BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

PLAYING Pairs, your partner opens 1 ♥ , and RHO intervenes with a jump overcall of 3 ♦ (intermediate strength, but not weak). What action do you take? This is an awkward situation at the best of times and made more difficult by not knowing the precise strength of the pre-empt.

With the balance of strength on your side, you must not let your opponent succeed in obstructing your auction. You are not strong enough to risk bidding 3 ♠ , so your options are 3NT, or to make a penalty double.

Many pairs use negative doubles at this level, and they presumably have to pass and hope for partner to re-open with a double. i think the player in the ‘over’ position is best placed to judge the right action, and here i’d choose to go for penalties. in this case partner held: ♠ Axx ♥ AKQxx ♦x ♣ 9xxx and, whilst 3NT and 4 ♠ both made comfortably, 3 ♦ was four down for an 800 penalty — and top score.