BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

YouR RHo deals and opens 1 ♦ . What action would you take if non-vulnerable? And would you do the same when vulnerable? JUDGING your correct action in a competitive situation is often far more difficult than when you and partner are on your own.

You have to combine the need to interfere and obstruct with a certain degree of safety for your side because there is a very real danger that you may be sandwiched between an opening bid and left-hand opponent who can make a penalty double.

If vulnerable, you should not even consider intervening on this hand, which might well cost far more than any gain you could make.

But non-vulnerable, it is well worth coming in with 1 ♠ ; it may prevent LHO from bidding NT, if he has no spade stopper, or from showing hearts at the one-level.

It is an advantage to hold the top-ranking suit: it forces opponents to bid at a higher level. So partner, knowing you have five spades, may be able to give pre-emptive support on slender values — making life really difficult for the opponents to determine their best contract.