{"id":2826,"date":"2012-03-14T23:01:09","date_gmt":"2012-03-15T07:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/?p=2826"},"modified":"2012-05-10T13:39:21","modified_gmt":"2012-05-10T21:39:21","slug":"polling-you-77-preempts-and-suit-quality-losing-trick-count-cover-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/?p=2826","title":{"rendered":"Polling You # 77, Preempts and Suit Quality, Losing Trick Count, Cover Cards"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" language=\"JavaScript\" src=\"http:\/\/survey.constantcontact.com\/poll\/a07e5po8shsgzth367c\/start.js?v=1&amp;w=300\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n\n\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><noscript><\/noscript>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/survey.constantcontact.com\/poll\/a07e5po8shsgzth367c\/start.html\" target=\"_blank\">Click here if you have problems viewing the Poll<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div>&#8212;&#8212;-<\/div>\n<div>In our continuing series on Losing Trick Count\/Cover Cards and Self-Sustaining Suits\/Suit Quality, we will take a look at everyone\u2019s favorite bid, the beloved preempt.\u00a0 After all, what\u2019s not to love about making an obstructive bid with a long suit with less than an opening hand, right?\u00a0\u00a0 Well, like everything in our Bridge bidding arsenal there\u2019s a time and a place for every bid under heaven.\u00a0 Unfortunately, without partnership agreements and following a disciplined approach, you and your partner\u2019s care and feeding of preemptive bids may or may not work in your favor.\u00a0\u00a0 So let\u2019s see how the above mentioned tools can improve our Bridge prowess.<\/div>\n<div>The following link is accessible to all visitors (Members see below):<em><strong><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div><em><strong><br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/bridgehands-videos.s3.amazonaws.com\/Polling_You_77_Part_1_everyone\/Part_1_800x450.html\">Click here to view Part 1 of the video commentary in standard resolution<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div><em><strong><strong><em><strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/bridgehands-videos.s3.amazonaws.com\/Polling_You_77_Part_1b_everyone\/Part_1b_800x450.html\">Click here to view Part 1b of the video bidding and play in standard resolution<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div><em><strong><strong><em><strong><strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div>The following link is accessible by those subscribing to <em><strong>BridgeHands<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 Free and Premium Membership:<\/div>\n<div><em><strong><strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><strong><strong><em><strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/freecontent\/Polling_You_77_Part_2_freecontent\/Part_2_800x450.html\"><strong>Click here to view Part 2 of our video commentary in standard resolution<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/freecontent\/Polling_You_77_Part_2b_freecontent\/Part_2b_800x450.html\"><em><br \/>\nClick here to view Part 2b of our video bidding and play in standard resolution<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p>The following links are accessible by those subscribing to <em><strong>BridgeHands<\/strong><\/em> ULTRA Membership:<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/ultracontent\/Polling_You_77_Part_1_ultracontent\/Part_1_1280x720.html\"><em><br \/>\nClick here to view Part 1 of the video commentary in high resolution<br \/>\n<\/em><\/a><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/ultracontent\/Polling_You_77_Part_1b_ultracontent\/Part_1b_1280x720.html\">Click here to view Part 1b of the video bidding and play in high resolution<br \/>\n<\/a><\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/ultracontent\/Polling_You_77_Part_2_ultracontent\/Part_2_1280x720.html\">Click here to view Part 2 of the video commentary in high resolution<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/ultracontent\/Polling_You_77_Part_2b_ultracontent\/Part_2b_1280x720.html\">Click here to view Part 2b of the video bidding and play in high resolution<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nReview \u2013 Losing Trick Count and Cover Cards<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prerequisite: 8+ card trump fit or self-sustaining suit<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ace-King-Queen are not losers in 3+ card suits<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Generally, fourth card and beyond are not losers<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 LTC \u2013 CC equals losers, as 6 LTC \u2013 3 CC = 3 losers (major suit game)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extras: 5+4 trump, working Queens and Jacks, shortness<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Review of LTC and Cover Card (prior lesson) \u2013 Help Suit Game Try<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A 2<br \/>\nK Q 4 3 2<br \/>\nK 2<br \/>\n9 8 3 2<\/p>\n<p>K 5<br \/>\n6 5 4<br \/>\n6 5 4<br \/>\nA Q 10 5 4<\/p>\n<p>1H \u2013 2H;<br \/>\n3C \u2013 4H;<\/p>\n<p>Despite responder signing off with around 2 cover cards, opener counts 6 losing trick count and makes a game try in Clubs with 3 losers.\u00a0 With 1-2 Club losers, responder accepts partner\u2019s game try.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Review \u2013 Counter Suit Game Try<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A<br \/>\nA K Q 4 3<br \/>\n4 3 2<br \/>\n9 8 3 2<\/p>\n<p>6 5 4 3<br \/>\nJ 6 5 4<br \/>\nA K<br \/>\n6 5 4<\/p>\n<p>1H \u2013 2H;<br \/>\n3C \u2013 3D;<br \/>\n4H;<\/p>\n<p>Responder shows a Heart fit with minimum values, generally 2 cover card.\u00a0 Opener re-evaluates, counting 6 LTC and bids 3 Clubs with 3 losers.\u00a0 Responder cannot help in Clubs yet certainly has the Diamond suit covered with 2.5+ covers in that suit.\u00a0 With 3 Diamond losers as well, opener is happy to accept the counter suit game try.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Trump Fit or Self-Sustaining Suit<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>LTC is normally a 5-3 or longer major suit fit<\/li>\n<li>Occasionally one player has a long, strong suit<\/li>\n<li>We need an independent method to determine the suit quality and LTC when one player has a long, strong suit<\/li>\n<li>When evaluating Suit Quality, we generally assume partner may hold a singleton to ascertain the losers (LTC) in a long suit<\/li>\n<li>Adjust the above when partner bids Notrump, indicating 2+ card support<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Self-Sustaining Suit and Suit Quality<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Limited to 1 loser when partner holds a singleton<\/li>\n<li>Reserved for situations when a player holds a long, strong suit<\/li>\n<li>Suit Quality equals the number of useful honors plus the suit length<\/li>\n<li>Self-Sustaining Suit usually equals a Suit Quality of 10 or more, lose 0-1 tricks<\/li>\n<li>Semi Self-Sustaining Suit equals a Suit Quality of 9, lose 1-2 tricks<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Self-Sustaining Suits \u2013 Examples where SQ = 10<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A K Q x x x x\u00a0 =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3+ honors + 7 length = 10+<br \/>\nA Q x x x x x x =\u00a0 2 honors = 8 length = 10<br \/>\nA K Q J x =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4+ honors + 5 length = 9+<br \/>\nK Q J 10 x x =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4 honors (without Ace) + 6 length = 10<br \/>\nQ J 10 9 x x x =\u00a0\u00a0 3 honors + 7 length = 10ish (discount 1 missing Ace and King)<br \/>\nJ 10 9 8 x x x x = No! Inadequate with primary honors and Queen<\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nSemi Self-Sustaining Suits \u2013 Examples where SQ = 9<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A Q x x x x x = 2 honors + 7 length = 9<br \/>\nK Q J x x x = 3 honors + 6 length = 9<br \/>\nQ J 10 9 x x = 3 honors + 6 length = 9ish (body card 9 is helpful)<br \/>\nA K Q x x x = 3+ honors + 6 length = 9+ (count extra for top 3 honors in long suit)<\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nSelf-Sustaining Suit Scenarios:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>2<br \/>\nK Q J 5 4 3 2<br \/>\n3 2<br \/>\n6 5 4<\/p>\n<p>The Heart Suit Quality = 3 honors + 7 cards length = 10, a self-sustaining suit that should not lose more than 1 trick (even when partner holds a singleton).<\/p>\n<p>3 2<br \/>\nA 6 5 4 3<br \/>\n3 2<br \/>\n6 5 4 3<\/p>\n<p>After partner opens 1 Heart, according to \u201cThe Law Of Total Tricks\u201d with a combined length of 10 trump responder jumps to 4 Heart (10 cards = 4 level major suit game), according to the principle \u201cslow shows extras, fast denies\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>A K Q J 5 4 3 2<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n6 5 4<\/p>\n<p>After Right Hand Opponent opens 1 Diamond, jump to 4 Spades with a solid 8 card self-sustaining suit and little else.\u00a0 Here the Suit Quality = 4 ++ 8 = 12+, more than the 10 required for run the suit.<\/p>\n<p>Q J 9 8 5 4 3 2<br \/>\n&#8212;<br \/>\n2<br \/>\nJ 5 4 3<\/p>\n<p>Partner opens 1 Club.\u00a0 With less than 6 High Card Points and less than a King in responder\u2019s long suit, responder makes a 4 Spade shutout bid with a reasonable 8 card suit including a supporting intermediate body cards (9-8 spots).\u00a0 While the Suit Quality = 2 honors + 8 long, missing the Ace and King downgrade around 1 trick to consider the suit a semi self-sustaining holding.<\/p>\n<p>Hand 1 \u2013 East<\/p>\n<p>A 5<br \/>\nK Q J 6 5 4<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n7 6 5 4<\/p>\n<p>SQ = 3 + 6 = 9, semi self-sustaining suit<br \/>\nLTC = 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 6<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hand 1 \u2013 South<\/p>\n<p>8 7 6<br \/>\n9 8 7<br \/>\nA K Q 7 6 4<br \/>\n9<\/p>\n<p>SQ = 3 ++ 6 = 9+, consider 10 and self-sustaining with 3 toppers<br \/>\nLTC = 3 + 3 + 1 = 7<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Hand 1 \u2013 West<\/p>\n<p>10 9<br \/>\n10<br \/>\nJ 10 9 8<br \/>\nA K Q J 10 8<\/p>\n<p>SQ = 5 ++ 6 = 11+, beyond self-sustaining<br \/>\nLTC = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Hand 1 \u2013 North<\/p>\n<p>K Q J 4 3 2<br \/>\nA 3 2<br \/>\n3 2<br \/>\n3 2<\/p>\n<p>SQ = 3 + 6 = 9, semi self-sustaining suit<br \/>\nLTC = 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 7<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 275.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"367\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" valign=\"top\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><strong><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Board 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"><br \/>\nEast Deals<br \/>\nN-S Vul<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" colspan=\"2\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 K Q J 4 3 2<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> A 3 2<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> 3 2<br \/>\n\u2663 3 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 10 9<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> 10<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> J 10 9 8<br \/>\n\u2663 A K Q J 10 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" style=\"width: 48pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% green;\" width=\"64\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" colspan=\"3\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">W<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" colspan=\"3\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 A 5<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> K Q J 6 5 4<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> 5<br \/>\n\u2663 7 6 5 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" colspan=\"2\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 8 7 6<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> 9 8 7<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> A K Q 7 6 4<br \/>\n\u2663 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; display: none;\" lang=\"EN\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">West<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">North<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">East<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">South<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">2 <span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">3 \u2663<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">4 \u2663<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">4 <span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">All pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 275.4pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; -moz-border-top-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"367\">\n<p style=\"line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span lang=\"EN\">Polling You #77-78, Hand 1<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">East preemptively opens 2 Hearts \u2013 favorable vulnerability, 6412 shape in first seat; some would prefer to open 1 Heart with 10 High Card Points plus 2 distribution points for the great 6 card Heart suit.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Indeed, East has a fine Heart suit with a Suit Quality of 9 (3 honors + 6 long = semi self-sustaining suit).<span>\u00a0 <\/span>South has an even better Diamond suit and was previously considering making a preempt.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>But not now since preempts never mix.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Surprisingly, West has the best suit honors of all \u2013 too bad it\u2019s the \u201cpaupers\u201d Club suit.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Still, with 150 honors and 6 cards (SQ = 5 + 6 = 11) West bids 3 Clubs, forcing.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>North\u2019s hand comes close to mirroring East but should not enter the auction at the 3 level with 7 losers.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>East has an easy 4 Club rebid, leaving West with a tough choice.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Bidding 5 Clubs is not reasonable with 6 losers \u2013 certainly East cannot have 4 cover cards.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Yet an honor is an honor so hopefully the Heart 10 will help make a major suit game on a good day.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>So prudent contract Bridge players will settle for a 4 Club contract, with aggressive duplicate players shooting to make a 4 Heart vulnerable game for 620 points.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">It\u2019s all up to a lucky lead by South to set the contract!<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Only a Spade lead sets the contract \u2013 not a likely suspect with South\u2019s Diamond holding.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Ah, the thrills of Bridge, sometimes a science, often an art.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>For those who logically choose to lead the opposite major rather than play the protected Diamond Ace and peek at the dummy, this time you have made a wise choice.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Georgia','serif';\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 275.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"367\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" valign=\"top\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><strong><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Board 1<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"><br \/>\nNorth Deals<br \/>\nNone Vul<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" colspan=\"2\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 K Q J 4 3 2<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> A 3 2<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> 3 2<br \/>\n\u2663 3 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 10 9<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> 10<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> J 10 9 8<br \/>\n\u2663 A K Q J 10 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" style=\"width: 48pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% green;\" width=\"64\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" colspan=\"3\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">W<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" colspan=\"3\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 A 5<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> K Q J 6 5 4<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> 5<br \/>\n\u2663 7 6 5 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" colspan=\"2\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 8 7 6<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> 9 8 7<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> A K Q 7 6 4<br \/>\n\u2663 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; display: none;\" lang=\"EN\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">West<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">North<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">East<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">South<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">2 \u2660<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">2 N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">3 \u2663<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">3 <span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">4 \u2660<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">All pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; display: none;\" lang=\"EN\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Trick<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">East<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">South<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">West<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">North<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">1. E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> K<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> A<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">2. N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 J<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">3. N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 A<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 K<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">4. E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> Q<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 A<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">5. E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> J<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">6. E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 10<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 275.4pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; -moz-border-top-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"367\">\n<p style=\"line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span lang=\"EN\">Polling You #77-78, Hand 1b<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">With the same hands as 1a, this time North deals and preemptively opens 2 Spades (some might open 1 Spade with 7 LTC based on the Spade SQ = 9).<span>\u00a0 <\/span>South queries partner bidding 2 Notrump with 3 card Spade support and not wanting to disclose the long Diamond suit to the opponents.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Some might consider responding with a 3 Diamond query yet our only interest in a 4 Spade game so avoid \u201cadvertising\u201d the long Diamond suit to the opponents.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>North cooperates with partner, responding 3 Hearts to show an outside Ace.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>With North showing extras, South jumps to 4 Spades.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">On lead, East begins with the Heart King, immediately won by declarer North holding 6 combined Hearts, reducing risk of ruffing (leading a Heart or Club sets contract).<span>\u00a0 <\/span>North deceptively leads the Spade Jack, inhibiting East from playing an Ace that might crash with a singleton King from partner West.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>East wins the second Spade and returns a second Heart, West loudly discarding an encouraging Club Ace.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot yet\u201d figures East, knowing to first leading the Heart Jack (holding 6, partner 1 and 3 in dummy, North must also hold 3).<span>\u00a0 <\/span>East comes through with flying colors, next switching to a Club to avoid a ruff-and-sluff by declarer.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>With the correct defense, declarer North comes up one trick short.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Georgia','serif';\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Georgia','serif';\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 275.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"367\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" valign=\"top\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><strong><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Board 3<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"><br \/>\nSouth Deals<br \/>\nE-W Vul<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" colspan=\"2\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 A Q 5<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> A 3 2<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> 8 3 2<br \/>\n\u2663 A 7 3 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 K J 10 9<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> 10<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> J 10 9<br \/>\n\u2663 K Q J 10 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" style=\"width: 48pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% green;\" width=\"64\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" colspan=\"3\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">W<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;\" align=\"right\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" colspan=\"3\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: white;\">S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 4 3 2<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> K Q J 6 5 4<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> 5<br \/>\n\u2663 6 5 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 3pt;\" colspan=\"2\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 8 7 6<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2665<\/span> 9 8 7<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span> A K Q 7 6 4<br \/>\n\u2663 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; display: none;\" lang=\"EN\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">West<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">North<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">East<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">South<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">2 <span style=\"color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">2 N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">3 N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">All pass<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; display: none;\" lang=\"EN\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Trick<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">East<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">South<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">West<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">North<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">1. E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> K<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">2. E<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> Q<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 K<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> A<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">3. N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> A<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">4. S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> K<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">5. S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> Q<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> J<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">6. S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 7<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">7. S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 6<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">8. S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2666<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 4<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">9. S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 Q<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">10. N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 J<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 A<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">11. N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 J<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 A<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">12. N<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 Q<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">13. W<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; color: red;\">\u2665<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\"> J<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2660 K<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0.75pt;\" nowrap=\"nowrap\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">\u2663 7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 275.4pt; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; -moz-border-top-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"367\">\n<p style=\"line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span lang=\"EN\">Polling You #77-78, Hand 1c<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">Moving several cards from hand 1a\/b, this time South bids first making a preemptive 2 Diamond call on a great suit.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>North queries 2 Notrump (forcing) with South responding 3 Notrump \u2013 promising a solid suit heading by Ace-King-Queen that closes the contract.<span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';\">East leads the Heart King and North ducks one time with 6 combined Hearts (Rule of 7, 7 \u2013 6 = duck 1 time to possibly disrupt communications).<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Declarer North wins the second Heart and runs 6 Diamond tricks.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carefully watching opponent discards, North notices East eventually pitches 2 Hearts (down to 2 Heart in hand).<span>\u00a0 <\/span>So rather than cashing out 2 black Aces to eke out 9 tricks, North finesses up to Spade Queen that holds.<span>\u00a0 <\/span>Now winning the Spade and Club Ace, North makes an overtrick taking home 10 tricks.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>.<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Georgia','serif';\"> Please login or register to view this content.<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<\/p>\n<p>In our continuing preemptive bidding quest, in Polling You #78 will get into the nitty-gritty of weak 2 bids along with many other shapely scenarios, including how to cope with the opponents preemptive bids.\u00a0\u00a0 <em><strong>BridgeHands<\/strong><\/em> members may download the entire Polling You #77-78 combined documentation (Day 3, Parts 1-4) either here (above) on Part #77, or from our follow-up episode #78.<\/p>\n<p>We hope you are enjoying our Bridge instruction videos, online write-ups and downloadable documents plus hand diagrams and more.\u00a0\u00a0 Warm wishes improving your Bridge acumen and many thanks for your continued support!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Happy Bridge Trails,\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>BridgeHands<\/em><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Georgia','serif';\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>. Click here if you have problems viewing the Poll. &#8212;&#8212;- In our continuing series on Losing Trick Count\/Cover Cards and Self-Sustaining Suits\/Suit Quality, we will take a look at everyone\u2019s favorite bid, the beloved preempt.\u00a0 After all, what\u2019s not to love about making an obstructive bid with a long suit with less than an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[39],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2826"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2826"}],"version-history":[{"count":46,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2826\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2828,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2826\/revisions\/2828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}