North has 15 HCP, five spades, four diamonds and a singleton heart and starts with the 1♠.  South, who has 11 HCP – a two suited hand holding a 6-card suit of hearts and five clubs, has a void in spades – responds with 2♥.

Can you guess what contract was reached?

Dealer: North

Vul: Both

Contract: ?

Which contract was played by North/South and how many tricks could the declarer take?

North and South have 25 HCP between them so a game is clearly indicated.

Dealer: North

Vul: both

Contract: ?

The Auction:

East opened with a weak preemptive bid – 2♥, South passed and West jumped to 4♥. North and East passed. South found the courage to declare 4♠.

West led the ♥A. How can South win 10 tricks?

What would be the highest contract North/South could have made?

Dealer: East

Vul: None

Contract: 4♠

The Auction:

North started with 1♠, East overcalled 2♦., South responded 2♠ and West 3♦. North called 3♥ (trial bid inviting to game). East jumped to 5♦. South went higher and declared 5♠.

East led the ♥6.

Both hand combined North/South hold 11 spades. With an even split the ♠K and ♠J will drop.  North is void in diamonds – no losers.  But North has the Kx in clubs, which might mean losing two tricks. Judging by bidding, East probably holds the ♣A. Also the ♥Q is missing; this adds up to three losers.

How can North win 11 tricks?

Dealer: North

Vul: Both

Contract: 5♠ by North

THE AUCTION:

East opened with 1♦. South passed. West responded 1♠ and North bid 1NT – the Sandwitch 1NT, meaning North held 4+ hearts and 4 + clubs. East jumped to 3♠, showing strength. South bid 4♥, West 4♠. North went to 5♥ and East declared 6♠.

South and West passed. North doubled.

North led the ♣6 to South`s Ace (trick 1). What card should South play after winning the first trick to defeat the contract?

Dealer: East

Vul: Both

Contract: 6♠ by West

Auction

East opened the auction with 1♠. South overcalled 2♦. West  bid 3♥. Somewhat surprisingly North asked for aces with 4NT. South responded 5♠ (2 keycards and the trump queen). North declared 6♦. 

West led the ♥J to dummy´s Ace (trick 1). How can South win 12 tricks?

Dealer: East

Vul: None

Contract: 6♦ by South

THE AUCTION:

South opened with 1♣ after East passed. West overcalled 2♠ (weak, at least 6 spades). North doubled (negative double, at least four hearts). East passed. South responded 2NT, West passed. North bid 3♦, East 3♠. South, who might have gone for 3NT, decided to declare 4♥, after East supported West`s long spades. East doubled.

West led the ♠Q. How can South win ten tricks?

Dealer: South

Vul: E/W

Contract: 4♥ by South

THE AUCTION:

North opened with 1♣. East overcalled 3♦ (weak, 6-8 diamonds). South bid 3♥. West passed, so North and South had an unhindered opportunity to explore slam possibilities. North supported hearts – 4♥. South bid 4♠, first round control in spades. North showed first round control in hearts with 4NT. South bid 5♦ (first round control in diamonds), North 6♣ (first round control in clubs). South showed second round control in diamonds with 6♦, North declared 6♥.

Can South win 12 tricks or is there a possibility for defense to defeat the contract?

West led the ♦3.

Vul: None

Contract: 6♥ by South

The Auction:

* Cappelleti

North started with 1NT, East overcalled 2♦ – Cappelleti – 11 HCP, 4+ spades and 4+ hearts. South passed. West responded 2♠. North, who held four spades, passed. East passed too. South came to life and bid 3♦.

After a bit of thinking – as East/West had found a fit, an 8-card suit of spades, West doubled.

West led the ♥4. How can South win 9 tricks?

Vul: Both

Contract: 3♦ Dbl by South.

The Auction:

South opened with 1♣, West overcalled 1♥, North responded 1♠. East passed. South bid 1NT, North 2NT and the rest is history – South declared 3NT.

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

Vul: None

Contract: 3NT Dbl by South.

The Auction:

East passed. South opened with 1♥. West doubled for takeout. North responded 2NT (+ 8 HCP at least 4 hearts). South declared 4 hearts.

West wins the first trick with the ♥A (trick 1) and leads the ♣J next.

As both South / North hold three diamonds with the only stopper being the declarer`s ♦K – how can the declarer restrict the losers to three tricks as West probably holds most of the missing honors?

Vul: Both

Contract: 4♥ by South.

The Auction:

East opened with 1♥. South doubled for takeout. West supported hearts – 2♥. North bid 3♠ (at least 4 spades). East passed. South bid 6♣. West overcalled – 6♥. North doubled. East passed. South raised to 7♣. West doubled.

West led the ♥3. How can South win 13 tricks?

Vul: North/South

Contract: 7♣ by South

The Auction:

East passed. South started with 1♣. West passed. North responded 1♦. East doubled (8-11 HCP, 4+ spades, 4+ hearts). South, with 17 HCP, felt bold enough and jumped to 2♥ (17-21 HCP, 5+ clubs, 4+ hearts). West passed. North bid 2NT (promises 6+ HCP and a stopper in spades). South declared 3NT. West doubled.

East led the ♠Q. How can North win 9 tricks?

Vul: North/South

Contract: 3NT DBL by North

The Auction:

North started with 1♣. South responded 1♠. North bid 1NT. South, instead of declaring 3NT with  abundance of HCP bid 3♦. North, who had a 3-card support for diamonds, declared 5♦.

West led the ♠3. Not surprisingly the declarer has a 7-card trump suit. As South can count six top tricks in side suits, the declarer needs five tricks in diamonds. But how can South win five tricks in diamonds holding a 4-card trump suit on longer hand and missing the ♦Q?

Vul: none

Contract: 5♦ by South

The Auction:

South opened with 1♦ in third seat. West overcalled 3♣. North responded 3♦. East passed. South declared 3NT.

South can count on three top tricks – two aces and the ♣K, plus five tricks in diamonds. How many tricks can South win?

The overcall meant West holds 6-8 clubs, so not surprisingly West led the ♣Q,

Vul: none

Contract: 3NT by South

The Auction:

South opened tamely with 1♦. West overcalled 2♥ (weak preempt, 6 hearts). North responded 2♠ (5+ spades). East rose to 3♥ (3-card support to hearts). South jumped to 4♠ with his meager doubleton, pushed by his 6-4-2-1 distribution and 16 HCP.

West passed. North got the infection and cuebid 5♦ to show first round control in diamonds. East passed. South raised to 6♦.  West and North passed. East bid 6♥. Now South and West passed.

North declared 7♦. West led the ♠ J. How can South win 13 tricks?

Vul: both

Contract: 7♦ by South.

The Auction:

South opens with 2NT. West passes. North responds 3♦ – Jacoby transfer, indicating 5+ hearts. South answers 3♥, not an overenthusiastic response as South only two hearts. North bids 3NT, South feeling no desire to go for 4♥, passes.

West leads the ♦7.

South can count winning 7 top tricks – the ♠AKQ, ♥AK and ♣AK and has 7-card majors.  How can South win 9 tricks?

Dealer: South

Vul: None

Contract: 3NT by South

The Auction:

West   North   East   South
                                 1♠
pass     2♠       pass    4♠
all pass

You are South on this deal in a pair event, where the objective is to take as many tricks as possible, playing against expert opponents. West leads the ♥3, you call for dummy's ♥10 and ruff East's ♥A. While there are several reasonable lines of play at this stage, say you choose to cash the ♠A and play a spade towards dummy's queen, which wins as East discard a heart. When you run the ♦Q, West follows with the ♦10. Plan the rest of the play.

The Auction:

With 17 HCP and your partner indicating 8-9 points by bidding 2NT, you go to 3 NT.

West leads the ♠10, indicating length in spades. Is it possible to make the contract?

The Auction:

South started with 1♥. North responded with 2♣. South repeated hearts – 2♥, and North repeated clubs – 3♣.

South declared 3NT.

The auction was uneventful, but can South win nine tricks?

West led the ♠4 (fourth-best lead).

Vulnerable: North/South

Contract: 3NT

The Auction:

East passed. South opened with 1♥. West passed. North responded 2NT – Jacoby NT (4+ hearts, 11+ HCP). East passed. South declared 4♥.

After the uneventful auction West led the ♠6.

How should the declarer handle the first trick to ensure winning 10 tricks?

Vul: none

Contract: 4♥ by South.

The Auction:

West leads the ♥A (ace from ace-king) against your 4♠ contract, East discourages with the four. West switches to the ♦3 at trick two. What are your thoughts?

The Auction:

The ♣9 is led against your 3NT contract, East's Ace winning the trick. A heart is switched at trick 2, West wins the Ace and plays back a heart. What do you discard from dummy?

The Auction:

You receive the ♥K lead against 4♠. Plan the play (trumps are 2-2).

The Auction:

You are South on this deal, declaring 2♥ after West opened a 15-17 1NT. West leads the ♦5, you choose to win the trick with dummy's ace. At trick two, you exit with a spade off of dummy, East wins the trick with the queen. East plays a trump, West wins the ace and plays back another trump. Plan the play.

The Auction:

* - forcing one round

In a matchpointed pair event, South becomes declarer in 4♠ after announcing a powerful hand with spades and diamonds. Partner opens the ♥K. It doesn't appear as though you can defeat the contract, but you still need to take all the tricks that are rightfully yours. What are your thoughts?

It is standard to give attitude to partner's honor lead in suit contracts. However, when declarer is unable to produce the ♥A, partner will know that you hold the card. Does this change anything? Is your play to this trick suit preference? Even if partner does interpret your play as an attitude signal, should you play an encouraging 7 to signal for a heart continuation, or a discouraging 3 to ask for a club switch?

The Auction:

East started the auction with 1♦. South, feeling brave with 11 HCP and two 4-card majors, doubled for takeout. West called 3♣. North overcalled – 3♥, South declared 4♥.

Although North and South found a fit and have a 10-card suit of hearts, there seem to be four losers – one in spades, two in clubs and one in diamonds.  How can North win 10 tricks?

East leads the ♠K.

Dealer: East

Vul: none

Contract: 4♥ by North

The Auction:

* Limit raise or better in clubs

You reach 3NT after West overcalled in spades. The ♥2 is led, East plays the King and you duck. East continues with the ♥3. Plan the play (clubs are 3-2, with West having 2).

The Auction:

With 17 HCP and your partner indicating 8-9 points by bidding 2NT, you go to 3 NT.

West leads the ♠10, indicating length in spades. Is it possible to make the contract?

The Auction:

South started with 1♥. West passed. North responded 2♣. South jumped to 3♥ (at least 6 hearts and +14 HCP). North, who had a 2-card support for South`s hearts and 15 HCP asked for aces with 4NT. South responded 5♠ – 2 keycards and the trump queen. North declared 6♥.

West led the ♦A and won the first trick (trick 1).

Despite the great 9-card trump suit and 29 HCP this small slam is not chiseled in stone. The declarer misses the ♦A and has a loser in spades.  What tactics would you suggest to the declarer to win 12 tricks?

Dealer: South

Vul: North/South

Contract: 6♥ by South

The Auction:

West started the auction with 1♣. North passed. East responded 1♥. South, holding 13 HCP, decided to overcall – 1♠. West bid 1NT, North supported South`s spades with 2♠. East bid 3♦.  South went on – 3♠. West doubled and this became the final contract.

West takes the first trick with the ♣A (trick 1).

Everything seems rosy for South for there seem to be only three more losers – the ♠K might be offside and the declarer faces losing one trick in hearts and one in diamonds.

But 1NT and the consequent double by West hint heavily that spades won`t break even – how can South win 9 tricks?

Dealer: West

Vul: Both

Contract: 3♠ Dbl by South

The Auction:

East passed. South bid 1♦. West overcalled with 2♠. North doubled (4+ hearts).  East passed. South responded with 3♣. West passed.  North asked for aces – 4NT. South answered 5♦ (standard Blackwood, 1 ace). North declared 6♦.

How can South win 12 tricks?

West led the ♠K.

Vulnerable: Both

Contract: 6♦ by South

The Auction:

* 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

The Auction:

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

The Auction:

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

The Auction:

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

The Auction:

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

Vulnerable: both

Contract: ?

The Auction:

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

The Auction:

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:

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

The Auction:

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: ?

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

The Auction:

* - 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

The Auction:

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

The Auction:

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

The Auction:

* - 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♠

The Auction:

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: ?

The Auction:

* - 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

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:

* - 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: ?

The Auction:

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 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

The Auction:

* 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

The Auction:

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

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

The Auction:

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:

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?

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

The Auction:

* 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:

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?

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 7NT.

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?

The Auction:

* 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?

The Auction:

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?

The Auction:

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.

The Auction:

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?

The Auction:

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?

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.

The Auction:

*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?

The Auction:

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?

The Auction:

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?

The Auction:

After your partner has bid 2♣ – 4th suit forcing to game – you answer with 3♦ 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?

The Auction:

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?

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

The Auction:

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?

The Auction:

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.

The Auction:

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?

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?

The Auction:

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?

The Auction:

* - 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?

The Auction:

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.

The Auction:

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

The Auction:

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?

The Auction: