What to Bid?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠Q7
♥A764
♦KJ8
♣AQJ6

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

How about Double?

This is a TAKE OUT Double. You are asking Partner to pick any suit BUT ♠ to play in. (You are secretly hoping they have four ♥ so you have found a fit.)

Now NORMALLY you would open the bidding 1NT. You have a balanced hand with 17 HCP.

But when your RHO opens the bidding you also promise a STOPPER in the suit they opened. You do NOT have a guaranteed winner in ♠. If Partner raises you to 3NT with 10 HCP you look very silly when the Opponents lead a ♠ and take the first five tricks.