LEARNING CENTER

Double. This hand is too strong for only an overcall. If you were taught the "big double" starts at 18, you need to be able to realize that "18" is just an approximation--not an exact HCP ultimatum.  This 17 points is much better than this 18:

 QJ2  
 KJ432  
 KQJ  
 KQ.
 

3. Exactly what you are worth (doubling and then bidding your excellent suit).

Other.

You have to lose 2 clubs and the A. The key is to avoid losing a second diamond trick. You can see the full deal below. If you guessed the J right, +620, but why rely on a guess?

You can make the opponents play diamonds for you--then you can't get it wrong.

But, you need to plan ahead. You have to win the A and trump a spade (high) at trick 2. This is the key play. Otherwise, you can't strip the hand. Now, you take two high hearts to draw trump and cross to the 8. Then you can eliminate spades from dummy by trumping the last one in hand.

That leaves you with 3 opposite 3 in both minors. You also have trump in both hands and no spades in either hand.

You exit with the A and another club. The opponents can take 2 club tricks but then have to break diamonds or give you a ruff-and-sluff.

If you do anything but start with the A and then a spade ruff (high), you will have to guess the diamond yourself.

Thank you for taking our Webinar on "Don't Paint Yourself into a Corner -- Suit Contracts."