Joining In

23rd July – Board 13. Game All. Dealer North.

A lot of the more interesting deals come from part-score battles as exemplified in the hand shown below.

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

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

Note that West does not have to bid after the double because to do so would show better values. Nor should North ever contemplate leaving the double in for penalties as 1H would make in some comfort with an overtrick. The hand is better than it might be but the values in hearts are wasted so 1S it is. With a minimum double in the first place South should pass but now West enters the fray with a take-out double, showing the minors obviously. North will have one more go and East should be happy to bid diamonds at the three level and at last par has been obtained!