Set Two 12 April 2017 Hand 1

Board 1 East Deals	♠ 9 7 5 ♥ 6 3 2 ♦ J 10 6 4 3 ♣ 5 3
♠ 10 6 3 2 ♥ Q 8 5 ♦ Q 9 7 ♣ 9 6 2	N W E S	♠ K Q ♥ A K J 7 ♦ A K 8 2 ♣ Q 7 4
	♠ A J 8 4 ♥ 10 9 4 ♦ 5 ♣ A K J 10 8

E 3N; EW 3♥; W 1N; E 2♦; W 1♦; E 1♣; Par −400

West	North	East	South
		2 ♦	Dbl
2 ♥	Pass	2 NT	Pass
3 ♣	Pass	3 ♦	Pass
3 ♥	Pass	3 NT	All pass

3 NT by East

Lead: ♣ A

Down 1 — EW −50

Even when we are in trouble coming in with moderate values it turns out it is hard for the multi-2 ♦ opening side to catch us. After coming in with the double, left to our own devices we would be down at least three in a contract like 3 ♣. However the multi-2 ♦ puts pressure on the opening side to resolve what they have and in doing so they let the noose slip off. West simply has to bid 2 ♥ in case south or north has the strong hand. And then we are home free. Notice how much more dangerous a 3 ♣ overcall would be. Now we are committed to the three-level without knowing what they have. On this hand we would probably still escape when east bids 3 NT but on a different hand they have a chance of penalising us. 

Here there is an even bigger bonus as it is practically impossible for east to find the winning line of taking two diamond finesses against north and so we will go plus having offered at least 500 or 800 depending no the vulnerability.

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