Pressure Bid

14^th November – Board 19: East/West Game. Dealer South.

Relative vulnerability is a key factor when wondering whether to sacrifice or not and if you are going to do so then it is important to bid as much as possible as soon as possible.

	North: S K Q 9 7 6 4 2 H 3 D A J 9 4 C 5
West: S A 10 3 H Q 9 8 4 D 6 C A Q 10 8 2		East: S J 8 H A K J 10 D Q 10 7 5 C K 9 4
	South: S 5 H 7 6 5 2 D K 8 3 2 C J 7 6 3

West	North	East	South
			No
1C	4S	Dbl	No
No/5H	End

That 4S bid is a real pressure bid for while East has a clear cut double, showing values, it is by no means obvious to bid 5H on the West hand. With the vulnerability favouring North/South 4S will only be defeated by a couple of tricks while 5H is ‘cold’ the other way. If North merely overcalls at a minimum level then again East will double but this time the heart fit will come to light and the opportunity that North will have had will have gone begging.