64 KJ5 AKJ64 653
AK932 AT9 83 Q87		Q Q43 QT95 AKT92
	JT875 9762 72 J4

 

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1
Pass	1	2	Pass
Pass	???

This is an actual hand that was played at the recent LasVegas NABC.

You are sitting west and your partner opens a club and you respond a spade.

Your left hand opponent now bids 2 and your partner passes. You are responder and partner does not know that you have a full opener, but you can infer one of several things.

1. Partner does not have 3 or 4 card spade support as he would have bid 2 spades with 4 pieces or doubled with 3 pieces.

You have 5 spades, a heart stopper (or 2) and a possible club fit with partner, so why not look for 3NT.

You would however ask partner if he has a diamond stopper and you could do that by bidding 3. Partner having this stopper would certainly bid 3NT.

But WAIT! Is there a better bid?

Yes!

How about doubling your opponent's 2 bid first. Maybe partner has his clubs and some good diamonds. You have the spades and hearts covered and maybe you will profit more by setting 2 doubled then you will by making 3, 4, or 5NT.

If partner cannot sit for the double he will tell you so with another bid.

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes......2 takes only 4 tricks at most with the proper defense for down 4 for a score of 800 vs. 430/460. Even with a poor defense, the hand is down 3 for a score of 500 vs. 430/460.

How about a TOP vs average or average minus?