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Matchpoints. E-W vulnerable.
♠9 ♥6 5 4 ♦K 8 6 4 3 ♣K J 9 2
| West | North | East | South |
| 1♦ | Pass | 2♦ | |
| Dbl | Redbl | 2♠ | ? |
| 2♥ | 2♠ | 2NT | ||
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass | Dbl |
What’s your call?
Because you have full values for the diamond raise, the majority chose 3♣, the suit where you have values.
“3♣,” said Mel Colchamiro. “In context, I have quite a good hand, so I’ll tell that to partner and show club values at the same time.”
Walker agreed. “Partner’s redouble shows extra values, and the helpful opponents have now told me I have something extra, too,” she said. “Bidding 3♣ shows my outside strength and interest in game.”
“I have a super raise to 2♦ and must express that message by showing where my values are,” said Don Stack.
“I have shape and no defense,” said Barry Rigal. “It’s time to act in front of partner to suggest that.”
“3&cluns;,” echoed Linda and Robb Gordon. “We have a very good hand and want to describe it as much as possible. We will try again with 3♠ if partner signs off in 3♦.”
“I have club values,” said Jill Meyers. “I would not sit for 2♠ doubled, so no reason to pass.”
“Once I decide not to sit for 2♠ doubled, I may as well show the rest of my hand,” agreed August Boehm.
“I have no intention of sitting for a penalty double of 2♠,” said Allan Falk. “I also have extra for my previous bidding. 3♣ might get us to 3NT when partner is worried about a club stopper.
Four experts thought the hand was worth a cuebid.
“3♠,” said Jeff Meckstroth. “I don’t want to defend on this one.”
“We have a great hand for our simple raise,” said Kay and Randy Joyce. “We must get across to partner that we are willing to cooperate in whatever game try he wants to make.”
“3♠ — there’s no second choice,” said Kerri Sanborn. “This can’t be asking for a stopper, so it must be showing shortness. I have a great hand for partner.”
“Having bid only 2♦ at the first turn, my hand is sensational,” said Mike Lawrence. “A cuebid should show a hand similar to this one.”
“3♦,” said Peggy and John Sutherlin. “We want to send a message that we have at least five diamonds and more than a minimum with no intention to defend. 3NT is still in the picture.”
Kitty and Steve Cooper disagreed.
“Partner’s redouble promises another bid,” they said. “Pass to be followed by 3♦ shows a better hand than an immediate 3♦. We have lots of offense.”
When you have limited your hand, but have the top end of what you’ve shown, make a descriptive bid when you can. Don’t make the same bid you’d make with a poor hand.
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