Most Easts will open this hand with 1D and most South’s are likely to make the popular bid of 2H; then a ‘No Trump’ bid from West   is ill advised because there is only one possible heart stop in the West hand and although two pairs made 3NT proper defense would have produced a different outcome. If West bids 2S over South’s 2H bid, thus forcing a response from East to the ‘three level’ East will anticipate a 5 card suit from West: a better response from West is to make a negative double, showing the two unbid suits, but enough strength to take the bidding to the ‘three level’. East can bid 3C. At this point West (with a 13 point hand holding the heart King, and some supporting diamonds may bid 4C: a bid that should be passed by East because of minimum values.

North will be pleased to play in clubs but must not even consider a double.

Once Declarer exposes the void in clubs, he/she must not play a second round of trumps but take any finesses towards South, so that if they lose a trump cannot be played from the South hand thus reducing his/her ruffing potential.

¹ Weak bid showing a 6 card suit

Results

2SW +1; 2SW +2; 2NTE -3; 3NTE -1; 3NTE = (twice)

N-S 1^st H Clohessy & M Wesselo.........62.9%

        2^nd S Coleman & J Rogers……….56.9%

E-W 1^st L Kolesky & G Dempers………57.9%

      =1^st  K  Satchwell & W Jurgensen…57.9%