Can't Win

24th March – Board 2. North/South Game. Dealer East.

Bridge, like life, can be so disappointing sometimes. Pity poor North on the hand shown below who was faced with two losing alternatives.

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

West	North	East	South
		No	No
2S	Dbl	4S	No
No	Dbl	End

Facing a passed hand on his left and a weak hand on his right it is hard to imagine North going quietly after the opposition bid freely and easily to the laydown spade game. But in fact he has no winning option and most likely he will double, conceding 590 for his pains. South will want to bid of course but with such a meagre hand will probably pass and hope for the best and the alternative bid of 5H will in any event cost 800 if the opponents wake up in time.