#8 Neither Vulnerable
North East South West
1♣ 1♠ ? Pass
South
♠ K 7 4 3
♥ J 10 5 3
♦ Q 7
♣ Q J 3
South has a choice of responses. 1NT limits the hand to 6-10 total points and a balanced hand. However, the four-card heart suit could get lost by bidding 1NT. However, making a negative double to show a four-card heart suit is flawed as well.
North East South West
1♣ 1♠ X Pass
2♦
If North rebids 2♦ , then you are stuck! A 2NT rebid by South would show 11-12 totals points. An additional flaw in starting with a negative double is that West may end up trumping spaces if North/South arrive in a heart contract.
After balancing the good and the bad, South should start with 1NT ~ the bid with the fewest flaws.
Let me hear your comments!
Visit Play Better Bridge for FREE lesson videos called Bid These Hands with Me! World Champion and Master Teacher Donna Compton walks you through her thought process of opening leads, passive vs aggressive defense and many more “must know” defensive ideas. She will then talk about how she makes the decision as to which technique to apply. The combination of being a world-class player, along with the ability to share her thoughts with all levels of players makes these webinar videos unique. Join Donna today and take your game to the next level!
Visit Play Better Bridge for videos, live webinars and bundles.
Take your game to the next level with a Power Bridge Retreat!
Take a look at PBB’s YOUTUBE Channel for clips of Donna’s Lesson Videos.

