17:49 Pacific time, Aug 24, 1997
Results of Team Play
Summary of Results - 1st 2 Boards
------- -- ------- --- - ------
Board dnewman's team Kaltica's team Score
----- ---------------------- ---------------------- -----
TN.IMP 1 2D (N) 4 = 130, PASS (N) 0 = 0, 4 IMPS
TN.IMP 2 3D (S) 3 = 110, 2H (W) -1 = 50, 2 IMPS
Total dnewman 6 IMPS, Kaltica 0 IMPS
======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North dnewman
Vul: None S T5 west north east south
H AJ5 ksired dnewman rbrough bjt
D AQT32
C T75 pass pass 1H
west east pass 2D (all pass)
ksired rbrough
S J742 S KQ96 Opening Lead: SK
H 943 H 62 Result: +4
D K84 D J75 Score: 130, IMPs: 4.00
C AQ9 C KJ84 Playing time: 8:50
south
bjt
S A83 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H KQT87 W 7 4 2 J 3 8 K 4 H9 CQ C9 S4 A
D 96 N 5 2 T D3-HJ T-DA-HA-DQ-H5 C5 C7 T
C 632 E SK J-SQ-S6 6 5 7 2 C8 C4 S9 CK J
S A-D9 3 8 K-D6 C2 7 C3 Q-HT-H8-C6
When you've opened light, as South has here, you should PASS
any bid, no matter how encouraging. Yes, N-S could make 3H
here, North may well rebid FOUR Hearts if given the chance
to bid again. Nice pass, bjt!
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North Kaltica
Vul: None S T5 west north east south
H AJ5 grogers Kaltica jfisher Wintaka
D AQT32
C T75 passed out
west east
grogers jfisher Result: +0
S J742 S KQ96 Score: 0, IMPs: -4.00
H 943 H 62 Playing time: 1:12
D K84 D J75
C AQ9 C KJ84
south
Wintaka
S A83
H KQT87
D 96
C 632
Wintaka takes the sensible course of passing the South hand
and was, of course, punished to the tune of -4 IMPs. :(
=======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 2
Dlr: East dnewman
Vul: N-S S AT9 west north east south
H A72 ksired dnewman rbrough bjt
D KQ8
C T862 pass pass
west east 1H X pass 3D
ksired rbrough (all pass)
S K3 S Q7654
H KQJ53 H T98 Opening Lead: HK
D T2 D 963 Result: +3
C QJ53 C K4 Score: 110, IMPs: 2.00
south Playing time: 5:32
bjt
S J82 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H 64 W HK 2 T 5 H3 J-HQ-SK
D AJ754 N A-DK-DQ-C2 8 6 2 A
C A97 E 8 3 6 K 9 4 T 7
S 4 4 5 A-DA-C7 6 2
Dnewman's double was not a thing of beauty, but he came up
"smelling like a rose" here when South had the courtesy to
hold a 5-card (Diamond) suit.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 2
Dlr: East Kaltica
Vul: N-S S AT9 west north east south
H A72 grogers Kaltica jfisher Wintaka
D KQ8
C T862 pass pass
west east 1H pass 1NT pass
grogers jfisher 2C pass 2H (all p)
S K3 S Q7654
H KQJ53 H T98 Opening Lead: DK
D T2 D 963 Result: -1
C QJ53 C K4 Score: 50, IMPs: -2.00
south Playing time: 6:47
Wintaka
S J82 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H 64 W 2 T H5-HJ-H3 Q-C3 HK-CQ-CJ-C5 3 K
D AJ754 N DK-DQ 8 7 A-H2 2 S9 6 8 T-SA-ST
C A97 E 3 6 9 8 9 T K S4 4 S5 S6 7 Q
S 5 A-DJ 4 6 S8 A-D7 7 9 D4 2 J
West only counted 5 losers on this hand: S-Ace, H-Ace, D-AK
and the C-Ace. And yet she went down in 2H. "How?" you may
ask. Look closer at those Clubs! Once the C-Ace is driven out,
GRogers must ruff that C-5 before drawing trumps! Seeing this,
North ducks the first round of trumps and pounces on the 2nd
to lead a 3rd. With no more trumps on dummy, GRogers could
not find a place to park that pesky C-5. Down one!
This is a "tempo" hand. GRogers was one tempo ahead, and
should have used it to attack Clubs. The defence *started*
one tempo up, but had to switch to trumps at trick 3. North
would DUCK this Heart return so that South, when in with
the C-Ace, has a second Heart to shoot back for North to
win and clear trumps.
======================================================================
Summary of Results - Boards 3 - 12 - First Half
------- -- ------- ------ - -- ----- ----
Board Kaltica's team dnewman's team Score
----- ---------------------- ---------------------- -----
TN.IMP 1 5D (S) -2 = -100, 3S (E) 3 = -140, 1 IMPS
TN.IMP 2 2D (S) 4 = 130, 2D (S) 4 = 130, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 3 6D (N) 6 = 920, 3NT (S) 6 = 490, 10 IMPS
TN.IMP 4 6D (N) 6 = 1370, 4NT (S) 6 = 690, 12 IMPS
TN.IMP 5 6NT (E) 6 = -990, 6NT (W) 6 = -990, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 6 2S (W) 2 = -110, 3C (S) -2 = -100, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 7 6S (N) 7 = 1460, 3D-X (W) -5 = 1400, 2 IMPS
TN.IMP 8 4S (S) -1 = -50, 4S (S) 4 = 420, -10 IMPS
TN.IMP 9 4S (N) 5 = 450, 4S (S) 6 = 480, -1 IMPS
TN.IMP 10 3NT (W) 4 = -630, 3NT (E) 4 = -630, 0 IMPS
2nd 10: Kaltica 25 IMPS, dnewman 11 IMPS
1st 2: Kaltica 0 IMPs, dnewman 6 IMPS
Total: Kaltica 25 IMPs, dnewman 17 IMPS
=====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North Kaltica
Vul: None S 5 west north east south
H J8764 grogers Kaltica jfisher Wintaka
D K64
C AJ72 pass 1S 2D
west east 4S 4NT pass 5C
grogers jfisher pass 5D (all pass)
S AJ842 S KT763
H 93 H A52 Opening Lead: SA
D 95 D AT3 Result: -2
C KT54 C 83 Score: -100, IMPs: 1.00
south Playing time: 10:12
Wintaka
S Q9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H KQT W SA-H9 3 5 D9-C4 S4 S8 S2 5 J T CK
D QJ872 N 5 4 6 4 7 A-DK-HJ-H8-C2 D6-C7 CJ
C Q96 E 6 A-H5 A-H2 3 3 S3 S7 8 T DT SK
S 9 Q K-DJ T 6 2 C9 CQ D7-SQ DQ-D8
Holding a singleton Spade and 3-card support for partner's
Diamonds North chooses not to defend 4S. But is there a
better place to play than 5D? 5H, perhaps? To find out,
North bids 4NT for takeout (4NT is almost always takeout
over their 4S). South dutifully bid 5C in case North had
some 5-5 Heart-Club 2-suiter. When North corrected to 5D
South knew that North was showing Hearts. 5H would have
done roughly as badly as 5D. South did well to pass
before anyone started doubling!
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North dnewman
Vul: None S 5 west north east south
H J8764 ksired dnewman rbrough bjt
D K64
C AJ72 pass 1S pass
west east 3S (all pass)
ksired rbrough
S AJ842 S KT763 Opening Lead: D7
H 93 H A52 Result: +3
D 95 D AT3 Score: -140, IMPs: -1.00
C KT54 C 83 Playing time: 5:33
south
bjt
S Q9 1 2 3 4 5 6
H KQT W 5 K 9 3 2 A
D QJ872 N K A-D6 4 5 D4
C Q96 E A-C3 3 A-SK-S3
S D7 6 J-HK 9 Q
E-W did well to stop in 3S here for a fine score. This hand
illustrates RBrough's brilliant "Under-PreEmpt" theory.
"3S is more pre-emptive than 4S," he once told me. This
Zen-like paradox requires some thought. 4S, you see, is
rather easy to deal with: you can either double it (since
they're already in game it won't cost much if it makes) or
take out with 4NT. But let THREE Spades doubled make--and
the chances are one trick better that it will!--and you have
spat up a HUGE swing. Notice that on this hand N-S thought
nothing of competing over 4S but baulked at bidding over 3S.
===================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South Kaltica
Vul: E-W S T6 west north east south
H KT43 grogers Kaltica jfisher Wintaka
D AKJ75
C K8 1NT!
west east pass 2H! pass 2S!
grogers jfisher pass 3D! pass 4H!
S J53 S 8742 pass 4S! pass 4NT!
H Q9762 H J5 pass 5C! pass 5S!
D 98 D T3 pass 6D (all pass)
C 943 C AQ652
south Opening Lead: CA
Wintaka Result: +6
S AKQ9 Score: 920, IMPs: 10.00
H A8 Playing time: 10:17
D Q642
C JT7 1 2 3
W 4 8 9
N 8 A-DK
E CA-DT 3
S 7 2 4
First, the meaning of the bids in N-S's strange Canadian Club
system: 1NT (13-16 flat), 2H (GF, 4+Hs), 2S (4 Spades), 3D
(5+Ds), 4H (3+Ds, maximum, no C-A or C-K to cuebid), 4S ("Tell
me more!"), 4NT (D-Q and/or 4 Ds), 5C ("Tell me more!"),
5S (2 Aces) and then the final contract of 6D.
Such complicated sequences require YEARS of practice and are
well beyond the interests of newcomers to the game.
Nevertheless, this hand illustrates the difference between
a scientific approach and the "seat-of-the-pants" dead
reckoning style of SAYC and 2-over-1 players. The more
complicated systems *will* generate better results, but
the pair will have to endure quite a few partnership
misunderstandings and disasters before reaching them. :(
For now, then, Keep It Simple. :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South dnewman
Vul: E-W S T6 west north east south
H KT43 ksired dnewman rbrough bjt
D AKJ75
C K8 1NT
west east pass 2C pass 2S
ksired rbrough pass 3NT (all pass)
S J53 S 8742
H Q9762 H J5 Opening Lead: H6
D 98 D T3 Result: +6
C 943 C AQ652 Score: 490, IMPs: -10.00
south Playing time: 8:46
bjt
S AKQ9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
H A8 W H6 9 8 9 C3 C4 H2 Q 3 5 J
D Q642 N 3 T-DA-D5 J-DK-D7-HK-ST 6 C8
C JT7 E J 5 3 T C6 C2 S8 S2 4 7 C5
S A-H8 2 Q-D6 4 C7 CJ A-SK-SQ
Here we see a standard auction, in which Diamonds are not
even mentioned. The difficulty, of course, is that North
needs to know if South has 4 Hearts. If not, North then
needs to know that South has good Diamonds and plenty of
"controls" (Aces and Kings) BEFORE he commits the pair
beyond 3NT. Unable to do both with any degree of confidence,
North gave up and stopped in 3NT. When you're forced to
guess, sometimes you are going to guess wrong. :(
=====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 4
Dlr: West Kaltica
Vul: Both S K4 west north east south
H AKQ7 grogers Kaltica jfisher Wintaka
D KT8542
C J pass 1C! pass 1S!
west east pass 1NT! pass 2C!
grogers jfisher pass 2D! pass 2NT!
S AJ53 S 9876 pass 3D pass 4C!
H J93 H 8652 pass 4D! pass 5D!
D Q3 D pass 6D (all pass)
C T953 C K8742
south Opening Lead: C4
Wintaka Result: +6
S QT2 Score: 1370, IMPs: 12.00
H T4 Playing time: 9:46
D AJ976
C AQ6 1 2
W 5 3
N J K
E C4
S A-D6
Another strange Canadian Club auction *again*. Between North's
strong (16+) and forcing 1C and the final contract of 6D (AGAIN)
all of his bids were relays, asking for information. Wintaka's
bids showed a flat 8+HCPs (1S) with ONLY Diamonds (2C) and a
doubleton Heart (2NT), a maximum hand with a Club control (4C)
and 2 Aces without the D-Q (5D). Putting the facts that
South showed a flat hand with Diamonds only and a doubleton
Heart, North knew that South's distribution was 3-2-5-3.
With DECLARER holding the Spade King (in case South did NOT
have the Spade Queen) North bid to the slam. At least we
PLAYED it quickly! :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 4
Dlr: West dnewman
Vul: Both S K4 west north east south
H AKQ7 ksired dnewman rbrough bjt
D KT8542
C J pass 1D pass 3NT
west east pass 4NT (all pass)
ksired rbrough
S AJ53 S 9876 Opening Lead: S5
H J93 H 8652 Result: +6
D Q3 D Score: 690, IMPs: -12.00
C T953 C K8742 Playing time: 4:48
south
bjt
S QT2 1 2 3
H T4 W S5 Q A
D AJ976 N 4 2 K
C AQ6 E 6 S7 8
S T-DA-S2
The jump to 3NT here--which consistent with standard
practice--did not get the job done. Compare the information
that THIS North hand received (i.e. that South has
a good opener with 3+Diamonds) with what North knew at
the other table. Bottom line: Standard systems are VERY
BAD at slam hands.
N-S *might* reach their 6D slam if South responds a
"prepared" 2C. North will reverse into Hearts. South
will make a 4th suit forcing 2S. North will confirm the
Spade guard with 2NT--no need to jump to 3NT if 2S is
a game-force--and then South could bid 3D to set the
suit. THEN North could jump to 4NT, Blackwood, since
it is North who has all the suits controlled.
=================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South Kaltica
Vul: Both S AQ95 west north east south
H T2 grogers Kaltica jfisher Wintaka
D Q985
C K95 1C!
west east pass 1S! pass 2C!
grogers jfisher pass 2H! pass 2S!
S S T632 pass 2NT! pass 3C!
H Q8743 H J95 pass 3H! pass 3NT!
D JT6432 D K7 pass 4D! pass 5C!
C J8 C T742 pass 5S! pass 6S
south (all pass)
Wintaka
S KJ874 Opening Lead: H3
H AK6 Result: +7
D A Score: 1460, IMPs: 2.00
C AQ63 Playing time: 21:36
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
W 7 D6 4 Q D2 D3 H8 D4 T 4 8 J DJ
N 2 A-HT SQ-S9 5 D5 D8 9 5 K-C9 DQ
E H3 2 5 9 T 3 6 HJ 7 2 7 T DK
S A-S4 K-H6 J-SK-S8-S7-DA-CA-C3 Q-C6
The Canadian Clubbers get a THIRD chance to strut their stuff!
While South kept asking, North revealed a flat 8+HCPs (1S),
4 Spades (2H), a minimum with the S-Q (2NT), 1 Ace (3H), a
doubleton Heart (4D) and the C-K (5S). North now bid a
conservative 6S, knowing that North could ruff his H-loser.
I have changed the E-W hands here slightly to illustrate what
a "Vienna Coup" is. (In reality, the Clubs broke 3-3, as you
will see below.) Upon seeing the 4-0 trump break North took
the Spade finesse for the S-10 and picked up the suit. He
then played ALL his Spades and the D-Ace, keeping D-Q and
C-K95 in his hand opposite dummy's C-AQ63. Question: which
FOUR cards would you like to keep as East? :)
As you can see, Declarer makes SEVEN Spades whenever Spades
are 2-2 (40%), since he can ruff a Heart and dummy's 4th
Club if necessary). Of that remaining 60% (i.e. when trumps
break 4-0 or 3-1) he will make it whenever Clubs are 3-3
(36% of the time) to get 7S's chances up to (40 + (60 x .36))
a little more than 60%. The chances of the person holding
4+Clubs also holding the Diamond Queen (such that the Vienna
Coup works) is about 50% of the remaining 40% (i.e. an
additional 20%) to bring the chances of 7S making up to
about 80%. Since we need a 70% chance to bid a grand slam
WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN 7S HERE ! Oh, well... :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South dnewman
Vul: Both S AQ95 west north east south
H T2 ksired dnewman rbrough bjt
D Q985
C K95 2C
west east 3D X (all pass)
ksired rbrough
S S T632 Opening Lead: HT
H Q874 H J953 Result: -5
D JT6432 D K7 Score: 1400, IMPs: -2.00
C J84 C T72 Playing time: 6:20
south
bjt
S KJ874 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H AK6 W 8 D2-D3 D4-H7 4 D6-DT DJ-HQ 4 C8 J
D A N HT 5 5 9 2 D8-SQ Q-SA D9-C5 C9 K
C AQ63 E 3 2 K 3 J 5 6 7 T 9 2 C7 T
S K-S7 A-S4 A-H6 K C6 8 C3 A-SJ-CQ
Knowing that the opponents have a game at least, West jams their
efforts with a pre-emptive 3D. While I do not recommend such a
pre-empt with a void AND a 4-card major (2 "no-no's"), it
succeeded here in preventing the opponents from finding their
9-card Spade fit. A well-earned 2 IMPs! :)
======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West dnewman
Vul: None S J west north east south
H 742 ksired dnewman rbrough bjt
D AQ765
C KQ32 1NT pass 2D! 4S
west east (all pass)
ksired rbrough
S AT S Q9 Opening Lead: C5
H QT9 H AJ865 Result: +4
D KJ2 D T84 Score: 420, IMPs: 10.00
C AT985 C J64 Playing time: 6:13
south
bjt
S K8765432 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H K3 W C5 A-DJ 8 T-DK T D2
D 93 N Q-SJ Q-C2 H2 A-H4
C 7 E 4 Q 4 J 9 8 5
S 7 K 9 S3-S6 3 K-S8
Don't underlead Aces against suit contracts--especially when
Declarer may well be short in the suit!
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West Kaltica
Vul: None S J west north east south
H 742 grogers Kaltica jfisher Wintaka
D AQ765
C KQ32 1C 1D 1H 4S
west east (all pass)
grogers jfisher
S AT S Q9 Opening Lead: H9
H QT9 H AJ865 Result: -1
D KJ2 D T84 Score: -50, IMPs: -10.00
C AT985 C J64 Playing time: 22:10
south
Wintaka
S K8765432 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
H K3 W H9 T A-HQ 2 5 A-DK T-CT
D 93 N 2 4 2 7 A-CK-SJ 5 D6
C 7 E A-H8 4 5 4 6 Q 8 9
S 3 K-C7 S2-D9 D3 K S3-S8
Instead, LEAD YOUR PARTNER'S SUIT!
======================================================================
Summary of Results - 2nd Half - Boards 1 to 3
------- -- ------- --- ---- ------ - -- -
Board MAYNARD's team dnewman's team Score
----- ---------------------- ---------------------- -----
TN.IMP 1 3D (N) 3 = 110, 3D (N) 3 = 110, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 2 4S (S) -1 = -100, 4S (S) -1 = -100, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 3 4H (E) 4 = -620, 5H (W) 5 = -650, 1 IMPS
3rd Quarter: MAYNARD 1 IMPS, dnewman 0 IMPS
1st Half: MAYNARD 25 IMPs, dnewman 17 IMPS
Summary of Results - 2nd Half - Board 4 to 12
------- -- ------- --- ---- ----- - -- --
Board dnewman's team MAYNARD's team Score
----- ---------------------- ---------------------- -----
TB.IMP 1 3D (S) -1 = -50, 2S (E) 3 = -140, 3 IMPS
TB.IMP 2 3H (S) 3 = 140, 2H (S) 2 = 110, 1 IMPS
TN.IMP 5 2NT (W) 4 = -180, 3NT (W) -2 = 100, -7 IMPS
TN.IMP 6 4D (S) -1 = -50, PASS (E) 0 = 0, -2 IMPS
TN.IMP 7 3H (W) -2 = 200, 2C (E) 2 = -90, 7 IMPS
TN.IMP 8 4S (N) 6 = 480, 4S (N) 6 = 480, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 9 6C (W) 6 = -1370, 3NT (E) 5 = -660, -12 IMPS
TN.IMP 10 4H (E) 5 = -650, 4H (E) 5 = -650, 0 IMPS
TN.IMP 11 2S (E) 2 = 110, 3NT (E) -6 - -300, 5 IMPS
4th Quarter: MAYNARD 21 IMPS, dnewman 16 IMPS
3rd Quarter: MAYNARD 1 IMPS, dnewman 0 IMPS
1st Half: MAYNARD 25 IMPs, dnewman 17 IMPS
======================================================================
IMPs north TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North dnewman
Vul: None S 54 west north east south
H A9832 ksired dnewman Wintaka bjt
D A75
C QJ4 pass pass 1D
west east 2C 2H 2S pass
ksired Wintaka pass 3D (all pass)
S K3 S AQJ98
H KJ7 H QT65 Opening Lead: SK
D 64 D 832 Result: -1
C AT8532 C 7 Score: -50, IMPs: 3.00
south Playing time: 6:52
bjt
S T762 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
H 4 W SK A-C5 4 3 6 C2 7 J C3
D KQJT9 N 4 4 Q 5 5 7 DA-HA-H2 H3
C K96 E A-C7 D2-D3 8-D8 9 6 5 HT
S 2 9 6 9-S6 T-S7 4 DJ-DQ
N-S bid this hand well. DNewman correctly passed the North
hand and then bid up to 3D. Remember that as a passed hand
you CANNOT force game opposite a 1-of-a-suit 3rd seat Opener
until and unless Opener makes a strength-showing rebid.
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North MAYNARD
Vul: None S 54 west north east south
H A9832 grogers MAYNARD jfisher Memory
D A75
C QJ4 1H 1S X
west east 2S (all pass)
grogers jfisher
S K3 S AQJ98 Opening Lead: H4
H KJ7 H QT65 Result: +3
D 64 D 832 Score: -140, IMPs: -3.00
C AT8532 C 7 Playing time: 7:12
south
Memory
S T762 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H 4 W J K-S3 C2 C3 K-H7 D6 A-CT 4 C5 C8
D KQJT9 N A-S4 5 D5 H2 3 8 9 4 J A-D7 CQ
C K96 E 5 8 A-SQ-SJ-H6 Q-HT-C7 D2 3 8 S9
S H4 T 2 6 7 DK DQ C6 9 K-DJ T-D9
South would have liked to compete over 2S. She knows that
North has a shortness in Spades--I would have expected a
SINGLETON from North!--and she has NO WASTED VALUES
opposite that Spade shortness. But would 3D after her
negative double of 1S not be forcing? Most modern experts
would say that it would be merely competitive. Traditional
opinion would have it as forcing. DISCUSS THIS AUCTION
WITH YOUR REGULAR PARTNER!
=======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North MAYNARD
Vul: N-S S 753 west north east south
H J865 grogers MAYNARD jfisher Memory
D KJ6
C A52 pass pass pass
west east 1C pass 1D pass
grogers jfisher 2NT pass 3NT (all p)
S AK64 S Q982
H AKT H Q42 Opening Lead: H6
D A93 D Q872 Result: -2
C T93 C 84 Score: 100, IMPs: 7.00
south Playing time: 8:12
Memory
S JT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H 973 W T-S4 K-SA-S6 K-D3 3 9 T D9 DA A
D T54 N H6 3 5 7 C5 5 K-CA-C2 H8 HJ D6 DJ
C KQJ76 E 2 Q-S2 8 9-H4 2 4 8 D7 HQ D8 DQ
S 3 T J D4 D5 7 T 7 K-CQ-CJ-C6-H9
With 6 HCPs, no 5-card suit and no good spots, East should
pass 2NT (18-19) here. Yes, even at IMPs. Nevertheless,
Grogers might have gotten away with one here had she been
a little more deceptive. After winning the opening lead
with the H-ACE (not the H-King and NOT the H-10) West
should go after her ninth trick by leading a diamond to
dummy's D-Queen BEFORE the opponents can exchange info
about their hands. To beat the hand North would have
to RISE with the D-King and switch to the suit West
opened--not an easy defence to find!
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North dnewman
Vul: N-S S 753 west north east south
H J865 ksired dnewman Wintaka bjt
D KJ6
C A52 pass pass pass
west east 1C X pass 1D
ksired Wintaka 1NT pass 2NT (all p)
S AK64 S Q982
H AKT H Q42 Opening Lead: H5
D A93 D Q872 Result: +4
C T93 C 84 Score: -180, IMPs: -7.00
south Playing time: 8:17
bjt
S JT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
H 973 W K-SA-SK-S4 6 A-D9 T A-D3 C3
D T54 N H5 3 5 7 C2 6 K-H8 6 J C5
C KQJ76 E 2 8 2 Q-S9-H4 7 Q-D2 Q-D8
S 9 T J C7 C6 3 4 7 5 T CK
When BOTH opponents have bid over our opening bid while
partner is passing, a 1NT free rebid shows 18-19 HCPs.
So when Wintaka raised to 2NT (again, an overbid) West
correctly passed. In 2NT declarer cashed his eight
tricks and stumbled into a ninth.
Notice that BOTH openers started with 1C, not 1D, in
the weaker minor. As you can see, this has considerable
psychic merit (deflecting a club lead) here! :)
======================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East MAYNARD
Vul: E-W S A9 west north east south
H 2 grogers MAYNARD jfisher rbrough
D JT984
C KQ965 passed out
west east
grogers jfisher Result: +0
S Q54 S 8632 Score: 0, IMPs: 2.00
H JT964 H KQ87 Playing time: 2:59
D A65 D Q2
C JT C A83
south
rbrough
S KJT7
H A53
D K73
C 742
With 4 Spades and 11 HCPs I might have opened the South
hand 1C in 4th seat, intending to pass any response, at
MATCHPOINTS. It is not quite so clear at IMPs, though.
The "Pearson" guideline for 4th seat openers is to add
your Spades to your HCPs and open if the total is 15
or more. Some say "16 or more", though... :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East dnewman
Vul: E-W S A9 west north east south
H 2 Kaltica dnewman Wintaka bjt
D JT984
C KQ965 pass pass
west east 1H 2NT 3C 4D
Kaltica Wintaka (all pass)
S Q54 S 8632
H JT964 H KQ87 Opening Lead: HJ
D A65 D Q2 Result: -1
C JT C A83 Score: -50, IMPs: -2.00
south Playing time: 8:30
bjt
S KJT7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H A53 W HJ 4 5 5 Q-S4 CT 6 J 9 A-HT D6
D K73 N 2 D4-D8-SA-S9 C5 C6 D9-CK DT-DJ C9 Q
C 742 E 7 8 2 2 3 6 8 Q A-HK Q C3 8
S A-H3 3 7 T J-SK-H5 4 C2 K D7-C7
From what I saw of bjt, I would rate her as one of the best
female players in the U.S. Indeed, if she, Memory and
JaneF could find an adequate fourth they could easily
contend for the Venice Cup. This is the closest thing
to a misplay that we saw from her in the entire match.
She could easily afford the D-Jack at trick 2 here.
Then, if I were to duck (as I did here) she could
simply continue diamonds and make an overtrick.
Instead, she embarked on a plan to ruff Spades here.
This did not help her cause. Instead, she should
have concentrated on establishing dummy by playing
trumps to hand and Clubs back to dummy. This
fulfills TWO of the basics of declarer play: draw
trumps as soon as possible and lead SMALL towards BIG.
=====================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South dnewman
Vul: Both S AJ972 west north east south
H T54 Kaltica dnewman Wintaka bjt
D QT9
C 92 1D
west east 1H 1S 2C! pass
Kaltica Wintaka 2D pass 2H pass
S Q54 S T63 pass 3D 3H (all p)
H AK73 H Q92
D AJ87 D 4 Opening Lead: DQ
C 83 C AJT654 Result: -2
south Score: 200, IMPs: 7.00
bjt Playing time: 8:59
S K8
H J86 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
D K6532 W A-C3 5 4 Q 8 H7 7 8 3 K-HA-DJ
C KQ7 N DQ 9 7 J-SA-C2 HT-DT 9 4 5 S2 S9
E 4 T 3 6 T A-C4 C5 H2-HQ-H9 C6 CJ
S 6 K-SK-S8 D2 7 Q K-D5 8 6 J 3
Wintaka's 2C showed Club strength and Heart support, since
our partnership observes the age-old maxim: "Don't move
if partner overcall's in your short suit!" H-Q92 was
quite good enough for a move at the 2-level. At the
THREE level, though, Wintaka should probably not bid 3H
in front of his partner. He should know from the Kaltica's
2D cuebid that 3D will NOT be passed here. His 3H violated
the Rabies Rule ("When partner is frothing at the mouth,
let hir double and leave that double IN!"). Only with
a fourth Heart should he consider bidding 3H here.
Do NOT confuse the Rabies Rule with the Rabbi's Rule
("Never finesse for a stiff King!"). :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South MAYNARD
Vul: Both S AJ972 west north east south
H T54 grogers MAYNARD jfisher rbrough
D QT9
C 92 pass
west east 1D 1S pass 1NT
grogers jfisher pass pass 2C (all p)
S Q54 S T63
H AK73 H Q92 Opening Lead: SK
D AJ87 D 4 Result: +2
C 83 C AJT654 Score: -90, IMPs: -7.00
south Playing time: 6:41
rbrough
S K8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
H J86 W 4 Q 5 J-C8 A-C3
D K6532 N 7 A-SJ-DT 2 Q 9
C KQ7 E 3 6 T 4 T H2 J
S SK-S8 H6 2 Q-D3 K
In SAYC a free bid over an overcall is forcing. To get
around this, JFisher wisely PASSED 1S and then came back
in LATER with her Clubs. Nice stop!
==================================================================
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North MAYNARD
Vul: E-W S KJ865 west north east south
H K32 grogers MAYNARD jfisher rbrough
D 87
C Q74 pass 1NT pass
west east 2S! X 3C pass
grogers jfisher 3NT (all pass)
S AQ4 S 972
H 5 H AQ87 Opening Lead: ST
D KT52 D AQ3 Result: +5
C AT986 C KJ5 Score: -660, IMPs: 12.00
south Playing time: 34:07
rbrough
S T3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
H JT964 W Q A-C8-C6 9 2 5 K-CA-CT-S4 5 DT
D J964 N K-SJ 4 7 Q 7 8 S5 S6 S8 H2 3 K
C 32 E 2 7 5 J-CK-DA-DQ-D3 H7 H8 9-HA-HQ
S ST 3 2 3 H6 4 6 9 HJ H4 DJ T 9
When playing Jacoby Transfers, the 2S response shows minor
suit length. When followed by a simple minor suit rebid
by Responder it is a weak signoff. Here, 3NT is a slam
try. With 11 HCPs in Aces and Kings (vital for slams)
and 10 HCPs in partner's minors East should continue on
over 3NT here. I like a 4H cuebid with the East hand. :)
-------------------------------------------
IMPs north TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North dnewman
Vul: E-W S KJ865 west north east south
H K32 Kaltica dnewman Wintaka bjt
D 87
C Q74 pass 1NT! pass
west east 2D! 2S pass pass
Kaltica Wintaka 3NT pass 4D! pass
S AQ4 S 972 4S X XX! pass
H 5 H AQ87 5C pass 5S! pass
D KT52 D AQ3 6C (all pass)
C AT986 C KJ5
south Opening Lead: S6
bjt Result: +6
S T3 Score: -1370, IMPs: -12.00
H JT964 Playing time: 15:17
D J964
C 32 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
W Q-C6 8 A-CA-CT-C9-D2 5 T-DK-H5 S4
N S6 4 Q-SJ 7 S8 S5 8 7 H2 H3 K SK
E 2 K-CJ 7 5 H7 S9 A-DQ-D3 H8 A-HQ
S T 2 3 3 H4 H6 HJ 4 9 6 J T 9
One of the costs of playing an artificial system like the
Canadian Club is the occasional misunderstanding. West
thought 3NT showed a minor 2-suiter inviting slam, saw
4D as a slam try (in Diamonds, for now), the redouble
as showing the S-King, 5S as confirming this. East, on
the other hand, thought 3NT was an Asking bid with HEARTS
as trumps! Only the second Club bid opened his eyes to
the misunderstanding. Still, E-W landed on their feet! :)
Perhaps Kaltica should play C-Ace and then finesse the
C-Jack. After all, this would prevent South from ruffing
a Spade and would observe the adage: "always play the
opening leader for the trump Queen". But North's Spade
length might indicate Club shortness, so West played
East for a possible 4 or 5-card Club holding.
For his part, North deeply regretted his Spade lead.
Having bid Spades and hearing the opponent's bid slam
in the face of it, North might reason that E-W are
well prepared for the Spade lead. This is an extension
of the concept of "lead discovery" (bidding a suit to
discern if it is safe or profitable to lead it).
======================================================================