BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

AT LOVE All, West opens 1♠ and your partner overcalls 2♦. What action do you take when RHO then bids 3♦?

FIRST of all, we need to understand the meaning of East’s 3♦ bid, which is clearly not natural.

It is a cue-bid, sometimes called a ‘directional asking bid’, and suggests that partner should bid 3NT with a partial stopper in the opponent’s suit, in this case diamonds.

Your best action now is to double 3♦; this should tell partner that you have some length and strength in his suit, and it might help him decide whether to sacrifice in 5♦, if the opponents reach 4♠.

The double says nothing about the strength of your hand generally.

Under no circumstances should you entertain showing your heart suit, so if you decide not to double, you must pass.