January 2023 - 69

Special Contributor
Dear Billy
BY BILLY MILLER
dearbilly@aol.com
dearbilly.org
Dear Billy,
None vulnerable, my partner and
I held these hands:
Me
 J
k A 7 6 2
l A 8 3 2
' J 10 9 3
Partner
 A 9 5 3
k K 10 3
l K Q J 6 5
' A
Me LHO Partner RHO
Pass Pass 1l
1k 1 Dbl
2l Pass 2
3' Pass 3
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
4l All Pass
Partner's double is a support
double showing three hearts but
not limiting her hand. The 2
bid is asking for a spade stopper,
and the 3 bid shows a strong
hand. Partner passed my 4l
bid because she thought I had a
weak hand. We made 12 tricks in
diamonds, and all the other pairs
are in 3NT making. What went
wrong?
Looking Foolish
Dear Blushing Betsy,
Your partner made every attempt
to drive to a game. You fought her
every step of the way. It's not like she
had a 2' opener. She did quite well
with her attractive 17-count. What
went wrong? In the context of your
auction, you had a super max! As a
passed hand, you could not have had
more. Not only did you have a superb
playing hand for diamonds, you had a
side fit in hearts. Your hand is worth
nearly an opening bid in support of
diamonds and should have proceeded
much more aggressively.
The first underbid was 2l. Instead,
a jump to 3l would have been proper.
After partner's first attempt at game
with 2, your 3' bid did nothing for
her. Incredibly, she made another try
with 3! (She could have gone low
by retreating to 3l.) You had another
chance to redeem yourself by going
to game in diamonds after the 3
bid, but unfortunately you were not
up to it that day. Fitting hands with
aces and side singletons should be bid
to the hilt. Your hand had " upgrade "
written all over it.
Dear Billy,
I read your contributions in the
Bridge Bulletin with pleasure and
much interest. I reside in Islamabad,
Pakistan, and am an avid
bridge player. I would like to have
your advice regarding this hand.
I am sitting North with:
3 kQ J 9 8 4 lA Q 7 4 2 'K 5.
East opens 1l, my partner bids
1, West doubles, which is negative.
What should be my call?
Should I pass or should I bid?
Your expert advice will be much
appreciated.
Love My Bridge
Dear Enthusiast,
Great to hear that the game of bridge
is enjoyed around the world. We all
need to play more bridge!
On to your question. You certainly
should act. Normally, a redouble
shows two cards in partner's suit, but
I would waive that requirement here.
You have so much penalty potential
that you must alert partner that you
have values. You are stacked in the
opponent's two suits, and my adrenaline
is already rushing thinking of
whacking them in something very
soon. Partner is more than welcome
to enter this party. Let the doubling
begin! Besides, we don't get to redouble
for business often enough, don't
you think?
An alternative to the redouble is
to bid 1NT. But really, you have too
much. That action is far too conservative
and passive. With a hand like
this, you must act with gusto.
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January 2023 | Bridge Bulletin |
69
http://www.dearbilly.org http://www.acbl.org/bpteacher
January 2023

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