At the 2011 Summer NABC, my friends Richard and Mary Oshlag had the thrill of winning their first national event, the Senior Swiss Teams. One deal pleased me. It furnished support for two of my theories: Bid with good hands, pass with bad ones; and avoid "you-figure-it-out" doubles.

At one table, the Oshlags' teammates, Mark Dahl and Bill Melander, were plus 200 points as North-South. At the other, where Richard opened two hearts, South doubled with deficient values. When Mary bid four hearts, North's double was "card-showing," whatever that means. South should have taken his medicine and hoped for a set.

BAD BREAK

Against five diamonds doubled, West led the ace of hearts, then the ace and a low trump. Declarer next let the queen of clubs ride, losing. He ruffed the heart return and, fearing a bad trump break, went to the king of spades to lead another club.

When East's jack came up, South continued clubs. East got a ruff, and West got a trump and a spade. Down four, minus 800.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 10 9 8 H A 7 3 D A Q 7 C K 6 2. You open one club, and your partner raises to two clubs. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Don't panic. Your partner has a weak hand but at least four-card club support - quite possibly five-card support. You must pass. Two clubs may not be a contract made in heaven, but if you bid again, you will show game interest, not a desire to get out of clubs, and may turn a fair result into a disaster.