VanLearners Section X Monday Evening September 28, 2026

Results for Section X, N-S
Pair#PercentScoreRankMPtsPlayers
X8N 66.07% 55.5010.48Francesco L Piccone - M Piccone
X1N 55.95% 47.0020.34Faye Wightman - Diane Hardouin
X5N 52.98% 44.5030.24Johanne Leach - Lynne Pomfret
X3N 50.60% 42.50Alexa Allen - Lee Laxton
X4N 50.00% 42.00Eiler Eis - Bob Hodgkinson
X6N 46.43% 39.00Amanda Hill - David Hsu
X7N 44.64% 37.50Kelly Anderson - Mike Bow
X2N 33.33% 28.00John Fraser - Jandi Fraser
East-West had 52.92% 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 10.58, a bit below the average of about 11.93.
Results for Section X, E-W
Pair#PercentScoreRankMPtsPlayers
X4E 64.29% 54.0010.48Doug Stewart - Louise Forsyth
X2E 60.12% 50.5020.34Barbara Spitz - Marlee Sheinin
X1E 58.93% 49.5030.24Doug MacDougall - Valerie Young
X7E 55.36% 46.50Myrna Halpenny - Vicki Torbett
X8E 53.57% 45.00Ruth Castellino - Cathy Brown
X6E 40.48% 34.00Niamh Kelly - Scott Turner
X3E 38.69% 32.50David Rosenberg - Alan Atkins
X5E 28.57% 24.00Gaye Ballantyne - Patti Young
East-West had 52.92% 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 10.58, a bit below 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
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N100 6.004204♥︎s=♣︎5— 0.000X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N83 5.001703♥︎n+1♦︎4— 1.0017X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N42 2.501403♥︎n=♦︎2— 3.5058X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N42 2.501403♠︎n=♦︎A— 3.5058X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N42 2.501403♠︎n=♥︎A— 3.5058X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N42 2.501402♠︎n+1♥︎2— 3.5058X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N0 0.001102♠︎n=♦︎2— 6.00100X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♥︎nA♥︎= 420
4♥︎n8♠︎= 420
4♥︎nA♦︎= 420
3♥︎n6♣︎+1 170
3♥︎nA♦︎+1 170
3♥︎s6♣︎+1 170
1NsJ♦︎+2 150
3♥︎n6♣︎-1 50
North opens 1♠︎ and East passes. South has enough to go to the two level, but 1NT seems better than a bargain basement 2♣︎. West passes and North completes the picture of his hand with a 2♥︎ rebid, showing at least four hearts to go with at least five spades. East passes and South raises to 3♥︎, but North has a minimum and must decline the invite. Ten tricks in hearts are there because North can pitch club losers on good spades, and if East leads clubs, North can duck in dummy and a second club from West ensures two club tricks for North thanks to the 9♣︎. Gamblers who bid 4♥︎ get lucky on this one.
#1 D  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ AKQ62Dealer: N
♥︎ QJ83 None Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ 7N  EAST      
♠︎ T95♣︎ J74♠︎ 843
♥︎ T5   ♥︎ A92
♦︎KJT86N SOUTH       ♦︎A942
♣︎KT5♠︎J7♣︎Q86
 13 ♥︎K764 4 
7HCP10♦︎Q532FRK0
 10 ♣︎A932 1 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
691058by
E
64384
by
S
691058by
W
64385
Board 2 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
X8N100 6.003004♠︎*e–2♦︎9— 0.000X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N75 4.50—4♥︎s–1♠︎3100 1.5025X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N75 4.50—4♥︎s–1♦︎4100 1.5025X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N50 3.00—2♠︎e=♦︎9110 3.0050X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N33 2.00—2♠︎e+1♥︎9140 4.0067X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N8 0.50—4♥︎s–2♦︎A200 5.5092X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N8 0.50—4♥︎s–2♦︎A200 5.5092X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♠︎e*J♥︎-3 500
3♠︎w*7♦︎-1 100
4♠︎e*J♥︎-1 100
3♠︎e*9♦︎-1 100
3♠︎eJ♥︎= 140
4♥︎sJ♠︎-2 200
4♥︎s3♠︎-3 300
4♥︎s*6♥︎-2 500
Many possible auctions on this one. Some I don't like much: 1) opening 2♠︎ as East. In first seat, that spade suit isn't quite good enough. Better to open 1♠︎. 2) If East passes (not reccommended) and South opens 1♥︎, North should NOT respond 2NT. North does have a good hand in support of hearts, but the 2NT Jacoby raise promises four-card support. How it should go: 1♠︎ from East, 2♥︎ from South, a raise to 2♠︎ by West, and a raise to 4♥︎ by North. West leads a spade but when East gets in, a diamond to West's ace sets up a ruff and a club to the king sets up another. Unlucky for N-S!
#2 V  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ Dealer: E
♥︎ Q54 NS Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ KQJT8D  EAST      
♠︎ J53♣︎ Q9864♠︎ QT7642
♥︎ 76   ♥︎ A83
♦︎A7642V SOUTH       ♦︎5
♣︎K53♠︎AK98♣︎AT7
 10 ♥︎KJT92 7 
8HCP10♦︎932FRK5
 12 ♣︎J2 3 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
75888by
E
68555
by
S
75888by
W
68545
Board 3 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N92 5.501004♥︎e–1♣︎Q— 0.508X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N92 5.501003♣︎w–1♦︎8— 0.508X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N67 4.00—2♦︎e+2♠︎A130 2.0033X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N50 3.00—1NTw+2♦︎3150 3.0050X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N25 1.50—1♥︎w+3♣︎6170 4.5075X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N25 1.50—2♥︎w+2♦︎2170 4.5075X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N0 0.00—3NTe=♣︎K600 6.00100X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3♥︎w3♦︎= 140
2♠︎eK♥︎+1 140
2Ne3♠︎+1 150
2Ne3♠︎+2 180
3♥︎e4♦︎+2 200
2♥︎w2♦︎+3 200
4♥︎eK♣︎+1 650
4♥︎w3♦︎+1 650
After 1♦︎ by South and a 2♣︎ overcall by West, it is surprisingly difficult for East-West to find their best spot, 4♥︎. North passes and East cannot cuebid 2♦︎ (West would see this as a raise of clubs), or 2♥︎ (this would show at least five), so 2NT is the only option. South passes and West cannot bid hearts with only four, and probably passes 2NT for a mediocre score. We'll have to trust the scientists with this one, maybe the 2♦︎ cuebid will need to include a way to find a heart fit here somehow.
#3 N  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ Q82Dealer: S
♥︎ J53 EW Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ 832V  EAST      
♠︎ J5♣︎ 9765♠︎ KT74
♥︎ AQ86   ♥︎ T974
♦︎96D SOUTH       ♦︎AKQT
♣︎AJT42♠︎A963♣︎3
 3 ♥︎K2 0 
12HCP12♦︎J7543FRK3
 13 ♣︎KQ8 1 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
44233by
E
99111010
by
S
44233by
W
9911910
Board 4 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N100 6.002004♥︎w–2♠︎J— 0.000X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N83 5.001004♥︎w–1♠︎2— 1.0017X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N42 2.50—4♥︎w=♣︎K620 3.5058X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N42 2.50—4♥︎w=♦︎A620 3.5058X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N42 2.50—4♥︎w=♠︎J620 3.5058X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N42 2.50—4♥︎w=♠︎2620 3.5058X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N0 0.00—4♥︎w+1♣︎K650 6.00100X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3♥︎wJ♠︎= 140
3♥︎wA♦︎+2 200
3♠︎sA♥︎-2 200
4♦︎sA♥︎-2 200
4♥︎wK♣︎= 620
4♥︎wK♣︎= 620
5♦︎n*A♥︎-3 800
5♦︎s*A♥︎-5 1400
West opens 1♥︎ and North overcalls 2NT, the Unusual Notrump overcall showing 5-5 in the minors (or the two lowest unbid suits if the opening bid is a minor). East passes and South obediantly bids 3♦︎ to show preference. (I have known adamant players who would slap the 3♠︎ card on the table defiantly, ready to argue their position after the result goes horribly wrong.) West is strong enough to bid 4♥︎: it might make, it might induce a 5♦︎ sacrifice where the trumps may not break well, and it might go down: two good, one bad, good odds. This time, it makes easily. 5♦︎ doubled is expensive.
#4 V  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ J2Dealer: W
♥︎ 9 All Vul
D  WEST      ♦︎ AT962V  EAST      
♠︎ A43♣︎ KQ762♠︎ 65
♥︎ AK8632   ♥︎ QJ5
♦︎V SOUTH       ♦︎QJ753
♣︎AJ98♠︎KQT987♣︎T54
 10 ♥︎T74 6 
16HCP6♦︎K847FRK2
 8 ♣︎3 5 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
57385by
E
851058
by
S
57385by
W
851058
Board 5 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N100 6.006003NTn=♣︎2— 0.000X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N83 5.001403♠︎s=♥︎3— 1.0017X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N67 4.001202NTn=♦︎2— 2.0033X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N42 2.50—3NTn–1♣︎2100 3.5058X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N42 2.50—3NTn–1♦︎6100 3.5058X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N8 0.50—3♠︎s–2♥︎3200 5.5092X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N8 0.50—3NTn–2♣︎2200 5.5092X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3NnQ♥︎+2 660
3Nn7♠︎= 600
3Nn2♣︎= 600
3Nn2♣︎= 600
2Nn2♣︎+1 150
2Nn2♣︎= 120
2♦︎n7♠︎= 90
3Nn2♣︎-1 100
North opens 1NT and East passes. South bids a Stayman 2♣︎, asking about four-card major suits in the 1NT opener's hand. West passes and North denies any with a 2♦︎ response. East passes and South continues with 2NT, inviting game. North has a 16 count, right in the middle of the range. I would bid 3NT based on the three aces, worth an extra point. JACK, the computer program, visualizes 1000 possible deals from the remaining 39 cards that fit the auction and thinks 3NT is a slightly better bet. After four clubs and four spades, West will be under pressure for discards and 3NT should just make.
#5 D  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ A65Dealer: N
♥︎ A42 NS Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ AKT3N  EAST      
♠︎ T92♣︎ JT3♠︎ J87
♥︎ J753   ♥︎ Q8
♦︎QJ4V SOUTH       ♦︎8652
♣︎K87♠︎KQ43♣︎AQ92
 16 ♥︎KT96 0 
7HCP9♦︎970FRK1
 8 ♣︎654 1 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
99988by
E
43345
by
S
99988by
W
43345
Board 6 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N83 5.001201NTs+1♠︎5— 1.0017X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N83 5.001201NTs+1♣︎5— 1.0017X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N83 5.001201NTs+1♣︎4— 1.0017X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N50 3.001103♦︎s=♥︎5— 3.0050X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N33 2.00901NTs=♠︎5— 4.0067X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N17 1.00701♦︎s=♣︎4— 5.0083X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N0 0.00—1NTs–1♣︎450 6.00100X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
1Ns5♠︎+1 120
2♦︎nT♠︎+1 110
2♦︎nA♦︎+1 110
1Ns8♥︎= 90
2♦︎n6♥︎= 90
2Ns5♠︎-1 50
3Ns4♣︎-3 150
3Ns4♣︎-3 150
South's 18-count is the type where you open a suit and rebid 2NT, but East opens 1♣︎ as dealer and South needs a new plan. A 1NT overcall would be 15-17 and South is too strong for that, so South makes a takeout double. West passes and North bids 1♦︎. East passes and South completes the plan, rebidding 1NT. This shows MORE than a simple 1NT overcall, about 18-19 balanced, and North passes happily. 1NT is a bit of a struggle but should yield seven tricks. Looks like several pairs got too high by not having this takeout double - 1NT rebid in their bag of tricks.
#6 N  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ 62Dealer: E
♥︎ K42 EW Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ Q752D  EAST      
♠︎ K875♣︎ 8763♠︎ T943
♥︎ T875   ♥︎ Q6
♦︎96N SOUTH       ♦︎AK8
♣︎T54♠︎AQJ♣︎AJ92
 5 ♥︎AJ93 1 
3HCP14♦︎JT431FRK1
 18 ♣︎KQ 1 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
75896by
E
68547
by
S
75896by
W
68547
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
X1N100 6.003001♣︎e–3♠︎Q— 0.000X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N83 5.002001♣︎e–2♥︎4— 1.0017X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N50 3.001003♠︎e–1♣︎A— 3.0050X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N50 3.001001♠︎e–1♣︎J— 3.0050X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N50 3.001001NTe–1♣︎A— 3.0050X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N17 1.00902♣︎s=♥︎2— 5.0083X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N0 0.00—1NTe+1♣︎A120 6.00100X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2NeQ♣︎-3 300
3♥︎wK♣︎-2 200
2♣︎nA♠︎+1 110
2♥︎wK♣︎-1 100
2♥︎wK♣︎-1 100
2NeQ♣︎-1 100
1NeA♣︎+1 120
1♠︎eQ♣︎+2 140
Three passes to East, and 1♦︎ is the best opener here, intending to rebid 2NT to show the 18-19 balanced. South overcalls 2♣︎ or maybe 3♣︎ and that ends the auction, leading to the normal result of 110 in clubs to N-S. East might be 'brilliant' and open 1♠︎ in third seat with the four-card suit and get to play in spades, but there is no other way for East-West to find that fit. I suspect many Section A players fell into the trap of opening 1♣︎ with the East hand, not wanting to open a short diamond (a silly restriction), and there is no easy way out of that quagmire on this deal!
#7 V  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ T965Dealer: S
♥︎ 9863 All Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ KQJV  EAST      
♠︎ 8732♣︎ K6♠︎ AKJ4
♥︎ KJ72   ♥︎ AQT
♦︎973D SOUTH       ♦︎A84
♣︎T8♠︎Q♣︎532
 9 ♥︎54 1 
4HCP18♦︎T6521FRK0
 9 ♣︎AQJ974 6 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
54579by
E
79844
by
S
54579by
W
79844
Board 8 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
X1N100 6.001703♠︎n+1♣︎A— 0.000X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N75 4.501501♦︎e–3♥︎K— 1.5025X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N75 4.501501NTs+2♦︎J— 1.5025X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N50 3.001402♠︎s+1♦︎9— 3.0050X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N25 1.501201NTs+1♥︎6— 4.5075X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N25 1.501201NTs+1♥︎6— 4.5075X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N0 0.00—4♠︎s–1♦︎950 6.00100X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
1♠︎sJ♦︎+2 140
1♠︎nA♣︎+2 140
4♠︎sJ♦︎-1 50
4♠︎s6♥︎-1 50
4♠︎sJ♦︎-1 50
4♠︎nA♣︎-1 50
4♠︎sJ♦︎-1 50
4♠︎sJ♦︎-2 100
West passes and North opens 1♣︎. East overcalls 1♦︎ and South bids 1♠︎. A negative double here shows 4-4 in the majors, but responder can still bid either major with four, to ensure a fit is not missed. West passes and North raises to 2♠︎. East passes and JACK brings out the 2NT asking bid to confirm whether North has three or four-card support. I say humbug: North will not raise spades with three unless his hand has ruffing potential in a 4-3 fit; instead of all this technology and information for the opponents, South should just blast to 4♠︎ and go down with everyone else!
#8 N  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ KT86Dealer: W
♥︎ A93 None Vul
D  WEST      ♦︎ K52N  EAST      
♠︎ J32♣︎ QT7♠︎ Q9
♥︎ J876   ♥︎ 542
♦︎J9N SOUTH       ♦︎QT643
♣︎J854♠︎A754♣︎AK3
 12 ♥︎KQT 0 
4HCP11♦︎A871FRK2
 13 ♣︎962 0 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
89888by
E
43555
by
S
89888by
W
43555
Board 9 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N100 6.001005♣︎w–1♦︎A— 0.000X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N83 5.00—3♣︎w+1♦︎A130 1.0017X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N67 4.00—3♣︎w+2♠︎5150 2.0033X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N42 2.50—5♣︎w=♦︎A600 3.5058X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N42 2.50—5♣︎w=♦︎A600 3.5058X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N8 0.50—3NTw+1♥︎2630 5.5092X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N8 0.50—3NTw+1♦︎4630 5.5092X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
6♣︎wA♦︎-1 100
3Nw8♥︎+1 630
3Nw8♥︎+2 660
3NwT♠︎+2 660
3Nw4♦︎+2 660
3Nw4♦︎+2 660
3NeQ♥︎+3 690
6♣︎wA♦︎= 1370
North and South stay out of this one, and East makes the first bid: 1♠︎ - 2♣︎, 2♦︎ - 2♥︎ (fourth suit forcing, no promise of anything in hearts), 3♦︎ (denies a heart stopper and shows 5-5 in spades and diamonds), 3NT. A few pairs got to 6♣︎ and making twelve tricks in either contract depends on what you do on the second round of clubs, after the first round drops the J♣︎ from the North hand. Leading the T♣︎ from the East hand and seeing a small club from South puts you to the test: finessing is right about two-thirds of the time; check Wikipedia's interesting article on Restricted Choice for why.
#9 D  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ T54Dealer: N
♥︎ 8532 EW Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ AT943V  EAST      
♠︎ 97♣︎ J♠︎ AK832
♥︎ AK6   ♥︎ T
♦︎JN SOUTH       ♦︎KQ765
♣︎AK98543♠︎QJ6♣︎T7
 5 ♥︎QJ974 4 
15HCP12♦︎827FRK6
 8 ♣︎Q62 2 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
12631by
E
12117912
by
S
12631by
W
12117912
Board 10 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
X1N100 6.003004♥︎w–3♦︎T— 0.000X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N75 4.50—3♥︎w+1♦︎T170 1.5025X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N75 4.50—2♠︎e+2♦︎5170 1.5025X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N42 2.50—4♥︎w=♠︎7620 3.5058X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N42 2.50—4♥︎w=♦︎T620 3.5058X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N8 0.50—3NTw+1♠︎7630 5.5092X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N8 0.50—3NTw+1♠︎7630 5.5092X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3NwJ♣︎= 600
3Nw7♠︎= 600
4♥︎wJ♣︎= 620
4♥︎wJ♣︎= 620
3Nw7♠︎+1 630
3NwT♠︎+1 630
3Nw7♠︎+2 660
3NwT♠︎+2 660
East and South pass and West opens 1NT. North passes and East bids a Stayman 2♣︎, looking for a major-suit fit. South passes and West jumps to 3♥︎, showing five hearts and a maximum or near maximum notrump opener. East happily raises to 4♥︎, having found a 5-3 fit by seeking a 4-4 one, but the struggle is not over. West should realize that many pairs will play 3NT and must make as many overtricks as possible. When the Q♥︎ appears on the second round of trumps, the result depends on the diamond guess: this time, playing the K♦︎ is right after South plays low on the lead from dummy.
#10 V  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ KT973Dealer: E
♥︎ Q7 All Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ T5D  EAST      
♠︎ AJ6♣︎ JT86♠︎ Q542
♥︎ A8653   ♥︎ KJ9
♦︎KJ9V SOUTH       ♦︎8763
♣︎K2♠︎8♣︎A3
 6 ♥︎T42 3 
16HCP10♦︎AQ422FRK1
 8 ♣︎Q9754 4 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
24237by
E
10911106
by
S
24237by
W
10911106
Board 11 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
X8N100 6.00504♠︎w–1♦︎K— 0.000X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N83 5.00—2♠︎e+1♦︎A140 1.0017X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N67 4.00—2♥︎w+2♦︎3170 2.0033X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N50 3.00—2NTe+2♦︎4180 3.0050X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N33 2.00—4♦︎*s–2♣︎A300 4.0067X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N17 1.00—4♠︎e=♦︎A420 5.0083X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N0 0.00—4♥︎w+1♦︎8450 6.00100X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♠︎e4♦︎-2 100
6♠︎eA♥︎-2 100
3♦︎sA♣︎-2 100
2♥︎wK♦︎+2 170
2♥︎wT♠︎+3 200
4♠︎e4♦︎= 420
4♥︎w3♦︎= 420
4♥︎wK♦︎= 420
South opens 1♦︎ and West overcalls 1♥︎. If North passes, East's 13-count is enough to try a 2♦︎ cuebid, to see if West can show a diamond stopper or perhaps a side spade suit. In fact, West will bid 4♥︎. If North instead scrapes up the 2♦︎ raise, East doubles to show interest in competing. South passes and West jumps to 3♠︎, showing 4-5 or 4-6 in the majors and inviting game. East has a full 13 points and I would have no trouble bidding 4♠︎, but JACK sees danger and chooses to stay in 3♠︎. 4♥︎ can be beaten if North leads a spade and later gets a spade ruff, but 4♠︎ always makes!
#11 N  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ T9Dealer: S
♥︎ T5 None Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ K8763N  EAST      
♠︎ Q753♣︎ 9752♠︎ A862
♥︎ KJ9643   ♥︎ Q8
♦︎QD SOUTH       ♦︎J92
♣︎A6♠︎KJ4♣︎KQJ8
 3 ♥︎A72 3 
12HCP13♦︎AT546FRK1
 12 ♣︎T43 0 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
63274by
E
610958
by
S
63274by
W
610958
Board 12 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
X1N100 6.001403♥︎s=♣︎A— 0.000X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N83 5.001102♥︎s=♣︎9— 1.0017X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N67 4.00504♣︎e–1♦︎A— 2.0033X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N42 2.50—2♥︎s–1♦︎4100 3.5058X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N42 2.50—1♥︎s–1♠︎5100 3.5058X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N17 1.00—3♣︎e+1♦︎9130 5.0083X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N0 0.00—4♥︎*s–4♣︎A1100 6.00100X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3NeQ♥︎-3 150
5♣︎w5♦︎-1 50
4♣︎eA♦︎-1 50
3NeQ♥︎-1 50
3Ne6♦︎-1 50
3♣︎eT♦︎= 110
4♥︎sA♣︎-2 200
5♥︎s*A♣︎-3 800
West and North pass and East opens 1♣︎. South bids 2NT, the Unusual Notrump Overcall, showing the two lowest unbid suits, in this case, diamonds and hearts, and for this call almost always 5-5 or better. West bids 3♣︎ and North decides to pass. East passes as well and South chooses to compete to 3♥︎: a risky move since North may prefer diamonds. West might consider 4♣︎, but sometimes this might prevent partner from doubling 3♥︎, so West passes. North passes and East hasn't quite enough to double. 3♥︎ is down one while clubs makes nine or ten tricks, so a good result for South.
#12 V  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ T97Dealer: W
♥︎ 964 NS Vul
D  WEST      ♦︎ QJ75N  EAST      
♠︎ J65♣︎ Q72♠︎ AQ82
♥︎ 3   ♥︎ KT82
♦︎842V SOUTH       ♦︎K
♣︎AJT964♠︎K43♣︎K853
 5 ♥︎AQJ75 0 
6HCP15♦︎AT9635FRK3
 14 ♣︎ 7 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
648113by
E
384210
by
S
648113by
W
384210
Board 13 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N100 6.00—3♠︎w=♣︎Q140 0.000X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N75 4.50—4♠︎w=♦︎A620 1.5025X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N75 4.50—4♠︎w=♣︎Q620 1.5025X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N25 1.50—4♠︎w+1♦︎9650 4.5075X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N25 1.50—4♥︎e+1♦︎2650 4.5075X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N25 1.50—4♠︎w+1♣︎Q650 4.5075X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N25 1.50—4♠︎w+1♣︎Q650 4.5075X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♠︎wA♦︎+2 170
3♠︎e4♦︎+2 200
3♠︎w8♠︎+2 200
3♠︎wA♦︎+2 200
4♠︎eK♦︎= 620
4♠︎e2♦︎= 620
4♠︎wQ♣︎= 620
4♠︎eK♦︎= 620
North opens 1♦︎ and East makes a takeout double. Not the greatest distribution, but better than passing a hand this strong or bidding 1♠︎ with only four. South raises to 2♦︎ just to be a nuisance and West doubles. What's this second double? When they open and raise the same suit, it is a responsive double, handing back the choice to the takeout doubler of which suit to choose. (If the responder bids a new suit over the takeout double, the fourth player's double is usually played as penalty-oriented.) North bids 3♦︎ but East bids 3♠︎ and West raises to 4♠︎, which makes with an overtrick.
#13 D  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ 87Dealer: N
♥︎ KJ5 All Vul
V  WEST      ♦︎ AQT98V  EAST      
♠︎ KQT54♣︎ QJ7♠︎ AJ32
♥︎ QT632   ♥︎ A87
♦︎6V SOUTH       ♦︎J73
♣︎K4♠︎96♣︎A93
 13 ♥︎94 2 
10HCP14♦︎K5426FRK0
 3 ♣︎T8652 3 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
52277by
E
8111155
by
S
52277by
W
8111155
Board 14 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N75 4.501002♦︎e–2♣︎5— 1.5025X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N75 4.501003NTe–2♠︎5— 1.5025X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N75 4.501003NTe–2♠︎5— 1.5025X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N75 4.501003NTe–2♦︎5— 1.5025X1EDoug MacDougall &
Valerie Young
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N33 2.00502NTe–1♦︎J— 4.0067X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Faye Wightman &
Diane Hardouin
X1N17 1.00—1NTe=♠︎590 5.0083X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N0 0.00—1NTw+1♣︎2120 6.00100X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2Ne5♦︎-2 100
1Nw9♦︎-1 50
1Ne5♠︎+1 120
1Nw2♣︎+1 120
1Nw2♣︎+1 120
2Ne9♣︎= 120
1Nw2♣︎+2 150
1Nw2♣︎+2 150
East opens 1♦︎ and South passes. West responds 1♥︎ and North passes. East rebids 1♠︎ and South passes. West rebids 1NT and everyone passes. North leads a fourth-best 2♣︎ and West counts winners: one spade, three diamonds, and at least one winner in hearts and clubs once the ace is forced out. That's six and one more is needed, from a 3-3 diamond split or some other source. The other source turns up immediately when South plays the 9♣︎ and West wins the ten. West continues with a heart to the queen which wins, and a second club to the king and ace and eventually makes eight or nine tricks in 1NT.
#14 N  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ Q32Dealer: E
♥︎ A762 None Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ 94D  EAST      
♠︎ T6♣︎ AJ72♠︎ A984
♥︎ KT85   ♥︎ Q4
♦︎Q82N SOUTH       ♦︎AK63
♣︎KQT6♠︎KJ75♣︎843
 11 ♥︎J93 1 
10HCP13♦︎JT751FRK1
 6 ♣︎95 1 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
55545by
E
87888
by
S
55545by
W
88888
Board 15 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
X8N83 5.00—3♣︎e=♣︎2110 1.0017X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N83 5.00—1♥︎e+1♠︎4110 1.0017X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N83 5.00—2♣︎w+1♦︎A110 1.0017X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N50 3.00—3♣︎w+1♥︎2130 3.0050X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N17 1.00—1NTe+2♥︎K150 5.0083X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N17 1.00—2NTw+1♦︎A150 5.0083X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N17 1.00—1NTw+2♥︎3150 5.0083X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3NwJ♠︎-1 50
1NeK♥︎+1 120
1NeK♥︎+1 120
1NwA♦︎+2 150
1NeT♠︎+2 150
2♥︎nJ♦︎-2 200
3NwA♦︎= 400
2♠︎s*7♠︎-3 800
West opens 1♦︎ and North passes. East responds 1♥︎ and South passes. West rebids 1NT, showing 12-14 balanced, and North passes. East's 11 is enough for an invite to 2NT, but with 12 West isn't going on. North leads the Q♦︎, an interesting defensive ploy that, when the queen wins, allows South to instantly place nine of the missing highcard points. North continues with another high diamond and South plays a middle diamond to indicate that a heart switch is best. This gets the defenders a fourth trick, but finding a fifth is difficult.
#15 V  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ J5Dealer: S
♥︎ 98532 NS Vul
N  WEST      ♦︎ AKQN  EAST      
♠︎ AK7♣︎ J94♠︎ 632
♥︎ Q6   ♥︎ AT74
♦︎T972D SOUTH       ♦︎J5
♣︎K653♠︎QT984♣︎AQT2
 11 ♥︎KJ 2 
12HCP11♦︎86431FRK1
 6 ♣︎87 3 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
46553by
E
978710
by
S
46553by
W
978710
Board 16 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X4N100 6.001004♠︎e–1♣︎A— 0.000X7EMyrna Halpenny &
Vicki Torbett
Alexa Allen &
Lee Laxton
X3N83 5.00—3♠︎e=♦︎9140 1.0017X5EGaye Ballantyne &
Patti Young
John Fraser &
Jandi Fraser
X2N67 4.00—2♠︎e+2♣︎7170 2.0033X3EDavid Rosenberg &
Alan Atkins
Amanda Hill &
David Hsu
X6N42 2.50—3NTw=♣︎5600 3.5058X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Francesco L Piccone &
M Piccone
X8N42 2.50—3NTw=♣︎3600 3.5058X8ERuth Castellino &
Cathy Brown
Johanne Leach &
Lynne Pomfret
X5N17 1.00—4♠︎e=♦︎2620 5.0083X2EBarbara Spitz &
Marlee Sheinin
Kelly Anderson &
Mike Bow
X7N0 0.00—3NTw+1♣︎5630 6.00100X6ENiamh Kelly &
Scott Turner
Section A Scores (three weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♥︎e5♠︎-1 100
4♠︎e9♦︎-1 100
4♠︎e5♠︎= 620
4♠︎eA♣︎= 620
3Nw5♣︎+1 630
3Nw5♣︎+1 630
4♠︎e9♦︎+1 650
4♠︎e8♦︎+1 650
West opens 1♦︎, North passes and East responds 1♠︎. South passes and West rebids 1NT, showing a balanced 12-14. North passes and East uses the New Minor Forcing convention, bidding an artificial 2♣︎ (the new minor) to ask for more details about the West hand. West's priorities are 1) show three-card support for East's major, spades; 2) show a side four-card heart suit (East may have 5-4 in the majors); 3) jump to the 3-level with a maximum 14 or a good 13. West bids 2♠︎ (three card support and a minimum), and East raises to 4♠︎, where the defenders lose their club trick if not taken early.
#16 N  NORTH       Sep. 28, 2026
♠︎ J2Dealer: W
♥︎ 42 EW Vul
D  WEST      ♦︎ T754V  EAST      
♠︎ A83♣︎ QJ953♠︎ KQT74
♥︎ J3   ♥︎ K9875
♦︎KJ63N SOUTH       ♦︎AQ
♣︎KT62♠︎965♣︎4
 4 ♥︎AQT6 3 
12HCP14♦︎9821FRK6
 10 ♣︎A87 0 
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
 in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
33336by
E
10109107
by
S
33336by
W
1010997

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)