Matchpoints. N-S vulnerable.
♠J 6 4 2 ♥5 ♦K J ♣A J 10 9 4 3
| West | North | East | South |
| 1♦ | Pass | 1♥ | ? |
What’s your call?
| 1♠ | 1NT | |||
| 2♣ | 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 |
| Dbl | Pass |
Is this a problem?
The majority chooses to make a 2♣ overcall.
Walker: “A takeout double will hide the club suit, which is this hand’s only asset. I doubt we are going to buy the contract, so let’s at least get partner off to a good lead.”
Falk: “Double is tempting. I might get spades in the picture after a 2♣ overcall, but I’ll never get clubs in by doubling.”
Stack: “I can’t imagine passing with the hand, so I’m bidding the suit I want led. I can possibly get spades in later.”
Several 2♣ bidders made similar comments about introducing spades later.
Gordons: “The suit quality dictates bidding our six-card suit. We can introduce spades later if the opportunity presents itself at a reasonable level.”
Sanborn: “Double is an alternative, but it won’t get me the lead I want and I’m a bit weak in high cards for that.”
Rigal: “This hand is about clubs, not spades.”
Colchamiro: “2♣ — is this a problem?”
Bridge Buff: “Bidding 2♣ is automatic. Even humans, with their limited intellect, should be able to figure that out. I’m hot this month. Fire and ice, that’s me. I’m so hot that I’m cool.”
Bridge Buff scored an impressive 470 points.
Four experts choose to double. Coopers: “We are good enough to bid twice. With a better hand, we would bid 2♣ and then double their 2♥ bid.”
Cohen: “This looks like a lot of junk, but I have found it a good idea to stick my neck out a little early to get in. Maybe partner can push them around a little if he has either black suit. I could choose to bid 2♣ to get the lead, but our future is more likely in a 4–4 spade fit.”
Robinson: “Why not get both spades and clubs in the picture?” Giragosian: “I like my shape and I want to compete in spades if we have a 4–4 fit.”
Pass sounds pessimistic, or does it? “Pass,” say the Sutherlins. “We are going to get another chance and will have a better idea as to the opponents’ strength. We think an action here should show a better hand.”
Keeping the four-card spade suit in play is tempting. As Rigal says, however, this hand is about clubs, not spades.
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