Board of the day, solved: 18 October 2026
The bots bid UK Acol (weak no trump). Below the auction, every call is explained.
The four hands
North 8 points
- ♠ A 10 8 7 5 3
- ♥ J 5
- ♦ K 8 5
- ♣ 10 7
West 18 points
- ♠ K J 9 4
- ♥ A 10
- ♦ Q J 10
- ♣ A K 5 4
East 9 points
- ♠ 6 2
- ♥ Q 8 6 4 3
- ♦ A 7
- ♣ Q J 9 2
South 5 points
- ♠ Q
- ♥ K 9 7 2
- ♦ 9 6 4 3 2
- ♣ 8 6 3
The auction
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass | Pass | ||
| 1♣ | 1♠ | X | Pass |
| 3NT | Pass | Pass | Pass |
Every call explained
- East: Pass – Not enough to open (9 points).
- South: Pass – Not enough to open (5 points).
- West: 1♣ – 1♣: opening strength (18 points), 4 clubs. Acol opens four-card suits too.
- North: 1♠ – Overcall: 6 spades, 8 points.
- East: Double – Negative double: 9 points and four hearts; not for penalties.
- South: Pass – No support and few points.
- West: 3NT – 3NT: 18 points and a stopper in their spades.
- North: Pass – My earlier bid already described my hand; I have nothing extra to show.
- East: Pass – About 25 points together; I stop here.
- South: Pass – No support and few points.
Contract and best result
Contract: 3NT by West.
With perfect play by everyone (double dummy) declarer takes 10 tricks: made with 1 overtrick.
Par (the best result for both sides): 3NT by West (+1), +630 for East-West.
The opening lead
North leads ♠7. Fourth best from my longest suit (spades).
What does this board teach?
- Why the auction works: East-West have 27 points between them and no eight-card major fit, so no trumps. That is enough for game (rule of thumb: 25 points together, or a little less with a good fit). The key call is 3NT (West): 3NT: 18 points and a stopper in their spades.
- 3NT by East-West is also par: the best result for both sides.
- On this board the lead does not matter with perfect play: every card gives the same result.
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