A Coup For You

Playing in the final match of a strong regional Swiss Teams, you are competing for the win. There are several other teams within striking range. You have 90 VP’s after six matches. My teams call this “Miller Par.” My theory is that if you put up 15 VP’s per match in a flighted event, you will probably win. If it is stratified, you will need a few more.

One of the concepts behind “Miller Par” is to get your team to quit thinking about winning matches and focus on winning VP’s. It is amazing how many players, even experts, lose track of this concept.

Back to the hand.

As South, you pick up the following: T 6 3 T 9 8 3 A 4 J 6 5 3.

With neither Vulnerable, the auction proceeds as follows:

RHO opens 1, you pass, and LHO calls 1. Partner overcalls 1 and RHO leaps to 3NT.

Partner has asked for a spade lead, but declarer seems ready for that. You have a nasty surprise in declarer’s suit, and three cards in partner’s suit. What should you lead?

Make your choice before viewing the solution.

Playing a Regional IMP KO match against a strong team you hold this hand, white on red:

9 6 3 Q T 5 K Q 6 5 K Q 6.

As dealer, you choose to pass. LHO opens 1, partner passes, and RHO bids 3 , a limit raise. LHO bids 4 and partner surprises you by introducing a double.

What do you make of this, and what action do you take?

Playing rubber bridge you pick up the following hand:

Q T 9 3 A 7 3 A Q J 8 5 3.

You open 1 and partner responds 1 . The opponents are silent and you rebid 1 . Partner bids 2 , an artificial game force, so you make your natural rebid of 3 . Partner now reveals spade support and extras with 3 .

What should you call?

The solution is here.