What is it all about?
This was an interesting hand, for me, as I watched the Lederer match between Ireland-Tommy Garvey, John Carroll, Adam Mesbur and Nick Fitzgibbon against England Premier League-Espen Erichsen, Tom Townsend, David Gold, Nick Irens and Norman Selway.
Match 7. Board 32. East-West vulnerable.
As South you hold AKQ762 Void AQ43 K107
You hear this auction, what is your bid?
| West | North | East | South |
| 1♥ | Pass | Pass | ? |
At both tables, South doubled and all passed. West got only his four trump tricks, went down three for -800. It was a pushed board.
Oh, in case anyone is interested, Ireland won the event.
Here is board 32.
| Dealer: Wesy
Vul: E-W |
North | ||||
| ♠ | 8 | ||||
| ♥ | 1097543 | ||||
| ♦ | K10 | ||||
| ♣ | AQ65 | ||||
| West | ![]() |
East | |||
| ♠ | J104 | ♠ | 953 | ||
| ♥ | AKQ82 | ♥ | J6 | ||
| ♦ | J76 | ♦ | 9852 | ||
| ♣ | 43 | ♣ | J982 | ||
| South | |||||
| ♠ | AKQ762 | ||||
| ♥ | |||||
| ♦ | AQ43 | ||||
| ♣ | K107 | ||||
You may have noticed, North-South is cold for seven spades or seven clubs but both tables defended one heart doubled.
So that beg the questions.
1. Is double a good bid with the south hand?
2. Is it normal for North to convert partner’s takeout double into a penalty double?


