Goren Bridge

When we first started writing this column, we defined a negative double as “values with no clear bid.” Some readers took us to task insisting that, in auctions where there was only one unbid major, the double promises at least four cards in that major. We held our ground. A player must take responsibility for his values, and there are hands that a negative double is the best solution despite having only three cards in the unbid major.

Today’s deal offers an example. North decided that a negative double was his best option despite holding only three spades. He gulped when South jumped to four spades, but he put down a dummy with full values for his bid. There are more effective opening leads for the defense, but West made the same lead that most players would make — his singleton diamond. East won with his ace and shifted to the queen of hearts. A diamond return would not have defeated the contract and might have yielded an overtrick.

South won the heart shift with his ace and played safely for his contract. He cashed the ace and king of spades, followed by the ace and king of clubs to discard his remaining heart. He started running his diamonds. The defenders scored both of their trumps, but South finished with 10 tricks and his contract.