A year or so ago, Nikos Sarantakos and I wrote a book ‘Bridge Hands to Make You Laugh.... and Cry’. It was the bridge equivalent of a collection of TV out-takes. This deal from the USA-Netherlands Women’s Olympiad match would have been suitable material. There is a time and place for four-card overcalls. You should (a) be strong, (b) have length in the opener’s suit and (c) have a shape that is unsuitable for a takeout double. Arnolds’ hand satisfied two of these conditions but was too weak in terms of general strength. West had her raise to 4H but it seemed it would be an expensive outing for the Dutch pair. The US South, with K-Q-10-6 in the trump suit, would surely double. Declarer would then lose three trump tricks and three spades for a penalty of 500. Randi Montin duly doubled and the US supporters were expecting an excellent board. The bidding was not yet over, however. Jill Meyers must have read the double as an ‘action double’, showing general values and inviting partner to judge what to do next. She bid 5C and the US women ended in 5D doubled, going 1100 down. In the other room the Dutch North was two down undoubled in 3D, so the net cost of the 5C bid was 28 IMPs! The match ended in a draw.
What will you rebid?
Answer It is a gamble to bid 3NT with no stopper in two suits. Also, the wrong hand would play the contract. If partner held K-x in spades or diamonds, the lead would come through the king. The most descriptive rebid is 3H. Do not worry that partner will raise this suit. He is most unlikely to hold four hearts, once he has responded 3C. By showing good values in hearts, you may allow your partner to bid 3NT.
AWARDS: 3H — 10, 5C — 7, 4C — 6, 3NT — 5.
A year or so ago, Nikos Sarantakos and I wrote a book ‘Bridge Hands to Make You Laugh.... and Cry’. It was the bridge equivalent of a collection of TV out-takes. This deal from the USA-Netherlands Women’s Olympiad match would have been suitable material. There is a time and place for four-card overcalls. You should (a) be strong, (b) have length in the opener’s suit and (c) have a shape that is unsuitable for a takeout double. Arnolds’ hand satisfied two of these conditions but was too weak in terms of general strength. West had her raise to 4H but it seemed it would be an expensive outing for the Dutch pair. The US South, with K-Q-10-6 in the trump suit, would surely double. Declarer would then lose three trump tricks and three spades for a penalty of 500. Randi Montin duly doubled and the US supporters were expecting an excellent board. The bidding was not yet over, however. Jill Meyers must have read the double as an ‘action double’, showing general values and inviting partner to judge what to do next. She bid 5C and the US women ended in 5D doubled, going 1100 down. In the other room the Dutch North was two down undoubled in 3D, so the net cost of the 5C bid was 28 IMPs! The match ended in a draw.
Answer