Forming a picture

This hand was played with sweetie and abby as North and South respectively. They were particularly proud of this hand. Witness:

Dealer was East, and Both were vul.

1 was opened on abby's right. "Double" with:

A 10 9 8
K Q 10 2
8
9 8 7 5

• Typical OKB style....

West bids 2 and surprise, surprise, pard (sweetie) bids 2. This is a "free" bid (and thus promises "something") and East now emphasizes his suit with a 3 bid. Interesting auction thus far... West made a forcing 2 bid and pard had "something" and East is showing extras, since a pass would be a minimum opener. Abby passed at this stage, showing a minimum double. A picture was forming, yes...

The bidding thus far: WEST 2 NORTH 2 EAST 1 3 SOUTH Dbl Pass

Abby's hand repeated: A 10 9 8 K Q 10 2 8 9 8 7 5

The auction gets more interesting now when West bids 3, presumably asking for a stop for NT. In any case, it is forcing. Sweetie doubles this!!! Wow. Sweetie has shown "something" with her 2 bid, but now has reasonable spades. Yes... has to be. The picture is taking more shape...

The bidding thus far: WEST 2 3 NORTH 2 Dbl EAST 1 3 SOUTH Dbl Pass

Abby's hand repeated: A 10 9 8 K Q 10 2 8 9 8 7 5

East now bids 4 ! Wow. They have a double fit. Hmmm, how many clubs does sweetie have? We are both vul, and it is pretty certain that they have a game on in one of their suits... stiff diamond here, and short clubs there, and sweetie has "reasonable" spades and "something". Abby works out that 4 must be a good save. She bids it. And a quick double from her LHO. Pass, Pass, Pass. The picture is looking good.

"luck, pd" says abby.
"typ!" exclaims sweetie. For the full hands were:

sweetie KJ432 J983 1073 2   WEST 765 A76 J9 KQ1043 EAST Q 54 AKQ6542 AJ6         abby A1098 KQ102 8 9875   Sweetie lost a heart, club and a diamond trick, making. A great hand, girls, when the opps were cold for a slam in either minor! Well bid, well played, and a well-deserved 100% of the spoils.

The picture is great!!