IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

People who use the negative double convention sometimes forget they can still penalize the opponents. This hand is an excellent example.

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#13-17
Dlr	N
Vul	N/S

	J83
	J97
	3
	J98762

	K10
	Q1083
	A10965
	104

	A9652
	A54
	7
	AQ53

	Q74
	K62
	KQJ842
	K

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

Bidding: After South overcalled 2, West noted the vulnerability and passed in tempo. East made a routine re-opening double and everyone passed.

Play: West led the king of spades and continued with another. East won the ace and returned the deuce of spades asking for a club return. West ruffed the third spade and obediently led back a club. East won the ace and switched to his diamond. Declarer played the king and West won the ace. West then exited with a club to the queen and declarer ruffed. The rest was ugly as declarer managed only four diamonds and one heart. This meant +800 for E/W and a great matchpoint score.

South’s bid was no worse than many others that are made, but a vulnerable two-level overcall is a dangerous bid.

Copyright ©2013 Larry Matheny