Bridge Column for September 26, 1993 
Both sides vulnerable.  North deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: A 5      
                              H: K J 10 9 4
                              D: 10 9 8 6    
                              C: 9 4    
            WEST                             EAST
            S: K Q 10 7 4 3                  S: J 6 2        
            H: A Q 8 6 2                     H: 7 3        
            D: V o i d                       D: Q 5 3 2           
            C: K 6                           C: A J 7 2     
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: 9 8        
                              H: 5         
                              D: A K J 7 4 
                              C: Q 10 8 5 3

                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST                  
                                    2D(1)   Pass
                   2H(2)   Pass     Pass    Pass
(1)  A weak two bid in hearts or 5-5 with spades and a minor.
(2)  Semi-automatic.
     This hand was played in the Women's Knockout Teams at the
Summer North American Bridge Championships last July in
Washington, D.C.  It was originally reported in the tournament's
Daily Bulletin by Henry Bethe of New York City.  
     The first thing to explain is the auction.  We may not like
it or agree with it, but these types of opening multi-two bids
are becoming the norm at high level competition.  In my opinion,
the North hand qualifies for a solid first seat pass, at any
vulnerability.  The actual two diamond bid shows a weak two bid
in hearts (which North doesn't really have), or a 5-5 hand with
spades and a minor suit.  South's two heart bid is semi-
automatic.  If North has the weak two bid in hearts she will
pass.  With the other hand she will bid spades, over which South
may pass or take any number of natural or systemic actions.
     You have to look at the South hand with this question in
mind: "What would you bid after a real, first seat, weak two
heart bid by partner?"  If you would pass, then you should bid
two hearts.  If you have a very bad hand with long diamonds, you
can pass and partner can play two diamonds.  Other bids are
available for other holdings.  One of the basic underlying
rationales for this system is that the weak hand with the long
trump suit will be dummy, which normally makes for a more
difficult play for the defense.
     The second problem belongs to West.  What is the correct bid
after South calls two hearts?  You would like to double, except
by partnership agreement here, that would show a balanced hand
with 14 to 16 points.  In order to make a take-out double, West
would have to pass and then double at her second opportunity, it
that ever came about.  How about a spade overcall?  You still
don't know which hand North has and you will not be happy if it
turns out to be the 5-5 hand with spades and a minor.  Well, West
in the above diagram did pass and two hearts was defeated two
tricks.  The concept behind West's pass is that partner, East in
this case, will have a much better idea of what is going on once
North has bid or passed at her second turn.  With any reasonable
collection of cards at all, she will be able to bid and protect
partner's hand if North passes.  If North makes any bid other
than pass the situation will have been clarified and West will be
able to take the correct action at her next turn.
     So now, what actually happened?  At the other table the
East-West partnership bid easily to four spades and were defeated
one trick.  West was able to score five spade tricks, one heart
trick, one heart ruffed in dummy, and two club tricks for a total
of nine.  North-South were plus one hundred for defeating four
spades.  When added to East-West's plus two hundred at the first
table it became a seven IMP (International Match Point) gain.  A
true victory for the disciplined pass.