First bid lights the road

I teach a lot of bridge classes, especially during the early part of the year. I see some mistakes made time and time again. This deal highlights one of the most common. After East opens one heart as dealer, South makes a takeout double, and West passes, what should North do?

Assuming the advancer (the doubler’s partner) does not have a hand suitable for no-trump, an inexperienced player answers a takeout double by bidding the suit that he prefers at a minimum level regardless of high-card count. He expects partner to be psychic in divining how many points he holds.

By an unpassed hand, a new suit shows about 0-8 points. A single jump in a suit promises 9-11 points. And with a hand as strong as North’s, one should start with a cue-bid of the opener’s suit. This is artificial, just indicating 12 points or more. (A passed hand should lower those ranges by two points.)

After this cue- bid, the hunt is on for a fit. Here, South rebids two spades, North raises to three spades, and South goes on to four spades.

West leads the heart three. East takes two tricks with his king and ace, then shifts to the club jack. How should South play the trumps?

There are only 13 highcard points missing. Ergo, East must have the spade king. Declarer should play a spade to dummy’s ace and continue with a low spade. When the king luckily appears, the contract is home.