Bridge Play

Sometimes I think an additional call should be available in the auction: When a player doubles a contract for penalty, he should be able to re-examine hand, reconsider — and undouble.

In today’s deal, East raised West’s one heart to two. When South bid two spades, West jumped to four hearts, and after two passes, South tried four spades. West’s double was ill-judged.

South ruffed West’s second high heart with the king of trumps. He led his five to dummy’s seven and returned the three of clubs to his jack. West took the king and led another heart. South ruffed, went to the ace of trumps and let the ten of clubs ride.

REMORSE

West was starting to have doubler’s remorse, but it was too late to undouble. South next led a diamond to his king and lost only one diamond. Making four, doubled. Well played.

“I don’t know why I doubled,” West said, “but he needed the seven of trumps in dummy to make it.”

Actually, South can succeed with best play if dummy’s trumps are A-2.

DAILY QUESTION

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH A7 963 6532 10943

WEST

42 AKQ854 QJ8

K6

SOUTH KQJ10985 2

K7 AJ2

EAST

63 J107 A1094 Q875

East 2 Pass

You hold: A7 963 6532 10 9 4 3. Your partner opens two clubs (strong, artificial), you respond two diamonds (negative or waiting), he bids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner promises nine winners in his own hand. With A 7, 9 6 3, K 5 3 2, 10 9 4 3, you would have raised two hearts to three to show some values. With three trumps and an ace, you surely must bid four hearts now.