Pre-protection

28th May–Board 7. Game All. Dealer South.

Sometimes you have to protect partner’s holding before you even know he has one! (And occasionally he won’t.)

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

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

If South had not already passed then it would be more risky for East to double that 2S bid because South might still have a big hand and you might be offering up a big penalty. Here though South has already passed so the likelihood is that he is just making a weakness take-out, making it imperative to speak now while your side has the chance. 3D would make and 3S won’t which just underlines the fact that you just cannot afford to sit there and be quiet!