Space Cadets versus the Surfers
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For the Space Cadets this was an opportunity to welcome back our friend Maynard. We also had a welcome guest appearance by LeerJet. Our opponents were both funny and gracious. We look forward to playing them again.

The high point of the match was when Kaltica laid down 11 HCPs opposite his partner's 2NT opening. Soevans led a card against 3NT, saw dummy, and remarked:

"Pard, if we beat this one, we should start our own religion!"

The comments that you see between the hands are intended for Kaltica's students. Please ignore them as you enjoy these records of the decisive hands in this match.

Surfers
Space Cadets
Gidget
Kaltica
Nate1205
RBrough
DaneK
Maynard
soevans
LeerJet

Score
Surfers
Space Cadets
1st Half
39
7
2nd Half
17
29
Total
56
36

Most Instructive Hands
1st Half - Board 7
1st Half - Board 9
1st Half - Board 1
1st Half - Board 7


12:37 Pacific time, June 6, 1998
Results of Team Play

List of Participants
---- -- ------------

  Name        Email Address       
  ----        -------------       
  DaneK       dkusler@erols.com   
  Gidget      audeon@worldnet.att.net
  Nate1205    Nate1205@Erols.com   
  soevans     soevans@msn.com
 
  Kaltica     cpw@escape.ca       
  leerjet     leeraut@alum.mit.edu
  maynard     mkdcpa@lightspeed.net
  rbrough     rbrough@escape.ca 

Summary of Results
------- -- -------

   Board    soevans's team          maynard's team             Score
   -----    ----------------------  ----------------------     -----
  TB.IMP  1 4S     (E)   4 =  -420, 4S     (E)   5 =  -450,   1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  2 4S     (S)   5 =   650, 4S     (S)   5 =   650,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP  3 1NT    (S)  -1 =   -50, 2H     (W)   3 =  -140,   3 IMPS
  TN.IMP  4 1NT    (W)   1 =   -90, 1NT    (W)   2 =  -120,   1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  5 3S     (N)   3 =   140, 3S     (N)   4 =   170,  -1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  6 6S     (S)   7 =  1010, 6S     (S)  -1 =   -50,  14 IMPS
  TN.IMP  7 3NT    (N)  -1 =  -100, 3H     (S)   3 =   140,  -6 IMPS
  TN.IMP  8 3NT    (W)   5 =  -460, 3NT    (W)   6 =  -490,   1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  9 5S-X   (E)   6 = -1050, 5S-X   (W)   6 = -1050,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP 10 PASS   (E)   0 =     0, 2H     (E)   4 =  -170,   5 IMPS
  TN.IMP 11 5C     (N)   5 =   400, 4H-X   (W)  -1 =   100,   7 IMPS
  TN.IMP 12 2D     (N)   2 =    90, 3NT    (S)  -2 =  -200,   7 IMPS

   Total    soevans    39 IMPS,     maynard     7 IMPS


Play records follow.

====================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South      soevans
Vul: E-W        S AT2                     west     north    east     south
                H T97                     leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D K84
                C 7632                                               1NT!
    west                   east           (all pass)
    leerjet                Kaltica
    S KJ4                  S 8765         Opening Lead: H3
    H KJ83                 H Q654         Result: -1
    D 75                   D AT32         Score: -50,  IMPs:   3.00
    C A985                 C K            Playing time: 6:09
                south
                DaneK
                S Q93        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H A2      W H3  5  J-HK-H8-CA-C5  9  7 S4 C8  J  K
                D QJ96    N  9  K  7  T C2  3  6  7  4  8 S2  A-ST
                C QJT4    E  Q  A-H4  5  6  K S8 S5  2  3  T-S7  6
                          S  A-D6  2 C4 S3  Q  J-CT-DQ-DJ-D9  9  Q
 
        This hand makes a point about established partnerships.  E-W
were playing for the first time, and had agreed to play DONT...but
East was not clear that E-W played it in the passout seat.  Had East
known this, East would have balanced with 2D, showing Diamonds and
at least one higher ranked suit.  This would have led us to 2H and
a push board. :(

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South      maynard
Vul: E-W        S AT2                     west     north    east     south
                H T97                     Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D K84
                C 7632                                               1D
    west                   east           X        1NT      2D       pass
    Nate1205               Gidget         2H       (all pass)
    S KJ4                  S 8765
    H KJ83                 H Q654         Opening Lead: D4
    D 75                   D AT32         Result: +3
    C A985                 C K            Score: -140,  IMPs:  -3.00
                south                     Playing time: 6:39
                rbrough
                S Q93                1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12
                H A2              W  5  7  5 H3-CA-C9  K  4  J-C8  8
                D QJ96            N D4  K  2  8  3  6  A-S2  T  7  7
                C QJT4            E  2  A-CK-D3 DT H4-S5  6  7 HQ-H5
                                  S  J-D6  Q  9  4  J  3  Q-S9  T  A-DQ

        This is how *I* prefer to play cuebids:  as general forces
inviting aggressive action by partner if partner is strong...rather
than playing cuebids as ALWAYS game-forcing.  Here, 2D allowed West
to bid his major and play there, without getting too high.

=====================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East       soevans
Vul: E-W        S QJ95                    west     north    east     south
                H 5                       leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D Q
                C KQT9872                                   pass     1D
    west                   east           1H       X        2C       2H
    leerjet                Kaltica        pass     3C       pass     4S
    S 87                   S T64          pass     4NT      pass     5D
    H KQJ43                H 986          pass     6S       (all pass)
    D K9732                D J5
    C J                    C A6543        Opening Lead: HK
                south                     Result: +7
                DaneK                     Score: 1010,  IMPs:  14.00
                S AK32                    Playing time: 7:18
                H AT72
                D AT864                      1  2  3  4  5
                C                         W HK  7  J  8
                                          N  5  Q-CK  5
                                          E  9  6  A  4
                                          S  A-S2 SA-SK-S3

        This was the pivotal board in the match.  Propelled by the
notion that 3C showed length and strength in her void, DaneK drove
to slam opposite her partner's negative double of 1H.  With no other
obvious source of tricks, Declarer correctly attacked her length,
Clubs, and claimed SEVEN.  Well played!

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East       maynard
Vul: E-W        S QJ95                    west     north    east     south
                H 5                       Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D Q
                C KQT9872                                   pass     1D
    west                   east           1H       X        2H       3H
    Nate1205               Gidget         pass     4C       pass     4S
    S 87                   S T64          pass     4NT      pass     5C
    H KQJ43                H 986          pass     6S       (all pass)
    D K9732                D J5
    C J                    C A6543        Opening Lead: HK
                south                     Result: -1
                rbrough                   Score: -50,  IMPs: -14.00
                S AK32                    Playing time: 10:07
                H AT72
                D AT864       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                C          W HK  3  J S7-HQ  8 D3 D2  9  7 H4 HJ DK
                           N  5 S5-CK-CQ C2  9  J-C7  Q SQ-C8-C9-CT
                           E  8  6  3  4  9  4  6  A  5  J  5  6 ST
                           S  A-H2 H7 HT SA-SK-S2 S3-DA-D4 D6 D8 DT

        South embarked on a chancy cross-ruff here, forgetting to
count the entries he would have back to his hand...or the tricks
that he might end up with even if he DID score all eight trumps.
The Heart ruffs proved to be fatal here, denying him the ability
to enjoy his Clubs once they were established.  East defended
well, holding off her Club Ace to set up a defensive ruff.

====================================================================


IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South      maynard
Vul: Both       S A64                     west     north    east     south
                H AK3                     Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D 932
                C KQ97                                               pass
    west                   east           pass     1NT      pass     2C
    Nate1205               Gidget         pass     2D       pass     2H
    S J98                  S K53          pass     3H       (all pass)
    H 92                   H QJ8
    D AT64                 D KJ85         Opening Lead: C4
    C 8642                 C JT5          Result: +3
                south                     Score: 140,  IMPs:   6.00
                rbrough                   Playing time: 5:19
                S QT72
                H T7654             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12
                D Q7             W C4  2  9  6  2  9 C8  A-D4  8  J-DT
                C A3             N  7  A-HK-CK-CQ-S4  3  2  3  A-S6
                                 E  J  8  J  5  T  K-HQ-D5  J  3  5
                                 S  A-H4  5  3 D7  2  6  Q H7-S7  T

        South made a very nice pass of 3H here.  Yes, the hand has
8 HCPs and 2 doubletons, but 3/4 of those points are IN those two
doubletons and will not help N-S establish their majors.  Note that
had South held the OTHER red Queen, 4H would make.  This sequence,
1NT:2C:2D:2H is an invitational move with 4-5 in the majors.  3H,
then, showed 16 points, since North would PASS 2H will less and
bid 4H (or 3NT) with more.  In the play, South should have made
more, simply by pitching Diamonds on the good clubs (including on
the C-9).

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South      soevans
Vul: Both       S A64                     west     north    east     south
                H AK3                     leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D 932
                C KQ97                                               pass
    west                   east           pass     1C       X        1H
    leerjet                Kaltica        pass     1NT!     pass     2NT
    S J98                  S K53          pass     3NT      (all pass)
    H 92                   H QJ8
    D AT64                 D KJ85         Opening Lead: D5
    C 8642                 C JT5          Result: -1
                south                     Score: -100,  IMPs:  -6.00
                DaneK                     Playing time: 4:30
                S QT72
                H T7654                      1  2  3  4  5  6  7
                D Q7                      W  A-D4  6  T-H9  2 C2
                C A3                      N  3  2  9 S4  A-HK-H3
                                          E D5  J-DK-D8  8  Q  J
                                          S  Q  7 S7 S2  4  5  6

        Kaltica got off to a fortunate lead here.  East then
unblocked the Diamond suit to put partner on lead for a major
suit through...but East should have signalled for a SPADE
return by playing the Diamond K-J the other way around.  When
playing equals, we can often signal suit preference in this way.

=================================================================


IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North      soevans
Vul: E-W        S 7                       west     north    east     south
                H AKQJ4                   leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D KQ92
                C 932                              1H       1S       2S
    west                   east           4C       4H       4S       5H
    leerjet                Kaltica        pass     pass     5S       pass
    S KJT64                S AQ953        pass     X        (all pass)
    H 852                  H
    D AT65                 D 87           Opening Lead: HT
    C Q                    C JT8764       Result: +6
                south                     Score: -1050,  IMPs:   0.00
                DaneK                     Playing time: 5:32
                S 82
                H T9763                      1  2  3  4  5  6  7
                D J43                     W  2  Q  A-S4 ST-SK S6
                C AK5                     N  Q  2  2  7  3 H4  9
                                          E S3-C4  7  Q-C6  A-C7
                                          S HT  K-D3  2  5  8  A

        When the opponents bid 5S vulnerable against non-vulnerable
opponents they are NOT sacrificing.  Hence, we should only consider
doubling with a trump stack OR with solid defensive tricks OUTSIDE
our bid suits.  At both tables, N-S have to suspect that at least 
TEN of their HCPs (i.e. those in HEARTS) are wasted here, since it
certainly sounds like their may be a void at the table.  LeerJet's
4C splinter was a fine bid, but SHOULD have told SOUTH that not
only are there no Heart tricks here, but there will also be AT 
MOST 1 Club.  Hence, I might suggest 6H by South, down one or two,
or a passout of 5S in case 6S happens to make (which it DID without
a Diamond lead).

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North      maynard
Vul: E-W        S 7                       west     north    east     south
                H AKQJ4                   Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D KQ92
                C 932                              1H       2H       3C
    west                   east           4S       4NT      pass     5D
    Nate1205               Gidget         5S       X        (all pass)
    S KJT64                S AQ953
    H 852                  H              Opening Lead: HA
    D AT65                 D 87           Result: +6
    C Q                    C JT8764       Score: -1050,  IMPs:   0.00
                south                     Playing time: 6:44
                rbrough
                S 82                         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
                H T9763                   W  2  Q  A-ST-S4 SJ-H5 D5
                D J43                     N HA  2  9  7 H4  3  J  9
                C AK5                     E S3-C4  8  5  A-CJ S9-CT
                                          S  3  K-D3  2  8  A  6  5

        Here, N-S's task was slightly more difficult, in that South
had no reason to suspect that both the C-AK weren't going to cash.
Note the lead directing 3C bid by South.  Good bid!

=====================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East       soevans
Vul: Both       S T82                     west     north    east     south
                H A6                      leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D JT765
                C K62                     passed out
    west                   east
    leerjet                Kaltica        Result: +0
    S AK4                  S Q965         Score: 0,  IMPs:   5.00
    H T942                 H KQ85         Playing time: 1:24
    D A98                  D K2
    C J54                  C T98
                south
                DaneK
                S J73
                H J73
                D Q43
                C AQ73

        Passouts are always bad for our side.  My average MatchPoint
score for passouts is about 30%.  Here, we lost the standard 5 IMPs. 

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East       maynard
Vul: Both       S T82                     west     north    east     south
                H A6                      Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D JT765
                C K62                                       pass     pass
    west                   east           1C       pass     1H       pass
    Nate1205               Gidget         pass     2D       pass     pass
    S AK4                  S Q965         2H       (all pass)
    H T942                 H KQ85
    D A98                  D K2           Opening Lead: D3
    C J54                  C T98          Result: +4
                south                     Score: -170,  IMPs:  -5.00
                rbrough                   Playing time: 6:09
                S J73
                H J73         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                D Q43      W  A-H2  A-H4  8  9  K-S4 C4  5  J  9 HT
                C AQ73     N  5  6  2  A-DJ D6  8  T C2  6  K  T D7
                           E  2  Q-S5  5  K-HK-S6  Q-S9-C8  9 H8-CT
                           S D3  3  3  7  Q  J  7  J C3  Q-CA-D4  7

        Here we see how to steal a plus with a flat hand in 3rd seat:
open in your minor and pass whatever partner bids.  Had West raised
1H to 2H, East might have moved towards game.

=====================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 11
Dlr: South      soevans
Vul: None       S 2                       west     north    east     south
                H 873                     leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D T932
                C QJ532                                              1S
    west                   east           2H       pass     3H       X
    leerjet                Kaltica        pass     4C       pass     5C
    S AJ5                  S Q864         (all pass)
    H KQ9642               H AJT5
    D J84                  D 75           Opening Lead: C7
    C T                    C 764          Result: +5
                south                     Score: 400,  IMPs:   7.00
                DaneK                     Playing time: 6:44
                S KT973
                H                    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
                D AKQ6            W  T  A-H6  5  2 SJ H4 D4  8  J
                C AK98            N  Q-S2  7 C2-H3  3 C5-CJ-D2
                                  E C7  6  T  4  5  4  8  6  7
                                  S  8  K C9-S3 CK-CA-S7 S9  A-DK

        With 6 Hearts there may be an argument to make for bidding
4H over the double of 3H, in order to shut out any Club fit.  But
West had good defence here...especially if the end up in Spades.
Hence, I agree with the pass here.

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 11
Dlr: South      maynard
Vul: None       S 2                       west     north    east     south
                H 873                     Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D T932
                C QJ532                                              1S
    west                   east           2H       pass     3H       X
    Nate1205               Gidget         4H       pass     pass     X
    S AJ5                  S Q864         (all pass)
    H KQ9642               H AJT5
    D J84                  D 75           Opening Lead: S2
    C T                    C 764          Result: -1
                south                     Score: 100,  IMPs:  -7.00
                rbrough                   Playing time: 6:38
                S KT973
                H                            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
                D AKQ6                    W  J-HK-H2  4  T  4  8 H9-DJ  A
                C AK98                    N S2  3  7  8  2  9  2  3  3 C5
                                          E  4  5  T-HJ-C4  5  7  6 HA-SQ
                                          S  7 S3 D6 S9  A-DA-DK-CK  Q  K

        Here, South made a TAKEOUT double of 3H and a CO-OPERATIVE
double of 4H.  North should NOT pass the SECOND double with any 
5-card suit.  Had the E-W diamonds broke 4-1 instead of 3-2, both
4H and 5C might have made!

=====================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 12
Dlr: West       soevans
Vul: N-S        S Q42                     west     north    east     south
                H 763                     leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D 87652
                C J9                      pass     pass     1C       pass
    west                   east           1H       pass     pass     1NT
    leerjet                Kaltica        pass     2D       (all pass)
    S K987                 S JT6
    H QT85                 H KJ4          Opening Lead: H4
    D 943                  D AQT          Result: +2
    C T7                   C Q852         Score: 90,  IMPs:   7.00
                south                     Playing time: 5:31
                DaneK
                S A53               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12
                H A92            W  8  7  T S9  7 S8  K-D3 H5  Q-D4
                D KJ             N  6  9  J D2-S2 D5-S4  6  Q-H7  7
                C AK643          E H4  5  2  8  6  Q  T  T  J  J  A-DQ
                                 S  A-CA-CK-C3  A-C4  3  J-S5  9  K

        E-W misdefended here to allow 2D to make.  East ducked the
first Diamond to maintain communication with West, but SHOULD have
played the S-Jack on the second round of the suit, to DENY the S-Q.
The S-6 then the S-10 (which DENIES the Jack) gave West the notion
that East had to have the S-Queen.  Hence, the non-ruff on the 3rd
round of Spades by West. :(

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 12
Dlr: West       maynard
Vul: N-S        S Q42                     west     north    east     south
                H 763                     Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D 87652
                C J9                      pass     pass     1NT!     X
    west                   east           2H!      pass     pass     3NT
    Nate1205               Gidget         (all pass)
    S K987                 S JT6
    H QT85                 H KJ4          Opening Lead: H5
    D 943                  D AQT          Result: -2
    C T7                   C Q852         Score: -200,  IMPs:  -7.00
                south                     Playing time: 8:56
                rbrough
                S A53                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
                H A92                     W H5  Q  7  T-H8-CT  9  K
                D KJ                      N  3  6  9  7 S2  J-D2
                C AK643                   E  K-HJ  Q-H4 C5  2  A-SJ
                                          S  2  A-C3  9 S3  4  J  5

        2H here was a conventional runout over the double, showing
Hearts and Spades according the E-W's methods.  Both SURFERS pairs
played a weak 1NT, and therefore relied upon such runouts when 
their 1NT is doubled for penalty.  N-S defended well here, choosing
a PASSIVE defence aimed at forcing West to find his OWN tricks in 2H.

=====================----  2nd Half  ----============================

Summary of Results
------- -- -------

   Board    maynard's team          soevans's team             Score
   -----    ----------------------  ----------------------     -----
  TB.IMP  1 3NT    (N)   3 =   400, 3NT    (S)  -1 =   -50,  10 IMPS
  TN.IMP  2 4H     (W)   6 =  -480, 4H     (W)   5 =  -450,  -1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  3 4S     (S)   5 =   450, 4S     (S)   4 =   420,   1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  4 3NT    (S)   4 =   630, 3NT    (S)   3 =   600,   1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  5 2H     (W)   3 =  -140, 3S-X   (S)  -3 =  -800,  12 IMPS
  TN.IMP  6 1NT    (S)   2 =   120, 2NT    (N)  -1 =   -50,   5 IMPS
  TN.IMP  7 2H     (W)  -1 =   100, 3NT    (S)   3 =   600, -11 IMPS
  TN.IMP  8 3C     (E)  -1 =    50, 3NT    (W)  -1 =    50,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP  9 2H     (N)   3 =   140, 1NT    (N)   3 =   150,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP 10 1S     (W)   1 =   -80, 1H     (E)   1 =   -80,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP 11 4D     (S)  -1 =   -50, 3D     (N)  -1 =   -50,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP 12 3C     (N)   3 =   110, 4S     (E)  -6 =   300,  -5 IMPS

   Total    maynard    29 IMPS,     soevans    17 IMPS

====================================================================


IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      maynard
Vul: None       S Q62                     west     north    east     south
                H QJ                      Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D QT8652
                C 84                               pass     pass     1H
    west                   east           pass     1NT      pass     3NT
    Nate1205               Gidget         (all pass)
    S A9874                S T3
    H 87                   H T9543        Opening Lead: CT
    D K74                  D A            Result: +3
    C J73                  C QT962        Score: 400,  IMPs:  10.00
                south                     Playing time: 5:48
                rbrough
                S KJ5            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H AK62        W  7  3  7  J  K-H8  4 S4 S7 S9  7 S8 SA
                D J93         N  4  8  2 S2  5  Q-DQ-DT-D8-D6-HJ S6 SQ
                C AK5         E CT-C2  A-C6 H5  3 C9 CQ S3 ST  4  9  T
                              S  5  K-D9  A-DJ  2  3 S5 SJ SK  A-HK-H6

        This is a tough defence to find.  When West wins the C-Jack,
looking at C-AK on dummy, he must switch to a spade in order to beat
this one TWO tricks.  The KEY is that East is UNLIKELY to have a 
2nd entry for the Clubs here...but the SPADES may set up if East
has ONE quick entry.  Still, had East held D-Ax instead of D-A
singleton, the club return could have ensured down one when West
wins the D-King and returns the THIRD Club, leaving EAST the D-A
for an entry to them.

            -------------------------------------------


IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      soevans
Vul: None       S Q62                     west     north    east     south
                H QJ                      leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D QT8652
                C 84                               pass     pass     1C
    west                   east           pass     1D       2H       2NT
    leerjet                Kaltica        pass     3NT      (all pass)
    S A9874                S T3
    H 87                   H T9543        Opening Lead: S7
    D K74                  D A            Result: -1
    C J73                  C QT962        Score: -50,  IMPs: -10.00
                south                     Playing time: 5:03
                DaneK
                S KJ5                        1  2  3  4  5  6
                H AK62                    W S7  4  8  K-SA-S9
                D J93                     N  2  2  Q-D5  6
                C AK5                     E  T  A-S3 H3 CT
                                          S  K-D9  5  J  J

        This was a good hand for lead discovery.  When N-S "climb
over themselves" to bid 3NT over East's 2H overcall, West correctly
infers that SPADES are the future for the defence.  Nice lead!

===================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North      maynard
Vul: N-S        S KJ                      west     north    east     south
                H Q3                      Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D A987
                C JT864                            pass     1NT!     pass
    west                   east           2H       (all pass)
    Nate1205               Gidget
    S                      S AQT93        Opening Lead: SK
    H JT98754              H 62           Result: +3
    D QJ3                  D K54          Score: -140,  IMPs:  12.00
    C K52                  C Q97          Playing time: 4:37
                south
                rbrough
                S 876542                     1  2  3  4  5  6
                H AK                      W C2  4  5  K-HJ  3
                D T62                     N SK  3  4  6  Q  A
                C A3                      E  A-H6  7  9  2
                                          S  4  K-CA-C3  A-D2
 
        With 6 SPades, I might have overcalled 2S either 
directly or in the balancing seat, once the opponents have
stopped in 2H.  But at IMPs, it is not always necessary to
fight for every part score...and the result on this hand
will demonstrate!

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North      soevans
Vul: N-S        S KJ                      west     north    east     south
                H Q3                      leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D A987
                C JT864                            pass     pass     1S
    west                   east           3H       X        pass     3S
    leerjet                Kaltica        pass     pass     X        (ppp)
    S                      S AQT93
    H JT98754              H 62           Opening Lead: HJ
    D QJ3                  D K54          Result: -3
    C K52                  C Q97          Score: -800,  IMPs: -12.00
                south                     Playing time: 9:06
                DaneK
                S 876542      1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H AK       W HJ  T H4 C2 D3 H5 H7  Q-H8  J H9  5  K
                D T62      N  3  Q  J  K C4 C6 C8  7 CT  A-D8  J D9
                C A3       E  6  2  Q-SA-ST-S9-S3  5 C7  4  K-CQ  9
                           S  K-HA-S2  4  5  6  7-D2 S8-DT  6  A-C3

        The choice to PASS the understrength East hand worked out
very well for the Space Cadets here.  West's aggressive pre-empt
of 3H put the pressure on N-S.  When South ventured back into the
fray with 3S, East was more than happy to double.  Again, we see
the advantage of NOT competing aggressively for part scores at
IMPs.  At MPs, this would merely be a bottom board -- which N-S
might hope to gain back by making an extra overtrick on the next
hand.  There are VERY FEW opportunities to gain back 12 IMPs
in a match, though.

==================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East       maynard
Vul: E-W        S KT8                     west     north    east     south
                H JT                      Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D J53
                C QT852                                     pass     1NT
    west                   east           (all pass)
    Nate1205               Gidget
    S QJ75                 S 93           Opening Lead: S5
    H A65                  H Q9432        Result: +2
    D 72                   D T986         Score: 120,  IMPs:   5.00
    C AKJ6                 C 43           Playing time: 4:29
                south
                rbrough
                S A642                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                H K87                     W S5  J  2  K-SQ  6  A-S7-CA
                D AKQ4                    N  8  K-D3  2  T  8-HJ C5  T
                C 97                      E  9-S3  6  3 H4  4  2 H3 DT
                                          S  4  2  A-C9  A-C7  7  6
 
        This hand worked well for the strong 1NTers, denying E-W
any chance to compete.

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East       soevans
Vul: E-W        S KT8                     west     north    east     south
                H JT                      leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D J53
                C QT852                                     pass     1D
    west                   east           X        1NT      2H       2NT
    leerjet                Kaltica        (all pass)
    S QJ75                 S 93
    H A65                  H Q9432        Opening Lead: H3
    D 72                   D T986         Result: -1
    C AKJ6                 C 43           Score: -50,  IMPs:  -5.00
                south                     Playing time: 5:19
                DaneK
                S A642                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7
                H K87                     W  A-H6  A-H5 D2 S5  7
                D AKQ4                    N  T  J  2 D3 S8 C5  T
                C 97                      E H3  Q  4  9-H4-H2-S9
                                          S  7  K-C9  8 S4 S2  A

        Here we see the necessity of HOLDING UP.  West correctly
won the H-Ace and returned the suit.  When Declarer saw that
East was going to win the trick, she should DUCK it.  In this
way, West will NOT be able to cash his Heart tricks.

=================================================================


IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South      soevans
Vul: Both       S 83                      west     north    east     south
                H J986                    leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D 82
                C QJ876                                              1C
    west                   east           1S       3C!      pass     3NT
    leerjet                Kaltica        (all pass)
    S KJ954                S A6
    H KT75                 H Q2           Opening Lead: H5
    D AJ5                  D T7643        Result: +3
    C 9                    C 5432         Score: 600,  IMPs:  11.00
                south                     Playing time: 4:24
                DaneK
                S QT72                       1  2  3  4  5
                H A43                     W H5  K-D5  7  9
                D KQ9                     N  8  6  2  9-C6
                C AKT                     E  Q  2  3 D7  5
                                          S  A-H3  9-H4  A

        N-S "stole" one on us here.  East MIGHT have doubled 3NT
for a Spade lead, but there didn't seem to be any guarantee that
that would set the contract given the long clubs that North
suggested with her pre-emptive 3C raise.  To counter this, West
MIGHT consider ducking the second Heart trick so that when he
wins the H-King he will see East signal the D-3, discouraging
a Diamond shift.  For his part, East could contribute by NOT
finessing for the Diamond nine here, putting up the D-10 to
retain partner's tenace in the diamond suit.

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 7
Dlr: South      maynard
Vul: Both       S 83                      west     north    east     south
                H J986                    Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D 82
                C QJ876                                              1NT
    west                   east           2H       (all pass)
    Nate1205               Gidget
    S KJ954                S A6           Opening Lead: CQ
    H KT75                 H Q2           Result: -1
    D AJ5                  D T7643        Score: 100,  IMPs: -11.00
    C 9                    C 5432         Playing time: 6:13
                south
                rbrough
                S QT72         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H A43       W  9 H5-S4 H7-SK-S5 HT-DA-S9  K  5 SJ DJ
                D KQ9       N CQ-C7  3  6  8 H6  8  2 H8-H9  8  J-CJ
                C AKT       E  2  3  A-C4  6 HQ-C5  3 D4  2  6 D7 DT
                            S  T  K  2  A  7  T D9  K  Q  A-DQ-H3 H4
 
        The 2H bid here ostensibly showed the majors.  North liked
his chanced against 2H, and was not about to chance a venture to
3C via a Lebensohl 2NT.

===============================================================================

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 12
Dlr: West       soevans
Vul: N-S        S K864                    west     north    east     south
                H A9852                   leerjet  soevans  Kaltica  DaneK
                D J
                C 874                     1H       pass     1S       2NT
    west                   east           4S       (all pass)
    leerjet                Kaltica
    S AQ53                 S 72           Opening Lead: DK
    H KQJ74                H T63          Result: -6
    D Q83                  D 6542         Score: 300,  IMPs:   5.00
    C 3                    C KJ95         Playing time: 4:43
                south
                DaneK
                S JT9             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H              W  3  3  8  Q  4  7 HJ  Q HK SQ-SA-S3-S5
                D AKT97        N  J  8 H2 S4-HA-H5 S8-H9 SK-H8  6 C4 C7
                C AQT62        E  2  9  6  4  6  3  5  T C5 S7  2 CJ CK
                               S DK-CA-DA-DT C2 ST-D9 S9-D7 SJ CT C6 CQ

        Still well behind in the match after so many flat boards, this
was our last chance.  Looking at the East hand, it is difficult to
believe that N-S cannot make 4S.  Unfortunately, West had the maximum
number of Spades, 4, and a fairly strong hand, landing *us* in 4S
before THEY could bid it.  Even so, 4S would MAKE from THEIR side
if played CAREFULLY.  South ruffs the Heart lead, plays D-AK, ruffs
a diamond and returns to hand with a club.  

            -------------------------------------------

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 12
Dlr: West       maynard
Vul: N-S        S K864                    west     north    east     south
                H A9852                   Nate1205 maynard  Gidget   rbrough
                D J
                C 874                     1H       pass     pass     2NT
    west                   east           pass     3C       (all pass)
    Nate1205               Gidget
    S AQ53                 S 72           Opening Lead: H3
    H KQJ74                H T63          Result: +3
    D Q83                  D 6542         Score: 110,  IMPs:  -5.00
    C 3                    C KJ95         Playing time: 6:21
                south
                rbrough
                S JT9                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                H                         W  J  Q-SA-S3  3 H4  3  8 H7
                D AKT97                   N  A-DJ  4  K-C4  7 S6 S8
                C AQT62                   E H3  2  7  2  5  9  4  5
                                          S S9  7  T  J  Q-CA-DK-DA-DT

        2NT was a reasonable choice by South, but I prefer a more
flexible double in case North has a decent 5-card major.  This is
consistent with the concept of Maximum Flexibility, or Maxi-Flex.  
When you have 2 equally attractive bids (double and 2NT here) pick
the CHEAPER one.




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