Tread Carefully when Bidding

Board 25 has the balance of power roughly equal.

Both sides contesting the auction with some vigour.

Our auction had some misgiving's;

   N     E     S     W

   1C   2H   P    3D    all Pass.

All bids seem reasonable, until the play.

East's 2H bid with a weak 6 card suit and 6 points is a little pushy, vulnerable.

West's 3D is understandable with 15 points and wishing to see if there is game.

Most systems use 2NT as an enquiry about strength.

Sadly, East Passes.

Supposing West realises there is no game and Passes 2H. Also a very good bid.

With a void, North will now double for take-out.

South will gladly Pass for penalties. Bidding 2S is a poor choice.

Now West has a horrid choice, Pass again or bid 3D.

Whatever their choice, E-W are doomed.

3D is 4 down. While 2HX is three down.

The only saviour in this auction is that N-S has a play for 4S.

Have a look at the myriad of contracts played. H's, D's, S's.

This is the type of hand that teaches you to tread carefully when vulnerable.

Often a side will go 3 or 4 down with a bidding mistake.

But not often does this happen with standard system bidding.

Happy bridging.