vg|2014 USBC FINAL,Segment 5 of 8,I,1,15,Nickell,165,Diamond,141| rs|2HE+1,2HW-1,4SS=,4SS=,5CS-1,5CSx-1,5CEx-2,4SSx-1,2DN-3,2HN-2,5SN=,6NS=,3NW+2,3NW+2,4HW=,4HE=,3CE+1,3CE+2,3CN-2,2CN=,2SS-1,3NE-1,4SE=,4HE=,1NE=,2HS=,3HE=,2HE+1,3NW=,3NW=| pn|SWeinstein,Diamond,Levin,Platnick,Hampson,Katz,Greco,Nickell|pg|| qx|o1|st||md|3SJ84HA9DK65CAT964,SQ62HT86432DA43CJ,SAT5HQ7DJT92C8532,SK973HKJ5DQ87CKQ7|sv|o|nt|kit: hi everybody|pg|| nt|kareno: Good morning from sunny Las Vegas|pg|| nt|kareno: Hi Kit|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Super expert Karen Allison here commenting :)|pg|| mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|2D!|an|Xfer|mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|nt|kit: Let's see how strongly Diamond evaluates his hand opposite the 14-16 NT|pg|| mb|p|nt|kit: Apparently not a game drive|pg|| nt|kareno: Not even an invitation|pg|| nt|kit: And not even an invite|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Welcome Kit Woolsey, World Champion, Multiple National Champion, and prolific author and analysi :)|pg|| mb|p|pc|s4|nt|ritong: hi kit hiall|pg|| nt|kareno: Henri :)|pg|| nt|kit: I might have invited, but he could be right -- he was on this hand it looks like.|pg|| pc|s2|pc|sT|pc|sK|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: And Henri Schweitzer, fabulous analyst and all around nice guy from France!|pg|| pc|c7|pc|c4|pc|cJ|nt|kit: This is always annoying to the defender|pg|| pc|c8|pg|| pc|h2|nt|jumpshift: good morning everyone|pg|| pc|h7|nt|ritong: hi ja|pg|| nt|kit: But defending 2@H, going up ace of clubs is like a concession.|pg|| pc|hJ|nt|kareno: JoAnna :)|pg|| pc|hA|pg|| nt|kit: hi Joanna|pg|| nt|kit: Defending 4@H, I imagine Weinstein would have gone up ace.|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Welcome Joanna Stansby, superstar in her own right, and wife of perennial champion Lew Stansby :)|pg|| pc|h9|pc|h3|pc|hQ|pc|hK|pg|| pc|cK|pc|cA|pc|h6|pc|c2|pg|| pc|d3|pc|d9|pc|dQ|pc|dK|pg|| nt|kit: The 5 of hearts is an entry, so declarer will take 5 hearts, 2 clubs, 1 diamond, and 1 spade.|pg|| nt|kareno: First testing the diamond and later pitching one|pg|| pc|d6|pc|dA|pc|d2|pc|d7|pg|| pc|h4|pc|c5|pc|h5|nt|kit: Weinstein knows from his partner's play of the 10 of spades at trick 1 that declarer has the 9, so he knows the suit is frozen.|pg|| pc|d5|pg|| pc|cQ|pc|c6|pc|d4|pc|c3|pg|| pc|s3|nt|kareno: But there|pg|| mc|9|nt|kareno: is nothing else to play but a spade.|pg|| pg|| qx|c1|st||md|3SJ84HA9DK65CAT964,SQ62HT86432DA43CJ,SAT5HQ7DJT92C8532,SK973HKJ5DQ87CKQ7|sv|o|mb|p|mb|1C|mb|p|mb|1H|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|medwards: Hello again. Hopefully both teams will be at the top of their game for an interesting match|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "do you raise on 3?" "yes"|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Katz: "J is standard?" "yes"|pg|| pc|dJ|pc|dQ|pc|dK|pc|dA|pg|| pc|cJ|pc|c2|pc|c7|pc|cA|pg|| pc|d6|pc|d3|pc|d9|pc|d7|pg|| pc|dT|pc|d8|pc|d5|pc|d4|pg|| pc|s5|pc|s3|pc|sJ|pc|sQ|pg|| pc|h2|pc|h7|pc|hK|pc|hA|pg|| pc|s8|pc|s6|pc|sA|pc|s7|pg|| pc|d2|pc|h5|pc|h9|pc|hT|pg|| pc|h3|pc|hQ|pc|hJ|pc|c4|pg|| mc|7|pg|| qx|o2|st||md|4SQJ642HKJ8DAT2CJ7,SA83H7654DJ94CT65,SK75H2DQ7653CAQ83,ST9HAQT93DK8CK942|sv|n|mb|1H|mb|1S|nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin "I get to play the Seniors next year"|pg|| mb|2H|nt|kareno: A partscore hand - |pg|| nt|ritong: welcome to the club, bobby|pg|| mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|jumpshift: That Seniors is getting to be a killer event: Meckwell played in it last fall|pg|| nt|kit: this doesn't seem necessary -- if partner isn't bidding game over a 3@H call, I doubt if you want to be there.|pg|| pc|h7|nt|kareno: Hard to imagine the teenager I knew already a 'senior.' But aren't they raising the age requirement? 55 seems so silly|pg|| nt|kit: Still, it is going to be close|pg|| pc|h2|pc|hA|pc|h8|pg|| nt|kareno: Well it WAS a partscore hand. He can work out that diamond suit and do very well.|pg|| nt|kit: Declarer can lead a club off dummy, but won't be able to both ruff a heart and enjoy the extra club trick|pg|| nt|kit: Platnick has pretty easy trump shift it looks like|pg|| nt|kit: The 7 of hearts lead warns him that his partner has nothing in hearts|pg|| nt|ritong: he might look for a @d ruff though|pg|| nt|ritong: engaged, but..|pg|| nt|kareno: That's certainly a possibility, Henri. Depends which ace his partner holds|pg|| pc|sT|nt|ritong: oui|pg|| nt|kit: he doesn't need a diamond ruff if his partner has ace of diamonds|pg|| nt|kareno: Also true.|pg|| nt|kit: Diamond may need to shift to a club when in, as otherwise declarer can set up the diamond suit.|pg|| pc|s2|pc|sA|pc|s5|pg|| nt|jtmckee: then he can throw diamonds on clubs|pg|| nt|jumpshift: Platnick might have led the @S9 (followed by @S10 ) to suggest shift to lower|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Welcome Jay McKee, east coast expert and fine commentator :)|pg|| nt|kit: Not so sure about winning ace of spades -- although if he had ducked, declarer could set up the diamonds|pg|| nt|kit: So maybe right play, provided he finds the club shift|pg|| pc|cT|pc|c3|nt|kit: Nicely done|pg|| nt|kareno: But the club shift eliminates the diamond loser, Kit|pg|| nt|kit: I don't think so -- he needs to ruff a heart in dummy, so can't enjoy the club|pg|| nt|kareno: I see - has to draw the trumps to run the clubs and a heart will be lost|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Jay McKee is from the deep south, my mistake, and a star in that area :)|pg|| nt|jumpshift: Platnick can't tell the @C10 is third, creates a problem|pg|| nt|ritong: also, he might foresee some unpleasant ending|pg|| nt|kareno: No endplay - that would be a fourth defensive trick.|pg|| nt|kit: Platnick needs to work this position out -- I think he should.|pg|| nt|kit: He can't legitimately beat the hand if declarer has 3 clubs and 2 diamonds|pg|| nt|kareno: And no squeeze- no entry to the diamond threat|pg|| nt|kit: If he goes up king, declarer does best to drop jack and make club return unattractive|pg|| nt|kareno: Folks, you are all telling me what has already been said here. Can't reply to those comments, sorry|pg|| nt|kit: But what happens if he returns a trump, and instead of ruffing a heart in dummy declarer runs all the trumps|pg|| nt|kit: Is East in some kind of progressive squeeze?|pg|| nt|ritong: that was my suggestion|pg|| nt|kit: I don't think so, but need to work it out|pg|| nt|ritong: yes|pg|| nt|kit: However, I can't see declarer doing that|pg|| nt|kareno: A nonmaterial squeeze where he cannot pitch a club because that allows an overtake|pg|| nt|ritong: gib says the ottlik position does not work i shamelessly checked|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Platnick obviously very, very deep in thought, folds and unfolds hand|pg|| nt|kit: Question is whether Diamond should have returned a small club. He probably should have, but position is not obvious at all.|pg|| nt|kareno: They're talking about a trump return so club return is not in this discussion. Folks, please, try to follow the discussion online|pg|| nt|ritong: kit suggested to drop the @cJ to deter a @c continuation|pg|| pc|c4|pc|cJ|pg|| nt|ritong: well|pg|| nt|ritong: now there s damage done|pg|| nt|kareno: Platnick still studying whether to take the club... now that allows declarer to guess out the diamonds.|pg|| nt|kit: Platnick believed the 10 of clubs play -- perhaps playing declarer for 5-4-1-3 shape|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "Anything funny about your @h raise after my overcall?" Diamond "nothing funny, just normal"|pg|| nt|kit: Now all declarer has to do is get the diamonds right, which he figures to do.|pg|| pc|hK|pc|h4|pc|d3|pc|h9|pg|| pc|hJ|pc|h5|pc|s7|pc|h3|pg|| pc|sK|pc|s9|pc|s4|pc|s3|pg|| nt|kareno: 4@s was made in the CR|pg|| pc|d5|pc|d8|pc|dA|pc|d4|pg|| pc|sJ|pc|s8|pc|d6|pc|hT|pg|| nt|kit: Declarer now working squeeze end-play|pg|| nt|kit: But he still has to get the shape right|pg|| pc|c7|pc|c6|pc|cA|pc|c2|pg|| pc|c8|pc|c9|nt|kit: Now king of clubs from East!|pg|| nt|kareno: Checking distribution|pg|| pc|s6|pc|c5|pg|| pc|d2|pc|d9|nt|kit: he didn't think of it.|pg|| nt|ritong: it would not be useful|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein asking more about the @h raise|pg|| nt|kit: you are right -- it wouldn't have helped|pg|| nt|ritong: i guess not|pg|| nt|jumpshift: the e-w system is such that E would have an opening bid if his @DK were the jack|pg|| nt|kit: but it looks like a neat play|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Mixed raise was available - 3@d|pg|| nt|ritong: yes ars gratia artis as they say|pg|| nt|jumpshift: 109, AQxxx, Jx, K9xx|pg|| nt|kareno: :) Henri|pg|| nt|jumpshift: so declarer needs to look at what raises were available to west: if 3@H mixed then will get it right|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "You open most 10's" Diamond "11's mostly, 10's depends"|pg|| nt|kit: I think he will just plain get it right -- if East doesn't have king of diamonds, he could easily ahve beaten controact by winning king of clubs|pg|| nt|kit: That is the key clue|pg|| pc|d7|pc|dK|pg|| mc|10|pg|| qx|c2|st||md|4SQJ642HKJ8DAT2CJ7,SA83H7654DJ94CT65,SK75H2DQ7653CAQ83,ST9HAQT93DK8CK942|sv|n|nt|Vugraphzfb: Katz: "I guessed everything wrong" Nickell: "just hearts" Katz "I could have played @s K and pitched" Greco: "they'll probably be in game"|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "I'll lead a diamond and they'll make it"|pg|| mb|1H|mb|1S|mb|2H|mb|4S|mb|p|nt|medwards: Since the defense can not attack diamonds, N-S might make game|pg|| mb|p|mb|p|nt|sixela: spade lead needed to have much chance to beat it and i dont think it is enough|pg|| pc|h5|nt|medwards: Might be entry problems |pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "you guys are 3rd & 5th & standard?" "yes"|pg|| pc|h2|pc|hA|pc|h8|pg|| nt|Henryb: Nickell is old-fashioned in his opening bid requirements, so once Katz has the @sA Nickell will be marked with both minor suit kings|pg|| pc|h3|pc|hJ|pc|h4|nt|Henryb: He only needs one club pitch, so should throw a diamond|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "do you have a mixed raise available over 1@s?" Katz: "yes" "And a preemptive one also?" I'm not sure whether he said yes or no to that|pg|| pc|d3|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|sA|pc|s5|pc|s9|pg|| nt|sixela: another h can't hurt here|pg|| pc|c5|pc|c3|pc|cK|pc|c7|pg|| nt|medwards: The hand is now cold after club play|pg|| pc|c2|pc|cJ|pc|c6|pc|c8|pg|| nt|sixela: hand was always cold, just a matter of how long it took to play|pg|| pc|sJ|pc|s3|pc|s7|pc|sT|pg|| nt|medwards: Yes|pg|| mc|10|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson, after winning club J said "it's not looking good" because he thought spades weren't splitting. Then played spade J and when they followed "now it does"|pg|| pg|| qx|o3|st||md|1SJ7H964DAK6CAK854,SK985HK532DQJ72CQ,SA64H7DT953CJT962,SQT32HAQJT8D84C73|sv|e|nt|ritong: ecco|pg|| nt|jumpshift: a hard earned push|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin "Well done"|pg|| nt|kit: Anyway, great hand, with interesting problems for both sides.|pg|| nt|kareno: Tough game |pg|| nt|jumpshift: very tough hand to defend: lots of ways for defense to go wrong|pg|| mb|1N|mb|p|nt|kit: Platnick will probably show majors, assuming he has bid to do that.|pg|| mb|p|nt|kareno: East has the right shape to get in but a lot of losers|pg|| nt|jumpshift: huh? feels like putting your head on the chopping block, vul vs not, with such poor suits Kit|pg|| nt|jumpshift: sorry, I was looking at diamond|pg|| mb|d!|an|Meckwell|nt|ritong: kit is totally fearless|pg|| nt|jumpshift: Platnick has a clear bid|pg|| nt|kit: well, assuming partner has a balanced 10-count or so, would you rather contract for 7 tricks in notrump or 8 tricks in your best major?|pg|| nt|kareno: Vulnerability is for children :)|pg|| mb|2C|nt|jumpshift: totally agree Kit, I was dyslexic about who was Platnick and who was Diamond|pg|| nt|kit: After all, defending 1NT is same as declaring 1NT -- you need to take 7 tricks.|pg|| nt|kareno: I'm sure most of us would compete. Nothing in the minors, not even a jack|pg|| mb|d!|an|Negative|nt|kit: And now the bidding will soon get to the 3-level, and the major suit will win the battle|pg|| nt|ritong: balancing is super obvious for starters you can have a vul game|pg|| nt|jumpshift: the likely 3@H contract will depend on guessing the @SJ|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin sighing, asking questions of Platnick, discussion on other side of screen also|pg|| nt|kit: For those of you who are afraid of going for a number with the East hand, that is going to happen at most 1 time in 10 I would estimate|pg|| nt|kareno: How many clubs?|pg|| mb|5C|mb|p|nt|kit: And if that happens, it costs only maybe 8 IMPs|pg|| mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfc: Weinstein chuckles|pg|| nt|jumpshift: or not: declarer may get the diamonds set up for pitches, but not relevant now|pg|| nt|kit: While bidding gains perhaps 3 or 4 times in 10|pg|| nt|kareno: North a believer.|pg|| nt|kit: this is advance save against a game opponents haven't bid yet -- I don't like it.|pg|| nt|ritong: it s not likely, but perhaps 5@c is a make|pg|| nt|kit: This can be doubled on general principles, when you onsider the pass of 1NT|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin-Platnick are "screenmates" as are Weinstein-Diamond|pg|| nt|jumpshift: Diamond needs to stay off the diamond lead|pg|| nt|kit: There is no hand where Levin is going to pass 1NT and now 5@C is likely to make|pg|| nt|ritong: that one is imo|pg|| nt|ritong: just a jack close to|pg|| mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfc: LEvin "Trying to get them to bid"|pg|| pc|cQ|nt|kit: He isn't leading a diamond on this auction.|pg|| nt|kareno: It's an eyelash away from making.|pg|| pc|cJ|pc|c7|pc|cA|pg|| nt|kit: Declarer will just try the diamonds and go down 1 quietly|pg|| nt|jumpshift: on non-spade lead, declarer just needs diamonds 3-3 or singleton/doubleton quack with east|pg|| pc|c8|nt|ritong: that s for a start, and opener may have a good @d J in supplement 5@c is not a total daydream i think|pg|| nt|kit: I still think West should have doubled -- on this auction, down 2 is more likely than making IMO, and down 1 is most likely|pg|| nt|kareno: I don't like the trump lead for that reason. What if south had the spade ace and north the AT9x of diamonds?|pg|| pc|h5|nt|kit: And if they happen to make, it is only 4 IMP cost -- and that is assuming same contact at other table which is very unlikely|pg|| pc|c6|pc|c3|pg|| nt|kit: And what if Sout had AQ of spades|pg|| pc|cK|pc|s5|pc|cT|pc|hQ|pg|| nt|ritong: of @h you mean|pg|| pc|dK|pc|d2|nt|kit: of whatever king is led away from|pg|| pc|d3|pc|d4|pg|| pc|dA|pc|d7|pc|d5|pc|d8|pg|| pc|d6|pc|dJ|pc|d9|nt|kareno: Then east will have another value to compensate.|pg|| nt|ritong: ah the opening lead yes yes|pg|| mc|10|pg|| qx|c3|st||md|1SJ7H964DAK6CAK854,SK985HK532DQJ72CQ,SA64H7DT953CJT962,SQT32HAQJT8D84C73|sv|e|nt|sixela: club shift might have beeen necessary if E held KJ|pg|| mb|1N!|an|14-16|mb|p|mb|p|nt|medwards: True|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson and Katz discussing what might have happened last hand with different defense|pg|| mb|2C!|an|Majors|mb|d|mb|3C|an|!|nt|Henryb: Assuming X of 2@c shows 5, Greco might apply LOTT and bud 4@c|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: I think that NIckell wrote that 3@c was undiscussed but he thinks it's a game try in one of Majors|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: there's no chance I'll be able to read Katz's note - he writes very small!|pg|| nt|Henryb: probably poor in college and had to make one notebook last a long time :)|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson-Katz still discussing last hand. Greco tries to tell them to be quieter and Nick: "shut the fuck up is called" :)|pg|| mb|3S|mb|p|nt|sixela: i am not sure they aare sure as to meaning of 3c, 3s seems a bit aggressive against an otherwise uncertain outcome|pg|| mb|5C|mb|d|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|h3|nt|chip: 5C is a good save against the EW 3H contract. Not so good versus NS hand for 4C|pg|| nt|medwards: And it did lead to a bad result|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "good luck" Hampson: "thanks"|pg|| pc|h7|pc|hA|pc|h6|pg|| pc|d8|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "this is not a trick I'm thinking enormously about"|pg|| pc|dA|pc|d2|pc|d3|pg|| pc|h4|pc|h5|pc|cJ|pc|h8|pg|| pc|cT|pc|c3|pc|cA|pc|cQ|pg|| nt|sixela: 4c seems lie it should have been enough with N hand, cue bid was teasing pd into unfortunate decision|pg|| pc|h9|pc|hK|pc|c2|pc|hT|pg|| pc|c6|pc|c7|pc|cK|pc|s5|pg|| nt|medwards: Yes but it might gain an imp|pg|| nt|sixela: against what? 4c would have gone plus|pg|| pc|dK|pc|d7|pc|d5|pc|d4|pg|| pc|d6|pc|dJ|pc|d9|mc|10|nt|medwards: But probably make three of a major|pg|| pg|| qx|o4|st||md|2SKQT65HJ962DKQJ8C,S93HT43DT963CKJ32,SJ842HQ87D754CA86,SA7HAK5DA2CQT9754|sv|b|nt|Walddk2: We also have voice commentary in this room. http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/news_fetch.php?id=743 for instructions if you are not familiar with the voice procedure.|pg|| nt|kit: I like the opening lead personally -- very little danger of something getting discarded|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Director arrives; Wein "We're ahead, right" Director "We've only booked these rooms through tonight" much chuckling|pg|| mb|p|mb|p|mb|1C!|an|Precision|mb|d!|an|M's|mb|p!|an|0-5?|nt|jumpshift: interesting choice to show Majors, I think I would have bid 1@S. what would you do?|pg|| nt|ritong: 1@s for me|pg|| nt|kit: Not at all sure|pg|| mb|2S|nt|kareno: 1@s|pg|| mb|3C|nt|kit: The gain from double is that you can follow with 2@D maybe and partner will certainly know what to do.|pg|| nt|ritong: the @s void is a supplementary incentive not to double|pg|| nt|ritong: @c*|pg|| mb|3D|an|Undiscussed|nt|kit: or 3@D :)|pg|| nt|jumpshift: if you show majors, you can then bid diamonds. If you bid 1@S you can make takeout double of clubs|pg|| mb|4C|mb|p|mb|p|nt|ritong: but perhaps pard will infer you do not have 4@hs, though|pg|| mb|4S|nt|ritong: tough decision indeed|pg|| nt|kit: Now this is surprising. Weinstein has bid his hand perfectly, so why not trust partner's decision?|pg|| nt|ritong: for the irritated private messages, please point on the meaning of the double|pg|| nt|ritong: it means majors, not a standard t/o|pg|| mb|5C|nt|jumpshift: oops|pg|| mb|d|nt|kit: But this 5@C is even worse|pg|| mb|p|nt|kareno: South won't bid on I'm sure|pg|| mb|p|mb|p|nt|kareno: Down 2 with noplace to put those losers I think|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin passed, then Platnick put down the X card, and Levin replaced his pass with X, not sure what the byplay was there|pg|| nt|jumpshift: this table more like poker bidding than bridge bidding|pg|| nt|jumpshift: several people bluffing|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin has a cast on his right arm, possibly that came into play|pg|| pc|dK|pc|d3|pc|d7|pc|dA|pg|| nt|ritong: generally the last one to do so wins the pot|pg|| nt|kareno: Steve is a great poker player at the poker table as well as at the bridge table|pg|| pc|cQ|pc|s5|pc|c2|nt|kit: I really don't get the 5@C call. Diamond has described his hand quite well. His partner knows much more about the hand. And Diamond is in direct seat.|pg|| nt|kareno: AND he has already raised clubs|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Director back in room patiently watching, 53 minutes and 4th hand|pg|| nt|kit: If he were in balancing seat and his partner ha a chance to double 4@S and didn't, that would be another story.|pg|| nt|jarekp: .|pg|| nt|kareno: The open room is not that far ahead|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin sighing|pg|| pc|c6|pg|| pc|d2|pc|dJ|pc|d6|pc|d5|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "spots, please . . . one more time please"|pg|| pc|sK|pc|s3|pc|s8|pc|sA|pg|| pc|s7|pc|sT|pc|s9|pc|sJ|pg|| pc|d4|pc|c7|pc|d8|pc|d9|pg|| mc|9|nt|kit: 12 IMP cost on the 5@C call.|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Director "4 boards in an hour will result in a match with fewer boards" Levin "May I take a smoke break" all laughing|pg|| pg|| qx|c4|st||md|2SKQT65HJ962DKQJ8C,S93HT43DT963CKJ32,SJ842HQ87D754CA86,SA7HAK5DA2CQT9754|sv|b|nt|Vugraphzfb: Nickell: "what were your diamonds?" "QJfourth" |pg|| mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "10 of spades would have made things interesting"|pg|| mb|p|mb|1C|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2S|nt|sixela: good decision by W not to bid|pg|| mb|3C|mb|3H|nt|ahollan1: no real option for Katz before -- but now he has one|pg|| mb|4C|nt|ahollan1: other 3 Weinstein in 5@C undoubled|pg|| mb|4S|mb|d|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|sixela: clearly nick is x'ing on his own hand here, ralph showed nothing but club support|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson asks about DBL and Katz sort of shrugs - |pg|| pc|cK|pc|c6|nt|ahollan1: doesn't matter on this hand, but thoughtful choice of lead in @CK|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson calls for small club, Greco: "small?" Hampson: "yes, not the most useful Ace you've had"|pg|| nt|ahollan1: IF it holds, Katz still in hand to make a shift|pg|| pc|cT|pc|s5|pg|| pc|sK|pc|s3|pc|s2|pc|sA|pg|| pc|dA|pc|d8|pc|d3|pc|d4|pg|| pc|d2|pc|dK|pc|d6|pc|d5|pg|| pc|s6|pc|s9|pc|sJ|pc|s7|pg|| pc|cA|pc|c4|pc|h2|pc|c2|pg|| pc|c8|pc|c5|pc|sT|pc|cJ|pg|| pc|dQ|pc|d9|pc|d7|pc|c7|pg|| pc|dJ|pc|dT|pc|h7|pc|c9|pg|| pc|h6|pc|h3|pc|hQ|pc|hK|pg|| pc|hA|pc|h9|pc|h4|pc|h8|pg|| mc|9|pg|| qx|o5|st||md|3SK54H7DQ87542CT87,SA986HKTDAJCK9643,SQJ73HAJ9643D3CA2,ST2HQ852DKT96CQJ5|sv|n|nt|jumpshift: if this were basketball, the e-w coach would call a timeout|pg|| mb|2D!|an|Flannery|mb|p|mb|p|nt|ritong: can always take a bathroom break, but director might frown|pg|| nt|kit: I hate the idea of removing boards. This is a 120 board match. Also, this favors the team leading, giving them motive to play slowly.|pg|| nt|kareno: 2@d multi and south thinks his hand is much more useful for diamonds.|pg|| nt|jumpshift: I guess South not wanting to bid 2@S and rsk more bidding|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: We're in a suite, so the little room is no problem for any player in need|pg|| mb|p|pc|cQ|nt|kit: Flannery -- can be 6-4 as we see.|pg|| nt|jumpshift: 2@D is flannery 4+5+|pg|| pc|c7|nt|kareno: So right, Kit. |pg|| nt|kareno: 2@d Flannery? Ah, some do play it with six hearts - I don't|pg|| pc|c6|nt|kit: Weinstein's pass is clearly percentage -- figure to have at least as many diamonds as spades, maybe more.|pg|| pc|c2|pg|| pc|cJ|nt|jumpshift: it looks like e-w can make 3NT, 15 oppposite 8|pg|| pc|c8|pc|c4|pc|cA|pg|| pc|hA|pc|h2|pc|h7|pc|hT|pg|| pc|h3|pc|h5|pc|d2|pc|hK|pg|| pc|cT|pc|cK|pc|d3|pc|c5|pg|| pc|s7|pc|s2|pc|sK|pc|sA|pg|| nt|kit: Now club and spade discard from Platnick|pg|| pc|s9|pc|sQ|pc|sT|pc|s5|pg|| pc|sJ|pc|d6|pc|s4|pc|s6|pg|| pc|hQ|nt|jtmckee: west not awaare that levvin had a singleton diamond|pg|| nt|kareno: How Flannery has changed over the years. Bill Flannery invented it for ONE specific hand that was a problem playing forcing nt. 4-5-2-2|pg|| pc|d4|pc|dJ|pc|hJ|pg|| nt|kit: Now overruff, get ace of diamonds out of the way, and partner gets 2 trump tricks at the end.|pg|| pc|s8|pc|s3|pc|dK|pc|d5|pg|| pc|h8|nt|kit: he comes out okay, but only because his partner has the 9 of ciamonds.|pg|| nt|kareno: Low ruff guarantees him a trick at least|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin "I was hoping for a catch-up hand"|pg|| pc|dQ|pc|dA|mc|5|pg|| qx|c5|st||md|3SK54H7DQ87542CT87,SA986HKTDAJCK9643,SQJ73HAJ9643D3CA2,ST2HQ852DKT96CQJ5|sv|n|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "How many clubs, Nick?" "6"|pg|| mb|1H|mb|p|mb|1N!|an|Semi forcing|nt|sixela: tough call for w|pg|| mb|d|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|cQ|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "not much"|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "they're more careful about doubling you"|pg|| pc|c7|pc|c6|pc|c2|pg|| pc|cJ|pc|c8|nt|sixela: club continuation might set this|pg|| pc|c4|pc|cA|pg|| nt|sixela: trump promo|pg|| pc|sJ|pc|s2|pc|s4|nt|sixela: i expect in master solvers club, there would be votes for x, pass and 2c by the west hand, hard to say what is right |pg|| pc|s6|pg|| nt|medwards: Yes|pg|| pc|s3|pc|sT|pc|sK|pc|sA|pg|| pc|cK|pc|h3|pc|c5|pc|cT|pg|| nt|medwards: Would two hearts show spades and a minor?|pg|| pc|hA|pc|h2|pc|h7|pc|hT|pg|| nt|ahollan1: 4[4@SX-1] platnick in 5@CX|pg|| pc|hJ|pc|h5|pc|d2|pc|hK|pg|| nt|sixela: now 9 s beats it 2|pg|| nt|sixela: no, i am worng|pg|| pc|s9|nt|sixela: anything beats it 2|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|h8|pc|s5|pg|| pc|hQ|pc|d4|pc|c3|pc|h4|pg|| mc|6|pg|| qx|o6|st||md|4SAT85HKT7DKCAKJT7,SQJ6H86DA8763C963,SK973HA4DQJ542CQ4,S42HQJ9532DT9C852|sv|e|nt|kit: Well, what can I say -- I don't know what Weinstein was thinking there|pg|| nt|kit: Even if the existing layout was "impossible", how could his play gain?|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin "Sorry could have saved a trick"|pg|| nt|kit: Sorry, Levin was declarer|pg|| mb|p|mb|1C|mb|p|nt|kareno: It was frankly a nullo play. Maybe he forgot a trump?|pg|| nt|barnets: Hi all|pg|| nt|kareno: Barnet :)|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: LEvin "@h's plays great" Wein "@h's was never an option"|pg|| mb|1D!|an|5+|mb|p|nt|kareno: NONONO|pg|| nt|kit: undo operator|pg|| mb|2N|mb|p|nt|barnets: 6N on a squeeze v east unless he ducks 2 rounds of diamonds|pg|| nt|barnets: v west |pg|| nt|kit: The will certainly be slam-minded, but RKC will keep them out of 6@S.|pg|| nt|kit: 61C, on the other hand, is very good|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: N-S frequently bypass M's with balanced hands, as here|pg|| nt|barnets: unless he ducks D!K and @DQ he is squeezed|pg|| mb|3H!|an|4 !s's|nt|kit: oh 6NT can still make -- West then gets end-played|pg|| mb|d|nt|jtmckee: 6c|pg|| nt|kit: assuming declarer reads it all -- anyway, we will see|pg|| nt|jumpshift: I wonder if they have a manouver to agree spades, putting north as declarer|pg|| nt|kit: The 3@H call shows 4 spades, so the fit is located.|pg|| mb|4C!|nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein alerted, Levin did not|pg|| nt|kit: hmm -- is this intended as a spade slam try? Not so obvious to me that is what it means.|pg|| mb|p|mb|4S!|an|Iffy - mild try?|mb|p|nt|barnets: if 3@H shows spades 4@C must b a cue|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin alerted this, Wein did not|pg|| nt|kareno: Spades can't make slam - ace of diamonds and a spade loser.|pg|| nt|jtmckee: greco made 5nt|pg|| nt|jtmckee: 6nt|pg|| mb|4N|nt|kareno: Clubs haven't been bid naturally I don't think|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Diamond asks about 4NT|pg|| mb|p|nt|kit: i'm not sure they are on the same page here.|pg|| mb|5H|mb|p|nt|kareno: ok |pg|| mb|5S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|kit: I guess they were on same page|pg|| nt|barnets: the line of play went exactly as kit and i said|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Brief chat by N-S|pg|| pc|hQ|nt|barnets: katz ducked both diamonds|pg|| nt|barnets: then got thrown in to break spades|pg|| nt|kareno: Ah what I lost is 1@c is natural here|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "Showed mildly invitational"|pg|| pc|h7|nt|kit: not exactly -- he didn't lead spade up -- and when West exited with jack of spades in ending, he guessed it right|pg|| pc|h8|pc|hA|pg|| pc|s3|pc|s4|nt|barnets: well played by Hampmpson|pg|| pc|sA|pc|s6|pg|| pc|s5|pc|sJ|pc|sK|pc|s2|pg|| nt|kit: But he was cold on the 1-loser squeeze anyway -- check it out to see what he did wrong.|pg|| mc|11|pg|| qx|c6|st||md|4SAT85HKT7DKCAKJT7,SQJ6H86DA8763C963,SK973HA4DQJ542CQ4,S42HQJ9532DT9C852|sv|e|mb|p|nt|ahollan1: 1@C=16+ unbal or 17+bal or will he try 2N=19-20??|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Director asked me to remind them about the time. Someone asked what the time situation was and I said "you have 12 minutes to be finished with 8 boards. Greco pointed out it was ...|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: really 7-1/2 boards since the set is 15 :)|pg|| mb|2N|mb|p|mb|3C|mb|p|mb|3S|mb|p|mb|4H!|an|!s slam try|mb|d|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|4N|mb|p|nt|sixela: they ought to be able to stay clear of 6s, but finding 6c now may be a bit tough|pg|| mb|5H|an|2 keyccards, no Q|mb|p|nt|chorush: 6NT is also a fortuitous make|pg|| nt|ahollan1: just can't see a way for hampson to get @C into the picture -- especially in a way where greco accepts the option|pg|| nt|ahollan1: wasn't going to be easy after 1@C opener either|pg|| nt|ahollan1: 1@C-2@D[5+@D, 12+hcp]-3@C? maybe|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Director just came in and Katz, grinning, pointed at Hampson and says "he's been really slow" laughter and then Hampson: "I did think at trick 2 in 4@s"|pg|| nt|sixela: 6n does work, but after the 4s sign off after the initial slam try, seems like too much of a push|pg|| nt|sixela: s has more than he showed|pg|| nt|sixela: if he xx'd or bid 5c, then 6nt would seem reasonabl|pg|| nt|robinswr: 6NT has the advantage that a) you might not need the queen; b) if you have the J10 you can wait and get a count before playing spades|pg|| nt|sixela: but this pair has been blasting away fr days, pretty successfully, expect greco wont stop now|pg|| mb|6N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "this may not be right"|pg|| nt|robinswr: and 5@s might go down with 6@s making|pg|| pc|h8|nt|robinswr: 6NT making|pg|| pc|h4|pc|hJ|pc|hK|pg|| nt|ahollan1: @H protected on right @D protected on left seems nobody can guard @S|pg|| pc|dK|nt|chorush: Ralph will do best to duck 2 rounds of diamonds, which prevents an automatic double squeeze, but he will still be squeezed in the end game|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "7 spades; we should be in 7 spades" Hampson: "definitely would be a swing bid"|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "wonder if we can win the match only winning imps in 7@s"|pg|| pc|d3|pc|d2|pc|d9|pg|| pc|c7|pc|c3|pc|cQ|pc|c2|pg|| nt|sixela: yes, ducking may seem clear, but ducking soothly is not and that will give away the nd position i think|pg|| pc|dQ|pc|dT|pc|s5|nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "no diamonds?" Hampson: "no diamonds" Greco sort of shakes his head|pg|| nt|sixela: this was a good hand for a club system, might have found 6c, but hard to do when you dont open 1c|pg|| nt|ahollan1: [imo] greco's face can be very animated|pg|| pc|d6|pg|| nt|from_pl: .|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "your carding is standard?" Katz: "yes"|pg|| nt|sixela: now hampson can try to set up a spade by ducking to e, but i suspect he goes right|pg|| pc|c4|pc|c5|pc|cA|pc|c6|pg|| pc|cK|pc|c9|nt|chorush: Nickell did give false count|pg|| pc|d4|pc|c8|pg|| pc|cJ|pc|d7|pc|s3|pc|h2|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "your count is ... remainder count?" Katz: "standard ... present count"|pg|| pc|cT|pc|h6|pc|d5|pc|h3|pg|| pc|hT|pc|d8|pc|hA|pc|h5|pg|| pc|dJ|pc|h9|pc|h7|pc|dA|pg|| pc|sJ|nt|robinswr: now he has to guess spades|pg|| pc|s7|pc|s2|pc|sA|pg|| pc|s8|pc|s6|pc|s9|pc|s4|pg|| pc|sK|pc|hQ|pc|sT|pc|sQ|pg|| nt|danmathies: wd|pg|| pg|| qx|o7|st||md|1ST52H963DJT975CT8,SAKQ7H542DQ84CA53,S863HKQ87D2CKQ764,SJ94HAJTDAK63CJ92|sv|b|nt|kit: no, it wasn't well played|pg|| nt|kit: it was misplayed, and then he made a lucky guess at the end.|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "We re-transfer there" Levin "6NT was the spot" Wein "I bid my hand like an animal" Levin "Not a great slam"; Levin "Best spot 6@c" Wein "Challenge the Champs hand"|pg|| mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|3N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|barnets: looks to me he played it right|pg|| pc|c4|nt|kit: If he pitches spade from dummy, then West is flat out squeezed on heart to ace -- he doesn't have to guess spade|pg|| nt|kit: diamond pitch on last club was an error|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Platnick "don't rush" all chuckle|pg|| pc|cJ|pc|c8|pc|c3|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "right play"|pg|| pc|s4|pc|s5|pc|sA|pc|s6|pg|| pc|h4|pc|hK|pc|hA|pc|h6|pg|| pc|hJ|pc|h3|pc|h2|pc|h8|pg|| mc|11|pg|| qx|c7|st||md|1ST52H963DJT975CT8,SAKQ7H542DQ84CA53,S863HKQ87D2CKQ764,SJ94HAJTDAK63CJ92|sv|b|nt|medwards: Well done|pg|| nt|robinswr: very well defensed and very well played|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "well done ... slam on every hand seems to work"|pg|| nt|medwards: Bulletin Hand|pg|| mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "nice defense; it was going to be routine if you didn't do it that way"|pg|| mb|1N|mb|p|mb|3N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|robinswr: katz would have defended the same with Jxx of spades|pg|| nt|danmathies: will tighten up match|pg|| pc|cQ|pc|c2|pc|c8|pc|cA|pg|| pc|h4|pc|h7|pc|hA|pc|h3|pg|| pc|hJ|pc|h6|pc|h5|pc|hQ|pg|| pc|cK|pc|c9|pc|cT|pc|c3|pg|| mc|11|pg|| qx|o8|st||md|2SAJ9HT64DJ963CQJ8,SKQ7HQJ7D74C96532,ST652H82DQT852CA4,S843HAK953DAKCKT7|sv|o|nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin "I said I'd give you 5"|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "Good play J.D."|pg|| mb|p|mb|p|mb|1C!|an|Precision|mb|p|mb|1H!|an|8-11 <5!s's|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|3C!|an|Puppet|mb|p|mb|3H|an|5|mb|p|mb|4H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|kit: 3NT a little better than 4@H, but both will make on the lie of the cards.|pg|| nt|kareno: Both sides found the 5-3 major fit|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: 1@h = 8-10 (Can't have 11 by PH or would bid differently)|pg|| pc|d2|pc|dK|nt|kit: In 3NT, just need ace of spades onside. In 4@H, have to worry about club suit also.|pg|| nt|danmathies: played by east in other room|pg|| nt|kit: These are difficult to evaluate, but it is amazing how often 3NT is better than the 5-3 major-suit fit (at IMPs, of course)|pg|| pc|d3|pc|d4|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Diamond asking a question of Wein|pg|| nt|kit: At matchpoints you lean towards the major, since if the major takes 1 more trick it is better -- but major needs to take 2 more tricks to be better at IMPs.|pg|| nt|barnets: it is interesting that a low club lead would give declarer a problem here if you could find it|pg|| nt|kit: Which is why 3NT is so often right.|pg|| pc|h3|pc|h6|pc|hQ|pc|h2|pg|| nt|barnets: a zia lead|pg|| nt|kit: If North is good enough to find a low club lead, declarer is good enough to go up king :)|pg|| nt|barnets: just said he had a problem sovable though|pg|| pc|h7|pc|h8|pc|hA|pc|h4|pg|| pc|h5|pc|hT|pc|hJ|pc|d5|pg|| pc|c2|pc|c4|pc|cT|pc|cJ|pg|| pc|s9|pc|sK|pc|s6|pc|s3|pg|| pc|c3|pc|cA|pc|c7|pc|c8|pg|| pc|s2|mc|10|pg|| qx|c8|st||md|2SAJ9HT64DJ963CQJ8,SKQ7HQJ7D74C96532,ST652H82DQT852CA4,S843HAK953DAKCKT7|sv|o|mb|p|mb|p|mb|1H|mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|2N|an|naturalish 1 round force|nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco asks NIckell about 2@h and I think he said "can't Drury"|pg|| mb|p|mb|4H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|cQ|nt|Vugraphzfb: Katz confirms with Nickell that 2NT was a 1 round force|pg|| pc|c2|pc|cA|pc|c7|pg|| pc|d5|pc|dA|pc|d9|pc|d4|pg|| pc|h3|pc|h4|pc|hQ|pc|h2|pg|| pc|hJ|pc|h8|pc|h5|pc|h6|pg|| pc|h7|pc|d2|pc|hA|pc|hT|pg|| pc|cK|pc|c8|pc|c3|pc|c4|pg|| pc|cT|pc|cJ|pc|c5|pc|d8|pg|| mc|10|pg|| qx|o9|st||md|3SAT43HQ65DK764CA3,S6HKJT4DAJT3C9742,SK9872H9832DQ92CQ,SQJ5HA7D85CKJT865|sv|e|mb|p|mb|2C!|an|Precision 6+ !c's|mb|p|mb|2D!|an|Asking|mb|p|nt|kit: The Precision 2@C opener might get them to 5@C|pg|| mb|3C|mb|p|nt|kit: Which can make on a good heart guess.|pg|| mb|p|mb|p|nt|kit: South might have doubled 2@C, but decided with partner a passed hand there was little future.|pg|| pc|d6|nt|Vugraphzfc: Bit of system chat by E-W|pg|| pc|dA|pc|d9|pc|d5|pg|| pc|c2|pc|cQ|pc|cK|pc|cA|pg|| pc|d7|pc|d3|pc|dQ|pc|d8|pg|| mc|10|pg|| qx|c9|st||md|3SAT43HQ65DK764CA3,S6HKJT4DAJT3C9742,SK9872H9832DQ92CQ,SQJ5HA7D85CKJT865|sv|e|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson "I should have led the J of clubs" Nickell: "I think I'd play it the same way" Hampson: "after Ace and a club? maybe not"|pg|| mb|p|mb|1C|mb|d|mb|1H|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|3C|mb|p|mb|p|nt|robinswr: 2@s shows five spades and less than an invite|pg|| nt|robinswr: thats not standard|pg|| mb|p|pc|d6|nt|robinswr: in standard it shows approx ten points|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Nickell: "your leads are?" Greco: "third and low"|pg|| pc|dJ|pc|d9|pc|d5|pg|| pc|c2|pc|cQ|pc|cK|pc|cA|pg|| pc|h5|pc|hJ|pc|h2|pc|h7|pg|| mc|11|pg|| qx|o10|st||md|4SK543HKQ3DKQ42CQ9,SHJ7642DAJ765CJ87,SJT98H9D93CAT6542,SAQ762HAT85DT8CK3|sv|b|mb|1S|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|2S!|an|Xfer|mb|p|mb|2N|an|Doesn't like !c's|mb|p|mb|3C|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|sA|pc|s3|nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "Bad hand, I usually don't like to put it down in dummy"|pg|| pc|h2|pc|sJ|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|sK|pc|c8|pc|sT|pg|| pc|h7|pc|h9|pc|hA|pc|h3|pg|| pc|s6|pc|s4|nt|runnerup: if you pass or so ew will bid and make 3 @h's|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Diamond thinking|pg|| pc|c7|pc|s9|pg|| pc|dA|pc|d9|pc|dT|pc|d2|pg|| pc|dJ|pc|d3|pc|d8|pc|dK|pg|| pc|hQ|pc|h4|pc|s8|pc|h5|pg|| pc|c9|pc|cJ|nt|runnerup: then you can run -or partner here but ew really has a good @h partial|pg|| pc|cA|mc|7|pg|| qx|c10|st||md|4SK543HKQ3DKQ42CQ9,SHJ7642DAJ765CJ87,SJT98H9D93CAT6542,SAQ762HAT85DT8CK3|sv|b|nt|robinswr: they're trying to make the bidding look bad (why weren't we in 5@c?_|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "in 5, might have done something different" Nickell: "in 5 I'd just take the @h finesse and make it ... but it's hard to see how we'd bid to 5" Hampson: "2@c P 5@c"|pg|| mb|1S|mb|d|mb|p|mb|2C|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|dT|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "well, I did not have to do this, but ..." Greco: "thanks"|pg|| pc|dK|pc|dA|pc|d3|pg|| pc|dJ|pc|d9|pc|d8|pc|dQ|pg|| nt|robinswr: on bad days, Greco has only the 5432 of clubs|pg|| pc|c9|pc|c8|pc|cA|pc|c3|pg|| pc|c2|pc|cK|pc|cQ|pc|c7|pg|| pc|sA|pc|s3|pc|h2|pc|s8|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "you bid our suit"|pg|| mc|8|nt|sixela: wouldnt be surprised o see this being push against 4h -1 in other room|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Katz: "you had A 4th of hearts? ... sorry ... I could have bid 2@d with hearts and diamonds, but you could have had a few of his clubs"|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "Nick opened our suit" Hampson "you had 4 as well (he was in the bathroom during the play of the hand)?" Greco: "6-4" Hampson "very good catch"|pg|| pg|| qx|o11|st||md|1ST7642HKT9D8CK986,SQJ3H43DAT95CQJ73,SK95HJ876DKQ762CT,SA8HAQ52DJ43CA542|sv|o|nt|barnets: playing in 3N on a diamond lead|pg|| mb|p|mb|p|nt|barnets: very hard to make|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin "4@h had no play" Wein "I can tell"|pg|| mb|1D|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|nt|barnets: Nickell got a diamond lead and a heart switch which he ducked|pg|| nt|barnets: the @C9 came back wn in dummy|pg|| mb|p|mb|d|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|barnets: e/w have 25 hcp|pg|| pc|cQ|nt|barnets: east a bit conservative|pg|| pc|cT|nt|Vugraphzfc: Sorry, glare in room :)|pg|| pc|cA|pc|c6|pg|| nt|kareno: Hoping to get his equity 50 at a time|pg|| pc|h2|pc|h9|pc|h4|nt|runnerup: 8 or less|pg|| nt|barnets: down in 3N as expected|pg|| pc|h6|pg|| pc|d8|pc|dA|pc|d2|pc|d3|pg|| pc|h3|pc|h7|pc|hA|pc|hT|pg|| pc|h5|pc|hK|pc|s3|pc|h8|pg|| nt|barnets: so 3 imps to Diamond at least|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|sK|pc|sA|pc|s4|pg|| pc|s8|pc|sT|pc|sJ|pc|s5|pg|| mc|7|pg|| qx|c11|st||md|1ST7642HKT9D8CK986,SQJ3H43DAT95CQJ73,SK95HJ876DKQ762CT,SA8HAQ52DJ43CA542|sv|o|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|3D|an|Puppet Stayman|nt|chorush: Nick miscounted his hand|pg|| mb|d|mb|3N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|sixela: same contract, but with lead directing d bid|pg|| nt|ahollan1: i think this is the only pair that uses that treatment|pg|| pc|d8|nt|danmathies: better|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Sorry - I mis-typed|pg|| nt|ahollan1: 3@D = puppet stayman|pg|| pc|d5|pc|dQ|pc|d3|pg|| pc|h6|nt|robinswr: i've now seen 2@c, 2NT, 3@c and 3@d as puppet stayman over 1NT|pg|| nt|sixela: not exactly puppet, looks for strong 4 cd or 5cd major, caters to 4-3 fit|pg|| nt|ahollan1: Boyd-Robinson probably have the most intricate definition of Puppet auctions|pg|| nt|robinswr: puppet Stayman asks for a 5-card major|pg|| nt|chorush: using 3D means that you cannot use puppet 4-3 in the majors|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Thanks, Sam - I knew Katz wroge more than just Puppet|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: But couldn't read it :)|pg|| nt|chorush: or rather, you can use it but you may miss your 4-4 major suit fit|pg|| pc|h2|pc|h9|pc|h3|pg|| nt|robinswr: 4@s would probably be ok opposite AKxx of spades|pg|| nt|sixela: they bid stayman with 4cd major, this treatment caters to 5-3 or 4-3 fit with weak side doubleton|pg|| nt|ahollan1: that's right they'll show 4-card suit of KQTx or better i should have read postscript in notes i made way back when |pg|| pc|c9|nt|robinswr: hampson has led his 5-card suit|pg|| pc|cQ|pc|cT|pc|c2|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco asks that the trick be left up - studying it and dummy|pg|| nt|robinswr: hasn't led his 5-card spade suit which would make this go lots faster|pg|| nt|chorush: not only faster but looks like it would set it|pg|| nt|sixela: well, got a lead directing x and went with it|pg|| pc|c3|pc|d7|pc|cA|pc|c6|pg|| pc|c4|pc|cK|pc|c7|pc|d2|pg|| nt|chorush: Nick can now give club, take spade finesse, and only then give Greco his diamond|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Nickell: "your suit preference signals are standard?" "yes"|pg|| pc|c8|pc|cJ|pc|s5|pc|c5|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Nickell: "I have 3 tricks and you all have 3?" "yep"|pg|| nt|robinswr: if greco shows up with KQ of diamonds and king of spades, he can't have the king of hearts|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|sK|pc|sA|pc|s7|pg|| pc|d4|pc|s4|pc|d9|pc|dK|pg|| pc|h7|nt|Vugraphzfb: Nickell puts screen down to ask Greco about opening bid style in 3rd chair both white. I think Greco said "not ridiculous"|pg|| pc|hA|pc|hT|pc|h4|pg|| pc|dJ|mc|8|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson claimed|pg|| pg|| qx|o12|st||md|2SJ873HQ8DJ84CA842,S4H7542DT75CKJ753,S62HJT9DKQ932CQT9,SAKQT95HAK63DA6C6|sv|n|mb|p|nt|runnerup: task is to find 4-4 @h|pg|| mb|p|mb|1C|an|Precision|mb|p|nt|runnerup: 4 @h is best|pg|| nt|kit: since won't be any competition, probably won't be too difficult|pg|| mb|1D!|an|0-7|mb|p|mb|1S!|an|Forcing, may be 4|mb|p|nt|barnets: e/w just needed the @HQ for slam with spades 4-2 and hearts 3-2|pg|| nt|kit: 4@H reached in other room|pg|| mb|1N!|an|?|mb|p|nt|kit: 1NT I think 0-4, < 4 spades|pg|| mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|nt|kit: ouch!|pg|| mb|p|nt|runnerup: sdo it was not so easy|pg|| nt|jumpshift: problem with with first rebid: 2@S would be natural gf|pg|| nt|kareno: Well this can't make without a club duck by south (possible)|pg|| nt|jumpshift: after 1NT he could not afford 3@H because can't untangle the suit lengths|pg|| nt|kit: problem with methods really -- East should have way to make GF hand to show 5-4.|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Discussion between Levin and Platnick, perhaps about the explanation of 1@d, Levin might have X'd?|pg|| nt|jumpshift: I expect they do have a method (2@S over 1@D) but east didn't foresee the problem|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Calm call for Director to establish what happened at this point, so short break in the action|pg|| nt|kareno: e/w had a nice auction to 4@h|pg|| nt|kareno: In the CR|pg|| nt|jumpshift: Kit, you play strong club, how do you handle the east hand after 1@D response?|pg|| nt|kareno: I'm a diamond leader here|pg|| nt|kit: Still, this isn't down yet -- It may not be obvious to Weinstein to go up ace of clubs|pg|| nt|barnets: n/s need both to take their club ace and shift to diamonds before declarer reaches dummy withthe @H7 to beat this|pg|| pc|d4|nt|kit: This lead is good for defense, but still won't be clear how to defend.|pg|| nt|barnets: thats 1|pg|| pc|d5|pc|dQ|nt|kit: Remember, Weinstein won't even know where king of diamonds is|pg|| pc|dA|pg|| pc|sA|pc|s7|pc|s4|pc|s2|pg|| pc|sK|pc|s3|pc|h2|pc|s6|pg|| nt|barnets: should have played club I think|pg|| pc|sQ|nt|kareno: And the BOLS tip I mentioned yesterday - if declarer leads a card to dummy at trick 2 it's a singleton doesn't apply here... |pg|| pc|s8|pc|d7|pc|d3|pg|| nt|kit: Levin better not pitch a heart -- which he might think is safe |pg|| pc|c6|pc|c4|pc|cK|pc|cT|pg|| pc|h4|pc|h9|nt|barnets: there you go|pg|| nt|kit: 3 of diamonds current count -- but not helpful enough|pg|| pc|hA|pc|h8|pg|| pc|sT|pc|sJ|pc|c3|nt|kareno: :)|pg|| pc|c9|pg|| nt|barnets: how about this idea throw from length to give a count in dummys long suit|pg|| nt|jumpshift: this is a 21st century hand, where South's spades are suit pref for clubs, and knowing south has the club ace, then North can give count in clubs on third spade|pg|| nt|barnets: i read that idea once this is a classic hand for it|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin asking Platnick if hand is over|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Levin "Made 4" Wein "Sorry"|pg|| mc|10|pg|| qx|c12|st||md|2SJ873HQ8DJ84CA842,S4H7542DT75CKJ753,S62HJT9DKQ932CQT9,SAKQT95HAK63DA6C6|sv|n|mb|p|mb|p|mb|2C|nt|sixela: nickell saved 2 imps by rising with the A|pg|| nt|ahollan1: 2@D=0/1 controls|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "I should have led my spade" Nickell: "spade lead gets it over sooner ... how many spades did you have?" Hampson: "I had 5"|pg|| mb|p|mb|2D|an|0-1 controls|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|nt|robinswr: can they get to hearts|pg|| mb|3C|an|2nd negative|mb|p|mb|3H|mb|p|nt|sixela: yes, but can they stop in 4|pg|| mb|4H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|sixela: yes again, wd|pg|| pc|d4|nt|chorush: well 3C was 2nd neg so Nickell had nothing to think about|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Katz: "sorry if the K of clubs is enough for slam here ... I didn't want to bid 2NT"|pg|| pc|d5|pc|dQ|pc|dA|pg|| nt|sixela: ty ira, i wasnt sure about that|pg|| pc|sA|pc|s3|pc|s4|pc|s6|pg|| pc|sK|pc|s7|pc|d7|pc|s2|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|s8|pc|dT|pc|h9|pg|| pc|cT|pc|c6|pc|cA|pc|c3|pg|| pc|sJ|pc|h2|pc|hJ|pc|s5|pg|| pc|dK|pc|d6|pc|d8|pc|h4|pg|| pc|h5|pc|hT|pc|hA|pc|h8|pg|| pc|hK|pc|hQ|pc|h7|pc|d2|pg|| mc|10|pg|| qx|o13|st||md|3SAQ9HQJT653D8CT64,SKT63HA82D9732CA5,SJ82H74DKJT6CKJ72,S754HK9DAQ54CQ983|sv|b|nt|barnets: so the diamond card would be count on clubs|pg|| nt|runnerup: the easy thing is that when you compare -they say +620 -you a push ..next.|pg|| nt|jumpshift: surrogate count signals, pretty cool!|pg|| mb|p|nt|runnerup: 420|pg|| mb|1D!|an|2+|nt|runnerup: quit ligth opening|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein "Did well not to play @c right away" Plat "Thought that would be too obvious" Wein "I didn't have the count yet"|pg|| mb|1H|mb|d|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|p|nt|jumpshift: a world class expert just told me he uses trumps to give count in this situation, I like that one best!|pg|| nt|runnerup: 1 why not 2 @h|pg|| mb|p|nt|barnets: that works too|pg|| pc|hQ|nt|kit: it is an interesting idea -- if you can define "that situation" accurately|pg|| nt|barnets: usually an entryless dummy|pg|| nt|kareno: Too much outside hearts|pg|| nt|barnets: anything else is too hard I think|pg|| nt|runnerup: 2+2+ 2+1|pg|| pc|h2|pc|h7|pc|h9|pg|| pc|hJ|pc|h8|pc|h4|pc|hK|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Wein led the @hJ first, sorry|pg|| pc|d4|pc|d8|pc|d9|pc|dJ|pg|| pc|c2|pc|c9|pc|cT|pc|cA|pg|| nt|runnerup: why did north overtake @d |pg|| nt|runnerup: ok -thts why|pg|| nt|runnerup: ,,|pg|| pc|c5|pc|c7|pc|c8|pc|c6|pg|| nt|runnerup: ok i surrender|pg|| pc|s4|pc|s9|pc|sK|pc|s2|pg|| pc|d2|pc|dT|pc|dQ|pc|h6|pg|| pc|dA|pc|h3|pc|d3|pc|d6|pg|| pc|s5|pc|sQ|pc|s3|pc|s8|pg|| pc|h5|pc|hA|pc|cJ|pc|d5|pg|| pc|d7|pc|dK|pc|s7|pc|c4|pg|| mc|7|pg|| qx|c13|st||md|3SAQ9HQJT653D8CT64,SKT63HA82D9732CA5,SJ82H74DKJT6CKJ72,S754HK9DAQ54CQ983|sv|b|mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfb: Greco: "what were your spades?" Nickell: "AKQ ten nine 6th"|pg|| mb|2H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|d3|pc|dT|pc|dQ|pc|d8|pg|| pc|s7|pc|sQ|pc|sK|pc|s2|pg|| pc|cA|pc|c2|nt|sixela: now must shift to A and a c to beat it|pg|| pc|c9|pc|c4|pg|| pc|c5|pc|cK|pc|c3|pc|c6|pg|| pc|dK|pc|dA|pc|h3|pc|d2|pg|| pc|s9|nt|sixela: and that might not do it|pg|| pc|s3|pc|sJ|pc|s4|pg|| pc|dJ|pc|d4|pc|cT|pc|d7|pg|| pc|h4|pc|hK|pc|h5|pc|h2|pg|| pc|cQ|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "passed hand got any more over there?" laughter|pg|| nt|robinswr: well played so far|pg|| pc|hT|pc|d9|pc|c7|pg|| pc|hQ|pc|hA|pc|h7|pc|h9|pg|| mc|8|nt|Vugraphzfb: Hampson: "can you give him a spade ruff?" "no spade ruff" Katz: "I had to lead A of clubs" Nickell: "spade lead might work" Katz: "spade was my third choice" Hampson: "spade lead ...|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: might work - kills my entry"|pg|| pg|| qx|o14|st||md|4SK653HA6DT875CA74,SJ92HKQ7DK96CKQ32,SAT8HT9DQ43CJT985,SQ74HJ85432DAJ2C6|sv|o|nt|barnets: only a 5 imp match now exciting stuff|pg|| mb|2H|mb|p|nt|kit: Not everybody would open a weak 2 on the East hand, but that sort of call is becoming more popular|pg|| nt|kareno: Diamond have battled their way back to almost even|pg|| nt|barnets: normal 3 for you kit but take away the @DA|pg|| nt|kareno: I would throw it back in the water to see if it grows up|pg|| nt|kit: And if West shoots out 3NT, things get very interesting|pg|| mb|3H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|runnerup: 3 @h is for what?|pg|| nt|kareno: LoTT raise I guess|pg|| nt|kit: to put pressure on opponents if North has anything|pg|| nt|barnets: preempt|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Thanks to our superstar written and voice commentators, BBO, USBF and Jan Martel for making this possible, and to our loyal viewers :)|pg|| pc|s5|pc|s2|pc|sA|pc|s4|pg|| pc|d3|nt|kit: He will likely compete to 3@H anyway, so he goes there immediately|pg|| pc|d2|pc|dT|pc|dK|pg|| pc|hK|pc|h9|pc|h2|nt|runnerup: you have14 -and almost make 3nt (2nt all the time) so for what|pg|| nt|kareno: And to our tireless Operator, Gary Hann for bringing the room to life for us|pg|| nt|barnets: it is good for opps to guess hecould have 2 points or 14 pts|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: *blush* There will be a very short break|pg|| pc|hA|pg|| pc|d5|pc|d6|mc|9|nt|barnets: some play opener is allowed to bid game after raise with 6-5 or 6-4 distributions|pg|| pg|| qx|c14|st||md|4SK653HA6DT875CA74,SJ92HKQ7DK96CKQ32,SAT8HT9DQ43CJT985,SQ74HJ85432DAJ2C6|sv|o|mb|p|mb|1D!|an|2+|mb|p|mb|1N|nt|ahollan1: 1@D=10-15, 2+@D|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Nickell asks about 1NT and Greco shrugs|pg|| mb|2H|mb|p|nt|robinswr: after 1minor p 1nt, you could treat the 1NT as the opening bid and play your notrump defense here|pg|| mb|p|mb|p|pc|d7|pc|d6|pc|dQ|pc|dA|pg|| nt|sixela: you could, but when you play transfers over opening nt, it seems unwise|pg|| pc|c6|pc|cA|pc|c2|pc|cJ|pg|| pc|s3|pc|s2|pc|sA|pc|s4|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Nick: "wish trick"|pg|| pc|sT|pc|s7|pc|sK|pc|s9|pg|| pc|s5|pc|sJ|pc|s8|pc|sQ|pg|| pc|h2|pc|hA|pc|h7|pc|h9|pg|| nt|robinswr: best is double shows a 4-card major and a longer minor with 2of a major showing 5 and a minor and 2@d showing 1 major|pg|| pc|s6|mc|9|pg|| qx|o15|st||md|1SJT8HQJ9843D9CJ83,SAKQHK65DK754CQ94,S942H7DAQT82CK762,S7653HAT2DJ63CAT5|sv|n|nt|Vugraphzfc: Break of course, after this final board, almost on time now :)|pg|| mb|p|mb|1C|an|Precision|nt|kit: you mean if opener meant to open 31H Barnet?|pg|| mb|1D|mb|2D!|nt|kit: Will be normal 3NT contract, which will probably come home -- but not for sure.|pg|| nt|barnets: think a typo in there kit I meant 2@H -3@H can bid with 6-4 or 6-5|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Can't read the alerts, they are a bit long, so nothing simple here|pg|| mb|p|mb|2N|mb|p|nt|kit: no -- I meant that with 6-4 or 6-5 opener meant to open 3@H :)|pg|| mb|3N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|barnets: I am sure we have all done that :)|pg|| pc|s9|nt|Vugraphzfc: Range - 16+ to 19|pg|| nt|kit: Passive lead by Levin, and might be quite effective.|pg|| pc|s3|pc|s8|pc|sK|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Diamond "16+ to 18 by me"|pg|| nt|barnets: well a diamond lead effectively gives dec his 9th|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Diamond asking about signals to Wein, now getting a further explanation|pg|| nt|kit: Declarer can get 4 spades, 2 heart, 1 diamond, 2 clubs -- we can see that, but he can't.|pg|| nt|barnets: 1@D 2@C 4@S and 2@H|pg|| pc|c4|pc|c6|pc|cT|pc|cJ|pg|| nt|barnets: looks as cards lie that he should come to a diamond trick|pg|| nt|barnets: n/s can only take 2 clubs and 2 diamonds|pg|| nt|kit: he doesn't know spades 3-3 -- but may soon be forced to play for that.|pg|| nt|kit: Still, this is the type of hand where gremlins appear and a seemingly cold contract can go down.|pg|| pc|hQ|nt|barnets: he cant duck this |pg|| nt|barnets: or they can go back to clubs|pg|| nt|barnets: for 5 tricks|pg|| nt|kit: he certainly won't duck.|pg|| pc|hK|pc|h7|pc|h2|pg|| nt|kit: I think he will try a diamond now.|pg|| pc|d4|nt|barnets: he wins cashes all his side winners |pg|| nt|barnets: and leads @DK from hand|pg|| nt|barnets: south can have stiff Q|pg|| nt|kareno: That would make north's a strange overcall vulnerable against not|pg|| pc|dQ|pc|d3|pc|d9|pg|| pc|dT|pc|dJ|nt|barnets: regardless why take the chance|pg|| pc|h3|pc|d5|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Diamond sighing|pg|| nt|barnets: lot of starnge stuff going on|pg|| pc|s5|pc|sJ|pc|sA|pc|s2|pg|| nt|kit: He now knows the hearts are 6-1, since otherwise Levin surely would have led back a heart.|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|s4|pc|s6|pc|sT|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfc: Diamond sighs more|pg|| nt|barnets: he is surviving|pg|| nt|kit: So he knows the whole hand -- sort of|pg|| pc|cQ|nt|kit: except for who has the king of clubs|pg|| pc|c7|nt|kit: if South has it, he wants to go up ace|pg|| nt|kareno: The opening lead made it very hard for declarer.|pg|| nt|barnets: he still make it|pg|| nt|barnets: going up ace|pg|| nt|pmasson: going up Ace is OK|pg|| nt|barnets: just plays another club|pg|| nt|kit: If he goes up ace, North has 3 winners|pg|| nt|kit: And Levin didn't cover the honor with the honor|pg|| nt|barnets: yes 2 clubs and @DA right|pg|| pc|c5|pc|c3|pg|| mc|9|nt|kit: And he dodged the gremlin|pg|| nt|barnets: 5 imp match|pg|| pg|| qx|c15|st||md|1SJT8HQJ9843D9CJ83,SAKQHK65DK754CQ94,S942H7DAQT82CK762,S7653HAT2DJ63CAT5|sv|n|nt|Vugraphzfb: Nick: "made 3 ... good defense" Hampson: "you could complain about our pace of play on a lot of hands, but not that one" :)|pg|| mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|nt|robinswr: of all the defenses against 1nt, I think transfers is one of the worst|pg|| mb|3N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|d8|pc|dJ|pc|d9|pc|d5|pg|| nt|robinswr: you bid 2@h holding xxxxx/xx/x/AKxxx and QJ109xx/xx/x/AKxx and what is partner supposed to do with a singleton spade|pg|| pc|s3|pc|s8|pc|sA|pc|s2|pg|| nt|sixela: you dont bid it with the first hand|pg|| nt|robinswr: assume rho opened 1nt when it starts 1minor p 1nt|pg|| nt|Vugraphzfb: Katz asks "Standard Smith or upside down?" Hampson: "neither, we play suit preference at trick 2 if we think we need it"|pg|| pc|sK|pc|s4|pc|s5|pc|sJ|pg|| nt|robinswr: i think most experts would bid with the first hand|pg|| pc|sQ|pc|s9|pc|s6|pc|sT|pg|| nt|sixela: i amnot a fan of transfers as a def to 1nt, but i have seen them worj well in this tournament, also, i have seen overactiive interference produce very mixed results|pg|| pc|c4|pc|c2|pc|cT|pc|cJ|pg|| nt|robinswr: there's a book of opening leads against 3nt where they give a hand like north's and create about 10,000 hands and see which lead beats 3nt the most |pg|| pc|c8|pc|cQ|pc|cK|pc|cA|pg|| pc|s7|pc|h3|pc|h5|pc|d2|pg|| pc|c5|pc|c3|pc|c9|pc|c7|pg|| pc|hK|pc|h7|pc|h2|pc|h4|pg|| pc|h6|pc|dT|pc|hA|pc|h8|pg|| pc|d3|mc|9|nt|robinswr: spade lead doesn't give up a trick|pg|| nt|sixela: but what beats it?|pg|| nt|robinswr: no lead beats it but a diamond lead makes it easy|pg|| nt|sixela: whew, i am a long time fan of 4th from my longest and strongest, especially with 5|pg|| nt|sixela: hate to have to change at this point|pg|| nt|robinswr: diamnod lead is normal but is it best in theory|pg|| nt|sixela: seems like it should be, but i dont really know...however, unless i see something that is clearly better, no reason to give up on it|pg|| nt|sixela: also, least likely to create a large swing|pg|| nt|robinswr: the book assumes double dummy defense after the opening lead and it assumes that partner can read your short suit opening leads|pg|| nt|robinswr: we have a match|pg|| nt|chip: Read it and always know which suit to shift to (e.g. here if you led a spade, nice that partner knows to shift D (or clubs if he has a stiff) rather rather than hearts say).|pg|| pg||