A Double From Nowhere

None Vul
♠ 10 7 2 ♥ A Q J 10 8 6 ♦ 6 ♣ 7 4 3	N W E S

You	North	East	South
2 ♥	Pass	Pass	2 NT
Pass	Pass	Dbl	Pass
?

Playing against expert opponents, you have a straightforward 2 ♥ opening. Your right-hand opponent balances with 2 NT. Two more passes, and partner doubles.Your bid?

The real question here is: What does partner have for her double?

• If she has a great fit for hearts, she would have raised hearts immediately.
• If she has a decent hand with a heart fit, she would have raised hearts immediately.
• If she has a strong hand, with or without hearts, she would have taken some action over 2 ♥.

There is no point to a takeout double here, because you've already described your hand as limited with a single suit. Partner's double must therefore be for penalties.

ANSWER: Pass. The only plausible reason for partner to make a penalty double here is that she has a running suit and she needs you to lead it.

So, this is really an opening lead problem disguised as a bidding problem. In the absence of partner's double, your best chance would be for partner to get in and lead a heart through declarer's king. You might reasonably think that declarer has a strong diamond suit, and thus be reluctant to lead your singleton diamond. But knowing that partner has a running suit somewhere, diamonds are the most likely possibility.

THE PRINCIPLE: An "out-of-nowhere" penalty double of a notrump contract shows a solid suit with enough tricks to defeat the contract. The opening leader must take her best shot at finding that suit.

None Vul	♠ Q J 4 ♥ 7 4 ♦ 7 4 3 ♣ Q J 10 6 2
♠ 10 7 2 ♥ A Q J 10 8 6 ♦ 6 ♣ 7 4 3	N W E S	♠ 8 5 3 ♥ 5 3 ♦ A K Q J 9 5 ♣ 9 8
	♠ A K 9 6 ♥ K 9 2 ♦ 10 8 2 ♣ A K 5

2NT by South is down three after a diamond lead, but makes at least three on any other opening lead. Partner has no reason to bid diamonds after your 2 ♥ opening.

-- Ray 
Better Bridge in 5 Minutes.  Guaranteed! (or the next one is free)