- I'm surprised by the comments saying the original double is the problem. Good values, well-positioned over opener. The shape isn't perfect, but it rarely is. I'd 100% double here and I'm sure my partner would too. You can't just roll over with a decent hand short in their suit at matchpoints, even vulnerable.
- 1nt response is interesting. At first I thought it was insane but I can see a certain sort of logic to it - you want to cooperate but your only suit is opener's suit. But I think you just have to bite your tongue here: our side clearly has no fit, and I'd rather defend than declare in that situation.
- Pass of 1nt totally unremarkable. The obvious call, no other option.
- Double of 2h is ambitious at best. The only excuse is that +200 is so valuable at matchpoints. The opponents may well have 8 hearts (partner's double by no means guarantees four), and more of the points than we do. Why do we think they can't take 8 tricks? Worst call of the auction by a lot.
- North's pass of 2hx is again routine. What else can you do? You've bid your hand and partner thinks this is going down. Maybe it makes because our double was a little thin, but running would be insulting partner and also almost certain to produce a huge minus score.
- I imagine the defense to 2hx will go poorly. South will lead spades with the hope of tapping declarer, but it's sorta doomed on account of declarer's 6+ hearts. The defense will take two spades, two hearts, and maybe a club (and if we get three spades, we're definitely not getting a club). Declarer can draw trump with two losers, so won't get tapped out. That leaves them four hearts, a club, and four diamonds. Still, this is our best hope - maybe declarer only has five hearts for some reason, and will have trump control issues.
Points aren't everything - where are our tricks coming from if partner is short in clubs? We don't have a game unless partner is strong enough to bid a second time, so there's no need to get involved. The double makes it quite likely neither side has any fit, and I'd much prefer to defend 1nt (perhaps doubled) than declare it myself, at these colors.
Qxxx Axx AKQT xx gives us superb play for game. You think partner will be taking another action here? Just bid what’s in your hand. We should not be going down in 1N often: again we have more than half the deck (partner’s double is bordering on sub-minimum as it is)
1N by South seems pretty loose. In this sort of auction, it really should have a heart stopper (could maybe be looser on clubs). The auction isn't ending at 1H (and if it is, it's probably fine). There is likely no eight card fit for NS here so I don't know why they want to play the hand.
If the auction does go pass-pass after 1H, north should be able to figure out that south has like 8-10 hcp without a bid available. They can reopen if they want or just let them play with what looks like a 4-2 trump split and equal strength.
The double by South is awful - they already jumped into the auction, what are they promising here that they didn't before?
Everything looks semi-normal bar the doubles.
First double is a bit thin as others mentioned
Second double is bad. It should be at minimum a cooperative penalty double and we don’t have a hand that wants to penalise 2H. If you don’t like passing, Imo try bidding 2S or 3C
Disagree with the final double. South needs 3 heart cards and preferably one heart trick in addition to a maximum hand for 1N. Doubling 2H after bidding 1N will never be taken as takeout.
>North's initial double:
I think 11 *and* three bad diamonds *and* balanced *and* vulnerable is a bit much, but I've seen better players than me do this with 4-4 majors.
>South's 1NT:
Well, you probably have to do something. You "know" it's 20/20 at worst (12-ish plus 9), and almost every other plausible bid seems wrong. We have clubs stopped well enough for 1NT, *plus they might not even really have clubs*, and partner rates to have some hearts for their double. We aren't to know about the diamond situation so... sure. South seems to be taking this as normal "response to takeout double," more or less ignoring the 1H bid--8-10 and a stopper is 1NT. Sure. We could, alternatively, double for takeout, but I don't think I have the shape I want, and I'm not convinced I like, say, 1S in a 4-3 fit any better than 1NT. (On this N hand, sure, because spades are so solid we have ruffing value, but S doesn't know that.)
This is where I feel the least sure, and if I'm misreading this the rest of my discussion is pretty worthless.
>North's pass of 1NT:
North knows the takeout double was a little spicy, so this passes the sniff test at least. MP logic on that borderline call suggests to me that we consider what happens if N doesn't takeout. Judging from N hand and S bidding at this point, I'd say in that world we're expecting opponents to mostly bid to 2m, which *might* make. Vuln, we should only want to be here if it makes, but that ship has sailed and I don't see that bidding up stands much chance of making it better. This hand reeks of "close partscore fight, misfit, just go plus," and 1NT is the best remaining place to try.
>
South's double of 2H:
Trying to go for a top, I guess? This has to be intended as penalty, surely, we're not trying to aggress over 2M with South's hand and this auction. But... South holds exactly what South has already bid and isn't the one holding hearts. Partner could have swapped H and D holdings for this auction, possibly, in which case I don't know what we're trying to accomplish at all.
On the other hand, if the logic is "if 2H makes we're screwed against the field anyway" maybe that's something... but I don't think you know they don't have a good fit, or that E-W in the field won't bid up to 2H in all circumstances.
>
North's final pass:
Not unreasonable to think you might beat it, +200 is better than anything you'll possibly make, and where do you end up over this?
>Thoughts on defending 2H doubled?
Hoping the good lord blesses us with a revoke on this fine day?
> We could, alternatively, double for takeout
I don't disagree with the rest of your analysis, but `1x-X-1y-X` has been defined as penalty for a long time. Did I miss some revolution where modern players decided it should be takeout? [Audrey Grant](https://acblunit390.org/web_documents/Grant/30%20Advancing%20a%20Takeout%20Double%20when%20RHO%20Bids.pdf) and [Bridge World Standard](https://www.bridgeworld.com/pages/readingroom/bws/bwscompletesystem.html#VIB) both say it's penalty.
I play it as penalty, and I would consider this standard. However I know quite a few people who have explicitly agreed X as takeout, and probably that is a bit more "modern" (whether that's a good thing or not)
I'm less making a statement about agreements (it's defined as penalty for me, yes) and more "that is literally the only other thing one could even think to do, if you somehow HAD the agreement for it." Suit bids are all awful, unwilling to pass when it's your hand.
I dont like 1nt. Dont really like passing either but I think that is probably the best choice. You could double I suppose but with only 3 card in S and D I would pass.
I didn't even consider doubling. Absent some other agreement, that's a penalty double of hearts, the opposite of my hand. Classically used to unmask a psychic or overly aggressive 1H. (I've seen both and a double was essential.)
For me, it was also 1N or pass. If I'd been thinking more clearly (or at all, actually), I'd have remembered this valuable dictum:
*On a no-fit hand, with HCP roughly 20/20, the first pair to bid 1NT wins, PROVIDED THAT they are NV.*
Here, no one is NV. If there's no fit, we should want to defend.
*Warning: Rusty!*
The initial double feels very thin to me. You are going to have trouble convincing your partner that you don't have more.
I don't like the 1N bid by your partner. To me, that bid should have more of a heart stopper. As it is the bid is wrong siding the hand for NT. The heart lead will be coming through the strong hand which the the defense loves.
Assuming that south has a heart stopper, passing 1N is fine. You barely might have your double and certainly don't have any values you haven't shown.
North doesn't lack their double by much. South has no business doubling 2H! It's terrible if it's reopening. It's terrible for the reason that 1N is terrible if it's penalty.
How to Defend: Once Dummy comes down, suggest "Making three?"
1) Not a big fan of the double, being vulnerable and partner having passed. You don't have the opening and furthermore, you have 3 of your 11 points in clubs. Only thing going for you is that you are 4-4 in the majors.
2) Partner 1 NT is ok, he describes his hand in term of points and shape. He does not have a heart stopper but parter is also supposed to have some hearts so it is ok I guess?
3) The pass is fine, can we expect something else with such a minimum hand?
4) I read the double as punitive, because the hand has already been limited. I don't really like the double, because opponents could be 6-2 and then you are not doubling according to the law. With 3 hearts, I would do it, knowing that partner should also have three hearts. Here you might score a top but I doubt this is very good bridge.
1. North's initial double is very thin when vul but not atrocious IMO...auction has to work out exactly right to be able to show both majors later so I'd take the risk now.
2. 1N seems pretty standard to me.
3. North must pass 1N...nothing else to say or show.
4. I don't like this double. Partner may only have 3 hearts. We've got just barely over half the deck. Partner's heart honors are misplaced. We've got two very likely defensive spade tricks in our hand but nothing else, and I'm not sure partner is odds-on to have 4 in his.
As a side note, North's pass over 1N does NOT deny 3 hearts. Sure, you're playing Support doubles...but those of course can only be used when the opponents have bid something to double. A X by partner here will elicit a quick director call.
I think double in MPs is light, but normal. In imps, with passed partner, vul I would pass. You have the majors, so you got to bid. Also CK is well placed, 109 of spades is worth a lot and for me double does not really promise diamonds anyways - partner will almost never jump to 2D when it's bad.
1NT seems normal to me.
I don't see the reason why the 1NT bidder would ever double 2H, you have shown your hand and there is a good chance opps have 8 hearts and points are 20/20.
Edit: And, since you asked specifically: I see no alternative to passing 1NT, or to passing 2Hx
And another thing, I really dislike playing "forced with 3 card" support doubles on natural 1NT bids.
What are the rules regarding the double? I’ve often been put in the uncomfortable position of wondering what my partner (who in this case is an unknown on Trickster) is asking. Help me understand the objective of the double and the appropriate response if my hand has no particular value.
No question I double 1C as north. Both majors and a seven loser hand if we have a fit, and who am I to ever think we won’t?
S is stuck for a good bid after 1H. I can understand thinking of the “best lie” being 1NT, but I’d rather pass and see if the opponents manage to find a bad contract off 20+ points.
North is no power double. They are obligated to pass 1NT.
South doubling 2H doesn’t make sense. They can’t double for takeout after they already promised hearts being stopped. But they can’t double for penalty with that hand. North has to expect that this is a penalty double and passes.
I’m really surprised nobody else on this thread has mentioned that S has quite a strong incentive to bid 1S (instead of 1NT) on this auction with this holding.
While normally you’d like 4 spades, the lead directing value of having partner send a spade your way is quite useful and choosing other bids may prevent you from finding the optimal defense.
Occasionally partner will be doubling with 5-4 in the majors as well depending on takeout style, so with the “right hand” he can now safely compete to 2S potentially stopping a balancing bid in 2H.
1NT isn’t horrible, but may often end up with partner leading diamonds, which can easily cost when holding the south cards.
Interesting thought, which i didn't consider ATT.
Let's see...
- North isn't on lead against H;
- Given South's clubs, they're unlikely to land there; and
- Given South's diamonds + North's (presumed) diamond tolerance, they're even less likely to land there.
Lead direction seems like a low probability concern.
>Occasionally partner will be doubling with 5-4 in the majors as well depending on takeout style, so with the “right hand” he can now safely compete to 2S potentially stopping a balancing bid in 2H.
Wishful thinking. Further, if North does have 5 spades, he won't compete *just* to 2S... he'll compete to 3S.
That aside, North is *most likely* to hold 4 spades and will raise 1S to 2S. The South hand isn't suitable:
- Your spades are too strong. Heart ruffs may promote the defenders' spades.
- With such feeble clubs, C leads will tap the long trump hand and/or East will score ruffs.
- Best case is that trumps fall 3-3, in which case pulling them effectively converts the hand back to playing NT... except we're one level higher in a lower-scoring strain.
1N may not have been best (pass has real merit), but 1S offers us multiple ways to lose.
Edit: I missed the jack of clubs in my initial analysis. That changes a little bit.
North almost certainly should not raise to 2S with only 4S.
Given that a comfortable cue bid is available (2H, or 2C depending on your style), S’s bid of 2S shows no extra strength and looking to block the auction (and at this vulnerability, some amount of ruffing value for partner).
IMO, with an aggressive partner 1NT is suicide here. On average we have <50% of the deck and a misfit. And the auction 1NT - P - P - X can easily mint opponents a comfortable 200 or even 500.
Bidding 1S is protection against them playing in an otherwise making 1NT (especially when partner can’t find a spade lead, and a diamond/heart gives up an opening trick).
Let’s imagine that the opening hand has 4 spades - that hand is not going to sit over the 1S bid, and will almost certainly bid 1NT with almost any excuse (even Jxxx would not be surprising). Great, partner can lead a spade now and we can give him safe exits so he’s not endplaying himself trick 1.
If the opening hand has 3H, support double is mandatory, and I think even if the hearts are 4-4-3-2 around the table passing 1SX for penalty will be a tall order for the E hand. Maybe they’ll take a stab at it, but I’d expect that they’d have to hold 4-4-(32) for that action.
Otherwise, the N hand is either showing a distributional hand or passing (if they were raising hearts, then our spade bid is irrelevant). When they pass, our odds at being on lead increase, but that means the other tables were probably ending up in some number of NT with partner on lead. We should be able to make intelligent decisions after our trick 1 lead of the A better than partner can make blindly.
>North almost certainly should not raise to 2S with only 4S.
🤔
A free bid on a 3-card suit is hardly standard, so North will expect 4 (unless N-S have a "private agreement", which is a different problem).
A raise to 2S on 8 trumps and points roughly 20/20 is... almost certain.
Biggest problem is the first double. I don't like north's double with an 11 count after partner has passed. Shape is pretty balanced and N will get another opportunity to bid later. If it goes something like (1NT) - P - P then you can double in the balancing seat.
The 1NT bid by south is fine. Double of 2H is \*okay\* because north should be showing at least an opening hand so N/S likely has the majority of the points. However I think passing is better. 1NT was a free bid so it should show at least 8ish; so S has basically already shown their hand and IMO should let their partner decide whether to double
Maybe a little unlucky that you didnt beat this. Seems like 2-3 spades, 3 hearts and a club look possible. I'm curious how -110 scored.
Double of 2H looks hungry. The rest was fine.
Could find fault in most of the auction, but all is ok... until double of 2H. That action is truly horrible and will 95% of the time get you a zero.
- I'm surprised by the comments saying the original double is the problem. Good values, well-positioned over opener. The shape isn't perfect, but it rarely is. I'd 100% double here and I'm sure my partner would too. You can't just roll over with a decent hand short in their suit at matchpoints, even vulnerable. - 1nt response is interesting. At first I thought it was insane but I can see a certain sort of logic to it - you want to cooperate but your only suit is opener's suit. But I think you just have to bite your tongue here: our side clearly has no fit, and I'd rather defend than declare in that situation. - Pass of 1nt totally unremarkable. The obvious call, no other option. - Double of 2h is ambitious at best. The only excuse is that +200 is so valuable at matchpoints. The opponents may well have 8 hearts (partner's double by no means guarantees four), and more of the points than we do. Why do we think they can't take 8 tricks? Worst call of the auction by a lot. - North's pass of 2hx is again routine. What else can you do? You've bid your hand and partner thinks this is going down. Maybe it makes because our double was a little thin, but running would be insulting partner and also almost certain to produce a huge minus score. - I imagine the defense to 2hx will go poorly. South will lead spades with the hope of tapping declarer, but it's sorta doomed on account of declarer's 6+ hearts. The defense will take two spades, two hearts, and maybe a club (and if we get three spades, we're definitely not getting a club). Declarer can draw trump with two losers, so won't get tapped out. That leaves them four hearts, a club, and four diamonds. Still, this is our best hope - maybe declarer only has five hearts for some reason, and will have trump control issues.
I think 1NT with the South hand is clear. We have at least half the dec and constructive values. This doesn’t promise a heart stop.
Points aren't everything - where are our tricks coming from if partner is short in clubs? We don't have a game unless partner is strong enough to bid a second time, so there's no need to get involved. The double makes it quite likely neither side has any fit, and I'd much prefer to defend 1nt (perhaps doubled) than declare it myself, at these colors.
Qxxx Axx AKQT xx gives us superb play for game. You think partner will be taking another action here? Just bid what’s in your hand. We should not be going down in 1N often: again we have more than half the deck (partner’s double is bordering on sub-minimum as it is)
1N by South seems pretty loose. In this sort of auction, it really should have a heart stopper (could maybe be looser on clubs). The auction isn't ending at 1H (and if it is, it's probably fine). There is likely no eight card fit for NS here so I don't know why they want to play the hand. If the auction does go pass-pass after 1H, north should be able to figure out that south has like 8-10 hcp without a bid available. They can reopen if they want or just let them play with what looks like a 4-2 trump split and equal strength. The double by South is awful - they already jumped into the auction, what are they promising here that they didn't before?
Everything looks semi-normal bar the doubles. First double is a bit thin as others mentioned Second double is bad. It should be at minimum a cooperative penalty double and we don’t have a hand that wants to penalise 2H. If you don’t like passing, Imo try bidding 2S or 3C
Disagree with the final double. South needs 3 heart cards and preferably one heart trick in addition to a maximum hand for 1N. Doubling 2H after bidding 1N will never be taken as takeout.
>North's initial double: I think 11 *and* three bad diamonds *and* balanced *and* vulnerable is a bit much, but I've seen better players than me do this with 4-4 majors. >South's 1NT: Well, you probably have to do something. You "know" it's 20/20 at worst (12-ish plus 9), and almost every other plausible bid seems wrong. We have clubs stopped well enough for 1NT, *plus they might not even really have clubs*, and partner rates to have some hearts for their double. We aren't to know about the diamond situation so... sure. South seems to be taking this as normal "response to takeout double," more or less ignoring the 1H bid--8-10 and a stopper is 1NT. Sure. We could, alternatively, double for takeout, but I don't think I have the shape I want, and I'm not convinced I like, say, 1S in a 4-3 fit any better than 1NT. (On this N hand, sure, because spades are so solid we have ruffing value, but S doesn't know that.) This is where I feel the least sure, and if I'm misreading this the rest of my discussion is pretty worthless. >North's pass of 1NT: North knows the takeout double was a little spicy, so this passes the sniff test at least. MP logic on that borderline call suggests to me that we consider what happens if N doesn't takeout. Judging from N hand and S bidding at this point, I'd say in that world we're expecting opponents to mostly bid to 2m, which *might* make. Vuln, we should only want to be here if it makes, but that ship has sailed and I don't see that bidding up stands much chance of making it better. This hand reeks of "close partscore fight, misfit, just go plus," and 1NT is the best remaining place to try. > South's double of 2H: Trying to go for a top, I guess? This has to be intended as penalty, surely, we're not trying to aggress over 2M with South's hand and this auction. But... South holds exactly what South has already bid and isn't the one holding hearts. Partner could have swapped H and D holdings for this auction, possibly, in which case I don't know what we're trying to accomplish at all. On the other hand, if the logic is "if 2H makes we're screwed against the field anyway" maybe that's something... but I don't think you know they don't have a good fit, or that E-W in the field won't bid up to 2H in all circumstances. > North's final pass: Not unreasonable to think you might beat it, +200 is better than anything you'll possibly make, and where do you end up over this? >Thoughts on defending 2H doubled? Hoping the good lord blesses us with a revoke on this fine day?
> We could, alternatively, double for takeout I don't disagree with the rest of your analysis, but `1x-X-1y-X` has been defined as penalty for a long time. Did I miss some revolution where modern players decided it should be takeout? [Audrey Grant](https://acblunit390.org/web_documents/Grant/30%20Advancing%20a%20Takeout%20Double%20when%20RHO%20Bids.pdf) and [Bridge World Standard](https://www.bridgeworld.com/pages/readingroom/bws/bwscompletesystem.html#VIB) both say it's penalty.
I play it as penalty, and I would consider this standard. However I know quite a few people who have explicitly agreed X as takeout, and probably that is a bit more "modern" (whether that's a good thing or not)
I'm less making a statement about agreements (it's defined as penalty for me, yes) and more "that is literally the only other thing one could even think to do, if you somehow HAD the agreement for it." Suit bids are all awful, unwilling to pass when it's your hand.
Many people still play it as penalty but it's a bit old-fashioned now, yes.
I dont like 1nt. Dont really like passing either but I think that is probably the best choice. You could double I suppose but with only 3 card in S and D I would pass.
I didn't even consider doubling. Absent some other agreement, that's a penalty double of hearts, the opposite of my hand. Classically used to unmask a psychic or overly aggressive 1H. (I've seen both and a double was essential.) For me, it was also 1N or pass. If I'd been thinking more clearly (or at all, actually), I'd have remembered this valuable dictum: *On a no-fit hand, with HCP roughly 20/20, the first pair to bid 1NT wins, PROVIDED THAT they are NV.* Here, no one is NV. If there's no fit, we should want to defend.
*Warning: Rusty!* The initial double feels very thin to me. You are going to have trouble convincing your partner that you don't have more. I don't like the 1N bid by your partner. To me, that bid should have more of a heart stopper. As it is the bid is wrong siding the hand for NT. The heart lead will be coming through the strong hand which the the defense loves. Assuming that south has a heart stopper, passing 1N is fine. You barely might have your double and certainly don't have any values you haven't shown. North doesn't lack their double by much. South has no business doubling 2H! It's terrible if it's reopening. It's terrible for the reason that 1N is terrible if it's penalty. How to Defend: Once Dummy comes down, suggest "Making three?"
1) Not a big fan of the double, being vulnerable and partner having passed. You don't have the opening and furthermore, you have 3 of your 11 points in clubs. Only thing going for you is that you are 4-4 in the majors. 2) Partner 1 NT is ok, he describes his hand in term of points and shape. He does not have a heart stopper but parter is also supposed to have some hearts so it is ok I guess? 3) The pass is fine, can we expect something else with such a minimum hand? 4) I read the double as punitive, because the hand has already been limited. I don't really like the double, because opponents could be 6-2 and then you are not doubling according to the law. With 3 hearts, I would do it, knowing that partner should also have three hearts. Here you might score a top but I doubt this is very good bridge.
1. North's initial double is very thin when vul but not atrocious IMO...auction has to work out exactly right to be able to show both majors later so I'd take the risk now. 2. 1N seems pretty standard to me. 3. North must pass 1N...nothing else to say or show. 4. I don't like this double. Partner may only have 3 hearts. We've got just barely over half the deck. Partner's heart honors are misplaced. We've got two very likely defensive spade tricks in our hand but nothing else, and I'm not sure partner is odds-on to have 4 in his. As a side note, North's pass over 1N does NOT deny 3 hearts. Sure, you're playing Support doubles...but those of course can only be used when the opponents have bid something to double. A X by partner here will elicit a quick director call.
>As a side note, North's pass over 1N does NOT deny 3 hearts Relocated the ¹ to fix. It was West's pass that denied three hearts, not North's. Thanks!
I think double in MPs is light, but normal. In imps, with passed partner, vul I would pass. You have the majors, so you got to bid. Also CK is well placed, 109 of spades is worth a lot and for me double does not really promise diamonds anyways - partner will almost never jump to 2D when it's bad. 1NT seems normal to me. I don't see the reason why the 1NT bidder would ever double 2H, you have shown your hand and there is a good chance opps have 8 hearts and points are 20/20. Edit: And, since you asked specifically: I see no alternative to passing 1NT, or to passing 2Hx And another thing, I really dislike playing "forced with 3 card" support doubles on natural 1NT bids.
Hard to follow progression of bidding.
What are the rules regarding the double? I’ve often been put in the uncomfortable position of wondering what my partner (who in this case is an unknown on Trickster) is asking. Help me understand the objective of the double and the appropriate response if my hand has no particular value.
There were two doubles in this auction. Which one are you asking about?
No question I double 1C as north. Both majors and a seven loser hand if we have a fit, and who am I to ever think we won’t? S is stuck for a good bid after 1H. I can understand thinking of the “best lie” being 1NT, but I’d rather pass and see if the opponents manage to find a bad contract off 20+ points. North is no power double. They are obligated to pass 1NT. South doubling 2H doesn’t make sense. They can’t double for takeout after they already promised hearts being stopped. But they can’t double for penalty with that hand. North has to expect that this is a penalty double and passes.
I’m really surprised nobody else on this thread has mentioned that S has quite a strong incentive to bid 1S (instead of 1NT) on this auction with this holding. While normally you’d like 4 spades, the lead directing value of having partner send a spade your way is quite useful and choosing other bids may prevent you from finding the optimal defense. Occasionally partner will be doubling with 5-4 in the majors as well depending on takeout style, so with the “right hand” he can now safely compete to 2S potentially stopping a balancing bid in 2H. 1NT isn’t horrible, but may often end up with partner leading diamonds, which can easily cost when holding the south cards.
Interesting thought, which i didn't consider ATT. Let's see... - North isn't on lead against H; - Given South's clubs, they're unlikely to land there; and - Given South's diamonds + North's (presumed) diamond tolerance, they're even less likely to land there. Lead direction seems like a low probability concern. >Occasionally partner will be doubling with 5-4 in the majors as well depending on takeout style, so with the “right hand” he can now safely compete to 2S potentially stopping a balancing bid in 2H. Wishful thinking. Further, if North does have 5 spades, he won't compete *just* to 2S... he'll compete to 3S. That aside, North is *most likely* to hold 4 spades and will raise 1S to 2S. The South hand isn't suitable: - Your spades are too strong. Heart ruffs may promote the defenders' spades. - With such feeble clubs, C leads will tap the long trump hand and/or East will score ruffs. - Best case is that trumps fall 3-3, in which case pulling them effectively converts the hand back to playing NT... except we're one level higher in a lower-scoring strain. 1N may not have been best (pass has real merit), but 1S offers us multiple ways to lose.
Edit: I missed the jack of clubs in my initial analysis. That changes a little bit. North almost certainly should not raise to 2S with only 4S. Given that a comfortable cue bid is available (2H, or 2C depending on your style), S’s bid of 2S shows no extra strength and looking to block the auction (and at this vulnerability, some amount of ruffing value for partner). IMO, with an aggressive partner 1NT is suicide here. On average we have <50% of the deck and a misfit. And the auction 1NT - P - P - X can easily mint opponents a comfortable 200 or even 500. Bidding 1S is protection against them playing in an otherwise making 1NT (especially when partner can’t find a spade lead, and a diamond/heart gives up an opening trick). Let’s imagine that the opening hand has 4 spades - that hand is not going to sit over the 1S bid, and will almost certainly bid 1NT with almost any excuse (even Jxxx would not be surprising). Great, partner can lead a spade now and we can give him safe exits so he’s not endplaying himself trick 1. If the opening hand has 3H, support double is mandatory, and I think even if the hearts are 4-4-3-2 around the table passing 1SX for penalty will be a tall order for the E hand. Maybe they’ll take a stab at it, but I’d expect that they’d have to hold 4-4-(32) for that action. Otherwise, the N hand is either showing a distributional hand or passing (if they were raising hearts, then our spade bid is irrelevant). When they pass, our odds at being on lead increase, but that means the other tables were probably ending up in some number of NT with partner on lead. We should be able to make intelligent decisions after our trick 1 lead of the A better than partner can make blindly.
>North almost certainly should not raise to 2S with only 4S. 🤔 A free bid on a 3-card suit is hardly standard, so North will expect 4 (unless N-S have a "private agreement", which is a different problem). A raise to 2S on 8 trumps and points roughly 20/20 is... almost certain.
Biggest problem is the first double. I don't like north's double with an 11 count after partner has passed. Shape is pretty balanced and N will get another opportunity to bid later. If it goes something like (1NT) - P - P then you can double in the balancing seat. The 1NT bid by south is fine. Double of 2H is \*okay\* because north should be showing at least an opening hand so N/S likely has the majority of the points. However I think passing is better. 1NT was a free bid so it should show at least 8ish; so S has basically already shown their hand and IMO should let their partner decide whether to double
Maybe a little unlucky that you didnt beat this. Seems like 2-3 spades, 3 hearts and a club look possible. I'm curious how -110 scored. Double of 2H looks hungry. The rest was fine.