Hey Bridge Guy,

My LHO opened 1 diamond, my partner doubled and my RHO bid 2 clubs.  I had 5 spades (KQxxx) and 5 little hearts and a total of 7 HCP.  I doubled the 2 clubs and the opponents ended up in diamonds.  

My partner had the Axxx of spades and 4 small hearts.  She lead the 8 of hearts.  Our question is, what should she lead in this situation?  She contends that she doesn’t want to lead the Ace from nothing, so she led a heart, they had all the heart honors.  We could have taken two spade tricks, Ace and King, the declarer held only two spades.  

Declarer was able to throw his two losing spades.

Our question is “How does she find the spade lead?”

Thanks,

Bewildered

Dear Bewildered,

When partner makes a takeout double, bid the major suit you want led.  Doubling 2 clubs is confusing and ambiguous.  You should have bid 2 spades and partner would have lead your suit.

The Bridge Guy

Hey Bridge Guy,

This situation came up at our sectional.

My LHO opened 1 club, my partner doubled, my RHO bid 1 diamond.  I held 5 spades to the Queen, Jack, 5 hearts and 3 baby diamonds, 3 HCP.  I bid 2 diamonds, thinking I was bidding Michaels and was told  that was not correct.

Help!  What should I have bid in this situation?

Thanks,

Whoops

Opening Lead - Ace of spades

Hey, Mr. Bridge Guy

I’m confused about guidelines in doubling for penalty using the Rule of 9. Thanks for your help.

In My Opinion: The Rule of Nine

Before I received this question, I had never heard of the Rule of Nine. I had to look it up. It says that if partner opens one spade, and there is an immediate overcall of two hearts, how do you determine if you have the right trump holding to pass for penalties if partner reopens with a double?

So suppose you hold KQ874 of Spades. The Rule says that you add three numbers:

  The level you are at – 2

  How many trumps you have – 5

  How many honors you have in the trump suit – 2

Since the total is nine, you may pass for penalties.

I see some problems with this rule. For example: AQ97 and J1042 both have 4 trump and 2 honors. The AQ97 is worth 3 tricks on defense, while the J1042might be worth only one trick. They both add up to six (counting the 10 as an honor).

Second, vulnerability is never mentioned. It is more tempting to double vulnerable opponents if they step out of line.

Third, if the opponents have located an eight-card major fit and are at the two level, a penalty pass may tip off declarer how to play the trump suit.

I believe that using good judgment is better than relying on the Rule of Nine.

Hey, Bridge Guy,

How should this hand have been bid?  It makes 3 hearts West and 4 clubs East , but goes down 3 in diamonds in the East!!!

Thanks,

Praying for Spring