East won't be too concerned with South's overcall, as East has spades stopped - and maybe just one loser in the suit. Although West doesn't have enough HCPs to go to the 2-level right away (and bid 2♣ over the spade overcall) West does have enough to either invite or accept the invitation to go to a club game once the club fit has been found. Some Easts may choose to repeat their diamonds at the 3-level rather than show the second suit - but with just the ♦K-♦10 heading that suit, would you really want to rebid that at first opportunity with this hand?

South has a few options here, by bidding 2♥ to open the bidding for N/S, by doubling and then planning to bid either hearts or clubs, and by bidding 2♠ (Michaels) to show five hearts and five of a minor.

Bidding 2♥ isn't a good option, since you're beyond the overcall range of most partnerships (8 to 16 HCPs). Doubling is a better choice, but with no spades in South's hand, North might be loaded with spades - and remember that doubling does not force North to bid. North could pass the double to make it a penalty double. You don't want North to pass.

The better option is to bid 2♠. This shows the two-suited nature of South's hand, and this is a bid that North absolutely cannot pass. It promises five hearts, and even if North bids diamonds (say, having a 4=2=5=2 distribution) South can still bid clubs as South has a self-sufficient suit in clubs.

West has six diamonds here and not enough HCPs to open 1♦, but opening 2♦ isn't a good idea. The reason: West also has four of a major. When you preempt, that will be your bid, so you won't want to miss a heart fit with partner by starting out with 2♦.

This hand should come down to a choice between North's wanting to sacrifice with spades and the heart fit in E/W. Being not vulnerable, that will probably help N/S quite a bit to go beyond hearts at least once.

N/S pairs with this hand will likely end up in 3NT in our Friday morning group. North's open of 1♦ (and 1♥ response by South) will jump to 2♠ (reverse, showing four spades and 17+ HCPs) or 2NT (18-19 HCPs and flat hand). That still won't be enough for South to go to a slam, although this hand makes 6♦.

It may also make 6NT, although it should only make 9 tricks in NT. East will likely be on lead, and unless East plays a club to drive out the ♣A and set things up for a club run later, North can beat East to the punch by winning trick 1 and driving out East's ♥A first. East needs the ♥A to get back in a second time and lead the clubs to take four defensive tricks. So if the ♥A is gone before the clubs are played, now North can take four spade tricks, three hearts, a club, and four diamonds for 12 tricks in NT.

South's got six HCPs and three-card support for partner's hand. South expects to have a stopper in spades as well - so what's wrong with bidding 1NT? Probably not too much, although six HCPs and 3-card support does warrant a simple raise to 2♥.

This is a hand that may provide a lot of set scores when the traveller comes out.

West's 1♦ open could be the final contract with this hand. East won't have much to say with just five HCPs and five spades, but it may end up being up to South to either overcall 1♥ in 4th seat or pass 1♦. With East already passing, South should expect North to have some HCPs - and why not open the bidding for your side?

Souths that do overcall 1♥ will see West jump to 3♦ (or 4♦ to invite partner to a game) but that may be it as N/S can get the ♠A, ♣A, and ♦Q to hold West to ten tricks in diamonds.

Smolen is a convention that's used to show a 5-4 hand in the majors and a game-forcing hand. You must have 10+ HCPs and 5-4 in the majors. Here is how Smolen works:

Following the 1NT open, partner bids 2♣ (Stayman). If the NT opener has four of a major, then the opener will rebid 2♥ or 2♠ and Smolen is not in play. But if the NT opener rebids 2♦ to deny a 4-card major, now Smolen is available to responder.

With Smolen, you jump one level - to the 3-level - and bid the suit with which you have 4-cards. This allows the NT opener to choose between the majors or 3NT. It doesn't come up often, but it's very descriptive of your hand.

Easts that open this 11 HCP hand (and most Easts will) should open 1♥. It's not always easy to do when you have five hearts to the ♥10 (or lower) but it's the proper open. Likewise, South's overcall (or open) should be 1♠, even though those five are to the ♠8. It's the correct description of your hand to partner. . .and who knows, maybe partner will have those missing face cards for you!

There may be some sacrificing taking place with N/S pairs that are not vulnerable here; East's 2♦ response after being a previously passed hand denies four spades, so West can probably figure from the bidding that East must have at least four diamonds. (Hopefully more!)

South here may not appear to have much defense against diamonds, and not vulnerable with a 5-3 fit in hearts, look for some South players to bid onward. Assuming West does play in diamonds, Norths will probably lead the ♥10 (top of nothing) - only to find Souths HCPs are elsewhere.

East has 11 HCPs, and North has limited North's hand to 15-17. That means there's only 12 to 14 HCPs left in the deck. As East, count East's losers here - assuming everything is in North's hand. You'll lose a heart, a spade, a couple of clubs, and probably two diamonds. Six losing tricks, and that's if your partner has nothing for you.

Could you lose more than six tricks? Of course. But bidding 2♣ (and possibly going down 1) might be a good try - especially not vulnerable. Here, you ARE vulnerable, so it's a much bigger risk. The better option with this hand is to pass, and hope that partner has long hearts that won't set up for North. Looking at this hand on defense, again assuming North has everything, you'll have hopefully six winners. Can partner set this by taking 1? Let partner try - and pass.

The other reason to pass? If partner is on lead, you know the card that's coming out to your ♣Q.

What a trap this hand is for West. West will open 1♠, and North will either double to show a big hand or bid 2♦. . .but West will have the chance to rebid this 5-loser beauty in either minor suit, and North won't be saying anything then. North has the perfect hand for defense against West's suits, and I would think the result will be many, many set scores for West who can't make anything. The real question will be whether or not North recognizes a great hand for defense or not - and at what point that realization takes place.

Some West players may open this hand 1♦, and that's not the worst bid you'll make today. North's correct bid with 19 HCPs is to double first - then show the suit. The problem of course is that it's a misfit hand for N/S. It's possible that the bidding will go something like what I've included above, but this may also lead to a 4♥ contract that can be set.

Should South bid hearts, North should invite at 3♥ - not jump to game. Remember, by doubling and then bidding North's own suit (clubs), North has shown the giant hand to South. Don't tell your story twice - if South has even 7 or 8 HCPs, South will go to a game in hearts. But it's possible that South could have 0 HCPs, and North must recognize that possibility for a successful contract.

Defensively, with East's hand, what would you lead against 4♥?

There could be a +680s on the traveller for North, because if East leads anything but a top spade, there's all kinds of trouble.

What makes this hand work for North is South's long clubs, and North's having the ♣A. That, and a singleton diamond, may work to North's advantage.

Don't lead your singleton ♥6; North has shown long hearts, so it won't reduce ruffing in declarer's hand. Many players lead their singleton, and so as declarer that will mark West with the other two hearts. Some Easts may lead the ♦J, hoping to get a trick or two in diamonds, but with North's singleton a second diamond by West will be ruffed - and the hand is over, with three spades in North's hand going on three good clubs down the road.

East's best bet is to lead the ♠A from the ♠A-♠K; see the dummy and those long clubs; then cash the ♠K and hope partner has shown preference for the diamonds. There are some hands where you can't set the contract but you CAN provide overtricks, and this is one of those.

West's 6 HCPs won't warrant anything but a pass, and although North might be tempted to bid 2♥ (after all, with West's pass and North's 6 HCPs, South must have an opening hand, right?) North's bid might open the door for East to bid something else. Like a double. Or 2♠ if East opens 1NT with five of a major.

South's lead of the ♠A might seem an obvious choice; it's fairly safe as you've got the ♠K and ♠J for a return if you can get to North's hand. . .but South should always get those spade tricks. Trying to set up one of North's suits might give less away - so some South players will play a heart or club. Here, it won't matter, as East can make 8 tricks in NT no matter what happens. Just don't let East make 9.

How often is it that you get a 1-loser hand? West's powerhouse will be playing second-billing here, to South's open of 1♠. When South is 5-5 in the majors, always open 1♠ first - then bid hearts. (Later during the bidding, this will tell partner you started with 5 spades.)

West has many options. Ideally, you'd like to double, and then cuebid South's spade suit. This shows a 2♣ opener. It's unlikely that East has the ♠A, as South must have some HCPs somewhere of course. . .and they can't be in the minors. The risk of jumping to 6♦ and missing a Grand Slam are small.

Overcalling 2NT (the Unusual NT) would seem the clear choice. It shows at least a 5-5 hand in either the minors or the two lowest unbid suits, both of which apply here.

Even 4NT as an overcall isn't bad - making East bid a 5-level minor suit game. The key is to make a bid that East cannot pass. East can pass a double; East can pass 2NT. West's decision of the overcall may be a difficult one, but it's East who is 2-2 in the minors and will have the harder choice to make.

Wests that play a 15-18 HCP opening range may open this hand 1NT; the reason being that with three Ks, West wants the opening lead to come to West's kings. If West opens 1♠ and East ends up in NT, now all West's kings are vulnerable to any aces in North's hand.

Regardless of West's open, two passes to South will allow for a club suit to come out. 2♣, if you play a natural NT defense (should West open 1NT), or even 3♣ (you know where the HCPs are, and don't want North to do much else). South will want to be declarer for the same reason West wants to be - South wants the lead to come to South's A-Q combos.

South has barely enough for a simple raise in hearts, with the ♠K being probably worthless. But a 9-loser hand featuring the ♦A and three-card support may be a bit preemptive as well.

Had East opened the bidding, 4♠ would be the obvious choice for West. . .who's got the best hand at the table. With North having opened, West can either bid 3♥ as a limit raise (if you play a cuebid in this situation as a limit raise) or jump to 3♠ (as long as your partnership agreement is not that this is a weak bid). 3NT may make with this hand, but it's highly unlikely any E/W pair in our Friday morning group will get there.

East has only 8 losers, so despite the limited HCPs, East's thinking should be that a major suit fit - either one - will produce a good board. Since Stayman requires 8+ HCPs, East must be prepared for West's denial of a major. East's rebid of 2NT in that case could be disastrous when partner is promised 8-9 HCPs.

Here, West should pass 2♠. Many partnerships play that going through Stayman, and following a denial by the NT opener of a 4-card major that any bid of 2♥ or 2♠ now is a "drop dead" bid. You and your partner should discuss what 2♠ would mean here, and if it's a bid you'd consider as a drop dead bid. . .or what it would mean!

Following South's opening 1♦ bid, West can show the two lowest unbid suits (if you play that convention) with 2NT. Here, it would be hearts and clubs. North will be expecting South to have at least a singleton spade, but the contract now is at too high a level for anyone to make their bid with best defense. Would you and your partner go to 4♥ with East's hand?

But the bidding could also be 1♦, and a pass by West. North will bid 2♠ (weak, with the jump shift, and alerted as such), passed around to West who can now double - and East will jump in with a 3♥ bid. That's a bid that could make. . .but many E/W pairs will be happy to set N/S in spades.

Here's a hand where shape makes all the difference. Or as they say in publishing bridge books, "Points Schmoints." West and East have just 22 HCPs between them, but there's nearly a slam with the shape.

West should open 1♠ - not 3♠ - as this hand is too strong for a preemptive bid in 1st seat. East can start with 1NT forcing, but no matter what the 15 HCP-hand South has says, once West repeats the spades to show more than five in the suit East will have a chance to support. It may be tough for some of our Friday morning players to get to a spade game here, but for those that do, you'll lose one club and one diamond.

Defensively, even if a spade is led, declarer can still make 5. The key will be to play South for the ♦A-♦K combination. Take the 1st spade with the ♠A; save the ♠K for transportation! Lose the 1st diamond; let's say South takes a club and plays another spade to your ♠K. All the trump are now out. Play the ♦Q; if South covers, trump it. Now the ♦J-♦10-♦9-♦6 are all good in dummy. But how do you get there? Play the ♥A, then the ♥Q, and overtake with the ♥K. Toss your two losing clubs on good diamonds.

When you play the ♦Q, if South does NOT cover, throw off a club. Worst case scenario you make 4 and not 5 if North pops up with the ♦K.

South has a good club suit and six of them - so a transfer to the minors is a must with this hand. Once North accepts the transfer, now what should South do?

With 9 HCPs, and transportation in the diamonds, go ahead and bid 3NT. You know partner has at least two clubs, so there's a good 8-card fit at least. Partner's HCPs must be in something other than diamonds, so the other suits should be stopped. There's enough HCPs and shape here for a game - but which one?? It's possible 5♣ would make, but remember that many hands that make 5 of a minor also make 3NT - and it's easier to get 9 tricks than 11.

As soon as North gets in, whenever that is, North can get 9 tricks in NT. Six club tricks, the ♠A, and two diamonds (playing up to the ♦Q and getting the ♦K out of the way).

West might consider passing 1♠ here, since East is a previously-passed hand and there clearly isn't a game afoot. But West's raise to 2♠ is a bit preemptive (in case North wants to double or bid hearts) - and also East might have a hand that's borderline opening. . .and raise to 3♠.

East should lose two diamonds and two spades to make 3♠.

Defensively, South's lead of the ♣2 will make things easier for declarer for a couple of reasons. First of all, pretty much everyone leads their singleton - so North can be marked for the other clubs. Also, it finesses North of the ♣Q. Getting a couple of rounds of trump out of the way, East can toss a diamond on a club and maybe make 4♠. It will be difficult to lead away from the ♦A, and it shouldn't be done!

The TEXAS TRANSFER convention is one that's used with a 1NT opener - and you've got at least seven cards in a major suit.

Here, North's bid of 4♦ is a transfer to 4♥. North's bid of 4♥ would be a transfer to spades. But it shows at least 7 in the suit - and clearly is game forcing.

The Texas Transfer is a blue box on your convention card - and if you and your partner decide you want to play it, you should mark the box on your card and announce the bid as a transfer when it comes up.

Most North players will open this hand 1♦, and East (not vulnerable) will likely throw in a 1♥ overcall. South's choices are to bid 1NT (with the stopper in hearts) or 3♦ (inverted minors, if you play that convention , showing 6 to 9 HCPs and diamond support).

West has enough for a limit raise in hearts, but remember that East is an overcaller - East might have doubled with an opening hand. Still, 3♥ down 1 will be a good score considering N/S can make a partial in spades or diamonds.

This hand will likely be played either in 1NT by West or 2♣ by East. It's possible a 4-3 fit in spades will come out on the traveler, but in our Friday morning group those 4-3 fits seem to be avoided, even in majors!

East's 1♣ will either be met by 1♦ or a double by South. Either way, 1NT is a good bid for West, unless West wants to show the clubs right now - in which case the minor suit is where it will end.

South has two options here, but neither is to rebid the 5-card diamond suit. Rebidding 5-card suits, especially at the 3-level, is just not done! Yes you've got 16 HCPs, and partner has shown a stopper in spades, but there must be something else you can do. And there is.

Bidding 3♥ should be a reverse, showing four hearts and a strong hand (17+ HCPs). Partner could have doubled 1♠ to show four hearts, but did not - so North probably has at most three hearts. Still, your hand is strong enough to play in a 4-3 fit. By bidding 1NT, North should have SOME HCPs, even if they are all in spades, and 3NT might be a try for South as well with the lead coming to North. But don't rebid the diamonds at 3♦ with just five in the suit. You'll luck out this time with partner having four of them - next time don't expect the same level of support!

South's previously passed situation makes a 2NT response to 1♠ as 11-12 HCPs, and NOT Jacoby 2NT.

With the ♥6 (4th best) led, South can use the rule of 11 to play at trick 1. The rule of 11 in 4th best leads is that 11 minus the spot card led equals the number of higher cards outstanding in that suit. Here, 11 minus 6 equals 5 - which means there are 5 heart cards higher than the ♥6 outstanding.

South is looking at the ♥A and ♥10 in hand - as well as the ♥Q, ♥8, and ♥7 in dummy. That would be all five cards higher than the ♥6 - so the ♥7 should take the trick and does.

Before taking any club finesse, South should play the spades to drive out the ♠Q. As long as the diamonds are still stopped with the ♦A, South can get two hearts (trick 1, then playing up to the ♥Q or winning the ♥A on the third heart), four spades, one diamond and two clubs for 9 tricks in NT.