What’s your call?
| 2♦ | 2♥ | 2♠ | 2NT | |
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass | Rdbl |
SOS is the commonly used description for the international Morse code distress signal. An SOS redouble sends the same message in bridge.
Robinson figures it like this: “When two players (East and me) think we’re going down, it’s time to run.”
Lawrence says, “This looks like a Terrence Reese hand where he gives you reasons why passing is best. I think Reese lived in a world where a 2♣ overcall promised better clubs than it does today. Redouble may get you to a better suit. I know clubs is bad. I do not know for sure that other suits are bad. One other plus for redoubling is that maybe one of the opponents will find a reason to bid something.”
“It’s time to bail,” says Boehm. “Bail anywhere, including diamonds. In these situations, it usually helps to be at the table.”
Cohen says, “I wouldn’t be expecting a hearty ‘thank you, partner’ if I tabled this dummy in 2♣ doubled. Though I could be leaping from the frying pan into the fire.”
“Passing is sadistic,” says Weinstein, “and 2♠ is too unilateral.”
Falk redoubles out of courtesy to his teammates. “Fifty years of hard lumps have taught me that in this situation, poor partner is going for his life, and pass is like conceding the match. I remember a deal not so long ago when my vulnerable opponent overcalled 2♣ with ♣A K Q 10 8 x, and he and his 30,000 masterpoints went for 1100. There is nothing more annoying than teammates who leave their partners to flounder in this situation, then blame partner for losing 12–15 IMPs on the deal.”
Stack is clear. “The idea is to escape the double. If partner bids 2♥ and gets doubled, then we will have to judge how happy the double is before running to 2♠.”
“We probably remove the double of 2♥ to 2♠,” say the Sutherlins, continuing Stack’s thought process. “The opponents may be reluctant to double us into a game that might make.”
Scorer Walker went easy on the passer. “Some players really do make rock-solid overcalls here. The passers, who obviously play with those folks, get a slight boost in the scoring for trusting their partners.”
That passer is Kennedy. “I’m going to stay out of this one. If partner is 3–3 in the majors or 2–3, my rescue has led to a worse score. With endplay possibilities, partner could possibly make it or go one down.”
