After a Pass from East, what bid would you make with the South hand?   You have 10 HCP, with 7 losers, and it does (just) meet the "Rule of Twenty".  However 7 of your HCP are not in the suit you might be tempted to bid.

What would happen if you Passed.  North will open 1 Heart, South will bid 2 Clubs and North can bid 2 Spades.  North, by making a reverse bid, is showing a very powerful hand.  South has values in Diamonds and can bid 3 No Trumps.  West has a difficult opening lead.  If they choose the unbid Diamond suit, East will win with the king and then make dummy win the Ace of Diamonds.  Declarer can now take twelve tricks.  You play the Ace of Clubs and then successfully finesse to the Ten of Clubs in hand.  You take the Ace and Jack of Hearts, the Queen of Diamonds and then cross to the Ace of Spades.

Discuss with you partner, whether the South hand constitutes a valid opening bid.  North has a fantastic hand and, if partner opens 1 Club, they are almost certain to think of bidding a small Slam.  Four Norths bid to the six level.  However, they were all unsuccessful and achieved a bad score for this hand..

Stuart Wabe (18th October).