BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

With your side only vulnerable, what would you bid? AS WE know, the double of a no-trump opening bid is intended primarily for penalties, and the doubler’s partner should not take action unless he thinks there is something better, or wiser to do. A vulnerable game for your side on a hand unsuitable for defence, or a ‘rescue’ into a long suit with no defensive values comes under the heading of something better, but how can you improve the situation here?

You have no points with which to help north defeat the contract, it is true; but neither can you do anything to produce a positive score for your side. The only thing you can do is pass, and hope that the contract won’t be too costly. After all, north may have far more than his guaranteed 14 points, and even if 1nT doubled makes — perhaps with over-tricks, it won’t concede a game. if you are playing duplicate, many other n-S pairs are likely to be in the same boat.