A-C4 9 5 3 K-S3 S7
D KJ986 N 5 3 5 A-H2 5 T 8 Q-D7 J H8-HT
C A982 E SA-C6 7 T 3 6 K-S4 4 H9-ST Q J
S 6 2 A-D6 K-H7 8 HQ-D8 9 C9 DJ DK
Maynard's decision to raise Hearts with only 3 may seem odd to
some novices. After all, the partnership has landed in a 4-3
"Moysian" fit instead of the 8-card Diamond fit. Nevertheless (and
despite the result) 2H is correct whenever you have 3-card support
and a ruffing value (even a doubleton). When playing a Moysian,
the secret is always to establish the longest side suit (Diamonds
here) in order to induce the opponent with 4 trumps to ruff. East's
great Club shift at trick 2 spoiled this plan, since Declarer
would not have been able to throw any Club losers on the good
Diamonds.
E-W would have done better to compete in Spades here.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North OldProf
Vul: E-W S J85 west north east south
H T852 ksired OldProf rbrough stever
D AQ7
C T53 pass pass 1D
west east 1S X 2D pass
ksired rbrough 2S pass 3S (ppp)
S K9732 S AQT4
H A4 H J963 Opening Lead: DA
D 532 D T4 Result: +3
C QJ4 C K76 Score: -140, IMPs: -1.00
south Playing time: 6:12
stever
S 6 1 2 3 4
H KQ7 W 3 2 A-S2
D KJ986 N DA-DQ-H2 5
C A982 E 4 T 9 A
S 9 8 Q 6
When you have Spades, bid them. Pre-empt if you must, but
GET THOSE SPADES INTO THE MIX. Here, E-W were rewarded with +140
for their aggressive defensive bidding. That said, RBrough's
3S call is an overbid here. Having cuebid 2D, showing a strong
hand, he should PASS the minimum-showing 2S rebid.
Nevertheless, well done, E-W !
=======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East Memory
Vul: Both S 7 west north east south
H AJ74 FastPhil Memory FastMary MAYNARD
D KT4
C A9875 pass pass
west east 1S X pass 1NT
FastPhil FastMary pass pass 2S 3C
S AKJ95 S T62 (all pass)
H T6 H Q983
D Q963 D J872 Opening Lead: SK
C Q6 C K4 Result: +4
south Score: 130, IMPs: 1.00
MAYNARD Playing time: 8:39
S Q843
H K52 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
D A5 W SK-D9 6 3 6 Q 6 T
C JT32 N 7 T 7 K-H4 A-D4 J
E 2 J K-D8 3 4 2 Q-H9
S 3 A-C2 5 K-CJ C3-H2
FastMary's 2S bid shows a rather weak hand, since she could
have doubled 1NT with most 10+ HCP holdings. This made life
awkward for South, who might have passed (for -110) or bid 2NT
(for -100). Maynard's 3C was a VERY good choice here! :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East OldProf
Vul: Both S 7 west north east south
H AJ74 ksired OldProf rbrough stever
D KT4
C A9875 pass pass
west east 1S X pass 1NT
ksired rbrough (all pass)
S AKJ95 S T62
H T6 H Q983 Opening Lead: HT
D Q963 D J872 Result: +1
C Q6 C K4 Score: 90, IMPs: -1.00
south Playing time: 5:10
stever
S Q843 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H K52 W HT 6 Q K-S9-SA-SJ-S5
D A5 N 4 A-C5 7 H7 D4 HJ
C JT32 E 3 4 K-ST 6 2 H9
S K-C2 T Q 3 4 8
RBrough should bid 2S here -- preferably directly over the
double. The direct 2S bid might buy the contact for +110. In
the passout seat, 2S would "put the question" to South. Would
Stever decide to defend 2S, or bid 3C? We'll never know. :(
======================================================================
20:03 Pacific time, Sept 23, 1997
Results of Team Play
List of Participants
---- -- ------------
Name Email Address
---- -------------
dinkin dinkin@dinkin.com
OldProf jmiller@newarc.com DOWNEASTUHS
stever stever@itis.com (them)
TimG timg@ime.net
Kaltica cpw@escape.ca
ksired ksired@escape.ca SPACE CADETS
Memory memoryh@mindspring.com (us)
rbrough rbrough@escape.ca
Summary of Results
------- -- -------
Board Memory's team OldProf's team Score
----- ---------------------- ---------------------- -----
TN.IMP 1 1H (N) 1 = 80, PASS (N) 0 = 0, 2 IMPS
TN.IMP 2 3D (S) -1 = -100, 4S (W) -1 = 50, -4 IMPS
TN.IMP 3 4H (E) 6 = -680, 5D (W) 5 = -600, -2 IMPS
TN.IMP 4 4H (N) 5 = 650, 3NT (N) 3 = 600, 2 IMPS
TN.IMP 5 4S-X (N) -1 = -200, 4S (S) -1 = -100, -3 IMPS
TN.IMP 6 3D (S) 3 = 110, 3H (E) -2 = 200, -3 IMPS
TN.IMP 7 2S (N) -1 = -100, 2H (N) 2 = 110, -5 IMPS
TN.IMP 8 4H (N) 4 = 420, 4S-X (E) -1 = 100, 8 IMPS
TN.IMP 9 2D (N) 3 = 110, 3S (W) -2 = 200, -3 IMPS
TN.IMP 10 5H-X (S) -2 = -500, 4S (E) 4 = -620, 3 IMPS
Total Memory 15 IMPS, OldProf 20 IMPS
====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North Memory
Vul: None S KJ3 west north east south
H 8752 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D K93
C A64 pass pass 1D
west east pass 1H (all pass)
dinkin TimG
S 852 S T974 Opening Lead: C7
H QJ9 H A64 Result: +1
D AQ74 D T6 Score: 80, IMPs: 2.00
C K53 C Q872 Playing time: 7:05
south
Kaltica
S AQ6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H KT3 W K 3 8 5 A-D4 Q-D7 2 5 H9-HJ Q
D J852 N A-C4 J-C6 3 K-D9 H7-SK 3 H2 5 8
C JT9 E C7 Q-S4 2 6 T S7 S9 T H4-C8 A-H6
S 9 T 6 J-D2 5 8 J A-SQ H3 T K
In third seat, South does NOT want to give partner another
chance to bid, lest things get too high. In 1H, Memory was
chagrined to find that NEITHER hand had any ruffing values. This
being the case, Memory should cut down on THEIR ruffs by using
each and every entry to her hand to lead TRUMPS towards dummy's
H-K103. Still, ANY plus after a sub-minimal 3rd seat opening
is great!
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North OldProf
Vul: None S KJ3 west north east south
H 8752 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D K93
C A64 passed out
west east
rbrough ksired Result: +0
S 852 S T974 Score: 0, IMPs: -2.00
H QJ9 H A64 Playing time: 0:42
D AQ74 D T6
C K53 C Q872
south
stever
S AQ6
H KT3
D J852
C JT9
Here we see the importance of scoring a plus at the other
table!
===================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 2
Dlr: East OldProf
Vul: N-S S 83 west north east south
H AK2 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D AJT3
C Q532 pass pass
west east 2C pass 2H pass
rbrough ksired 4S (all pass)
S AKQ52 S T976
H J4 H 653 Opening Lead: HK
D K2 D Q94 Result: -1
C AK96 C 874 Score: 50, IMPs: 4.00
south Playing time: 6:15
stever
S J4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H QT987 W 4 J S5-DK 2 A-SK-S2
D 8765 N HK-HA-H2 A-DJ 3 8 D3
C JT E 3 5 6 4 Q-S6 7 9
S T 7 9 5 6 J 4 H8
Two-suited hands often cause players to force game with too
many losers. Even using the flawed Standard Loser Count (which,
for some inexplicable reason, assumes LHO is always on lead), this
hand has FOUR losers and is therefore NOT a candidate for 2C.
Worse still, the doubly-negative 2H reply (0-3 HCPs) warned him
that he should steer towards 3S by bidding and rebidding Spades
as necessary. Oh, well, at least 4S was consistent!
Superior to the Standard Loser Count is the "Dead Loser"
(aka, the "Born Loser") Count. This presumes that partner has
a flat yarborough and asks how many tricks you have. This hand
has FIVE such losers and is therefore TWO tricks short of 2C.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 2
Dlr: East Memory
Vul: N-S S 83 west north east south
H AK2 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D AJT3
C Q532 pass pass
west east 1S X pass 2H
dinkin TimG 2S pass pass 3D
S AKQ52 S T976 (all pass)
H J4 H 653
D K2 D Q94 Opening Lead: SK
C AK96 C 874 Result: -1
south Score: -100, IMPs: -4.00
Kaltica Playing time: 5:08
S J4
H QT987 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
D 8765 W SK-SA-S2 K-HJ 2 6 K 4 9 S5 SQ A
C JT N 3 8 D3-C2 2 T 3 A-HA-C5 K-DJ-CQ
E 6 T 7 4 6 Q-C8 4 3 7 5 9 S9
S 4 J CJ T Q-D5 D6-D7 7 D8-H8 H9 HT
At first blush, we may ask why TimG didn't raise his partner's
Spades with 4-card support. After all, Dinkin HAD bid them TWICE
freely. But from where TimG sat, 4H seems to be a good contract,
and he didn't want to do anything to push his opponents into it!
After the hand, Memory apologized for not returning partner
to Hearts. No need. With 4 Hearts and 5 Diamonds South would
have bid HEARTS first in response to any takeout double. Hence,
passing 3D was correct.
What was NOT correct was the way South played it, blocking
the long Heart suit. Instead, South should win the H-J lead ON
BOARD and enter his hand with a Club ruff. Successive Diamond
leads would allow 3D to make by drawing trumps and enjoying the
long Hearts.
The defence should not have given Declarer a chance by
playing Spade at trick 3 for a ruff and sluff. Many pairs
could avoid this by playing KATARACT (King ATTitude, Ace
Requests A CounT). West would lead the Ace, East would show
an EVEN number of Spades by echoing with a HIGH Spade. West
would then know to switch to another suit after cashing
two Spades.
At this vulnerability especially, I like a pre-emptive
3S bid by East over the takeout double.
=====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South OldProf
Vul: E-W S AT8 west north east south
H J3 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D 62
C AKJ954 pass
west east pass 1C 2C pass
rbrough ksired 2H pass 3C pass
S K S QJ7654 3D pass 4D pass
H 742 H AKQT9 5D (all pass)
D KJ9543 D A8
C Q73 C Opening Lead: D2
south Result: +5
stever Score: -600, IMPs: 2.00
S 932 Playing time: 9:14
H 865
D QT7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
C T862 W K-SK 3 D3-DJ-H2 C7 CQ
N D2 A-CK 8 6 3 T HJ
E 8 4 DA-S5 S6 A-SQ-SJ
S Q 2 2 9 7 6 3 DT
KSired might have intended 4D as a cuebid, with HEARTS the
agreed suit. When 4D got raised to 5D KSired sensed trouble and
passed. I prefer a 4C "cheapest" cuebid to 4D here, since it
is less ambiguous. Only by getting partner to cuebid the
S-K with 4S can the pair reach the cold 6H.
N-S might have beaten 5D with a Club lead here.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South Memory
Vul: E-W S AT8 west north east south
H J3 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D 62
C AKJ954 pass
west east pass 1C 1S pass
dinkin TimG 2C! X 3H 3NT
S K S QJ7654 4H (all pass)
H 742 H AKQT9
D KJ9543 D A8 Opening Lead: C2
C Q73 C Result: +6
south Score: -680, IMPs: -2.00
Kaltica Playing time: 8:17
S 932
H 865 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
D QT7 W 3 K 7 2 CQ H4-H7 D3 D4
C T862 N J A-CA 3 8 T J C5 D2
E H9-S4 HT-HA-SQ-S5 K-HQ-SJ
S C2 3 8 6 2 9 5 8 CT
Slam was never an issue at this table. N-S's obstructive
bidding put Dinkin in a "trust your partner" position. After
some thought, Dinkin came up with correct bid of 4H.
South's 3NT, of course, was a smoke screen designed to
sew as much confusion into the mix as possible. If doubled,
South would retreat to 4C. Note: An overcall has an upper
range of about 16 HCPs. With only 2 HCPs, it is obvious to
South that this is E-W's hand. Hence, the bluff of strength
with 3NT.
=====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North OldProf
Vul: N-S S J654 west north east south
H KQJ5 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D KJT73
C pass pass pass
west east 1C X 3C 3S
rbrough ksired pass 4S (all pass)
S T932 S A
H T96 H 832 Opening Lead: CA
D AQ D 964 Result: -1
C AK97 C JT8543 Score: -100, IMPs: 3.00
south Playing time: 10:17
stever
S KQ87 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H A74 W CA 2 7 3 A-CK-C9 9 6 9 T DQ ST
D 852 N S4-S5 S6-SJ 3 D7 DT DJ K-H5 Q-HJ-DK
C Q62 E 3 A-CJ H2 4 4 T H3 8 D6 D9 C5 C8
S 2 7 6 Q-D2 Q S8-SK-H4 A-H7 D5 8
Neither Declarer found their way to 10 tricks here. Both
were fortunate that the S-Ace popped on the first round. The
key now was to ATTACK THEIR LENGTH in Diamonds and leave trumps
alone. North has to retain his trumps to guard against those
Clubs. In essence, drawing trumps here amounted to "shooting
your own bodyguards". Once Diamonds are established, North
will play them until West ruffs. Only THEN can North draw
trumps and keep control of the hand to run hir red winners.
The question becomes: who does Declarer know that
trumps are dividing 4-1? He doesn't. But it doesn't matter!
Assuming he is going to bring Diamonds home for 1 loser, he
can afford a second trump loser.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North Memory
Vul: N-S S J654 west north east south
H KQJ5 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D KJT73
C 1D 1H! X
west east 1NT! 2S pass 3S
dinkin TimG pass 4S pass pass
S T932 S A X (all pass)
H T96 H 832
D AQ D 964 Opening Lead: SA
C AK97 C JT8543 Result: -1
south Score: -200, IMPs: -3.00
Kaltica Playing time: 7:59
S KQ87
H A74 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
D 852 W 2 7 3 6 A-CA Q S9-CK-ST C9
C Q62 N 4 S5-SJ-H5 3 S6-DK-DT D7 DJ HJ
E SA-CJ C4 3 6 5 4 9 3 C8 CT
S 7 2 8 A-D2 6 5 8 Q K-SQ
The 1H bid was duly alerted and explained as showing 3+ Hearts
in E-W's system.
Here, North was fairly certain from the double that trumps
were 4-1. Indeed, she was gratified to see the S-A led! She had
the right idea attacking her Diamonds, but had the idea one trick
too late. Nice try, Mem!
=======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East OldProf
Vul: E-W S 52 west north east south
H A942 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D T976
C A95 pass 1D
west east 3C 3D 3H (ppp)
rbrough ksired
S A4 S JT763 Opening Lead: DK
H T8 H KQ653 Result: -2
D QJ3 D 5 Score: 200, IMPs: 3.00
C KQT863 C J7 Playing time: 7:53
south
stever
S KQ98 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H J7 W 3 A-H8 K-S4 T C3 J C6 Q C8 T CQ
D AK842 N 9 5 2 5 2 4 H9-D6 C9 T HA-CA-D7
C 42 E 5 3 K-CJ J Q-ST H3-S6 H5-S7 7 H6
S DK-SK 7 4 Q-HJ 8 4 9-DA C2 D2 8
When your partner overcalls (as with 3C here) any free bid
in competition (i.e. 3H over North's 3D bid) MUST be based on
support for Overcaller's suit (Clubs here). West COULD correct
to 4C here, but decided to pass before the doubles started flying.
KSired MIGHT have gotten out for down one had he shot out
a SPADE at trick 3, threatening to ruff a Spade loser with the
Heart 10 to force out the H-Ace.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East Memory
Vul: E-W S 52 west north east south
H A942 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D T976
C A95 pass 1D
west east 2C X pass 2S
dinkin TimG pass 3D (all pass)
S A4 S JT763
H T8 H KQ653 Opening Lead: CK
D QJ3 D 5 Result: +3
C KQT863 C J7 Score: 110, IMPs: -3.00
south Playing time: 4:19
Kaltica
S KQ98 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
H J7 W CK A-CQ-CT 4 3 DJ-H8 Q
D AK842 N A-S5 5 9 2 6 H2 A-D7
C 42 E 7 3 J H3 6 5 7 5 H6
S 2 K 4 D2-SQ-DA-S8 7 K
North's negative double, followed by 3D over 2S, showed her
4-4 in the red suits. South was careful to set up his Spade ruffs
before drawing trumps. A "par" result on a rather easy hand.
======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South OldProf
Vul: Both S K6 west north east south
H AK62 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D AT42
C Q76 pass
west east pass 1NT X 2C!
rbrough ksired pass 2H (all pass)
S 543 S AQJ
H T954 H J Opening Lead: CA
D J76 D K9853 Result: +2
C T93 C AK85 Score: 110, IMPs: 5.00
south Playing time: 7:05
stever
S T9872 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
H Q873 W 3 9 T 6 7 3 4 4 J 5 H9-H5
D Q N 6 Q 7 A-D2 K 2 6 4 H6-DT
C J42 E CA-CK-C5 3 5 A-HJ J-D8 Q K
S 2 4 J-DQ H3-ST Q-S2 H7-S7 H8
KSired's double of 1NT was, presumeably, McGuinty, showing
any 2- or 3-suited hand. Had South passed, West would bid his
cheapest 3+card suit, Clubs, permitting East to PASS with Clubs
(as he would have here) or bid his cheapest suit. In this
regard, South's 2C bid let West "off the hook".
Assuming 2C was Stayman, South made a nice bidding decision
here. Since he COULD have redoubled with any strong hand, South
was in a position to use Stayman and, over a possible 2D rebid by
1NT Opener, bid 2S--without showing any strength whatsoever.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South Memory
Vul: Both S K6 west north east south
H AK62 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D AT42
C Q76 pass
west east pass 1NT pass 2H
dinkin TimG pass 2S (all pass)
S 543 S AQJ
H T954 H J Opening Lead: CA
D J76 D K9853 Result: -1
C T93 C AK85 Score: -100, IMPs: -5.00
south Playing time: 2:55
Kaltica
S T9872 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H Q873 W 3 9 T 7 6 4 3 5 DJ 4 9 5 T
D Q N 7 Q 6 A-D2 K 6 D4 DT 2 A-HK-H6
C J42 E CA-CK-C5 3 5 A-SQ-SJ-C8 J D8 D9 DK
S 2 4 J-DQ S2-S7 8 9 ST-HQ-H3 7 8
WITHOUT a double, South could not use Stayman here, since it
would risk embarrassment over a possible 2D reply. 1NT:2C:2D:2S
shows 9-10 HCPs, inviting game. :(
Hence, South choose a Jacoby transfer of 2H. Sure enough,
North had only 2 Spades and Hearts did not divide 3-2. Unlucky. :(
======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West Memory
Vul: None S A west north east south
H AT987 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D K74
C Q932 pass 1H 1S 2D
west east 2S 3D 3S 4H
dinkin TimG (all pass)
S Q752 S KJT986
H J3 H Q54 Opening Lead: SK
D A53 D T Result: +4
C J874 C A65 Score: 420, IMPs: 8.00
south Playing time: 5:43
Kaltica
S 43 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
H K62 W 2 3 J 3 5 A-SQ 7 C4 8
D QJ9862 N A-HA-H7 K-D7 4 H8-C2 C3 9
C KT E SK 4 5 T S6 S8 9 5 HQ-CA
S 3 2 K-D2 Q-DJ 4 K-D9 T
When North supported South's Diamonds Kaltica knew N-S had
a coveted "double fit" in the reds. Hence, 4H. N-S were lucky
their opponents chose to defend.
Memory played this hand well, drawing 2 rounds of trump
before attacking the Diamond length. West did well to hold up
until the 3rd round before playing the D-Ace. Note that 4H
will make ask long as Dinkin didn't have the C-Ace AND the
third trump, since a Club ruff would give Declarer an entry
to dummy on which to pitch her last Club. :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West OldProf
Vul: None S A west north east south
H AT987 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D K74
C Q932 pass 1H 1S 2H
west east 2S pass 4S X
rbrough ksired (all pass)
S Q752 S KJT986
H J3 H Q54 Opening Lead: S3
D A53 D T Result: -1
C J874 C A65 Score: 100, IMPs: -8.00
south Playing time: 7:26
stever
S 43 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
H K62 W 5 3 2 J D3 A-C4 Q-D5 7 S7
D QJ9862 N A-H9 D7 A-H7 4 3 H8 K 2 HT
C KT E 9 5 J-H4 Q-DT A-S8 ST-C5 C6
S S3 K-S4 6 2 Q T D2 6 K-D8
The Law of Total Tricks (aka "the Law") states that in
competitive and pre-emptive situations we should usually bid
one trick for each trump in the combined hands.
With 10 trumps here, E-W belong in 4S (a good sacrifice
against even THREE Hearts, as it turned out!). And the best
time to bid it is IMMEDIATELY, to jam the auction.
KSired play this as well as he bid it. He drew trumps,
eliminated the red cards from BOTH E-W hands before playing
C-Ace and another Club to endplay South into giving him a
ruff-and-sluff (i.e. ruffing a red card in dummy while pitching
his last Club loser from his hand). Well done, Kenny!
Can the opponents prevent this? South could UNBLOCK the
C-King on the C-Ace, but then, when Kenny sees the C-10 on the
second round, he can DUCK it, endplaying Stever in the same
manner. The only way for the defence to prevent this would be
for NORTH to return Clubs IMMEDIATELY when in with the S-Ace.
But this is NOT an easy defence to find!
===============================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North OldProf
Vul: E-W S T2 west north east south
H Q6 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D AKT985
C KQ3 1D pass 1H
west east 2S 3D 3S (ppp)
rbrough ksired
S KQJ975 S 864 Opening Lead: DK
H A94 H 752 Result: -2
D Q72 D J4 Score: 200, IMPs: 3.00
C 5 C AT842 Playing time: 7:56
south
stever
S A3 1 2 3 4 5 6
H KJT83 W 7 4 A-D2 Q 9
D 63 N DK-HQ-H6 A-DT ST
C J976 E 4 2 5 J H7 S4
S 6 8 J 3 S3-HK
N-S's defence on this hand was excellent. While doubletons
are considered "death holdings" in high level contracts, in
part scores THREE-card holdings in a suit are the greatest
source of losers. This fact, combined with the age-old adage
"always lead your partner's suit", allowed North to find the
H-Queen switch at trick 2. KSired did his best, holding up
until the 2nd round so that if North held the S-Ace he would
not be able to play a 3rd Heart. KSired then led a Diamond
to his D-Jack, hoping to pitch a Heart loser on dummy's D-Q.
He got his wish, but South ruffed the 3rd round of Diamonds
and cashed his Heart trick. Great try, Kenny!
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North Memory
Vul: E-W S T2 west north east south
H Q6 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D AKT985
C KQ3 1D pass 1H
west east 1S 2D (all pass)
dinkin TimG
S KQJ975 S 864 Opening Lead: S4
H A94 H 752 Result: +3
D Q72 D J4 Score: 110, IMPs: -3.00
C 5 C AT842 Playing time: 3:46
south
Kaltica
S A3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H KJT83 W K A-SJ-C5 D2-D7 Q S5
D 63 N 2 Q T 3 K A-DK-CQ
C J976 E S4 7 6 A-C4 4 J 2
S A-H3 3 6 7 3 6 9
Again, E-W were not in a competing mood and sold out to 2D.
Another dull "par" result at this table. :(
====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East Memory
Vul: Both S 8 west north east south
H QT62 dinkin Memory TimG Kaltica
D A875
C K975 4S pass
west east pass 4NT pass 5H
dinkin TimG X (all pass)
S 64 S AKJT9732
H K75 H 3 Opening Lead: S6
D QJ96 D 3 Result: -2
C AQ83 C T42 Score: -500, IMPs: 3.00
south Playing time: 5:55
Kaltica
S Q5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
H AJ984 W S6 9 K-DQ 4 5 J-H7 6 C3 A-C8
D KT42 N 8 A-H2 5 H6-HT-D8 Q-D7 C5 7
C J6 E K-D3 3 S2 3 S7 S9 ST SJ SA 2
S 5 2 8 K-SQ 4 4 9 T-HA-C6
Finally, some "action" at this table! Memory's odd-looking
4NT takeout bid with 9 HCPs was a "state of the match" bid. We
KNEW we were behind and had to start "swinging". Also, 4NT was
a reasonable "2-way" bid in that if 5-of-a-suit doesn't make it
may well be a good sacrifice -- and it was! E-W made 4S at the
other table for +620. That said, we would NOT bid 4NT in a close
match or if we were ahead.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East OldProf
Vul: Both S 8 west north east south
H QT62 rbrough OldProf ksired stever
D A875
C K975 4S (ppp)
west east
rbrough ksired Opening Lead: CJ
S 64 S AKJT9732 Result: +4
H K75 H 3 Score: -620, IMPs: -3.00
D QJ96 D 3 Playing time: 4:52
C AQ83 C T42
south
stever
S Q5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
H AJ984 W A-S4 6 5 3 6
D KT42 N 7 8 H2 6 K-DA-D5
C J6 E 4 K-SA-H3 2 3
S CJ 5 Q A-C6 T
Ahead in the match, N-S did not even CONSIDER risking a
telephone number over the 4S pre-empt.
=====================================================================