Play with an Expert

This commentary suggests how reasonable contracts could be reached using straightforward methods and highlight any important points in declarer play or defence. An Acol style system with a 12-14 no-trump will be used. Please remember that it is sometime since we learned, and our practices are perhaps different to what you were taught in school! The hands offer you our general tips for your success based on bridge knowledge and experience. If you wish to take issue with anything, please trust your teachers first, they are probably right! Anything you don’t like is just information! And if you would like further clarity to help improve your game please feel free to ask more questions. We will aim to point you in the direction of the answers.

Ian Moss & Nicole Cook

Board 1
North Deals
None Vul

♠	J 3
♥	9 3
♦	A 4 2
♣	A K 8 7 6 4

♠	K Q 5 4
♥	Q 10 7 5 4
♦	6 5
♣	9 2

N
W		E
S

♠	A 9 7 6 2
♥	2
♦	K Q J 8 7
♣	5 3

♠	10 8
♥	A K J 8 6
♦	10 9 3
♣	Q J 10

EW 3♠; NS 2N; EW 3♦; NS 3♣; NS 1♥; Par −100: NS 3N×−1; NS 4♣×−1

West	North	East	South
	1 ♣	1 ♠	2 ♥
3 ♠	All pass

3 ♠ by East

North has an easy 1C opening bid. East should bid 1S with a plan in mind to bid diamonds later. South has a good heart suit and enough high cards to bid 2H over the 1S overcall. The spotlight turns on West who with 4 card support for partner should bid 3S on the principle of raising to the level of the known fit. With a stronger hand in support of Spades West would have made an unassuming cue bid in one of the opponent’s suits. The jump to 3S makes things difficult for North who has no further bid available. East has nothing extra so passes. South's who get thinking will work out that North must have some length in Clubs - those who ventured 4C were rewarded as this contract only goes one down which will be a much better match point score than allowing EW to play in the making 3S.

Board 2
East Deals
N-S Vul

♠	J 10 7 3 2
♥	K 10 7
♦	K J 9 5
♣	J

♠	K Q 5 4
♥	J 6 4 3
♦	A 8 4
♣	10 3

N
W		E
S

♠	A 9 8 6
♥	A 2
♦	Q 6 3 2
♣	5 4 2

♠	—
♥	Q 9 8 5
♦	10 7
♣	A K Q 9 8 7 6

NS 5♣; NS 2N; NS 2♥; EW 1♠; Par +600

West	North	East	South
		Pass	1 ♣
Pass	1 ♠	Pass	5 ♣
All pass

A difficult hand for NS to evaluate their combined strength. The bidding may well subside at a low level. Typically after an opening 1C from South and a response of 1S the South player may rebid a quiet 2C not having enough high card strength to bid 2H (a “reverse” bid which shows a strong hand forces partner to at least give preference at the 3 level). South may also be wary of his void in partner’s Spade suit. North has nothing to say and should pass 2C. More adventurous partnerships may eventually arrive in 3 NT or as high as 5C. East-West will have to be alert to cash their three Spade tricks and two Aces to defeat 3 NT before declarer runs for home with two red suit winners and seven clubs.

Any South playing in 5C will have to make some inspired guesses in the red suits to bring the contract home if West leads a Spade or a Club. It is only on a Heart lead that South has an easier ride, being able to finesse against the Jack of Hearts and then all he has to do is guess to play a Diamond to the Ace rather than the Jack to make his contract!

Try out the effect of bidding game whenever you hold a shape with 7 of one suit and 4 of another. If your side hold values you might make, if it doesn't you might disrupt others.
In the play of 5C desperate times call for CSI like action - the clues are there. West might have led a diamond holding the Q so as you only need one trick from the suit play West for the AD. Your entries to dummy are nil, further if E holds four hearts to the J you will lose two hearts whatever happens. When you need to, play for the combination of cards that will work for you. On this hand you are rewarded.