The bidding: As we saw in the last column, action over a weak two in direct seat shows at least 15 HCP’s and the correct shape.
However, things are different in the balancing seat. When a weak two is followed by two passes, one should keep the bidding open with at least a good nine points and the correct shape. The correct shape is a must.
West opens a weak Two Hearts with a six-card suit having three of the top five honours. The hand has a total of less than 10 HCP’s with no four-card major.
North has an opening hand but does not have enough points to take action in direct seat. North passes. East could further the pre-empt by bidding Three Hearts but according to the law of total tricks, he should have three-card support. With only two-card support and a quacky hand (A Queen and two Jacks) and no aces, East’s hand is better on defense so he passes.
South has the correct shape to balance with a Two-Spade bid, namely a five-card suit and shortness in opponent’s suit. North must make a raise with four-card support, but does not jump to game in case partner is just balancing. If South had legitimate values, he would accept the invite.
The Opening Lead: West cannot lead a heart in case declarer has the King. South took action not East so the King of Hearts could be with South. A trump lead could be bad if partner has Qxx. A Club lead is marginally better than a lead of the doubleton Diamond without trump control.
The Play: Declarer wins whatever minor is led, draws trump and loses two Hearts. He ruffs a third Heart and the third Diamond. Declarer loses two Hearts and one Club making his contract plus one for +170.
