BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

WHAT would you bid on the South hand? HAVING analysed the significance of the bidding yesterday, it is fairly certain the opponents will make a vulnerable game and possibly a slam.

So your options lie between (a) doing nothing, and hoping for the best, (b) making a speculative advance sacrifice in hearts or (c) trying to obstruct the opponents and/or defeat their contract. Doubling 3 ♣ achieves nothing except help the opponents; to pass is terribly passive and boring; 6 ♥ would be the minimum level at which a sacrifice bid might prove effective, and it’s a bit ‘hit or miss’; your only realistic and possibly devastating bid is 3 ♦ !

It doesn’t matter when partner believes you naturally have diamonds and supports you, because you can escape into his higher-ranking heart suit. More critically, it might jam the opponents’ auction; if it doesn’t and they still reach a high-level spade contract, partner will hopefully lead a diamond, not a heart, for you to ruff. 3 ♦ is the logical, and common- sense Acol-style bid here — albeit somewhat psychic!