Space Cadets versus the TORNADO
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June 11th, 1998 saw the Space Cadets face off against Jeffrey Miller's TORNADO team. The first half saw the Valentines system at its best; the second half saw it at its worst. Space Captain Kaltica made some very unfortunate decisions, and single-handedly squandered a 12-point lead going into the final 8 boards. Nonetheless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable match against a team of great players. We look forward to a rematch!

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.

TORNADO
Space Cadets
OldProf
Kaltica
WCW
Rainbow
Marshall
Maynard
MHem
Memory
Bundy
FireSide
Ironman
---

Score
TORNADO
Space Cadets
1st Half
21
24
3rd Quarter
0
9
4th Quarter
36
2
Total
57
35

Most Instructive Hands
1st Half - Board 3
1st Half - Board 5
1st Half - Board 9
3rd Quarter - Board 1
4th Quarter - Board 1
4th Quarter - Board 5


Summary of Results  - 1st Half
------- -- -------

   Board    Memory's team           WCW's team                 Score
   -----    ----------------------  ----------------------     -----
  TB.IMP  1 4S     (E)   4 =  -420, 4S-X   (E)   4 =  -590,   5 IMPS
  TN.IMP  2 3C     (E)  -1 =    50, 3H     (N)   4 =   170,  -3 IMPS
  TN.IMP  3 1NT    (W)  -1 =   100, 1NT    (W)   2 =  -120,   6 IMPS
  TN.IMP  4 4H     (E)   5 =  -650, 4H     (W)   6 =  -680,   1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  5 4S     (N)  -1 =  -100, 4H     (N)  -3 =  -300,   5 IMPS
  TN.IMP  6 4S     (E)   5 =  -650, 4S     (W)   5 =  -650,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP  7 4S     (W)   4 =  -620, 3NT    (W)   3 =  -600,  -1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  8 4S     (E)  -1 =    50, 4S-XX  (E)  -1 =   200,  -4 IMPS
  TN.IMP  9 1NT    (N)   1 =    90, 2D-X   (W)   2 =  -180,   7 IMPS
  TN.IMP 10 5D     (S)   7 =   640, 6D     (S)   7 =  1390, -13 IMPS

   Total    Memory     24 IMPS,     WCW        21 IMPS

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

IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      Memory
Vul: None       S QJ8                     west     north    east     south
                H Q8752                   MHem     Memory   ironman  maynard
                D K6
                C A42                              1H       1S       2H
    west                   east           2S       pass     4S       (ppp)
    MHem                   ironman
    S K96                  S AT7543       Opening Lead: CQ
    H K63                  H J9           Result: +4
    D T4                   D AQ532        Score: -420,  IMPs:   5.00
    C K9753                C              Playing time: 3:36
                south
                maynard
                S 2                          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                H AT4                     W  3  K-D4  T S6  3  K-C5 S9
                D J987                    N  4  8  6  K SJ-H2  5  2 SQ
                C QJT86                   E S3-S4  Q-DA-D2  9  J S5-D3
                                          S CQ  2  9  J  8  A-H4  6  7

        This would appear to be a standard ("par") result, with East
understanding that when partner supports one of our suits when we 
have a 2-suiter WE MUST BID AGGRESSIVELY.  The defence's ONLY real
chance is an UNDERLEAD of the Heart Ace at trick one, with Declarer
misguessing to play LOW.  Not a likely opening lead, though, and
Declarer will NOT be giving South another chance!

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

IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      WCW
Vul: None       S QJ8                     west     north    east     south
                H Q8752                   Fireside WCW      Kaltica  marshall
                D K6
                C A42                              1H       1S       2S
    west                   east           X!       pass     4S       X
    Fireside               Kaltica        (all pass)
    S K96                  S AT7543
    H K63                  H J9           Opening Lead: CQ
    D T4                   D AQ532        Result: +4
    C K9753                C              Score: -590,  IMPs:  -5.00
                south                     Playing time: 12:45
                marshall
                S 2                          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
                H AT4                     W  3  K-D4  T S6  3  5 S9
                D J987                    N  2  8  6  K SJ-H8  4 SQ
                C QJT86                   E S3-S4  Q-DA-D2  9 S5-D3
                                          S CQ  2  7  8  9  A-CJ  J

        South's 2S was, I would imagine, a LIMIT RAISE.  The double
of 2S was all East needed to hear.  DOUBLING 4S for penalty is a 
matter of South "telling the same joke twice".  Declarer attacked
his Diamond length and allowed North to over-ruff twice.   A somewhat
lucky hand for both declarers, but Spades COULD have been 2-2 (or
Diamonds COULD have been 3-3).

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 2
Dlr: East       WCW
Vul: N-S        S Q4                      west     north    east     south
                H KQJT4                   Fireside WCW      Kaltica  marshall
                D A752
                C 75                                        pass     pass
    west                   east           pass     1H       2C       3C
    Fireside               Kaltica        pass     3H       (all pass)
    S J9753                S A86
    H 93                   H 62           Opening Lead: H2
    D KQ94                 D 63           Result: +4
    C QT                   C AJ8643       Score: 170,  IMPs:   3.00
                south                     Playing time: 6:59
                marshall
                S KT2                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
                H A875                    W  9  3  3  9  J  T  Q S7  Q-D4
                D JT8                     N  K-H4  Q  4 HT-C5  7 HJ-D2  5
                C K92                     E H2  6  A-S6  8  4  A-CJ  6  3
                                          S  7  8-S2  K-ST  K-C2  9  J  8

        Despite making ten tricks, 3H was a nice stop by N-S.  Against
4H, East might have lead a Diamond, removing partner from the endplay.

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 2
Dlr: East       Memory
Vul: N-S        S Q4                      west     north    east     south
                H KQJT4                   MHem     Memory   ironman  maynard
                D A752
                C 75                                        3C       (ppp)
    west                   east
    MHem                   ironman        Opening Lead: S2
    S J9753                S A86          Result: -1
    H 93                   H 62           Score: 50,  IMPs:  -3.00
    D KQ94                 D 63           Playing time: 2:37
    C QT                   C AJ8643
                south
                maynard
                S KT2                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                H A875                    W  3  K  3  9  T  Q D4  5
                D JT8                     N  Q  A-HK-HQ-C5  7 D2  4
                C K92                     E  A-D3  2  6  3  A-CJ-S8
                                          S S2  8  7  5  K-C2  9  K-HA

        While this worked out well for E-W, I would NOT recommend
opening a pre-emptive 3C with TWO Aces.  This constitutes TOO MUCH
defence.  Had N-S competed in Hearts, West might have started 
bidding Clubs aggressively--perhaps even up to the 5 level--with
C-Q10 and only one or two likely defensive tricks.
 
======================================================================


IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South      Memory
Vul: E-W        S 532                     west     north    east     south
                H K                       MHem     Memory   ironman  maynard
                D AJ952
                C AJ42                                               pass
    west                   east           1D       pass     1H       pass
    MHem                   ironman        1NT      (all pass)
    S A84                  S KQ96
    H Q42                  H AJ97         Opening Lead: S2
    D KQ86                 D 74           Result: -1
    C Q98                  C 763          Score: 100,  IMPs:   6.00
                south                     Playing time: 5:19
                maynard
                S JT7          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H T8653     W  A-S4  9  8  Q  K D6  8 D8  Q-HQ  2  4
                D T3        N S2  3  J-CA-C2  A-C4-S5 D2  5  K D9 DJ
                C KT5       E  6  9  3  6  7  4 H7  Q-SK-D7  A-HJ-H9
                            S  T  J-C5  T  K-D3 H6  7 DT H3  5  8  T

        West attacked the WRONG major at trick 2 here.  With good
chances of taking three Heart tricks, Declarer MUST attack THAT
suit to increase hir trick total.  Ducking a Spade not only gives
up on the chances of taking 4 tricks if that suit breaks 3-3 (as
it did here), but it puts the DANGEROUS South hand on lead.

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South      WCW
Vul: E-W        S 532                     west     north    east     south
                H K                       Fireside WCW      Kaltica  marshall
                D AJ952
                C AJ42                                               pass
    west                   east           1D       pass     1H!      pass
    Fireside               Kaltica        1NT      (all pass)
    S A84                  S KQ96
    H Q42                  H AJ97         Opening Lead: D5
    D KQ86                 D 74           Result: +2
    C Q98                  C 763          Score: -120,  IMPs:  -6.00
                south                     Playing time: 9:32
                marshall
                S JT7            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H T8653       W  K-H2  Q-S8  A-S4 H4 D6  8  9 D8  Q CQ
                D T3          N D5  K S5  3  2 C4 C2 D2  A-CJ D9  A-DJ
                C KT5         E  4  A-H7  Q-S6  K-S9-HJ-C3  6  9  7 C7
                              S  T  3  8  J  7  T H5  6  5  K-HT-D3 CT

        Ray "FireSide" Hornby played this one very well, leading a 
SMALL Heart towards dummy's H-AJ97.  Note that the H-Queen would 
LOSE a trick here because of the singleton King onside.  Always
play SMALL towards BIG.

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


IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North      Memory
Vul: N-S        S Q6532                   west     north    east     south
                H T54                     MHem     Memory   ironman  maynard
                D K7
                C AK5                              1S       pass     2D
    west                   east           pass     2NT      pass     4S
    MHem                   ironman        (all pass)
    S AT84                 S J
    H AJ82                 H 93           Opening Lead: C2
    D 3                    D T98654       Result: -1
    C J763                 C Q942         Score: -100,  IMPs:   5.00
                south                     Playing time: 4:59
                maynard
                S K97                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7
                H KQ76                    W  J  A-C3  6  T  3 S4
                D AQJ2                    N  A-S2  K-C5  Q-DK-D7
                C T8                      E C2  J  4  9 D6  4  8
                                          S  T  K  8 S7-S9  2  A

        Declarer must WATCH THOSE SPOTS to make 4S this hand.  When
the S-9 is covered on the second round of that suit, South need
only play the S-6 and, when in with the D-King, draw that pesky
S-4 with her S-5.  Declarer will then toss her Heart loser on
the D-AQJ to lose ONE Heart and TWO Spades.

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North      WCW
Vul: N-S        S Q6532                   west     north    east     south
                H T54                     Fireside WCW      Kaltica  marshall
                D K7
                C AK5                              1S       3D       X
    west                   east           pass     3H       pass     4D
    Fireside               Kaltica        pass     4H       (all pass)
    S AT84                 S J
    H AJ82                 H 93           Opening Lead: C2
    D 3                    D T98654       Result: -3
    C J763                 C Q942         Score: -300,  IMPs:  -5.00
                south                     Playing time: 9:33
                marshall
                S K97           1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H KQ76       W  J  A-C6  A-C3  8  3  T-S4 H2-C7 H8-HJ
                D AQJ2       N  A-H4  K-S2  5  Q  K-S3  5-D7 H5-S6  T
                C T8         E C2  9  4  J  9 H3-D4 D5 D6  8  Q D9 DT
                             S  8  Q  T  K H6-S7  2  9 DJ  A DQ H7  K

        East's VERY weak 3D bid caught South with an awkward choice
of bids.  3NT, 4S and a negative double were all find choices.  Over
North's 3H, South rebid 4D with the idea of CONFIRMING that partner
had four Hearts.  North felt this was a slam try, and rebid the
"agreed" trump suit, 4H.  North's 3H was innovative, but not as
outrageous as it appears, given that the alternative would be to
rebid that ugly spade suit.  Considering the chances of ruffs here,
though, Declarer might have chosen to attack trumps earlier, leading
small towards H-KQ76 on dummy.

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West       WCW
Vul: None       S 986                     west     north    east     south
                H                         Fireside WCW      Kaltica  marshall
                D AJ865
                C AQ872                   pass     1D       1S       pass
    west                   east           2D       pass     3C       pass
    Fireside               Kaltica        3S       pass     4S       pass
    S Q73                  S AKT52        pass     X        XX       (ppp)
    H AQ932                H KJ
    D T9432                D Q7           Opening Lead: DK
    C                      C KJ54         Result: -1
                south                     Score: 200,  IMPs:   4.00
                marshall                  Playing time: 6:34
                S J4
                H T87654                     1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                D K                       W  2  2  3  3  4 S3-SQ-HA-HQ
                C T963                    N  8 S6-D6 S8-D5  7  9 C2 C8
                                          E  7  K  Q  J SK-C4  2 C5
                                          S DK-H4 S4-H5 H6  3  J  7

        West's 2D bid was a limit raise in Spades OR a very good hand.
3C by East showed a better than minimum overcall.  When 4S was doubled,
East, who was worried about missing a SLAM on this hand, "beavered"
(i.e. redoubled).  North intended the double as a request for a
HEART lead here, and defended very well to lead a small diamond back
to put South on lead for a setting trick.

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 8
Dlr: West       Memory
Vul: None       S 986                     west     north    east     south
                H                         MHem     Memory   ironman  maynard
                D AJ865
                C AQ872                   pass     1D       1S       X
    west                   east           2S       3C       3H       pass
    MHem                   ironman        4H       pass     4S       (ppp)
    S Q73                  S AKT52
    H AQ932                H KJ           Opening Lead: H8
    D T9432                D Q7           Result: -1
    C                      C KJ54         Score: 50,  IMPs:  -4.00
                south                     Playing time: 4:29
                maynard
                S J4                         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
                H T87654                  W  2  2  3  3  4  3  Q-DT
                D K                       N S6-D5 S8-DA-D6  9 C7
                C T963                    E  J  7  K  Q SA-SK-S2
                                          S H8  K-H7 C6 H4  4  J

        South found a nice Heart lead, knowing that partner MUST
be void on this auction.  Seeing the H-8 as a HIGH Heart, asking
for a HIGH RANKING suit return, North obediently UNDERLED her
D-Ace to partner's D-King for second ruff.  Nice defence!

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


IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North      Memory
Vul: E-W        S A7                      west     north    east     south
                H J87                     MHem     Memory   ironman  maynard
                D Q95
                C AJ643                            1C       pass     1S
    west                   east           pass     1NT      (all pass)
    MHem                   ironman
    S T863                 S Q94          Opening Lead: HK
    H A52                  H KQ94         Result: +1
    D KJ743                D T2           Score: 90,  IMPs:   7.00
    C 8                    C KT92         Playing time: 4:18
                south
                maynard
                S KJ52          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                H T63        W  2  A-H5 D3  K-D4  3  8 D7  J  6 S8 ST
                D A86        N  7  8  J D5  9  Q-S7  J  3 C4  A-CA-C6
                C Q75        E HK-H4  Q-H9-DT  2  4  K-CT C2  9  9 SQ
                             S  3  6  T S2  6  8  K-C5  Q-DA-SJ  7 S5

        North dutifully collected her 7 tricks here to make her 1NT
contract.  At IMPs, we do NOT sweat the overtricks!

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 9
Dlr: North      WCW
Vul: E-W        S A7                      west     north    east     south
                H J87                     Fireside WCW      Kaltica  marshall
                D Q95
                C AJ643                            1C       pass     1S
    west                   east           pass     1NT      pass     pass
    Fireside               Kaltica        2D       pass     pass     X
    S T863                 S Q94          (all pass)
    H A52                  H KQ94
    D KJ743                D T2           Opening Lead: SA
    C 8                    C KT92         Result: +2
                south                     Score: -180,  IMPs:  -7.00
                marshall                  Playing time: 10:08
                S KJ52
                H T63       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                D A86    W  3  6  8  T  3  8 D4-H2 HA D7-H5 DJ-DK
                C Q75    N SA-S7 C3 D5  9  A-C4  8  6  J  7  J  Q
                         E  4  9  Q DT-D2  2  9  Q-CK-CT  K-H4 H9
                         S  2  J-SK-S5  A-C5  Q  6  7 H3  T D6  8

        When your RHO is playing in No Trump it is often a good
plan to employ the "on up" rule, leading the suit immediately
above whatever Declarer opened.  East was JUST ABOUT to lead
the D-10 against 1NT when partner BID 2D!  South's double
should have resulted in down one, but was a risky venture at IMPs.

        Ray "Rainbow" Hornby played this one VERY well, shortening
the trumps in his hand by VOLUNTARILY ruffing Clubs with his long
diamonds.  The idea was to catch SOUTH in a trump coup if South
had started with D-AQxx, as the double suggested.  Imagine West's
surprise to see NORTH play the D-Queen under his D-King at trick 13!

        North-South could have beaten this hand in TWO ways:  one
would be to ruff the fourth Spade with the D-Queen.  Another was
for SOUTH to play SMALL on the first round of Diamonds, allowing
Declarer to LOSE the Diamond finesse to North's D-Queen.

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East       WCW
Vul: Both       S AJ93                    west     north    east     south
                H T53                     Fireside WCW      Kaltica  marshall
                D AQJ4
                C Q6                                        pass     1D
    west                   east           X        XX       1H       2C
    Fireside               Kaltica        pass     5D       pass     6D
    S K865                 S T42          (all pass)
    H AQJ96                H K8742
    D                      D 875          Opening Lead: HA
    C J984                 C 75           Result: +7
                south                     Score: 1390,  IMPs:  13.00
                marshall                  Playing time: 8:39
                S Q7
                H               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13
                D KT9632     W HA H6 HJ H9  4  Q  8  9  J S6 S5  8  K
                C AKT32      N  3  A-DQ-D4  Q-H5  6 S3 DJ-HT S9  J-SA
                             E  7  7  5  8  7  8  5 H2 H4  K S4  2  T
                             S D2-D3  6  9-C2 DT-CA-CK-C3 DK-CT-S7  Q

        N-S bid this hand rather well to get to 6D.  North's redouble,
showing 10+ HCPs, gave South some confidence that there might NOT be
2 quick Spade losers here.  

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 10
Dlr: East       Memory
Vul: Both       S AJ93                    west     north    east     south
                H T53                     MHem     Memory   ironman  maynard
                D AQJ4
                C Q6                                        pass     1D
    west                   east           1H       X        3H       5C
    MHem                   ironman        pass     5D       (all pass)
    S K865                 S T42
    H AQJ96                H K8742        Opening Lead: HA
    D                      D 875          Result: +7
    C J984                 C 75           Score: 640,  IMPs: -13.00
                south                     Playing time: 3:07
                maynard
                S Q7                         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
                H                         W HA H6 H9 HQ  K  4  8  9
                D KT9632                  N  3  A-DQ-D4  A-CQ-C6 DJ
                C AKT32                   E  7  5  7  8  2  5  7 H2
                                          S D2-D3  6  T-SQ  2  K-C3

        With FIVE good cards for Declarer (D-AQJ, C-Q and S-A) North
should be QUITE happy to bid slam on this auction.

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

Summary of Results  - 3rd Quarter
------- -- -------

   Board    Memory's team           OldProf's team             Score
   -----    ----------------------  ----------------------     -----
  TB.IMP  1 5H     (S)  -1 =   -50, 4S     (W)   4 =  -420,   9 IMPS
  TN.IMP  2 4H     (E)  -1 =    50, 4H     (W)  -1 =    50,   0 IMPS

   Total    Memory      9 IMPS,     OldProf     0 IMPS

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


IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      Memory
Vul: None       S J73                     west     north    east     south
                H KQ43                    MHem     Memory   ironman  rainbow
                D K7
                C Q742                             1C       pass     1H
    west                   east           1S       2H       2S       3D
    MHem                   ironman        4S       pass     pass     5H
    S AKT954               S Q86          (all pass)
    H A                    H 75
    D 96543                D QJ2          Opening Lead: SA
    C 6                    C KJ983        Result: -1
                south                     Score: -50,  IMPs:   9.00
                rainbow                   Playing time: 5:02
                S 2
                H JT9862                     1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
                D AT8                     W SA-SK  6  4  3  4  A-C6 S5 D5
                C AT5                     N  3  7  K-SJ  7 HQ-H4  2  Q  4
                                          E  6  8  2  Q  Q  J  5  J  K-C3
                                          S  2 H6-D8 H8-DA-DT  9  A-C5  T

        5H was a FINE bid by South, whose 6th Heart argues against
defending 4S.  As it happens, 4S MIGHT go down if North were to find
the D-K lead from D-K7, scoring the setting trick with a ruff of the
third round of that suit.

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

IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      OldProf
Vul: None       S J73                     west     north    east     south
                H KQ43                    Fireside OldProf  Kaltica  bundy
                D K7
                C Q742                             pass     pass     2H
    west                   east           2S       3NT      X        pass
    Fireside               Kaltica        pass     4C       X        pass
    S AKT954               S Q86          pass     4H       4S       (ppp)
    H A                    H 75
    D 96543                D QJ2          Opening Lead: HK
    C 6                    C KJ983        Result: +4
                south                     Score: -420,  IMPs:  -9.00
                bundy                     Playing time: 9:25
                S 2
                H JT9862         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11
                D AT8         W  A-SA-S4  K-D3 S5-D4 S9-D5  6
                C AT5         N HK  3  7  J  K-HQ  7  4 C2  4
                              E  5  6  Q-S8  2  7  J C3  Q-CK
                              S  J  2 HT H6  8  2  A-H9  T  A-H8

        East patiently waited here for North to complete the barrage
of psychic bids, knowing that 4H was North's eventual destination.
When North's actions were revealed with the 4H bid, East bid 4S.
It is VERY hard for South to find the D-K lead from D-K7...another
argument against pre-empting with so many Aces.

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

Summary of Results - 4th Quarter
------- -- -------

   Board    Memory's team           OldProf's team             Score
   -----    ----------------------  ----------------------     -----
  TB.IMP  1 5D     (E)  -2 =   100, 4S     (E)  -1 =    50,   2 IMPS
  TN.IMP  2 6S     (E)   6 =  -980, 6S     (E)   6 =  -980,   0 IMPS
  TN.IMP  3 3C     (E)   4 =  -130, 3NT-X  (E)  -3 =   800, -14 IMPS
  TN.IMP  4 4S     (S)   4 =   620, 4S     (S)   5 =   650,  -1 IMPS
  TN.IMP  5 3NT    (W)   6 =  -490, 6NT    (E)  -1 =    50, -11 IMPS
  TN.IMP  6 3NT    (W)   4 =  -630, 1NT    (W)   3 =  -150, -10 IMPS

   Total    Memory      2 IMPS,     OldProf    36 IMPS

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


IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      Memory
Vul: None       S T64                     west     north    east     south
                H J6                      MHem     Memory   ironman  rainbow
                D QT6
                C AJT63                            pass     1D       1H
    west                   east           2H       pass     2S       pass
    MHem                   ironman        3C       X        3D       pass
    S QJ9                  S AK82         3S       pass     3NT      pass
    H 87                   H K543         4D       pass     5D       (ppp)
    D AJ953                D K874
    C KQ7                  C 5            Opening Lead: C2
                south                     Result: -2
                rainbow                   Score: 100,  IMPs:   2.00
                S 753                     Playing time: 6:31
                H AQT92
                D 2                          1  2  3  4  5  6  7
                C 9842                    W  K  7  8 DJ  Q-D3  A
                                          N  A-HJ-H6 DQ-S4  6  T
                                          E  5  3  4  5  2  K-D4
                                          S C2  9  T-H2  3  2 C4

        Given the Heart bid BEHIND the H-Kxxx, 5D is NOT likely
to make here.  3NT would have been reasonable, but will fail
when Diamonds break badly.  

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

IMPs            north                     TB.IMP Board 1
Dlr: North      OldProf
Vul: None       S T64                     west     north    east     south
                H J6                      Fireside OldProf  Kaltica  bundy
                D QT6
                C AJT63                            pass     1D       1H
    west                   east           X        pass     2S       pass
    Fireside               Kaltica        4S       (all pass)
    S QJ9                  S AK82
    H 87                   H K543         Opening Lead: D2
    D AJ953                D K874         Result: -1
    C KQ7                  C 5            Score: 50,  IMPs:  -2.00
                south                     Playing time: 7:27
                bundy
                S 753                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                H AQT92                   W  3  K  7  8 SQ-SJ-S9 C7  5
                D 2                       N  T  A-HJ-H6 C3  4  6  T  Q
                C 9842                    E  K-C5  3  4  5  2  A-SK-D7
                                          S D2  9  T  Q-HA  5  3  7 H2

        The was the first of many unfortunate hands for us.  4S is
a FINE contract, making whenever diamonds behave OR, in many cases,
When SOUTH can be persuaded to lead a HEART.  After all, East did
NOT bid 3NT here...so North could have held the H-Kx.  Had South
held the C-Ace, East would have gotten back to his hand and led
a DIAMOND, hoping South would RUFF, keeping SOUTH on lead and
avoiding a Heart through Declarer's H-Kxxx.  My guess is that
THIS South would NOT have fallen for this ploy, though. :(

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South      OldProf
Vul: E-W        S J6                      west     north    east     south
                H K952                    Fireside OldProf  Kaltica  bundy
                D Q652
                C T42                                                1S
    west                   east           pass     1NT!     2C       2S
    Fireside               Kaltica        pass     pass     3D       pass
    S T3                   S A52          3H       pass     3NT      pass
    H AQT863               H              pass     X        (all pass)
    D T74                  D KJ93
    C J6                   C AK8753       Opening Lead: SK
                south                     Result: -3
                bundy                     Score: 800,  IMPs:  14.00
                S KQ9874                  Playing time: 8:49
                H J74
                D A8                         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
                C Q9                      W  3  T  6 H3  J-D4 H6 H8 HT
                                          N  6  J-C2 C4  T  2 H2 H5 D5
                                          E  2  5  3  A-C5  9 D3 DJ C7
                                          S SK-S4  Q-S9  9  A-SQ-S8-S7-H4

        East-West bid this hand very aggressively to find a shaky 3NT
contract.  East misplayed it, however, in ducking a club to give 
South another entry.  By playing C-AK and another Club, East could
restrict South to ONE entry and N-S would NOT be able to enjoy 
their long Spades.  This was, in the end, a simple AVOIDANCE play.

        Our opponents discussed what the DOUBLE of 3NT meant.  It
COULD mean EITHER "lead your suit, pard" (asking for a SMALL spade
lead) OR "lead dummy's first bid suit, Pard" (i.e. HEARTS), either
of which would beat 3NT on this layout.

        East's 3D reverse bid was ambitious here.  Better would have
been to show the Diamond suit via a 2NT ("delayed Unusual") rebid,
allowing West to stop in 3C.

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 3
Dlr: South      Memory
Vul: E-W        S J6                      west     north    east     south
                H K952                    MHem     Memory   ironman  rainbow
                D Q652
                C T42                                                1S
    west                   east           pass     1NT      2C       pass
    MHem                   ironman        2H       pass     3C       (ppp)
    S T3                   S A52
    H AQT863               H              Opening Lead: DA
    D T74                  D KJ93         Result: +4
    C J6                   C AK8753       Score: -130,  IMPs: -14.00
                south                     Playing time: 3:50
                rainbow
                S KQ9874                     1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10
                H J74                     W  4  T  6  J  7 H3 H6  3  T  A
                D A8                      N  6  Q  2  4  2  5  T-SJ  6  5
                C Q9                      E  3  K-CA-CK-DJ-D9-C8  A-S2 S5
                                          S DA-D8  9  Q S8 S4 S7  9  Q-H4

        East took a DECIDEDLY pessimistic view of his hand opposite
partner's free 2H bid.  Granted, Heart values do NOT help East's 
hand much, but *I* would have driven to game opposite ANY hint of
strength from partner!  Indeed, has West's AQ been in the minors
SLAM might have been in the offing!

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


IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North      OldProf
Vul: N-S        S 76542                   west     north    east     south
                H T                       Fireside OldProf  Kaltica  bundy
                D 86
                C T9654                            pass     pass     pass
    west                   east           1C!      pass     1H!      X
    Fireside               Kaltica        1S!      pass     2H       pass
    S KQJ9                 S T8           2S!      pass     3C       pass
    H K63                  H QJ95         3D!      pass     3NT!     pass
    D AK97                 D QJ           4NT      pass     6NT      (ppp)
    C AQ                   C KJ732
                south                     Opening Lead: HA
                bundy                     Result: -1
                S A3                      Score: 50,  IMPs:  11.00
                H A8742                   Playing time: 7:41
                D T5432
                C 8                          1  2  3
                                          W  3  9  7
                                          N  T  2  8
                                          E  5  8
                                          S HA-SA-D5

        4NT was QUANTITATIVE here, inviting slam after determining
that partner held 2-4-2-5 distribution.  East accepted, thinking
that if it came to a Heart finesse, the H-King would be ONSIDE.
However, had E-W played a convention called "BOLAND", slam might
have been avoided here.  Playing BOLAND, when partner makes a 
quantitative 4NT bid AND WE INTEND TO ACCEPT IT, we should TREAT
the 4NT as if it were Blackwood and show our Aces.  Here, this
would have precluded the ignomy of being in 6NT off two Aces. :(

        We will be playing Boland from now on! :)

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 5
Dlr: North      Memory
Vul: N-S        S 76542                   west     north    east     south
                H T                       MHem     Memory   ironman  rainbow
                D 86
                C T9654                            pass     pass     pass
    west                   east           2NT      pass     3C!      pass
    MHem                   ironman        3D!      pass     3S!      pass
    S KQJ9                 S T8           3NT      (all pass)
    H K63                  H QJ95
    D AK97                 D QJ           Opening Lead: HT
    C AQ                   C KJ732        Result: +6
                south                     Score: -490,  IMPs: -11.00
                rainbow                   Playing time: 5:45
                S A3
                H A8742                      1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                D T5432                   W  K-CA-CQ-H6  9  7 H3 D9
                C 8                       N HT  4  5 D6  2  8  6  T
                                          E  5  2  3  9-ST  J-CK-CJ-DQ
                                          S  7  8 D2  2  A-D3 H4 H8  4

        3C here was "puppet Stayman", asking 2NT Opener for a 5-card
major.  3D denied this, whereupon 3S by East revealed FOUR Hearts.
Despite the 32 HCPs (plus a LONG suit point for the fifth Club), N-S
did not even TRY for a slam here.  Nice restraint! :)

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East       OldProf
Vul: E-W        S 9752                    west     north    east     south
                H K6                      Fireside OldProf  Kaltica  bundy
                D A643
                C T95                                       pass     pass
    west                   east           1D       pass     1H!      pass
    Fireside               Kaltica        1NT      (all pass)
    S JT                   S KQ64
    H AQJ                  H 853          Opening Lead: S2
    D KJ982                D T5           Result: +3
    C KJ4                  C A873         Score: -150,  IMPs:  10.00
                south                     Playing time: 5:37
                bundy
                S A83                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
                H T9742                   W  J-D2  Q  A-DK-DJ  K-ST  J
                D Q7                      N S2  3  K-H6  4  A-CT  5 D6
                C Q62                     E  4  T  3  5  5 C3  7  K
                                          S  8  Q-H2  7  7 S3  Q  A-H4

        This was a "system fix" for E-W, and reveals one of the 
weakness in the Valentines structure.  West's 1NT rebid showed
13-16 points in a flat hand.  Staring at 9 HCPs and poor support
for Opener's Diamonds, East did not even CONSIDER 2NT.  Of course
West showed up not only with the full maximum 16 HCPs, but the
critical spots in both pointed suits.  Unlucky. :(

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

IMPs            north                     TN.IMP Board 6
Dlr: East       Memory
Vul: E-W        S 9752                    west     north    east     south
                H K6                      MHem     Memory   ironman  rainbow
                D A643
                C T95                                       pass     pass
    west                   east           1NT      pass     2C       pass
    MHem                   ironman        2D       pass     2NT      pass
    S JT                   S KQ64         3NT      (all pass)
    H AQJ                  H 853
    D KJ982                D T5           Opening Lead: S5
    C KJ4                  C A873         Result: +4
                south                     Score: -630,  IMPs: -10.00
                rainbow                   Playing time: 5:48
                S A83
                H T9742                      1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
                D Q7                      W  T  Q  A-SJ-C4 D2 CJ  K
                C Q62                     N S5  K-H6  2  5  7  9  A
                                          E  4  3  5  6  A-SK-SQ-DT
                                          S  A-HT  2  3  2  8 H4  Q

        Here E-W ended up on the same 3NT that others might have bid
with D-KJxxx opposite D-xx, making with an overtrick when all of
the spot cards turned out to be critical.  Here, though, West most
likely took these good-lucking spots into account in making her
close decision on whether to try for 3NT or pass 2NT.  Well done, MHem!  




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