Diamonds and doubles.
Bridge Column for September 30, 2001, Harvey Bernstein
Neither side vulnerable.  South deals.
                              North
                              S: 4 2              
                              H: 8 4 2       
                              D: 9 8 5 4     
                              C: A Q 5 2 
            West                             East
            S: Q 9 7 5                       S: A J 8 3     
            H: K J 10 6                      H: Q 7 5 3    
            D: K Q 7                         D: Void              
            C: J 8                           C: 10 7 6 4 3  
                              South                         
                              S: K 10 6 
                              H: A 9        
                              D: A J 10 6 3 2 
                              C: K 9      
          The Bidding:  
                  South    West    North    East                  
                   1D      Dbl      2D       3D 
                   4D      Dbl      Pass    Pass
                   Pass    
     This hand is from a duplicate contest and provides one of
those unusual auctions where only one suit was bid.  South opened
with one diamond and West doubled for take out.  North bid two
diamonds to show some points and diamond support.  East decided
that he could support any suit that West might select, and
indicated that by bidding three diamonds.  While it is true that
the East hand is worth ten points in support of any suit other
than diamonds, it may have worked out better if he had passed at
this juncture. 
     South was not sure if he could make four diamonds, but he
wanted to make it as difficult as possible for East-West to find
a "spot" to play in.  West did not have a good enough hand to bid
at the four level so he doubled.  This turned out to be a very
inferior choice.  
     The opening lead was the five of spades which went to the
ace.  East shifted to the queen of hearts.  South won the ace and
cashed the ace of diamonds.  East discarded a small club.
     South played the king of clubs and then a club to the ace. 
When both defenders followed, the queen of clubs allowed South to
discard his losing heart.  West could trump this trick or not, it
didn't matter, he would be trumping with a natural diamond trick.
     Four diamonds doubled, making four, was worth 510 points and
a top on the board.  As a result of my own experiences, I very
rarely double in distributional situations unless the opponenents
are obviously taking a sacrifice.  I have seen too many tricks
"disappear" due to the work of a skilled declarer.
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Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.