Burnham Bridge Club
Competitive Bidding at Pairs
11
How Are We Doing?  Example 2
♠  Q 6
♥  K Q 6 5 3 2
♦  A J 2
♣  K 2
♠ 
♥
♦ 
♣
♠ 
♥ 
♦ 
♣
 W        N        E        S
                       P       1♥
 P        2♥      2♠       3♥
3♠        P        P         ?
♠ 
♥ 
♦ 
♣
Dealer: East  NS Vul
1NT = 12-14
So, how do we assess this situation? It’s quite likely that many pairs will have been allowed to play in 2♥ for a plus score. East has ventured in as a passed hand in the non-protective position at the 2-level. So How are we doing? Answer: Not at all well – we’re looking unlikely to be picking up many match-points here if we pass [or bid a suicidal 4♥!].

We’ll have to be taking this contract 2-off doubled to achieve a good match-point score, but we’re on a hiding to nothing otherwise, so we double.