Board 15

Board 15

K J 10 9 7
5
K 10 9 6
A J 4
A Q 6 3 2
9 3
4 3 2
K 10 2
N
W   E
 
S
5 4
K Q 10 4 2
Q 8 5
9 8 3
8
A J 8 7 6
A J 7
Q 7 6 5

Dealer:

South

Vuln:

N/S

W N E S
1
1 Pass Pass Double
End

Contract:

1x by West

North would love to make a penalty double of 1 but he cannot because double would be negative. Instead he passes, hoping that if East passes South can re-open with a double. South has only a minimum opening bid, but he is short in spades. He knows that North either is too weak to bid over 1 or has a penalty double of 1. South suspects the latter. He doubles for takeout but isn’t remotely surprised when North passes.