VanLearners Monday Evening February 9, 2026

No overalls in today's game.

Results for Section X, North-South
Pair#PercentScoreRankMPtsPlayers
X2N 70.83% 42.5010.36Eiler Eis - Bob Hodgkinson
X6N 50.00% 30.0020.25Doug MacDougall - Donna Bridgeman
X3N 48.33% 29.00Alexa Allen - Jacquie Brown
X1N 47.50% 28.50Joan Christensen - Carol Linda Ward
X4N 42.50% 25.50Diane O Connor - Valerie Young
X5N 40.83% 24.50Vicki Torbett - Myrna Halpenny
East-West had 50.36% 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 11.75, close to the average of about 11.93.
Results for Section X, East-West
Pair#PercentScoreRankMPtsPlayers
X1E 62.50% 37.5010.36David Hsu - Amanda Hill
X5E 59.17% 35.5020.25Jill Price - Barbara Spitz
X6E 53.33% 32.00Niamh Kelly - Johanne Leach
X2E 48.33% 29.00Ron Rogers - Patsy Thorpe
X4E 41.67% 25.00Doug Stewart - Louise Forsyth
X3E 35.00% 21.00Alan Atkins - David Rosenberg
East-West had 50.36% 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 11.75, 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
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N100 4.00504♠︎w–1♣︎A 0.000X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N75 3.003NTe+1♦︎5430 1.0025X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N38 1.503NTe+2♥︎5460 2.5063X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N38 1.503NTe+2♥︎6460 2.5063X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N0 0.004NTe+3♥︎6520 4.00100X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♥︎e*5♦︎-2 300
4♠︎wK♣︎-1 50
5♦︎wA♣︎+1 420
3NeJ♣︎+2 460
6♦︎e6♣︎= 920
6♦︎eJ♣︎= 920
North passes and East opens 1♥︎. South passes and West responds 1♠︎, but North gets into the auction with a pre-emptive 3♣︎ call. What should East do? 12 and a void, even one in partner's suit, seems too much to pass, but East cannot rebid a five-card heart suit or introduce a four-card minor at the three level, so the best option is a double: not for penalties, but simply competitive. After South passes, West realizes that without support for spades or a rebiddable heart suit, East must at least have some support for diamonds, so West bids 4NT, discovers East has one ace, and takes a shot at 6♦︎. Bulls-eye: it makes easily. The competitive double helped West decide to go for slam.
#1 D NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ T98Dealer: N
♥︎ 3 None Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ JT2N  EAST      
♠︎AK7652♣︎ AKT752♠︎
♥︎A♥︎KQJ74
♦︎KQ874N SOUTH       ♦︎A963
♣︎6♠︎QJ43♣︎Q983
8♥︎T986525
16HCP12♦︎58FRK6
4♣︎J46
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
23416by
E
11109127
by
S
23416by
W
11109127
Board 2 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N88 3.502♦︎n–1♣︎A100 0.5013X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N88 3.502♦︎n–1♣︎A100 0.5013X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N50 2.002♠︎e=♦︎6110 2.0050X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N25 1.004♠︎e=♦︎6420 3.0075X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N0 0.002♣︎**w=♦︎5560 4.00100X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2Nw5♦︎-1 50
1Nw5♦︎-1 50
2♦︎nA♠︎-1 100
2♥︎e3♦︎= 110
2Nw5♦︎+1 150
2Nw5♦︎+2 180
East opens 1♥︎, South passes, and West's 1NT response is the final bid of the auction. In a modern system this cannot happen, since 1NT is forcing for one round, which is why many pairs are playing 2NT instead: West still responds 1NT, but East must rebid 2♣︎ (2♠︎ shows extras and 2♥︎ promises six or more), after which West has enough to invite with 2NT, which East passes. In 1NT or 2NT, the going is easy for West, as every card that matters except the Q♦︎ is onside. West may make as many as ten tricks, but if the North and South hands were switched, 2NT or even 1NT might not even make. 22 combined points is not enough to bid game, but enough to enjoy the good luck and make valuable overtricks!
#2 V NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ K43Dealer: E
♥︎ AQ NS Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ Q8754D  EAST      
♠︎QJ5♣︎ K86♠︎AT96
♥︎42♥︎KT653
♦︎AJ3V SOUTH       ♦︎2
♣︎Q9742♠︎872♣︎AJ5
14♥︎J9872
10HCP12♦︎KT962FRK4
4♣︎T31
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
33473by
E
8109610
by
S
32362by
W
10109610
Board 3 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N100 4.004303NTn+1♣︎3 0.000X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N75 3.004003NTn=♦︎3 1.0025X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N50 2.001103♦︎n=♠︎2 2.0050X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N25 1.003NTn–1♠︎250 3.0075X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N0 0.001♥︎e=♣︎880 4.00100X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3NnT♦︎+2 460
3Nn2♠︎+1 430
3Nn2♠︎+1 430
3NnT♥︎= 400
3NnT♥︎= 400
2Nn7♣︎+3 210
South has just enough to open 1♣︎ and West overcalls 1♥︎. North's 2♦︎ call is forcing and must show something close to an opening bid strength, since opener is being forced to the three level to return to South's original suit. South rebids 2♥︎, which in British bridge books is known as the Unassuming Cuebid, asking partner to bid notrump with a stopper in the opponent's suit. Here in North America we call it the Western Cue Bid, I assume because it first appeared on the West Coast. North confirms a heart stopper with 2NT, and South raises to 3NT (I'd be fine with a jump to 3NT by North), and by setting up clubs North should make nine tricks easily, possibly more.
#3 N NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ JT8Dealer: S
♥︎ KQ32 EW Vul
V WEST      ♦︎ A875V  EAST      
♠︎94♣︎ K8♠︎KQ72
♥︎AJ764♥︎T95
♦︎K32D SOUTH       ♦︎T96
♣︎QT2♠︎A653♣︎743
13♥︎81
10HCP5♦︎QJ42FRK0
12♣︎AJ9654
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
9981010by
E
43533
by
S
9981010by
W
43533
Board 4 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
X1N100 4.001102♠︎n=♥︎A 0.000X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N75 3.00902♣︎s=♠︎4 1.0025X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N38 1.502♦︎s–1♠︎4100 2.5063X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N38 1.503♣︎s–1♦︎2100 2.5063X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N0 0.002NTs–2♠︎3200 4.00100X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
1Ne*5♦︎-2 500
1Ne4♥︎-4 400
1Ne4♥︎-3 300
1Ne5♦︎-2 200
1Ne5♦︎-1 100
1Ne4♥︎-1 100
You've read my comments on players who shrivel noticably when their 1NT opener is passed out. This is the hand that they fear; dummy hits with only two points and oh no, we're vulnerable as well. What can I say about this? DON'T PANIC! Most pairs play 15-17 notrumps and will have the same auction you had, the contest now is one of damage control. Watch for ways of gaining a trick and try to make as many as you can. If South leads a low diamond, play low from dummy: if South has the J♦︎, your queen will score on the third round after North takes the king. Down two may be the best you can do, but look at how many in Section A panicked and did worse!
#4 V NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ JT92Dealer: W
♥︎ QJ All Vul
D WEST      ♦︎ K43V  EAST      
♠︎8754♣︎ J754♠︎AQ3
♥︎732♥︎AK96
♦︎Q92V SOUTH       ♦︎T87
♣︎962♠︎K6♣︎Q83
8♥︎T8541
2HCP15♦︎AJ650FRK0
15♣︎AKT1
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
88889by
E
55544
by
S
88889by
W
54544
Board 5 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
X2N100 4.002♦︎w+1♠︎Q110 0.000X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N63 2.502♥︎w+3♣︎T200 1.5038X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N63 2.502♥︎w+3♣︎T200 1.5038X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N13 0.504♥︎w+1♣︎T450 3.5088X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N13 0.504♥︎w+1♠︎Q450 3.5088X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
6♥︎wT♣︎-1 50
6♥︎wQ♠︎-1 50
4♥︎wQ♠︎+1 450
4♥︎wQ♠︎+1 450
2♠︎n*9♦︎-3 800
6♥︎wT♣︎= 980
North passes and East opens 1♠︎. South passes and West responds 2♥︎. North passes and East rebids 2♠︎, and South passes. West rebids 3♦︎, keeping the auction forcing, and after North passes, East leaps to 4♥︎, knowing that West won't bid this way with a mere 4-4 in the red suits. Does West have enough information to take a shot at 6♥︎? Probably not: East likely has spade strength opposite West's void, which is not as efficient as those points in red suit honours. 6♥︎ does go down one on best defence, so 4♥︎ is the best spot, although if North opens a very weak 2♠︎, East passes and then passes West's takeout double for penalties, collecting 800 for down three!
#5 D NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ QJ9872Dealer: N
♥︎ J82 NS Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ N  EAST      
♠︎♣︎ T984♠︎AKT65
♥︎AQT743♥︎965
♦︎AQJ872V SOUTH       ♦︎94
♣︎Q♠︎43♣︎AJ7
4♥︎K7
15HCP12♦︎KT65311FRK2
9♣︎K65326
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
25226by
E
11711116
by
S
26227by
W
11611116
Board 6 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N100 4.002005♥︎w–2♦︎4 0.000X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N38 1.501004♥︎w–1♣︎J 2.5063X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N38 1.501006♥︎w–1♠︎A 2.5063X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N38 1.501004♥︎w–1♦︎5 2.5063X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N38 1.501004♥︎w–1♦︎4 2.5063X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♥︎wJ♣︎-1 100
4♥︎wJ♣︎-1 100
4♥︎wJ♣︎-1 100
4♥︎wJ♣︎= 620
4♥︎w5♦︎= 620
4♥︎w5♥︎= 620
East-West have this auction to themselves: East opens 1♠︎, West responds 2♥︎. East rebids 3♣︎ to show a two-suited hand, and West bids 3♦︎, the fourth suit, to keep the auction from ending early. East, seeing a stopper in the fourth suit, bids 3NT. West, however, overrules this and bids 4♥︎, showing a very long suit and not much else. East has no choice but to accede to West's preference, for an adventure at the five level to find a better spot is not reccommended! North leads the J♣︎ and West should lose a spade, a club, and two trumps. A non-club lead allows West to finesse the Q♦︎ and use the A♦︎ to pitch a club from hand, and poof! the club loser disappears!
#6 N NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ AT9Dealer: E
♥︎ 5 EW Vul
V WEST      ♦︎ K8754D  EAST      
♠︎K4♣︎ JT92♠︎Q8753
♥︎AKJ97642♥︎
♦︎3N SOUTH       ♦︎AQT
♣︎63♠︎J62♣︎AQ875
8♥︎QT834
11HCP14♦︎J9629FRK7
7♣︎K41
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
64383by
E
781058
by
S
54373by
W
79958
Board 7 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 4.002004♠︎w–2♣︎A 0.000X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N63 2.501003♠︎w–1♣︎A 1.5038X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N63 2.501003♠︎w–1♣︎A 1.5038X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N25 1.002♠︎w=♣︎A110 3.0075X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N0 0.002♠︎*w=♣︎K670 4.00100X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♦︎sA♠︎-1 100
4♣︎nJ♠︎-1 100
4♦︎sA♠︎-1 100
2♠︎wA♣︎= 110
2♠︎wA♣︎+1 140
3♠︎wK♣︎+1 170
South passes and West opens 1♠︎. North overcalls 1NT and East has enough to bid 2♠︎, knowing that an eight-card fit in spades is something to let partner know about while you can. South also has some values and decides to gamble a 3♦︎ call, opposite partner's 1NT overcall. West passes to confirm a minimum and so does North. East risks a vulnerable 3♠︎ call and everyone passes. North leads a high club and South should play low to discourage. If North-South can get their four minor suit tricks and wait for the Q♠︎, they beat 3♠︎. If they falter and West gets a chance to finesse in hearts and pitch a loser on the third round, 3♠︎ might make.
#7 V NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ Q32Dealer: S
♥︎ QT9 All Vul
V WEST      ♦︎ AJTV  EAST      
♠︎AK9654♣︎ AK75♠︎JT7
♥︎K8♥︎AJ764
♦︎64D SOUTH       ♦︎752
♣︎Q84♠︎8♣︎92
16♥︎5320
12HCP6♦︎KQ9834FRK2
6♣︎JT634
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
63699by
E
48743
by
S
63699by
W
48743
Board 8 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
X1N100 4.001302♣︎n+2♥︎5 0.000X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N75 3.001201NTn+1♥︎5 1.0025X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N38 1.501103♣︎n=♥︎9 2.5063X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N38 1.501103♣︎n=♥︎5 2.5063X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N0 0.003♠︎s–1♣︎J50 4.00100X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
1Nn2♦︎+2 150
2♠︎sJ♣︎= 110
2♣︎s2♦︎= 90
PASSOUT00
2♠︎sJ♥︎-1 50
2♠︎sJ♣︎-1 50
I passed the North hand, filling in and trying to keep up with all the things that needed to be done. Nobody else should. Not even me. North should open 1♣︎ and raise to 2♠︎ after partner responds 1♠︎. 2♠︎ is not so easy on the seven-card fit though, so I got lucky by passing the North opening bid. South needs to ruff the third round of diamonds in dummy to have any chance of making 2♠︎, which requires leading diamonds twice early on. Once the third diamond is ruffed, South can concentrate on drawing trumps and dislodging the A♣︎ to cash some winners. 1NT making three is hard to imagine unless East-West were distracted: it should go one or two down!
#8 N NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ A98Dealer: W
♥︎ AQ2 None Vul
D WEST      ♦︎ 43N  EAST      
♠︎K32♣︎ QT953♠︎T75
♥︎JT87♥︎K965
♦︎AJ98N SOUTH       ♦︎Q762
♣︎J8♠︎QJ64♣︎A2
12♥︎432
10HCP9♦︎KT51FRK1
9♣︎K7641
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
57448by
E
65885
by
S
57448by
W
65885
Board 9 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
X1N88 3.501002♣︎w–1♥︎T 0.5013X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N88 3.501001NTw–1♠︎2 0.5013X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N38 1.502♣︎w=♥︎T90 2.5063X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N38 1.502♣︎w=♥︎490 2.5063X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N0 0.003♥︎s–3♠︎5150 4.00100X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♦︎sA♣︎+1 110
3♣︎wT♥︎-1 100
2♦︎nA♣︎= 90
2♣︎wT♥︎= 90
3♣︎wT♥︎= 110
3♣︎wT♥︎= 110
North and East pass and South opens 1♥︎. West overcalls 2♣︎ and North makes a negative double, primarily to show four spades, with likely tolerance for diamonds as well. East raises to 3♣︎ and South bids 3♦︎, ending the auction. West leads the A♣︎ and when East discourages with the 5♣︎, switches to hearts. South wins the heart switch and must lead a trump, or West will eventually get a heart ruff to set the contract. An option in the bidding for West would be to double the 1♥︎ opener for takeout. North would respond 1♠︎ and East would bid 1NT, which can be beaten, but not too easily. Tough hand and whoever goes plus will be happy that they did.
#9 D NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ K942Dealer: N
♥︎ T4 EW Vul
V WEST      ♦︎ Q654V  EAST      
♠︎AQ5♣︎ Q43♠︎J763
♥︎Q3♥︎J952
♦︎T98N SOUTH       ♦︎A2
♣︎AK982♠︎T8♣︎T65
7♥︎AK8761
15HCP6♦︎KJ732FRK1
12♣︎J73
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
66785by
E
67658
by
S
66785by
W
67658
Board 10 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
X4N88 3.506204♥︎s=♠︎A 0.5013X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N88 3.506204♥︎s=♦︎4 0.5013X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N38 1.501702♥︎n+2♣︎9 2.5063X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N38 1.501702♥︎n+2♦︎7 2.5063X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N0 0.001402♥︎s+1♠︎A 4.00100X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♥︎s5♣︎= 620
3♥︎n7♦︎= 140
4♥︎n3♣︎-1 100
4♥︎s6♣︎-1 100
4♥︎n8♦︎-1 100
4♥︎n7♦︎-1 100
East and South pass and West opens 1♦︎. North might toss in a 1♥︎ overcall on the strong four-card suit here, a reasonable tactic at the one-level, but most will pass. East responds 1♠︎, and South passes...and so does West. Wait a second, isn't a new suit by responder 100% forcing? Not always: a responder who passed up a chance to open the bidding cannot make a forcing call, so West is free to pass with a minimum. North now gets into the action with 2♥︎, South raises to 3♥︎ and North continues on to 4♥︎. With 24 combined and some distribution, this is a reasonable shot, but it comes down to playing diamonds for one loser, and on this layout that's not happening.
#10 V NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ 943Dealer: E
♥︎ AKJ7 All Vul
V WEST      ♦︎ A953D  EAST      
♠︎AT6♣︎ Q8♠︎8752
♥︎95♥︎T2
♦︎KJT4V SOUTH       ♦︎7
♣︎K765♠︎KQJ♣︎AJT943
14♥︎Q86431
11HCP5♦︎Q8621FRK6
10♣︎24
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
65985by
E
77458
by
S
65985by
W
77458
Board 11 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 4.003005♦︎*e–2♠︎A 0.000X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N75 3.001403♠︎n=♥︎7 1.0025X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N50 2.001005♦︎*e–1♣︎8 2.0050X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N25 1.00505♦︎e–1♠︎2 3.0075X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N0 0.004♦︎e=♠︎2130 4.00100X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
5♦︎w*Q♠︎-1 100
5♦︎e*Q♠︎-1 100
4♠︎n2♥︎-1 50
4♠︎n7♥︎-1 50
4♠︎n3♦︎-2 100
4♦︎e2♠︎= 130
South passes and West opens 1♣︎. North overcalls 1♠︎ and East makes a negative double to show four hearts and tolerance for the fourth suit, diamonds. South jumps to 3♠︎ and after West passes, North bids 4♠︎. 4♠︎ can actually make despite only 19 combined high card points: two aces, two diamond ruffs in dummy, four trumps in hand losing the K♠︎ to East, who cannot lead a club, so West wins a club late and can cash the ace but must then lead a club giving South two more winners. East however, bids 5♦︎ and is doubled by North and goes for only 100. Too bad those in 4♠︎ misplayed it, or 5♦︎ would have been a great sacrifice! Now you know why bridge players grumble so much.....
#11 N NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ AJ973Dealer: S
♥︎ A None Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ AT6N  EAST      
♠︎T8♣︎ 7543♠︎K5
♥︎QJ2♥︎K973
♦︎Q92D SOUTH       ♦︎KJ87543
♣︎AQT92♠︎Q642♣︎
13♥︎T86544
11HCP10♦︎2FRK9
6♣︎KJ866
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
610538by
E
73795
by
S
59538by
W
73795
Board 12 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
X2N75 3.001402♥︎s+1♣︎2 1.0025X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N75 3.001402♥︎s+1♣︎K 1.0025X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N75 3.001402♥︎s+1♣︎2 1.0025X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N13 0.501102♥︎s=♣︎2 3.5088X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N13 0.501102♥︎s=♣︎K 3.5088X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♥︎sK♣︎+2 170
2♥︎nK♣︎+1 140
3♥︎s2♥︎= 140
3♥︎s3♠︎= 140
4♥︎sK♣︎-1 100
3♠︎e9♥︎= 140
West, North, and East all pass and it is up to South. (Lunatic that I am, I would open 2♠︎ with the East hand, and anyone who has played with me before would know that the West hand, good as it is, is still not good enough for a raise of a non-vulnerable third-seat weak two, which may be made on almost anything....) The rule for dubious fourth seat openers is to open if the sum of your points and spade length is 15 or more. South has 12 points and two spades, but this is by no means a dubious opener, it is a clear cut 1♥︎ opener that would be made in any seat. North raises to 2♥︎ and nine tricks are made for a good score. But if East opens 2♠︎, that may end the auction, and make!
#12 V NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ T85Dealer: W
♥︎ AKJ NS Vul
D WEST      ♦︎ J4N  EAST      
♠︎K43♣︎ J8753♠︎AQJ92
♥︎8642♥︎5
♦︎K97V SOUTH       ♦︎8632
♣︎KQ2♠︎76♣︎T94
10♥︎QT9732
11HCP7♦︎AQT50FRK4
12♣︎A63
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
74976by
E
68466
by
S
74976by
W
68466
Board 13 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
X2N100 4.002003♥︎n+2♦︎3 0.000X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N75 3.001702♥︎n+2♦︎A 1.0025X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N38 1.501402♥︎n+1♣︎2 2.5063X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N38 1.501403♥︎n=♠︎A 2.5063X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N0 0.003NTn–2♣︎2200 4.00100X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♥︎n7♥︎= 620
2♥︎n2♣︎+2 170
2♥︎n2♠︎+2 170
2♥︎n3♣︎+1 140
2♥︎nA♦︎= 110
4♥︎n2♣︎-1 100
North opens 1♥︎ and East makes a takeout double. This common situation is something most partnerships should discuss so that South can make use of the enemy bid when South has heart support. With a middling hand in the 9-11 range, South can bid 2NT to show a limit raise with three-card support. A jump to 3♥︎ is pre-emptive, and 2♥︎ shows support in a weaker hand of 5-8. With a true limit raise with four-card support, redoubling first, then bidding hearts is most pair's solution. On this hand, North hears 2NT and has no trouble bidding 4♥︎. It should go down but sometimes defenders find it difficult to break suits where one has the ace and the other the king.
#13 D NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ JTDealer: N
♥︎ AKJ75 All Vul
V WEST      ♦︎ KQ7V  EAST      
♠︎76♣︎ T74♠︎A432
♥︎962♥︎T4
♦︎J9865V SOUTH       ♦︎AT3
♣︎AJ6♠︎KQ985♣︎K532
14♥︎Q832
6HCP11♦︎422FRK1
9♣︎Q982
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
68845by
E
65597
by
S
68845by
W
65597
Board 14 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
X2N100 4.001302♣︎n+2♠︎T 0.000X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N75 3.001102♣︎n+1♠︎A 1.0025X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N50 2.001003♦︎e–2♣︎2 2.0050X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Joan Christensen &
Carol Linda Ward
X1N25 1.00901NTn=♦︎4 3.0075X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N0 0.002♠︎e+1♣︎8140 4.00100X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♣︎n6♦︎+2 130
3♣︎n5♥︎+1 130
3♠︎wK♣︎-2 100
3♠︎wK♣︎-2 100
3♠︎e3♣︎-2 100
2♠︎wA♥︎= 110
East and South pass and West opens 1♥︎. North overcalls 2♣︎ and East makes a negative double, to show four spades and tolerance for diamonds. South raises to 3♣︎, and East's negative double gets West to bid 3♠︎, secure in the knowledge that the pair has an eight-card spade fit. Without the information from the negative double, there is no way that West would even consider bidding again with such a minimum. 3♠︎ is passed out and goes routinely one down, two losers in both red suits and the club lead sets up a fifth loser; but, 3♣︎ is easily made for 110 or 130, so -100 is a bargain for East-West!
#14 N NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ 973Dealer: E
♥︎ A7 None Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ A85D  EAST      
♠︎K642♣︎ KQT53♠︎AQJT
♥︎QJ962♥︎54
♦︎97N SOUTH       ♦︎QT642
♣︎AJ♠︎85♣︎76
13♥︎KT832
11HCP9♦︎KJ33FRK3
7♣︎98421
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
856610by
E
58663
by
S
856610by
W
58663
Board 15 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
X1N100 4.00505♦︎w–1♥︎4 0.000X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N75 3.003♦︎w+2♥︎4150 1.0025X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N50 2.005♦︎w=♥︎2400 2.0050X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N25 1.004♥︎*n–2♦︎A500 3.0075X1EDavid Hsu &
Amanda Hill
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N0 0.005♦︎*w=♠︎A550 4.00100X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
2♦︎w2♠︎+3 150
5♦︎w4♦︎= 400
5♦︎w3♥︎= 400
5♦︎w4♥︎= 400
5♦︎w4♦︎= 400
5♦︎wA♠︎= 400
South passes and West opens 1♦︎. North overcalls 1♥︎, and East cuebids 2♥︎. This bid shows a good hand with support for diamonds. Since West opened 1♦︎ and may have only three, "support for diamonds" in this case requires at least five of them. South has heart support and a diamond void and tries 4♥︎, but West outbids South with a 5♦︎ call, which ends the auction. With the A♣︎ onside, West has a spade loser and can hold the clubs to one loser and make the contract. Maybe if North tries a sneaky Q♣︎ lead West may fear that South has the ace and duck, but most will shrug and try the king—if South does have the A♣︎ there is no way around two club losers and the A♠︎.
#15 V NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ A42Dealer: S
♥︎ Q7542 NS Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ 54N  EAST      
♠︎KQT5♣︎ AQ3♠︎96
♥︎♥︎AJT
♦︎KQJ972D SOUTH       ♦︎AT863
♣︎972♠︎J873♣︎K84
12♥︎K98632
11HCP12♦︎7FRK2
5♣︎JT656
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
34926by
E
984117
by
S
35926by
W
984117
Board 16 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N75 3.001003NTe–1♦︎3 1.0025X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N75 3.001004♠︎e–1♥︎2 1.0025X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N75 3.001002NTe–1♦︎3 1.0025X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N25 1.003NTe=♥︎2600 3.0075X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N0 0.003NTw+1♠︎5630 4.00100X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3Ne3♦︎-1 100
1Ns2♣︎-3 150
1Nw5♠︎+3 180
3Nw5♠︎+1 630
3Ne2♥︎+1 630
3NeJ♦︎+1 630
West and North pass and East opens 1♣︎. South overcalls 1♦︎, and West sees a remote opportunity. West passes and so does North, and when East doubles to keep the auction going, West knows the double is intended as takeout, but West can pass it and try to collect a hefty penalty in 1♦︎ doubled! North might try to wriggle out of the disaster by bidding 1♠︎ or making what is known as an S.O.S. redouble, but West has overlooked a critical factor, the vulnerability. East-West can easily make 3NT for 600 or more; to do better in 1♦︎ doubled they need to beat it four tricks. South should hold it to down three for 500, which beats East-West pairs making 3NT at least.
#16 N NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ KQ952Dealer: W
♥︎ 9743 EW Vul
D WEST      ♦︎ 94V  EAST      
♠︎J64♣︎ 97♠︎T873
♥︎K5♥︎AQJ
♦︎KQ765N SOUTH       ♦︎A
♣︎Q52♠︎A♣︎AJT84
5♥︎T8623
11HCP16♦︎JT8322FRK4
8♣︎K634
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
35643by
E
1087910
by
S
35643by
W
1087910
Board 17 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
X2N100 4.001402♠︎n+1♥︎9 0.000X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Diane O Connor &
Valerie Young
X4N75 3.001202NTn=♥︎6 1.0025X2ERon Rogers &
Patsy Thorpe
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N38 1.502NTn–1♥︎650 2.5063X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N38 1.502NTn–1♥︎J50 2.5063X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N0 0.002NTn–3♥︎6150 4.00100X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
4♠︎n7♦︎-1 50
2Nn6♥︎-1 50
2Nn6♥︎-1 50
2Nn4♥︎-1 50
2Nn6♥︎-2 100
2Nn4♥︎-2 100
North opens 2NT and everyone passes. East leads a fourth-best heart and declarer has no chance. In fact, declarer is relieved when the hearts break 5-5, but the defenders still have the A♦︎ to come and that leaves poor North only three diamonds, and the ace-king of both black suits for seven tricks. A few declarers lost the plot and went two down, so one down was actually tied for top score! In discarding on the hearts, North needs to keep winners and keep all four diamonds in the South hand so there will be enough winners when the deluge of defensive winners finally ends...
#17 D NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ AKJTDealer: N
♥︎ Q7 None Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ QJ42N  EAST      
♠︎4♣︎ AK3♠︎Q752
♥︎KT853♥︎AJ964
♦︎A86N SOUTH       ♦︎73
♣︎QJ98♠︎9863♣︎64
20♥︎21
10HCP7♦︎KT954FRK3
3♣︎T7523
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
78497by
E
65946
by
S
78497by
W
65946
Board 18 Results
North-South Pair#NS
%
NS
MP
NS
Score
Contract
& Result
Op.
Ld.
EW
Score
EW
MP
EW
%
Pair# East-West
Vicki Torbett &
Myrna Halpenny
X5N97 3.886603NTn+2♣︎2 0.123X4EDoug Stewart &
Louise Forsyth
Eiler Eis &
Bob Hodgkinson
X2N66 2.626003NTn=♣︎4 1.3834X3EAlan Atkins &
David Rosenberg
Doug MacDougall &
Donna Bridgeman
X6N34 1.381103♣︎n=♦︎7 2.6266X6ENiamh Kelly &
Johanne Leach
Alexa Allen &
Jacquie Brown
X3N3 0.123NTs–1♠︎9100 3.8897X5EJill Price &
Barbara Spitz
Section A Scores (two weeks ago)
ContractLeadResultN-S ScoreE-W Score
3Ns6♠︎+1 630
3Ns9♠︎+1 630
3Ns3♦︎= 600
3Nn2♦︎-1 100
3Ns6♠︎-1 100
3Nn2♦︎-1 100
East passes and South opens 1♥︎. West overcalls 1♠︎ and JACK at least believes that both 2♣︎ and 3♣︎ are forcing, so why not jump to 3♣︎ and confirm a long, strong suit. East passes and South bids 3NT, which is tricky. South wins the spade lead in hand, plays a club to the queen and East's king, then ducks the diamond return twice, winning the third in hand. Now a spade to the king, the A♣︎, and then the 8♣︎ puts East in to cash a diamond. South needs the rest, but West is squeezed, needing to keep all four hearts and a spade winner. (More likely the ones making three benefitted from errors by the defenders....)
#18 V NORTH       Feb. 9, 2026
♠︎ K2Dealer: E
♥︎ Q7 NS Vul
N WEST      ♦︎ J54D  EAST      
♠︎QT964♣︎ AQJ873♠︎J3
♥︎J853♥︎T6
♦︎K93V SOUTH       ♦︎QT72
♣︎6♠︎A875♣︎KT942
13♥︎AK9424
6HCP6♦︎A864FRK3
15♣︎54
Tricks Available (best play by both sides)
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
in
NT
in
♠︎
in
♥︎
in
♦︎
in
♣︎
by
N
98989by
E
45454
by
S
98989by
W
45454

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.

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: ooga@shaw.ca