bridge
bridge
Neither vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x7 5 4
uA Q J 3
vJ 10 9 4 3
wA
WEST EAST
xK Q J 10 3 x9 2
u9 8 2uK 10 7 6
v5 v6 2
wK J 7 6 wQ 10 8 5 3
SOUTH
xA 8 6
u5 4
vA K Q 8 7
w9 4 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v 1x Dbl Pass
2vPass 5v Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: King of x
Here’s another example from Eddie Kantar’s series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players anxious to improve their game.
“North’s double is negative. It shows four or more hearts. If exactly four hearts, the double is unlimited showing a minimum of 7-8 high-card points because it forces partner to bid at the two-level. If the doubler has five or more hearts, the double is limited to 10 high-card points. With 11 or more, responder bids a direct two hearts.
“A one-level overcall is assumed to be a five-card suit. Minimum. With a six-card suit and 6-9 high-card points, a weak jump overcall is often the choice. With a six-card suit and opening bid values, the suit is overcalled at the one-level and repeated at the two-level, if possible. As West did not rebid spades at the two-level, it is likely that he has only five spades. As South, you can use the inference in the play.
“Duck the first spade and win the second. After you draw trumps, and take the losing heart finesse, East has no spade to return, so you can discard your losing spade on a good heart. Had you won the first spade, East would have had a spade to return upon winning the king of hearts and down you go. Winning the second round of a suit holding A-x often cuts the communications.”
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