ANSWERS — How NOT to Win a STAC Game

Thursday Morning, Board 26:

That's right; north came up with a 'lead-directing' double of 2♦.  All that the defense could win were two trump tricks and the ace of clubs.  Making four, for a score of -1560.

I trust that you sensibly passed.  Your opponents might even have bid to a spade slam which could be defeated by a club ruff.

Saturday Morning, Board 9:

This was an amazing board.  A ruff-sluff at trick one, which didn't even help, with east-west in position to take a profitable red-versus-white sacrifice at the 7-level.  Most unusual.

Our east player just 'hoped' to take two tricks, thereby insulting his RHO.  In any event, his (Lightner) double called for a diamond lead, which he didn't get.  His score: -1310.

Saturday Morning, Board 14:

West really missed the boat on this one.  As her bid of 3NT could have been made on substantially lesser values, east's final pass cannot be faulted.  His cuebid could be based only upon either long, strong diamonds or a slam try with a big spade fit.

Consider the first option; just try giving partner a hand consistent with the bidding.  How about this: ♠Axx ♥x ♦AQJTxxx ♣Ax.  That's a dead minimum for east's bidding; yet 6NT is certain with a heart lead, and there are chances even if the ♥A is offside.  East-West's score: +720.

Friday Morning, Board 33 (arrow turned for convenience):

It clearly is odds-on to play the preemptor to be short in hearts.  To that end, declarer could simply lead dummy's trump queen at trick two; however, that would entail a subsequent guess for the location of the jack.

Better yet is the simple expedient of coming to hand with a club, and leading a low heart toward the queen.  Should that honor fall to east's ace, then declarer finesses (best) on the way back.

On today's hand, the safety play solves the trump issue immediately.  Our declarer played a heart to the king at trick two.  Her score: -50.

I hope that you fared better than my opponents on these everyday challenges.