BERKS & BUCKS SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS SEPTEMBER 2018 Commentary for Tuesday 18 th Sept Prepared by Mike Ribbins
K 973 K 6 A 952 1097 A Q 2 86 1073 A J 9542 K J 1064 K Q J 842 5 J 1054 Q 8 Q 873 A 63 10 N - 1 - - - 15 6 S - 1 - - - 9 E 2-3 - - W 3-4 - - Board 1 : Dealer North : Love all A good hand for pessimistic Multi 2 players. However, West would probably ask partner for the strength of his hand after 2 or 2 openings. Both likely to end in 3 but played by West it gives one more trick so a pessimistic West would do well after 2 * 2 which will be passed out. Wests who enquire after partner s strength will end up in 3 played by East. which on the J lead will only make 9 tricks. 653 Q 7 K 874 Q J 83 2 A K Q 1098 J 32 A 10 A 1095 Q J 32 A K 754 10 J 74 K 98654 6 962 8 N - - - - - 12 16 S - - - - - 4 E 4 6 3 6 5 W 5 6 2 6 5 Board 2 : Dealer East : NS vulnerable After 1 2, 2 (forcing) West who bid 2 will get a 3N response, though some Easts may prefer 4 (which works well on this hand). However, if W decides to bid 3 Easts 4 loser hand starts to look very good. For pairs playing Minorwood, West can now bid 4 and if partner bids 4 (0 or 3 key cards) or 4 (1 or 4 key cards) they can bid 4N to play (obviously if partner has 3 or 4 key cards they will bid on to 6 ). As partner bids 4N showing 2 key cards without the Q. West can now bid 5 asking for Ks so a bid of 6 ensures that 6 is a good contract. However, as 5 will not score well against the pairs who have bid into 3N or 4 West may well take the view that 6 is still worth bidding even if W does not have an outside K. Players not playing Minorwood are more likely to bid game but the more adventurous will try 4N RKCB. The s are not breaking well but with the s behaving themselves play is pretty straightforward whatever contract E/W ends up in. A 108 A 543 8 J 10862 J 9762 K 43 Q 62 K 87 A 104 K J 532 Q 9 A K Q 5 J 109 Q 976 7543 9 N 2 - - - - 9 17 S 2 - - - - 5 E - 3 1 3 2 W - 3 1 4 2 Board 3 : Dealer South : EW vulnerable E/W will probably end in 4 by West (perhaps 1 1S, 2N 3, 3 4 ). The best line is not easy unless North leads his singleton, then take South s 9 with the 10 and a small to the K, thus losing 2 s and. If North leads a, K wins, now a to the 9 and 10, North leads another. West has now to get back to hand so lead a so best to now take the finesse as it will be difficult to get back to hand later if the A is taken. Now a to the K and as North has both A and A, the contract is secure.
Q 3 A J 9 Q 742 J 762 1042 A 98765 1063 K 52 K 3 J 9 K Q 1085 A 4 K J Q 874 A 10865 93 10 N - 2 1 - - 8 12 S - 2 1 - - 10 E 2 - - 3 1 W 2 - - 3 1 Board 4 : Dealer West : All vulnerable E/W will end in 2 probably P P 1 P, West bids 1N or 2 and East bids 2 or P. E should make 9 tricks whatever the lead so long as South switches to a as soon as possible. However, break the rules and under lead from the A and it would really pay off as East plays low on table and ends up with 8 tricks. 765 Q 87 A 1075 432 K J 43 10982 109642 K J 3 Q 86 Q 86 A 1095 A Q A 5 K J 9432 K J 7 6 N - 3 - - 3 8 8 S - 3 - - 3 18 E 1-2 2 - W 1-2 2 - Board 5 : Dealer North : NS vulnerable E W will remain respectfully silent. N S will bid 1 2, then S will bid 2N or 3N depending on how optimistic they feel. N will pass. On a lead S takes the J with the A, leads the K to get 2 entries to dummy. Plays a to the A and leads a the K will be the 9th trick the J will, even with the s blocked end in one off as the K is off side. K 6 A K Q J 1086 Q 3 J 10 532 A 9 32 974 1074 A K J 862 Q 7652 K 9 Q J 10874 5 95 A 843 16 N - - 3 3-2 15 S - - 3 3-7 E - 3 - - - W - 3 - - - Board 6 : Dealer East : EW vulnerable E opens 1 and most players will bid 2 with the South cards. North now has lots of choices P, 3, 4 or 4. The most likely choice will no doubt be 4. East now will take the A and K of s and needs to switch to a to ensure that North is held to 9 tricks.
Q 65 64 A K 52 K 654 9842 A 1073 10872 K Q 9 863 974 103 987 K J A J 53 Q J 10 A Q J 2 12 N 5 5 4 3 5 0 9 S 5 5 4 3 5 19 E - - - - - Board 7 : Dealer South : All vulnerable Depending on agreement South will open with 1 or 1. Over 1 North bids 2, South will show his strength and shape with 2N (forcing) and North signs off with 3N. If South opens 1, North will bid 3N (usually showing 3 or 4 s and 12 14pts) and South may bid 4N (quantitive) North then passes. Whether played by North or South 11 tricks are an easy make. K J 86 - A K Q 542 962-10974 A Q J 7 1096532 J 9876 10 A K 105 J 7 A Q 532 K 84 3 Q 843 13 N 2 1-3 1 15 1 S 2 2-3 2 11 E - - 4 - - W - - 4 - - - K A K 743 Q 1063 A 109 10983 Q 5 1098 Q J 652 K 7 A 8542 K Q J 5 7 A J 7642 - J 9 86432 16 N 2 - - 2 1 9 9 S 2 - - 2 1 6 E - - 1 - - W - - 1 - - Board 8 : Dealer West : Love all Given the modern enthusiasm for aggressive bidding this hand could produce a lively auction. W opens 1, so North passes as will East. South bids 1 and West will probably X, North now has a great hand and will bid 4. E hand has also greatly improved and could well bid 5. Then Pass, Pass and North has a big decision to make 5 or X. In practice N/S will probably make 10 tricks with West leading a high but with 5 one off North s final decision is crucial. Board 9 : Dealer North : EW vulnerable North opens 1 then South bids 1 and North rebids 1N. South will probably bid 2, a few enthusiastic and aggressive bidders, will push on to 4. Although E/W can take 5 tricks on the lead of the K the more likely lead of the K lets declarer make 10 tricks. Defence is hard!
1072 8654 K Q 72 82 A 3 K Q J 864 A Q 1092 J 3 964 10 A 96 K Q J 4 95 K 7 A J 853 10753 5 N - - - - - 14 13 S - - - - - 8 E 5 1 6 6 2 W 5 1 6 6 2 Board 10 : Dealer East : All vulnerable East opens 1, then with N/S silent the bidding proceeds 2, 2 3, 3 4 by now East s 5 loser hand looks much better. West has a game going hand with nothing in s so enthusiastic Easts may well bid 4N and on finding partner with 3 Aces will bid 6. With the King onside this will be a success. A 984 965 K Q 4 K 87 J 1076 53 A K 2 Q 107 3 J 108765 A 10942 65 K Q 2 J 843 A 92 Q J 3 12 N - - 2 2 2 12 3 S 1-2 2 2 13 E - 1 - - - W - 1 - - - Board 11 : Dealer South : Love all Weak NT pairs will open 1N partner bids 2 (stayman), then 2 now it will depend on how keen North is on the hand with a 4333 hand and 12 points 2N is the accurate bid but some may bid 3N. Over 2N South should value the hand as a minimum and pass, but again some may try 3N. Strong NT bidders will open 1 and after 1 by partner bid 1N. North should bid 2N and as detailed above South should pass. However, if West decides to enter the fray with 2 it is more difficult for N/S to stay out of 3N. 3N depends on a 3-3 break, a 33.5% chance which on this hand does not come off. J 5 K A Q 942 J 8643 K 10763 Q 42 J 42 98765 105 63 A 97 K 105 A 98 A Q 103 K J 87 Q 2 11 N 4 5 1 1 4 8 5 S 4 5 1 1 4 16 E - - - - - Board 12 : Dealer West : NS vulnerable On this hand all roads should lead to 3N. P 1D (marginal) P 1 ; P 2 P 3N Or P P P 1N (15 17) P 3N P P P 1H; P 2 P 2N P 3N 9 top tricks turn into 10 when the J comes down, bad news for pairs who managed to end up in 5.
J 9862 A 107 Q 742 2 K Q 1053 85432 Q J 96 K 10 J 98 K 954 A 73 A 74 K A 653 Q J 1086 7 N 2 4-4 1 11 8 S 2 4-4 1 14 E - - 2 - - W - - 2 - - Board 13 : Dealer North : All vulnerable E/W remaining silent the bidding is probably P 1 ; 1 2.With the s and s behaving 10 tricks are assured. East leads the Q then Q by South to the K, W then switches to a so A now ruff a, ruff a and lead a. As the cards are 10 tricks are made. K 2 K 754 K 972 J 52 543 A 9876 A Q 103 92 J 5 Q 864 K 1098 Q 7 Q J 10 J 86 A 103 A 643 10 N 1 1 1-1 10 8 S 1 1 1-1 12 E - - - 1 - W - - - 1 - Board 14 : Dealer East : Love all Some players do love to use the tools they have put into their system. If you do play against one such player the contract could well end up in 2 by East (weak with s and a minor) this would be passed out. If E passes (most likely) then S bids 1N (12-14) then P P, again if E/W are playing 2 as s and a minor and are keen to try this gadget, East may bid 2.If South is playing a 15 17 NT then P 1 P 1 P, 1N P P, again East may balance with 2.The hand shows that in pairs thin Xs are as vital as thin bids. For N S 2 X is a good score whilst 2-1 will be a poor result. Q 7 K 3 K 106 Q 98643 A 984 K A J 42 8765 Q J 83 975 7 K J 1052 J 106532 Q 109 A 42 A 10 N - - - 3 1 12 7 S - - - 3 1 11 E - 1 2 - - W - 1 2 - - Board 15 : Dealer South : NS vulnerable N/S bidding is likely to be 1 2 ; 2 P. West leads the 7 and South takes A and leads a to the K and a back to the 10. Now West will be keen to stop the ruff and may well take his A crashing partners K. Thus gives an easy 9 tricks. West has to find the switch to the K and East has to lead back a small to hold it to 8 tricks. Of course leading the 10 on trick 2 and ducking it does produce 9 tricks, West would have to play in tempo so as not to give anything away.
K 85 98 A J 92 A J 95 A 7 Q 10962 A K J 1052 63 Q 64 K 10 Q 8 K 763 J 43 Q 74 8753 1042 13 N - - - - - 16 8 S - - - - - 3 E 2 1 4 3 4 W 2 1 4 3 4 Board 16 : Dealer West : EW vulnerable West opens 1, did N X? If they did it will help the declarer in the play. In either case East bids 1, and W bids 3. East has a choice 3N or 4. In 4, North has a difficult lead and a looks best. As the cards lie 10 tricks are now a certainty, if all else fails a small to the 10 works. In 3N South will probably lead a, to the J and K. East will take the finesse and when this holds realise that there are 10 tricks in s so to get a good score they must make 10 tricks. Not too difficult on a lead. Run the s forcing North to discard a and 3 s then a small and play North for the K if they lead a small. It is more interesting on a lead. You still have an easy 9 tricks, but to make 10 it is vital to not put up the Q and after winning the K finesse the and now a small to the 10 with the J onside and the s blocked this gives an unlikely 10 tricks. Most declarers would probably settle for 9 tricks. A 83 K 8 53 J 98432 10752 Q - A Q 10952 A Q J 862 10974 A K Q 76 K J 964 J 7643 K 105 8 N - - - - - 16 8 S - - - - - 8 E - 6 3 1 4 W - 6 3 1 4 Board 17 : Dealer North : Love all Bidding is going to be very depended on how optimistic you are. So P (surely even optimistic Norths do not open 3 ) 2 (weak) P then West has a big decision. Some may jump to 3N, surely not advisable with a void in partner s suit, but a more conservative 3 (forcing) is most likely. East now bids 4 and West raises to 5. Those brave souls who believe that NT contracts should always be bid in pairs get a good result. A K Q 7 93 A 9842 Q J 85 J 964 Q 65 A J 72 Q 653 K 107 A 872 93 1032 K 1084 J K 10654 16 N 3 1 1 3 1 8 9 S 3 1 1 2 1 7 E - - - - - Board 18 : Dealer East : NS vulnerable Steady bidding pays off so P P P 1, P 1 P 1, P 2.With a kind placement of the cards 9 tricks should be the norm.
Q 8 J 53 Q 1098 K 865 K 62 A J 1097 K Q 1097 82 K 754 J 3 7 A Q 43 543 A 64 A 62 J 1092 8 N - - - - - 11 12 S - - - - - 9 E 2 3 4 5 4 W 2 3 4 5 4 Board 19 : Dealer South : EW vulnerable With E/W bidding it should be 1 1 ; 2 3, 3 4. For Easts who are in the its pairs so it must be NT bidders their second bid will probably be 3N. On the probable lead of the J NT will be one off if declarer fails to find the Q and will make 10 tricks if the Q is found. s will make 10 or 11 tricks depending on whether or not the Q is found. A bad board for the 3NT enthusiasts. K 1085 A 2 Q 93 Q J 85 J 72 A Q 964 Q 97653 K 108 107 A K 642 A 2-3 J 4 J 85 K 1097643 12 N 1 - - - - 7 16 S 1 - - - - 5 E - 5 5 5 - W - 5 5 5 - Board 20 : Dealer West : All vulnerable E/W will end up in 4 mostly played by West. North is unlikely to lead the spade that holds the contract to 11 tricks so West will make 12 tricks. East players who get excited by their hand and push on to the poor 6 contract will get an excellent result. K J J 63 K Q 32 10543 6 95 A 10942 K Q 875 6 A 104 A K Q 876 J 92 A Q 1087432 - J 9875-10 N - 6-5 - 13 10 S - 6-5 - 7 E 6-6 - - W 6-6 - - Board 21 : Dealer North : NS vulnerable After a slow start the auction will take off and good judgement will be required by all. So P P 4 4N*; East bids 5 and West 5. East s hand now looks very good and will most likely bid 6. Should a bold North bid 5 over the 5 bid, South will bid 6 over the 6. If he does West will X and will most likely lead an A allowing 6 to make, although no doubt some inspired defenders may lead their singleton. The traveller should be interesting.
K 2 Q 106 K 93 Q 7654 A 10954 Q J 73 853 K 97 A Q 5 87 K 8 A J 92 86 A J 42 J 10642 103 10 N 1 2 1 - - 13 11 S 1 2 1 - - 6 E - - - 2 - W - - - 2 - Board 22 : Dealer East : EW vulnerable Players using an 11-14 NT will end up in 4 by East and with all key cards lying badly will end up 1 probably 2 off. If East passes then 1 2N or 3 depending on how you show a good raise to 3 should be followed by disciplined pass by West. However, 4 is not a terrible contract it relies on 2 of the 3 key cards being onside, so not good odds but it has some chance. A J K Q 74 9 K J 10754 Q 9873 K 10642 1093 A 85 A Q 862 105 - A 92 5 J 62 K J 743 Q 863 14 N 4 - - - - 8 11 S 4-1 - - 7 E - 2-5 1 W - 2-5 1 Board 23 : Dealer South : All vulnerable Give West the J and many will open 1, as it is a P is most likely, then 1 1 3 4 ; 5 X, West now has a choice but with a 6 loser hand and great support could well bid 5. However, with a defensive trick some will pass. A good hand for the brave souls that bid 5. Not much to the play with 5-1 and 5 making. 10 9 7 5 A K 10 8 6 A J 6 Q 7 J 9432 10983 K 542 1092 63 Q 8643 K 2 Q 5 Q 7 A K J 8754 A J 14 N 4 7 3 4 7 2 7 S 3 7 3 4 7 17 E - - - - - Board 24 : Dealer West : Love all West passes and North opens 1, playing minorwood this is easier to handle. Either 2 2 ; 3 3N; 4 or 3 3 4 the response will be 5 showing 2 As and the Q. 5 asks for a K and N bids 5. South can now count 12 tricks and so can bid 6N. Else the bidding will be 1 2/3 with 4 after North repeats the s. North will now cue bid with 4 and bids 4N RKCB the response of 5 shows 2 Aces and the Q this leaves S with a gamble - a solid 6 or more risky 6N. Although the K is offside 13 tricks are made by winning the first trick (probably a spade) crossing to the Q, playing the A (Bath Coup) then back to hand with a and running all the s.
Q 6 J 7 K Q 973 K 754 A K J 2 9543 A 865 10932 J 2 A 5 A J 10 Q 62 1087 K Q 4 10864 983 11 N - 1 - - - 18 6 S - 1 - - - 5 E 1-3 3 2 W 1-3 3 2 Q 96 654 K Q 3 Q J 65 J 107 52 K J 103 A 7 82 A 10754 A 742 K 1083 A K 843 Q 982 J 96 9 10 N - - - 1-9 11 S - - - 1-10 E 3 2 1 - - W 3 2 1 - - Board 25 : Dealer North : EW vulnerable Most Norths will open 1, then the bidding proceeds P 3 X; P 3 passed out. Play is interesting. A lead to the Q and A, then 10 to the J (S should duck) then the K and a to the Q and A, now a small to the QH, necessary to ensure how many points South has got. At this point declarer knows North has the Q for his opening bid. So will lose to the K but will drop the Q for the 9 tricks required. Board 26 : Dealer East : All vulnerable If East opens 1 then N/S will probably end in 2 via 1S X; 2 passed out. If East passes then South will open 1, N bids 2 then 2 2 passed out. Reasonable defence takes this 1 off as the s are not well placed for declarer. K 106 Q 53 J 106 A 1063 97532 Q J 8742 A K J 96 5 A K 93 Q 84 J 5 A 84 10 Q 8742 K 972 10 N 3 3 - - 1 2 19 S 3 2 - - - 9 E - - 3 1 - W - - 3 1 - Board 27 : Dealer South : Love all After 3 passes East opens 1. For players using 2N as a good raise in partners suit a 2 bid is weak and they are more likely to bid with West s cards. East has a 19 point hand but with 6 losers may think hard about another bid as West is at best a 9 loser hand. The partnership will at most end up in 3. This making on the finesse of the Q but the percentage play is to go for the drop. Cautious players who pass with the West hand should end up with a good result.
A J 5 K 932 852 A 104 1043 72 J 876 A Q 105 J 1097 63 86 K Q J 52 K Q 986 4 A K Q 4 973 12 N - 3 1 4 3 2 12 S - 3-4 3 14 E - - - - - Board 28 : Dealer West : NS vulnerable Weak NT pairs will end in 4S by N. E leads the K. N ducks and takes the J with the AC. It is essential to look forward and ensure communication between the hands, so lead a to the A and a to the 9 if the A does not show. E now takes the Q and as W will have shown 4 s, will lead a. S takes the A and K of s then the A and the J and the last from hand, now if the s are 3-3 the last trump can be taken out giving 10 tricks. If E has 2 s and 2 then the last can be ruffed, a ruffed back to table for 10 tricks. For the strong NT players N opens 1 and NS play in 4 by S. Now the lead is probably the J. S takes the A plays to the 9, takes the or K return and plays as above. 84 A Q J 974 9 J 743 K J 10 5 Q 97 52 K 10 6 J 872 654 A 98 K 10 65 A 632 83 A K Q 10 3 Q 2 8 N 1 1 3 - - 9 8 S 1 1 3 - - 15 E - - - 1 - W - - - 1 - Board 29 : Dealer North : All vulnerable Most will open 2 weak (or 2 *) and after part enquires re strength will finish in 4. With the K off side and the s not coming in, this should go one off. 10 9652 A 82 10 2 J 65 A 7 J 84 K 763 Q 54 A K Q 965 84 A Q 10 843 K Q 3 J 10 9 J 73 K 972 5 N - - - - - 20 5 S - - - - - 10 E 1 4 4 1 3 W 1 4 4 1 3 Board 30 : Dealer East : Love all
K 9873 J 982 Q 5 K 10 Q 105 J 42 K A Q 10753 A J 87 6 96542 Q 83 A 6 64 K 109432 A J 7 9 N - 3-1 2 10 9 S - 3-1 2 12 E - - - - - Board 31 : Dealer South : NS vulnerable - A J 4 K Q 10 65 K 9762 5432 A K 7 K Q 65 872 987 A J 32 A 4 J 10 3 Q J 10 986 10 93 4 Q 85 13 N 3 1-1 - 9 13 S 3 1-1 - 5 E - - 1 - - W - - 1-1 Board 32 : Dealer West : EW vulnerable J 62 K J 10 52 J 53 10 7 Q 8 A 543 Q 96 43 A K 10 96 K J 542 A Q 863 K 10 97 A 87 Q 8742 9 6 N - 2 1 - - 15 10 S - 2 2 - - 9 E 4 - - 1 2 W 4 - - 1 2 Board 33 : Dealer North : Love all
A Q 104 A K Q 2 864 42 K 82 J 763 J 8763 5 75 A Q 9 Q 73 A J 1085 95 1094 K J 1032 K 96 15 N - 5 3 1 2 6 12 S - 5 3 1 2 7 E - - - - - Board 34 : Dealer East : NS vulnerable A 6542 K 76 K 85 K 9 J 97 Q 10 83 10 93 82 J 42 10 9763 10 642 A 8 K A Q J 54 A Q Q J 753 13 N 6 2 6 4 6 2 6 S 6 2 6 4 6 19 E - - - - - Board 35 : Dealer South : EW vulnerable K 952 973 K 8 A K 32 87 A Q 10 63 A J 4 K 62 A Q 96 10 754 Q 10 75 8 J 4 Q 10 85 J 32 J 964 13 N - - - - - 13 9 S - - - - - 5 E 2 5 2 3 3 W 2 5 3 3 3 Board 36 : Dealer West : All vulnerable