Hard to Put on the Brakes

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It was hard for NS to put on the brakes on this hand:

no brakes

 

South decided to make the takeout double rather than overcall with his nice hand. When his rebid was two spades, he confirmed a big hand. North was broke and signed off in three diamonds, which went down two.

I suggest South could have done better by overcalling one spade at 1st turn. In retrospect the Q 8 of hearts should be downgraded, and there is too much uncertainty about finding a spade fit. The overcall will get that cleared up immediately. (It’s, of course, easy for me to say all this when all four hands are visible!)

Be careful not to fall in love with your hand when RHO has opened the bidding. Your partner is unlikely to have much help.

Notice the difference between this auction and the auction in my last two posts (here and here) on this hand. This time East chose not to open 1NT while holding a five-card major. Opening 1NT with a five-card major works out most of the time in opinion of experts. But this time the major suit opening bid worked out better for EW.

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