This month's hand ocuurred at a club game in Newark, Delaware.

MPs
Dealer: South
Vulnerable: N/S

AUCTION
SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
1	2N	X	3
3N	Pass	Pass	Pass

A word about the bidding: Suffice it to say, this was not a precision auction. While N-S were both experienced players, they had not discussed their methods after the unusual 2N overcall. The double should really express a desire to penalize at least one of West's suits; apparently, North intended this as negative, showing hearts. At any rate, North should probably correct 3N to 4.

A recommended defense to the unusual notrump is known as "Unusual versus Unusal." There are several variations, but the following works well in most instances. After partner opens one of suit, and there is an unusual 2N overcall to his left, "cuebids" in the overcaller's known suits are used to show invitational or better hands. The cheaper cuebid can be used to show support for opener's suit, while cuebidding the other suit should indicate invitational or better values and length in the "unbid" suit. Either raising partner's suit directly, or bidding the fourth suit directly is strictly competitive. A double is used to inform partner that you have a penalty double of at least one of overcaller's suits. Using this system, here is the recommended auction.

AUCTION
SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
1	2N(1)	3(2)	Pass
3N(3)	Pass	4(4)	Pass
Pass	Pass

(1) Unusual showing at least 5-5 in clubs and diamonds.
(2) Cuebid showing a heart suit and invitational or better values.
(3) With only two hearts, South bids 3N (plenty of values).
(4) With 3-card spade support, North should correct the contract to 4.

Note that, even with 3-card spade support, North should show his heart suit first (instead of cuebidding 3 to indicate spade support). A 5-4 heart fit is still a possibility and should not be ruled out.

Back to the business at hand...the contract is 3N and West leads the 4.

Plan the play.

Solution to Play Problem