VanLearners Section X Monday Evening July 20, 2026

Overall Results (All Sections and Directions)
Pair#PercentScoreRankMPtsPlayers
X1E 70.24% 59.0011.05(O)Vicki Torbett - Eiler Eis
X6N 67.26% 56.5020.79(O)Francesco L Piccone - M Piccone
X2E 58.33% 49.0030.59(O)Barbara Spitz - Marlee Sheinin
X4E 56.55% 47.504/50.39(O)David Rosenberg - Alan Atkins
X4N 56.55% 47.504/50.39(O)Joan Christensen - Carol Linda Ward
X3N 54.76% 46.000.21(S)Alexa Allen - Jacquie Brown
X2N 52.98% 44.50Faye Wightman - Diane Hardouin
X6E 44.05% 37.00Louise Forsyth - Doug Stewart
X7N 42.86% 36.00Diane O Connor - Valerie Young
X7E 42.26% 35.50Zdenka Buric - Cindy Grauer
X3E 41.07% 34.50Pam Tomlins - Tim Tomlins
X5N 39.88% 33.50Linda Collins - Niamh Kelly
X5E 37.50% 31.50Patti Young - Judy Day
X1N 35.71% 30.00Jandi Fraser - John Fraser
East-West had 53.54% of the highcard points in today's deals.
The average freakness rating of today's deals (measuring the amount of distribution in the dealset as a whole) was 12.00, close to the average of about 11.93.
Results for Section X, North-South
Pair#PercentScoreRankMPtsPlayers
X6N 67.26% 56.5010.79(O)Francesco L Piccone - M Piccone
X4N 56.55% 47.5020.39(O)Joan Christensen - Carol Linda Ward
X3N 54.76% 46.0030.21(S)Alexa Allen - Jacquie Brown
X2N 52.98% 44.50Faye Wightman - Diane Hardouin
X7N 42.86% 36.00Diane O Connor - Valerie Young
X5N 39.88% 33.50Linda Collins - Niamh Kelly
X1N 35.71% 30.00Jandi Fraser - John Fraser
East-West had 53.54% of the highcard points in today's deals.
The average freakness rating of today's deals (measuring the amount of distribution in the dealset as a whole) was 12.00, close to the average of about 11.93.
Results for Section X, East-West
Pair#PercentScoreRankMPtsPlayers
X1E 70.24% 59.0011.05(O)Vicki Torbett - Eiler Eis
X2E 58.33% 49.0020.59(O)Barbara Spitz - Marlee Sheinin
X4E 56.55% 47.5030.39(O)David Rosenberg - Alan Atkins
X6E 44.05% 37.00Louise Forsyth - Doug Stewart
X7E 42.26% 35.50Zdenka Buric - Cindy Grauer
X3E 41.07% 34.50Pam Tomlins - Tim Tomlins
X5E 37.50% 31.50Patti Young - Judy Day
East-West had 53.54% of the highcard points in today's deals.
The average freakness rating of today's deals (measuring the amount of distribution in the dealset as a whole) was 12.00, close to the average of about 11.93.
Board 1 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N100 6.004303NTn+1♣︎3 0.000X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N83 5.001201NTn+1♦︎3 1.0017X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N67 4.001101♥︎s+1♦︎2 2.0033X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N50 3.001002♦︎e–2♣︎2 3.0050X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N33 2.00503♦︎e–1♥︎A 4.0067X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N8 0.504♠︎n–1♦︎350 5.5092X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N8 0.503♠︎n–1♦︎450 5.5092X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♠︎n3♦︎= 420
3♥︎s2♥︎+1 170
2♥︎s2♦︎+1 140
2♣︎s5♦︎+1 110
2♦︎eK♠︎-2 100
1Nn3♦︎= 90
North passes and East opens 1♦︎. South overcalls 1♥︎ and West raises to 2♦︎. North doubles for takeout, East passes, and South has a difficult choice. North should have a near opener with both black suits, but South has to go all the way to 3♣︎ to ensure an eight-card fit. There's no way to discover if North has five spades here, and South certainly cannot leave the double in. A cuebid of 3♦︎ would be a good plan but South may not be strong enough to force to game opposite a ten count. So 3♣︎ is the safe option and will lead to a plus score, but 3♦︎ will get North to bid 3NT for the best possible score....this time. Tough hand!!
#1 D  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ J932Dealer: N
♥︎ 96 None Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ AK8N  EAST      
♠︎ T75♣︎ J975♠︎ A64
♥︎ 752♥︎ KT8
♦︎J9752N SOUTH       ♦︎QT63
♣︎K4♠︎KQ8♣︎AT3
9♥︎AQJ431
4HCP13♦︎42FRK0
14♣︎Q8624
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
1099710by
E
34463
by
S
1099710by
W
34363
Board 2 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N100 6.001001♠︎w–2♥︎J 0.000X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N83 5.00801♠︎s=♣︎9 1.0017X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N58 3.50502NTe–1♣︎4 2.5042X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N58 3.50502NTe–1♦︎Q 2.5042X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N33 2.002♥︎w=♠︎J110 4.0067X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N17 1.002NTn–2♣︎3200 5.0083X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N0 0.002♦︎n–3♠︎7300 6.00100X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♠︎wK♣︎-3 150
3♥︎wJ♠︎-1 50
2♠︎wK♣︎-1 50
3♥︎wJ♠︎-1 50
2♦︎n7♠︎-1 100
3♣︎s4♠︎-2 200
East and South pass but West should open in third seat and proceed with caution. It wouldn't be close to an opener in first or second seat, but 5-5 in the majors is seldom good if the hand is passed out. So West opens 1♠︎ and North passes. East responds 1NT and South passes. West decides that with the opponents silent it is safe to try 2♥︎, which is non-forcing and East should pass. West could be 6-4 in the majors, but far more likely is 5-4 or 5-5. Hearts is the better spot and even if North leads the J♠︎ and gets a ruff, West should still make nine tricks, losing three aces and a spade ruff.
#2 V  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ JDealer: E
♥︎ JT9 NS Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ A5432D  EAST      
♠︎ KQ842♣︎ KQ72♠︎ 73
♥︎ Q8762♥︎ K54
♦︎KTV SOUTH       ♦︎J876
♣︎9♠︎AT965♣︎AJ53
11♥︎A34
10HCP9♦︎Q96FRK1
10♣︎T8643
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
56468by
E
87965
by
S
56478by
W
87965
Board 3 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N100 6.001402♠︎n+1♥︎K 0.000X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N67 4.002♣︎s–1♦︎450 2.0033X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N67 4.002♠︎n–1♥︎A50 2.0033X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N67 4.002♠︎n–1♥︎A50 2.0033X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N33 2.002♦︎e=♣︎490 4.0067X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N17 1.002♦︎e+1♣︎4110 5.0083X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N0 0.002♥︎w+2♠︎J170 6.00100X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3♠︎nA♥︎-1 50
2♠︎nA♥︎-1 50
2♠︎nK♥︎-2 100
2♥︎w9♣︎+2 170
2♥︎wA♠︎+2 170
3♥︎w9♣︎+1 170
Whether South opens 1♣︎ or passes, this will be a battle and most auction battles are won by the side with a spade fit. East-West are going to find it difficult to justify bidding 4♥︎ over 3♠︎, and they are correct: North-South will get two spades and the A♦︎ and it will all come down to the Q♣︎ onside and the trumps breaking 3-2, so not a good game to be in. However, when you sell out to 3♠︎, you need to get all of your tricks on defense! If East-West cash two hearts and two clubs and don't switch to diamonds, South can ruff the third club, pull trumps ending in dummy, and get diamond discards on the fourth and fifth club, possibly even making 3♠︎! Knock that ace out!
#3 N  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ AJT85Dealer: S
♥︎ T53 EW Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ T95V  EAST      
♠︎ 962♣︎ 97♠︎ 74
♥︎ Q864♥︎ AK92
♦︎K64D SOUTH       ♦︎QJ73
♣︎AJ8♠︎KQ3♣︎K62
5♥︎J72
10HCP13♦︎A820FRK1
12♣︎QT5432
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
67335by
E
7610107
by
S
67335by
W
7610107
Board 4 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N100 6.003♦︎s–1♣︎T100 0.000X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N83 5.001♥︎w+2♣︎8140 1.0017X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N58 3.502♥︎w+2♠︎4170 2.5042X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N58 3.502♥︎w+2♦︎2170 2.5042X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N33 2.002♥︎w+3♣︎K200 4.0067X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N17 1.002♠︎n–3♣︎A300 5.0083X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N0 0.004♥︎w=♣︎8620 6.00100X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♥︎w4♠︎+1 140
2♥︎w2♦︎+2 170
2♥︎w4♠︎+3 200
2♥︎w2♦︎+4 230
2♥︎wT♥︎+4 230
4♥︎w4♠︎+1 650
West and North pass and East opens 1♦︎. South passes and West responds 1♥︎. North passes and East re-evaluates, calculating the East hand at about 17 points in support of hearts, maybe only 16. Two points extra for two honours in a four-card trump suit, one more for the club doubleton, but maybe one less for the dubious J♣︎ and the four small spades, which both might be problems. Anyhow, 16 is enough for a jump to 3♥︎, and West happily raises to 4♥︎, and makes eleven easy tricks. Re-evaluating for "dummy points" in this way: adding points for trump honours when you have good support, and changing 1-2-3 to 1-3-5 for short suits, often helps get to 22 point games like this one!
#4 V  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ KJ74Dealer: W
♥︎ T97 All Vul
D  WEST      ♦︎ J872V  EAST      
♠︎ A3♣︎ K8♠︎ 9852
♥︎ A8532♥︎ KQ64
♦︎5V SOUTH       ♦︎AT9
♣︎T9654♠︎QT6♣︎AJ
8♥︎J1
8HCP14♦︎KQ6436FRK1
10♣︎Q7324
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
26182by
E
8711410
by
S
26182by
W
8711410
Board 5 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N100 6.006804♥︎n+2♦︎5 0.000X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N75 4.506504♥︎n+1♠︎3 1.5025X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N75 4.506504♥︎n+1♠︎6 1.5025X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N50 3.006204♥︎n=♠︎K 3.0050X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N33 2.001504♠︎w–3♦︎8 4.0067X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N8 0.501004♠︎w–2♥︎A 5.5092X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N8 0.501004♠︎w–2♥︎A 5.5092X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♥︎n5♠︎+1 650
4♥︎nK♠︎+1 650
4♠︎w*A♥︎-2 300
4♠︎wA♥︎-3 150
4♠︎wA♥︎-2 100
4♠︎eA♥︎-1 50
North opens 1♥︎ and East passes. South raises to 2♥︎ and West comes in with 2♠︎. North jumps to 4♥︎ but East competes to 4♠︎. South and West pass and North has the key decision, one for which the vulnerability is key. Clearly passing cannot be right: North-South expect 4♥︎ to make, and compensation at 50 per undertrick means they will need to get 4♠︎ down many tricks to get close to the 620 expected in 4♥︎. Even doubling isn't much help unless 4♠︎ doubled goes four down for 800. 5♥︎, as risky as it seems, may be the best option, since the vulnerability makes the other options pay off so poorly even if correct. As it turns out, 5♥︎ for 650 is best: 4♠︎ is only three down for 500.
#5 D  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ TDealer: N
♥︎ AKJ72 NS Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ AQJ8N  EAST      
♠︎ AQ982♣︎ KT4♠︎ K7653
♥︎ 63♥︎ 54
♦︎K732V SOUTH       ♦︎T95
♣︎A8♠︎J4♣︎975
18♥︎QT984
13HCP3♦︎643FRK2
6♣︎QJ6323
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
7611811by
E
57252
by
S
7611811by
W
57252
Board 6 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N92 5.501004♠︎e–1♣︎J 0.508X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N92 5.501004♠︎e–1♣︎J 0.508X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N58 3.503♠︎e=♦︎Q140 2.5042X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N58 3.503♠︎e=♥︎4140 2.5042X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N33 2.004♠︎e=♦︎Q620 4.0067X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N8 0.504♠︎e+1♥︎2650 5.5092X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N8 0.504♠︎e+1♥︎A650 5.5092X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♠︎eJ♣︎+1 140
2♠︎eJ♣︎+2 170
4♠︎eQ♦︎= 620
4♠︎eJ♣︎= 620
4♠︎eT♣︎= 620
4♠︎eJ♣︎+1 650
East opens 1♠︎ and South passes. West decides to overbid a little and responds 2♣︎, a bid that normally shows 10+. North passes and East continues to describe the hand with 2♦︎. South passes and West bids 2♠︎; East raises to 4♠︎. "I owe you a point," says West cheekily as dummy is faced. East wins the opening club lead and plays two more club winners pitching a heart from hand. Next comes the AK♦︎ and a third diamond, ruffed by South with the 7♠︎. South cashes the A♥︎ and plays a spade to North's ace, but East is able to overruff South on the fourth diamond, and has the rest. "Even if you respond 1NT, we probably have the same auction from there," says East.
#6 N  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ AJDealer: E
♥︎ Q97 EW Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ J9642D  EAST      
♠︎ 642♣︎ 832♠︎ KQT98
♥︎ KJ6♥︎ 53
♦︎83N SOUTH       ♦︎AKT5
♣︎KQ654♠︎753♣︎A7
8♥︎AT8422
9HCP16♦︎Q72FRK3
7♣︎JT92
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
22542by
E
8118910
by
S
22542by
W
10118910
Board 7 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N100 6.006005♦︎n=♥︎A 0.000X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N83 5.004004♥︎e–4♦︎A 1.0017X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N67 4.002002♥︎e–2♦︎A 2.0033X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N50 3.001703♦︎n+3♠︎T 3.0050X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N33 2.001503♦︎n+2♣︎2 4.0067X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N8 0.501303♦︎n+1♥︎A 5.5092X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N8 0.501304♦︎n=♥︎A 5.5092X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3♥︎e*K♦︎-3 800
3♥︎e*A♦︎-3 800
3♥︎e*A♦︎-3 800
4♦︎nA♥︎+1 150
4♦︎n5♦︎+1 150
4♦︎nA♥︎+1 150
South and West pass and North opens 1♦︎. East overcalls 1♥︎ and South cuebids 2♥︎ to show a good hand with diamond support. Context is key here: South passes originally, so "good hand" here means 10-12 or so. West doubles the cuebid to imply heart support and North bids a natural 3♣︎. You can see what happened to East players who chose 3♥︎ at this point: East should pass this mediocre hand and let West decide. South bids 3♦︎ and West also passes and this allows North-South to bid to 5♦︎, North first completing the description of the North hand with a 3♠︎ call. 5♦︎ is easy, and the computer thinks an overtrick is possible. 3♥︎, not so much, and it's getting doubled as well....
#7 V  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ A875Dealer: S
♥︎ All Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ QT876V  EAST      
♠︎ K643♣︎ AKT6♠︎ QT
♥︎ K76♥︎ AJ8542
♦︎93D SOUTH       ♦︎J5
♣︎Q543♠︎J92♣︎J72
13♥︎QT936
8HCP9♦︎AK421FRK4
10♣︎981
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
10107129by
E
33614
by
S
10107129by
W
33614
Board 8 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N100 6.00503NTe–1♠︎3 0.000X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N42 2.504♥︎w=♠︎5420 3.5058X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N42 2.504♥︎e=♣︎9420 3.5058X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N42 2.504♥︎w=♣︎7420 3.5058X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N42 2.504♥︎w=♣︎7420 3.5058X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N42 2.504♥︎w=♠︎T420 3.5058X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N42 2.504♥︎w=♠︎5420 3.5058X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3Nw5♠︎-3 150
3Nw5♠︎-2 100
4♥︎w5♠︎-1 50
3Nw5♠︎-1 50
4♥︎w5♠︎= 420
4♥︎w5♠︎= 420
Revolutionary that I am, I would open 1NT with the West hand and struggle in 3NT, while much of the field would be in 4♥︎. The 5♠︎ is led and in 3NT West should duck the first trick and win the second spade. The only winning play I see is A♥︎ and a small heart, dropping the K♥︎ from the North hand so that West can win four hearts, two spades, and three clubs. But few will find this, and eventually the opponents will get in and cash two more spades to go with the first trick duck, and there will likely be another loser left over. 4♥︎ is just as difficult, likely requiring the imaginitive but desperate A♥︎ - small heart play as well.
#8 N  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ QT752Dealer: W
♥︎ K5 None Vul
D  WEST      ♦︎ J632N  EAST      
♠︎ AK6♣︎ 97♠︎ 4
♥︎ AQ432♥︎ T76
♦︎975N SOUTH       ♦︎KQ84
♣︎Q3♠︎J983♣︎AK654
6♥︎J983
15HCP12♦︎AT2FRK4
7♣︎JT821
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
37233by
E
96101010
by
S
37233by
W
9610109
Board 9 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N92 5.504603NTs+2♥︎2 0.508X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N92 5.504603NTs+2♥︎7 0.508X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N67 4.004303NTn+1♠︎7 2.0033X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N50 3.004005♣︎s=♥︎J 3.0050X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N25 1.501702♣︎s+4♥︎Q 4.5075X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N25 1.501702♣︎s+4♠︎2 4.5075X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N0 0.001503♣︎s+2♥︎7 6.00100X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3Ns7♥︎+3 490
3NsQ♥︎+2 460
3Ns7♥︎+2 460
3Ns7♥︎+2 460
3NsQ♥︎+2 460
5♣︎sQ♥︎+1 420
North and East pass and South opens 1♣︎. West passes and North responds 1♠︎. East passes and South rebids ... 3NT! This bid shows a strong hand with long clubs and stoppers in unbid suits. North feels that ten points are enough to try for a slam and bids a Blackwood 4NT, but soon realizes the trap! South proudly shows one ace with 5♦︎ and North can no longer bail out in 5♣︎ and must instead hope 6♣︎ is safe. Thanks to the K♣︎ and A♠︎ being onside, it is! Be sure, before you bid 4NT, that there are no unexpected responses that paint you into an uncomfortable corner.
#9 D  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ J953Dealer: N
♥︎ AT3 EW Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ AJV  EAST      
♠︎ T42♣︎ T963♠︎ AQ87
♥︎ QJ8742♥︎ 96
♦︎943N SOUTH       ♦︎T8652
♣︎5♠︎K6♣︎K4
10♥︎K51
3HCP9♦︎KQ75FRK3
18♣︎AQJ8724
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
1297912by
E
13541
by
S
1298912by
W
13541
Board 10 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N100 6.003003NTw–3♠︎Q 0.000X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N83 5.003♥︎w=♦︎5140 1.0017X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N67 4.005♦︎w=♣︎A600 2.0033X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N33 2.003NTe+2♥︎6660 4.0067X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N33 2.003NTe+2♥︎6660 4.0067X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N33 2.003NTe+2♠︎5660 4.0067X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N0 0.003NT*e+2♥︎21270 6.00100X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3Ne5♠︎-1 100
3NeT♠︎= 600
3Ne5♠︎= 600
3NeJ♥︎+2 660
3NeJ♥︎+2 660
3Ne6♥︎+2 660
East opens 2♣︎, intending to show 22-23 balanced with a 2NT rebid. South passes and West bids 2♦︎, awaiting East's further description of the big hand. North comes in with a 2♠︎ overcall, which East brushes off like lint on a collar, bidding 2NT. South passes and West bids 3♣︎, a Stayman response to see if there is a heart fit. East bids 3♦︎ and West parks in 3NT. South leads a spade and East counts: two spades, three hearts, three of each minor once the ace is lost. But losing two aces will allow the spades to be run. One sneaky way is to lead the J♦︎ from dummy first: if North ducks hoping for a finesse to South's queen, that's nine tricks!
#10 V  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ QJ9864Dealer: E
♥︎ 53 All Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ A52D  EAST      
♠︎ K3♣︎ A5♠︎ A2
♥︎ Q972♥︎ AK4
♦︎J874V SOUTH       ♦︎KQ63
♣︎982♠︎T75♣︎KQJT
11♥︎JT864
6HCP22♦︎T91FRK1
1♣︎76431
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
27322by
E
86101110
by
S
27322by
W
86101110
Board 11 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N100 6.001004♥︎*w–1♣︎9 0.000X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N67 4.003♦︎e+2♥︎2150 2.0033X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N67 4.003♦︎e+2♣︎A150 2.0033X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N67 4.003♦︎e+2♣︎8150 2.0033X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N33 2.003♦︎e+4♠︎4190 4.0067X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N17 1.005♦︎e=♣︎A400 5.0083X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N0 0.004♥︎w=♣︎9420 6.00100X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♦︎eA♣︎+2 170
4♥︎wK♣︎= 420
5♦︎eA♣︎+1 420
4♥︎wK♣︎+1 450
4♥︎wK♣︎+1 450
5♦︎e*A♣︎+1 650
South passes and West opens 2♥︎. North passes and East bids 2NT, requesting a "feature" from West, a side ace or king that may be useful in 3NT. South passes and West's 3♥︎ rebid denies a feature. North passes and East decides 3NT is out of the question and 5♦︎ is more likely to make than 4♥︎. West might actually raise to 6♦︎ if West considers the types of hands East must have for this auction, but whenever I go down that road I am astounded at the difference between the hand I imagine partner must have, and the actual hand partner has! So 5♦︎ is the final contract, and twelve tricks are easily made. Of course....
#11 N  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ QJ52Dealer: S
♥︎ 6 None Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ T6N  EAST      
♠︎ 63♣︎ KQJ964♠︎ AKT9
♥︎ AKJT93♥︎ 7
♦︎J5D SOUTH       ♦︎AKQ9873
♣︎753♠︎874♣︎T
9♥︎Q85426
9HCP16♦︎424FRK8
6♣︎A822
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
02106by
E
7811126
by
S
01106by
W
7811126
Board 12 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N92 5.50503NTw–1♦︎4 0.508X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N92 5.50502NTw–1♦︎4 0.508X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N67 4.001NTw=♦︎490 2.0033X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N25 1.503NTw=♦︎4400 4.5075X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N25 1.503NTw=♦︎4400 4.5075X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N25 1.503NTw=♦︎4400 4.5075X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N25 1.503NTw=♦︎4400 4.5075X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2NeT♣︎-1 50
3NwT♦︎-1 50
3Nw4♦︎= 400
3Nw4♦︎= 400
3Nw4♦︎= 400
3Nw4♦︎+1 430
North-South stay out of this one and it is up to East-West to keep their wits. West opens 1NT and East asks about majors with 2♣︎. West reports a spade suit by bidding 2♠︎, but apparently this is the wrong answer, for East bids 2NT next. Most West players will continue on to 3NT, but when asked why, will be unsure what the 2NT bid showed. What it shows is an invitational hand, about 8-9 points, with a four-card heart suit. If you got to 3NT by instinct, you get the same amount of matchpoints as those who knew why to bid 3NT, but you'll know better next time, right? (3NT makes by leading twice towards the QJ♠︎: two spades, two hearts, the A♦︎, and four clubs.)
#12 V  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ T32Dealer: W
♥︎ Q532 NS Vul
D  WEST      ♦︎ QT94N  EAST      
♠︎ QJ84♣︎ 63♠︎ 96
♥︎ K4♥︎ AT76
♦︎A765V SOUTH       ♦︎J32
♣︎AK5♠︎AK75♣︎QJ74
4♥︎J981
17HCP8♦︎K81FRK1
11♣︎T9821
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
44543by
E
98889
by
S
45544by
W
98789
Board 13 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N100 6.001005♦︎e–1♥︎5 0.000X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N83 5.003♠︎e+2♦︎4200 1.0017X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N67 4.003♠︎e+3♣︎K230 2.0033X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N42 2.505♦︎e=♣︎4600 3.5058X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N42 2.505♦︎e=♠︎4600 3.5058X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N17 1.005♦︎e+1♣︎4620 5.0083X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N0 0.004♠︎w+2♦︎3680 6.00100X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♠︎w3♦︎+1 650
4♠︎wA♣︎+1 650
4♠︎w4♦︎+1 650
4♠︎w3♦︎+1 650
4♠︎w3♦︎+1 650
4♠︎w3♦︎+2 680
North passes and East opens 1♦︎ with the 13-count. South passes and West responds 1♠︎. North passes and it's re-evaluation time for East: 13 points, three for the club singleton, three more for the three trump honours in a four-card holding, but maybe a point less for the weak diamonds, and another point less for the prospect of having to ruff clubs with high trumps, which may be a problem. Still, this is worth 17 or more in support of spades, easily enough for a jump raise to 3♠︎, and West has an easy 4♠︎ call. Eleven tricks should be the normal result, losing only a club and a heart.
#13 D  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ T98Dealer: N
♥︎ 983 All Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ 3V  EAST      
♠︎ J652♣︎ AJ9732♠︎ AKQ7
♥︎ Q2♥︎ AT74
♦︎AKQ86V SOUTH       ♦︎9752
♣︎QT♠︎43♣︎6
5♥︎KJ655
14HCP13♦︎JT43FRK3
8♣︎K8541
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
32528by
E
7117115
by
S
32528by
W
7117115
Board 14 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X6N100 6.001401♥︎n+2♠︎Q 0.000X5EPatti Young &
Judy Day
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N75 4.501101♥︎n+1♠︎Q 1.5025X6ELouise Forsyth &
Doug Stewart
Jandi Fraser &
John Fraser
X1N75 4.501102♥︎n=♠︎A 1.5025X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X7N42 2.502♥︎n–1♠︎A50 3.5058X7EZdenka Buric &
Cindy Grauer
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X2N42 2.502♥︎n–1♠︎A50 3.5058X4EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X4N17 1.001♠︎e=♥︎380 5.0083X1EVicki Torbett &
Eiler Eis
Linda Collins &
Niamh Kelly
X5N0 0.001NTn–2♠︎7100 6.00100X3EPam Tomlins &
Tim Tomlins
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♥︎n4♣︎= 110
3♠︎e8♥︎-1 50
3♣︎nA♠︎-1 50
3♥︎nA♠︎-2 100
3♥︎nA♠︎-2 100
3♥︎nA♠︎-3 150
East and South pass and West opens 1♦︎. North overcalls 2NT, showing a two suiter with hearts and clubs (the two lowest unbid suits), almost always at least 5-5. East bids 3♠︎ and South, without a good enough fit to bid four of either of North's suits, passes. West, who has opened light in third seat, should resist the urge to bid more and pass to confirm the light opener. North has the best hand at the table but over 3♠︎ what is there that isn't suicidal? South leads a heart against 3♠︎ and East has a lot to do to come to nine tricks, and likely will end up with only eight. Good decision by North to pass and defend!
#14 N  NORTH       Jul. 20, 2026
♠︎ TDealer: E
♥︎ KQJ94 None Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ AKD  EAST      
♠︎ J54♣︎ KT952♠︎ AKQ73
♥︎ A7♥︎ T652
♦︎J432N SOUTH       ♦︎976
♣︎AJ83♠︎9862♣︎4
16♥︎836
11HCP9♦︎QT851FRK4
4♣︎Q761
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
65758by
E
78574
by
S
65758by
W
78685

Work In Progress! This HTML page with results combines the ACBLscore results, the BridgeMate data, and the actual cards in each hand to make a page that displays nicely on most screens. I'll continue to develop it as I hear about problems from people. So far I have only really had time to test it on the large monitor I have at home. I've done a little bit of work in making it fit on my iPhone 15 screen (turned sideways), but the typical cellphone screen is not wide enough to display the hands alongside the results, so it relocates the hands below the results and you may need to scroll down a bit. The key is in the tabs at the top, which mean you don't need to scroll to get from results to Board 32! Just click or tap on what you want to see next!

Two things that may help: If your browser program is old, some of the tech in this page might not work 100%: the system of tabs at the top of the page requires a recent version. You really aren't doing your computer many favours if you avoid requests to upgrade the programs you use most often, like browsers. If the page works but there are large areas of a monitor unused, you might be able to make it more readable by adjusting the size of things with CTRL + (plus key), which upsizes text and other screen elements a bit. CTRL + (minus key) also works if you go too far, and CTRL + (zero) resets to the default. (This doesn't work on cellphone screens.)

How is a pair's matchpoint score on a board calculated? Your raw score is compared one by one with all of the other raw scores on the board made by pairs sitting in your direction. You get one matchpoint for each score you beat, and a half-point for each score that is the same as yours. The top score on a board is one less than the number of times it is played. If the board was not played as many times as other boards for some reason, the scores may be factored up to compensate, so that each board has the same top score.

How is a pair's total score calculated? The scoring program first checks all boards to see how many times they have been played. Usually this will be the same for all boards, but if there is a sitout or a glitch of some sort in the movement, or an artificially assigned score due to an irregularity, the scoring program must first FACTOR scores on boards played fewer times, so that the top score on every board is the same. Once that is done, the scoring program also checks to see that each pair played the same number of boards: some may have sat out and missed a round: these pairs will have their total matchpoints FACTORED so that they get matchpoints for the boards they missed, based on their percentage on the boards they did play. The total of all this summing and factoring is your final score.

How does this factoring work exactly? There are actually two types of factoring: the most common is to factor a pair's score that has not played as many boards as the other pairs. Their sum of matchpoints on the boards they played, is divided by the number of boards they played, and then multiplied by the number of boards most pairs played. The other type is covered in the next question.

I have the best score on a board but got slightly fewer matchpoints than tops on other boards, why is that? This is the other type of factoring, which happens when a board is played fewer times than other boards for some reason. Maybe a pair didn't get to it, or there was a artificial score assigned after an irregularity. Factoring a board has to take into account the small chance that, had it been played the correct number of times, the extra plays might have produced a score that is better than the current top, or lower than the current bottom. To do so, the ACBL and the World Bridge Federation use the Neuberg formula, which you can read about on Wikipedia if you want the complete details. It has its detractors, but is sort of like Winston Churchill's ranking of democracy as the second-worst system of government ... all the others being tied for first!

HCP and FRK, what on earth are they? HCP stands for highcard points, and the four numbers surrounding it show how many points each player has in a hand. The colour behind the word "HCP" is gray when the 40 points are evenly distributed between North-South and East-West, but turns more and more orange (North-South) or purple (East-West) if one side has a majority. FRK stands for Freakness, a way to describe just how freaky a hand's distribution is, on a scale from 0-20, with average for a hand being just slightly less than 3, and the average for a full deal, the sum of the freakness ratings of the four hands, is about 11.93 on average. A hand gets one freakness point for each card in a suit beyond the fourth, or less than three; plus a bonus if the hand contains at least one void (2 points) or at least one singleton but no void (1 point). The background colour behind the "FRK" shows whether the deal is hot (red), average (gray), or cold (blue) in terms of Freakness! Freakness was created by bridge expert Richard Pavlicek and searching for "pavlicek freakness" will get you quickly to his article on the subject.

Something New! The tabs with the board numbers now indicate which side had the bulk of the high-card points (above the board number: NS: orange, EW: purple, evenly-split: gray), and the freakness rating of the deal as a whole (below the board number: flat: blue, average: gray, freaky: red)! Want to see only the hands where N-S had the points, or the freakiest ones? Check the tabs!

What are "tricks available" and how are they calculated? Computers these days can analyze all the possible legal play lines on a deal, given a trump suit (or notrump) and a declarer, and sort all of these lines into successes and failures to come up with an optimum line of play that perfect defenders and a perfect declarer would take. The result of this line of play is the "tricks available" and is sometimes unrealistic, requiring opening leads that few if any would find, or declarer taking only the finesses that work and dropping offside singleton honours where possible. You will very quickly see from the results which deals have unrealistic "tricks available" expectations, and it is often a fun exercise to work out how you can make that many tricks. But for most deals, it is a fairly good guide as to how high a pair should bid.

Why are the masterpoints not the same as what is on ACBL Live for Clubs? This is in my view an own goal by ACBL: they have new rules for club game masterpoints but are not willing to expend the time to upgrade ACBLscore to show the masterpoints under the new rules. Luckily, most masterpoint awards actually get bigger when they go through the "engine" and are reposted on Live. The main effect is to give more masterpoints to games where the non-sitting out pairs play more boards. The problem is that the masterpoint awards that come out of ACBLscore, before being posted online, are not what you eventually get.

How can I contact McBruce to tell him what's not working for me? By e-mail: oogashawca@gmail.com (the old shaw.ca address is gone)