Simulation 8Z03 Main

Diamonds or Notrump?

by Richard Pavlicek

After partner opens 2 NT, it is routine via Stayman to seek a 4-4 major fit, which usually provides a superior game or slam than notrump. Suppose you discover that no 4-4 major fit exists. Is it beneficial at IMPs to investigate a 4-4 minor fit when you have the high cards to bid 6 NT? Recently a friend asked about this hand:

North deals ? West North East South
? 2 NT¹ Pass 3
? Pass 3 Pass ?
?
? Table ? 1. 20-21
? ?
? ?
? ?
Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Should South seek a 4-4 diamond fit or just bid 6 NT? A difficult question. While 6 in a 4-4 fit will usually produce a better slam, in the majority of cases it just loses 2 IMPs; plus there are some cases where only 6 NT makes, e.g., a spade ruff could be looming. Only a simulation might provide a solution.

For a simulation I created 10,000 random deals with the South hand fixed. North 20-21 HCP; balanced; no 4-card major; 4 or 5 diamonds. To eliminate deals with likely interference, East and West are constrained to have fewer than 7 playing tricks or freakness less than 6; i.e., competing would require 7+ playing tricks and freakness of 6+. Also, West does not have Q-10-9-x-x (Q-9-x-x-x-x) or better, else he’d probably double 3 (Stayman).

Results are shown below. Trick Average shows the average number of tricks won by declarer. Make Percent shows how often the contract is made (including with overtrick) and Overtrick Percent how often an overtrick is made. The second table compares the choices directly, with the better choice leftmost. Net W-L (matchpoints or board-a-match verdict) counts +1 for a win and -1 for a loss. Net Score and Net IMPs are calculated twice, first with declarer nonvul (green) then with declarer vul (red). Plus values show the net gain over 10,000 deals.

As the tables confirm, there is no question that 6 makes more often and reaps a hefty profit at total points, but look at the IMP totals. A complete turnaround, as bidding 6 NT every time is the clear winner. At Won-Lost 6 NT has an even bigger edge, but this goes with the grain for matchpoint scoring — perhaps an exaggeration to be called bridge.

Sadly, the results bring out a defect in IMP scoring. Reaching the best contract is supposed to be a winning strategy, yet the flawed scale makes you a loser. Some years ago I proposed a solution to fix this (see Broken Scoring Fix) but the governing bodies are like ostriches with their heads in the sand.

Results for 10,000 Deals
Contract Trick Average Make Percent Overtrick Percent
6 12.2177 91.46 30.80
6 NT 12.0254 83.25 20.55

Results for 10,000 Deals
Contract	Trick Average	Make Percent	Overtrick Percent
6	12.2177	91.46	30.80
6 NT	12.0254	83.25	20.55

Comparison Net W-L NV Net Score NV Net IMPs Vul Net Score Vul Net IMPs
6 NT vs. 6 +7181 -217,420 +4543 -631,770 +3077

Comparison	Net W-L	NV Net Score	NV Net IMPs	Vul Net Score	Vul Net IMPs
6 NT vs. 6	+7181	-217,420	+4543	-631,770	+3077

Actual Deals

Below are 100 of the 10,000 deals, including the first 20, last 20, and 60 in-between with the greatest IMP gains (30 for each option). Numbers after each contract show the tricks won by declarer with double-dummy play all-around.

1. K J 9
A K Q
K 9 7 6
A 8 5
A 6
J 10 7 5 4
8 5 4 2
7 4 Table 10 8 7 5
9 8 6
3
Q 10 9 6 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2. A J
A K J
K 9 8 7 6
A 8 6
K 10 9 8 5
Q 10
3 2
Q 9 7 5 Table 7 6
9 8 7 6 5 4
5 4
10 4 3
6 → 13
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

3. A K 5
A Q
K 4 3 2
A 8 7 3
10 9 6
K J 9 5 4
9 5
Q 10 4 Table J 8 7
10 8 7 6
8 7 6
9 6 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4. A K 5
A K Q
K 7 6 5 2
Q 6
10 9 8 7 6
10 8
8 3
A 10 7 4 Table J
J 9 7 6 5 4
9 4
9 8 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

5. K 6
A K J
K 9 8 7 3
A Q 4
A J 7
9 8 6 5
6 4 2
10 9 6 Table 10 9 8 5
Q 10 7 4
5
8 7 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

6. A 8
A K 9
K 9 4 3
A Q 7 5
K 7
Q 10 8 6 5
8 7 5
10 6 4 Table J 10 9 6 5
J 7 4
6 2
9 8 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

7. A K 7
A 10
K 9 6 4
A Q 10 7
10 9 6
Q 9 7
7 5 2
8 6 4 3 Table J 8 5
K J 8 6 5 4
8 3
9 5
6 → 13
6 NT → 13 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

8. A 8 7
A K
K 6 5 3
A Q 8 7
K J 10 5
J 9 8 4
9 8 2
9 5 Table 9 6
Q 10 7 6 5
7 4
10 6 4 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9. A K 7
A K
6 4 3 2
A Q 4 3
10 5
Q 10 6 5 4
K 9
10 9 6 5 Table J 9 8 6
J 9 8 7
8 7 5
8 7
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

10. A 6
A K Q
K 8 6 2
A 10 6 4
K J 10 9 8
J 9 7 6 5
4 3
9 Table 7 5
10 8 4
9 7 5
Q 8 7 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

11. A 8 5
A K 6
K 9 7 3
A Q 4
K J 10 9 6
Q 7 5 4
8 6 4
3 Table 7
J 10 9 8
5 2
10 9 8 7 6 5
6 → 11
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

12. A K J
A K J
K 9 4 2
Q 10 6
7 6
10 7 5 4
8 5 3
A 9 8 3 Table 10 9 8 5
Q 9 8 6
7 6
7 5 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

13. A K 8
A 6
K 7 5 4 3
A Q 3
J 9 7 6
K Q 8
8 2
9 8 6 4 Table 10 5
J 10 9 7 5 4
9 6
10 7 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

14. A K 7
A Q
K 7 5 4 3
A 7 5
J 10 9 5
10 9 8 6
8
10 8 6 4 Table 8 6
K J 7 5 4
9 6 2
Q 9 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

15. A K 5
A Q 8
K 9 6 3
A 8 7
J 10 9 8
K 10 9
5 2
Q 9 4 3 Table 7 6
J 7 6 5 4
8 7 4
10 6 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

16. A K 8
A K
9 6 4 3
A Q 6 3
6
Q 9 8 6 5
8 7 5
9 7 5 4 Table J 10 9 7 5
J 10 7 4
K 2
10 8
6 → 13
6 NT → 13 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

17. A K 10
A 7 5
K 6 5 2
A Q 6
8 7
K J 4
9 8 7 3
9 8 5 4 Table J 9 6 5
Q 10 9 8 6
4
10 7 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

18. A K 9
A K 10
K 8 7 4 3
A 5
8
Q 8 7 5 4
6 5 2
Q 9 6 3 Table J 10 7 6 5
J 9 6
9
10 8 7 4
6 → 13
6 NT → 13 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

19. A K 9
A 10
K 9 8 6 3
A Q 3
J 7
K J 8 5
5 2
10 9 7 6 5 Table 10 8 6 5
Q 9 7 6 4
7 4
8 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

20. A K 10
A 10
K 9 8 6 4
A Q 10
7
J 8 7 6 5 4
7 3
7 5 4 3 Table J 9 8 6 5
K Q 9
5 2
9 8 6
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

130. A 8
A Q J
K 9 6 3
A Q 10 8
K 10 9 6
10 8 7 5 4
5 4
9 4 Table J 7 5
K 9 6
8 7 2
7 6 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

418. A 5
A K 7
K 9 8 2
A Q 5 4
K 10 7 6
6
7 5 4 3
10 9 7 6 Table J 9 8
Q J 10 9 8 5 4
6
8 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

773. A K 5
A K
9 7 3 2
A Q 7 3
—
J 7 5 4
K 8 6 5 4
10 9 5 4 Table J 10 9 8 7 6
Q 10 9 8 6
—
8 6
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

812. K J 6
A K
K 9 7 2
A Q 9 5
—
Q 10 9 8 5
5 4
10 8 7 6 4 3 Table A 10 9 8 7 5
J 7 6 4
8 6 3
—
6 → 8
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

1629. K J 9
A K 4
K 7 5 3
A Q 6
A 10 8 6 5
10 8 6
6
8 5 4 3 Table 7
Q J 9 7 5
9 8 4 2
10 9 7
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2041. A 8
A K 8
K 9 6 5
A Q 8 7
K 9 5
Q J 9 5 4
8 7 2
6 5 Table J 10 7 6
10 7 6
4 3
10 9 4 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2117. A 5
A Q J
K 6 4 3
A Q 7 6
K J 10 6
10 9 8
9 5 2
8 4 3 Table 9 8 7
K 7 6 5 4
8 7
10 9 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2123. A K 6
A 10 8
K 6 5 3
A Q 3
10 8
K J 6
7 4
10 9 8 6 5 4 Table J 9 7 5
Q 9 7 5 4
9 8 2
7
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2199. A K 7
A Q 5
K 8 6 2
A 8 5
J 9 8
10 8 4
7 4
Q 9 6 4 3 Table 10 6 5
K J 9 7 6
9 5 3
10 7
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2215. K J 8
A K
K 9 6 2
A Q 10 3
A 10 7 6 5
8 6 5
7 5 3
9 7 Table 9
Q J 10 9 7 4
8 4
8 6 5 4
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

2269. K J 6
A K 10
K 7 6 3
A Q 8
7
Q J 9 7 5 4
9 8 2
6 5 4 Table A 10 9 8 5
8 6
5 4
10 9 7 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2300. A K
K Q 5
K 7 4 3
A Q 5 4
10 9 8 7 6
J 10 8 7 4
—
10 9 8 Table J 5
A 9 6
9 8 6 5 2
7 6 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2551. A 8 6
A K Q
K 5 4 3
A 10 8
K
8 5 4
9 8 7 6 2
Q 9 5 3 Table J 10 9 7 5
J 10 9 7 6
—
7 6 4
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2631. A J 10
A Q 5
K 8 7 5
A Q 8
K 8 7 5
8 4
4 3 2
10 9 5 4 Table 9 6
K J 10 9 7 6
9 6
7 6 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2673. A K J
K 5
K 8 6 5
A Q 9 6
—
Q J 10 7 4
7 4 2
10 7 5 4 3 Table 10 9 8 7 6 5
A 9 8 6
9 3
8
6 → 8
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

2730. A K 6
A K
6 5 4 3
A Q 8 6
—
Q J 9 8 5 4
K 8 7 2
10 9 5 Table J 10 9 8 7 5
10 7 6
9
7 4 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

3029. A K J
A Q 4
K 5 3 2
A 8 3
7 6
J 8 7 6
9 7 6
Q 10 7 6 Table 10 9 8 5
K 10 9 5
8 4
9 5 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

3103. A K 6
A 8 7
K 9 8 6
A Q 9
J 5
K 9 4
4 3 2
10 8 5 4 3 Table 10 9 8 7
Q J 10 6 5
7 5
7 6
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

3105. A K 8
A J 8
K 9 6 5
A Q 4
J 10 6 5
6 4
8 7 3 2
9 8 5 Table 9 7
K Q 10 9 7 5
4
10 7 6 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

3338. A K 5
K Q 6
K 8 5 4
A Q 6
J 10 9 8
10 9 8 4
6
10 9 7 3 Table 7 6
A J 7 5
9 7 3 2
8 5 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

3439. A K 10
A Q 8
K 9 4 2
A 5 4
J 7
7 5 4
8 7 6 5 3
Q 6 3 Table 9 8 6 5
K J 10 9 6
—
10 9 8 7
6 → 10
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

3507. A K
A K Q
K 9 8 6 5
Q 9 8
10 9 7 6 5
10 9 8 6 5 4
3
5 Table J 8
J 7
7 4 2
A 10 7 6 4 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

3518. A 6
A Q J
K 6 4 3
A Q 9 3
K J 8 7
9 8 6 5 4
9
7 6 4 Table 10 9 5
K 10 7
8 7 5 2
10 8 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4026. A 8 6
A K 7
K 9 8 6
A Q 9
K 5
Q 9 8 5 4
5 3 2
10 7 6 Table J 10 9 7
J 10 6
7 4
8 5 4 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4106. K J 10
A K 8
K 9 7 6
A Q 4
7
Q 10 9 5 4
5 4 3 2
10 6 5 Table A 9 8 6 5
J 7 6
8
9 8 7 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4129. A K 5
A Q 8
K 8 4 2
A 9 3
J 10 8 7
10 6
7 6 5
Q 10 7 6 Table 9 6
K J 9 7 5 4
9 3
8 5 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4172. A K 7
A 6
K 9 8 7
A Q 7 3
J 10 8 5
K 10 8 7 4
—
10 8 5 4 Table 9 6
Q J 9 5
6 5 4 3 2
9 6
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4274. A K 5
K J
K 8 6 3
A Q 8 4
10 9
A Q 9 5 4
9 7 5 4 2
5 Table J 8 7 6
10 8 7 6
—
10 9 7 6 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4543. A 7
A Q J
K 8 7 4
A Q 6 4
K J 6 5
6 4
9 6 5
10 8 7 5 Table 10 9 8
K 10 9 8 7 5
3 2
9 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

4987. A 7 6
A K
K 8 5 4
A Q 10 5
J 10 8 5
10 9 8 7 6 5
—
9 7 6 Table K 9
Q J 4
9 7 6 3 2
8 4 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

5667. A 7
A Q J
K 9 3 2
A Q 9 6
K J 10 8
10 8 6 5 4
4
10 7 3 Table 9 6 5
K 9 7
8 7 6 5
8 5 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

5872. A K 5
K Q 6
K 4 3 2
A Q 8
J 9 8 7
10 9 7 5
7 5
7 6 4 Table 10 6
A J 8 4
9 8 6
10 9 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

6026. A K 5
A 8 6
K 8 7 2
A Q 10
7 6
K 9 7 5 4
6
9 8 7 6 3 Table J 10 9 8
Q J 10
9 5 4 3
5 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

6132. A K 5
A 10 9
K 8 4 2
A Q 4
10 9 8 6
J 8 7 6
9 5
9 7 5 Table J 7
K Q 5 4
7 6 3
10 8 6 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

6516. A K 5
A Q 5
K 6 3 2
A 8 4
J 8 7 6
10 7 6 4
7 4
Q 10 9 Table 10 9
K J 9 8
9 8 5
7 6 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

6558. A K 9
A K
8 6 5 3
A Q 4 3
J 10 8 7 6
8 5
K 7
9 8 7 6 Table 5
Q J 10 9 7 6 4
9 4 2
10 5
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

6669. A K 7
A Q 7
K 9 7 6
A 10 9
9 8 6 5
J 5
8 5 3 2
7 5 4 Table J 10
K 10 9 8 6 4
4
Q 8 6 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

6681. A 8
A Q J
K 7 6 5
A Q 9 4
K J 9 5
9 8 4
9 8 2
10 7 3 Table 10 7 6
K 10 7 6 5
4 3
8 6 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

7002. A K J
A J 7
K 5 4 2
A 8 7
10 8 6
K 8 6 4
7 3
Q 10 9 5 Table 9 7 5
Q 10 9 5
9 8 6
6 4 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

7012. A 9
A Q J
K 7 5 3
A Q 7 6
K J 6 5
9 7 6 5
9 8 2
9 8 Table 10 8 7
K 10 8 4
6 4
10 5 4 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

7035. A K 5
A 9 4
K 7 3 2
A Q 3
J 8 7
K Q J 8 5
—
10 9 8 6 5 Table 10 9 6
10 7 6
9 8 6 5 4
7 4
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

7157. A K 9
A 5
K 9 4 3
A Q 7 4
—
K Q 9 8 7 4
8 7 6 5 2
10 3 Table J 10 8 7 6 5
J 10 6
—
9 8 6 5
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

7239. A K 9
A 5 4
K 8 6 3
A Q 10
J 6
K Q J 9
7 2
9 8 7 5 4 Table 10 8 7 5
10 8 7 6
9 5 4
6 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

7397. A J 7
A K Q
9 5 3 2
A Q 7
K 8 6 5
J 10 6 4
K 7
10 6 5 Table 10 9
9 8 7 5
8 6 4
9 8 4 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

8008. A K 6
A Q 7
K 9 7 2
A 5 3
J 9 8 7
8 5 4
8 4 3
Q 9 8 Table 10 5
K J 10 9 6
6 5
10 7 6 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

8041. A K J
K J 7
K 9 8 7
A Q 10
9 8 7
A 10 8 5
—
9 8 7 6 5 3 Table 10 6 5
Q 9 6 4
6 5 4 3 2
4
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

8082. A K J
K Q 8
K 9 5 4
A 10 9
8 7
A 10 9 7 6 5 4
7
8 4 3 Table 10 9 6 5
J
8 6 3 2
Q 7 6 5
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

8225. K J 9
A K 6
K 9 6 5 3
A Q
A 8 7 6 5
J 8 4
4
9 8 4 3 Table 10
Q 10 9 7 5
8 7 2
10 7 6 5
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

8297. K J 10
A K 9
K 7 6 3
A Q 4
5
Q J 10 7 6 4
5 4 2
10 9 7 Table A 9 8 7 6
8 5
9 8
8 6 5 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

8505. A K 5
A Q 5
K 9 4 2
A 8 5
10 8 7 6
8 7 4
6 3
Q 10 9 4 Table J 9
K J 10 9 6
8 7 5
7 6 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

8697. A K 5
A K Q
K 8 7 3
Q 8 4
10 9 8 7 6
J 9 8 7 6
9 4
7 Table J
10 5 4
6 5 2
A 10 9 6 5 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9045. K J 10
A K
K 9 5 2
A Q 9 8
6
Q 9 8 6
8 7 6 3
10 7 4 3 Table A 9 8 7 5
J 10 7 5 4
4
6 5
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9238. A K
K Q J
K 9 6 3
A 10 7 5
J 10 9 8 7 5
9
8 7 5 2
9 4 Table 6
A 10 8 7 6 5 4
4
Q 8 6 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9301. A K 6
A 6
K 5 3 2
A Q 5 4
10 5
K J 10 7
9 8 7 6 4
10 3 Table J 9 8 7
Q 9 8 5 4
—
9 8 7 6
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9344. A K 10
K Q J
K 8 7 5
A 6 4
J 9 5
A 10 9 8 7 6 5
9 2
Q Table 8 7 6
4
6 4 3
10 9 8 7 5 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9493. A 8
A Q J
K 8 7 5
A Q 10 7
K 10 7 5
8 7 6 4
6 3 2
8 6 Table J 9 6
K 10 9 5
9 4
9 5 4 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9502. A K J
A K 8
K 9 6 4
Q 10 9
10 8
Q J 10
8 5
A 8 7 5 4 3 Table 9 7 6 5
9 7 6 5 4
7 3 2
6
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9592. A K
A 7 6
K 9 5 4
A Q 6 5
10
Q 9 8 4
8 7 6 3 2
10 8 7 Table J 9 8 7 6 5
K J 10 5
—
9 4 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9612. A K J
K Q J
9 7 6 5
A Q 3
8 7 5
A 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
—
10 7 Table 10 9 6
—
K 8 4 3 2
9 8 6 5 4
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9967. K J 7
A K J
K 8 5 3
A Q 8
A 10 9 5
10 8
9 7
9 7 6 4 3 Table 8 6
Q 9 7 6 5 4
6 4 2
10 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

9981. A K 9
A J 4
K 6 3 2
A Q 9
8 6 5
K Q 9 7 5
9 5 4
6 3 Table J 10 7
10 8 6
8 7
10 8 7 5 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9982. A K
A K 10
9 8 4 2
A Q 6 5
10 7 6 5
J 4
K 5 3
8 7 4 3 Table J 9 8
Q 9 8 7 6 5
7 6
10 9
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9983. A K 7
A K
K 4 3 2
A 9 6 3
8 5
J 9 7 6 4
9 8 7 6
Q 4 Table J 10 9 6
Q 10 8 5
5
10 8 7 5
6 → 13
6 NT → 13 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9984. A K 10
A K 6
K 7 4 3
A 7 6
9 8 6 5
Q J 10 9
9 6 5
9 8 Table J 7
8 7 5 4
8 2
Q 10 5 4 3
6 → 13
6 NT → 13 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9985. A K 7
A 7 4
K 8 5 3
A Q 10
J 9 8
K Q J 5
4 2
9 7 4 3 Table 10 6 5
10 9 8 6
9 7 6
8 6 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9986. A 10 5
A K 8
K 9 8 6
A Q 9
J 8 7
J 9 5 4
5 3 2
8 5 3 Table K 9 6
Q 10 7 6
7 4
10 7 6 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9987. A 9 6
A K
K 9 7 2
A Q 4 3
K J 5
10 9 8 7 6 4
6 4
8 5 Table 10 8 7
Q J 5
8 5 3
10 9 7 6
6 → 11
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9988. A K 10
K Q J
K 7 5 3
A 9 8
5
A 10 9 8 7 6 5
9 2
7 6 3 Table J 9 8 7 6
4
8 6 4
Q 10 5 4
6 → 11
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9989. A K J
A Q 4
K 8 7 3
A 9 8
7 6 5
J 10 8 6
9 6 4 2
6 4 Table 10 9 8
K 9 7 5
5
Q 10 7 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9990. A K 6
A K 5
K 9 7 2
A 10 4
10 9 8 7
9 6
8 5 4
Q 9 8 5 Table J 5
Q J 10 8 7 4
6 3
7 6 3
6 → 13
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

9991. A K 8
A 4
K 9 3 2
A Q 8 5
J 9 7 5
K Q 9 5
7 6
10 9 7 Table 10 6
J 10 8 7 6
8 5 4
6 4 3
6 → 13
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9992. A 9 6
A K 9
K 9 6 3
A Q 10
K 8 5
Q 8 7 6
7 4
8 7 6 3 Table J 10 7
J 10 5 4
8 5 2
9 5 4
6 → 11
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9993. A K
A 5 4
K 7 4 3
A Q 10 9
8 7 5
J 10
9 6 5 2
8 5 4 3 Table J 10 9 6
K Q 9 8 7 6
8
7 6
6 → 13
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9994. A K 6
A 9 7
K 6 5 3 2
A Q
7
Q 8 6 5 4
7 4
10 7 6 4 3 Table J 10 9 8 5
K J 10
9 8
9 8 5
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9995. A K 10
K Q 9
K 9 7 5
A Q 8
8 7 6
A J 10 6 4
6 2
9 6 4 Table J 9 5
8 7 5
8 4 3
10 7 5 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9996. A J 7
A Q 6
K 6 4 3
A Q 10
K 9 8 6 5
J 9 7
9 8 7 5
6 Table 10
K 10 8 5 4
2
9 8 7 5 4 3
6 → 11
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9997. A 6 5
A K 5
K 7 4 2
A Q 3
K J 10 9
Q 10 9 4
9 6 5 3
4 Table 8 7
J 8 7 6
8
10 9 8 7 6 5
6 → 11
6 NT → 10 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9998. A K 7
K Q J
K 9 7 5 4
A 9
J 10 8 6 5
A 8 6
8 6 2
Q 8 Table 9
10 9 7 5 4
3
10 7 6 5 4 3
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

9999. A 9
A K Q
K 9 7 4
A 8 7 3
K 8 6 5
9 8 7 5 4
3 2
Q 5 Table J 10 7
J 10 6
8 6 5
10 9 6 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 11 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

10000. A 9
A K 9
K 6 5 2
A Q 9 8
J 8
Q J 8 6 5 4
7
10 7 5 3 Table K 10 7 6 5
10 7
9 8 4 3
6 4
6 → 12
6 NT → 12 Q 4 3 2
3 2
A Q J 10
K J 2

Simulation 8Z03 Main Top Diamonds or Notrump?

North deals	?		West	North	East	South
	?			2 NT¹	Pass	3
	?		Pass	3	Pass	?
	?
?		?	1. 20-21
?		?
?		?
?		?
	Q 4 3 2
	3 2
	A Q J 10
	K J 2

1.	K J 9 A K Q K 9 7 6 A 8 5
A 6 J 10 7 5 4 8 5 4 2 7 4		10 8 7 5 9 8 6 3 Q 10 9 6 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

2.	A J A K J K 9 8 7 6 A 8 6
K 10 9 8 5 Q 10 3 2 Q 9 7 5		7 6 9 8 7 6 5 4 5 4 10 4 3
6 → 13 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

3.	A K 5 A Q K 4 3 2 A 8 7 3
10 9 6 K J 9 5 4 9 5 Q 10 4		J 8 7 10 8 7 6 8 7 6 9 6 5
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

4.	A K 5 A K Q K 7 6 5 2 Q 6
10 9 8 7 6 10 8 8 3 A 10 7 4		J J 9 7 6 5 4 9 4 9 8 5 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

5.	K 6 A K J K 9 8 7 3 A Q 4
A J 7 9 8 6 5 6 4 2 10 9 6		10 9 8 5 Q 10 7 4 5 8 7 5 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

6.	A 8 A K 9 K 9 4 3 A Q 7 5
K 7 Q 10 8 6 5 8 7 5 10 6 4		J 10 9 6 5 J 7 4 6 2 9 8 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

7.	A K 7 A 10 K 9 6 4 A Q 10 7
10 9 6 Q 9 7 7 5 2 8 6 4 3		J 8 5 K J 8 6 5 4 8 3 9 5
6 → 13 6 NT → 13	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

8.	A 8 7 A K K 6 5 3 A Q 8 7
K J 10 5 J 9 8 4 9 8 2 9 5		9 6 Q 10 7 6 5 7 4 10 6 4 3
6 → 11 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

9.	A K 7 A K 6 4 3 2 A Q 4 3
10 5 Q 10 6 5 4 K 9 10 9 6 5		J 9 8 6 J 9 8 7 8 7 5 8 7
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

10.	A 6 A K Q K 8 6 2 A 10 6 4
K J 10 9 8 J 9 7 6 5 4 3 9		7 5 10 8 4 9 7 5 Q 8 7 5 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

11.	A 8 5 A K 6 K 9 7 3 A Q 4
K J 10 9 6 Q 7 5 4 8 6 4 3		7 J 10 9 8 5 2 10 9 8 7 6 5
6 → 11 6 NT → 10	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

12.	A K J A K J K 9 4 2 Q 10 6
7 6 10 7 5 4 8 5 3 A 9 8 3		10 9 8 5 Q 9 8 6 7 6 7 5 4
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

13.	A K 8 A 6 K 7 5 4 3 A Q 3
J 9 7 6 K Q 8 8 2 9 8 6 4		10 5 J 10 9 7 5 4 9 6 10 7 5
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

14.	A K 7 A Q K 7 5 4 3 A 7 5
J 10 9 5 10 9 8 6 8 10 8 6 4		8 6 K J 7 5 4 9 6 2 Q 9 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

15.	A K 5 A Q 8 K 9 6 3 A 8 7
J 10 9 8 K 10 9 5 2 Q 9 4 3		7 6 J 7 6 5 4 8 7 4 10 6 5
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

16.	A K 8 A K 9 6 4 3 A Q 6 3
6 Q 9 8 6 5 8 7 5 9 7 5 4		J 10 9 7 5 J 10 7 4 K 2 10 8
6 → 13 6 NT → 13	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

17.	A K 10 A 7 5 K 6 5 2 A Q 6
8 7 K J 4 9 8 7 3 9 8 5 4		J 9 6 5 Q 10 9 8 6 4 10 7 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

18.	A K 9 A K 10 K 8 7 4 3 A 5
8 Q 8 7 5 4 6 5 2 Q 9 6 3		J 10 7 6 5 J 9 6 9 10 8 7 4
6 → 13 6 NT → 13	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

19.	A K 9 A 10 K 9 8 6 3 A Q 3
J 7 K J 8 5 5 2 10 9 7 6 5		10 8 6 5 Q 9 7 6 4 7 4 8 4
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

20.	A K 10 A 10 K 9 8 6 4 A Q 10
7 J 8 7 6 5 4 7 3 7 5 4 3		J 9 8 6 5 K Q 9 5 2 9 8 6
6 → 12 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

130.	A 8 A Q J K 9 6 3 A Q 10 8
K 10 9 6 10 8 7 5 4 5 4 9 4		J 7 5 K 9 6 8 7 2 7 6 5 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 10	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

418.	A 5 A K 7 K 9 8 2 A Q 5 4
K 10 7 6 6 7 5 4 3 10 9 7 6		J 9 8 Q J 10 9 8 5 4 6 8 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

773.	A K 5 A K 9 7 3 2 A Q 7 3
— J 7 5 4 K 8 6 5 4 10 9 5 4		J 10 9 8 7 6 Q 10 9 8 6 — 8 6
6 → 11 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

812.	K J 6 A K K 9 7 2 A Q 9 5
— Q 10 9 8 5 5 4 10 8 7 6 4 3		A 10 9 8 7 5 J 7 6 4 8 6 3 —
6 → 8 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

1629.	K J 9 A K 4 K 7 5 3 A Q 6
A 10 8 6 5 10 8 6 6 8 5 4 3		7 Q J 9 7 5 9 8 4 2 10 9 7
6 → 11 6 NT → 12	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

2041.	A 8 A K 8 K 9 6 5 A Q 8 7
K 9 5 Q J 9 5 4 8 7 2 6 5		J 10 7 6 10 7 6 4 3 10 9 4 3
6 → 12 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

2117.	A 5 A Q J K 6 4 3 A Q 7 6
K J 10 6 10 9 8 9 5 2 8 4 3		9 8 7 K 7 6 5 4 8 7 10 9 5
6 → 12 6 NT → 10	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

2123.	A K 6 A 10 8 K 6 5 3 A Q 3
10 8 K J 6 7 4 10 9 8 6 5 4		J 9 7 5 Q 9 7 5 4 9 8 2 7
6 → 12 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2

2199.	A K 7 A Q 5 K 8 6 2 A 8 5
J 9 8 10 8 4 7 4 Q 9 6 4 3		10 6 5 K J 9 7 6 9 5 3 10 7
6 → 12 6 NT → 11	Q 4 3 2 3 2 A Q J 10 K J 2