North should open with 1D (higher ranking of two equal length suits), and West has a clear bid of 1S with a six card suit and 13 points.
South with 11 points must say something – but cannot bid hearts or Clubs with only three cards, and cannot support partner with just Q7 in diamonds. A 1NT bid would probably show less than 10 points, and a 2NT bid whilst showing 11-12 points is likely to prove difficult to make 8 tricks with the opponents having bid your longest suit, and you having a poor fit with partner. The answer – double. This is not for penalties, but will encourage partner to bid again, when the solution may become clearer.
After West passes, North will bid 2C, and West, at adverse vulnerability opposite a passed partner should pass.
South can now show his true values and his spade holding with a 2NT bid, which North will strongly dislike and rebid his Club suit showing at least 5/5 in the minor suits. If South encourages with a 4C bid, North with just 6 Losing Tricks will surely go to 5
With QJ of hearts doubleton, 12 tricks should be made (3 hearts, 4 diamonds, and 5 Clubs).
In reality, on Monday afternoon, one East was allowed to play in 1S (making!), another in 3S -2, and one doubled in in 3S losing 800. One south languished in 3NT (getting 0 matchpoints), whilst 3 pairs played in 3C making 10 or 11 tricks.
Congratulations to Karyn & Terry who bid to 5C and made 12 tricks to scoop all of the 14 matchpoints.
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