Is There a Hidden Trap to Worry About?
By Mike Lawrence

Four spades was cold. South overlooked a crucial point of timing. Given East's ten of clubs was a singleton, it was not necessary to let the lead go to dummy. South should have won with the ace of clubs, finessed in spades, and then later take the morally certain club finesse after trumps were drawn. Not all gifts are as they seem!

A SYSTEMIC ASIDE

Note East's raise to three hearts. After a takeout double, the raise to three hearts is no longer a strong bid. It is better used to show a weak hand with some shape and at least four trump. It may buy the hand or it may allow West to compete further if he has the hand for it. Be sure you have this understanding down pat.

There is an excellent convention that you can use which will remove the need to have the jump raise show a good hand.

1H   DBL   2NT

When is the last time you bid one heart, heard a takeout double, and had your partner jump to two notrump? You might think that your partner was making a natural notrump bid, but that is not so. If he had a balanced thirteen points, he would start with a redouble. Perhaps a big penalty is available.

If you agree that two notrump has no needed natural meaning, then you might like to play this convention instead.

THE IRREGULAR REDOUBLE

This is just one of many names that this convention has. It works this way.

1H  DBL  2NT

or

1S  DBL  2NT

The jump to two notrump over the double says you have the following.

1. Limit raise values or more. If you have a limit raise, you will stop in three of the major unless your partner gets you higher.

2. Four or more trumps. This is one of the 100% rules of bridge. Never make a jump raise with just three trumps. If you have just three trumps, start with a redouble and then raise partner's suit. If the opponents compete, as they often do, your partner's judgment will be better off knowing when you have three trumps and when you have four.