Contesting the Auction

It is rare that a bridge hand has a major game for both sides.

Both sides can make 11 tricks, or 12 tricks with the right lead.

High card points are irrelevant in such auctions, N-S have 18 and E-W 22.

Who opens the bidding?

If West opens a tartan 2S, North will overcall 3H and East will bid 4S.

Is South brave enough to bid 5H, surely with a void they should.

West will not give in and bid 5S.

North must now realise that South is short in S's and bid 6H (not Vul).

Are there any E-W players who would seriously think of bidding 6S?

If West Passes initially, North opens 1H and West overcalls 1S.

Again, fireworks as both sides bid to the 5 level.

West is now more likely to bid to 6S, if N-S bid 6H.

Of the 5 times the hand was played, N-S made 12 tricks, 1 pair went light.

2 E-W pairs made 11 tricks.

A great hand for pairs competition.