Bridge

LAST week we looked at a successful penalty double of a weak no-trump. Many players feel they should double on all 15 counts, but this is a risky tactic. When 1NT doubled makes the damage is only – 160, but overtricks, especially vulnerable ones, can be expensive.

Here West knows that North and East share approximately 12 high card points, and the success or failure of his double depends on how they are divided. When he sees dummy, West realises that prospects are bleak. With no particularly enticing lead he will probably choose a spade. Declarer wins and plays on clubs, the suit where he already has top losers. West may allow East to win so that he can return a spade. Declarer takes the ace of spades and plays a second club, establishing four tricks in the black suits. West cashes two spades, forcing declarer to make a discard. By now declarer knows that West has all the remaining high cards, so he throws a heart from dummy and a diamond from hand. West plays the king of diamonds to establish a sixth defensive trick and hold declarer to seven tricks – if he leads a heart declarer makes an overtrick for an unpalatable -360.

There is no particular moral here. Partnerships should decide their policy, based on how they feel about losing the occasional 160. The double is more likely to succeed when you have a strong suit to lead, so perhaps before doubling you should consider how you feel about your opening lead.