Cornucopia #2

Test your luck on these situations from the recently concluded Sacramento Regional.

This was Board 27 from the Thursday evening Open Pairs:

4♠ by south is unbeatable. Try it double-dummy with a diamond lead.

Board 10 from the Friday morning Senior Pairs:

This hand was played twenty-six times.  In your estimation, how many pairs found the grand slam in spades?  How many bid to a small slam?

This farce from the same Senior event qualifies as the Most Ludicrous Result of the Tournament (MLROTT):

West led the ♦9, and east covered dummy's ten with the queen.  Declarer now effortlessly collected eleven tricks:  ♦K, ♥KQ, ♣K, ♥A, diamonds.  West could win only a trump trick and the ace of spades.

Assess the blame for all concerned, both in the bidding and the play.  What was the single worst action?

Having entered the tournament's premier event — the California Capital Swiss Teams — the pressure is on early in the first match, as your counterparts at the other table are multi-time world champions Chip Martel and Lew Stansby.

What is your opening lead?

Later in the Capital Swiss, you get an opportunity to shine as declarer.

Most would feel that north has taken one bid too many.  In any case, the opening lead is the ♦K.  West then continues with the ♦A, east following with the queen.  Plan the play.