North doesn't have a strong enough hand here to start with 1♦ and then bid 2♥, even though that heart suit is pretty solid for a 4-card holding. Bidding 2♥ at second opportunity would be a reverse bid, showing 17+ HCPs. South may bid 2♥ and then the heart fit can be confirmed - but if South doesn't also have hearts, it won't do any good for North to bid them anyway.

Even with North's invitational bid of 3♠ to confirm a 6-2 fit, South should pass and play the spade partial. North has not shown extra values during the bidding, and although South has 7 losers those 9 HCPs won't likely make a game in spades.

Note West's first bid here; West has the HCP range to jump to 3NT (13-15). But there's no need to jump there just yet. East's open of 1♠ does not deny four hearts; so why not give East a chance to bid those hearts if East has them?

West's 2♥ bid cannot be passed by East since West is an unlimited hand. Eventually the 3NT will come out of the bidding box, but when you've got a strong hand it's best to go slow. Should West jump to 3NT right away, that's a shutout bid - and if East has 19 HCPs, you want East to show that.

When West shows four spades, East has a choice to make. Bidding 1NT to show a minimum hand and no extra values? Or trying a second suit by bidding 2♦? The two doubletons look tempting to try to play this hand in a suit contract for East, but even if East does bid 2♦ it's very likely West will go to 2NT. This should be passed by East, as there's nothing extra there.

If South is on lead, the ♣J will get things going - it's the top of a sequence and when North sees the dummy, North should count the clubs. East can only have two. So North needs to take the first club trick with the ♣K (assuming the ♣A isn't played in dummy) and then return a club right away. This may help to set up South's other club trick down the road.

If North is on lead, good luck with that opening lead! You pretty much don't want to lead away from four cards to the J or either K, so trying to set up partner's heart suit (if partner has them) might be a different option for you. In any event, E/W can get eight tricks - but the only way to get eight is to play up to the black Qs. Leading low from West's hand will either drive out the black Ks or allow the black Qs to win.

This is a hand that will come down to South's sacrificing with spades, or E/W playing in hearts or clubs. Being vulnerable, it's difficult for South to go much farther than 3♠, but partner did show four int he suit - and with only six losers, South has a pretty good hand for just 7 HCPs.

With East's hand, should East show the six clubs now at 4♣? It's not necessary to do so; East knows there's at least a 9-card fit in hearts, and those clubs should come in handy to throw off some of West's losers. Although East is a few HCPs shy of a game-going response to partner's 2-level preempt, Easts that get pushed into 4♥ will find a nice result, losing one spade and two diamonds.

West's 1NT bid in 2/1 isn't necessarily saying that there isn't a game here; but it IS asking for partner to further describe partner's hand. West's plan is to bid hearts next time around to show an 8-card fit. . .but just in case East has a powerhouse hand (and rebids, say, 3NT) East can correct to 4♥.

East has 15 HCPs, but not NT shape. If you and your partner play 2/1, then East's rebid should be 2NT. This tells partner that East has 15-17 HCPs, but does not have a NT shape hand. There's a singleton or two doubletons here, and that may help West bid farther on. If West had 9 HCPs or more, then 3NT or 4♥ would be an easy final contract. . .but with just 7 HCPs, and East having a singleton somewhere, 3NT isn't a likely game to be had.

3♥ may be a more common contract in our Friday morning group, and that should produce a decent result for E/W.

North may or may not double at your table to show the red suits, but regardless East's rebid should be to show a minimum hand - 2NT - and no more than five spades.

West's hand is much stronger than the 11 HCPs West holds, with the distribution as it is. East's rebid of 2NT shows a flat hand. . .one without a second suit. That means instead of four cards in any single second suit, East should have at least two of each of the suits other than spades. This suits West just fine, because East should have two clubs - and the fit is there.

Gerber will show two aces and a king, and that's enough for West to comfortably bid 6♣. Making 6♣ may prove a bit tricky, however, but there is only one way for West to play this hand. You must finesse South for both missing heart honors.

You'll lose a diamond no matter what, but you can't afford to lose a heart. The only possible way to get all three heart tricks is to hope South has both the ♥K and ♥J; if South does, you'll make 6♣. So West should play a low heart to West's hand and use the lowest possible heart to win each trick. +1370 will be your reward.

Some West players may bid 1♦ in response to partner's opener, but with 9 HCPs and decent spades, 1NT shows the shape of the hand (no 4-card major) and the HCPs. East knows everything about West's hand with 1NT, and that's enough to play it at the 1-level.

South is stuck for a good bid in 4th seat here; it's difficult to bid 3♥ with five to the ♥10, and you've only got 11 HCPs. On the other hand, you don't have much defense against 3♦. With the K and J of diamonds, you're in a good position to be finessed here.

Souths that do get into hearts may find a low score; with best defense South can go down 4 in 3♥ to take just five tricks. (One spade, one club and three hearts.)

This hand is a terrible misfit for N/S. North has the HCPs but not the shape for a 1NT open, and therefore should open 1♠. East does have the HCPs and shape for a 1NT open or overcall, and so 1NT should come out of the bidding box.

South and West can't do much more than pass, but North has the choice of either defending 1NT, doubling to get partner to bid, or bidding 2♣ as a second suit. If North passes, then South is off the hook. . .but if North doubles or bids 2♣, now South has to decide whether to bid 2♦ or take North back to a 5-2 fit in the major suit at 2♠.

There really isn't a good outcome for N/S anywhere here. East may double 2♦ or 2♠. Down 2 doubled (-300) should be a low board for N/S. But defending 1NT doesn't seem palatable to North either. What would you and your partner do with North's hand here?

West's hand is good enough that even if you play reverses, you can start with 1♣ and rebid diamonds later to show 17+ HCPs. True, West doesn't have 17 HCPs, but you'll be happy to play in either minor, and with just 5 losers a fit in either minor might be a good board.

North's hand is good enough for a double; you've got the HCP but not the shape for a 1NT overcall. Doubling - and then bidding hearts - is likely the favorite of North's in our Friday morning game.

South can show HCPs and a spade suit by jumping one level - to 2♠. Now, North's hearts aren't as important - since you've got a nice eight-card suit in spades. South has already limited South's hand with the 2♠ bid to 9-11 HCPs, so a slam isn't likely. Norths that opt to show the hearts (by doubling and bidding 3♥) will be in 4♥, but both majors make the same score. NOTE that the 4-4 fit is preferred over the 5-3 fit by experts for potential ruffing purposes (you can ruff with either hand). . .that won't make one bit of difference this morning.

If you and your partner play 2/1, East's bid of 1NT asks for further description of West's hand. If West has six spades, West will rebid spades; if West has 15-17 HCPs but not NT shape, West's rebid is 2NT. West could jump to a 3-level minor to show a 5-5 hand that's strong, or just bid the better minor at the 2-level.

Thankfully, West won't rebid spades, but when 2♦ comes out of the box East may be perfectly happy to pass 2♦. If you are playing teams, there's nothing wrong with 2♦, as you're confident West can make that contract - and in teams, that's what you're mostly interested in. . .making your contract.

But in pairs, you're looking for the best score. With six hearts, headed by the A-K, East's best bet here is to go ahead and bid 2♥. If you and your partner play 2/1, West is now obligated to PASS. When you go through 1NT Forcing, and then as responder you bid a new suit, that ends the bidding. Even if West is void in hearts, and that's unlikely, you can trump some of the spades - and you know you've got a diamond fit. With pairs, it's a good idea to try and get the better score. Plus if the hand makes the same number of diamonds or hearts, hearts will be the top board.

I'm all for opening 7-loser hands, and with 10 HCPs and that long club suit I think several West players in our Friday morning group will go ahead and open this hand 1♣ - expecting to rebid 2♣ if needed.

East's bidding of 1♥ and then 2♠ shows a 4-4 or 4=5 hand in the majors. With five of each major, East would start with 1♠, then rebid hearts - with five spades and four hearts, East would also start with 1♠. So East has either four or five hearts. . .and West cannot pass East's change of suits at 2♠. So West will want to put East in what should be at least a 4-3 fit in hearts. East will like the confirmation and go ahead to 4♥ with 17 HCPs in East's hand.

Don't be afraid of the 4-3 fit! Here, it is a 5-3 fit, which will make many people happy of course, but once West has rebid clubs - don't rebid them a third time. You've told your story - never tell your story more than once.

Two doubletons and 21 HCPs warrants a 2♣ opener, and as this auction shows there are no perfect conventions in bridge. The response of 2♠ and rebid of 3NT by South means no matter what the contract of 6♠ or 6NT, the bid hand is coming down.

South's initial response of 2♠ shows an A and K that are not suited. Right away, North knows you've got all the As and are missing just one K.

Defensively, even the lead of the ♣K (the most diabolical lead possible!) will still make 6♠ or 6NT. South must take the ♣A, but now must get rid of the two losing clubs in North's hand. These two clubs will have to go on a third diamond and a third heart - and hopefully everyone will have three so South can sluff the two losing clubs on the third trick of each red suit.

First things first - play two rounds of trump. The ♠Q might be part of a doubleton, and without a spade in South's hand there's no hope in finessing. Once the queen doesn't come out, now play the ♥K, ♥Q, ♦A, and ♦7 to come to South's hand at trick 7. South can now play the ♥A (and toss the ♣7 from North's hand) and then the ♦Q (and toss the ♣5). North's hand has now just four spades left in it - all trump - the ♠J, ♠10, ♠9, and ♠7. There are three outstanding spades, so even if West or East has all three remaining spades, you'll lose the ♠Q and that's it - making six. NOTE how many times South ruffed with this hand? Zero. It's the same play with NT, so +1440 will be a top board!

West has an opening hand and a hand that's great for one suit only - diamonds. So when your partner is a previously passed hand, how would you bid West's here?

You're not vulnerable, which may make it a bit easier to get things going, but East might only need a singleton diamond to help you - even if it's not the ♦Q. So jumping to 3♦, while a weak bid in most partnerships, is still preemptive - and you're not going to bid anything else.

On the other hand, West can start with 2♦, expecting to rebid diamonds later. The problem is that with East as a passed hand, you're expecting some sort of partial to be available to N/S - likely in a major suit. You will probably want to interfere as much as possible to make it tough for them to get to the right contract.

How would you and your partner open West's hand here?

Some South players (myself included) will open 1♥ here, with a minor suit rebid available next. Some West players (myself included) might open or overcall West's hand 1♠ due to the shape - with a diamond bid next if needed.

In this auction, conservatism rules the day, and North is opening in 3rd seat with the rule of 15 - and opening 1♠. East, with 8 HCPs and spades stopped, is showing five hearts as an overcall.

South should pass, but only if you can count on your partner to re-open with a double. North does not have enough to bid diamonds at the 3-level, but North can re-open with a double to let South choose a suit. Here, South will pass North's double to convert to penalty. (South has at least three tricks, and since NOrth opened, South figures North had better have a few of North's own!)

East can go down 2 with best defense (-300) which is better than any other score N/S can get. But the only way to get a top board for N/S is for South to pass this overcall - North to double - and South to pass the double.

If you and your partner play 2/1, then after East's forcing 1NT West is being asked to further describe West's hand. With a 6-card major, West should rebid the major rather than bid the better minor.

East may not be happy with a 6-1 fit here, but East doesn't have much choice. Any new suit by East after 2♥ requires West to pass - so East can't bid 2♠ or 3♣, because West may not have either of those suits!

Let partner play a 6-1 fit and see where it goes. With just 4 HCPs, chances are others may be in the same boat.

(Of course, with 16 HCPs, some West players will bid 2NT over 1NT forcing to show NT count but not NT shape - and others may jump to 3♥ to show the strength of the hand. . .also passed by East!)

When South provides a negative double at the one level, North can show HCPs by bidding North's spades at 1♠ with 8 or fewer HCPs; jumping one level to 2♠ to show 9 to 11 HCPs. And if North had 12+ HCPs (opening) North would cuebid East's suit at 2♥.

With just 5 losers, South's hand is strong enough to jump to a spade game. . .Wests foolish enough to bid 5♣ will go down 3 with best defense - that should be doubled, of course, and yet some Souths will even try 5♠ which will also make.

NOTE that Souths that bid diamonds - and do not double 1♥ - will make it nearly impossible to find the spade fit. Doubling 1♥ implies four in the other major, and North would rather be in a major 8-card fit than a minor 8-card fit. Finding the spades will be the key to a good results here.

This hand will come down to a battle between East's clubs and North's spades. . .unless West gets into the act first. Chances are pretty good that whomever ends up as declarer will be going down 1 here, especially if East opens in 1st seat with 3♣. A 1♣ open will get 1♥ by South, then 1♠ by West, and 1NT by North. . .but clubs will be rebid by East, and then it's anyone's contract. Look for some interesting scores here, and by "interesting" I mean mostly "down" scores.

If you and your partner play that a jump-shift is a weak bid - without interference - that is a bid that must be alerted. It must also be marked on your convention cards (it's a red box on the bottom right side, and red boxes must be alerted).

When East overcalls 2♠, South will have to decide whether to defend 2♠ or give 3♥ a try; North has indicated a weak hand here, so maybe two tricks are possible in hearts. South's hand should have two as well (the ♠A and ♦A) - but 2♠ looks to make. . .so Souths that try 3♥ will be happy to get a positive result.

Both East and South will have some interesting bids to make here; South has an opening hand and both majors. So what would you and your partner bid as South when East bids 2♠ as a transfer to 3♣?

But it's East with the real decision to make - whether to risk 3NT or 5♣. With East's HCPs and shape, there's clearly a game somewhere. . .maybe a couple of them. East knows West has to have at least 2 clubs to open 1NT; so there's an 8-card fit (or more).

West can make 5♣ losing the ♥A and by finessing the ♦K. West must play a small diamond from dummy up to the ♦Q; if South plays the ♦K, that's the second lost trick - and now the ♦Q will win a trick for you. If South doesn't play the ♦K, then the ♦Q takes the trick anyhow. Playing up to the queen can get you one extra trick in a situation like this, and it will make the difference between making 5♣ and not.

This should prove to be an interesting auction - with interesting results! North's open of 1♣ should be met with a double by East. Keep in mind that a double here shows the majors - but it only promises three of each major - and implies four in the suit. E/W should find a diamond fit rather easily in this case, but some North players may wish to open 1♦ instead of 1♣. That will make it more difficult for either partnership to get to a good contract - and so some set scores will be the result.

East is put in a tough spot; you don't ever really want to let a doubled contract go by at the 1-level. But West may only have three spades (and should have four). Some East players may wish to bid 1NT, with five hearts and two honors, and that might work out okay as long as N/S don't get into the diamond suit. In any case, with E/W being vulnerable, going down 2 in 1NT with best defense will be a great score for the other side.

South's hand is too strong to open with a preemptive spade bid. South only has 5 losers, and if North has an opening hand, there's very likely a slam available. Keep in mind that South can always rebid spades at any level - and so Souths that open 1♠ (proper opening here), have West overcall 2♥, North passes, and East a likely jump to 4♥, this still allows South to bid 4♠. You might be down a couple, but with no defense against hearts (except a club trick) even a doubled down 2 will be better than if they can make 4♥ vulnerable (-500 vs -620).

But what if they can't make 4♥? North will have to have some tricks available to defeat 4♥. Those same tricks, whatever they are, will also help you on offense to make 4♠. In this case, North has nothing for help - so it's not an issue.

It's not likely that anyone will get to a Grand Slam in spades, even with some cuebidding of diamonds down the road - you're missing two keycards, and if the ♠K is in the wrong place (it is, but it's a singleton) you won't be happy in 7♠ down 1.

But there's a lot going on here.

West's open must be 1♦. Not 3♦. Not only does West have a great hand in terms of shape, but the HCPs are huge - the diamond suit will probably run in NT - and West does have a four-card major. If partner has four hearts, you won't want to miss a heart fit.

North's double promises three of each major and implies four; that's good enough for South with six in the spade suit. But South's bid should be a cuebid to show at least an opening hand. 2♦ is artificial, and cannot be passed. North's best suit is hearts, and South's bid of 3♠ shows a huge hand. Remember, South started with a cuebid. NOW South is bidding South's own suit. Much like a double and then your own suit, a cuebid and your own suit shows a very strong hand.

Even if South asks for keycards, it will probably be tough to get to a spade slam - but if you do end there, you should get a top board if you play the ♠K as a singleton. With all the other top spades, it might be worth a try!

This could prove to be a very interesting auction at your table! North's 1NT will get a 2♣ by South (Stayman) - but then West has the chance to throw in a bid. Vulnerability will slow a few Wests down, but you're expecting to lose two black cards, at least the ♥A and ♦A - but it's possible 3♥ could make with that distribution.

What's a North to do over 3♥? Double, for penalty, but then South will have to figure out if 3♥X is a penalty double - or takeout. Over 2♥, North can bid 2NT and South raises to 3NT, but there's an 8-card club fit as well. The top board in the room will go to the N/S at 3NT, but you're going to have to squeeze West to make 10 NT tricks.

Let's assume East isn't helpful and doesn't lead a heart. However North wins the first trick, play the clubs. West (assuming there's a heart bid shown earlier) should be short in at least one other suit, so play East for the ♣Q. Running five club tricks, finessing and winning two diamonds, plus the ♠A is 8 tricks. How to get two more?

Make West play away from the hearts. When you've played five clubs, the ♠A, and two diamonds, West will be left with the ♦K, ♦8, and three hearts (♥K, ♥J, and ♥10, unless East helpfully led a heart).

Throw West in with diamonds, and West can get two diamond tricks - but have to give you two hearts to make 10 tricks in NT.

West's forcing bid is not to say that there isn't a game to be had, although 1NT forcing usually indicates that. Remember that 1NT forcing is simply a way for partner to further describe partner's hand. West could have 20 HCPs here and be looking for a slam in NT.

East has essentially a 2♣ opener, with just four losers, and won't need much help from partner to make a game. Look for many Easts to be scoring +620, losing two clubs and a spade.

It's unlikely that anyone in our room will get to a Grand Slam in clubs, but here's a 27-HCP Grand Slam for E/W. 3NT will be the more logical stop for most East players, but with that shape East might consider looking for a little more.

To make all 13 tricks in clubs, the opening lead won't make that much of a difference. West can pull two trump right away (with the club finesse working nicely). Now play to the top spades - and on the 2nd and 3rd round of spades, play diamonds - NOT hearts! The reason? You'll need to cross ruff in a couple of tricks, and you don't want to get stuck with a diamond loser in each hand. East already has two diamond losers, so if you have two "throws" on those top spades, get rid of the losers in West's hand.

Play a 4th spade and trump it - the last outstanding spade will fall, and now your ♠3 is good in dummy. Play the ♥A, trump a heart, play the ♠3 (tossing a heart) and cross ruff your way to a Grand Slam.

Would you and your partner open West's hand 1♣? There are only 10 HCPs, but you do have just seven losers. . .and you're not vulnerable. In this case, it's best NOT to open West's hand. Here's why:

If East is ever in the lead - including at trick 1, chances are East will lead your suit. If you open 1♣, look for your ♣K to go away in a hurry. You don't want partner to finesse you.

Also, if you need a rebid, bidding hearts at the 2-level would be a reverse. 1♣-1NT by partner, and now you're stuck with the unenviable position of rebidding a weak 5-card suit (which isn't done) and bidding 2♥ showing 16+ HCPs (which also isn't done).

You may have a partial in something, and hopefully you'll get the chance to find out what. But you don't want to start things off on the wrong suit.

Whether South opens this hand 1♥ or 1NT, you're likely to see most pairs in the room get into a major-suit contract. This hand may make a better score in NT, but there's no way to know that; plus, if East has a minor suit Ace - and West has an A-Q in the other minor, you're going down.

Some may try 3NT for the better score, but looking this hand double-dummy it's hard to make 4NT with it - so those that go with the known 8-card fit will probably see a better score in the N/S column.

3NT makes on this hand, but how?

South has seven tricks off the top - and maybe eight if the spade finesse works (which it does not). To make nine tricks in NT, South must take the winners - and put West in the lead at the end.

In other words, don't risk the spade finesse if you don't need to. West's likely lead will be a red 7.

If it's the ♦7, win with the ♦J, knowing you'll lose a diamond because they must be at least 4-3. Unblock your diamond by playing the ♦A, play the ♥A, then a low heart to the board. Win with the ♥K and watch East drop the ♥J. Is that East's last heart? Or are they 3-3? You might know from the bidding - South's 1♣ open, if met by a double by West, implies four in each major. That might help. Come back to your hand with the ♣A, finesse the last heart, cash the ♦K and play a small diamond. You'll lose the two remaining red cards to West (either the ♥10 and ♦Q or two diamonds), but now West must play away from the spades. West Whatever spade West plays, South gets two spade tricks to make 3NT.

Will anyone in our Friday morning group be able to determine West's extreme shortness in clubs? Frankly, it's highly unlikely. That's why I think those that get to 3NT (and that should be everyone) will be off 1 or 2 tricks. But the beauty of bridge is that sometimes what seem like impossible contracts - can be made. This is one of them.