J2

Q8

AQ10985

J85.

 

With both sides vulnerable, I was in second seat. Just as in the previous deal, I couldn't open with a weak 2-bid. Here, I decided the scattered queens and jacks meant this wasn't enough to open, so I passed. My LHO opened 1 (promising 4 or more), and my partner, David Berkowitz, overcalled 1. RHO passed and it was my call.

 

I had too much to pass, so I bid 1NT. I sure did have their suit stopped! Opener on my left now doubled. I wasn't too worried; I had my bid. David passed and now I got a thrill not unlike the previous one; RHO bid 2! I wanted to double, but we wouldn't play that as for penalty here (too bad). I passed, opener passed and I was praying that David would double for takeout. But he let me down. Not too down--at least he didn't bid something; he passed and they were in 2:

 

Declarer managed 6 tricks, and we collected 200. This was worth 7 IMPs because at the other table my hand was able to open with a weak 2 bid and he played there, down 100. An old bridge adage: It's not good for teammates to play in the same contract at both tables.