Board of the day, solved: 23 October 2026
The bots bid UK Acol (weak no trump). Below the auction, every call is explained.
The four hands
North 6 points
- ♠ J 10 7
- ♥ K 10 7 6 2
- ♦ Q 8
- ♣ 9 5 2
West 13 points
- ♠ 3
- ♥ A 8 5 4
- ♦ A 10 9 2
- ♣ A J 8 4
East 12 points
- ♠ A K Q
- ♥ Q 9 3
- ♦ J 5 4 3
- ♣ 10 6 3
South 9 points
- ♠ 9 8 6 5 4 2
- ♥ J
- ♦ K 7 6
- ♣ K Q 7
The auction
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass | 1NT | Pass | |
| 2♣ | Pass | 2♦ | Pass |
| 3NT | Pass | Pass | Pass |
Every call explained
- North: Pass – Not enough to open (6 points).
- East: 1NT – 1NT: balanced, 12–14 points (I have 12).
- South: Pass – No suitable overcall or double.
- West: 2♣ – Stayman (2♣): asking for a four-card major; I hold one and 13 points.
- North: Pass – No suitable overcall or double.
- East: 2♦ – Reply to Stayman: no four-card major.
- South: Pass – No suitable overcall or double.
- West: 3NT – No major fit; 3NT.
- North: Pass – No suitable overcall or double.
- East: Pass – Partner chose the contract.
- South: Pass – No suitable overcall or double.
Contract and best result
Contract: 3NT by East.
With perfect play by everyone (double dummy) declarer takes 10 tricks: made with 1 overtrick.
Par (the best result for both sides): 3NT by East-West (+1), +430 for East-West.
What do these words mean?
Double dummy: as if all four players could see each other’s cards and nobody made a mistake. That is how the computer works out what the board holds.
Par: the best result when both sides bid and play perfectly. Sometimes that is a contract that goes down, because the opponents would otherwise score more.
Down: the contract takes too few tricks. “1 down” means one trick short.
The opening lead
South leads ♠5. Fourth best from my longest suit (spades).
What does this board teach?
- Why the auction works: East-West have 25 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): No major fit; 3NT.
- 3NT by East 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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