Sacrifice contracts (Part II) by Matthias Huberschwiller

A: Pass - This is not a sacrifice bid. Your partner has shown a weak hand with 5 Hearts, he was the one trying to steal the contract.

Your opponents might make their contract or not. But you don't know for sure. The best thing to do is to let them play and defend the best you can.

Your result so far:

A: Double - Same hand? Yes. But look at the bidding. It makes a lot of difference. Your partner has made a cue-bid, showing a fit and at least 10 points.

This time they are the ones with weak hands, trying to steal the contract. You have honors everywhere and a flat hand. No way you're going to the 5-level.

But you won't let them steal from you for free, you need to double them.

Your result so far:

A: 5♥ - That's a hand with great offensive potential. They are trying to steal your contract, but your hand is not one you want to defend with.

You have great hopes of being able to make a Heart game, even playing one level higher than you would like to.

Your result so far:

A: 8♦ - Even against a sacrifice contract, a singleton in an unbid suit is a good lead, especially when you have 3 trumps.

If you lead the Ace of ♠, hoping to switch to a Diamond at trick 2, you might regret it, since by bidding so quickly to the 5-level, North might very well have a Spade void.

Your result so far:

A: 2♠ - Where are their tricks coming from? They don't have many high card points, and you have strength everywhere.

They will take lots of ruffs! To reduce the number of ruffs they take, you need to lead a trump, hoping to play a second (and hopefully a third) round of trumps when you get back on lead.

Your result so far: