Tutorial hand for
Omar Sharif On Bridge
 52
 42
 40
 37
 30
 29
 26
 25
 24
 12
 6
 3
 1
 50
 48
 45
 44
 41
 34
 33
 28
 21
 20
 18
 11
 9
 46
 43
 39
 38
 27
 23
 22
 16
 14
 8
 5
 4
 2
 51
 49
 47
 36
 35
 32
 31
 19
 17
 15
 13
 10
 7
 0
 2
 2
 2
 2
 0
 0
 1
 4
 2
 13
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 9
 5 
Answer:  1NT\n\nExplanation:  Since you have 16-18 points and a balanced hand you should open the bidding with 1NT.

What should South bid?

 0

 10
Answer:  2NT\n\nExplanation:  Since you have a balanced hand, sticking to a no trump bid would be suggested.  You have only 8 high
card points and with a bid of 1NT, your partner should have 16-18 points.  This gives your team 24-26 
points.  With two balanced hands you will normally need at least 25 points to make 3NT a sensible 
proposition. Considering your team may have 24 points, you should play conservatively and bid 2NT.

What should North bid?

 0

 15
Answer:  3NT\n\nExplanation:  Considering you are at the high end of the 16-18 high points scale, 3NT would be the appropriate bid.

What should South bid?

 0

 0

 0

-3
 
 9
 15
 15
-1
 0
 0
 52
 0
 52
 44

 43

 49

 42
Answer:  2s or 4s (we use 4s)\n\nExplanation:  While it would be tempting to take the trick with the As, you should refuse to win the trick.
You can pick up a trick with the As later.  This technique of refusing to win a trick is known as ducking 
and it is a particularly important weapon to use to sever communications between the defenders.   In the 
case of this hand, it helps you pick up a trick which you were not guaranteed.

What should South play?
 47

 40

 41

 46

 51

 52

 45

 2

 24

 18

 14

 15

 25

 20

 16

 17

 26

 21

 22

 19

 29

 33

 38

 31

 23

 32

 1

 28

 27

 35

 37

 34

 30

 9

 39

 36

 4

 13

 3

 11

 10

 12

 48

 5

 6

 50

 8

 7

 3
 10
 1
 0
 1
 0
You were able to make the contract of 3NT with 1 overtrick, which is worth 130 points and game.

