Softly Softly

Sometimes the slowest auctions are the best:

♠	Q 4
♥	A J T 8 6
♦	J 7
♣	8 7 4 2

Right hand opponent opened 1♣ and I passed. I know it's match points and we're not vul and blah blah blah. I'm not bidding.

This gets round to partner who bids 2♣, spade Michaels. Spades and one of the reds with intermediate values or better. Right hand doubles:

West	North	East	South
1♣	Pass	Pass	2♣
X	?

Partner almost certainly has the pointy suits and if so we'd like to play in spades. However there is a small chance partner has hearts, how best to find out? Pass! Partner will pull the double to her red suit and then we'll know.

West	North	East	South
1♣	Pass	Pass	2♣
X	Pass	2♦	Pass
Pass	?

West thought for a long time before passing. If partner has spades, diamonds, a good hand and we have hearts sewn up they're probably not making this. Two down won't get us a good score but two down doubled will.

West	North	East	South
1♣	Pass	Pass	2♣
X	Pass	2♦	Pass
Pass	X	Pass	2♥
Pass	?

Partner looking a little exasperated bids 2♥. That changes everything, we might have all twenty major suit points. I bid the game:

	♠ Q 4 ♥ A J T 8 6 ♦ J 7 ♣ 8 7 4 2
♠ A 9 3 ♥ K 9 ♦ T 6 4 ♣ A K Q J 5		♠ 7 6 2 ♥ 7 ♦ A 9 8 5 3 2 ♣ T 6 3
	♠ K J T 8 5 ♥ Q 5 4 3 2 ♦ K Q ♣ 9