March 2020 - 39

was responsive, showing values, but
the emphasis is on hearts, showing
at least four. Perlin wanted to bid 4♠
but feared that would be interpreted
as RKCB for hearts (as they play 4♠
is ace-asking when hearts are trump),
and they'd not discussed this sequence.
He opted to jump in clubs and hope for
the best. Savchenko considered bidding slam, but with two possible spade
losers, he settled for 5♦.
Botta
5♦

North
Tuncok South
(2♠)
4NT
(Pass)
All Pass

Tuncok could show both minors with
4♠ or 4NT at his first turn. He gave
thought to 4♠ (which is the stronger
of the two actions) before settling on
4NT. As happens in a new partnership,
they had not discussed specific expectations for the two. Botta, expecting
a much weaker hand, bid 5♦, which
ended the auction.
Bridge Bulletin auction: (2♠)-3♣-
(3♠)-Dbl; (Pass)-4♠-(Pass)-5NT
[pick a slam]; (Pass)-6♦-All Pass.
Scores: 6♦ 11; 6♣ 10; 5♦ 6; 5♣ 5;
7♦ 3; 7♣ 2
Savchenko-Perlin 36, Botta-Tuncok 37

Problem 6

East deals. E-W vulnerable.
West
♠AJ
♥A9
♦ J 10 8 6 5 2
♣KQ7

East
♠K754
♥4
♦Q73
♣ A 10 8 6 5

Savchenko

Perlin
Pass
2♣
3♣
3♠
Pass

1NT
2♦
3♦
5♣

1NT shows a good 14 to 17 HCP and
is systemic even with a six-card minor.
As a passed hand, 3♣ was natural
and showed doubt about a major. 3♦
was not natural, but showed doubt
about strain. When responder bid

3♠, Savchenko, worried about hearts,
opted to play game in clubs.
Botta

Tuncok
Pass
2♣
3♣
3♠
Pass

1NT
2♦
3♥
3NT

Bridge Bulletin auction: As
Savchenko-Perlin.

Botta opted to bid 3♥ over 3♣, after
which 3♠ showed values there. 3NT
showed a diamond stop. Tuncok took
some time, but ultimately passed, fearing 11 tricks in clubs would be difficult,
particularly if opener had some wasted
values in hearts.
Bridge Bulletin auction: Pass-1NT;
2♣-2♦; 3NT-Pass. On a good day, the
opponents will lead a spade.
Scores: 5♦ 11; 5♣ 7; 4♦ 6; 4♣ 4;
2NT 3; 3NT 2
Savchenko-Perlin 43, Botta-Tuncok 39

Problem 7

South deals. Both vulnerable.
North overcalls 2♦ (or 3♦ if not a
jump) if possible.
West
♠J
♥ A 10 8 7 5 2
♦J7
♣ A J 10 3
Savchenko North
1♥
3♣

East
♠ A Q 10 9 8 3
♥63
♦98
♣K94
Perlin

(2♦) 2♠
(Pass) 3♠

South
(Pass)
(Pass)
All Pass

2♠ is natural and forcing one round,
as is 3♣. Perlin chose to rebid a nonforcing 3♠ with the meaty spade suit
instead of taking a heart preference,
over which Savchenko was content to
pass.
Botta

North

1♥
3♥

(2♦)
All Pass

a non-forcing 3♥ call. Tuncok saw
no reason to go further with a known
eight-card fit.

Tuncok South
(Pass)
2♠
(Pass)

After the expected start, Botta opted
to show the sixth heart right away with

Scores: 2♠ 11; 3♠ 10; 3♥ 8; 3♣ 5;
4♠ 4; 4♥ 2
Savchenko-Perlin 53, Botta-Tuncok 47

Problem 8

West deals. None vulnerable.
West
♠J73
♥AKJ654
♦3
♣A63

East
♠864
♥-
♦AQJ8752
♣ K 10 2

Savchenko
1♥
3NT

Perlin
3♦
Pass

3♦ was natural and invitational
without a heart fit, though two low
hearts were possible, but not frequent.
Savchenko took the optimistic route
to everyone's favorite matchpoint spot
based on his three quick tricks.
Botta
1♥
2♥
3♥
5♣
Pass

Tuncok
2♦
3♦
4♦
5♦

Tuncok lacked an immediate way
to invite in diamonds, so he treated
the hand as a game force. 2♥ did not
necessarily show six hearts, so Botta
rebid them again to send that message.
Tuncok sensed notrump was not the
right strain and emphasized his onesuiter. Opener cuebid the ♣A in case
responder had higher aspirations.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1♥-1NT
[forcing]; 2♥-3♦; Pass.
Scores: 3♦ 10; 2NT 7; 2♥ 6; 3NT 5;
4♦ 4; 3♥ 3; 5♦ 2. Thanks to Richard
Pavlicek of Fort Lauderdale FL.
Final score: Savchenko-Perlin 58,
Botta-Tuncok 49

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March 2020 Bridge Bulletin

39
March 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2020
