Daily Celebrity Challenge

[@VanessaSchmithorst]

B1: Read W for 7222 thus got an extra overtrick by playing 3 rounds of diamonds before cashing Hs. B2: Draw B3: Draw. I missed the C sacrifice after partner opened 3C. B4: Lia jumped to 3NT so we never found the H fit. Made miraculously but 4H was better. B5: Didn't X 4D. Your bravery paid off!

[@dkinrys]

Happy holidays, Christophe! B1 (3NT): It wasn't a Christmas present: almost nobody beat you. It was a flat board. B2 (3NT again): Flat, except for the few people who bid 4H and made 5. The robots needed to find the unusual diamond ace lead (from AJxxx) to give partner a ruff for down one. B3: Thanks for validating that a pass here would be okay. I opened and tied you. It was mostly flat: we lost to the ACOL players who opened 1NT and played 2S-4 undoubled, and those who found the sacrifice in the minor game. B5: Good double: I hadn't even considered it. You beat me and the field, with those who competed to 4H and went down doubled at the bottom. See you in 2025!

[@914mela]

B1 draw B2 got an extra trick. When in N played QS. Took the AS. Then played out the Hs and the S winners. Then a low D and W hopped up w AD and came back AC making my KC a winner b3 I passed and Lia bid 3C. E bid 3NT and W transferred to Hs. Since white on red w some values and C support I competed to 5C got X’d for a win (even -3) B4 wound up in 3NT. Lia did not bid 3C as she did w u. Just jumped to 3NT. Somehow I made it but 4H scored better B5 didn’t x. Good choice! Happy holidays.

[@grahamlucy6627]

Great analyses and commentary again. . #1 I was chuckling all the way through that when I realised that you hadn’t seen the first H from RHO which excludes LHO from holding three. . #2 Why not eliminate S as well as H before leading D up? (I didn’t either), but u can get +2 if u play LHO for CAQ and strip squeeze . #4 As 4H needs a non-S lead, favourable clubs and nothing nasty in H, I was pleased with my 1H+3 …. right up until I saw your 4H result LOL . Hope u have a great new year :) WDDLD 25

[@VanessaSchmithorst]

You're right on #2... good catch. I missed it during the play :(

[@cricrinho]

Might be better indeed, but if the spade K is behind, clearly worse. But you have a good point. Well seen

[@frankmorgan826]

Thanks Cristophe. B1. Gavin's Lia passed over 3S, leading to inferior 4C B4. How do you know to bid 1S (or 1N) rather than passing?

[@cricrinho]

Hi Frank. I just feel the hand is a bit strong for it. It's a "good" 12 count with all my points in my long suits, the 10 of spades and 3 cards in hearts.

[@norahdean5252]

Are you on drugs on 1?

[@cricrinho]

For a substantial amount of money I will provide my magic potion 😂