No Pressure

20^th March – Board 6: East/West Game. Dealer East.

North thought he had a ‘no-risk bid’ on the hand shown below but in fact a more bullish approach might well have brought in a better score.

	North: S 9 H K J 9 D A K Q 10 8 6 2 C 6 5
West: S A 8 5 4 H 8 2 D 5 4 3 C Q 7 3 2		East: S K Q 10 6 2 H A Q D J 9 7 C A K 4
	South: S J 7 3 H 10 7 6 5 4 3 D none C J 10 9 8

West	North	East	South
		2C	No
2D	Dbl	2NT	No
3C	No	3S	No
4S	End

I give the bidding as it occurred at the table. 2C was either an Acol two in an unspecified suit or a balanced 19/20 points and 2D was a relay asking for greater clarification. Now it might look right to double 2D with that North hand but by doing so it allowed East/West to proceed as per normal and the 5-4 spade fit came to light. Now imagine that North bids 3D, or better still 4D, putting pressure on the opposing pair. If East bids spades then surely partner will think that opener has an Acol two in that suit and the safer bet might seem to be to double. North can make eight tricks with no trouble at all and even a 300 penalty would be great compensation for the vulnerable game the opposition could have scored.