July 2024 - 41

was waiting, and 3h showed a very
strong suit, setting the trump suit
unconditionally. 4c by West showed
a control (the king in this case). East
countered with the diamond control,
and West next showed his own diamond
control. Knowing he was likely
opposite both minor-suit kings, East
was able to bid an excellent grand
slam. While there could occasionally
be an issue with the fourth round
of clubs, there are numerous possibilities
to deal with it, so East was
willing to take that small chance.
Boye
2d
4c
5d
6d
Pass
This auction began the same way.
2c by East with the powerhouse, 2d
waiting by West, 3h setting trumps
with a strong suit by East. West
showed a club control, East a diamond
control, and West a diamond
control. Here the paths finally diverged.
East bid 5s, showing further
controls in an attempt to ensure a
resting place for the fourth club. West
complied by showing something
extra in diamonds, which was all
East needed to hear to bid 7h.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 2c-2d;
2h-2NT; 3h-4c; 5s-6d; 7h-Pass.
The grand slam can still be reached
even for pairs who don't play the jump
by opener to set the trump suit. On
this auction, 4c shows good values
with a heart fit. 5s shows a void.
West could very nearly bid the grand
slam at that point, given how well the
cards in the minor suits fit, but one
more try couldn't hurt just in case.
Scores: 7h 11; 6h 5; 5h 2
Ferro-Holtz 17; Boye-Dovell 21
Dovell
2c
3h
4d
5s
7h
Problem 3
South deals. E-W vulnerable.
West
East
s Q 9 8
h K Q 9 2
d Q J 2
c Q J 7
Ferro
1c
1NT
2s
3NT
s A K 10 4 3 2
h A 6 3
d 8 3
c 4 3
Holtz
1s
2d
3s
Pass
West opened 1c; the hand was a little
ugly, but still had 13 HCP. East responded
1s, and West rebid 1NT. East
bid 2d, which was forcing to game,
a common version of the new minor
forcing convention. West admitted to
his three-card spade support. Many
Easts would jump straight to 4s now,
but this East carefully bid only 3s to
leave his side room to play 3NT if it
was right. West was happy to make
that decision with his slow hand, and
the only making game was reached.
Very well done.
Boye
1c
1NT
Pass
Dovell
1s
3s
The same obvious start of 1c-1s;
1NT happened for this pair. The main
decision hinged on East's evaluation.
With just 11 HCP, East decided only
to invite with a 3s call. This has
something to do with opening bid
style, as for some partnerships West
might easily hold only 11 HCP in this
position. West had very bad controls,
so despite the spade fit, he passed 3s.
At least they didn't get too high in
spades.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1c-1s;
1NT-2d; 2s-3s; 3NT-Pass. As
Ferro and Holtz, although this is
a standard version of new minor
Ferro
Boye
1c
2c
3NT
Holtz
Dovell
1s
3c
Pass
This hand could be considered the
dud of the set, as neither pair struggled
to reach the top contract. West
opened 1c, and East showed spades.
Despite holding a nice hand, West
was just a little shy of jump rebid to
3c, thus had to settle for 2c. The
East hand is one that many players
would pass, but both East players
here appreciated the extra value of
the honor cards in clubs, enough to
raise to 3c. The West players had a
lot of playing strength for their 2c
rebid, so both tried 3NT.
Bridge Bulletin auction: As the
contestants. If both pairs made it look
this easy, why would we suggest anything
different? Of note is that this
auction is made easier for pairs who
strongly suggest a six-card suit for
the minor-suit rebid. If the 2c rebid
can be five, it's very hard for East to
proceed.
Scores: 3NT 11; 2NT 8; 3c 5; 4c 3
Ferro-Holtz 39; Boye-Dovell 37
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July 2024 | Bridge Bulletin |
41
forcing. 2s shows a minimum, making
3s forcing, as East could simply
pass with an invitational hand.
Scores: 3NT 11; 2NT 8; 3s 5; 4s 2
Ferro-Holtz 28; Boye-Dovell 26
Problem 4
West deals. Both vulnerable.
West
s 2
h K J 5
d A 5
c K Q 10 9 6 5 3
East
s J 10 9 5 4
h 3 2
d K 8 7 4
c A J
July 2024

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