Matchpoint Delicacy + good opening lead problem *** vs. 5 level bid

We had several good boards in the first final session of the All Western Open Pairs due to conservative bidding, or, as I call it, "delicate matchpoint bidding".  This is in contrast, of course, to team play where aggressive bidding pays off.

1.  First seat, unfavorable, I made a rather undisciplined 2S bid with:

♠  KJ8765
♥  85
♦  85
♣  J76

Bob elected to pass with:

♠  A93
♥  xxx
♦  QJ97
♣  AKx

As Bob had 8 losers his pass was correct.  It netted us a plus 140 and 20 out of 25 matchpoints. 

We rely heavily on "losing trick count" theory in our bidding.  A weak-two bid has 7 or 8 losers, so you don't want to bid game unless you have a 6-7 loser hand.  With a 6 loser hand bid game.  With a 7 loser hand (at matchpoints) make a bid to elicit a description of opener's hand.  Discuss cover cards.

2.  Third seat, none vul., Bob opened 1H with:

♠  xx
♥  KJ10xxx
♦  xx
♣  AQ76

Next hand overcalled 1S and I raised to 2H with:

♠  Q1085
♥  Q865
♦  xxx
♣  K10

Next hand doubled, presumably responsive, and Bob made the key call of 3H, effectively preempting the opponents who were reluctant to  bid on.  As they could make 5 diamonds, losing only 2 clubs, our plus 140 gained us 22 out of 25 matchpoints.

3.  RHO opened 2S and Bob balanced with a 3 heart bid to me:

♠  J9xx
♥  J643
♦  K9x
♣  Kx

I made another delicate matchpoint pass.  At imps, it would be a no-brainer to raise to game, but our conservative bidding was paying off . . .

Bob's hand:

♠  Ax
♥  KQ1085
♦  AQ6
♣  Jxx

Plus 140 was worth 18 out of 25 matchpoints.  And so it went.  Unfortunately, we didn't have a big game despite all of these decisions that worked out well.

4. Finally, an opening lead problem from the same session:

♠  93
♥  107653
♦  4
♣  KQ872

RHO opened 1S, LHO bid 2D, RHO rebid 2S and LHO raised to 3S.  RHO bid 4C, LHO bid 4D, RHO bid 4S and after some thought, LHO bid 5S.  The auction guides you to the correct lead:

1S   2D
2S   3S
4C   4D
4S   5S

The 5S bid asks for the opener to bid 6 if he does not hold two quick losers in the unbid suit--in this case hearts. 

♠  93
♥  107653
♦  4
♣  KQ872

If you're not paying attention you might lead the king of clubs or the singleton diamond, but clearly a heart is called for.  We took the first two heart tricks and were rewarded for 22 of 25 matchpoints for holding them to 5.  Any other lead enables declarer to pitch a heart from his hand on a long diamond and make 6.

See you at the table!