BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

WiTH your side only vulnerable, what would you bid?

YoU know, of course, that north is prepared for you to pass his double, but what hope have you got of helping him to defeat the contract?

the chance that he will lead a heart is slender and, even if he does, you have no way of getting in to make heart tricks even if you can clear the suit.

this is a hand on which there is something wiser you can do than pass the double, and that is take out into 2 ♥ .

You know that partner will be giving you a minimum of 14 points and he’s likely to have something in hearts. 2 ♥ is a contract you have every chance of making, while 1nt doubled could be disastrous.

PETER DONOVAN