How to Steal from Your Opponents
By Mike Lawrence

This hand shows a bidding trick which is used by all experts. There is no reason that it should be kept a secret.

West opened one diamond, North doubled, and East redoubled. What would you bid if holding the South hand? Should you bid one spade? Or would you worry that bidding showed some points? Perhaps you should pass.

What is your choice, and importantly, what will your partner think you are showing?

VERY USEFUL EXPERT BIDDING TRICK

South jumped to two spades, a bid which normally shows nine to eleven points. As you can see, South is a few points short of that.

Here's the idea. West and North have opening bids. East has almost an opening bid at the least and may have more. There is no way that South can have the ten points needed for the jump to two spades.

If both North and South are aware that South is broke or close to it, it can be agreed that a jump by South over the redouble shows a weak hand with good playing shape. This allows North to compete if he wishes.