Archive Deal of the Week

* spades and a minor

North passed. East opened with 2♠, an artificial bid, which means a weak two-suited hand, promising spades and a minor. South overcalled 3♣. West advanced to 3♠. North doubled. North`s double means North must have strength.

What should South bid?

Vulnerable: North/South

Contract: ?

The Auction:

South started the auction with 1NT. West overcalled 2♣ (Cappeletti, meaning a one-suited hand). North bid 2NT (Lebensohl puppet bid). East passed. North responded with 3♣. West went to 4♥. North doubled for penalty. South declared 5♣. West and North passed, East doubled.

How can South win 11 tricks? West leads the ♥Q.

* 2♣! Capelletti – Cappelletti is a bidding convention used to intervene over opponent's one notrump opening. After a 1 NT opening 2♣ shows a one-suited hand, usually 6 or more cards.

** 2NT! Lebensohl – Lebensohl is a bidding convention used by the responder after an opponent's overcall of a one notrump opening bid in order to compete further in the auction. After an overcall of a 1NT opening 2NT is a puppet bid, requiring the opener to bid 3♣.

Vulnerable: none

Contract: 5♣ S

East started with 1♦. South thought for a minute and overcalled – 1♥. West bid 1♠. North responded 2♥ and East 2♠. South bid 3♥, West 3♠ and North declared 4♥.

West led the ♠3, East played the ♠A. What should South do to win 10 tricks?

Vulnerable: none

Contract: 4♥ S

After North and East passed, South opened with 1♦. West overcalled 1NT. North doubled for penalty and East called 2♥. South bid 3♦. West doubled.

West led the ♣K. How can South win 9 tricks?

Vulnerable: none

Contract: 3♦ Dbl S

This time we offer a double dummy problem. What contract could be played by East/West and what contract could be successfully played by South/North?

North starts the auction – pass.

Vulnerable: none

Contract: ?

East started with 1♠, South overcalled 2♥. West bid 3♦. North answered with 3♥. East repeated spades – 3♠. South called 4♥ and West declared 4♠.

We invite you to the South seat – how many tricks can you take?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 4♠ E

The Auction:

East opened with 1♠. South overcalled 2♦. West passed and North responded with 2♥. East passed. South bid 2♠– strength-showing cuebid. West passed and North declared 3NT.

East didn`t lead spades – as North`s 3NT indicated a stopper in spades. Instead East led the ♣7. The ♣Q54 are on the table. North holds a singleton ♣10.

What should North play?

Vulnerable: North/South

Contract: 3NT

South started with 1♦. West passed. North responded with 1♥, East overcalled 1♠. South jumped to 3NT, this became the final contract. West led the ♥7.

We invite you to take the South seat – how many tricks can you take?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 3NT

Can you guess what contract was reached?

West, who has a 6-card suit of hearts, starts the bidding. East has a solid suit of six diamonds, which count for six tricks and 3-card support for hearts. East also has a singleton spade, which might encourage East to bid quite high – if West/East could secure the contract and North/South start by leading spades two times, West could regain the lead, pull the trumps and run the diamonds.

North holds seven clubs starting with the ♣A and has a singleton diamond. South has 16 HCP, an 8-card suit of spades and two singletons – hearts and clubs. Together North/South hold 10 spades and 8 clubs, but finding an entry point to North`s hand might pose a problem. Will North support South with only two spades? How high will South bid with three diamond losers?

Dealer: West

Vul: both

The Auction:

North has started the auction with 1♠. East passed. What should South bid?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: ?

The Auction:

South opened with 1♣, North responded 1♥. South proceeded to 1NT, West doubled 8-18 HCP, 4+ spades and 4+ diamonds), North declared 3NT, which became the final contract.

West led the ♠Q. How should the declarer play?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 3NT by South

South started with 1NT, North responded with 2♦ (Jacoby transfer), South made a relay bid to 2♥. North bid 3NT to show strength and South declared 4♥.

West led the ♥4. South played the ♥8 from dummy. East discarded the ♣8 and as the declarer played the ♥3 from hand, dummy`s ♥8 won the first trick (trick 1).

Can you advise South – how to win 10 tricks?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 4♥ by South

The Auction:

North has opened the auction with 4♠. Should South respond?

North`s 4♠ is a preemptive bid, promising a strong 8-card suit of spades and less than opening count.

Vulnerable: both

Contract: ?

West started with 1♦, North overcalled 2♣. After a moment of thinking, South bid 3NT, which became the final contract.

How can South win 9 tricks? West has led the ♠K.

Vulnerable: none

Contract: 3NT by South

The Auction:

! - Splinter bid, 0-1 diamonds, 4+ support for hearts

South opened with 1♥, West overcalled 1♠. North jumped to 4♦ – a splinter bid which promised at least 4-card support for hearts, 0-1 diamonds and slam interest. East doubled (diamonds).

South bid 4♥. West passed. But instead of passing, North asked for aces. Moreover, South knew North had not mastered RKCB-keycard responses and had to respond with 5♠ to show 3 aces, already feeling giddy due to the heights where North`s bidding had taken them. After all South had nothing but aces and spaces.

West doubled (spades) and North declared 6♥, which became the final contract.

West led the ♦A. As dummy hit the table, 4 HCP stared back to South. Can South get out of this jam and win 12 tricks?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 6♥ by North/South

* - Strong inverted minor raise, promising 8+ HCP and 4+ clubs

North started with 1♣, East overcalled with 1♠, South responded 2♣ – a strong inverted minor rise. West bid 4♣ (probably a splinter bid). North passed. East declared 4♠, South doubled and this became the final contract.

We invite you to take the South seat. Can you see a way to defeat the contract?

Vulnerable: North/South

Contract: 4♠ Dbl by East/West

South started the auction with 1♣. West bid 2♥ – a weak jump overcall. North doubled (+9 HCP, 4+♦, 4♠). East responded with 3♥, South bid 3♠, West passed and North declared 4♠.

West won the first trick with the ♥A (trick 1) and led a small club.

The declarer misses the ♣A, the ♠Q and the ♦KJ10 – which means South could lose four more tricks. We ask you to take the South seat – can you see a road to 10 tricks?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 4♠ by South

West opened with 1♣, North overcalled with 1♥. East responded 2♦. South passed. West continued with 3♣. North passed. East bid 3♥ (Strength-showing cuebid), South doubled. West bid 4♣, North passed and South bid 5♣, which became the final contract.

North leads the ♥K. We invite you to take the South seat – can you find a way to defeat the contract?

Vulnerable: none

Contract: 5♣ by West

The Auction:

North opened with 1♦. South responded 1♥. North jumped to 3♦. South declared 3NT. East doubled. Can you help South to plan the play – how to win 9 tricks?

West leads the ♥Q.

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 3NT Dbl by South

* - Truscott 2NT=8+ HCP, 4+ spades

South passed. West started the auction with 1♠. North doubled. East responded with Truscott 2NT (8+ HCP, 4+ spades). Can you guess what the final contract was and how many tricks were taken by the declarer?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: ?

The Auction:

South opened with 1♠, North responded 2♥. South repeated spades, North bid 3♦. South bid spades for the third time, North declared 3 NT. If you were South – what would you do? Should you pass or go on?

Vulnerable: none

Contract: ?

The Auction:

North opened with weak 2♦. East doubled. South raised to 4♦. West declared 4♠, which became the final contract.

We invite you to take the South seat. Can you see a way to defeat the contract?

North leads the ♣10 and the declarer plays a small club from dummy.

Vulnerable: East/West

Contract: 4♠

East opened 1♠, South overcalled 2♦, West supported spades – 2♠ and North diamonds – 3♦. East advanced to 3♠.

We ask you to take the South seat – what are you going to bid? You have 13 HCP, six diamonds; stoppers in spades and hearts, but only a singleton club.

Vulnerable: none

Contract: ?

* - Splinter bid, 0-1♣, 17-21HCP

West and North passed, East started with 1♠. South passed. West responded 2♠, North passed and East bid 4♣ – a splinter bid showing 0-1 clubs. South passed. West declared 4♠. At this point North suddenly interfered and called 5♣. East went on and bid 5♠. South doubled. We invite you to take the South seat – how are you going to defeat the contract?

Vulnerable: East/West

Contract: 5♠ Dbl E

* - Splinter bid

West opened with 1♦, North passed and East responded with 1♥. South doubled – a takeout double to show 4+ spades and 4+ clubs. West bid 4♣ – a splinter bid, meaning 0-1 clubs and 17-21 HCP, showing slam interest. North showed support for spades with 4♠. East bid 4NT to ask for aces. South passed, West responded with 5♠ (2-5 keycards and the trump queen). North doubled for penalty.

East bid 6♥, South passed and West declared 7♥. North doubled, East passed. We ask you to take the South seat. Are you going to pass?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: ?

North opened the auction with 1♦, South responded 1♠. West doubled – showing 4+ hearts and clubs. North bid 1 NT. South jumped to 3♥, North declared 4♥. West doubled and led the ♥9.

We ask you to take the South seat – plan your play to score 10 tricks.

Vulnerable: East/West

Contract: 4♥ by South

The Auction:

After an uncontested auction North and South have reached the contract of 4♠. West led the ♥4 to East`s ace, taking down dummy`s singleton queen (trick 1). East has led the ♣J. Can you help South – how to win 10 tricks?

Vulnerable: none

Contract: 4♠ by South

The Auction:

South opened the auction with 1♠. West made a weak jump overcall. North responded 3♥. South bid 4♦ to show his other suit. North asked for aces and after getting the answer that partner has three keycards, declared 6♦. (The double by West was lead directing.)

West leads the ♣K. We invite you to the South seat. Can you find a way to win 12 tricks?

Vulnerable: both

Contract: 6♦

The Auction:

South’s opening bid was 1♦. North responded with 1♥. South bid 2♣ and North 2♠ (4th Suit Forcing to Game). South bid 2NT, North raised to 3NT. South asked for aces and after North responded 5♥ – South declared 6♣

West has led the ♥4.

Can you help South – how to find a way to 12 tricks?

Contract:6♣ by South

Vulnerable: North/South

The Auction:

South opens with 1♣, North responds 1♠. South continues with 2NT showing strength, North declares 3NT. West leads the ♥6. We invite you to take the South seat – you have four tricks in spades and three aces. Can you find two more tricks?

Contract: 3NT by South

Vulnerable: none

The Auction:

North has opened the auction with 1♣, South responded 1♥. West overcalled 1♠, North repeated clubs, East raised to 2♠ to show support. South bid 3♦. North jumped to 5♣. We invite you to take the South seat – what are you going to bid?

Contract:?

Vulnerable: none

The Auction:

* – 4th Suit Forcing to Game

South opened the auction with 1♥, North responded 1♠. South’s rebid – 2♦ – showed diamonds. North answered with 3♣ – 4th Suit Forcing to Game. South showed diamonds again, confirming length in side suit. North bid 3NT.

We invite you to take the South seat. Are you going to pass or continue?

Contract:?

Vulnerable: both

The Auction:

* – Michaels cuebid

The auction has been quite competitive, as both sides have found a fit. West opened with 1♥, North chimed in 2♥, showing a two-suited hand with 5+ spades and at least five cards in a minor suit. East jumped to 4♥, South needed no encouragement and bid 4♠, West went to 5♥ and North called 5♠.

East has bid 6♥. We invite you to take the South seat – what are you going to bid?

Contract: ?

Vulnerable: North/South

* Sandwich 1NT

North opens the auction with 1♥, South responds with 1♠. West chimes in a Sandwich 1NT, this overcall shows a distribution of 5-5 in the two unbid suits – diamonds and clubs. South asks for aces. North`s answer – 5♥ shows two aces. South declares 6♠.

We invite you to take the South seat – can you take 12 tricks?

West leads the ♣5.

Contract: 6♠S

Vulnerable: North/South

The Auction:

East opens with 1♠, South doubles (for takeout). West responds with 2♠ and North doubles. South bids 3♥, West passes and North declares 4♥.

West leads the ♠4. We ask you to help South and plan the play to score 10 tricks.

Contract: 4♥

Vulnerable: none

The Auction:

North opens the auction with 1♠, South responds with 1NT. North’s rebid – 2NT shows 17-19 HCP, so it is not surprising that South bids 4♥. What is a bit surprising is that North asks for the aces next with 4NT. South answers 5♥, which becomes the final declaration.

We invite you to take the seat of South. Can you see a road to 11 tricks? West leads the ♣Q.

Contract: 5♥S

Vulnerable: none

The Auction:

South opens the auction with 1♣, West overcalls 2NT (the Unusual notrump, showing at least 5-5 in the two lowest unbid suits). North asks for aces with 4NT, South responds with 5♥ (two aces). Next North asks for kings with 5NT and South responds with 6♦ (one king).

North declares 7NT. We offer you to take the North seat and find a way to 13 tricks.

East leads the ♦6.

Contract: 7NT

Vulnerable: NS

South opened the auction with 1♥. North responded with 2♦. South proceeded to 3♣ showing strength. North supported clubs bidding 4♣. South asked for aces and after learning North has one, declared 6♣ as the final contract.

West won the first trick with the ♦A (trick 1) and led a small trump. We ask you to take the South seat and plan the play to win 12 tricks.

Contract: 6♣S

Vulnerable: None

The Auction:

?

Can you guess how the auction proceeded and what contract was declared?

Contract: ?

Vulnerable: both

The Auction:

South opened the auction with 1♥, North responded with 1♠, South advanced to 2♦. North showed support for hearts and 6-11 HCP with 3♥. South bid 4NT (Blackwood), North responded with 5♦ (1 keycard). South declared 6♥.

West leads the ♣Q. We invite you to take the seat of South and find a way to 12 tricks.

Contract: 6♥S

Vulnerable: none

The Auction:

After an uneventful auction South declares 3NT.

West leads the ♦3. The declarer plays a small diamond from dummy, East plays the ♦10 and South takes the first trick with the ♦Q.

We ask you to take the seat of South – how are you going to proceed?

Contract: 3NTS

Vulnerable: none

West has declared 4♠ after an uncontested auction. We invite you to take the South seat to defend against the contract. How many tricks is it possible to take?

Contract: 4♠W

Vulnerable: none

North opens the auction with 2NT – a strong (20-21 HCP) and balanced hand, without a void or singleton and no more than one doubleton. East passes.

South has 5 HCP. We invite you to take the South seat and decide, what should South’s response be?

The Auction:

South opens the auction with 1♦, North responds with 1♥. South repeats – 2♦, North asks for the aces with Blackwood. South answers with 5♠ (2 keycards and the trump queen).

North declares 6♦. We invite you to take the South seat and find a way to take 12 tricks.

Contract: 6♦ by North/South

Vulnerable: none

* Michaels cuebid - over an opponent's major opening, this cuebid shows the other major and a minor suit.

East opened 1♠, South overcalled 2♠ (Michaels - hearts and an unspecified minor), West passed and North called 3♥. East and South passed. West declared 4♠. We invite you to take the South seat with the objective to defeat the contract. How many tricks can you take?

Contract: 4♠ West/East

Vulnerable: none

The Auction:

West opens the auction with 2♠, North and East pass. You as South bid 3♥. West leads the ♠K. Can you fulfill the contract?

The Auction:

North opened the auction with 1♥. South responded with the limit major raise – 3♥. West bid 3♠, North passed, South called 4♥. West raised to 4♠ and South declared 5♥ as the final contract.

We invite you to take the seat of North. Can you see a road to 11 tricks? East leads the ♠6.

The Auction:

You are South on this week’s defensive problem. The opponents have declared 3NT after an uneventful auction. North leads the ♥K. Can you find a successful defense and defeat the contract?

The Auction:

North has opened the auction with 1♥. We offer you to take the South seat and consider your response. You have only 4 HCP, so going by the rules – you should pass, and no matter that you only have a singleton heart.

On the other hand you have an unbalanced hand with a 5-card major and 4-card minor. Should you pass or respond?

The Auction:

West has led the ♠5. You can count on four (hopefully one more) tricks in spades, two in hearts and diamonds, three in clubs. You miss the ♥Q and ♦Q, and although a chance of winning a single finesse is 50 %, the probability of two finesses both being successful is only 25%. Besides – you cannot afford to lose a trick as you have just declared 7 NT.

How are you going to make it?

The Auction:

South has opened the auction with 1♠, North responded with 1NT – forcing (0-3 spades, 4-12 HCP). East doubled (4+clubs, 4+diamonds, 4+hearts.) South jumped to 3♠ (6+ spades, 14-21 HCP).

North declared 4♠. West leads the ♦J.

We offer you to take the South seat and plan the play to win ten tricks.

The Auction:

North has opened the auction with 1♣. South responded with 2♥ indicating strength. North showed support in hearts and South started cuebidding showing first round control in spades. North has indicated first round control in clubs, South added first round control in diamonds and North second round control in diamonds.

We offer you to take the South seat and decide – what are you going to bid?

The Auction:

* Strong inverted minor rise

After some hemming and hawing the opponents reach a contract of 3NT. East becomes the declarer, so you have the opening lead.

What are you going to lead?

This was a competitive auction, although the final contract is a humble partscore. East opened with 1♦, West responded with 1♥, North passed and East bid 1NT. As no one is vulnerable you seized the opportunity to chime in and bid clubs. West answered with 2♦, North raised to 3♣ and East doubled.

West leads the ♠4. Plan the play to score nine tricks.

This week you are invited to take the North seat. South has passed and West just bid 1♥. What are you going to bid?

* Cappeletti

** Lebensohl

You open the auction with 1 NT after West, North and East have passed. West intervenes with 2♣ (Cappelletti 2♣ shows a one-suited hand, usually 6+ cards). North answers with 2NT (Lebensohl 2NT, which forces the opener to bid 3♣). East passes, you bid 3♣ and North switches to 3♠. East doubles. You declare 3NT. East doubles.

West leads the ♣7. Plan your play.

This week you are invited to take the South seat. West has led the ♣Q. Can you guess what contract has been declared? The auction was opened by South.

You are South on this week`s defensive problem defending against 4♠. West declared 4♠ after an uncontested auction. After a bit of consideration you doubled. Plan your defense. What are you going to lead?

The auction was competitive. West opened with weak 2♠, North overcalled with 2NT and South responded with 3♦ (Jacoby transfer). North bid 3♥ and South 4♥ only to be overcalled by West – 4♠. South declared 5♥ as the final contract.

Now your task is to make this contract!

North opens with 1♣, you respond with 1♥, West interferes with 1NT (Sandwich 1NT, which promises both of unbid suits – diamonds and spades on this occasion). North repeats clubs and East bids 2♦.

What are you going to bid?

West opens the auction with 1♦, North overcalls with 2♣, you respond 2NT and North declares 3NT. West leads the ♥Q. How many tricks can you take?

* Michaels cuebid

East opens the auction with 1♥. After your Michaels cuebid indicating spades and a minor suit, West supports hearts by bidding 3♥. North calls 3♠ (3+ spades) and East asks for aces using Blackwood (20-21 HCP). You pass; West responds with 5♣ (0 keycards) and East declares 6♥. What are you going to bid?

*New minor forcing

You are South on this defensive problem. After an uneventful auction West declares 4♥. North leads the ♠9. Can you defeat the contract?

West opens the auction with 1♠, you overcall with 1NT, West and North pass, but East answers with 2♠. What are you going to bid?

North opens the auction with 1♥, you respond with 1♠; North repeats – 2♥ meaning a six card suit of hearts and you must decide what to bid. As you have two-card support and 13 HCP you could declare 4♥. On the other hand, you could repeat too as you have a strong suit of spades. How are you going to continue?

After your partner has bid 2♣ – 4th suit forcing to game – you answer with 2♦ to show length in diamonds. North declares 3NT indicating 13+ HC and a stopper in clubs. You Blackwood for aces; North responds with 5♥ (2 keycards, no trump queen) – you declare 6NT as the final contract. How are you going to make it?

After an uneventful auction, where the opponents only chip in once, you declare 4♥, which becomes the final contract.

West leads the ♣K. How many tricks can you take?

You reach the contract of 6♣ with no opposition bidding. West leads the ♠7. It is up to you to make the contract.

You have reached a contract of 1NT with no opposition bidding. A humble part score, but part scores are worth fighting for. It is up to you to make the contract. East leads the ♥5. How many tricks can you take?

Can you guess what contract was declared and what was the outcome? Is there more than one possible contract, which might be made and won with these combined hands?

You open the auction with 1♦, North responds with 2♦ – Strong inverted minor raise (8-11 HCP, 4+ diamonds). North intervenes with 2♠, you show your clubs bidding 3♣, West chips in with 3♠ and North responds with 4♦. East goes on to 4♠ and you declare 5♦, which becomes the contract. How many tricks can you take?

You open the auction with 2 NT and after Jacoby transfer by North (3♦) and your puppet response (3♥) North asks for aces. Your Gerber ace-showing response indicates 2 aces and North declares 6♥.

West opens with the ♣J. Plan your play.

You open the auction with 1NT instead of 1♥, North responds with 2♣ – Stayman and you answer with 2♥. North continues with 3♣ indicating 5+ clubs and 0-2 hearts, you repeat hearts and bid 3♥. North calls 3NT, meaning at least 10 points.

You have a singleton club, but North has a long suit of clubs, so 3NT seems a reasonable choice. Should you go higher?

How are you going to proceed?

* - Texas Trasfer

** - 4 Notrump Preempt

West opens the auction with 1 NT, you – as North – pass; East responds with 4♥ – a Texas Transfer meaning East has 6+ spades. In anticipation of the contract of 4♠ by the opponents, South interferes with 4 Notrump Preempt (a Weak Minor Preempt), which promises a long minor suit, 5 diamonds or 5 clubs.

You relay to clubs by bidding 5♣, South passes and West doubles.

East leads the ♠5. How are you going to play this hand?

You open the auction with 1 NT, North responds with 2♣ (Stayman), you deny a four-card major with 2♦ and North bids 3♥. This game forcing bid – a Smolen transfer* – means North has 5-4 in majors, with spades the longer suit.

As you have a three card support in spades you answer with 4♠. North asks for aces, you show 3 keycards by RKCB keycard system and North declares 6♠. West leads the ♣6. How are you going to play this small slam?

* The Smolen transfer is an extension of the Stayman convention. It is used when the responder has 6-4 or 5-4 in the majors. After 1NT-2♣-2♦ the responder bids the complementary (shorter) major on three level so the opener can declare the final contract.

You are North and after your game-forcing bid of 2♦ – Fourth Suit Forcing – South replies with 2♠ indicating 3-card support for spades.

You declare 3 NT and East leads the ♦J to dummy’s Ace. How are you going to make it?

After a lively auction West has declared 5♣. North goes further and calls 5♦, East doubles. What are you going to bid?

You open the auction with 1NT, North responds with Jacoby transfer meaning hearts, you advance with the Jacoby puppet response of 2♥ and North rebids 3NT. This indicates North has no more than five hearts and as you hold only two, you pass.

West leads the ♠6. Plan your play.

Well, maybe you should have passed after 3NT, but this pales in comparison with the contract North has declared – a grand slam in clubs. West leads the ♠2. Plan the play.

You open the auction with 1♥. West calls 2♥ – Michaels cuebid showing spades and a minor suit. North responds with 4♥ and East with 4♠. What are you going to bid?

Your partner opens with 1♦ and East overcalls with 2♥. What should you bid? The reasonable bid is 5♦ as you have a good 5-card diamond suit. Much to your surprise North declares 6♦. Plan the play after East leads the ♥K.

You are South on this defensive problem. The opponents declare 4♠ after an uncontested auction. North leads the ♥6, West wins the first trick with the ♥Q. West leads the trump next, takes the trick with dummy’s ♠A and leads the ♥A.

Can you defeat the contract? What are you going to play?

West opens the auction with 1♣, North overcalls 1♦, East responds with 1♥ and you respond 1♠. West jumps to 3♥ showing 4-card support in hearts and North goes to 3♠. East bids 4♥ and you must decide whether to go to on. What are you going to bid?

You are South on this week’s deal and reach a contract of 4♠. Your partner used the reverse Drury convention after you opened the auction with 1♠ in fourth seat. 2♣ showed your partner has 10-12 points and 3-card support in spades asking you if your hand was light or “normal” opening. The 2♦ reverse Drury response confirmed you have full opening values. Now your task is to make the contract.

You reach the contract of 6♥ after an uncontested auction. East leads the ♣10. After seeing your partner’s hand you realize you have two losers – a spade and a diamond. How do you proceed?

You are North on this deal and your partner starts the auction with 1♦, which your respond with 1♠ of course. Your partner then goes to 2♣ indicating 4+ diamonds and 4+ clubs. As you have 14 points and a good seven-card spade suit you mean business and call 2 ♥ – fourth suit forcing to game. Your partner responds with 3♥ and you show your spades for the second time bidding 3♠. Your partner calls 3NT. What should you do, pass or declare 4♠?

The auction is too horrible to publish or even mention it, anyway you find yourself playing the contract of 3NT, because after your sensible call of 2NT, your partner declares 3NT.

West leads the ♠2 as the opening lead and as you have two stoppers in spades you have time to analyze your hand – how on earth to make it?

After you open the auction by bidding 1♣ and your partner responds with 1♥ you show your strength with 3 NT – indicating points and a solid suit of at least five clubs with three honours in clubs. Obligingly your partner goes to 4♣ showing three cards support in clubs and slam interest. Now that clubs is the agreed trump suit, how are going to proceed – what are you going to bid?

You got to 4♥ after your partner bids 3♣ – fourth suit forcing to game – and discover that your partner has a singleton heart. West leads the ♣A and then the ♦4. How are you going to make it?

East leads the ♦A, taking your king of diamonds straight away (it is noteworthy that West plays the ♦J into the trick), then East leads diamonds for the second time – the ♦6, you play the ♦3 from dummy, West plays the ♦Q, you ruff and gain the lead. Plan your play.

You open the auction with 1♠, West makes a 2NT overcall – must be the unusual 2NT – showing two lower unbid suits. Much to your surprise North bids 3♦.

What should you bid after this cuebid by North?

You are North on this deal and you have a chance to open the auction. With 10 HCP and six clubs you are certainly going to make an opening bid, the only question is – what are you going to bid?

You have reached a contract of 7♥ and as you were the one who had the wits to go one step further and bid a grand slam, you quietly congratulate yourself. The opening lead by East is the ♠4. How do you continue with the task of taking all the rest of the tricks?

The Auction:

With eight high card points promising one or two honour tricks and a weak five-card suit of clubs, you know that 1NT is a sensible call. West leads the ♣4; East wins the trick with the ♣K and leads the ♣8.

The Auction:

Pass

* Texas transfer

You are North declaring 4♠ after your partner`s Texas transfer. After seeing both hands you realize that you might be defeated, as you miss the ♣AK, the ♦A and the ♠K.

The Auction:

all pass

Your partner has answered your opening bid of 1♣ with a weak inverted minor raise and you, feeling as frisky as ever, go for 3NT of course. West leads the ♦8 and you must decide whether or not to play the ♦A from the dummy, as diamonds are your only weakness...

The Auction:

After a rather lively auction, 4♥ by East-West becomes the final contract. You debated rather long, whether or not to bid 4♠ as a defensive bid and now you feel you must justify your “Pass” by defeating the opponent`s contract. Your partners 2♠ was surely a weak jump overcall, but as you have nine HCP, you feel the situation is not hopeless.

East has won the contract with 4♠ and you must lead. What is your choice for the opening lead? Can you make the opponents go down?