Facing Marilyn, North, you have a hard time concentrating
on your nice hand. But you get to gaze at her for three
calls.

What is your balancing call? Your choices are: double,
1, 2 (majors), 2 (strong), and 4.

 South You
   A K J 6 5 4 3
   A Q 8 2
   6
   5

You double to begin with. Every call is flawed, but double
prolongs the auction. Seriously, here are the flaws:

Double allows the opponents into the auction at a low level.
1 could be passed out.
2 (planning to bid 4S next) would show 5 hearts on the side.
2 could also be passed out.
4 may miss a slam.

You learn that partner has a good hand (her 2 cuebid) and
East has a weak hand with a lot of diamonds with partner.

Now what? Make it impressive!

 South You
   A K J 6 5 4 3
   A Q 8 2
   6
   5

You could bid more than 4 over 4 and hope to hit the
jackpot, but playing partner for the perfect hand has its
risks as well. The more you think about it, the more you
are sorry you didn't bid 4 the first time and then maybe
West would have passed and let you buy the contract,
and you could show off your card play skills.

Now are you willing to take a penalty against a non-vul 5
doubled or will you bid again? And if so, will you introduce
those hearts?

 South You
   A K J 6 5 4 3
   A Q 8 2
   6
   5

You bid 5. If partner preferred hearts to spades by a lot,
she would not have cuebid 2. She would have bid 2.
Partner really can't imagine how distributional your hand
is, so though you would normally respect her double, at
this vulnerability with this great hand, you should risk 5.

The contract seems to hinge on the heart finesse, but the
good news is that you don't need the finesse. West cashes
his two minor-suit aces and you can claim, discarding three
hearts on dummy's king of diamonds and king-queen of
clubs. You would have scored 500 against 5 doubled,
so you did a little better making 650 in 5. You point
that out to Marilyn, and heave a sigh of relief. THE END

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 South You
   A K J 6 5 4 3
   A Q 8 2
   6
   5

South - double 4 5

West 1 2 5 all pass

North pass 2 double

East pass 4 pass

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