Bidding your way along the path

Mike Lawrence, a three-time Bermuda Bowl world team champion, has written many excellent books. His latest, “Insights on Bridge, Moments in Bidding Book 1” (Baron Barclay Bridge Supplies), has an unusual format. Lawrence discusses 103(!) situations, usually the bidding of the partnership’s hands, but occasionally of one hand. Each chapter ends with a postmortem.

Look at the North hand and the auction. What should North do now?

In this deal, North has a weak hand and a long suit. Partner seems to be in trouble. Should North bid his suit or let partner stew?

Lawrence explains why North should pass. West’s one-no-trump showed something in hearts, which was not lost on South. He also knew North was weak and there was a risk that he would get doubled. North holds the diamond king, more than he might have had.

Note that two spades doubled would definitely go down two, and can be taken down three. What happens in two hearts doubled, though?

At the table, West led the spade jack. Declarer won with his ace, played a diamond to the king, took his other two diamond winners and ruffed his last diamond on the board. Yes, he had to concede three trumps and two clubs, but that was still plus 470 instead of minus 300 or 500 in two spades doubled.

Lawrence concludes by discussing a different sequence: One club by East, one heart by South, pass by West and North, double by East, pass by South and West. Now North should run to one spade because South has not promised long, strong hearts.