February 2025 - 41

eight-card minor with little-to-no
strength outside. Because East had
all the other suits stopped, they had
nothing to do but pass, and the best
contract was reached. Often pairs
will play 3NT shows some stoppers in
third or fourth seat because otherwise
game is not especially likely opposite
a passed hand, but this combination
shows that it's still quite possible.
Bridge Bulletin auction: Pass-1c;
1h-3c; 3NT-Pass. It would be reasonable
for West to preempt here,
maybe even as high as 5c, except
two factors argue against it: the vulnerability,
and the running clubs in
case 3NT is the best contract.
Scores: 3NT 11; 4c 6; 5c 3
Cohen-Collins 46, Kovacevics 41
Problem 7
South deals. Both vulnerable.
West
East
s A K 9 7
h A K 9 2
d A 9 6 5
c 7
Cohen
1d
2h
3s
6NT
s 8 4
h Q
d 10 4 3
c A K Q 10 4 3 2
Collins
2c
3c
4d
Pass
After a 1d opening by West, East
responded 2c, forcing to game. West
next showed hearts, and East rebid
the solid clubs. West next bid 3s,
which can be used to show a spade
stopper is missing, but otherwise is a
sort of waiting bid to see what partner
will do. East next decided on 4d,
perhaps hoping for a 5-3 fit. West
didn't have any intelligent way to
investigate further, so he jumped to
6NT with his extra values, reaching
an excellent slam.
Miroslav
1d
2NT
4NT
Ana
2c
3NT
Pass
West opened 1d, and East responded
2c, logically upgraded for the
strong suit. West at this table decided
to bid 2NT, counting on East to introduce
a major suit if she held one. East
raised to 3NT, depending on the club
tricks to make. West invited slam
with 4NT, and East had an interesting
decision with all those tricks but
minimal high cards. She decided on
passing, and one can certainly understand
why.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1d-2c;
2h-3c; 3s-4c; 4NT-5s; 6NT-
Pass. Getting to 7NT on these cards
is no small feat. If anyone can do
it with confidence, while stopping
lower if East's red suits are the other
way around, please let us know!
Scores: 7NT 12; 7c 10; 6NT 7;
6c 6; 5NT 3; 5c 1
Cohen-Collins 53, Kovacevics 44
Problem 8
West deals. None vulnerable.
West
East
s A K 8 6 2
h A 10 6
d A 5
c 10 4 2
Cohen
1NT
2h
3h
4h
s 5 4
h K Q 9 4 3 2
d Q J 9 4 2
c -
Collins
2d
3d
3NT
Pass
West opened 1NT showing 15-17
HCP. This has become commonplace
for most tournament players even
when holding a five-card major. East
bid 2d, transferring to hearts, and
after West accepted the transfer, East
bid 3d showing a game force with
hearts and diamonds. West bid 3h
confirming a fit there. East next bid
3NT, by agreement showing mild
slam interest. West had great controls
but was minimal, so he decided
to sign off. It was also hard to know
East had a hand like this one.
Miroslav
1NT
2h
3h
Pass
West duplicated the 1NT opening
of the other pair. East followed the
same route of transferring to hearts
and then showing diamonds. When
West bid 3h, East decided she had
too little to investigate slam, and
simply signed off. West isn't really
allowed to bid over 4h even if he
wants to, because East never confirmed
any slam interest to begin
with. The auction might have been all
about finding the best game contract.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1NT-2d;
2h-3d; 3h-4c; 4d-4h; 4s-5c;
6h-Pass. If East makes even one
clear slam try with 4c, West should
get excited. West would rather answer
Blackwood than ask it, which
explains the 4s control bid, but East
is in no position to bid Blackwood
with the club void and two low
spades. Still, slam can be reached
through control bidding.
Scores: 6h 12; 5h 6; 7h 3
Final score: Cohen-Collins 59,
Kovacevics 50 2
Ana
2d
3d
4h
February 2025 | Bridge Bulletin |
41
February 2025

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