June 2022 - 39

Xiao
1l
2'
2k
Jeng
1'
1NT
2l
Pass
1' was artificial and showed a
strong hand of 16 or more HCP. 1l is
also artificial and shows a weak hand
of 0-7 HCP. 1NT was natural showing
17-19 balanced. Thereafter followed
2' (Stayman) and 2l, denying
a four-card major. By agreement, 2k
is weak with typically four spades
and five hearts. Knowing they were
in a 5-2 fit, Jeng decided to pass.
Mann
2l
Pass
The 2' opening shows either a
" normal " strong 2' opening, or
18-19 balanced. Hansson liked his
controls and spot cards enough to
upgrade this hand. 2l artificially
showed hearts. 2k by opener described
a hand with two or three
hearts and 18-19 balanced, and there
they rested. Being able to stop in
this contract is very impressive. It's
also quite interesting that both pairs
reached a 5-2 heart fit instead of a
5-3 spade fit. No one said bidding is
easy.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1NT-2';
2l-2k; 2-Pass. Xiao and Jeng
were on to something, if only opener
had the information they needed to
correct hearts to spades.
Scores: 2 11; 3 8; 2k 6; 4 1
Xiao-Jeng 11, Mann-Hansson 12
Hansson
2'
2k
Problem 3
South deals. E-W vulnerable.
South opens 1k and rebids 3' if
possible.
West
 A K J 10 7 6
k K 5
l Q 2
' 9 4 3
East
 Q 4 2
k A 9
l A 9 6 5
' J 10 8 7
Xiao North Jeng
Mann
South
Hansson
(1k)
1 (Pass) 2k (3')
4 All Pass
The same auction occurred at both
tables.
The 1 overcall was utterly normal.
The 2k cuebid showed a limit
raise or better in spades. Over the 3'
interjection by the opener, Xiao and
Mann liked the long strong spade suit
enough to jump directly to game in
spades.
Bridge Bulletin auction: (1k)-1-
(Pass)-2k; (3')-3k-(Pass)-3NT;
All Pass. There is an argument that
the overcaller could be a little more
delicate here, cuebidding hearts to
show a stopper there and leave 3NT
in the picture. Reaching 3NT despite
holding a nine-card spade fit would
be a nice accomplishment for any
pair.
Scores: 3NT 12; 3 9; 4 4
Xiao-Jeng 15, Mann-Hansson 16
Problem 4
West deals. Both vulnerable.
West
 A K 8 6
k K Q 6
l K 5 4
' A 6 2
East
 Q 9 4 3
k A 7 5
l A 3 2
' K 9 7
Xiao
1'
1NT
2NT
4k
5'
5k
Pass
Xiao and Jeng employed a long and
complex relay auction, which breaks
down as follows. 1' was strong and
artificial. 1 was artificial, forcing
to game, and showed various possible
distributions, one of which is a balanced
hand. 1NT asked for more information,
and 2 showed a 4-3-3-3
type of hand. 2NT asked again, and
4' showed the exact distribution of
4=3=3=3 and 13 or more points with
at least five controls. (An ace is worth
two controls and a king is worth one.)
4k said, " I know about your aces and
kings already, can you tell me about
your queens, please? " 4NT said, " As
far as queens go, yes in spades, but no
in hearts. " 5' asked for more queens,
and responder said no in diamonds,
and 5k asked once again with 5
saying no in clubs. Knowing there
were exactly 11 top tricks and no
ruffs, they were able to stop just in
time.
Mann
2'
2NT
3l
3
4l
4NT
5NT
6
Hansson
2
3'
3k
4'
4k
5
6l
Pass
Not to be outdone, our Swedish pair
had even a longer auction, although
the second half of the auction will
have more familiarity to most ACBL
members. 2' was either a strong
hand or balanced 18-19, as previously
described. 2 is basically a transfer
June 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
39
Jeng
1
2
4'
4NT
5l
5

June 2022

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