BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

YOUR partner opens 1 ♥ , and the next hand doubles. What action do you take? REMEMBERING the principles of the past couple of days — that you should always pass if you are content with partner’s doubled contract — you will bid 2 ♦ here and partner should get a clear message from this that you don’t like hearts (generally not more than a singleton); you are very weak or you might have redoubled or come into the auction later; and that you have a long suit (normally at least six-card).

This is valuable information, and it retains the initiative for your side.

If there had been no double, you would have had to pass on the hand because you are too weak to bid at the two-level and there is no other bid available to you than in diamonds.