BRIDGE

BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xJ 7 5

u9 8 7 5 3

v10 8 7 3 2

wVoid

WEST EAST

xQ 6 xA K 10 9 4

uK 4 uA 10 6

vK J 6 vQ 9 5 4

wK 10 8 7 6 5 w4

SOUTH

x8 3 2

uQ J 2

vA

wA Q J 9 3 2

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1x 2w Pass Pass

Dbl Pass Pass Redbl*

Pass 2u Pass Pass

Dbl All pass

*SOS

Opening lead: King of u

Playing negative doubles, as most duplicate players do, a responder wanting to double an overcall for penalties can’t do so. He must pass and count on partner to re-open with a double anytime opener has shortness in the overcalled suit and reasonable defensive values. That’s what happened here when West passed East’s takeout double, converting it to penalties and expecting a juicy result.

North knew that two clubs doubled would be a disaster for his side. What to do? At social bridge or rubber bridge, where a stake is often involved, a redouble is used to increase the score when you think your contract is going to make. At duplicate, however, making a doubled contract is almost always a top board – redoubling to increase your score is pointless. A redouble in these situations is called an “SOS” redouble. It says, “Partner, we are going to get killed in this contract. Please try something else.” That something else might also get killed, but at least you tried.

South tried his three-card heart fragment and was doubled there also. West found the most effective defense of a trump lead and continuation, but South was able to scramble three heart tricks, one diamond, and two clubs. Down two was poor recompense for the vulnerable game available to East-West. What went wrong?

We agree with West’s decision to try to penalize two clubs, but two hearts was another matter. West should have bid three no trump rather than choosing to defend against two hearts doubled.

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