Golden Opportunity

22nd January – Board 19. East/West Game. Dealer South.

Sometimes doing the right thing can backfire and the featured hand is a case in point.

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

West	North	East	South
			No
1D	No	1NT	No
2C	Dbl	3C	3H
End

Once East responds 1NT to his diamond opening West knows that there is a guaranteed club fit, for what else can his partner hold, incapable as he is of bidding a major or raising diamonds? Hence the 2C call. Well thought out as this may be it provides a golden opportunity for North to back into the auction with a double, showing both majors. East will raise the clubs I dare say but South, with his wonderful fit in both his partner’s suits has an easy 3H bid and will make nine or ten tricks depending on the defence. And if East/West bid on they can only go negative.