Bridge Venue

• Question 1
  
  North is strong, and would like to bid. But West has stolen his thunder with an irritating 1NT. Can he overcall ?

• Answer 1
  
  North is strong, and would like to bid. But West has stolen his thunder with an irritating 1NT. Can he overcall ?
  
  Answer
  
  Yes. The best bid is to double, which he should do with 16 HCP or more. EW are quite likely to be in trouble.

• Question 2
  
  Assuming that E and W use Stayman and Transfers, whatever should East do with his 1 point ?

• Answer 2
  
  Assuming that E and W use Stayman and Transfers, whatever should East do with his 1 point ?
  
  Answer
  
  Haha ! Stayman and Transfers are cancelled after an intervening bid, thank goodness. Bid a good old-fashioned weakness takeout in your 5-card suit, by bidding 2 Hearts.

• Question 3
  
  Should South also double ? He's got 10 HCP, so it really does look as if EW are in trouble, and they're vulnerable.

• Answer 3
  
  Should South also double ? He's got 10 HCP, so it really does look as if EW are in trouble, and they're vulnerable.
  
  Answer
  
  Well, perhaps. But they may only go down 1 or 2. In that case you'd earn 200 to 500 points if you double them. On the other hand, since you know your partner has 16 HCP, then you've got enough between you to reach game, worth 600.
  
  Your partner must be strong in 3 suits, and you've got the Heart bid from East stopped. You could bid 3NT. Since your team are also vulnerable that'll be worth 600, which is more than getting them down a couple. So only double them if you are confident you'll get them down by at least 3 tricks.

• Some subjects to follow up on

  128 Doubles, Action 120 Doubles, Double a 1NT 31 After 1NT, Weak 119 Sacrificing