Bridge - The Scotsman 23/07/2012

By Liz McGowan
Published on 23/07/2012 00:00

The SBU Summer Congress proved as popular as ever. The Pairs event was won by Manchester’s Raymond Semp and Alan Mould, with Iain Sime and Fiona McQuaker in second place. The Consolation pairs went to Veronica Guy and Moray Jeffrey.

Should a double of a strong no-trump be for penalties? Many partnerships prefer an alternative meaning on grounds of frequency, but the penalty double has its moments. Here West’s 1NT was slightly off-centre, but 1D creates severe rebid problems. Where North could not make a penalty double 1NT became the final contract, and declarer had few problems on a heart lead. He knocked out the ace of clubs, North cleared hearts, and a diamond to the ten gave declarer eight tricks for a pleasing +120

Clearly it would not be a profitable to defend 1NT doubled, but South removes the penalty double to 2S, showing a weak hand with at least a five card suit. West leads the king of diamonds, and declarer wins the ace, then plays clubs to create an entry to hand by ruffing the third round. That allows him to lead a spade towards the queen. If West takes the ace declarer later cashes the queen, and makes his remaining small trump by ruffing a heart; if he plays the jack declarer wins the queen and ducks a spade. He makes two top spades, ace-king of hearts, the minor suit aces and two ruffs in hand for an even more pleasing +110.