The 3NT curse continues

A recent challenge featured two 3NT contracts from Sydney events that led to massive swings. Here are two more – this time from past Bermuda Bowl World Championships.  

Bermuda Bowl, New York, 1981. Nil vul.

          NORTH
          ♠ 2
          ♥ T8
          ♦ AKQT852
          ♣ 642
WEST                EAST
♠ Q987              ♠ J54
♥ AQ964             ♥ J32
♦ 6                 ♦ J3
♣ K97               ♣ AQJ53
          SOUTH
          ♠ AKT63
          ♥ K75
          ♦ 974
          ♣ T8   

WEST   NORTH  EAST   SOUTH
1H     3H*    Double 3NT
Pass   Pass   Double Pass
Pass   Redble  All pass

North, Meckstroth, jumped to three of the enemy suit to ask partner to bid 3NT with the suit stopped, a popular treatment over a major opening. His subsequent redouble, however, expressed doubt about 3NT. South, Rodwell, decided to take his chances anyway.

Read more: The 3NT curse continues

The curse of leading against 3NT

Like me, you’ve probably encountered some funny bridge hands, but the kind of funny that is accompanied more by tears than chuckles. Here is an offering from a past Trumps teams congress:

♠ A9
♥ AT75432
♦ 6
♣ T43

Your partner, West, passes. North opens 1D. You are not vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, and preempt 3H. South outbids you with 3S, and after your partner passes, North ventures 3NT. This is passed around to your partner, who doubles, concluding the auction. What do you lead?

Read more: The curse of leading against 3NT

Far out deals in the Far East

The Yeh Bros Cup is one of the world’s big money bridge competitions. These dramatic deals are from a past match between Italy and the USA:

Dealer South, both vul.

          NORTH
          ♠ 63
          ♥ 9
          ♦ KQ842
          ♣ KQJ86
WEST                EAST
♠ 52                ♠ 9
♥ AT86              ♥ QJ5432
♦ AJ975             ♦ T63
♣ 54                ♣ 932
          SOUTH
          ♠ AKQJT874
          ♥ K7
          ♦ —
          ♣ AT7   

Read more: Far out deals in the Far East

Voyage of discovery

How strong is the following hand, and what is your strategy for bidding it? You are dealer, not vulnerable against vulnerable opponents.

♠ 8
♥ 3
♦ AKJT86
♣ AKT92

Read more: Voyage of discovery

Careful declarer play

Start with these two card combinations to warm up. In both instances you are declarer in a notrump contract:

1. ♥ K42 in dummy (West) opposite your ♥ T76. South leads the queen of this suit; should you “cover an honour with an honour”?

2. ♣ Q972 opposite ♣ AK653. How should you play this suit?

Read more: Careful declarer play

Fight for the extra trick

Today’s hand was submitted in the past by Australian expert Tim Bourke. Consider the bidding and play.

Dealer South, NS vul.

          NORTH
          ♠ T6
          ♥ J62
          ♦ QJ5
          ♣ K9653
WEST                EAST
♠ AQJ87             ♠ 9532
♥ 5                 ♥ QT9
♦ T983              ♦ K76
♣ Q87               ♣ JT2
          SOUTH
          ♠ K4
          ♥ AK8743
          ♦ A42
          ♣ A4

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
                1H
1S   2H    2S   4H
All pass

Read more: Fight for the extra trick