Bridge

Pass Pass dbl Opening Lead: ƆJ

South was unable to scramble more than four tricks and the contract was down four, N-S 800.

West was handcuffed by the weak two-bid and elected to pass and await developments. When partner issued a takeout double, he was quite content to pass in the expectation of a huge penalty even if partner was simply balancing. At this vulnerability, West could not have been happier to defend the doubled partscore. Suppose that E-W were red against white. Would this change West's opinion? I don't think so because his spades assure him of three trump winners where defeat is inevitable. It is quite possible that East was balancing with less than an opening bid but spade shortness. Suppose that East had made a balancing double with 9 HCP and a 1,4,4,4 distribution. Would West wish to play 3NT opposite this construction? Obviously he would not but would rather accept the penalty from defending two spades doubled. South's weak two-bid was a very reasonable action but he had run into a buzz saw on this occasion.

West would likely score eleven tricks at 3NT losing a trick in each major. However, +460 pales in comparison to the actual result.