Skip to main content
1 of 4
Tom Au
  • 22.4k
  • 9
  • 68
  • 170

How much would you revalue your hand after finding a "double fit?"

Suppose you hear your partner open one spade. You, the responder (North) have: (s)Kxx (h)xx (d)xxx (c)AKxxx, and respond two clubs. Opener now bids three clubs, showing you a "double fit" in spades and clubs.

You have ten high card points, and presume that opener has at least 13, for a total of at least 23. Normally, that's not quite enough for game, but the double fit has increased the value of your hands. Can you go directly to four spades on the theory that the double fit is worth 2-3 points, thereby bringing you to 25-26 (adjusted)? Or should you stop at three spades and let partner decide based on whether he has a minimum or more?

Suppose you were opener, and heard partner (responder) stop at 3 spades. You have (s) AQJxx (h)Kxx (d)xx (c) QJx. You assume that he has a bare 10, and you have only 13. Can you go to 4S on the basis of the double fit? Would your answer change if you switched the club and heart suits so that you were now sure that partner had five (hearts) instead of maybe four (clubs), and your second suit had eight or more instead of maybe seven cards?

Tom Au
  • 22.4k
  • 9
  • 68
  • 170