Some Doubt

13th November – Board 15. North/South Game. Dealer South.

This was an exciting board from last Thursday’s teams competition with good judgement being shown all round, although there is some doubt as to East’s final decision.

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

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

For once the bidding is simple enough – up to a point – but there are a couple of instructive points. Firstly it is a very good idea to have that ‘double’ made by South to show precisely four spades and a bid of 1S to show five or more. Why? Well because if West bounces the bidding then North will know whether or not he can support spades with a three card holding as he will know whether his partner holds five or more. West should bid 4H of course, following the general theory to bid to the total number of trumps held and here he knows his partner holds at least five because of the overcall. Here with his five loser hand North has no trouble in bidding 4S which puts the spotlight back on East who would do well to double but badly to bid 5H. The middle of the road action would be just to pass and 4S would drift one or maybe two off with only ten tricks available to East/West in hearts.