Hand Question 8
Lightner Double
I was East. North opened 1 club, South responded 1H, North supported hearts. South bid Blackwood and after North showed keycards, Soouth bid 6 hearts. I doubled intending it to be a Lightner double for an unusual lead. After a lot of thought partners led KS not recognising my double as Lightner. Declarer won and then played three rounds of trumps leaving me with the master JH. She then played on clubs discarding her spade losers and ruffing the fourth round. She then led QD covered by the King and Ace which I ruffed and returned a spade which was ruffed. Partner had thrown diamonds and (I think) declarers 2D was her 12th trick. We got a bottom but only 1 other pair bid the slam anyway so the double didn't cost much. Declarer can make even on a diamond lead as it turns out. Was I right to double?
Bernard's Answer
You do not really want to ruff because your HJ is likely to be a trick. Generally a Lightner double is based on a hand that has a likely trick and a void - so that if partner gives you a ruff, you can then take the contract down. Given your double, partner should have chosen a diamond, but as suggested, you only end with one trick.