This Real Deal comes from Rob Drummond of Toronto.

Vul:EW Dlr: N	Q92 92 AJ53 AJ65
53 10754 Q108642 9		AK8 A8 K9 KQ8743
	J10764 KQJ63 7 102

West	North	East	South
	1	Dbl	1
Pass	2	3	3
All Pass

Opening with 4-4 in the minors

With 3-3 in the minors, we always open 1.

But, with 4-4, there is no exact rule. There are pros and cons to each approach.

Opening 1 allows more space. Opening 1 conveys to partner that you (almost surely) have four diamonds.

Some teachers recommend opening the better of the two minors when 4-4. I am in the camp of usually opening 1, so that is what is shown in the bidding diagram.

The Big Double

East is too strong to overcall 2. Such an action has a limit of about 17 HCP. So, East (even though he can’t support all 3 unbid suits) starts with a double, planning to bid clubs next (to show 18+ and clubs). His partner doesn't yet know that the double promises extras and will respond normally.

The Rest of the Auction

South wants to start showing his nice distributional hand. With 4-4 in the majors, we would go up the line, but with 5-5 we bid spades first. So, even though the hearts are better, South responds 1.

West no longer has to take out partner’s double. In fact, doing so now (“freely”) would show some values (at least about 5-6 points and a suit worth mentioning), so West passes.

North shouldn’t bid the other minor (bidding both minors would typically show at least 5-4). With a flat minimum (which this is), the rebid is normally 1NT. However, this auction is an exception. North raises to 2 with only 3-card support. Why? Normally, raising shows four-card support (because responder promises only 4). But, with a small doubleton and reasonable 3-card support (an honor), I prefer raising as opposed to rebidding 1NT. Yes, this might place us in a 4-3 fit on occasion(not today, though).

As planned, East now shows a big hand with clubs by bidding 3 (East needn’t jump; just by doubling and bidding again, he is showing 18+).

South doesn’t have a lot of HCP, but has lots of shape, so goes on to 3. This does not invite game (South would have to bid a new suit to invite his partner to game).

Everyone has shown what they have, so 3 buys the contract. It's important that East doesn't compete on single-handedly.

The Play

West gets to do two desirable things by leading his 9; lead a side-suit singleton, and lead partner’s suit.

Counting losers, declarer sees one club, one heart and two spades. That will be fine since he is in only 3. He wins the A and following the general principle of developing the side suit before touching trump, leads a heart from dummy. East plays second-hand low and the king wins. Now what?

Declarer will probably lead a high heart from hand (not wanting to open up diamonds by crossing to dummy for another heart play). East wins and cashes a high club (West throwing a diamond).

East should play more clubs (knowing his partner might be able to overtrump). There is no reason to play a high club (East can save that for later). So, he plays a low club. South trumps high (he doesn’t want West to trump cheaply).

Now, declarer has a problem. Not only does he have to deal with the hearts, but he has control issues. East still has AKx in spades. Whenever East gets in, he can plug away with the long club suit. Declarer can’t handle the club onslaught. It is difficult to see by just looking at the diagram; feel free to lay out all 52 cards and try it.

Bottom line: 3 should be defeated on this complicated partscore deal.

Lesson Points

1) With 4-4 in the minors, you can open with either one.
2) With 18+ after the opponents open, start with a double (don’t overcall).
3) Respond up the line with 4-4 in the majors as responder, but bid spades first with 5-5.
4) A “free” response to partner’s takeout double shows some values.
5) Raising responder’s major usually requires 4-card support. With a small doubleton and 3 to an honor, raising is permissible.
6) Against a trump contract, it is desirable to lead a side-suit singleton (especially in partner’s suit).
7) As declarer, generally, working on the good side suit first is the right plan.