Balancing Over A 1-level Opening by Matthias Huberschwiller

A: Pass - Yes, you can balance with not many points, but you need to be short in their suit. That's not the case here; you are happy for them to play in Diamonds.

In addition, your partner can have points for passing over 1♦ when he's long in Diamonds, but you know he's short. Therefore, he won't have many points.

Your result so far:

A: Double - You can make a balancing take-out double with as few as 8 points and adequate distribution. Here, your shape is perfect; you have a singleton in their suit and four cards in every other suit.

Your result so far:

A: 1 NT - In the balancing seat, you can bid with 4 fewer points than you would in the direct seat. Therefore, you can bid 1 NT with 12-14 points.

Your result so far:

A: Double - As 1 NT shows 12-14, you cannot bid 1 NT with more points than that.

You need to start with a strong-hand double (starting at 14 in the balancing seat, remember; four fewer points), and bid 1 NT on the next round of bidding.

Your result so far:

A: 1♥ - There is no pre-emptive bid in the balancing position; you don't want to pre-empt opponents who have nothing to say!

Therefore, a jump to 2♥ would show 12-14 points with six Hearts. Simply bid 1♥ with a weaker hand.

Your result so far: