6 4
9 4
J 10 5 3
8 7 5 3 2
10 9 A K Q J 10 2 A A J 6 4
![[W - E]](t.gif)
A 5 8 7 6 5 3 Q 8 7 Q 10 9
K Q J 8 7 3 2 — K 9 6 4 2 K
| 1.
| 6 4 9 4 J 10 5 3 8 7 5 3 2
| |
| 10 9 A K Q J 10 2 A A J 6 4
|
| A 5 8 7 6 5 3 Q 8 7 Q 10 9
|
| None Vul | K Q J 8 7 3 2 — K 9 6 4 2 K |
Anderson West 5 Dbl | Shore North Pass Pass Pass | Halasi East Pass Pass 6
| Gill South 4 5 All Pass |
6 by West
| Trick 1. N | Lead 6
| 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
On this hand two principles clash. One principle says "bid one more when in doubt," and the other says "the five level belongs to the opponents." Which should you believe on this hand? Bidding 5S like I did on the South hand is probably a bad bid, although it certainly could have worked well and gone -100 against 450. At favorable this is more reasonable, since even -300 against 650 is a big win. Here, I made them guess by opening 4S, then they guessed and I let them guess again. This is usually wrong, and proved to be very wrong here. I don't think I agree with East's pull personally, since he really doesn't have that good a hand. His partner's double really shouldn't be a suprise, so nothing has really changed from his perspective. I would seriously doubt from his perspective that 5S was making, so he really just had to think 6H was making, and that seems against the odds to me.
| 2.
| 3 6 A K 9 8 6 4 3 2 A 9 2
| |
| A K J 8 4 A K 5 — K J 7 6 4
|
| 10 6 5 Q J 7 4 Q J 10 5 5 3
|
| N-S Vul | Q 9 7 2 10 9 8 3 2 7 Q 10 8 |
Anderson West 1
| Shore North 5
| Halasi East Pass Dbl | Gill South Pass All Pass |
5 x by North
Down 3 — Canada +5
Total: Canada 16 to 0
How aggressively do you preempt at unfavorable? Well, most of the room chose to go more conservatively with the North hand. 5D could work very well, it puts pressure on the opponents. West has a tough bid when her partner doubles 5D, and thought for a long time about pulling. Personally, I think East should pass, and let West double, since his hand contains no convertable values at all. At a few of the tables, North got doubled in 3! diamonds, and still went for 500. East-West misdefended 5DX here, as they can get 1100 without breathing too hard. We lost 5 despite our teammates bringing back 4SX making at the other table.
| 3.
| Q 8 6 4 10 9 6 3 4 10 7 6 2
| |
| K 3 K J 8 7 Q 9 8 5 K 4 3
|
| 10 7 5 2 Q K 10 7 2 A Q J 9
|
| E-W Vul | A J 9 A 5 4 2 A J 6 3 8 5 |
Anderson West All Pass | Shore North | Halasi East | Gill South 1 NT |
1 NT by South
Down 3 — Push
Total: Canada 16 to 0
We were hoping for a swing on this board, since they are cold for a vulnerable game, but it's fairly difficult to bid with the E-W cards, and was only bid twice in the Juniors event. Interesing way to push a board though (they were in 2NT making 3).
| 4.
| J 7 6 3 J 9 5 Q 3 9 8 7 4
| |
| 10 9 4 Q 8 6 2 7 4 A Q 6 2
|
| 8 A K 10 7 4 3 J 5 K J 10 3
|
| Both Vul | A K Q 5 2 — A K 10 9 8 6 2 5 |
Anderson West Pass 3 Pass Pass | Shore North Pass 3 5 6
| Halasi East 1 4 Pass All Pass | Gill South 2 5 6 |
6 by North
Made 7 — Push
Total: Canada 16 to 0
This board contains several interesting points. Firstly, note how
much easier the auction went for me because Noble bid 3S over 3H on
his 4-count. If he doesn't do that, I probably just take a shot at
6D. Here I was able to get us to a making grand if partner held the
A. Our opponents did not do a good job here in
the bidding. They have an excellent 7-level sack against 6S, and
instead of bidding and finding it, they let me comfortably stop
knowing I was off an A for grand. The key
is that East must bid 4C instead of 4H at his 2nd call. This bid was
found at least by Justin Lall, maybe by others. Now the West hand
becomes defenseless, or nearly so, and pressure can be applied to the
opponents. In the USA I match, the French South took the push to 7H
and went down 1 for a big swing.
| 5.
| K Q J A Q 8 7 2 J 3 K 6 3
| |
| A 9 8 4 K J 4 K 7 6 4 8 4
|
| 7 6 5 10 5 A Q 10 9 2 A J 9
|
| N-S Vul | 10 3 2 9 6 3 8 5 Q 10 7 5 2 |
Anderson West | Shore North 1 NT¹ | Halasi East All Pass | Gill South |
1 NT by North
Down 1 — USA II +3
Total: Canada 16 to 3
It turns out that opening 1H works better on the north hand, but I think most experts today would open it 1NT without really thinking. Somehow they managed to beat this an extra trick at the other table.
| 6.
| A K J 8 5 2 J 8 7 3 2 J 2
| |
| 9 6 K 10 6 A Q 9 8 6 A K 3
|
| 4 3 A 4 K J 7 5 4 3 10 8 5
|
| E-W Vul | Q 10 7 Q 9 5 2 10 Q 9 7 6 4 |
Anderson West 1 NT 4
| Shore North 2 All Pass | Halasi East Pass 3 NT¹ | Gill South Pass Pass |
4 by West
Made 4 — Canada +6
Total: Canada 22 to 3
Here, our opponents stopped short of game, with East knowing they
had a monster fit here with no likely spade wastage. Maybe this was
the right decision, but certainly 5D is certainly cold if, say you
move West's Q to, say, hearts or clubs. This
decision worked here, as our teammates went down in 5D, so we lost
another medium swing.
| 7.
| J 7 4 2 Q 10 9 7 6 Q 9 4 8
| |
| A 9 A K J 5 A A J 7 5 3 2
|
| K Q 6 3 4 K 6 3 2 K Q 6 4
|
| Both Vul | 10 8 5 8 3 2 J 10 8 7 5 10 9 |
Anderson West 1 2 3 4
| Shore North Pass Pass Pass Pass | Halasi East 1 3 3 NT?? 6
| Gill South Pass Pass Pass Pass All Pass |
6 by West
Made 7 — Push
Total: Canada 22 to 3
Both sides need to find a way to bid a grand here. Only 3 tables in the Juniors event failed to bid this grand. East's 3NT bid is, in my opinion, one of the worst bids I saw at this tournament. I would have just bid keycard at this point, since we have at least 32 HCP, a 9-card fit, and I have a stiff in partner's side suit. 3NT could have easily been passed when slam was cold.
| 8.
| K 7 4 A J 9 8 9 5 2 K J 2
| |
| 3 2 Q 7 6 5 3 K 8 7 Q 7 3
|
| Q 8 5 10 4 2 A Q 6 4 3 10 6
|
| None Vul | A J 10 9 6 K J 10 A 9 8 5 4 |
Anderson West Pass Pass All Pass | Shore North 1 ¹2 ²
| Halasi East Pass Pass | Gill South 1 4 |
4 by South
Made 6 — Push
Total: Canada 22 to 3
Not much to this hand. Both tables led a heart, allowing declarer to dispose of one of his diamond losers. After that start, and with both black suit queens favorably placed, it's difficult not to take 12 tricks.
| 9.
| 9 2 A Q K 9 8 5 4 A 7 5 3
| |
| 8 7 6 J 4 2 Q 10 2 K 8 6 2
|
| A 3 K 10 5 3 A 7 6 3 J 10 9
|
| E-W Vul | K Q J 10 5 4 9 8 7 6 J Q 4 |
Anderson West Pass All Pass | Shore North 1 2
| Halasi East Pass Pass | Gill South 1 2 |
2 by South
Made 2 — Push
Total: Canada 22 to 3
Against me they led a club, giving up a trick, and when the heart finesse lost, they correctly returned two rounds of trumps, and I had to lose 5 tricks. Our teammates accurately did not lead a club, but failed to beat this some other way that I don't remember.
| 10.
| J 7 4 8 4 A J 9 7 6 K J 7
| |
| K Q 10 5 3 Q 10 7 6 Q 8 5 2
|
| 9 6 2 9 3 10 4 3 10 8 6 5 4
|
| Both Vul | A 8 A K J 5 2 K 2 A Q 9 3 |
Anderson West Dbl² Pass Pass Pass All Pass | Shore North 2 ³2 NT5 3 63 7
| Halasi East Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass | Gill South 1 ¹2 43 43 43 NT8 |
3 NT by North
| Trick 1. E | Lead 2
| 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
This was sort of a system win for us. We stayed low here, and the interference told me that my heart J and length were not worth anything. The play in NT is kind of interesting. Assuming a spade lead, won by the A, all declarer has to do is play 4 rounds of clubs and West is in trouble. His diamond discards will give up the layout of the suit, and then he will get squeezed in hearts and spades on the run of the diamonds.
| 11.
| A K 7 6 2 A 7 4 2 A Q 8 K
| |
| 10 9 4 K Q 8 5 J 10 7 3 Q 4
|
| Q 5 — K 5 4 2 A 9 8 6 5 3 2
|
| None Vul | J 8 3 J 10 9 6 3 9 6 J 10 7 |
Anderson West Pass Pass Pass Pass | Shore North 1 ¹1 ³1 NT5 3
| Halasi East Pass?? Pass Pass All Pass | Gill South Pass 1 ²1 42 6 |
3 by North
| Trick 1. E | Lead A
| 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
Wow, if East isn't going to interfere over our strong club with 7-4 minors, then when will he? Noble chose an interesting position here, rebidding 1NT with 54 majors and a stiff. I just couldn't bring myself to bid game with no aces, kings or queens. Maybe I should, since I could have nothing, but I think that would be one incredible 20-22 1NT.
| 12.
| K Q J 9 8 7 5 J 9 7 A Q 3
| |
| A K 10 7 A K 10 6 5 10 8 7 6
|
| 10 6 3 A Q 8 4 2 J 9 5 4 2
|
| N-S Vul | 4 2 9 6 5 4 3 2 Q J 8 3 K |
Anderson West 1 | Shore North 4
| Halasi East Pass All pass | Gill South Pass |
4 by North
Down 1 — Canada +6
Total: Canada 28 to 16
Here, Noble chose to make an aggressive game bid. I don't personally agree with this bid, since it's unlikely there is a hand where partner would not respond to 1S where you can make 4S. You need some help and most of what you need is aces and kings. Unfortuantely at the other table, our teammate opened an off-shape, light 1NT with the West cards, which definitely made North bid only 3S.
| 13.
| Q J 2 J 10 4 3 Q 10 8 6 J 9
| |
| A 6 5 4 7 6 5 2 J 5 4 4 3
|
| K 9 8 3 A Q A 7 3 2 K 10 6
|
| Both Vul | 10 7 K 9 8 K 9 A Q 8 7 5 2 |
Anderson West | Shore North Pass | Halasi East 1 NT | Gill South All Pass |
1 NT by East
Made 1 — Canada +5
Total: Canada 33 to 16
I led a small club against 1NT, and partner's jack forced the K.
Declarer then played the K and ducked a spade to
my partner. As his first discard on my clubs, partner threw the 3 (UDCA). He then threw the 6,
Q and J. I sat there for
a while asking myself if partner would ever discard the J like this if holding the Q. I know declarer must have both
red aces, and at most one red queen. I decided to believe partner's
first signal, although I really really wanted to lead a diamond.
Noble claimed fault for this, but maybe I should have gotten it right
anyway.
| 14.
| 7 4 J 10 8 5 A J 9 5 Q J 10
| |
| 8 K 7 6 3 K 10 6 4 3 2 9 5
|
| A K Q 10 3 2 Q 4 2 — A 7 4 2
|
| None Vul | J 9 6 5 A 9 Q 8 7 K 8 6 3 |
Anderson West 1 NT¹ | Shore North Pass | Halasi East 1 2
| Gill South Pass All Pass |
2 by East
Made 3 — Canada +5
Total: Canada 38 to 16
Noble's A of hearts lead and our subsequent misdefense let this contract make 3. (We actually played this hand upside down). Our teammates got to the 3-level here and went down.
| 15.
| K Q J 9 2 A Q 10 5 J 10 6 Q
| |
| 4 9 8 6 A K Q 9 8 K 9 7 5
|
| 10 8 7 5 3 3 4 3 2 A 10 8 3
|
| N-S Vul | A 6 K J 7 4 2 7 5 J 6 4 2 |
Anderson West 1 Dbl Pass All Pass | Shore North 1 Pass 2
| Halasi East Pass 2 3
| Gill South Pass Pass Pass 3 ?? |
3 by North
Made 4 — Canada +10
Total: Canada 48 to 16
This board I talked myself into the fact that my partner would have bid 2H directly over the double if he had a good hand. But at unfavorable his hand can't be but so bad to be balancing here. I knew after I bid it I should have just bid 4H. This is one of the mistakes I'm most disappointed in at the tournament becuase I really know better. +170 is the worst score ever.
| 16.
| 8 7 A K 8 7 5 A K A K 7 2
| |
| J 4 2 J 9 2 10 8 4 2 10 9 5
|
| 10 6 5 3 Q 10 4 3 Q 7 3 J 8
|
| E-W Vul | A K Q 9 6 J 9 6 5 Q 6 4 3 |
Anderson West Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass | Shore North 1 ¹2 ³2 ³3 ³4 ³4 ³5 ³7
| Halasi East Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass All Pass | Gill South 2 ²2 43 53 NT6 4 74 NT8 5 9 |
7 by North
Made 7 — USA II +10
Total: Canada 48 to 26
At least this borderline grand went our way this round. It needs good breaks, but Noble has to bid it, since I could have good club spots and/or the club J, either of which would improve chances considerably.
| 17.
| 3 2 7 6 4 8 7 5 3 J 10 9 4
| |
| K 4 A K 10 9 A 10 9 A Q 5 2
|
| 10 9 6 Q J 8 5 K Q 4 8 7 3
|
| None Vul | A Q J 8 7 5 3 2 J 6 2 K 6 |
Anderson West Dbl 3 ²4 ??
| Shore North Pass Pass Pass All Pass | Halasi East Pass 2 NT¹ 3
| Gill South 2 Pass Pass |
4 by East
Made 5 — Push
Total: Canada 48 to 26
I don't care much for the opponents' bidding here, since East is either going to play 3C or 4H, but never anything in between. Arguably it's a tough hand to bid, but I think the correct answer is to bid something other than 3C over lebensohl. Here she was getting herself into 4H even opposite a 0-count anyway, so might as well offer partner a choice of strains.
| 18.
| K Q 6 5 Q J 7 6 4 10 6 4 2
| |
| J 10 3 A K 5 8 5 A Q 8 7 5
|
| A 9 8 7 10 6 3 2 10 7 2 9 3
|
| N-S Vul | 4 2 9 8 4 A K Q J 9 3 K J |
Anderson West 3
| Shore North All Pass | Halasi East Pass | Gill South 2 ¹ |
3 by West
Down 1 — Canada +1
Total: Canada 49 to 26
Here West should double 2D rather than bid at the 3-level on such a bad club suit. This would get them to a making 2M contract rather than a 3C going down.
| 19.
| Q 6 4 A J 10 4 2 A 10 6 5 3
| |
| A J 10 3 2 7 Q 9 6 4 J 9 4
|
| 9 8 5 5 J 8 5 A K Q 10 7 2
|
| E-W Vul | K 7 K Q 9 8 6 3 K 7 3 2 8 |
Anderson West 1 Pass | Shore North 4 ¹Pass | Halasi East 4 Dbl | Gill South 1 5 All Pass |
5 x by South
Made 5 — USA II +10
Total: Canada 49 to 36
Noble's 4H raise is reasonable given our system and turned out great here. I have an easy 5H bid given my 6-4 shape, and East's double is sort of out of left field. At the other table, they sold to 4S undoubled down 2, so it was a big win for us.
| 20.
| 8 4 2 J 7 A K Q 9 6 4 A K
| |
| 10 9 5 Q 9 3 7 3 2 J 8 3 2
|
| A J K 10 5 4 2 10 8 10 9 5 4
|
| Both Vul | K Q 7 6 3 A 8 6 J 5 Q 7 6 |
Anderson West Pass Pass Pass Pass | Shore North 1 ¹1 ³3 ³3 NT | Halasi East Pass Pass Pass All Pass | Gill South 1 ²2 NT4 3 5 |
3 NT by South
Made 6 — Tie
Total: Canada 49 to 36
Neither table got frisky here. Slam isn't great by any means, but made at every table where it was bid. Noble chose to be a little conservative on his hand, showing <20 playing points despite his holding 8 tricks, but it worked out ok.