Board 4 · 3NT N · +1 · Dealer W · Vulnerability All
Your score 87.5% 3NT N · +1
Field 92% made 13 played · 1 not played
Contract freq 2 3NT by NS +1
Finding extra tricks
Hands
Traveller
Coaching
North 15 HCP (15) Your pair
♠ K2
♥ AQ6
♦ T93
♣ AQ965
West 8 HCP (8)
♠ 85
♥ K9753
♦ Q72
♣ KT2
East 8 HCP (8)
♠ 9763
♥ JT2
♦ AK86
♣ 74
South 9 HCP (9) Your pair
♠ AQJT4
♥ 84
♦ J54
♣ J83
Double dummy C D H S NT N 10 8 6 10 9 E 0 4 7 1 1 S 10 8 6 10 9 W 2 4 7 1 2
Double-dummy tricks (0–13).
NS 1 / EW 14 3NT N = 70.8%
NS 2 / EW 2 2♠ S +1 20.8%
NS 3 / EW 4 2NT N +1 33.3%
NS 4 / EW 6 3NT N +4 100.0%
NS 5 / EW 8 3NT N +1 87.5%
NS 6 / EW 10 — Not Played —
NS 7 / EW 12 3♣ N +1 8.3%
NS 8 / EW 1 3NT N = 70.8%
NS 9 / EW 3 2♠ N +3 54.2%
NS 10 / EW 5 3♥ W −1 0.0%
NS 11 / EW 7 3NT N +1 87.5%
NS 12 / EW 9 2NT N +2 41.7%
NS 13 / EW 11 2♠ S +1 20.8%
NS 14 / EW 13 3♠ S +2 54.2%
NS ▲ EW Contract Lead Result NS score NS % 1 14 3NT N ♦6 = 600 70.8 2 2 2♠ S ♦2 +1 140 20.8 3 4 2NT N ♦6 +1 150 33.3 4 6 3NT N ♥2 +4 720 100.0 5 8 3NT N ♦A +1 630 87.5 6 10 — — Not Played — — 7 12 3♣ N ♦A +1 130 8.3 8 1 3NT N ♦6 = 600 70.8 9 3 2♠ N ♦A +3 200 54.2 10 5 3♥ W ♠K −1 100 0.0 11 7 3NT N ♦A +1 630 87.5 12 9 2NT N ♥J +2 180 41.7 13 11 2♠ S ♥5 +1 140 20.8 14 13 3♠ S ♥5 +2 200 54.2
Frequencies
Contract Result Score Frequency 3NT by NS = 600 2 2♠ by NS +1 140 2 2NT by NS +1 150 1 3NT by NS +4 720 1 3NT by NS +1 630 2 — Not Played — 1 3♣ by NS +1 130 1 2♠ by NS +3 200 1 3♥ by EW −1 100 1 2NT by NS +2 180 1 3♠ by NS +2 200 1
Game and an overtrick paid well 3NT with ten tricks scored 87.5%. Bidding game mattered, and the extra trick improved on the pairs making exactly nine.
Visible evidence
North and South have 24 HCP and eight clubs together. Two pairs scored 630; two scored 600 in 3NT. One pair took all thirteen tricks for 720. Review question
How would your partnership evaluate the long clubs and South’s spades when deciding whether to reach game?
Keep a route to your winners North’s clubs and South’s spades offer sources of tricks. Plan entries before cashing the winners in the shorter holding.
Visible evidence
North: ♣AQ965 and ♠K2. South: ♣J83 and ♠AQJT4. The recorded lead was ♦A. The traveller does not record the subsequent play. Review question
Which hand needs to be on lead to develop clubs, and how will you reach the long spades afterwards?
Sample coaching written for this deal and traveller. The best choice can depend on your partnership agreements and what the auction and play revealed.
Board 7 · 4♥ S · −1 · Dealer S · Vulnerability All
Your score 70.8% 4♥ S · −1
Field 46% made 13 played · 1 not played
Contract freq 2 4♥ by NS −1
Down, but above average
Hands
Traveller
Coaching
North 10 HCP (10) Your pair
♠ Q52
♥ Q642
♦ KQ94
♣ J7
West 12 HCP (15)
♠ JT84
♥ 7
♦ A7
♣ AKT852
East 9 HCP (9)
♠ A973
♥ K5
♦ T862
♣ Q43
South 9 HCP (9) Your pair
♠ K6
♥ AJT983
♦ J53
♣ 96
Double dummy C D H S NT N 3 7 9 2 3 E 10 5 4 10 8 S 3 7 9 2 3 W 10 5 4 10 7
Double-dummy tricks (0–13).
NS 1 / EW 12 4♣ W = 37.5%
NS 2 / EW 14 4♥ S −2 8.3%
NS 3 / EW 2 4♠ E = 0.0%
NS 4 / EW 4 3♥ S −1 70.8%
NS 5 / EW 6 4♣ W +1 16.7%
NS 6 / EW 8 — Not Played —
NS 7 / EW 10 2♥ S = 100.0%
NS 8 / EW 13 4♣ W = 37.5%
NS 9 / EW 1 3♠ E = 25.0%
NS 10 / EW 3 3♥ S −1 70.8%
NS 11 / EW 5 4♥ S −1 70.8%
NS 12 / EW 7 3♥ S −1 70.8%
NS 13 / EW 9 4♥ S −1 70.8%
NS 14 / EW 11 3♥ S −1 70.8%
NS ▲ EW Contract Lead Result NS score NS % 1 12 4♣ W ♥2 = -130 37.5 2 14 4♥ S ♣A −2 -200 8.3 3 2 4♠ E ♦3 = -620 0.0 4 4 3♥ S ♠A −1 -100 70.8 5 6 4♣ W ♥2 +1 -150 16.7 6 8 — — Not Played — — 7 10 2♥ S ♣A = 110 100.0 8 13 4♣ W ♥Q = -130 37.5 9 1 3♠ E ♥A = -140 25.0 10 3 3♥ S ♣K −1 -100 70.8 11 5 4♥ S ♣A −1 -100 70.8 12 7 3♥ S ♣A −1 -100 70.8 13 9 4♥ S ♣A −1 -100 70.8 14 11 3♥ S ♣A −1 -100 70.8
Frequencies
Contract Result Score Frequency 4♣ by EW = -130 2 4♥ by NS −2 -200 1 4♠ by EW = -620 1 3♥ by NS −1 -100 4 4♣ by EW +1 -150 1 — Not Played — 1 2♥ by NS = 110 1 3♠ by EW = -140 1 4♥ by NS −1 -100 2
Going down can still score well One down in 4♥ cost 100 and scored 70.8%. That beat the pairs conceding 130 or more to an East–West contract.
Visible evidence
Both sides are vulnerable. North–South have a ten-card heart fit. One East–West pair made 4♠ for 620. One North–South pair made 2♥ for 110. Review question
What does the traveller tell you about competing in hearts? What auction information would you need before calling 4♥ a good decision?
A good score is not the whole story The result was above average, but that alone does not prove the bidding or play was best. Review the decision using what was known at the table.
Visible evidence
South’s ♥AJT983 faces North’s ♥Q642. Double dummy allows nine heart tricks for North–South with all hands visible. Review question
How would you plan the trump suit, and how could the auction affect your choice of play?
Sample coaching written for this deal and traveller. The best choice can depend on your partnership agreements and what the auction and play revealed.
Board 9 · 6♥ S · −2 · Dealer N · Vulnerability EW
Your score 0.0% 6♥ S · −2
Field 85% made 13 played · 1 not played
Contract freq 1 6♥ by NS −2
Planning a slam
Hands
Traveller
Coaching
North 11 HCP (14) Your pair
♠ A64
♥ K543
♦ 5
♣ AT976
West 4 HCP (10)
♠ T
♥ 7
♦ JT432
♣ QJ5432
East 12 HCP (15)
♠ QJ852
♥ 2
♦ AQ976
♣ K8
South 13 HCP (18) Your pair
♠ K973
♥ AQJT986
♦ K8
♣ —
Double dummy C D H S NT N 6 4 12 9 11 E 7 8 1 4 2 S 6 4 12 9 11 W 7 8 1 4 2
Double-dummy tricks (0–13).
NS 1 / EW 11 6♥ N = 100.0%
NS 2 / EW 13 5♥ N +1 75.0%
NS 3 / EW 1 4♥ S +2 75.0%
NS 4 / EW 3 4♥ S +1 37.5%
NS 5 / EW 5 5♥ S = 37.5%
NS 6 / EW 7 — Not Played —
NS 7 / EW 9 5♥ S +1 75.0%
NS 8 / EW 12 4♥ S +1 37.5%
NS 9 / EW 14 4♥x S +2 91.7%
NS 10 / EW 2 6♦ E −3 8.3%
NS 11 / EW 4 6♥ S −2 0.0%
NS 12 / EW 6 4♥ S +1 37.5%
NS 13 / EW 8 4♥ S +1 37.5%
NS 14 / EW 10 4♥ S +1 37.5%
NS ▲ EW Contract Lead Result NS score NS % 1 11 6♥ N ♠Q = 980 100.0 2 13 5♥ N ♦A +1 480 75.0 3 1 4♥ S ♠T +2 480 75.0 4 3 4♥ S ♣4 +1 450 37.5 5 5 5♥ S ♠T = 450 37.5 6 7 — — Not Played — — 7 9 5♥ S ♠T +1 480 75.0 8 12 4♥ S ♠T +1 450 37.5 9 14 4♥x S ♠T +2 790 91.7 10 2 6♦ E ♥A −3 300 8.3 11 4 6♥ S ♠T −2 -100 0.0 12 6 4♥ S ♠T +1 450 37.5 13 8 4♥ S ♠T +1 450 37.5 14 10 4♥ S ♠T +1 450 37.5
Frequencies
Contract Result Score Frequency 6♥ by NS = 980 1 5♥ by NS +1 480 2 4♥ by NS +2 480 1 4♥ by NS +1 450 5 5♥ by NS = 450 1 — Not Played — 1 4♥x by NS +2 790 1 6♦ by EW −3 300 1 6♥ by NS −2 -100 1
A slam worth looking at again 6♥ by South went two down for 0%. Another pair made 6♥ from North, so there is a useful planning discussion here—not enough evidence to assign blame.
Visible evidence
North–South have eleven hearts, 24 HCP and South has a club void. Double dummy allows twelve heart tricks from either side. That assumes all four hands are visible and perfect play. Review question
Which losers need attention before drawing trumps? How could North’s singleton diamond and ♣A help?
Separate the contract from the play Reaching a slam and making it are separate decisions. Compare the two slam results, but remember they were played from different hands on different leads.
Visible evidence
The selected table led ♠T against South’s 6♥. The successful 6♥ by North received ♠Q. No full play sequence is recorded here. Review question
What would you discuss about entries, discards and the opening lead before choosing your line?
Sample coaching written for this deal and traveller. The best choice can depend on your partnership agreements and what the auction and play revealed.
Board 13 · 6♦ S · +1 · Dealer N · Vulnerability All
Your score 58.3% 6♦ S · +1
Field 100% made 13 played · 1 not played
Contract freq 3 6♦ by NS +1
Slam strain at matchpoints
Hands
Traveller
Coaching
North 20 HCP (20) Your pair
♠ A2
♥ K5
♦ AQT
♣ AKT732
West 6 HCP (6)
♠ K543
♥ Q864
♦ J74
♣ 64
East 3 HCP (6)
♠ QT876
♥ T973
♦ 3
♣ J95
South 11 HCP (11) Your pair
♠ J9
♥ AJ2
♦ K98652
♣ Q8
Double dummy C D H S NT N 13 13 7 7 13 E 0 0 5 6 0 S 13 13 7 7 13 W 0 0 5 6 0
Double-dummy tricks (0–13).
NS 1 / EW 9 6♦ S +1 58.3%
NS 2 / EW 11 3NT N +4 25.0%
NS 3 / EW 13 3NT N +4 25.0%
NS 4 / EW 1 3NT N +4 25.0%
NS 5 / EW 3 6NT N = 75.0%
NS 6 / EW 5 — Not Played —
NS 7 / EW 7 6NT N +1 91.7%
NS 8 / EW 10 5♣ N +2 0.0%
NS 9 / EW 12 6NT N +1 91.7%
NS 10 / EW 14 3NT N +4 25.0%
NS 11 / EW 2 6♦ S +1 58.3%
NS 12 / EW 4 5NT N +2 25.0%
NS 13 / EW 6 6NT S +1 91.7%
NS 14 / EW 8 6♦ N +1 58.3%
NS ▲ EW Contract Lead Result NS score NS % 1 9 6♦ S ♠3 +1 1390 58.3 2 11 3NT N ♠7 +4 720 25.0 3 13 3NT N ♠8 +4 720 25.0 4 1 3NT N ♠7 +4 720 25.0 5 3 6NT N ♠7 = 1440 75.0 6 5 — — Not Played — — 7 7 6NT N ♠7 +1 1470 91.7 8 10 5♣ N ♦3 +2 640 0.0 9 12 6NT N ♥T +1 1470 91.7 10 14 3NT N ♠6 +4 720 25.0 11 2 6♦ S ♦4 +1 1390 58.3 12 4 5NT N ♥T +2 720 25.0 13 6 6NT S ♣6 +1 1470 91.7 14 8 6♦ N ♠7 +1 1390 58.3
Frequencies
Contract Result Score Frequency 6♦ by NS +1 1390 3 3NT by NS +4 720 4 6NT by NS = 1440 1 — Not Played — 1 6NT by NS +1 1470 3 5♣ by NS +2 640 1 5NT by NS +2 720 1
Thirteen tricks, but not a top 6♦ plus one scored 58.3%—a little above average. The pairs in 6NT scored more, even when they made only twelve tricks.
Visible evidence
6♦ +1 scored 1390. 6NT exactly scored 1440; 6NT +1 scored 1470. North–South have 31 HCP, nine diamonds and eight clubs. Review question
What information would your partnership need before choosing a notrump slam rather than diamonds?
Compare safety as well as score The traveller shows the reward for notrump on this deal. It does not make diamonds automatically wrong: the best contract depends on what the auction established.
Visible evidence
North has ♣AKT732 opposite ♣Q8, with entries in the other suits. Double dummy shows thirteen tricks in clubs, diamonds and notrump with full information. Review question
How could you establish and reach the long clubs? Which partnership agreements would help you describe the hand?
Sample coaching written for this deal and traveller. The best choice can depend on your partnership agreements and what the auction and play revealed.
Board 14 · 2♥ S · +1 · Dealer E · Vulnerability None
Your score 25.0% 2♥ S · +1
Field 85% made 13 played · 1 not played
Contract freq 1 2♥ by NS +1
Finding the fit
Hands
Traveller
Coaching
North 11 HCP (14) Your pair
♠ AK3
♥ 8
♦ JT7
♣ K87432
West 2 HCP (2)
♠ J984
♥ J762
♦ 32
♣ T96
East 12 HCP (12)
♠ QT75
♥ K54
♦ A86
♣ QJ5
South 15 HCP (18) Your pair
♠ 62
♥ AQT93
♦ KQ954
♣ A
Double dummy C D H S NT N 11 12 10 9 10 E 2 1 3 4 2 S 11 12 10 9 10 W 2 1 3 4 2
Double-dummy tricks (0–13).
NS 1 / EW 9 2♥ S +2 54.2%
NS 2 / EW 11 3NT N +1 95.8%
NS 3 / EW 13 3♥ S +1 54.2%
NS 4 / EW 1 3♣ N +2 37.5%
NS 5 / EW 3 3NT N +1 95.8%
NS 6 / EW 5 — Not Played —
NS 7 / EW 7 5♦ S −1 0.0%
NS 8 / EW 10 3♣ N = 16.7%
NS 9 / EW 12 2♦ S +3 37.5%
NS 10 / EW 14 1NT E −1 8.3%
NS 11 / EW 2 2♥ S +1 25.0%
NS 12 / EW 4 2♥ S +3 66.7%
NS 13 / EW 6 4♥ S = 83.3%
NS 14 / EW 8 3NT N = 75.0%
NS ▲ EW Contract Lead Result NS score NS % 1 9 2♥ S ♣9 +2 170 54.2 2 11 3NT N ♠5 +1 430 95.8 3 13 3♥ S ♣T +1 170 54.2 4 1 3♣ N ♥K +2 150 37.5 5 3 3NT N ♠5 +1 430 95.8 6 5 — — Not Played — — 7 7 5♦ S ♠4 −1 -50 0.0 8 10 3♣ N ♠Q = 110 16.7 9 12 2♦ S ♠4 +3 150 37.5 10 14 1NT E ♥9 −1 50 8.3 11 2 2♥ S ♠9 +1 140 25.0 12 4 2♥ S ♠4 +3 200 66.7 13 6 4♥ S ♦3 = 420 83.3 14 8 3NT N ♠5 = 400 75.0
Frequencies
Contract Result Score Frequency 2♥ by NS +2 170 1 3NT by NS +1 430 2 3♥ by NS +1 170 1 3♣ by NS +2 150 1 — Not Played — 1 5♦ by NS −1 -50 1 3♣ by NS = 110 1 2♦ by NS +3 150 1 1NT by EW −1 50 1 2♥ by NS +1 140 1 2♥ by NS +3 200 1 4♥ by NS = 420 1 3NT by NS = 400 1
Was there a route to game? North and South have 26 HCP and an eight-card diamond fit. South has five hearts, but North has a singleton. This makes the choice of contract worth discussing.
Visible evidence
North: 11 HCP, six clubs, three diamonds and one heart. South: 15 HCP, five hearts and five diamonds. Five of the 13 pairs with a result bid game: three in 3NT, one in 4♥ and one in 5♦. Review question
How would you show South’s two five-card suits and North’s six clubs? At what point could you establish the strength to investigate game?
Make a plan for the diamonds South’s KQ954 faces JT7. The missing ace is a loser, but the suit offers a source of extra tricks. Think about when to establish it and how to reach the long cards afterwards.
Visible evidence
The opening lead was ♠9; North holds AK3. The selected pair took nine tricks. Double dummy shows ten in hearts with all four hands visible and perfect play. Review question
How would you use North’s spade winners and South’s trumps to keep control while developing diamonds?
Sample coaching written for this deal and traveller. The best choice can depend on your partnership agreements and what the auction and play revealed.
Board 17 · 4♠ E · +2 · Dealer N · Vulnerability None
Your score 50.0% 4♠ E · +2
Field 100% made 13 played · 1 not played
Contract freq 7 4♠ by EW +2
Defending against strength
Hands
Traveller
Coaching
North 6 HCP (9) Your pair
♠ 3
♥ 62
♦ Q54
♣ KJT7542
West 13 HCP (16)
♠ J9
♥ KQJ753
♦ A973
♣ Q
East 15 HCP (15)
♠ AK76542
♥ A4
♦ T8
♣ A9
South 6 HCP (6) Your pair
♠ QT8
♥ T98
♦ KJ62
♣ 863
Double dummy C D H S NT N 7 4 0 1 1 E 5 9 12 12 10 S 7 4 0 1 1 W 5 9 12 12 10
Double-dummy tricks (0–13).
NS 1 / EW 7 4♠ E +2 50.0%
NS 2 / EW 9 5♠ E +1 50.0%
NS 3 / EW 11 4♠ E +2 50.0%
NS 4 / EW 13 4♥ W +3 8.3%
NS 5 / EW 1 4♠ E +2 50.0%
NS 6 / EW 3 — Not Played —
NS 7 / EW 5 5♠ W +1 50.0%
NS 8 / EW 8 4♠ E +2 50.0%
NS 9 / EW 10 4♠ E +1 95.8%
NS 10 / EW 12 6♠ E = 0.0%
NS 11 / EW 14 4♠ E +2 50.0%
NS 12 / EW 2 4♠ E +2 50.0%
NS 13 / EW 4 4♠ E +2 50.0%
NS 14 / EW 6 4♠ E +1 95.8%
NS ▲ EW Contract Lead Result NS score NS % 1 7 4♠ E ♥T +2 -480 50.0 2 9 5♠ E ♣8 +1 -480 50.0 3 11 4♠ E ♣8 +2 -480 50.0 4 13 4♥ W ♠3 +3 -510 8.3 5 1 4♠ E ♣8 +2 -480 50.0 6 3 — — Not Played — — 7 5 5♠ W ♣8 +1 -480 50.0 8 8 4♠ E ♣3 +2 -480 50.0 9 10 4♠ E ♣8 +1 -450 95.8 10 12 6♠ E ♣3 = -980 0.0 11 14 4♠ E — +2 -480 50.0 12 2 4♠ E ♣8 +2 -480 50.0 13 4 4♠ E ♣8 +2 -480 50.0 14 6 4♠ E ♣8 +1 -450 95.8
Frequencies
Contract Result Score Frequency 4♠ by EW +2 -480 7 5♠ by EW +1 -480 2 4♥ by EW +3 -510 1 — Not Played — 1 4♠ by EW +1 -450 2 6♠ by EW = -980 1
An ordinary score against a powerful hand Conceding twelve tricks in 4♠ scored exactly 50%. The raw minus score looks large, but nine of the thirteen played results were −480.
Visible evidence
East–West have 28 HCP, nine spades and eight hearts. Double dummy allows twelve spade tricks for East–West. Review question
How does comparing the field change your view of the result? What would you want to know before judging the defence?
One trick can change the matchpoints Two pairs held 4♠ to eleven tricks and scored 95.8%. That makes the defence worth discussing, without proving that the same opportunity arose at every table.
Visible evidence
South holds ♠QT8; North has a singleton spade. There is no recorded opening lead for the selected pair. The auction and full play are not available in this sample. Review question
What might the auction and opening lead tell you about declarer’s plan and the defence’s best chance?
Sample coaching written for this deal and traveller. The best choice can depend on your partnership agreements and what the auction and play revealed.