3. Doubled diamond disaster

South Deals
NS Vul

K Q 3 2

7 6 5

4

A K 8 7 4

4

A Q J 8 4 3 

A K Q 10 9 5

-

10 8 6

K 9

8 7 6 2

J 10 5 3

 

A J 9 7 5

10 2

J 3

Q 9 6 2 


What do you bid on the West hand when North has opened 1♣ and South has responded with 1♠? Well, there are various options, like double or 2NT, both asking for the other two suits, or a cue-bid of either 2♣ or 2♠. When this hand was played in a teams match the other night, both Wests chose 2NT, over which both Norths went straight to 4♠. One East was distinctly pusillanimous and passed, the resulting contract being just 5, NS wisely passing. In the other room, East fancied his holdings in the red suits and bid 5, raised to 6 by West…….and North doubled. Oh dear.