Collecting and Using Information
By Mike Lawrence

Both South and North had choices in the auction. South had to choose between one notrump and a raise to two diamonds. South should not be too quick to bid notrump. Many players overlook raising a minor suit and often pay a price for it. The problem with bidding one notrump is that you may get a spade lead. Whatever partner has in spades will be better off having a spade lead come up to it. If you bid two diamonds, your partner may be able to bid notrump, getting the play from the right side of the table.

On this hand, the balanced shape and overall values does suggest a one notrump bid which is the call that South made at the table. My feeling is that both bids, one notrump and two diamonds, are decent choices.

North had problems too. With seventeen balanced points, he might open one notrump, showing fifteen to seventeen points. With an excellent suit and with sensational high cards, North chose to start with one diamond instead, treating his hand as being worth more than seventeen points. A fair assessment.

West led the queen of hearts. East signaled with the eight and South took the trick. Any thoughts on how to proceed?

South started diamonds, West showing up with the singleton king. South came back to his hand with the third round of diamonds and promptly took the spade finesse for his ninth trick. Didn't work. East won the king and returned a spade. South had only eight tricks to take.